Harlan Coben will come to South Orange Public Library on Friday night, in an appearance co-sponsored by the library, the Friends of the South Orange Public Library, and Words Bookstore. Coben will speak at 7 p.m., reading from "Seconds Away," his second novel for young adults.

The new novel features Mickey Bolitar, a character who is the nephew of Myron Bolitar, a character well-known from 10 previous books. Several of Coben's books are set in a fictional landscape that resembles Essex County, and no wonder: Coben grew up in Livingston. The author now lives in Ridgewood.

Words will have copies of the book available for purchase. The event is free and open to the public.