This was a fun, easy read. I would almost classify it as a cozy mystery. I would certainly read more books by Colleen Coble. Thank you for this review copy!

Thank you Netgalley for this book. This one started off with a great premise and a solid start. This wasn't exactly what I was expecting and just didn't do "it" for me. I can see why a lot of people enjoyed this book... mystery, suspense, cults and a touch of romance. It does end with a cliffhanger but it is first in a series. If you like Christian Fiction you'll probably love this one.

How far does one lie go? This story, this title gives up that burning question. In a small fictional Alabama town, we are about to find out. This town reminds me of New Orleans, so in my mind, I put it close to there. Jane, oh Jane. Cults are bad enough, but it's often a mess, how the past comes back when you least expect it.

Coble did a good job with the suspense and the plot in this book. I found myself more pulled into it than some of this author's other stories. I read it very quickly, enjoyed the clean read and the faith elements I expect from this author. I did wish it was a tad deeper, but I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

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

Very very good story. Thriller with a twist. Will look for more from this author!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One Little Lie by Colleen Coble is a work of suspense my the master of romantic suspense. Ms Coble tells this story in way that will grip you from page one and never let you go. And I recommend picking up book 2 while you purchase this one. You’ll want to immediately pick up the second one when you finish this one. The suspense and the emotional tension between the characters— no one does it better! This is the first exciting installment in what I can tell will be an amazing series! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

A small town cop (and the daughter of the former police chief) is promoted to chief just as two murders take place and her dad is being blackmailed. That would be a full enough plate for someone who has decades of experience, but the new chief takes it all in stride. There is a lot going on here, including a documentary filmmaker who is in and out of the new chief's life and a dog named Parker that is just adorable. While the narrative is a bit uneven, I would recommend this book for mystery fans as well as those familiar with the Mobile Ala. environs where the story takes place.

One Little Lie

by Colleen Coble

I didn’t know quite what to expect from Colleen Coble’s new series Pelican Harbor, so I dove into the first book wondering how the author would combine some mystery, a little thriller, and a bit of clean romance while incorporating a Christian viewpoint. Not that it couldn’t be done or hasn’t been done, but it is not my typical cozy mystery read. As it turns out, One Little Lie is a page turner. Its plot and characters have depth, and the threads occur on many levels. The reader has to wonder if they are parallel or will possibly collide making this a very intricate mystery indeed.

Jane Hardy is chosen to be the new Pelican Harbor Chief of Police after her father resigns. What was behind his leaving the force? Why is Reid Dixon, who makes documentaries, having conversations with Jane’s father? Reid has been granted approval by the mayor to follow Jane around. Besides the pressure of extra scrutiny on her first days as Police Chief, why does Reid’s presence make her uncomfortable? Several murders and kidnappings later, events ramp up to a high danger level for Jane and her K-9 officer and companion Parker. Who can Jane trust?

The prologue of this book is set fifteen years earlier during an attack on a cult. That event and the years prior cast a shadow and create devastating secrets for the characters in this book. As for the Christian viewpoint, some of the characters in the book trust in God and have a relationship with Him. Those characters have challenges in which they rely on God; other characters come to see that believing in God could impact their lives and choices in a positive way as they struggle to get past the lies others have told them. This book provides closure for many threads, but I feel there is more story to be told in Pelican Harbor, Alabama. I’m looking forward to the publication of Strands of Truth, the next book in the series, in September 2020.

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

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery, Romance, Christian

Notes: 1. #1 in the Pelican Harbor Series
2. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book.

Publication: March 3, 2020—Thomas Nelson

Memorable Lines:

Jane had no idea how much he was going to mess with her life. It had been a long time coming Retribution was an exciting word, one he’d rolled around and around in his head for years. It would be a freight train coming for the Hardys at full speed. None of them would understand his purpose until it was too late.

But if Olivia could face the horror of her future, surely Jane could face the past that couldn’t reach out and hurt her any longer.

She teetered on high heels and wore tight-fitting jeans and a top that showed off her curves. False advertising. A cute figure was never a substitute for a beautiful spirit.

This book is an action packed adventure from the very beginning! The book is so wonderfully written that you can see it play out in your mind!
Jane is a fascinating character. From the beginning I was so intrigued by her. With coming out of a cult and then working up to becoming police chief it is just amazing! Her anxiety and fears are totally understandable considering her upbringing.
Reid is just about as kind as you can get. He keeps you guessing through the whole book!
I loved how the story kept you guessing, as soon as I thought I had it figured out I was wrong and it kept happening!
The fact that Jane is so confused about God is understandable, she was lied to in the cult and she doesn't know who to believe. Her dad definitely does not help!
I am so glad that there is another book for this because it sure did leave you hanging!!
I highly recommend this book! I love Colleen Coble!!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Oh boy! It started with one little lie. But Jane Hardy will do everything in her power to uncover the truth in this yes… gripping new romantic suspense that kept me guessing and wondering and telling these interesting characters to just say it! I’m wanting to read more of this authors stories!
I was gifted a copy,no review was required. My review is voluntary.

4.5 stars

Wow! One Little Lie was such a good mystery! It kept me guessing and I loved that! The opening pages had me hooked and I couldn't wait to continue reading.

I found the characters to be interesting. I thought it was intriguing that Reid's secret was discovered sooner, but I guess it could be believable...

The way One Little Lie ended has me needing the next book NOW. I wasn't ready for such a cliffhanger... and yet, it was an amazing ending. I definitely recommend this book.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Wow. What an amazing book. The twists and turns will leave you guessing and anticipating what happens next and wishing for more long after the end. To be continued

Book one of 3! Love knowing there is more to come.

Colleen Coble is a master of twists and turns in her thrillers and I love her strong female characters.

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc to review.

One Little Lie was a great police drama with so much more. As a Christian fiction I was surprised it had murder, family drama, and cults! I was not expecting how much I liked the writing of this one and cannot wait to continue to read this series.

One Little Lie by Colleen Coble - “Jane Hardy is appointed interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama, after her father retires, but there's no time for an adjustment period. When her father is arrested for theft and then implicated in a recent murder, Jane quickly realizes she's facing someone out to destroy the only family she has.
After escaping with her father from a cult fifteen years ago, Jane has searched relentlessly for her mother—who refused to leave—ever since. Could someone from that horrible past have found them?
Reid Bechtol is well-known for his documentaries, and his latest project involves covering Jane's career. Jane has little interest in the attention, but the committee who appointed her loves the idea of the publicity.
Jane finds herself depending on Reid's calm manner as he follows her around filming, and they begin working together to clear her father. But Reid has his own secrets from the past, and the gulf between them may be impossible to cross—especially once her father’s lie catches up with him.”
This was a fantastic book!!! I enjoyed it very much. This was all about lies and how one can grow and turn into many lies Well plotted and enjoyable characters. An excellent read - don’t miss. Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced reader’s copy.

So I was really intrigued with the way this book started. With a 15 year old girl named Buttons who is impregnated and living in a cult like community. After the birth of her son, she makes a harrowing escape, only leaving her baby behind after she is told he has died. Fast forward 15 years and that girl is now a woman and as a police officer in a small community she is promoted to police chief after her father, who held the position previously, retires suddenly. Almost immediately bodies start turning up and community members start vanishing, and a mysterious stranger named Reid blows into town under cover as a videographer who has been hired to document Chief Jane’s role as a female police chief in a male dominated world. Jane is a complicated character haunted by the sadness of knowing she will never be able to be a true mother and that her son is gone forever. Or is he? Full of a history of tangled secrets, One Little Lie is an understatement. Like the best of stories, this one closed out leaving me wishing I could know more. Stay tuned, sequel is out in September. Thank you to Netgalley for the copy.

The First in The New “Pelican Harbor” Series



A murder turns the new sheriff’s life upside down almost as soon as she is appointed.

Pelican Harbor, Alabama is the setting for this terrific start to Ms. Coble’s new series. Jane has been appointed to replace her retiring father in the small town. Not everyone is happy with that decision. No sooner is she appointed than a body is found. Worse is that her father is accused of the crime.

Reid Bechtol has been granted permission to follow Jane as she starts her new position. As a producer of documentaries, his reputation has given him access to inside information. But there is far more to his reasons for being with Jane.

The past and the present collide in this entertaining mystery. Including her past in a cult, the child that died when she and her father escaped the cult, and the attraction Jane and Reid feel toward each other, there are plenty of threads to follow. When their pasts connect, will a relationship survive?

The author includes the Christian faith, but in a gentle manner that is a very nice addition to the story. Ms. Coble is stellar at this!

Always well written, the reader will stay on the path the author has designed.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book as part of a virtual tour hosted by TLC Book Tours. Since I can’t resist audio versions, I bought the audiobook through Audible as well. I’m glad I did since I didn’t want to stop listening once started. Devon O’Day is a fine narrator, handing the voice variations and pacing so well.
Listen to the sample here…

I would recommend this as well as any of the series by Colleen Coble. Well laid out mysteries, plenty of suspense and twists, and likable characters you will enjoy spending time with.

Enjoy.

Engaging story...wish we’d had a bit more background on Jane’s relationship, but hopefully that will come in book two!

Firstly, thanks to NetGalley, Colleen Coble and the publisher for this free ARC in exchange for a review.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this one 50% in, so my review can't be taken as a whole account. It was an okay police procedural, it just didn't hit the spot for me. I didn't realise it was a romantic christian thriller, and I don't enjoy either of those additions. I don't do light thrillers. I want my grisly, gritty, depraved world of bloodshed and suspense. And I just felt bogged by the little romantic pleasantries, and the joint venture between detective and journalist became a little boring. I really try to finish all my ARCs, I just couldn't force myself with this one.

Perhaps this would work for someone else who enjoys lighter reads.

Super suspenseful page turner! Perfect for a late night summer read. The author had me hooked from the beginning as I continued to flip page after page. I did not want to put the book down. I’m recommending to all of my suspense fan friends and customers.

Eh, this kind of missed the mark for me. The blurb sounded good, and I was especially intrigued by the cult aspect of this. But, that turned out to be a very tiny part of the story. It was a mystery, filled with many secrets and lies. The romance was a small part of the story. There was also a religious aspect to the story, which I’m never fond of in fiction. I think the biggest problem I had with the story was the characters. I really did not like Jane. I found her abrasive nature infuriating. Reid and all the other supporting characters were just kind of blah to me. I’m definitely in the minority but I did not love this one.