“Beneath Copper Falls” by USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble is one of her Rock Harbor novels. This 304 page paperback published by Thomas Nelson Publishers is a contemporary Christian crime thriller novel that takes readers ack to Rock Harbor, Michigan. While several of her old characters make appearances in this familiar place, this can be read as a standalone book.
Author Coble has woven suspense, intrigue, mystery, and romance intricately into the pages of this novel. Twists, turns, and surprises are thrown in to keep readers on their toes. It is a fast paced, page turning book. I love the author’s writing style. (And she’s a fellow Hoosier!). Her characters are extremely well rounded. Some are so likable I want to e friends and stay connected with them. Others are despicable and totally unlikable. She knows how to write nice and mean guys. Conversation flows effortlessly and never seems forced. The description of the setting takes me away on a mini vacation while I am reading to a place I have never gone. There is a reason she is a best selling author – she is a gifted storyteller.
This is the story of Dana Newell and Boone Carter. Dana, a 911 dispatch operator, returns to Copper Falls in the middle of winter. She needs to escape from her controlling ex fiancé and wants to get back to small town life. Bree Matthews, her old friend that trains search and rescue dogs, helps her settle in along with Boone, a new friend, and confront the manipulating man she left. Sparks fly immediately between Dana and Boone. Things are happening in the little town that reveal it be be not a cozy, quiet little place. Dana receives a 911 call from a friend that whispers “he’s going to kill me.” A secret is uncovered, mysterious things happen, and women kept being murdered.
Life lessons appear in all of author Coble’s books. This one is to judge people on who they are on the inside not on their appearance. It is about how beauty is more than skin-deep and evil can be in good looking, attractive packages. Mention of God and Christ is in this book but infrequently. This is not a scripture filled novel.
A great many endorsements, 4 pages, are at the beginning of the book for the author. You might recognize some names: Cara Putnam, Terri Blackstock, Denise Hunter, DiAnn Mills, Dani Pettrey, to name a few. These are followed by a Prologue, the forty chapter story itself, and concludes with a Note from Author Coble. I was excited to see that she includes Discussion Questions in this book. That makes study and reading groups easier. Acknowledgements and book covers of some of her series follow the questions, then an excerpt from her “Haven of Swans” novel, and information about the author closes the book.
I would highly recommend this book. If you enjoy page turning suspense, crime mysteries with romance this is your book! It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from this reader. For reading groups, the discussion questions are great. If you need a gift, this book would be well received. It is really good! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but was under no obligation to post a review. This is my honest one.
“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.” Prov. 31:30 HCSB
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