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    One Little Lie
    One Little Lie
    One Little Lie
    Audiobook9 hours

    One Little Lie

    Written by Colleen Coble

    Narrated by Devon O'Day

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    It started with one little lie. But Jane Hardy will do everything in her power to uncover the truth in this gripping romantic suspense.

    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 someone is attempting 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 Dixon 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.

    Praise for One Little Lie:

    “Colleen Coble always raises the notch on romantic suspense, and One Little Lie is my favorite yet! The story took me on a wild and wonderful ride.” —Diann Mills, bestselling author

    • Full-length romantic suspense
    • The first installment of the Pelican Harbor series
      • Book 1: One Little Lie
      • Book 2: Two Reasons to Run  
      • Book 3: Three Missing Days
    • Characters from the Pelican Harbor series make cameo appearances in the Tupelo Grove series, coauthored with Rick Acker. Book 1: What We Hide.
    • Perfect for fans of Allison Brennan, Terri Blackstock, and Dani Pettrey
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThomas Nelson
    Release dateMar 3, 2020
    ISBN9780785228479
    Author

    Colleen Coble

    Colleen Coble is the USA TODAY bestselling author of more than seventy-five books and is best known for her coastal romantic suspense novels. Connect with her online at colleencoble.com; Instagram: @colleencoble; Facebook: @colleencoblebooks; X: @colleencoble.

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    Reviews for One Little Lie

    4.5/5

    160 ratings23 reviews

    What our readers think

    Readers find this title to be a great book with excellent suspense, unexpected plot twists, and rich writing. It keeps readers drawn in from start to finish, with great little twists and turns. Many readers highly recommend this book and are excited for the second book in the series.

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      This book is great! It keeps you drawn in from start to finish! I highly recommend this book.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Excellent suspense with unexpected plot twist. Rich writing! I loved it.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Great book. Only giving 4 stars because I wasn’t prepared for a to be continued ending… trilogy was amazing
    • 5/5
      Such a great story. Page turner. Great little twists and turns. I needed more and I'm so happy there is a second book. I can't wait!
    • 5/5
      This book was so wonderful! I read it in two days because it was so hard to put down. It drew me in from the beginning and didn’t let go. I was trying to figure it all out and the author threw in some curve balls to keep the suspense and mystery going all the way to the end. But beware, it’s a series and I can’t wait to read the sequel.

      I don’t like spoilers and you can read the info about the book for yourself. All I’ll say is that Colleen Coble did a great job with this book. I was hooked and I’m going to be counting the days until Book 2 is released.

      This is Christian fiction with no sex or bad language. Colleen did a great job of gently weaving in God’s love and I’m hoping for more to come.
    • 4/5
      Pelican Harbor Chief of Police Jane Hardy takes comfort with her K9 partner Parker. Her father, Charles lives nearby in a doomsday shelter he built after his retirement as Police Chief with Elizabeth a woman he met after Jane’s mother died. They don’t often talk about their past life and escape from the religious cult where they lived until it burned down. During the confusion Jane’s mother took her newborn Moses and she never saw them again.

      Growing up in a sheltered dysfunctional environment Jane doesn’t trust many people. She does have a confidante in her friend Olivia who is struggling with ALS with the support of her daughter Meg. Jane has reason to keep her guard up since her appointment as Police Chief by Mayor Lisa Chapman. Her colleague Detective Paul Baker resents Jane’s promotion and does his best to make life difficult for her.

      A reporter, Reid Dixon, comes to Pelican Harbor to write a story about the new female police chief bringing with him his 16 year old son Will. We discover that Reid has alternative motives for writing the story which introduces him to Jane Hardy. He had been following her career for years wondering how to explain a past secret which would change her life forever. He never expects to become a suspect in a murder while interviewing Gary Dawson, a fishing of Jane’s father, hours before his death.

      This becomes the second murder in Pelican Harbor since Reid’s arrival. The first body found was Nicole Pearson who worked at the library. It isn’t long before it’s discovered that Detective Paul Baker had been having an affair with her. Paul is placed on suspension since he was sleeping with victim Nicole Pearson while his pregnant wife Tina is taking care of their 2 year old daughter, Ivy.

      The police department is desperate to find the killer before another body is found. It appears to be the work of a serial killer as the bodies are found with Kennedy half dollars on the scene. The mystery deepens when Gary’s wife Fanny is abducted and they find his 4 year old son Harry hiding in the closet at the police station.

      Solving this mystery will involve more than Jane could imagine as years of secrets are revealed.
    • 5/5
      Another excellent story has come from the imagination of Colleen Coble. This tale of suspense is filled with dynamic characters, both good and evil, who are placed in an intricate and compelling situation that will keep you turning pages until the end. It begins with a cult, where Jane as a teenager has just given birth. The story then flashes forward fifteen years, with Jane now a police officer. Her story involves a lie and a coverup from years before, with a large dose of revenge thrown in. There is also a hint of romance, which likely will be further developed in the next book, “Two Reasons to Run.” This book has it all: great characters, a gripping plot, Christian morals, and even a K-9 dog. Highly recommended for readers who desire good quality Christian novels.
    • 4/5
      Thank you in advance to the publisher, TNZ Fiction/Thomas Nelson, and Prism Book Tours for providing a complimentary advance review copy. A positive review was not required. All words and thoughts are my own.

      Possible content warnings: teen pregnancy, cult, somewhat gruesome body find, stalking, and child abuse.

      Last Christmas (2019), my mother got me the Lavender Tides series, along with the then new release – “Strands of Truth” thinking I would enjoy them based on the blurbs. And, she was right – I did “skim” them (haven’t fully read them yet) and they’re definitely high up on the never-ending TBR. However, this is the first book by the author I’ve read.

      Right off, from the prologue, the novel grabbed me – pregnant teen, cult, and fleeing the cult. I am definitely old enough to remember the Branch Davidian cult and subsequent siege at Waco (Texas) in 1993, and the notorious David Koresh.

      That was another reason this novel had my interest – someone escaping from a cult and later becoming a law enforcement officer. Even more impressive – Jane is elected Sheriff of Pelican Harbor.

      By chapter three, I was hooked.

      In addition to Jane Hardy being elected Chief, a position previously held by her father – she has to investigate two murders; she’s trying to figure out where her mother is; and her father’s arrest for theft and murder is also stressful. She’s also dealing with Reid covering her career.

      Reid has his own secrets in addition to a wonderful teenage son. One is that he was tied to one of the murder victims; another secret is Lauren, his ex-wife, who comes back after being declared dead after going missing. It’s pretty obvious she wants money, but is using Will to blackmail Reid. And, it turns out one secret of Reid’s is who Will’s mother really is.

      When the issue of Will’s mom was brought up, I remembered the baby born in the prologue. And, as I kept reading – I kept getting this nagging suspicion. That’s another reason I just couldn’t put this book down. I had to know what was going on. Keen-eyed and attentive readers will soon figure it out for themselves.

      Coble crafts a unique, highly-addictive, emotionally entangling, and very disturbing plot. With as disturbing as it was, I almost felt uncomfortable at enjoying this book so much. I really didn’t want to stop reading. This suspense novel has murder, kidnapping, blackmail, police corruption, stalking, and references to cults.

      While others could feel bogged down by all that is going on in it, Coble has found a way to make it all work and carefully weave it together. The cases, the people – every little bit. It’s a wild roller coaster of a reader.

      There were a few suspects I had my eye on, but was honestly surprised at where the writer took it. I had at least two different suspects, none of those panned out. In looking back, there is a “warning” about one of the suspects.

      While this is distributed by Christian publisher Thomas Nelson’s TNZ Fiction line, the references to God and faith were not overwhelming or glaring. I found them minimal, yet quite relevant to the story’s pace and setting. It is a clean read with no sexual encounters or foul language.

      There is some violence, and perhaps some “gruesomeness” to it due to the violence.

      This is part one (1) of the “Pelican Harbor Series”. And, while most first books are easily standalone reads – this isn’t. While the main cases are concluded, there are a few personal issues that are not concluded at the end. Some of which will carry over to part two (2); “Two Reasons to Run”; which is due out September 2020.

      The synopsis of the second book will have some spoilers.
    • 2/5
      I hadn't realized this was a Christian mystery when I originally got the ARC (I don't typically read mysteries with religious themes of any kind, it's just not a subgenre I'm particularly interested in), but decided to read it anyway. The religion aspect felt minor compared to all the other things going on in the book. It feels like Coble just keeps tacking on so many things that the mystery gets lost and the plot gets confusing. The book left me feeling unsatisfied, and not interested in picking up the sequel.
    • 4/5
      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.
    • 4/5
      Title: One Little Lie (Pelican Harbor #1)
      Author: Colleen Coble
      Pages: e-book
      Year: 2020
      Publisher: Thomas Nelson
      My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
      Jane Hardy is a tough woman. She has to be in order to do her job of police chief in Pelican Harbor, Alabama, filling the job her father left due to retirement. He was a forceful, but fair police chief with a reputation for getting the job done. Jane is feeling the pressure to rise to his level as two bodies have been found. The victims have been murdered and the killer has left clues. Could they be linked to previous murders in the surrounding area?
      Soon after the bodies are discovered, Jane meets Reid Dixon. Reid is a famous documentary filmmaker and has been hired to make a documentary of Jane in her job as police chief. Jane doesn’t want him around, but the town mayor insists it will be good publicity for the town. Jane also begins to think more and more about her past as a child living in a cult. She isn’t sure why these memories are surfacing now, but that is something else she has to deal with. In addition, Reid is an attractive man and Jane can’t help but notice this. He is keeping a secret. He and his teenage son are spending the summer in Pelican Harbor while filming. As Reid follows her around while she is trying to solve the murders, he begins falling for Jane. Is the feeling mutual? The killer continues his killing spree, and Jane’s father becomes a suspect. What is Jane to do?
      I liked Jane’s role as a woman in a job usually held by a man. She is forced to be strong or she will be trampled. Her faith has gone by the wayside due to her traumatic experience as a child growing up in a cult, but during this case and with Reid’s living example she begins to re-examine God and her relationship to Him. The beginning and plot were really good, but there were some spots that dragged though not enough to make me stop reading. This author is always one of my “go-to” authors when I want to read suspense. Book two in the series will be released soon, so check back here for my review!
      Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
    • 5/5
      Colleen Coble has always been a favorite author of mine because she is a master at writing in the romantic suspense genre. I have loved her books since I first read her Rock Harbor series and I can tell this series is off to a great start after reading One Little Lie.

      There are so many things going on in this book that it is hard to narrow it down in a review. The backstory is that Jane Hardy escaped with her father from a cult when she was 15 years old. Now, several years later Jane's father has been the sheriff and now she is acting sheriff. She is a complex character dealing with her past while also having a lot going on in the present. She is thrown in to dealing with some murders that appear to be the work of a vigilante. Things become very personal when her own father is accused of these crimes. On top of all that, she is being followed by Reid who is making a documentary of small town law enforcement. But just what is his angle?

      The author tackles many themes in this book including forgiveness, reconciliation, consequences of lies, etc. As I mentioned earlier, I view Jane as a very complex character and I am curious to see how she transforms and grows throughout the series.

      Is her father guilty of the crimes he is accused of? Does Reid have more involvement with Jane's past than Jane is aware of? You'll have to read to find out. I can tell you that the ending definitely took me by surprise. I can't wait to see what happens in book two due to release later this year.

      I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
    • 4/5
      “Something disturbing was going on in her town, and she wasn’t sure how to solve the puzzle.”

      Always on the lookout for well-written Christian suspense books, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read “One Little Lie.” This is the first book in the Pelican Harbor series, and I love it when I’m able to hop aboard a new series as it’s releasing. I also realized that this seems to be the first Colleen Coble book that I’ve read, and after this experience, it won’t be the last.

      What harm can there be in telling one little lie? The ripple effects are devastating and leave a trail of pain and destruction in their wake. Not only that, but a group of people find their lives inextricably linked by the falsehood, because trials usually cause people to draw apart from the world in general, and especially their faith. During times of difficulty and uncertainty, let us not ever forget that it is on Christ the solid Rock we stand.

      In “One Little Lie,” relationships play a prominent role in the plot. Father-daughter, father-son, and even that between a mother and her children, as Jane Hardy reflects on her own boy, whom she lost briefly after giving birth to him, and as her relationship with her father becomes challenged as untruths keep piling up. Circumstances threaten her heart against trusting, but she can’t walk this path alone.

      A fast-paced work of romantic suspense, this book will have you questioning everyone’s motives in the quest for the truth. It does contain some graphic details regarding crime scenes, as well as mentions of domestic violence and abuse, but neither is overdone. My favorite character is, admittedly, Parker the golden retriever because I love dogs and have a great respect for working dogs, which are all heroes in my book.

      I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
    • 4/5
      In the small town of Pelican Harbor, Alabama, newly-appointed police chief Jane Hardy must prove her capability in dealing with a vigilante, murder, abduction, and allegations against her father—plus journalist Reid Bechtol, as he films her for a documentary. It’s a lot to handle, even without taking the secrets of her past into account.

      As Colleen Coble’s One Little Lie makes sense of all these Pelican-Harbor happenings, it does feel a little convoluted and just too much. Still, the story unfolds around Jane and Reid with great suspense and mystery (and a bit of romance)—and that ending definitely left me wanting to pick up Two Reasons to Run right away (unfortunately, it doesn’t release until September).

      One Little Lie proves to be an entertaining, over-the-top story of secrets, suspicion, and a lie that changed everything. Readers of romantic suspense could very easily enjoy it.

      I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
    • 3/5
      The beginning of this story started out intense. It showed Jane's childhood in a cult. While it was a short moment, it did explain why Jane wanted to protect her father. Reid was introduced in the story maybe as a love interest? I say this as a question because the romance was minimal if lacking. Not that I am complaining as I don't feel like this book needed a romance.

      Jane has big shoes to fill as a female sheriff. Not to point the obvious that she has a killer on her hands. The killings seem personal as if the killer has something against Jane. With Reid's help; Jane is determined to stop the killer before more lives are lost.

      I did figure out early on who the killer was. Yet, this did not keep me from stopping reading this book. However, I must admit that there were clues there but to be fair Jane would not have figured out who it was until the reveal. This book is a good start to this series.
    • 5/5
      A green police chief, vigilante justice, and a town full of secrets. Mixing these with Colleen Coble’s compelling suspense and a dollop of romance brings you One Little Lie, a “most excellent” police adventure.
      I loved the storyline and most of the characters. The jury is still out on a few of them, namely the mayor, whom I’m trying to figure out. I did enjoy Jane Hardy and Reid and Will Dixon. Will sounds like one very neat teenager. Jane and Reid work together well. I have to wonder about how involved Reid was in the cases, as a civilian. Yet, my mind argues back that real life can be hard to separate into separate columns, and this just solidifies that point.
      The bay seems to be a little murky and so are so many of the relationships in this faith-filled novel. We see true friendship, bad parenting, misguided parenting, great parenting, and arms that lost the child they should have parented. I can just imagine Jane, if she had a theme song, singing “Lies,” from Jonathan Butler eons ago. The question is, who would she be singing it about? Faith, love, forgiveness, deceit, and revenge all surface in Pelican Harbor. Unfortunately for us, the readers, a neat ending does not. I appreciated Coble’s note that explained her reasoning. I appreciated that we had a “soft” ending, with more to come in the next Pelican Harbor installment ( Two Reasons to Run, coming September 2020), rather than a rushed, messy ending. Definitely a book to pick up, but preferably during daylight hours, with plenty of safe people around.
      I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. This does not affect my opinions, which are solely my own.
    • 3/5
      I have been a huge fan of Colleen Coble for years. Her romantic suspense has always grabbed my attention from the opening lines. But One Little Lie fell a bit flat for me. Here’s what I liked. The Setting — this novel is set in a fictional town on the Gulf Coast of south Alabama. I am very familiar with this area, having vacationed there since college. Coble captured the sights, scents, and even the flavors of the area with her detailed descriptions. The Characters — One Little Lie is the first in a series, and introduces a lot of supporting characters whose stories will be developed in the coming books. I felt invested in one story line in particular and look forward to finding out more. The Faith Message –there is so much falsehood and half-truths out there. This book is a good reminder that we have to test everything that people say against what God says.

      Now on to what I had difficulty with. Main character Jane Hardy was difficult to connect with. I get why, but her aloofness kept me from feeling a closeness I usually get from a Coble character. I did like Reid and his son very much, and hope the trio’s relationships will be expanded in the coming books. There were a lot of story threads that eventually came together, but I had a bit of trouble keeping them straight. And to be honest, I thought that some of them were a bit too far fetched.

      So would I read the next book in this series? Absolutely! Again, Coble is a talented author. I may have had a few issues with One Little Lie, but others have loved it. And I ALWAYS will read a Coble novel.

      (Thanks to Celebrate Lit for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
    • 5/5
      Can secrets turn into lies? Are lies ever permissable? Does learning the truth cause even more hurt? These are the questions that are very pertinent in this new book by Colleen Coble. One Little Lie is the story of Jane Hardy, the newly appointed police chief of Pelican Harbor, and the past that she has tried to forget. It is also about Reid Bechtol and his son Will and the secret that Reid is hiding.

      "How did he get to this point of subterfuge and lies? He didn't even recognize himself any more. Even more importantly, he was letting God down. He wasn't the man he thought he was." (p. 173)

      I really liked that Reid had such a close relationship with his teenage son and that he showed such protective concern for Jane. Coble offers a glimpse of Jane's troubled past and this allows us to understand why she is so determined to live a honest and productive life. Her involvement in a cult when she was just a young girl left her scarred and unable to fully trust and Coble powerfully conveys Jane's fears, her hurts, and her struggle with forgiveness. There is, however, one secret that left me very surprised and an ending that left me with questions that only another book can answer!

      One Little Lie reminds us that the lies that seem permissable to prevent hurt are often the source of the greatest hurt of all. Colleen Coble has written a wonderful story and I recommend it to all who enjoy Christian suspense and contemporary romance.

      I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit tours. A positive review was not required and these are my honest thoughts.
    • 5/5
      There is nothing better than a good suspenseful story that has all the elements that make you want to read as fast as you can. I loved the characters and how their problems seeped into each others lives. What is so good about this story is the undeniable intrigue that had my heart pounding as danger seems to lurk right below the surface.
      Jane has been appointed Police Chief after her father retires. It is obvious that not everyone is happy with this news and Jane finds herself deep in an investigation where bodies turn up, her father is being investigated and lies tarnish people’s integrity. Oh how I loved reading that Jane didn’t back down from anyone and was determined to get to the truth. Jane’s past is very secretive to most and she can’t shake that maybe it will come out at some point.
      Reid was an interesting character and I wasn’t quite sure what his true motive was . He has been granted to follow Jane and do a documentary on her because she is a female Chief of Police. Does he know about Jane’s past? Reid has his own secrets that start to pop up and he knows he needs to deal with them. I did find it interesting that his son never knew his mother and the author gives subtle hints that may tie him to someone in the story. This is the type of writing the author is known for. She weaves several characters together and has their lives intersect at critical moments. The author is also very good at placing faith elements in her story that are gracefully done. I did find it a bit odd that Reid would allow his son to tag along at some of the places him and Jane went. It bothered me that a teenager would be allowed to listen in on investigations and be put in danger.
      As the title implies, lies no matter how many you tell always find a way to the surface. We often think one little lie won’t hurt anyone. This story proves how wrong that thinking is as secrets, lies, deceit and revenge unravel lives and put people’s reputation on the line. My heart went out to Will as he realizes he has been lied to all his life. How do you trust someone who has never been truthful to you?
      The story is filled with action and lessons in forgiveness, overcoming your past and trust. I loved how the author takes a story and captures realistic issues while keeping readers guessing of the outcome. Not all questions will be answered in this book, so be looking for the next in this series.
      “A lie is a betrayal that hits you where you really live.”

      I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
    • 3/5
      I have read nearly all of Ms. Coble’s books. She is a wonderful storyteller and infuses her tales with mystery, suspense, romance, and faith.

      One Little Lie, book #1 of The Pelican Harbor series, deals with themes of healing from the past and overcoming fear and self-doubt.

      It includes a light element of romance, but I’d classify this as suspense or mystery. There were times the mystery seeped into my reading, though. Sometimes there were numerous things going on and so many linked events that I got a little confused. In the end, most things wrapped up nicely.

      I received a complimentary copy of this book through Prism Book Tours.
    • 5/5
      The title of this book is appropriate, but one little lie morphed into many more, and then they were no longer little.
      As the story begins, Officer Jane Hardy has just made Chief of Police, succeeding her father in the job. We soon see not all are happy about her appointment, and when bodies begin to appear, some think she is not up to the task.
      Now the City has given the go ahead for a noted journalist to follow here to make a new documentary, but there sure seems to be something else going on?
      This book is full of secrets, and when they fall, yes, I was surprised by some, but others blew my mind, I never saw them coming.
      I became so involved in this story, and in the end didn't want it to end, and yes, there is a teaser at the end, another book is coming in the Fall.

      I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 5/5
      When does a secret become a lie?

      What a fantastic way to spend an afternoon! The author has done it again, drawing the reader into a story that will not let you go until you reach that last period, and then leave you hoping for more. Welcome to Pelican Harbor, Alabama where Jane Hardy is the newly appointed chief of police. This appears to be a quiet little town that is enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. However, things are about to change. Reid Dixon, a well-known documentarian, arrives in town to do a piece on small town police force, especially one with a female chief. Hang onto your seats, this page-turner has just begun.

      When did the lies begin? Perhaps years ago when Jane and her father fled a raid on the cult they were involved with - who could know. Anyway that was a long time ago and certainly would not affect life now, except that she always wondered how her newborn baby died and where her mother had disappeared to. Now with several murders, kidnapping and more lies Jane begins to wonder if she is cut out for this job. An unexpected ending left me hanging and waiting for the next book in this wonderful series.

      This book was received through Thomas Nelson, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. All impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.
    • 4/5
      One Little Lie is about Jane Hardy, a small town police chief in Pelican Harbor, Alabama. Jane was raised in a cult until she and her father escaped when she was 15, leaving behind Jane’s mother, her newborn baby whom she had been told had died shortly after birth, and her “husband” Moose whom she hardly knew. Jane carries a great deal of resentment towards God, sadness at the memory of her lost child, and abandonment issues as her mother was unwilling to escape with them. But she has grown into a tough, self-reliant, respected police woman. And as she is one of just a few female police chiefs, the town’s mayor has arranged for a famous documentary producer, Reid Dixon, to film footage of Jane on the job for a documentary that will hopefully be good publicity for the town. Just as Jane begins in her new position as chief and Reid and his son, Will, begin riding along and filming, a series of events begins to unfold, starting with the discovery of part of a body, then a murder, followed by kidnappings. Jane questions her ability to handle all that’s been thrown at her, but Reid becomes a great source of support and encouragement for her. When feelings begin to develop, Reid worries that a secret about his past may push Jane away. But first things first; there is an ever-growing mystery to solve and it’s beginning to seem like it might be personal.

      I thoroughly enjoyed reading One Little Lie. I’ve read everything Colleen Coble has written, and this was just as exciting and action-packed as some of her other titles, such as Strands of Truth, the Lavender Tides series, and the Rock Harbor Series. I liked the complexity that being involved in a cult brought to Jane’s character. And as with all of Colleen Coble’s books, I appreciate the inclusion of characters who are there to help nudge the main character back towards God. I so appreciate having romantic and exciting books to read that are clean and faith-based.

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