“Truly excellent”: Harlan Coben’s top-rated thriller hits Netflix on June 18 in 8 episodes
Netflix and crime novels always go well together, and the next series based on a bestseller by Harlan Coben promises to be one of the most eagerly awaited events of June 2026. The title, one of the author’s highest-rated, arrives on the platform on June 18, and its trailer was already unveiled on June 2.
Harlan Coben and Netflix: a collaboration coming to an end
The platform and the American author have signed a contract for the adaptation of fourteen of his novels. At the time of publication, 12 mini-series based on his bestsellers are already available on Netflix. The new series thus becomes the thirteenth.
Yet this collaboration was not exclusive. The author has also worked with Amazon Prime. In addition, adaptations of his novels have been broadcast on TF1 and are still available on TF1+.
So, we’re coming to the end of this contract with Netflix. As a result, fans are hoping that the best has been saved for last.
Which series arrives on June 18?
Searching for “Harlan Coben” directly on Netflix, one series stands out from the rest: it doesn’t yet show a video extract, because it’s not yet available. The thriller is called “Sur tes traces”, a title that echoes the name of the novel translated into French. In the original version, Netflix has also retained the name of the book.
The novel Sur tes traces was released in France on October 3, 2024. Some readers have noted that the author seems to have written this text knowing that it would be adapted for Netflix. While this may seem a critical remark, the book nevertheless has a rating of 3.85/5 on Babelio, with over 1,900 ratings.
“A truly excellent, well-acted thriller with engaging, vivid characters and you’re caught up in the plot.”
What’s Sur tes traces all about?
The novel follows David Burroughs, imprisoned for life for the murder of his 3-year-old son Matthew. He has no memory of the event, yet everything points to him: his drinking, his sleepwalking, and the testimony of a neighbor. Five years after the tragedy, a visit from his sister-in-law Rachel, an investigative journalist, gives him renewed hope.
Rachel recognized Matthew in a vacation photo taken by a couple of friends. The birthmark on the boy’s face leaves little room for doubt: Matthew is alive. To save his son and find out what happened, David has no choice but to escape.
But some people have a vested interest in catching him before he discovers the truth. The story is gripping from beginning to end, as is often the case with this type of novel.
- Father jailed for life for murder of 3-year-old son
- A child found alive in a vacation photo
- An investigative journalist sister-in-law at the heart of the case
- A necessary escape to discover the truth
- An ending that surprises even those who thought they’d found the culprit
A novel written after the Netflix contract was signed
This novel was written after the author signed a contract with Netflix. As a result, some readers may feel that it was written with the screen in mind. Yet this does not detract from the quality of the story, which many describe as solid and well-paced.
The series will run for 8 episodes, a format now customary for adaptations resulting from this partnership. However, no casting details are mentioned in the available sources.
What readers think of Sur tes traces
The most frequent rating given to this novel is 4 stars. Fans of the genre will be pleased, often surprised by the story’s final twist. Whether you’re a loyal reader of the author’s work or not, the fall almost always surprises you.
A reader wrote on Babelio: “I must say I’m blown away! This is a really good vintage! Others praise the engaging characters and a plot that holds your attention from start to finish.
With this novel, Harlan Coben confirms his ability to captivate a wide audience, even outside his most iconic titles. For those who don’t want to wait until June 18, the book has been available in bookshops since October 2024.
