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A Stranger's Game

Narrated by Liz Hill

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Pub Date Jan 04 2022 | Archive Date Jun 30 2025

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Description

In this gripping standalone novel from USA TODAY bestselling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble, a wealthy hotel heiress goes to Jekyll Island certain her friend's death wasn't an accident--and gets more than she bargained for when the killer begins to play mind games with her.


Even though Torie Bergstrom hasn't been back to Georgia since she was ten, she was happy to arrange a job for her best friend at one of the family properties on Jekyll Island. But when Torie learns that Lisbeth has drowned, she knows it is more than a tragic accident: Lisbeth was terrified of water and wouldn't have gone swimming by choice.


Torie goes to the hotel under an alias, desperate to find answers. When she meets Joe Abbott and his daughter while they are rescuing baby sea turtles, she can only hope they are as trustworthy as they seem. And when someone begins to play mind games with her, proving they know her real identity, Torie couldn't be more grateful to have an ally.


The more Torie and Joe dig, the more elusive the truth seems. But one thing is clear: someone will risk anything--even another murder--to keep their secrets buried.


A Stranger's Game will keep you guessing until the very end with its complex puzzle, threats from both the past and the present, clean romance, and fascinating glimpses into the sea life around Jekyll Island.

In this gripping standalone novel from USA TODAY bestselling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble, a wealthy hotel heiress goes to Jekyll Island certain her friend's death wasn't an accident--and...


Available Editions

EDITION Audiobook, Unabridged
ISBN 9780785228608
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Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (AUDIO)

Average rating from 83 members


Featured Reviews

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This book was so good, I couldn't put it down! Tori and Joe had a connection from the get go and the mystery that Colleen Coble wove was riveting. Her novels are always timely and fascinating, The narrators were great and pulled me right into the action! A not to be missed page turner!

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A Stranger’s Game is a standalone thriller by Collen Coble. I enjoyed this so much! This was a quick read that I did not want to put down!

While this was definitely a thriller, it wasn’t dark or keep me from being able to sleep because it was too twisted. (For me, it was the perfect amount of scary without tapping into the creepy side of things.)

I thought the story was masterfully crafted and kept me wondering until the very end. I loved the characters. I thought they were interested and had depth.

I really enjoyed the narration by Liz Hill. She did an amazing job bringing the story to life.

This may have been the first book I’ve read by the author and I know it won’t be the last! I definitely recommend reading A Stranger’s Game!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Stranger’s Game by Collen Coble
Narrated by Liz Hill
Publisher: Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio
Genre: Christian, Mystery & Thrillers, Romance

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)
Setting: Jekyll Island, Georgia
Genre: Mystery

A Stranger’s Game by Colleen Coble is everything I want in a suspense novel — heart-pounding tension, compelling characters, and twists that kept me guessing until the very last page.

Torie Bergstrom is a fantastic protagonist: determined, intelligent, and vulnerable in all the right ways. Her return to Georgia to investigate her best friend Lisbeth’s suspicious death immediately pulls you in, and the rich, atmospheric setting of Jekyll Island adds a haunting, almost cinematic quality to the story.

The chemistry between Torie and Joe Abbott is beautifully written — their alliance feels natural and earned, and Joe’s protective nature and his bond with his daughter add depth to the narrative. I especially loved the scenes with the baby sea turtles, which offered small, tender moments in the midst of all the suspense.

Coble masterfully balances mystery, romance, and danger, weaving in just the right amount of emotional depth. As the layers of deception and secrets unfold, the stakes get higher, and I found myself racing through the chapters, eager to see how it all would resolve.

If you love a fast-paced, faith-tinged thriller with a strong heroine, a swoon-worthy hero, and plenty of unexpected twists, A Stranger’s Game is a must-read. Highly recommend! #netgalley #astrangersgame #booked_this_weekend

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A great story that will keep you guessing til the end. Layers of mystery throughout, Coble keeps you on the edge of your seat and invested in this whodunnit with a sweet romance weaved in, as well. The narrator did a great job bringing the story to life and making the suspense keep you hooked.

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Another book by @colleencoble that was such a blast to read! I flew through A Stranger’s Game with my heart racing and my brain playing detective the entire time!

Colleen definitely knows exactly how to blend suspense with heartwarming moments, and I loved every minute of it! Torie’s quiet determination and Joe’s protective strength made them the perfect duo, and little Hailey totally stole my heart! Plus... hello? A trained sea lion named Simon? Adorable!

But what truly made this book stand out for me was how it stayed clean and faith filled without losing an ounce of tension! The Christian themes were beautifully woven in, with moments of hope, purpose, and healing shining through even the darkest parts of the mystery. It’s so refreshing to read a thriller where I can root for the characters and feel uplifted by the message. This is why Colleen Coble is always on my must read list!

A huge thank you to @netgalley and @thomasnelson Fiction

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Oh boy! This was a fun and suspenseful book! I loved all the twists and turns! I really had no idea of the outcome and I love that! I really enjoyed both of the lead characters! I was pulled into their relationship and rooted for it to the end! Enjoyable and the narrator was awesome! She did a great job getting the story told well!

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

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so suspenseful and hard to put down!!!! highly recommend!!! cannot wait to read more from this author

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

Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5
Genre: Mystery | Fiction | Romance | Suspense
Author: Collen Coble
Publication date: January 4, 2022
Audiobook Narrator: Liz Hill
Audiobook Length: 7 hours 14 minutes
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 5/5

One Liner: Riveting | Thrilling | Exciting | Page Turner
Story Review / Summary: I was enthralled but the story, couldn’t put it down! I loved the twists. The narrator took the entire story to another level! I could this being a movie!

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Thank you to #NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio | Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of #AStrangersGame by #CollenCoble
All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This review is being shared on NetGalley, Goodreads and Amazon (pending review)

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Collen Coble does it again. I just finished listening to A Stranger's Game and loved it!! It was a five star listen. It's available now.

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Readers have the inside information that Tori, a wealthy hotel heiress has gone undercover to work in her family’s exclusive hotel to investigate her friend Lizbeth’s death. She feels folks will be more open to her if they don’t know she’s part of the wealthy Bergstrom heirs.
You see, Tori is certain Lizbeth did not drown because she was terrified of being any where near water. This mystery set on beautiful and atmotspheric Jekyll Island, finds a vulnerable Tori who may have bit off more than she anticipated when someone, possibly the killer, begins to play mind games with her.
At the hotel working under an alias and desperate to find answers, she meets Joe Abbott and his daughter who are on the beach in a baby sea turtle rescue. As the story escalates, only the killer seems to know Tori’s real identity. Going beyond her comfort zone she decides to trust Joe, because she is grateful to have an ally.
But the more Torie and Joe dig, the further away from the truth they seem to be. The one thing that is absolutely clear is that someone will risk anything, even another murder, to stop the truth from being revealed.

A Stranger's Game kept me guessing until the very end with its complex plot, twists and threats from the past as well as the present. A touch of romance added to the intrigue and fun of this story. I enjoyed glimpses into sea life around Jekyll Island. The chemistry between Torie and Joe Abbott is a love story beautifully written.
I highly recommend this fast-paced thriller with a strong heroine and plenty of unexpected twists,

I read this in the audio version and was amazed at how the narrator managed to keep the many voices separate throughout the book. The gruff and angry aunt Genevieve was well portrayed as was Joe’s daughter Hailey in a joyful child’s voice.

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Colleen Coble's A Stranger's Game (audiobook) delivers a compelling standalone romantic suspense novel, drawing listeners into a high-stakes investigation on the beautiful, yet perilous, Jekyll Island. Torie Bergstrom, a wealthy hotel heiress, hasn't set foot in Georgia since she was ten, but happily secured a job for her best friend, Lisbeth, at one of her family's properties on the island. Her world is shattered, however, when she learns Lisbeth has drowned. Torie is convinced it's no accident: Lisbeth harbored a deep fear of water and would never have willingly gone swimming.

Determined to uncover the truth, Torie travels to the hotel under an alias. There, she encounters Joe Abbott and his daughter, engaged in the heartwarming act of rescuing baby sea turtles. Torie hopes they are as trustworthy as they appear, a hope that becomes crucial when someone begins to play sinister mind games, proving they know her real identity. She couldn't be more grateful for Joe's unexpected alliance.

As Torie and Joe delve deeper, the truth becomes increasingly elusive, shrouded in deception. But one terrifying fact becomes clear: someone on Jekyll Island is willing to risk anything—even another murder—to keep their secrets buried. Coble weaves a masterful tale of suspense, intrigue, and blossoming trust against a backdrop of danger, making A Stranger's Game a gripping listen from start to finish.

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This was my second Colleen Coble book and she has got me absolutely hooked. Her stories are so vivid and immersive. I really enjoyed the setting of this one on Jekyll Island. The rich history discussed and the incredible suspense were top notch. Colleen 100% kept me guessing until the very end and I absolutely adored that. Torie, Joe, and Hailey were incredible along with multiple memorable side characters. Such a fun beachy and suspenseful summer read!

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A Stranger’s Game
Colleen Coble
Torie Bergstrom returned to Jekyll Island in Georgia to investigate the death of her best friend. The cause of death was determined to be a suicide drowning but Torie knew Lisbeth was terrified of water; she never would have gone near the water.
Torie began working at the resort under an assumed name. It had been years since she had stepped foot on the island, no one would recognize her. Even her aunt, who manages the resort, did not recognize her.
Tori was walking on the beach when she met Joe Abbott and his daughter Hailey. The pair raced to protect the baby turtles from predators. Joe was working security for the resort and training Sea Lions for the Navy. Tori and Joe draw closer together.
This tale is filled with suspense; strange things are happening at the resort. I enjoyed the slow burn romance between Tori and Joe. Hailey was an adorable child. Both Tori and Hailey lost their mother. I liked Tori’s Dad. While some of the characters were villains and may not have been likeable they were well written and make great villains. I truly enjoyed this book. Author Colleen Coble is a talented writer. She makes the characters come dancing off the page. The nuclear submarine, trained sea lions, scavenger hunt for handmade glass ornaments, nerve gas, and bombs make this one exciting read. There is a discussion of the Federal Reserve that was interesting and informative.
There is a strong Christian theme through out this tale. We see how God’s grace and his love plays a part in our lives. However, neither is this tale preachy. Colleen Coble is one of my favorite authors. Her books are clean; they share her faith in Christ. She creates characters that are flawed but likeable. Throughout this tale MS Coble demonstrates the true meaning of friendship; she demonstrates how much God loves us. She shows us God is in control. There are times when God uses bad things to help us grow.
This is a great read no matter whether it is sitting next to a crackling fire on a snowy day or when we are sitting on a beach with the waves rolling in.
Thank you Colleen Coble, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the free copy of this book. The opinions in my review are mine.

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Colleen Coble is always a win!

A Stranger's Game by Colleen Coble sets you out on a story filled with twists and turns as Torie tries to uncover the mysteries that surround not only her best friend's death, but that of her mom some 20 years earlier. From the moment she sets foot on Jekyll Island, someone is set on causing her pain and torment.

Joe is raising his daughter on the island working part-time for the hotel that Torie is "working" for and also works with sea lions, with the army. When he first notices something is different with Torie, he wants to learn more and when she shares why she is there - he is set to help her uncover the truths. But will this cause a target on his back or that of his daughter?

This is another winner by Coble and it held me to the very end!

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A Stranger's Game by Colleen Coble kept me turning pages late into the night. The mix of mystery, romance, and danger was perfectly paced, and the coastal setting added an eerie, atmospheric touch. I was drawn into the characters’ emotional journeys and surprised by the twists. A gripping, heartfelt read.


#AStrangersGame #NetGalley

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A Stranger’s Game by Colleen Coble was such a pleasure to read. Colleen Coble does a wonderful job creating these suspenseful stories that draw the reader in. I was on the edge of my seat for this whole story. I could not put it down.
I also got to listen to the audiobook for this and the narrator was good. She brought the story to life.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

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A great book filled with action & fun. I enjoyed the characters, the plot & found it to be an enjoyable read (listen). Lots of good plot twists to keep you coming back for more. Well written.

Thank you to the author & Netgalley for this ARC read. All opinions are my own.

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The story begins with Torie, returning to her family's hotel in her hometown to work undercover as an IT specialist. She's really there to investigate her lifelong friend's death, which she believes was not accidental. She meets Joe and his daughter on the beach, rescuing baby turtles, and a spark ignites. When Torie begins to experience strange things that seem like a threat, Joe comes to her rescue. This book is a typical Colleen Coble gem--great mystery storyline, plus some romance and good life advice thrown in for good measure. A very enjoyable audiobook!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy of this audiobook. My opinions are my own.

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This is my first read from Colleen. I really enjoyed this book. The mystery, twist and turns kept my interest. I could not put it down.

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A Strangers Game was a good mix of mystery and romance. This is the first book that I have read/listened to by Colleen Coble. I really enjoyed this thrilling book. It held my attention to the very end. Lovely book.

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