## Untangling the Knots: A Deep Dive into Harlan Coben’s *Missing You* Finale
Netflix’s *Harlan Coben’s Missing You* concludes with a whirlwind of revelations, leaving viewers questioning the competence of Detective Inspector Kat Donovan and the plausibility of the intricate web of deceit. While DI Donovan possesses a tough exterior and a knack for navigating danger, her investigative instincts leave much to be desired. For eleven years, she remained oblivious to the conspiracy surrounding her father’s murder, a cover-up involving her boyfriend, best friend, and superior officer. Furthermore, her father’s secret gay affair and corrupt dealings with a local criminal kingpin eluded her for years. Even a seemingly obvious catfishing scam involving her ex-boyfriend went unnoticed until late in the series. This raises serious questions about her abilities, making her a questionable lead investigator, at least in the eyes of viewers.
However, this naivety isn’t entirely surprising within the context of a Harlan Coben thriller. The universe Coben creates thrives on lurid twists, improbable coincidences, and melodramatic secrets, often prioritizing sensational plotting over realistic psychology. Kat’s surprising delight at the prospect of reuniting with Josh, who vanished without explanation, stands as a prime example of this. A real-life reaction would likely involve far more anger and retribution than the forgiveness depicted.
Let’s dissect the finale’s key reveals: Monte Lebrune, initially confessing to Clint Donovan’s murder, is revealed to be a patsy. The true killer is Josh, Kat’s fiancé. In a chaotic struggle, Josh accidentally stabs Clint while defending Aqua, who had witnessed Clint’s argument with his secret lover, Parker. Staggers, Clint’s police colleague, covers up the crime by bribing Lebrune, already imprisoned for other murders, to take the fall.
This cover-up extends further. Clint’s involvement with Calligan, a gangster, stems from Calligan’s blackmail: threats to expose Clint’s fourteen-year affair with Parker unless Clint cooperated. The guilt of his corruption eventually leads Clint to attempt a break from Calligan and Parker, culminating in the fateful encounter witnessed by Aqua.
The catfishing scam that Kat investigates proves unexpectedly intertwined with her personal life. The same operation targeting Rishi Magari, the missing person Kat is investigating, uses a photograph of Josh in their scheme. This “coincidence” leads to Josh’s apparent rejection of Kat on the dating app, further complicating the already tangled plot.
The extensive catfishing operation orchestrated by Titus and his gang targeted vulnerable, wealthy individuals on the dating app Melody Cupid. They used stolen photographs to create false profiles, luring their victims, holding them hostage, stealing their money, and ultimately killing them. This same operation nearly claimed Brendon’s mother, Dana, before her escape.
While some plot threads, like the complete lack of repercussions for Brendon’s aunt and uncle, remain unresolved – likely a consequence of the limited five-episode format – the finale successfully ties together the emotional core of the narrative. The song “Missing You” serves as a poignant thematic element, representing Kat’s loss and ultimately highlighting the complicated relationship between her and Josh.
Ultimately, *Missing You* delivers a characteristically twisty Harlan Coben conclusion, prioritizing emotional resonance and shocking revelations over nuanced character development and realistic motivations. The ending, while satisfying in its unveiling of the truth, leaves lingering questions about the plausibility of events and the competency of its lead detective.