Two Reasons to Run
by Colleen Coble
I have to admit that in the middle of a complicated transition (i.e. I moved), I had forgotten that One Little Lie was Colleen Coble’s first book in The Pelican Harbor Series, and I had read it. Going into the second book of the series, Two Reasons to Run, was indeed like reading it as a standalone. I had a few confused moments along the way, but the plot is compelling and Coble is a good storyteller. I was able and motivated to push through my mental rough spots.
Jane Hardy, Pelican Harbor’s police chief, has reunited with her teenage son Will. Will’s father Reid had escaped from a cult with him many years ago, but Jane had been told her son was dead. The plot involves Jane’s and Reid’s efforts to overcome the past and re-establish relationships with various family members. Meanwhile, Jane is asked by a grieving mother to investigate her son’s death on an oil rig. Can Jane avert a terrorist plot without losing her life or risking the safety of those she loves?
The pace is quick, the characters are believable, and the oil rig setting in the Gulf is interesting. The cult background and a hired killer make the intrigue even more complicated. The questions center around who is behind the plot, what motivates the terrorist, and how he tries to achieve his goal. The answers rest in Jane’s strength and determination and Reid’s love for Will and Jane and his faith in God.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Mystery & Thriller, Christian
Notes: #2 in The Pelican Harbor Series, but can be read as a standalone.
Publication: September 8, 2020—Thomas Nelson
Memorable Lines:
No excuses, no rationalizations. His naked sorrow over his behavior touched the sore places of her heart with a soothing balm.
White pickups were as plentiful as shrimp here…
“I know, I know. I’m struggling with it too. But God doesn’t want us to live in fear, honey. At some point you have to have some faith in God’s provision.”
education pathways 
Wonderful review Linda. I really enjoyed this series. I read it out of order, reading this one first, then going back and reading 1, then 3. It had a few spoilers, but I agree with you, Colleen Coble is such a great writer, that I still enjoyed them all.
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I missed out on the third one as an ARC. I’ll have to find another source, but I would like to continue with the series.
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Don’t know if your library uses Hoopla, but they were all available on there through my library.
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As much as I like series, I do get tired of the author rehashing the previous plots and do appreciate ones that can stand alone and be enjoyed. This book sounds like it has some very unique twists and subject matter…
Jenna
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Some authors are better than others at bringing readers up to speed. The best are the ones who can satisfy the readers who enjoy seeing the characters again, but whose work can stand on its own merits. Agatha Christie comes to mind with Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot.
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yes, I so agree, Agatha Christie is probably my favorite!
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