Dark of Night

Annie Pederson #2

by Colleen Coble

The law is about justice—not grace. But perhaps ranger Annie Pederson can find a way to have both.

As if the last few months haven’t been hard enough—complete with threats on her life and the return of her first love, Jon—Annie has to figure out whether or not to believe a woman who claims to be her sister, Sarah, who was abducted twenty-four years ago at age five. Annie’s eight-year-old daughter, Kylie, has plenty of questions about what’s going on in her mother’s life—but there are some stories Annie doesn’t want uncovered.

As Annie grapples with how to heal the gulf between her and her would-be sister and make room in her daughter’s life for Jon, she’s professionally distracted by the case of yet another missing hiker in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A woman named Michelle Fraser has now been abducted, and though the woman’s estranged husband is at the top of their suspect list, Annie and her colleagues will need to dig deeper to determine whether these recent mysteries are truly as unrelated as they seem.

In this second novel of bestselling author Colleen Coble’s latest romantic-suspense series, Annie and Jon must fight for the future—and the family—that could once more be theirs.

“This fresh, addictive mystery delivers thrills, compassion, and hope.” —Publishers Weekly for Edge of Dusk


Second installment in the Annie Pederson series:
Book One: Edge of Dusk

Book Two: Dark of Night

Book Three: Break of Day (available July 2023)


Includes cameo appearances from beloved characters in Colleen’s Rock Harbor series
Also by Colleen Coble: A Stranger’s Game, One Little Lie, Without a Trace

Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Genres: Christian Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Fiction, Christian, Romance, Contemporary

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2023

About the author

USAToday bestselling author Colleen Coble lives with her husband, Dave, in Indiana. She is the author of dozens of novels including the Rock Harbor Series, the Aloha Reef Series, the Mercy Falls Series, the Hope Beach Series, the Lonestar Series and two Women of Faith fiction selections, Alaska Twilight and Midnight Sea. She has more than 2 million books in print.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Pub Day to this second book of the Annie Pederson trilogy. In this second installment, Coble does an admirable job of tying up some loose ends while also leaving some issues unresolved. Annie and Jon are a united front throughout and the Kylie question is much on their minds. There are some exciting moments on the lake and in the forest as you would expect at a location like Rock Harbor. I am planning to read the third book, but am a bit disillusioned by Annie Pederson's work practices. There are ongoing investigations she must pursue as a forest ranger. Why is Jon accompanying her to interviews of witnesses and suspects? Seems unrealistic and unprofessional. I have been generous in my rating as I do think this series has promise and hope that Jon will be busy with his own practice in the next book.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

[Southern Lady Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

★ ★ .5/5 & 🌶/5 -- If you're a fan of Christian-based romances - this might be a soft thriller mystery for you. As a whole, I liked the concept of Dark of Night; it's nothing too sinister and mostly an easy read... but the execution was lackluster and a little awkward.

A Short Preview: Dark of Night is the second installment in the Annie Pederson Christian mystery thriller series. Still somewhat emotional from the death of her first husband, Annie must find a way to ease into a new relationship while protecting the feelings of her daughter and also taking on a new case. Missing hiker Michelle Fraser only has so much time before things start to get dire!

Some Things I Liked:
- I think, as a whole, the way they portrayed the characters was really well done, and I loved the hesitation to jump into relationships. There's nothing worse than a reckless character when someone has a kid in books!
- If you're not into reading spice, this series does a really great job exploring romance without any of the graphic s3x scenes (not to mention that Jon, part of the main couple, isn't portrayed as an alpha male type, and it makes it really easy to like the main characters!)
- Colleen Coble (the author) does a great job of creating that mentally unstable character and really getting into their mind - but without it being too heavy for more sensitive readers!

Some Things I'd Change:
- Some of the more romantic declarations in this series have weird timing. (Like one after finding a body in the woods...?) Felt a little odd and potentially somewhat morbid? lol
- I'm a Christian myself, but I think some of the spiritual declarations made seemed a little overdone? Just a personal preference.

Notes:
- Single Mom
- Second Chance romance
- HEA ending
- Alternating POVs
- Mental Health Topics

**I received this book as an advanced reader copy, but all reviews are my own. - SLR

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second of the Annie Pederson series set in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. For anyone who has read the Rock Harbor series, by Colleen Coble, this is a great return to the area. The great characters of the first series do make an appearance in this series. As expected by the author, this is an edgy, suspenseful series that kept my attention the whole time. LEO Ranger Annie and her first love, Jon, an orthopedic doctor, have reconnected but the path is not smooth as her nine-year-old daughter doesn't want someone taking her deceased father's place. Secrets abound in this story. Someone claiming to be Annie's missing sister of many years is back and seeking revenge on Annie. A lot going on! Tensions are also high as Annie and other law enforcement officers are investigating a missing person case that may be connected to other crimes in the forest. This is a multilayered plot and mystery to solve with dangers, suspense, and action. I highly recommend this book and series to anyone who enjoys suspense with romance and a touch of faith. I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. All thoughts are mine only.

[Amanda (BookLoverAmanda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW I didn't think I would love this as much as I did but what a great second book in this series! 4.5 to 5 stars. I loved this better than book 1! In book 2, we follow the family drama that occured in book 1 (not going to say, because spoilers) but Annie is trying to figure out what to do about the newly found information from book 1 and how to tell those who need to know. A big part of this story though was a woman named Michelle Fraser is abducted and they are needing to figure out who took her so Jon and Annie are working to piece together that puzzle as well.

I just loved this so much, I had the same feeling I did as when I read the If I Run trilogy by Terri Blackstock. So fast paced and SO much happening! My favorite part of this story is our characters, Annie and Jon and the relationship with Annie's daughter. There was a bit more faith sentences I LOVED at the end of this, but still has more of a light faith element. Either way, still loved those parts of the story at the end. Make sure you read book 1 before picking this up because this book picks up right where book 2 leaves off.

You will NOT be able to put this series down, it's just that good!

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark of Night is a fantastic sequel to the romantic suspense debut, Edge of Dusk, featuring law enforcement ranger, Annie Pederson.

I was only a few sentences into this story before I was reminded why I love this author’s work so much: (1) she can instantly transport me into her setting with such vivid detail, (2) she can write a clean romance and (3) she allows me into the headspace of a killer without it being too graphic.

I’ll admit to being a little confused at first as my copy of Edge of Dusk has Annie’s little sister as Laura, not Sarah. Did something happen that I don’t know about?! You can imagine my struggle trying to figure out the Taylor-Laura-Sarah confusion!!!! I’m guessing that Laura’s name was exchanged for Sarah's since I was gifted my copy of Edge of Dusk. No? Then correct me.

Annie hasn’t had an easy life and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any easier in this sequel either. When she was 9 years old, her little sister (Laura/Sarah) was kidnapped, then she lost her husband and her parents in an accident and now she’s trying to balance a job and raise an 8-year-old as a single mother. That’s just the events of book one.

Now, on a personal level, a woman appears who claims to be Annie’s long lost sister who was abducted all those years ago and then Annie realizes that she’s got to work on getting her daughter to more readily accept Jon Dustan back in her mom’s life. Then on a professional level, Annie is involved in a case where a woman has been abducted and her estranged husband is at the top of the suspect list. It’s a lot to balance.

If Annie wants to move ahead in life, she’s got to fight. Fight for her family, for what’s hers and for what she wants. I know, it’s vague. But I can’t give it away. Just know that it makes for a fast-paced and suspense-filled read. I loved how the suspense of Michelle’s captor wasn’t revealed until the end. It kept me reading way past my bedtime.

I loved the faith and inspiration-filled passages and like how Coble integrates them into the story. This book tied in well with my bible study this week on mercy and grace.

As I suspected, Coble left us with a cliffhanger at the end. I can’t wait for the conclusion of the trilogy, Break of Day, to be published in the summer of 2023.

You’ll want to read book one before reading this one.

I was gifted this copy by Thomas Nelson and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the full story is developing and the little cliffhangers remaining. The characters are realistic as they experience the ups and downs of life. I also enjoy the search & rescue dogs. Now a dog that is a natural for detecting cancer is Kylie’s puppy. The faith is genuine. Looking forward to the next in the series. Good narrator.

[Stacy Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series would make an awesome tv show!

[Oceana GottaReadEmAll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thoroughly entertained!
The stakes were higher, we meet new interesting characters, and it’s fast paced!

Annie returns for another murder mystery that turns into a missing person case. She’s also grappling between her romance with Jon and her daughter’s continued grief about her father.

I really did enjoy this book and I’m just surprised because I listened to the audiobook and I previously didn’t like Coble’s books or audiobooks at all!

I definitely think the audiobook is key for these books. Reading physically is less motivating when it comes to romantic suspense for me lately.

Looking forward to the third book!

Trigger warnings: a bit of graphic abduction scenes, and blood described. Near death car accident.

No language, totally clean, a touch of faith to make it great!

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great suspense from Colleen Coble.
“Love faces hard situations. It does not run away when circumstances get hard.”
I love stories set in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan because I lived near there and have visited. Ms. Coble does a great job of describing the landscape and atmosphere. The Rock Harbor series is a favorite one and I’m glad to go back to the area with a new protagonist, widow Annie Pederson and her daughter, Kylie.
The first book in the series was intriguing and this story picks up where Edge of Dusk left off. I recommend reading them in order.
We see the progression of the relationship of Annie, a law enforcement ranger and Dr. Jon Dunstan who reconnects with her after a long absence. There are reunions with characters from the original series including Bree Matthews and her SAR dog, Samson. The story has many mysteries surrounding missing hikers and hidden identities. The scenes with the missing hiker, Michelle, were intense and kept me wondering if help would come in time. I kept turning pages as the clues became clearer. I was glad to go back to Rock Harbor where everyone pulls together and even law enforcement people are not afraid to show their faith. I cannot wait for the next book to see how more of the threads turn out.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through the Partners In Crime Tour. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Whew! Dark of Night by Colleen Coble is an intense ride from beginning to end! Missing hikers, kidnappings, mountain lions, crumbling rock ledges, concussions, broken legs, more kidnappings, surprising DNA results, tense family dynamics… you won’t be able to put it down until you’ve turned the last page. There are also two or three emotion-tugging subplots that I imagine will play a continuing role in the next book.

Dark of Night picks up where Edge of Dusk left off so I highly recommend that you start at the beginning. (You won’t regret it because book one is extremely engrossing as well!) Young widow – and law enforcement ranger – Annie Pederson is still juggling several high-stress family situations, namely the search for answers involving her long-lost sister Sarah’s abduction as a child (which took a dramatic turn at the end of book one) and the animosity that Annie’s 8-year-old daughter Kylie still exhibits toward Annie’s first love, Jon. Coble does a stellar job of continuing to move these two threads toward some resolution by the end of this second book, while also keeping readers on the edge of their seats with the mysteries surrounding a recent spate of missing female hikers.

The story shifts back and forth between Annie’s perspective and that of Michelle Fraser, one of those missing hikers I just mentioned. I really enjoyed getting into Michelle’s head as well and feeling as though we were partners in her battle to survive. It’s not long before Michelle isn’t the only one trying to live to see another day – in fact, that count gets higher as the story progresses … which is why you may need to remind yourself to breathe more than once as you read this one!

Bottom Line: Make sure you’ve cleared your schedule of trivial things such as eating, working or sleeping when you pick up the latest high-stakes novel in the Annie Pederson series. Dark of Night takes readers through a range of emotions – and, likely, blood pressure readings – as Coble skillfully keeps us breathlessly waiting for the next shoe to drop. Annie, Kylie, and Jon are engaging characters you’ll easily cheer for, plus fans of Coble’s previous books will enjoy visiting with familiar faces from Rock Harbor too (though at least one of those familiar faces may break your heart a little in this book). Is it July yet?? I can’t wait for book three!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Dana Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark of Night is the second book in the Annie Pederson series and it was as good as the first one. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters even better and the suspense was nail biting. We see in this book the romance between Annie and Jon progressing but Jon's relationship with Kylie still distant. There are several sub plots between minor characters that give the book great depth. I really enjoyed this one and I'm excited to read the next book in the series.
*I was given a copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers and this is my honest opinion.

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Prayer was their best weapon now.’

I love Colleen Coble’s Rock Harbor series and was very happy to learn she was setting another series there. These last two books have been great. The plots were were well thought out, characters were so good, and Coble has layered in many different suspense aspects to the story. I do hope she plans more here. Very good!

My thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion here is expressly my own.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark of Night is the second book in the Annie Pederson series. It is a Christian, Romantic Suspense novel and I definitely recommend you read this series in order. If you haven't read the first book, Edge of Dusk, you will not understand the personal storyline. In this book, Annie is trying to come to terms with the reappearance of a woman claiming to be her sister who had been kidnapped when Annie was 8 and she was 5. She is also dealing with the relationship between her daughter and her biological father (she doesn't that yet) as well as her job that has her searching the woods for a missing woman and looking for the body of another. She is one busy woman while trying to forge a new relationship with Jon, her first love and biological father of her daughter, Kylie.

I do enjoy Colleen Coble's Christian, Romantic Suspense stories. Throw in the second chance trope and I am all in. As you can see from my brief summary above, there is a lot happening in this book. I am impressed with how well these various storylines are woven together into a well written and suspenseful story. Annie is a great protagonist who is a mother first, then a park ranger, friend and now in a relationship with an old love. She is smart, knows her job well, is a great interviewer, is intuitive and careful not to take chances. Jon is a great partner for her and I loved his relationships with his father and daughter. The care he takes to build a relationship with Kylie, but not give away any information about their true relationship shows what a wonderful man he is. My only issue was why Jon was involved in the investigation of the missing woman. He is an orthopedic surgeon, not a park ranger. This story had me reading and listening when I should have been doing other things because I had to find out what was going to happen. There are various issues in the story such as spousal abuse, mental health issues, kidnapping and secrets that add to the plot but do not overwhelm. I really enjoyed this story and the reveal of who was involved with the missing woman was a twist I was not expecting, but looking back, I could see some clues along the way. I am already anticipating the next book in this series. I was fortunate to have both the ebook and audiobook which was narrated by David Talon. I enjoyed a male voice as a lot of this story is told from Jon's POV. Overall, this was a positive listening experience.

[Melissa’s Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thrilling mystery from Colleen Coble! Dark of Night is the second book in the Annie Pederson series and picks up right where Edge of Dusk leaves off. The story starts right off the bat with a chase through the forest, murder, and a kidnapping. It’s up to Annie and local law enforcement officers to figure out what happened and find the missing woman.

In addition, Taylor the woman who used to be Annie’s nanny now claims to be her long lost sister. Is this yet another way to hurt Annie, or is she telling the truth? And then there’s Jon and Annie’s young daughter Kylie. As Annie tries to deepen her relationship with her old ex-fiancé, Kylie’s resentment of Jon’s presence makes things complicated. Plus, Annie is keeping a secret from Kylie about her father which threatens to turn the little girl’s world upside down.

I enjoyed Annie & Jon. In this book, their relationship solidifies even more. Both face danger as Annie’s investigation makes them targets. There are plenty of close calls which kept me on the edge of my seat. Part of the story is also told through Taylor/Sarah’s point of view who claims to be Annie’s sister. Her resentment of Annie takes a sinister turn as she tries to get even. We also get Michelle Foster’s point of view, the young woman who is kidnapped. The suspense is intense with each encounter she has with her kidnapper and her attempts to escape.

This book was hard to put down and really kept me on the edge of my seat! While it could be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the previous book in the series first. Although the author does give enough back story so readers who haven’t read the first book will quickly be brought up to speed. The messages of faith woven into the story are subtle and flow well with the storyline. While a few things are wrapped up, there are still questions left. Looking forward to the third book! Highly recommend to romantic suspense fans and Christian suspense fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher through Partners in Crime Tours. All opinions are my own and freely given.

[Christine Indorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual 3.5 star read

The second in the Annie Pederson saga, you follow Annie as she tries to comes to terms that she finally found her long lost sister and dealing with a missing person. Annie also is juggling her relationship with Jon and her daughter who still doesn't Jon who now knows he is his daughter. With both mystery and emotional drama this book will have you wanting for more.

I love Colleen Coble but I found this book wanting. I easily got bored waiting for the mystery to unravel. I also wanted more from Annie and her sister. I am so glad I read this second book but I am hoping to get more from book 3!!

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back with Annie Pederson, the second book in this series, and the author does a great job of bringing us up to date, but you miss a chunk of the story, I do recommend you read the first book. This is the continuation, the search for a lost sister.

This is a page turner, there is non-stop action, from bullets to cougars, with so many twists and turns, and in the background there is a young girl, Kylie, who becomes the center of this story.

When a lot of questions are finally answered, I still needed some answers!

Looking forward to the third book in this series, Break of Day coming in 2023!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it when the setting acts as another character and that is the case here. The Upper Peninsula region of Michigan plays a big part in the plot of this book and the plot is pretty good too. I'm happy to say that I liked this book better than the first one, but that's not really saying much. The heroine, Anne, has the patience of a saint. She loves Jon, but her daughter, Kylie, is being a rude, nasty, little eight-year-old brat about the prospect of her mother finding love. Lots of angst and total martyr tropes make it really hard to get involved with these people and their hopelessly unrealistic problems. At least the ending was worth all the angst I had to endure.

Annie suffered the loss of her little sister, Sarah, who was kidnapped when Annie was eight and the loss of her husband and parents two years ago. Jon, her first love, has reentered her life and brought her love and joy, but her daughter, Kylie, hates him for trying to make a place in their lives. Into all this a woman Annie hired as a nanny for Kylie has turned out to be Annie's lost sister, Sarah, and the lies told by Sarah make Annie more than a little uneasy and the happy family reunion Annie always wished for didn't happen.

Annie is also a ranger with a missing hiker. Michelle Fraser is a wildlife researcher whose abduction was captured on one of her wildlife cameras. The prime suspect, her abusive estranged husband, has the money and means to make her disappear, but did he make Michelle disappear?

My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Title: Dark of Night
Series: Annie Pederson #2
Author: Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Pub Date: January 10, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars!

I am a big Colleen Coble fan. This is my 19th novel and second in the Annie Pederson series. I read and loved Edge of Dusk #1 in this series.

In Book #1 we know that Annie is a thirty-three year old law enforcement ranger and the Manager of the Tremolo Resort and Marina in Rock Harbor ~ which she inherited when her parents died.
(Note: If you are a Colleen Coble fan you know that her “Rock Harbor” is a
great series!
Annie and her eight-year old daughter Kylie live alone as Annie’s husband died in a suspicious boating accident.
When Annie was eight years- old, her five-year-old sister, Sarah, was kidnapped. Her sister is back in town and it upset with Annie for not saving her twenty-four years ago.
Now, adding to the sister drama - Annie’s daughter Kylie goes missing. A major search is underway including utilizing the search dogs.

Awww and then there is former fiancé, Jon Dunstan, an Orthopedic Surgeon who is back in Annie’s life.
Are you ready for this ride?

There was so much excitement going on at the end I was fearful of a cliff hanger!

There are still lingering secrets that Annie and Jon have yet to share with their family and friends.

I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 10, 2023.

[Samantha Gonsalves · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I realized I had the second book in a series I obviously had to go back to our library to find the first book. Luckily I found it & was able to continue on with this book. Dark of Night is a compelling book with a few things you see coming from a mile off but many things surprising. The emotional/romantic angle of the book is good but feels very repetitive & like its trying too hard! Even though the plot is riveting, some features of the book & story like how is Jon so readily available at Annie's beck & call all-fricking-ways feels too convenient & unrealistic. For a doctor he sure is not a very professionally busy person. The only character angle I absolutely enjoy are Kylie's. I like Annie as a character, but only time will tell if I love her or not.

Thank you NetGalley, Colleen Coble & Thomas Nelson for the arc!

[pawsreadrepeat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Coleen Coble and Partners In Crime Tours. I'm excited to be a part of this tour.

I enjoyed Edge of Dusk, this first book in this series so much that I jumped at the chance to read the second installment and it did not disappoint. In this installment, Ranger Annie Pederson life picks up where it left off with her first love Jon. In addition, she’s trying to decide whether a woman claiming to be Sarah (her sister who disappeared 24 years ago) is who she says she is.

As she tries to bridge the gap with Sarah, she is distracted by another missing hiker in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Michelle has been abducted and her estranged husband it at the top of the suspect list. However, they need more information before they can solve the mystery.

As with the first book, I continue to really like Annie’s character. I also like her relationship with Jon. While it’s not easy, they are making a genuine effort to make it work and their teamwork makes for an engaging and multi-layered story that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

The book is fast paced with twists and turns that keep readers guessing. I was engaged from start to finish and recommend this book to all romantic suspense lovers. I will anxiously be awaiting book 3!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

After listening to book one, Edge of Dusk, last month, I was so excited and anxious to read this second book in the series. And this is a series that you definitely need to read in order, not skipping any books. Everything builds from book one, through book two, and on to book three. Some individual mysteries are solved in each book, yet there is a continuing suspense thread and romantic thread that moves throughout the entire series.

I have an ebook copy of Dark of Night, but I actually ended up listening to the audio version and can definitely recommend it as an audiobook that I thoroughly enjoyed. My romantic heart liked the continuing second chance at love connection that Annie and Jon were building on. Their path to renewing their relationship had a couple of hiccups along the way, yet I felt that they were stronger together by the end of the book. I also liked the growth in Annie’s daughter, Kylie.

There was plenty of suspense, action, danger, and “hold your breath” moments in this story to thrill suspense lovers. I am anxious to read the final book in the series!

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colleen Coble’s Annie Pederson series returns readers to Rock Harbor in the best kind of way! Dark of Night picks up right where the series opener, Edge of Dusk ends, and the continuity is great. Coble builds into the story of Annie, Jon, and Kylie, developing these characters further, even as she ties in threads from the original Rock Harbor cast. It’s the best of both worlds!

I really enjoyed the way that Coble added more intrigue to the plot. With Annie’s investigations, her mysterious past, and townie interactions, Dark of Night is full of questions. I like books that keep you on your mental toes, and this is definitely one of those. Seeing how Coble brought all the pieces together made for a fascinating novel.

That’s why I think Dark of Night would be a great book club pick. It would be fun to be able to discuss the family issues, the professional ethics, and questions about how to live out your faith when everything seems to be up in the air. If you have friends who are fans of romantic suspense, this would make a great choice.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts: DARK OF NIGHT is the second book of this series by Colleen Coble and fans will want to read the books in order as the series tie together. I didn't like Taylor much but I rooted for the rest of the main characters. I loved the little puppy Annie has and it was nice to see the search and rescue dogs in action. There were some untied strings so I'm hoping there will be a third book. If you like romantic suspense (heavier on the suspense than the romance) you will love this book. I love that it was set up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, one of my favorite vacation spots. I was given a copy free, and all opinions are my own.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A suspenseful story of kidnapping, murder, betrayal, forgiveness, family relationships, and second chances that will keep you turning pages. The third book in the series is on my “want to read” list!

[Danielle Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark of Night by Colleen Coble is a magnificent story. I love how Colleen Coble provides an intense atmosphere and keeping my intrigue. There is a lot happening in Annie's life without the complications of another mystery. Readers are kept in the dark until the right moments. Guessing will not work. Colleen Coble perfectly knows how to throw curve balls in the right direction. The characters were believable. They added the elements that made it more interesting. Dramatic, suspenseful, and engaging readers do not want to miss on this action-packed read. The novel ends in a way that lures readers back and begging for more. I cannot wait for Colleen Coble's next grand thriller suspense.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark of Night continues after the cliffhanger we were left with in Edge of Dusk.

I found the bad guy in this book to be edge and creepy, but I tend to like the bad guys a little bit creepy and edgy.

The Mystery plot which was resolved in this book kept me engaged and guessing.

Annie and Jon’s story continues in book two with a few revelations upending their lives. Annie also needs to work through a surprising familial revelation.

The creepy plot which started in book one continues in book two. I have a suspect and wonder if I am on the right track.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this in exchange for an honest review. This is the continuing story of Annie Pederson first written about in 'edge of dusk'. It's based in Rock Harbour and some of the characters that pop up in this series are also connected to a Colleen's previous Rock Harbour series.

Some of the themes in the book are forgiveness of self/others and forgiveness of the past. The characters are well written in amongst a story involving suspense, intrigue and romance. If you like Colleen's previous books, you'll love this one. It's one I'll be buying for my library.

[Ayla Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark of Night is the second book in Colleen Coble's newest series. I loved the first book in the series and was excited to get the chance to read this one.

The past few months have been intense for Annie, but it's about to get even crazier. Not only was her life threatened, but her long-lost first love returned. And now? A new addition to the small town of Rock Harbor is claiming to be Annie's missing sister who was kidnapped more than twenty years before. Oh, and her late husband just might not be her daughter's father after all. To add to all the chaos, a hiker has gone missing, and Annie and her coworkers will have to work hard to find her, and untangle the web that weaves all the recent events together.

I really enjoyed this novel! Annie and Jon make a fantastic couple, and I enjoyed seeing them work out their difficulties and come closer together. Kylie was also a favourite character. She overcame challenges well and made the story even more enjoyable. I struggled with Taylor/Sarah but was happy to see her grow and change throughout the book.

Side note: I'm still thoroughly confused on why Annie's sister was Laura throughout the first book but suddenly becomes Sarah in Dark of Night. As I've only read digital ARCs of these books and haven't seen it addressed in any other reviews, I'm guessing it may have been switched before publication. Regardless, it definitely threw me for a loop when I started reading.

All in all, Dark of Night was a fantastic novel. I highly recommend it to any romantic suspense fans, but definitely read the first book, Edge of Dusk, first to get all the backstory and avoid confusion.

*I received a complimentary copy of Dark of Night through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark of Night by Colleen Coble is book 2 in the series. I feel it is necessary to read the books in order or you will feel very lost. This is a Christian romantic suspense.

There is a lot going on in the book and honestly I had trouble keeping up with it. I also struggled with carrying about the characters as much as I would normally.

Colleen is an excellent author. This story just didn't work for me like her others did.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark of Night picks up where the first book in the series ended--right in the middle of a dramatic reveal that Annie may have found her long-lost sister. While dealing with all her personal issues, the characters also try to solve a missing woman case. I read the first book in this series almost 7 months ago, so not too much time has elapsed since then, but I thought this book was a weaker installment than the first one and didn't really connect with the characters. How many times can one woman whine about having to break news to her daughter before she becomes unlikable? I liked the missing woman subplot and pretty much wished the main characters weren't around.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book--all opinions are my own.