There are so many adult authors who have decided the YA market is where they should apply their less than considerable talents these days, most notably __________ (fill in the blank with the author of your choice). It’s gotten a little tiresome. We know that writing for children and teens is not the same as writing for adults, and it’s frustrating when adult authors don’t know this and then fail miserably (or even fail in just a mediocre way).

Harlan Coben is not one of these authors. In Shelter, he’s created the sort of YA mystery I love: a fast-paced story with plenty of twists and turns and lots to think about. It’s a thrilling story, but it’s not a straight-up thriller. Too often I find that books described as thrillers don’t have much of a mystery to them – they’re all action – but that’s not the case with Shelter.

Mickey Bolitar’s dad has just died and his mom is in rehab for drug addiction, so he’s come to live with his uncle Myron, whom he’s not particularly fond of. (Myron Bolitar stars in his own series of books for adults.) The move necessitates a switch in high schools, something Mickey dreads, but he’s able to quickly carve out his own group of people: best friend Ema, quirky to the point of embarrassment Spoon, and pretty girlfriend Ashley.

Then Ashley goes missing. Of course, he sets out to find her, and it takes him places he never would have expected (including a strip club). The plot is twisty and surprising, but Coben doesn’t throw in anything that is completely out of left field. I wasn’t able to guess what was coming, but when it did, I believed it. That’s the hallmark of a good mystery.

Giving away any more of the plot would ruin the story a bit, so I won’t say any more, but what I can say is that Coben is clearly a pro at what he does. He is able to juggle so many different elements without dropping a single one, and it’s impressive.

Along with the complex mystery, he gives us a little insight into the relationship between Mickey and Myron, develops some intriguing characters in Ema and Spoon, and tackles the heartbreaking effects of drug addiction in Mickey’s mother. In other words, it’s a fully developed story that doesn’t write down to its audience or attempt to make its youthful characters into something other than youths. __________ (The author you used to fill in the blank above) should take a page from Coben’s book.

Of course, Shelter isn’t perfect. Some of the aspects of “teen culture” that Coben created seemed a bit too cliche. Ema and Spoon are fun to read about, but sometimes Spoon’s quirks strain credulity. It also strains credulity that Mickey, who is a self-deprecating but obviously pretty outgoing and good-looking guy, would choose Ema and Spoon – two of the school’s biggest outcasts – for his companions.

Those minor reservations aside, Shelter is a terrifically fun, edge-of-your-seat read. I read it in a single day and hardly even noticed the time pass. I hope Coben writes more about Mickey. The YA field could use more well-written mysteries that provide more than just thrills. I can’t really think of another author who currently provides this level of quality in their mysteries for teens. (I was a Joan Lowery Nixon addict as a teenager and those were some awesome mysteries, but seriously dated now.) Coben knows how to do it right.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Shelter is available now.