A Stranger's Game
by Colleen Coble
Pub Date: January 4, 2022
Thomas Nelson

What a tale! I love Suspense Romance. Colleen Coble has done it again. A great book that makes me want to tell the world about it.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the ARC. I have read most of Coble's books and I believe she just keeps getting better and better.
5 stars

A Stranger's Game is a stand alone thriller involving a hotel heiress who comes to Jekyll Island to find out what really happened to her friend. Torie is convinced her death was not an accident. When she meets Joe, she has to decide if the can trust him enough to ask for his help. All while guarding her heart in the process.

I really enjoyed the mystery. I was hooked from the start and read it in one sitting. I definitely didn't call the solution to the main mystery. Nor did I call the solution to the lesser mystery. That's right, we get a bonus mystery in this one. One of the things that I enjoy about this author's books are her characters. I always feel like they are people with whom I could good friends. Torie and Joe were great characters. Both separate and together. Their romance was sweet and they were perfect for each other. As an aside, I loved Joe's job. I had never knew the military did something like that with sea animals. It was really cool. If you are looking for a good mystery with a sweet clean romance, I highly recommend this one.

Tori is undercover investigating the death of her best friend at her family's hotel. She meets a local guy, Joe and his daughter Hailey. When an issue arises at her cottage and security is called, she realizes Joe works part time at the hotel. her

There are lots of characters and suspects presented in the story. Her aunt Genevieve is the manager and hasn't seen her niece in 10 years since her sister, Tori 's mother died. Kyle, the head of IT is a sketchy guy who gives off strange vibes. The shop owners in town are participating in a scavenger hunt for an upcoming convention and seem very involved.I

How trains are lions for the Navy and strange things keep happening. The attacks escalate, raising questions for both Tori and Joe.

I got an inkling early on about who might be responsible for the break-ins and stalking of Tori. When things escalate and involve Hailey and Joe, Tori realizes how she feels and to share her true identity and reason for being on Jekyl Island with Joe.

Can he trust her after he finds out the truth. Are they able to work together to determine who's targeting them? It's suspenseful with a bit of romance and mystery that you'll want to read.

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

Excellent! There is a thrumming hum of danger and intrigue throughout with lots of plotting and drama. It was fast-paced – a whole lot happened between the pages. I read it quickly – in less than a day – and one of the things I love about Coble’s writing is that by the end of the book, I’m curious enough to find information relevant to the plot of the novel – in this case, man-made artificial reefs featuring old transit cars. Who knew?!?

I received a complimentary copy of this title via NetGalley. Opinions are entirely my own.

The story of Torie Bergstrom’s determination to discover the truth about what happened to her best friend Lisbeth was a compelling read, with a sub-plot of a romance developing between Torie and sea lion trainer Joe. Torie is an heiress to a hotel empire and takes her responsibilities seriously, including solving the mystery of her friend’s death. With the help of Joe and local state trooper Craig, Torie follows the clues and inevitably winds up endangered herself. The plot is somewhat complicated because the resort on Jekyll Island is the site for an important meeting with the Federal Reserve and someone nefarious seems to be targeting the participants. I thoroughly enjoyed the details of the setting and the behind-the scenes look at the resort. It was obvious that the author had done her research! The romance between Joe and Torie was well-paced and realistic, with Joe’s concern for his daughter Hailey overriding any romantic feelings he might have for Torie. With three-dimensional characterization and a storyline that was original and absorbing, this book held me enthralled and even giving advice to the characters. The ending seemed rushed to me, but I think that was because I did not want the story to end. I could continue reading about Torie’s adventures and her quest for truth and justice for a long time to come. The story was just that good and the characters were just that likable. Of course, there were villains who were despicable, portrayed just as they should have been. All in all, this is a winning book in the romantic suspense genre and fans of good, clean Christian fiction will cheer at the ending and applaud a well-written book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Victoria Bergstrom is the daughter of a Hotel magnate. She has lost her mother to what has been claimed a suicide as well as her best friend also claimed a suicide, but Victoria doesn't believe either of them committed suicide. So she has gone to the resort owned by her father on Georgia's Jekyll Island to work and investigate the truth behind the claimed suicides. Joe Abbot lives with his daughter, Hailey, on the Island and works part time for the resort in Security; but he also trains sea lions for the Navy.

Colleen Coble never fails to pen a suspense read that doesn't keep me glued from start to finish. Torie was a strong, intelligent, independent woman who was well matched with Joe who was caring, astute, and intelligent. Hailey was the perfect addition to play matchmaker to Torie and Joe while they were busy trying to determine whether Torie's mother and best friend had been murdered or committed suicide. Throw in a few red herrings, and this was definitely a book that you couldn't put down.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Another great book by Coble! You know when you open the pages there is going to be excitement, mystery and suspense and of course romance. A Stranger's Game did not disappoint. This is a great mystery with a vivid and unique setting. Well layered and descriptive characters and all of this with a satisfying ending. Victoria Bergstrom arrives on Jekyll Island where she lived for many of her early childhood years. This time she returns to uncover {and undercover} what she was sure was murder and not an accidental drowning of one of her closest friends. She encounters danger and secrets that could change her life and also others. Your attention will be held through out as you keep turning the pages.... My thanks to NetGalley and ThomasNelson for providing me the free early arc of A Stranger’s Game for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

rie Bergstrom goes back to Georgia to find out what happened to her best friend Lisbeth. Lisbeth was pulled from the waters at Torie's family-owned property on Jekyll Island. Lisbeth was scared to death of the water, never even went swimming. So why was she in the water in the first place?

Tori is on the island using an alias, so she is not recognized as the daughter of the owner of the hotel. She meets Joe and his daughter Hailey as they are rescuing turtles. The turtles lay eggs yearly on the island and of course they are food for predators. Hailey is desperate to make sure that they reach the water safely.

Torie is desperate to find answers to not only how Lisbeth died, but it was also not an accident and along the way find out what happened to her mother who died at the same hotel, years ago when Torie was a child. She takes a job in the IT department of the hotel, her aunt Genevieve is the hotel manager there also, but Torie has not seen her aunt in many years, so she thinks she is safe to work at the hotel and not be recognized.

Strange things start happening, like someone entering the cottage she is staying at, leaving cryptic clues. With Joe's, help she hopes to get the answers she needs. So as not to spoil the story, I will stop here.

This is the first novel I have read by Colleen Coble, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, read it in a few sittings. I think I will pursue more titles by the author. Definitely worth a read.

This book is a race from beginning to end, with momentary pauses for romance before the colliding suspense and mystery take over. I LOVED every page and was sad to reach the end. Set on beautiful Jekyll Island, readers can escape to a gorgeous location while falling in love with real characters. The tension is taunt and the descriptions pitch perfect. Race to your nearest bookstore to buy this latest novel from Colleen Coble.

What a story! This is an excellent mystery/suspense/romance. It grabbed my attention and kept me interested from start to finish. I found the sea lion program with the Navy particularly fascinating. I like how the author wove that into the plot.
I think the characters are a well-rounded part of the story. Torie and Joe are characters that I could care about, and Hailey is quite a lot like the young grandchildren in my family.
This is a great clean read to start off the 2022 offerings. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced reader's copy. These are my own opinions. You can't go wrong with a read from Colleen Coble.

Prolific author Colleen Coble’s latest romantic suspense fiction release is A Stranger's Game. A daughter returns to Georgia to her family’s property on Jekyll Island. She is there undercover to investigate her friend’s supposed suicide when events spiral out of control with bombs, a rising body count and her secret identity exposed. With nicely building tension, the odd religious reference and a minor level of romantic themes makes for a leisurely paced venture with a three-star rating. With thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and are made without fear or favour.

I have been a fan of this author for years, but this book fell a little flat for me. The main characters, Torie and Joe, were likeable, and Joe's daughter Hailey was adorable. Joe's job training sea mammals for the Navy added a unique and interesting element to the story. However, the suspense didn't draw me in as much as the author's novels usually do. The ending felt rushed, and I finished the book without really understanding the perpetrator's motives for committing the crimes. It wasn't as satisfying as a conclusion as I would have liked. Still, that may just be my preference, and if you are a fan of this author and/or genre, I would recommend giving this book a try!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

So I had never heard of Jekyll Island prior to this book but the synopsis caught my attention right away. Romantic suspense? Count me in! The setting of this book was perfect for a mixture of romance tied in with a roller coaster ride of danger and suspense.

I really loved the descriptiveness of the island that allows you to be able to place yourself there. I also thoroughly enjoyed the characters especially Torie, Joe and Hailey. This book had me fully emersed in the story up until the dramatic mysterious ending. There are also some very heartwarming family moments throughout the book that just warm your heart. Definitely recommend giving it a read.

A STRANGER'S GAME by Colleen Coble

Revew:

As soon as I saw a friend's review of this book, I knew I wanted to read it. I have heard about Jekyll Island from my in-laws for years. It’s on my bucket list to visit someday. The description of the island was great. The view of the sunset was beautiful.

Torie Berg went to Jekyll Island to seek justice for her friend. Her unexpected meeting with Joe and Hailey brought them closer. Joe and Torie’s slow burn romance was a roller coaster ride of mystery and danger. I love Hailey’s addition to the story. She’s a dear child with a bubbly personality. It shows the unconditional love of a parent to his child. I love how Joe and Hailey converse in Bible verses. Torie was also amazed when she witnessed this scene. Simon, the sea lion, sounds amazing.

I felt the risks Torie took as she tried to uncover the truth of her friend’s death. The threats were a puzzle. I didn’t like her aunt. I was suspicious of some of the characters. I thought I knew who it was but then something came up that made me doubt my theory. Be prepared for a heart thumping story with some sweet family moments. It was a mystery till the end.


Rating: 4.5 stars
Pub date: 04 Jan 2022

Thank you Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have to say that you need to be on your toes to read this one! It takes you in a lot of different directions because several things are happening to arrive at the conclusion but it's a fascinating story! It does take a couple chapters to draw you in but stick with it! It's a great book! I love Colleen Coble's books and this is the first one that didn't pull me right in from the beginning but that's ok, it just needed to do a "slow burn" this time! Torie is investigating her best friend's death but because she's the heir of the hotel owner's daughter, she knows she won't get answers showing up as herself so she fakes her identity. She meets Joe and his daughter, Hailey (who is adorable!) the first day and feels she can trust Joe to help her somewhat. Joe's story is also interesting and suspenseful! The high and mighty aunt who runs the hotel is always fun as a villain but you just never know what she's up to! Torie's dad is a great guy - different than Torie expects as he is changing for the better! It's a great story with so many twists and turns! Who is constantly toying with Torie and not really trying to kill her but cause her grief? I really enjoyed it!

Another thriller from a master! In perfect Colleen Coble fashion, non-stop action and a dash of romance mix into a story that thrills and excites. From the opening paragraph to the satisfying ending, the adrenaline keeps you going well after the last page is flipped. The setting is brought to life with imagination fueling detail and characters that last long after they finish telling their story. Torie has lost her best friend and she can't let go of the details that scream murder to her. So she heads to the scene of the crime to find the clues law enforcement has refused to look for and catch a killer. With no one to trust and an identity she needs to hide, how will she get through even one day? Especially when a stalker tails her every move, knows more than she does about what is happening, and thrives on keeping her terrified and jumping at every shadow. Enter Joe and Hailey. She is a little girl missing her Mom, loves the turtles, and invites Torie into a new relationship that scares Torie with the ability to tear down her walls. And then there is her Dad, who further shakes those walls with his devotion to family and willingness to trust her and her instincts. Together they search for the clues needed to bring a killer to justice. But as they delve deeper they discover more than a murderer, but plots to do damage to everyone on the island. Now they are racing to stop these plans while trying to avoid kidnappings, bombs, and other death traps. Do they have enough time to unmask the culprits?
With great research and attention to detail, Colleen Coble takes the reader on a trip to Jekyll Island with beautiful beaches, locations rich in history, and breath-taking sunsets. The adrenaline she adds to this thriller leaves you holding onto the story well after the reading is finished. Torie and Joe will stay with me long after this book is tucked away. I loved every heart pounding moment and can't wait for the next trip she will take me on. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The story in this book kept me reading because I wanted to know who the “bad guy” was, so I finished it. However, about halfway through I wanted to pitch it!

I know this author, having read her books before and enjoyed them. This one seemed to need more editing, too many trite phrases used for one. Disappointed in the writing.

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a big Colleen Coble fan for many years. I have read most, if not all, of her contemporary mystery and romantic suspense stories; my favorites being her Rock Harbor, Pelican Harbor, Hope Beach, and Aloha Reef series. A Stranger's Game is, for the most part, a riveting tale with multiple mysteries converging during Victoria Bergstrom's investigation of her best friend's death. I say for the most part because the final two chapters fall a little flat, as if the author felt rushed to wind up the story. I read an advanced galley copy, so maybe the last two chapters will be a bit more fleshed out in the final release.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of A Stranger's Game from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Torie is back on Jekyll Island undercover to try and solve the disappearance of her best friend. Torie does not believe that her friend has drown and starts looking for clues at the resort that her friend worked at, and that Tories family owns. Torie can not let anyone know who she is but when the head of security figures out her cover, she has no other option but to trust him. As clues reveal themselves, there are ties that link not only her friends drowning, but the tragic death of Tories mother years ago. What lengths will the killer go to, to hide the truth?

I enjoyed this book by Colleen Coble and her writing style. The characters were interesting, and I loved all the animals that found their way into the story. For me though, Torie’s cover was blown way too soon and her relationship with Joe and his daughter happened too quickly. It also took me awhile to figure out all the characters but once I did, the book flowed effortlessly. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for an advanced copy of the book to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow this book had me on the edge of my seat! I was taken by complete surprise too many times to count. My favorite type of books to read are ones I have no way of guessing what might happen next, and A Strangers Game is one of those. Coble is a master at mixing just the right amount of suspense and romance, and I couldn’t get enough. Torie and Joe were easy to like even though they were from different worlds. Torie being from a world where she must always be on guard and put her best foot forward, has caused her to hide her true self behind perfection. Playing a part all the time can be exhausting. Joe on the other hand, only knows how to be his true and open self. He’s a “what you see is what you get” kind of guy. I loved seeing their chemistry together, and how they brought out the best in each other. I couldn’t put this book down. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Suspense with the perfect amount of romance thrown in. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.