Harlan Coben's Shelter 2023

I'm sorry, but I have to come to the show's defense.

I only read the first book long ago and honestly don't even remember the mystery with the Bat Lady, just that there was a Bat Lady and a spooky house. What I do remember is that while the book was entertaining, the characters were generic and flat. Well, the TV show takes care of that problem and does it with skill and humor!

First, props to the show for leveraging true color-blind casting. I'm pretty sure Mickey was White & Jewish in the books, at least he read that way. So, to be true to that part of the protagonist's identity and also seamlessly blend it with what I'm guessing is a Dominican, Cuban, or Puerto Rican Black identity, especially since the story takes place in the tri-state area, is a brilliant move! They did a great job authentically portraying and interweaving each side of Mickey's racial identity. Well done!

I spent at least a third of the time watching The Fall of the House of Usher absolutely annoyed at Victorine's casting, because as much as I love the actress T'Nia Miller and as a Black woman who loves to see more representation on the screen, between her beautiful ebony skin and her British accent, it would be implausible that she'd be Roderick's daughter, especially when her mother looked Central American to me.

Another prop to the show for how they portrayed Spoon. He was a very awkward character in the book, endearing but awkward and possibly on the Spectrum. In the show, while he's still awkward, endearing, and possibly on the Spectrum, he's also charming as heck and flat out hilarious. Ema was given more depth in the show than she had in the book too.

I'd say give the show up through Episode 3 until you decide if it's worth it to invest more time. That's when the mystery and all the characters really come into their own.

I had a great time. This was a very successful suspense drama. It's not perfect but it didn't dwell too long on the annoying bits and bits they were. Tiny niggling things. Overall the show was an extremely fun ride. I don't understand all the hate reviews I'm seeing for it. The pilot had a lot of awkwardness. They introduce their custom social media like we've never heard of social media and it's cringe as heck. But you shrug and you get past it and aside from the awful name you never have to really question it.

But the good outweighs it so much. I like the characters. I even like most of the antagonists. The season arc is fun. It opens in a mystery that, minor spoiler, turns out to be a lie. And yet it opens the doors to many more mysteries that DO manage to become something of matter. Everything unfolds in a nice slow burn. This isn't an action spy thriller. This is a suspense drama. And it holds up on that suspense. Holding back the truths you want to know but not teasing you along with no resolution.

The characters fit well. Mickey is an angry kid who lost his parents and he does things angry grieving kids do. Sometimes wrong but never weird. Arthur "Spoon" Spindell is the heart/comedy relief of the group and while there are some issues with everyone calling him spoon for no reason at the drop of a hat. He's a very focused guy. The definition of loyal most than any other character there. All said and done I can't wait to check out the book this was based on. Should be an interesting experience.