Intriguing is how I titled my review .Because wow, what an outstanding story!! I hardly know where to start when it comes to talking about it.
Maybe a good place to start is to say how great the mysteries were in this book. If you are looking for intensity with your mysteries, this book delivers. Evil is definitely at work on several different levels but so are all the secrets and outright lies. Which makes this the perfect title for this book.
And the people? Wow, they were well drawn with plenty of depth. Even the ones that weren't all that likeable. But I really liked Jane, Reid and Will. They were so well written that it was easy to become interested in what happens to them. But yes, Reid is hiding some important information too.
There is a lot of pots being stirred but without making it overwhelming. There is also elements of faith in God and also how people in the cult had been lied to and now feared anything to do with church or God. Still not overwhelming to me in the story either.
The story comes to a slamming conclusion with many things exposed. There are several threads that have NOT concluded yet so...cliffhanger? I went "ouch" when I got to that part. The writing was so good though I still had to give it 5 stars on Amazon.
There is another book in this series supposed to come out in September. It's called, Two Reasons to Run". Sounds great ! I read the Book and also listened to the eBook. Great job by the woman narrator !

"I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

One Little Lie is the first book I have read written by Colleen Coble and I am happy to report I enjoyed this story. I love a good mystery that is a page turner and has you fully invested in the characters plight and the actions they take to right the situation they find themselves in. Those actions are not always the correct ones and that is par for the course when it comes to human nature and this story shows that. This story also shows how our past determines our choices in life in how we handle those choices. This story is faith based and gives a realistic picture of the struggles I mentioned above.

Out of all the characters relationships, I have to say Jane and her friend Olivia friendship touched me the most. Though Olivia was a side character, her gentle influence and support of Jane helps Jane through her process of healing from being in a cult and encouraging Jane to find true faith, healing, peace and reconciliation with God.

There are a few things left unanswered but I’m hoping to find those answers in the next book of this series.
If you are looking for a clean mystery with a great plot this one is for you!

Imagine you are just getting used to being the Boss at your new job and then a dead body is found, there is a vigilante on the loose punishing residents for their crimes, your father is arrested for murder and theft, a journalist following you round down a documentary about your work and you are still dealing with the trauma of being a member of a secret cult and the kids of your mother and child. Jane Hardy did not click in for this kind of chaos.

The book gives:
Small Town secrets
Female sheriff who is not here for nonsense
Light romance
Secret cults.

My rating: 6.5/10

The book is not a fave but a good suspense book especially if you like your thriller/mystery with less blood and more heart.

Some parts of the book felt rushed, some plot threads got dropped or crammed in. It felt like a lot was happening.

Bonus: it is Book 1 of a trilogy so there is more story to to dig into.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book!

This suspense book reminds me of putting the pieces of a puzzle together. First the prologue of the story or the frame of the puzzle. After reading the prologue or putting the frame of the puzzle together you are still confused . This books prologue took readers back fifteen years before the main part of the story begins. Piece by piece the story came together and began to make more sense to me. It is one of the best suspense books I’ve read all year. The characters come back into the story fifteen years later with a gripping suspense, a few murders, and many secrets kept by the characters. The ending left me with some questions. That is because there is a book two of this series.
This book was released in the 2020. I just got to read it .Im starting to get into more suspense thrillers and Colleen Coble is a fantastic suspense author. It kept me turning pages and on the edge of my seat. What more could a reader ask for than a real suspense puzzler like this book .
Readers of suspense, cozy mystery and Christian fiction will enjoy this book. It’s book one of The Pelican Harbor series.
I read a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

Anyone who is looking for a new suspense/thriller series will want to look into bestselling author Colleen Coble’s Pelican Bay Series, where the first installment is, One Little Lie. The book is set in the small southern town of Pelican Bay, and Jane Hardy, a young police officer, is named chief of police after her father’s retirement. Since there are only five officers in this small town, and there are some who are against her new position, Jane has her work cut out for her, especially since an elderly shrimper brings up a cooler with the torso of a man who has been dismembered and dressed in a bloody wedding dress. There is another murder the same week, and a stranger to Jane, Reid Dixon, comes to town to film a documentary on Jane; he is semi-famous for producing a documentary on cults. Jane was in a cult with her parents until she was 14, but her father took her out after she had a baby boy who died and the area was destroyed by fire.

Colleen Coble is the author of several series that are clean, suspenseful, and a bit romantic. She does a good job of telling the story and adding unexpected twists and turns with surprise endings that keep readers on the edge. In this, Jane is a likeable protagonist, and very believable. Coble does a good job of developing both Jane and the supporting characters. Her father is arrested for the murders, and she works hard to prove his innocence.

All told, this is a great introduction to a new series and is a good one to read. The audio version has an excellent narrator, so readers may want to listen instead of read.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

One Little Lie pulled me in right from the start. It begins with Jane and her father escaping a controlling cult, and the heartbreak of her baby “dying” in the process. Fast-forward 15 years, and Jane is being promoted to police chief just as her father retires. But her new role isn’t easy—she’s under pressure, dealing with two new murders, and being followed by a famous journalist who writes documentaries and is working on one about what it’s like to be a female chief in a small town.

The tension builds as secrets from the past resurface, and everything starts to unravel. The entire story hinges on one lie told 15 years ago—and when it comes to light, everything changes.

This book has layers mystery and great emotional depth. I loved the way the past and present collided, and how Jane’s strength and vulnerability came through. A compelling mix of small-town drama, crime, and long-buried secrets.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

After reading and loving Prowl, I couldn’t wait to dive into One Little Lie—and it absolutely delivered.

I was deeply pulled in by Jane’s backstory and inner conflict—especially her experience of being raised in a cult. It reminded me of how some belief systems can appear godly but completely misrepresent God's heart. God's love is never harsh or domineering. Many people have been hurt by religion when what they really needed was God’s love—and this story captured that beautifully.

I also really enjoyed the chemistry between Jane and Reid. It felt beautiful, raw, and real—woven through with suspense, vulnerability, and plot twists that kept me hooked. Their connection grew from shared trust and pain, not instant attraction, which made it even more meaningful.

I kind of guessed the little lie early on, but I was totally thrown by the mastermind behind everything. That was classic Colleen Coble—I didn’t see it coming at all!

She’s officially my new favorite author. Colleen has a unique way of blending romance, mystery, murder investigations, redemption, and faith in a way that’s both uplifting and unputdownable. Her stories entertain, but they also speak to the soul.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

So much fun reading this story!
Its one thrilling thing after another.
And Colleen writes amazingly well and she keeps her reader engaged throughout the entire book!
Five Star Read For Me!
Thank you

One Little Lie is the first of three books in the Pelican Harbor Series. I have read several of Colleen Coble’s books and have loved all of them. I love how her books are faith based with a little bit of romance and twisty thriller mixed in! I did not expect some of the twists in this book and was surprised. I will be reading the rest of this series!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

My main problem with this book was that I found the plot implausible. I could not buy into the fact that neither Jane or her father recognized the documentarian. I knew where the story was going from the moment Button had her baby. Sigh. But I kept reading. I felt the novel could have used a better editor to ensure that the characters motivations were realized more realistically.

This book is full of twists and turns! Colleen Coble knows how to write a murder mystery with lots of suspense that will keep you intrigued. This is the first in The Pelician Bay series, which are all about Jane Hardy, so be prepared to read or listen to more. There are no swears or alcohol and level 1 kisses only. Dual POV.

I had this as a free listen from NetGalley. The story was ok, although predictable and signposted, no real twists that surprised me. It falls in the Christian genre and this element is a bit clunky at times. It fills shoe horned in and not especially necessary for the story and characters.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7552512959

It was a very interesting story. Lots of twists and turns in the characters. It keeps you wanting to find out what happens next. I figured out where one part of the story was heading, but definitely not who the "villain" was at the end! That was a surprise to me. And you definitely want to read the very beginning prologue to realize why it's important in the whole story.
I received an ebook and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

I have never read this author before, and I would definitely read her stuff again! I enjoyed the scriptures and faith based reading she included in the book.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for this audiobook.

This book was so intriguing! I couldn’t put it down and read it in a day! Jane becomes sheriff when her father retires from the position. A stream of murders are happening that she needs to solve. But memories of her life before in a cult are always there to traumatize her. Reid is working on a story about the new sheriff. He and his son get close to her while they work on the mysteries plaguing their town. This start to a series was really action packed and fast paced! The romance that will most likely develop in future books was limited in this book. A lot of building up plot for the next book/s and establishing relationships. The ‘lie’ mentioned in the title was pretty shocking! This book ends on a complete cliffhanger! I can’t wait to read book 2!
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in trade for my honest opinion. My thoughts are my own.

Dive into the gripping world of "One Little Lie," a faith-driven mystery that masterfully weaves together suspenseful twists and intricate family relationships. Readers will be immediately drawn into a narrative where long-buried secrets threaten to unravel the lives of its characters, creating an atmosphere of constant tension and uncertainty. The story delves deep into the complexities of familial bonds, exploring how faith can be both a source of strength and a potential catalyst for conflict when confronted with deeply hidden truths. Prepare to be captivated by a high-stakes plot where every character harbors their own vulnerabilities and the consequences of past actions reverberate through the present. "One Little Lie" is a compelling read for those who appreciate mysteries that not only keep them guessing until the final page but also explore the profound impact of faith and family secrets on the human spirit.

This book has a little bit of everything I love in a book- suspense, romance, & mystery. I liked the character development and the storyline. I cannot wait for the next one! I am not usually one to read a book series but I am anxiously awaiting the next book!

One Little Lie was such a suspenseful, emotional adventure of a story. There were some huge secrets that were revealed and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series so I can see how everyone deals with the fallout from these revelations. Colleen Coble always has a talent in writing amazingly dynamic characters and the residents of Pelican Harbor are certainly no exception. Jane had had so much heartache in her past and the flashbacks that told her backstory truly hurt my heart for her. I can’t imagine having to deal with everything to blow up in the present day like they did. But, Jane still kept her loyalties to her town, her job, and her family, while trying to do what’s best for all involved. Reid and his son were interesting and, while I can understand the decisions he made when he first arrived in town, I am looking forward to seeing how he makes up for his lies of omission. Jane’s father truly has the most to explain and I hope he is willing to put forth the effort to heal the hurts he has caused.

Colleen Coble has become one of my favorite mystery writers. I have to read her books whenever I see a new one pop up and I haven't ever felt let down. I didn't want to put this one down! It was just that good. Set in Pelican Harbor, Jane Hardy is promoted to Chief of Police after her father retires from the position. Pelican Harbor is a small coastal town community, and a the setting just gives you that feel of a town where everybody knows everyone. But when a journalist comes to interview her and do a write-up on small town police chiefs, low and behold a couple of murders occur. And her father is just a bit mysterious and I was wondering what was going on with him because I felt like he was hiding something and was a bit sus. I just loved the suspense and the page-turner that this book was. She's definitely one of my go-to authors when I want to feel sure I'm going to get a good read and a good mystery when I'm in the mood.

The book is the first in a series about Sheriff Jane Hardy. As a teenager, Jane fled a religious cult with her dad, when the community was on fire, and she was told that her infant son was dead. Now, Jane is appointed interim Sheriff of Pelican Harbor, after her father retires. Her first murder investigation gets complicated by a second death. Struggling to find the perpetrator and having her every act being questioned by a jealous colleague, Jane is under immense pressure. The unwanted presence of Reid who is supposedly making a documentary about small town sheriffs, makes her life even more complicated. As she uncovers more secrets, she realizes that this case could change her life as well. It was an interesting read.