Fool Me Once (Coben novel)

Fool Me Once is a 2016 standalone thriller novel by American author Harlan Coben. The story revolves around Maya Stern, a former special operations pilot and veteran struggling with PTSD after witnessing her husband, Joe Burkett, murdered.

The plot thickens when Maya, attempting to keep an eye on her young daughter through a nanny cam, sees a figure resembling Joe in the footage. This discovery throws her world into turmoil and forces her to question everything she thought she knew about her husband, his family, and the events surrounding his death.

As Maya investigates, she uncovers a web of secrets, lies, and corporate corruption. She faces dangerous adversaries and grapples with her own past, including a controversial incident during her military service. The narrative employs Coben's signature style of twists and turns, gradually revealing hidden connections and motives.

Key themes in Fool Me Once include grief, trauma, memory, the ethics of military actions, the power of family secrets, and the corrupting influence of wealth and power. The novel explores the psychological impact of violence and the challenges of rebuilding trust after betrayal.

Fool Me Once was adapted into a limited series by Netflix, released in January 2024.