One Little Lie by Colleen Coble is the debut of The Pelican Harbor Series. Jane Hardy escaped a cult fifteen years ago with her father. They have been living in Pelican Harbor, Alabama where Jane was just appointed the chief of police following her father's sudden retirement. Reid Dixon, a journalist who makes documentaries, is making a film on small town police department's and he will be following Jane around for the next two weeks. Jane is shocked when the FBI arrest her father for theft and money laundering. Jane knows that someone is setting him up and she intends to discover who is behind the plot. She will need Reid's help if she is to save her father while solving a string of vigilante crimes. Reid has another reason for being in Pelican Harbor, but he is not yet willing to reveal the truth. But who knows what trouble his silence will cause. One Little Lie is described as a romantic suspense, but I believe it is more of a police procedural with a little romance. I enjoyed all the action happening in the book. It kept the book propelling forward at a quick pace. I liked that I was pulled into the story right away. Fifteen years have passed since Jane and her father escaped the cult. Jane still wonders about her mother who refused to leave with them. Jane has her hands full with a series of vigilante crimes. After the first two incidents, a woman is found murdered. Then a torso is found in a cooler in the bay where shrimpers are known work. Then Jane's father is arrested, and she knows that someone is setting him up. Jane needs help if she is going to help her father and find the vigilante. I liked the complex crimes with various twists and turns. There are good clues to help readers solve the crimes before the solution is revealed. Those who are avid readers of whodunits will find this mystery a piece of cake. The take down scene was filled with suspense and action. I loved the addition of Parker, Jane's K9 dog. I like that the romance was just a small part of the book. It was a natural evolution of Jane and Reid being thrown together. The Christian element was light but powerful. I like how the author handled it. I admit that I was reluctant to pick up One Little Lie because it was written by Colleen Coble (but I really liked the blurb). I have not enjoyed her books in the past, but One Little Lie was different. I am now eager for the next book in The Pelican Harbor Series.
This was one of those stories that compelled me to keep turning the pages. There were so many questions to be answered and lots of secrets to be uncovered. I really liked the pull of the suspense.
Jane's background, surviving a cult, was interesting and unusual. I liked how her feelings about the church were realistic. Having been surrounded by false teaching early in her life, she was skeptical of every church and even God Himself. Watching her learn a different side to the God she thought she knew made me feel hopeful for her. She was confident and strong despite what life had thrown at her.
Reid came along with his share of secrets but a little further down his path with God than Jane was. It made for a good match between them. His background gave him a good understanding of Jane's struggles. His feelings for her made him want to help her on her faith journey.
Full review is at my website: lorainenunley(dot)com
I received this book complimentary as a participant of the Prism book tour. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed are my own.
Jane's background, surviving a cult, was interesting and unusual. I liked how her feelings about the church were realistic. Having been surrounded by false teaching early in her life, she was skeptical of every church and even God Himself. Watching her learn a different side to the God she thought she knew made me feel hopeful for her. She was confident and strong despite what life had thrown at her.
Reid came along with his share of secrets but a little further down his path with God than Jane was. It made for a good match between them. His background gave him a good understanding of Jane's struggles. His feelings for her made him want to help her on her faith journey.
Full review is at my website: lorainenunley(dot)com
I received this book complimentary as a participant of the Prism book tour. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed are my own.
