The Cool Kid gets in a battle of wits with a favorite author

I like to think. Especially, I like to think that. And, more importantly, I like to think that you like to think that, too.

(Editor's note: What are you talking about?)

(Cool Kid's note: At this moment? I'm telling Mrs. Cool Kid what a shame it is that a newspaper editor wouldn't know the difference between writing and talking.)

I'm sure you, O Best Ones, know what I'm talking about.

More's the pity.

If not, let me and Claire clarify: It means something to me that I enjoy thinking. And for the purposes of this column, I'm pretending that what you think about me liking to think means something to me, too.

(Cool Kid's note: Is that all clear now?)

(Editor's note: Who's Claire?)

And here's what I think: If Harlan Coben thinks he's getting over on The Cool Kid again, he's got another think coming. And it's coming in a heat-sealed plastic blister wrap -- with a lot of those black tie-downs that are too tiny to get scissors under.

And I think it'll be there by Tuesday.

I'm reading Coben's new novel "Fool Me Once." For Coben, that's not just a title, it's a rite.

A write rite, right?

His tricky books mess with your head: characters aren't who they appear to be, dead folks are really just hiding, murders are actually suicides.

But don't think for a minute and four seconds that he's out-thinking The Cool Kid this time.

I got my guard up. And my dander. And my down pillow.

There were two killings in the first 25 pages or so.

Uh huh. Sure, Harlan. Sure.

Dead are they?

Gee, that's awful.

Assumed room temperature, yes?

I weep. My tears pollute the village well.

You say they're wearing the pine overcoat? Gone to the great beyond?

I don't think.

To contact writer Randy Waters, call 744-4240 or email rwaters@macon.com

(Editor's note: I inadvertently deleted the last word of the column, which was "so." And by inadvertently, I mean advertently. I think.)

This story was originally published April 2, 2016 at 9:09 PM with the headline "The Cool Kid gets in a battle of wits with a favorite author ."