Harlan Coben’s ‘Fool Me Once’ Makes for an Addictive Netflix Hit Series
Miniseries based on Harlan Coben novels have become a Netflix staple, but none have been quite as successful as Fool Me Once. The eight-episode adaptation of Coben’s 2016 novel has become Netflix’s ninth most popular English-language series of all time, spending multiple weeks in the number one spot of the Netflix top 10 following its release. It’s not hard to see why viewers became addicted to the twist-filled mystery, and Fool Me Once provides a strong introduction to the many Coben series Netflix has to offer.
As is often the case in Coben stories, Fool Me Once begins with a seemingly impossible scenario: Days after the funeral for her murdered husband Joe Burkett (Richard Armitage), military veteran Maya Stern (Michelle Keegan) seems to spot Joe on video footage from a nanny-cam she’s installed to keep an eye on her young daughter Lily. Already suspicious about the circumstances surrounding Joe’s death, Maya embarks on an investigation that plunges her deep into a conspiracy involving Joe’s wealthy family.
That conspiracy also encompasses the earlier murder of Maya’s sister Claire Walker (Natalie Anderson), who was Joe’s co-worker at the massive pharmaceutical company owned by his family. DS Sami Kierce (Adeel Akhtar), the lead detective on both cases, is alternately supportive and suspicious of Maya, depending on various pieces of evidence that arise over the course of the labyrinthine investigation.
A whole range of secrets about the characters’ pasts come to light as Maya looks into the murders, providing for enticing cliffhangers that make Fool Me Once nearly irresistible for binge-watching. Joe’s mother Judith (Joanna Lumley) is concealing details about the supposedly accidental death of Joe’s brother when they were teenagers, and Maya is still traumatized by an incident that occurred when she was deployed overseas. The past and present mysteries converge over the course of the eight episodes, culminating in a series of climactic confrontations.
Fool Me Once is the fifth U.K.-set Coben adaptation that head writer Danny Brocklehurst has worked on, beginning with 2016’s The Five, and he has a handle on Coben’s signature interweaving subplots and shocking revelations, keeping the audience guessing as to which details are essential and which are clever bits of misdirection.
Keegan anchors the show in Maya’s fierce sense of justice and relentless quest for answers, bringing the audience along with her as she refuses to back down from the threats of the greedy and powerful. Akhtar brings soulful anguish to Kierce, who’s suffering from a mysterious neurological ailment that may or may not be connected to the larger web of lies surrounding the Burketts.
Lumley is still primarily known for her comedic roles, including iconic sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, and she infuses Judith with some of that haughty nastiness. In a Coben story, there’s rarely a clear-cut villain, though, since everyone has something to hide, and actions that seem sinister may turn out to be benign or even beneficial when the truth finally comes to light.
In that way, Fool Me Once fools the audience numerous times, sending Maya, Kierce, and the viewer down various seemingly promising avenues only to unfold a more complex view of what’s really going on. Coben and Brocklehurst tackle contemporary issues relating to war crimes, pharmaceutical corruption, and investigative journalism, but the focus remains on Maya and her determination to set things right. The ending provides a sense of closure, but there are plenty more intriguing, intricate Coben mysteries just a click away on Netflix.
Read Harlan Coben
Three years ago, sports agent Myron Bolitar gave a eulogy at the funeral of his client, renowned basketball coach Greg Downing. Myron and Greg had history: initially as deeply personal rivals, and later as unexpected business associates. Myron made peace and moved on – until now, when twofederal agents walked into his office, demanding to know where Greg Downing is.
According to the agents, Greg is still alive—and has been placed at the scene of a double homicide, making him their main suspect. Shocked, Myron needs answers.
Myron and Win, longtime friends and colleagues, set out to find the truth, but the more they discover about Greg, the more dangerous their world becomes. Secrets, lies, and a murderous conspiracy that stretches back into the past churn at the heart of Harlan Coben's blistering new novel.
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Josh Bell is a freelance writer and movie/TV critic based in Las Vegas. He’s the former film editor of Las Vegas Weekly and the former TV comedies guide for About.com. He has written about movies, TV, and pop culture for Vulture, Polygon, CBR, Inverse, Crooked Marquee, and more. With comedian Jason Harris, he co-hosts the podcast Awesome Movie Year.