One Little Lie is the first book in Colleen Coble’s new Pelican Harbor series. Jane Hardy has been made acting police chief in the small town of Pelican Harbor, Alabama, after the sudden retirement of her father Charles. Town mayor Lisa Chapman has agreed to have documentary journalist Reid Dixon follow Jane and document her time as a new police chief in his new project to examine what it is to be head of a small town force. But neither Jane nor Lisa know of their connection from the past.

On her first day, Jane is presented with the death of a young woman, which seems to be the work of someone calling themselves the Vigilante, as well as the dismembered torso of an unidentified man found in a large ice chest when caught in a shrimp boat net. When the journalist and her father become entangled in the investigation, Jane must clear them both and determine what is behind these seemingly unconnected crimes. Once the identity of the torso is determined, other crimes ensue and Jane and Reid find themselves in the crosshairs of a merciless person set on revenge.

This is yet another intense thriller by Ms. Coble. Her descriptions have you right along side her main characters and will keep you rapidly turning the pages late into the night. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Good suspense, great pacing, and worthy characters. The details were revealed at a nice pace, and even though I surmised who the bad guys were pretty early on, I still wasn't sure about my choices until I reached the ending where they were revealed. For an unproofed copy, it mostly error free. Fun, fast read for a weekend of rest.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book to read and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

When you are so invested in a story that you catch yourself suddenly praying for one of the characters, that’s when you know the story is a winner. That is exactly what I did while reading One Little Lie by Colleen Coble.

The story begins in a prologue fifteen years prior to the rest of the novel. A fourteen-year-old girl named Button gives birth to a son shortly before a police raid bursts into the compound in which she resides with the rest of the cult her parents entered when she was only five. With the place burning, she and her father make their escape, but not before her father delivers devastating news: Button’s son is dead.

Pelican Harbor is a small town in Alabama, and Jane Hardy has been given the news that she is the new chief of police after her father’s retirement. Not everyone is thrilled about this news, and with a string of murders recently popping up complete with the murderer’s signature – a Kennedy half-dollar – suspicions abound, including Jane’s father.

This novel was not just about these murder cases, however, nor did it just focus on the cases the police department had been following, crimes executed by a yet unknown offender the police called the vigilante. There was a human aspect to this story. When Reid Dixon and his fifteen-year-old son Will show up in Pelican Harbor to create a documentary about small-town law enforcement, the past that Jane has tried to forget springs to the surface, bringing with it old nightmares she thought had ended.

The pacing of this novel was perfect; it neither dragged nor did it rush. The characters took on their own personalities, from the most eccentric to the most humble, and I was interested to learn their backstories and see where they were going to end up, especially the three main characters.

Colleen Coble kept me on my toes. I struggled to decide who was guilty, and at times hoped that my assumptions were wrong. What I appreciated most was the fact that not only did the author keep me guessing until the wrap-up, she was kind enough to slowly leak certain information about another aspect I had my suspicions about. I was not left in the dark about everything.

Remember what I said in the beginning? It’s true, but it wasn’t about any of the main characters. There is a sweet four-year-old boy who got caught up in this whole mess, and when he went missing, I honestly caught myself praying for his safety. The words had already been written. His fate chosen. And yet, I threw up a quick prayer. I was that involved.

And speaking of prayers, God was present in this story. Reid and Will were believers and held strong to their faith while Jane struggled with the idea that God was good. Christianity wasn’t in your face, but it was just enough.

By story’s end, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the lives of these characters I had just met. Though the case was solved, their stories were just beginning. I read to the end and was surprised to start reading the author’s letter to her readers. What? No! It’s done? Ah, but it will be continued in the second book of the Pelican Harbor series, Two Reasons to Run, which comes out in September 2020.

If you’re into suspense with dynamic characters whose stories are just as good as solving a murder case, then read this book.

Is a lie ever okay? What if it is to protect someone-maybe even save their life? Does one lie lead to many? What about lies by omission?
Jane Hardy lives in the little town of Pelican Harbor and has just been promoted as chief of police. Will the other officers be accepting of her new position, especially Paul who has animosity towards her already.
Her new position is immediately challenged with two murders and it is thought due to the nature of these crimes that there may be a vigilante living among them.
Reid Dixon writes well-known documentaries and has arrived in town, along with his fifteen year old son to do a documentary on the police force. The mayor gives an order to Jane to allow him to follow her around taking notes an videotaping. While Jane is definitely not pleased about this, she has no choice.
Jane grew up in a cult from which she and her father fled when she was fifteen, and had just given birth to a sweet baby boy. She woke up being told her baby had died and they must leave immediately as fire and chaos were breaking out all over the commune. Her mother chose to stay with the cult leader. Where is her mother? Is she still alive? Her father has no desire to talk about her to Jane.
Now, her father has been arrested for murder. Did he do this? It's not possible is it? He was a former chief of police. Jane has high regard for her father and believes he has always been an honest man. Has he?
You'll have to read the book to find out this and so much more.
I loved this fast paced story. I was terribly disappointed when I got to the end and realized it was a big cliff hanger. I look forward to reading Book 2 in this series for 'the rest of the story.'
I was given a complimentary copy of this by the publisher, Thomas Nelson and Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

Loved the premise of the story! The fact Jane had escaped a cult at an early age really added an amazing layer of intrigue. Thought I had the ending figured out at the get-go, but for the first time in a long time, I was caught completely off guard. I would highly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley, but my opinions are my own.

I know it's totally crazy since I read tons of authors in the romantic suspense category but I have never read this author before this book! I've heard of her plenty but have never actually read any of her books! That will change quickly, thanks to NetGalley asking me to read this book, the beginning of her new series about Pelican Harbor on the Gulf Coast. It was fantastic. I really enjoyed the characters and the story line. It did have a couple negatives - too many things going on at once, which overloads the story sometimes, and a couple "farfetched" police procedures - but all in all, something I enjoyed very much and can't wait for the second book already! Just to let other readers know - it does end on a cliffhanger and I wasn't ready for that! However, it just makes me want to read the next book even more! Jane is the new police chief in Pelican Harbor, after her father has retired and the poor woman has more than she can deal with when the crime wave hits fast and furious immediately upon her taking the job! Then, she's told by the mayor that she will have a documentary filmmaker shadowing her - not at all what she wants! However Reid and his son become indispensable to her. As others have said, this book is not much on romance but heavier on suspense. I would have liked more romance but perhaps the next book!
I received this book from NetGalley but was not obligated to review it. These opinions are my own.

By far the best Colleen Coble book I have read yet! With engaging characters and a story line that will draw readers in from the very beginning, Pelican Harbor promises to be an amazing new series!

After her father’s sudden retirement as police chief of Pelican Harbor, Jane Hardy is appointed chief to follow in his footsteps. She has no time to adjust to the position before her father is arrested and accused of a recent murder. For the last fifteen years, it has just been Jane and her father after they escaped from a cult. Since that time, Jane has been searching for her mother and answers to her past, like what happened to the baby she had that her father said died the day they left? As she is appointed chief, Reid Bechtol arrives in town for a documentary he is doing about Jane becoming chief. Reid follows her around town as she tries to solve the crimes plaguing their town. His calm demeanor helps her in the most stressful situations she has faced in a long time. Coming for the documentary isn’t Reid’s only reason for arriving in Pelican Harbor; he has his own secrets and once everyone’s secrets collide none of them will ever be the same.

Colleen Coble is quickly climbing her way up the ladder as one of my favorite Romantic Suspense authors. One Little Lie is her best book yet! I loved Jane as the protagonist. She is a strong character from the very beginning when readers meet her as a young girl going through a trying time and continue to see her grow into a strong capable woman. She doesn’t try to ignore the hard things she went through, which still come back to haunt her, but she uses that to help deal with what she faces each day. I loved the mystery of what happened and how it was written. I do still have a lot of questions that weren’t answered and am hoping they will come in the next book. Reid was an interesting character to say the least. If readers pay close enough attention, they might be able to figure him out before it is revealed. I was not the biggest fan of Jane’s dad as he is gruff, tough, and not very paternal, but I really think that is how the author wants readers to feel towards him. If you have never read anything by Colleen Coble, this would be a perfect time to grab the first in this new series and get drawn in by a great author. I recommend this book to fans of Romantic Suspense that are looking for a story with little fluff and a whole lot of heart, drama and an overall great story.

I received a complimentary copy of this title form the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

This book has it all: murder, betrayal, justice, secrets, and the start of romance. But one little lie is the powder keg that ignites a small town and the inhabitants that live there. Newly appointed Chief of police, Jane strives for honesty, independence, and integrity. Her childhood has taught her hard learned lessons and how to value her freedom of choice and upholding the law to the best of her ability. Her past is one Jane holds close, not wanting anyone to see what happened. Reid has learned to tell stories through the lens of a camera, shining a light on issues many people wouldn't know about without his documentaries. But he has secrets of his own that he doesn't want coming out right now. Jane's small town is rocked by the repercussions of one lie that ripple out to encompass murder and her dad accused of breaking the law Jane holds dear. It's a race to see who will expose the lie first, Jane or the murdering mastermind behind the lie.
The characters in this book come to life with their flaws and forgiveness, support and struggles. They feel like the town down the road I want to take a trip to visit. Colleen Coble weaves a tail that pulls you in and has you experience every heart pounding moment along with the characters. I can't wait for the next book in this series, I need more answers. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

One Little Lie by Colleen Coble was the first book by this author I had read. The story was engaging and kept me curious to the end to solve the mystery. However I did find it dragged in a number of spots and I found some of it to be quite predictable, especially who her lost child and his father were. With that said, the mystery did keep me guessing!

Thank you to the author, Thomas Nelson Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

What an interesting read as all of Coble's books are. This one deals with people who have come out of cults but with a different twist than most books deal with on the subject. Some will say "it's just a little lie" but then one must lie again in order to prevent the truth from being revealed. There is a lot of suspense and action in this story and a lot of lies to cover up the truth.  The characters are very believable and appealing. The faith thread is prevalent along with lots of secrecy and suspense. You will not be disappoint in the first book of this series and I am looking forward to the second book in the Pelican Harbor series, Two Reasons to Run.  I highly recommend this book.......I received a copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley but was under no obligation to write a positive review.

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.

Another jewel from Colleen Coble! I loved this book, although it should have come with a warning: May cause sleep deprivation! There are multiple storylines, but they are skillfully meshed together. This action-packed story set in the small town of Pelican Harbor on the Alabama gulf coast moves along swiftly with unexpected turns as lies and revenge generate mayhem and mystery. The characters in this exciting narrative are credible and appealing. The faith element enhances the story, and the romantic element takes a back seat to the secrecy and suspense. I am looking forward to the second book in the Pelican Harbor series, Two Reasons to Run, releasing in September. I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Coble has outdone herself this time. I lost track of the number of mysteries included in One Little Lie. Wondering how they would all converge compelled me to continue flipping pages, putting other things aside. Cults, vigilantes, murders, lies, and betrayal; a mystery lovers smorgasbord! I highly recommend this book to all mystery lovers, and am grateful to have received a complementary copy from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are completely my own.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

I've read Christian Fiction and, for the most part, not liked much of it. Not for the positive Christian message these books always have but because they are just not that good. The writing is not up to the standard I am accustomed to and the plots just aren't that interesting. I am pleasantly surprised to say that is not the case here. This is my first Colleen Coble book and, as a much published author, she knows how to craft a great plot. The first third of the book had the reader wondering just what was going on, but then it settled down to an past paced suspense and a heartrending romance.

The book opens 15 years ago with a young girl having just given birth when the compound where she lives is attacked. Her father grabs her and tells her the baby boy died and they have to escape. With that in the readers mind the books shifts to the present day.

Jane Hardy has always respected her father and wanted nothing more than to follow his footsteps and become a police officer. She worked hard and her father, the Sheriff of Pelican Harbor, Alabama hired her and she proved herself both to him and the community. When he suddenly retired, the job was offered to Jane. A little off balance and a little out of her comfort zone, Jane is thrown into the deep end when the mayor orders her to cooperate with the making of a documentary and decapitated corpse is found and the local librarian is tar and feathered and dead. When the FBI shows up with to arrest her father, Jane is overwhelmed.

Reid Bechtol has made several well received documentaries and now is making one that will definitely receive acclaim, but that isn't his primary motive for doing it. As he gets closer to Jane he sees a woman who is in a high stress job, but handles the people she deals with empathy while doing that job.

As Jane works to find a murderer and clear her father, Reid makes himself indispensable to her and Jane finds herself drawn to him and trusting him, maybe more that she should. One thing for sure, the frame her father finds himself in is a tight one and the murderer is determined to make the charges against him stick.
4 1/2-Stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️”Nothing mattered in this moment but the feel of her in his arms.”✨
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If you enjoy:
•Suspense
•Strong female lead
•Female police chief
•Second Chances
•Multiple POV
Then this might be the book for you!✨
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This is my first time reading this author. And unfortunately, it was not exactly what I was expecting. I was expecting a romance suspense novel. But this was heavy on the suspense and light on the romance.✨

I liked the strong female lead. The setting of a small town. The pace of the mystery. But I feel like the romance that was missing would have brought me into this story more. The quote used in this review is the only moment of romance I detected. The suspects identity was a surprise... But still, I felt unconnected.✨

If you looking for a suspense story without the romance, check it out for yourself! And perhaps the romance is yet to come in the next book!✨

Thank you to the author and Net Galley for this ARC for my honest review.✨

I was really disappointed by this novel for many reasons.
One, the way the prologue is written and then chapter one starts, is a little confusing. You don't know who's who. But then I quickly figured out the female in prologue was the newly appointed sheriff. But there was so much about the murders, the investigations, that drove me crazy. Not to mention the lies the journalist, Reid, was keeping. Because that little surprise was easily figured out. And then the ending was a cliffhanger. I was NOT expecting that and honestly that probably upset me about the whole book then anything else. Not sure I will bother to read book 2.

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.

I'm going to start off by saying that this book has a cliff hanger ending!! That disappointed me ...alot!
That said I did like the book. I don't read alot of Christian fiction but Colleen Coble is an author that I enjoy reading. This book is about past lies. Jane is now the sheriff of Pelican Harbor, Alabama but she was raised in a cult until her father told the biggest lie in order to get her away from the compound. Reid is a documentary film maker and comes to town supposedly to do a documentary about Jane and small town policing, but this is not the truth either. His past is tied to the cult too, but Jane isn't aware of it initially. Jane is also trying to solve a couple of murders and a kidnapping, plus one of her deputies fights her over everything. While all this is going on Jane and Reid grow closer. In the end the killer surprised me and the case was lead to a satisfactory conclusion. But then Jane learns the biggest lie of all. Will she be able to forgive Reid for his part in it? Sadly we won't find out in this book....not until the next book comes out.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to Net Galley, Thomas Nelson and Colleen Coble for a chance to review this book. All opinions expressed are unbiased.

One Little Lie is a story that happens in a small coastal town, Pelican Harbor, in Alabama. A new Chief of Police has been appointed by the council and Chief Jane Hardy should have had it easy, after all, she's taking over from her father who has recently retired but things are not too rosy. There is another detective who had coveted the role of chief, there's a vigilante in town who is creating havoc , a council member is not keen on having a female in the top post and to add to her woes, there's a documentary being made about small town policing and its chiefs so that Jane Hardy is in the limelight.

Reid Dixon is a successful documentary maker whose documentary on cults had hit the charts but he is in town with his son focusing on Jane with a hidden motive.

There are quite a few things happening in the story with Jane and her past in the cult, bodies being discovered one after another, Reid and his trouble with his ex-wife, drugs and revenge, Jane's father victimized as a crooked cop, kidnapping of a senator's daughter and the ransom play, Jane's best friend and her medical diagnosis, all of which makes you feel like reading a very complex and convoluted drama. But thankfully, Colleen Coble has worked wonderfully with the story unravelling thread by thread and bringing it all together in one fell swoop.

The romance element in the story is quite light but I loved how the author used our faith and beliefs in a subtle way and made it a part of the story. There's something quite charming about a small town in the coastal area with its own pelican mascot Pete and of course my favorite character Parker, a K-9 police dog.

This is book #1 in the Pelican Harbor series and my first book by the author Colleen Coble. An exciting start to the series and looking forward to continuing it.

Promoted to chief of the small Gulf Shore police department, Jane Hardy is quickly challenged by two gruesome murders, a kidnapping, and her father's being investigated. On top of that, Jane has to allow Reid Bechtol shooting a documentary to follow her as she investigates. I received a free copy of this eBook from the publisher through Netgallery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I didn't want to put this book down. There are interesting twists in the story. Even though Jane resolves the cases, there are some personal issues that won't be resolved into the next book. For me this made the book richer since it makes the book more realistic and is still has a satisfactory ending. I look forward to the next book in the series. I love this very suspenseful book.