Harlan Coben's 2021 novel, "Win," shifts the narrative focus to Windsor "Win" Horne Lockwood III, the affluent and enigmatic best friend of his established character, Myron Bolitar. This marks the second instance of Coben employing a first-person perspective for Win, following select chapters in the 2016 Myron Bolitar story "Home."

The plot unfolds with the murder of a reclusive hoarder in a Manhattan penthouse. The investigation takes a personal turn for Win when a stolen Vermeer painting and a suitcase bearing his initials are discovered at the crime scene. The victim is identified as Ry Strauss, a former member of the "Jane Street Six," a group linked to a deadly bombing in the early 1970s. Win launches his own inquiry, driven by a personal connection, immense wealth, and a unique approach to justice. His investigation leads him to question his cousin, Patricia, who recounts her own traumatic abduction and abuse, including being forced to pack the very suitcase found at the murder site. Win delves into his family's secrets while seeking the remaining members of the Jane Street Six.

The novel "Win" represents a significant departure for author Harlan Coben, as it elevates Windsor "Win" Horne Lockwood III from a supporting character to the protagonist. Previously known as Myron Bolitar's loyal companion in eleven novels, Win takes center stage, offering readers a deeper look into his complex personality. This narrative choice allows Coben to explore Win's "less open and more calculating" voice and his "largely misanthropic worldview." The book delves into Win's background, exploring how his privileged upbringing and inherent advantages, like his physical presence and combat abilities, have shaped his distinctive approach to problem-solving. This shift from the established Myron Bolitar universe provides a fresh perspective for long-time fans, fulfilling a "long overdue" anticipation for the character's solo story.

Central to "Win" are themes of personal justice and the enduring impact of past traumas. Win's "unique brand of justice" is contrasted with the official investigation, highlighting his willingness to operate outside conventional boundaries, often driven by his personal connections to a case. The narrative weaves in Win's cousin Patricia's harrowing experiences of abduction and abuse, directly linking her past to the present mystery through the discovered suitcase. Furthermore, Win's own past actions, including a vigilante act against an abuser, create repercussions that threaten his life, underscoring the complex and often dangerous consequences of seeking retribution. The investigation into the Jane Street Six and the buried family secrets further emphasize how historical events and personal histories continue to influence the present.

“Win has three things the FBI doesn't; a personal connection to the case; an ungodly fortune; and his own unique brand of justice.”

“In Harlan Coben’s suspenseful and oft-surprising Win, the rakish titular character explains that he has long had to contend with negative assumptions due to his name, slight frame and regal bearing. Even this is an advantage, however: It’s caused him to cultivate exceptional combat skills.”

“For the first time since readers met Win in 1995, the 'preternaturally overconfident' sidekick emerges from the shadows to take center stage.”

“The emotionless vigilante toying with the world from behind his vast personal wealth and self-regard is someone some readers might not want to spend almost 400 pages with.”

“a book that was undoubtedly long overdue, eagerly anticipated, and extremely satisfying.”