purpledog

Beneath Copper Falls by Colleen Coble is a crime thriller/romance for lovers of fast paced novels. This is the sixth book in the Rock Harbor series, but fear not, it can be read as a stand-alone. Since I have not read the others in the series, I can honestly say that I suffered no ill effects.

After leaving an abusive relationship, Dana Newell has returned home to the UP of Michigan and has a job waiting for her as a 911 dispatcher. She is excited to see her brother, her friends and have her life return to normal. She moves in with her brother and starts the process of rebuilding.

It appears nothing is going to work in Dana’s favor and a normal life is looking like a pipe dream. Especially considering that as soon as she arrives home in Michigan, her ex-boyfriend shows up and starts stalking her. Then on Dana’s first day at work she handles the 911 call from her friend Allyson an investigative reporter. She immediately dispatches the sheriff but it is too late. Allyson’s death is ruled an accident; but, Dana suspects otherwise. Allyson was working with Boone, a close friend of Dana’s brother, to solve the murder of his sister. Is there a serial killer about? Could Dana’s ex be mixed up in this somehow? Dana and Boone will have to learn to trust each other and work together if they are going to solve these crimes before someone else is murdered.

I loved that the opening grabbed me and willed me to keep reading from the get go. The pace was fast but not rushed and even though I figured out who the killer was early on; I found this did not detract from the story. There was enough other stuff going on to keep me reading. The intertwining relationship interjected a sense of realism I sometimes find lacking in thrillers. In addition, thrillers sometimes use action as a cover up for poorly developed characters, which is not the case here.

Beneath Copper Falls is a solid crime thriller that begs to be read in one sitting. It is perfect for those readers who love crime thrillers with a light touch of romance.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review