Claire’s visit to a luxury hotel in Maine awakens repressed memories, threatening all she holds dear.
In 1989, Claire Dellamare disappeared from her own fourth birthday party at the Hotel Tourmaline on the island of Folly Shoals, Maine. She showed up a year later at the same hotel, with a note pinned to her dress but no explanation. Nobody knows where Claire spent that year—and until now, Claire didn’t even know she had ever been missing.
But when Claire returns to the Hotel Tourmaline for a business meeting with her CEO father, disturbing memories begin to surface . . . despite her parents’ best efforts to keep them forgotten.
Luke Rocco lost his mother under equally mysterious circumstances—at the same time Claire disappeared. After a chance encounter reveals the unlikely link between them, Claire and Luke set out together to uncover the truth about what happened that fateful year.
With flashbacks swimming just beneath her consciousness and a murderer threatening her safety, Claire’s very life depends on unscrambling her past . . . even if her family refuses to acknowledge it. Someone-maybe everyone-is hiding something from Claire Dellamare, and it will cost her everything to drag the truth out into the light.
USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has written several romantic suspense novels including Tidewater Inn, Rosemary Cottage, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series.
My Impressions:
Colleen Coble combines a decades old mystery, twisting suspense and sweet romance in her newest contemporary novel, The Inn at Ocean’s Edge, book 1 in the Sunset Cove series. If you like romantic suspense set in unique locales, you are going to love this book. Filled with great characters, complex plotting and a setting to die for (no pun intended!), this book is a recommended read!
As soon as Claire Dellamare exists her car at the Hotel Tourmaline, she experiences dread and fear. Her panic attacks make no sense — she has never stayed there. Or has she? Within a few hours of her arrival she witnesses a murder and is herself attacked. With the aid of Luke Rocco, who has grown up trying to understand the mysterious disappearance of his mother, Claire embarks on a quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding her past and to bring light to the deceptions of her family.
The Inn at Ocean’s Edge has a great setting. All of the senses are engaged in this novel — the feel of the ocean’s spray, the aroma of the kelp and the sights and sounds of Coastal Maine. Coble does a great job of bringing it all to life with wild and untamed islands, beautiful and alluring seascapes and quaint villages and farms that dot the countryside. I felt like I was on vacation while reading this book! I also instantly connected with her characters. There is a lot going on behind the carefully constructed reality of the Dellamare family. The actions of Clarie, Luke and others intent on discovering the truth were written realistically. The mystery itself was interesting, if not a bit far-fetched. But money and power, lust and greed are powerful motivators. Many of the characters depend on their faith to endure the trials of life. I especially liked the message that no matter the circumstances of our births, we can depend on a true and faithful heavenly Father.
If you are looking for the perfect beach bag read or a staycation getaway, The Inn at Ocean’s Edge fits the bill. Recommended for fans of romantic suspense.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
To purchase this book, click HERE.
(Thanks to LitFuse for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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