Review: Beneath Copper Falls by Colleen Coble

Title: Beneath Copper Falls by Colleen Coble
Rock Harbor Series Book Six
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Mystery, Suspense, Romance
Length: 334 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley</span

Summary:

Dana has already learned that love isn’t safe . . . but could it be different in Rock Harbor?

As a 911 dispatcher, Dana Newell takes pride in being calm in tough circumstances. In addition to her emotionally-charged career, she’s faced enough emergencies in her own life. She recently escaped her abusive fiancé to move to tranquil Rock Harbor where she hopes life will be more peaceful.

But the idyllic town hides more danger and secrets than it first appeared. Dana is continually drawn to her new friend Boone, who has scars inside and out. Then she answers a call at her job only to hear a friend’s desperate screams on the other end. Soon the pain in her past collides with the mysteries of her new home—and threatens to keep her from the future she’s always wanted.

Review:

Beneath Copper Falls by Colleen Coble features two very intriguing mysteries.  Although this newest release is the sixth installment in the Rock Harbor series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

After Dana Newell’s fiancé turns violent, she decides to move back to Rock Harbor where she has family and friends to support her.  However, her ex, Garret Waterman, quickly tracks her down and begins threatening her. A murder also strikes close to home when her friend, Allyson Hegney is killed in an eerily similar manner as her cousin, Renee, whose case is still open.  Determined to try to uncover the killer’s identity, Dana joins forces Allyson’s cousin and Renee’s brother, Boone Carter, to investigate the deaths. Is it just a coincidence that Allyson is murdered right around the same time as Garret arrives in town? This is just of the angles that Dana and Boone are looking at as they begin looking into the unsolved murders.

Eager to put her failed relationship behind her, Dana is grateful to her brother Chris for offering to let her live with him in his newly renovated home when she moves back to Rock Harbor.  Dana comes across as a little naive due to a couple of questionable decisions she has made regarding Garret. She is also quite loyal and while this is an admirable quality, when combined with her naivety, she is a little slow to realize that not everyone is as truthful and honest as she is. Dana is a personable woman whose desire to help others is her best trait as is her warm and compassionate nature.

Boone has built a successful business and he is well regarded in the community. He despairs his sister’s killer will ever be found and although three years have passed since her death, Boone still reaches out to the detective on her case on a regular basis. When Allyson is murdered in Rock Harbor, he quickly hones in on the similarities to his sister’s death. Due to circumstances of the end of his previous relationship, Boone is quite leery of becoming involved with Dana despite his growing feelings for her.

The relationship between Boone and Dana is sweet but not without a few obstacles for this lovely couple to overcome. Boone’s situation presents a valuable lesson in the importance of character over looks.  Despite how badly Dana misjudged Garret, she is still willing to take a chance on love and it is quite refreshing to see that she refuses to let her  previous experience prevent her from exploring the possibility of a new relationship with Boone.

Although it is fairly easy to guess the murderer’s identity fairly early in the story, Beneath Copper Falls is still an engrossing mystery.  Dana and Boone are appealing characters and their romance is an absolute joy to watch unfold.  With some unexpected twists and unanticipated turns,  Colleen Coble  brings the novel to a very action-packed, exciting conclusion. A nice addition to the Rock Harbor series that old and new fans will enjoy.