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Coffey & Hill #1
Annabel Lee
Fourteen miles east of Peachtree, Alabama, a secret is hidden. That secret's name is Annabel Lee Truckson, and even she doesn't know why her mysterious uncle has stowed her deep underground in a military-style bunker. He's left her with a few German words, a barely-controlled guard dog, and a single command: "Don't open that door for anybody, you got it? Not even me."
Above ground, a former Army sniper called The Mute and an enigmatic "Dr. Smith" know about the girl. As the race begins to find her, the tension builds. Who wants to set her free? Why does the other want to keep her captive forever? Who will reach her first?
Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill need to piece together the clues and stay alive long enough to retrieve the girl--before it's too late.
With its stunning writing and relentless pace, Annabel Lee will captivate readers from the first page.
Above ground, a former Army sniper called The Mute and an enigmatic "Dr. Smith" know about the girl. As the race begins to find her, the tension builds. Who wants to set her free? Why does the other want to keep her captive forever? Who will reach her first?
Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill need to piece together the clues and stay alive long enough to retrieve the girl--before it's too late.
With its stunning writing and relentless pace, Annabel Lee will captivate readers from the first page.
363 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2016
92 people are currently reading
1886 people want to read
About the author
Mike Nappa
110 books132 followersMike Nappa (M.A.B.T, M.A.E., B.A.C.E.) is an multiple-award-winning novelist, memoirist, and theologian known for writing thought-provoking, fast-paced fiction as well as "coffee-shop theology," inspirational books, and children's books and products.
A prolific author of numerous books and over 1,000 articles, his works have been translated into many languages, with millions of copies sold worldwide. His highlight reel includes VeggieTales Super Comics, the Bible-Smart Q&A commentary, and the award-winning Coffey and Hill series of suspense novels.
Mike is proud to be a person of color (Arab-American) active in the publishing industry. Learn more about Mikey by Googling his name, or checking him out on Amazon or Spotify.
§§§
To contact Mike Nappa, you can ask him a question on Goodreads or use the Contact Form on his website.
A prolific author of numerous books and over 1,000 articles, his works have been translated into many languages, with millions of copies sold worldwide. His highlight reel includes VeggieTales Super Comics, the Bible-Smart Q&A commentary, and the award-winning Coffey and Hill series of suspense novels.
Mike is proud to be a person of color (Arab-American) active in the publishing industry. Learn more about Mikey by Googling his name, or checking him out on Amazon or Spotify.
§§§
To contact Mike Nappa, you can ask him a question on Goodreads or use the Contact Form on his website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
March 7, 2017
Actual rating: 3,5
Annabel Lee was somewhat interesting read.
It’s a suspense thriller, and I naively fooled myself into thinking I’d read horror (don’t even ask me how I managed to do it, I’ll just blame the cover) so my whole reading experience was similar to the one one would have if he turned on TV thinking he would watch House at the End of the Street, but ended up watching an episode of CSI Miami instead.
However, I enjoyed reading this book.
The story follows three perspectives: Trudy’s, Mute’s and Annabel Lee’s.
Two of them are told in third person (Trudi’s and Mute’s), while Annabel’s was written in first person (later in the story we find out that her perspective are actually pages from her diary).
The story talks about 11 years old girl, Annabel Lee, who’s uncle locked her in the basement (with his dog whom Annabel is afraid of) and gave her an order not to open the door to anyone, not even to him, without a secret code.
We don’t know why Annabel’s uncle Truck did what he did, nor was it done with an aim to protect Annabel, or protect someone else from Annabel.
We get an impression that Annabel is important, even special in a way, but we don’t know why.
Right after her put her in the basement, Annabel’s uncle was killed and Mute witnessed the murder.
Now, Mute’s mission is to keep the girl safe, before bad guys take her. In order to save her, Mute has to get her out of the basement, but he has no secret code.
That is where spouses from Coffey & Hill come in (Trudi and her ex husband Samuel). Samuel got the secret code from Truck years ago, and now all three of them work together to save Annabel.
Nappa’s writing style is solid and although this book reads quickly, the pacing is very slow, with lots of descriptions.
I enjoyed reading all of the perspectives, but Annabel’s POV was my favorite.
She is really smart, educated and patient little girl who gets under reader’s skin so easily.
Regardless, I have to state that I didn’t like how she often sounded like a 30 years old women, instead of like 11 years old girl that she is.
Mute was my best-loved character in this story.
What I liked the most was the relationship between the girl and heruncle’s dog.
It’s development was described so well, and I welcomed how at the very beginning anytime Annabel talks about the dog she calls him “it”, and along as the story progesses, “it” becomes “he”.
When it comes to the bad guy who wanted to take Annabel, his idea was mean, but yet genius at the same time.
I don’t want to sound weird here, but I kind of admired his purpose.
One thing that needs to be stressed is that Annabel Lee is piece of Christian fiction.
To be honest, I am not sure why is that, because I didn’t feel like anything religious was forced in this story (or maybe I am just blind to those kind of things).
One thing that I noticed was that in the basement, among so many books, there was also a Bible.
And once, closer to the end of the novel, Annabel said something about Jesus and his purpose.
It was only one sentence and it felt more like a general thought.
This is the first book in the series, but the story it covered is completed.
In the next book, The Raven, we follow Trudi and Samuel solving another case.
I already have the book in my possession, and I plan to read it pretty soon, while the characters are still fresh in my mind.
Read this and more reviews on my blog: http://bookdustmagic.wordpress.com
Annabel Lee was somewhat interesting read.
It’s a suspense thriller, and I naively fooled myself into thinking I’d read horror (don’t even ask me how I managed to do it, I’ll just blame the cover) so my whole reading experience was similar to the one one would have if he turned on TV thinking he would watch House at the End of the Street, but ended up watching an episode of CSI Miami instead.
However, I enjoyed reading this book.
The story follows three perspectives: Trudy’s, Mute’s and Annabel Lee’s.
Two of them are told in third person (Trudi’s and Mute’s), while Annabel’s was written in first person (later in the story we find out that her perspective are actually pages from her diary).
The story talks about 11 years old girl, Annabel Lee, who’s uncle locked her in the basement (with his dog whom Annabel is afraid of) and gave her an order not to open the door to anyone, not even to him, without a secret code.
We don’t know why Annabel’s uncle Truck did what he did, nor was it done with an aim to protect Annabel, or protect someone else from Annabel.
We get an impression that Annabel is important, even special in a way, but we don’t know why.
Right after her put her in the basement, Annabel’s uncle was killed and Mute witnessed the murder.
Now, Mute’s mission is to keep the girl safe, before bad guys take her. In order to save her, Mute has to get her out of the basement, but he has no secret code.
That is where spouses from Coffey & Hill come in (Trudi and her ex husband Samuel). Samuel got the secret code from Truck years ago, and now all three of them work together to save Annabel.
Nappa’s writing style is solid and although this book reads quickly, the pacing is very slow, with lots of descriptions.
I enjoyed reading all of the perspectives, but Annabel’s POV was my favorite.
She is really smart, educated and patient little girl who gets under reader’s skin so easily.
Regardless, I have to state that I didn’t like how she often sounded like a 30 years old women, instead of like 11 years old girl that she is.
Mute was my best-loved character in this story.
What I liked the most was the relationship between the girl and her
It’s development was described so well, and I welcomed how at the very beginning anytime Annabel talks about the dog she calls him “it”, and along as the story progesses, “it” becomes “he”.
When it comes to the bad guy who wanted to take Annabel, his idea was mean, but yet genius at the same time.
I don’t want to sound weird here, but I kind of admired his purpose.
One thing that needs to be stressed is that Annabel Lee is piece of Christian fiction.
To be honest, I am not sure why is that, because I didn’t feel like anything religious was forced in this story (or maybe I am just blind to those kind of things).
One thing that I noticed was that in the basement, among so many books, there was also a Bible.
And once, closer to the end of the novel, Annabel said something about Jesus and his purpose.
It was only one sentence and it felt more like a general thought.
This is the first book in the series, but the story it covered is completed.
In the next book, The Raven, we follow Trudi and Samuel solving another case.
I already have the book in my possession, and I plan to read it pretty soon, while the characters are still fresh in my mind.
Read this and more reviews on my blog: http://bookdustmagic.wordpress.com
November 3, 2022
Fast paced story with great characters! I was set on this being a 5 star read until the last 15% or so. The big reveal just didn’t make sense to me. Surprising… but didn’t fit with the CIA / hidden bunker / survival elements that had me intrigued from page 1.
Overall a sturdy action novel with witty dialogue - I will definitely search out more by this author - especially with this detective duo!
Overall a sturdy action novel with witty dialogue - I will definitely search out more by this author - especially with this detective duo!
December 28, 2016
Eleven year old Annabel Lee lives with her uncle Truck, a dubious character, with plenty of security protecting his property, including his best marksman, The Mute. With his home under fire from enemies, Truck takes Annabel to a secret underground bunker, and bundles her in with his dog. He tells her not to open the door to anyone, not even him, without the secret code.
Annabel is now alone with only the dog, that terrifies her, for company, unsure why she has been placed in the bunker, and when she will be allowed out.
Above ground, explosions and gunfire are tearing the house apart, and Truck’s lifeless body is sprawled out on the floor for a mysterious figure to see. The Mute, from his hiding place has witnessed everything and knows that it is too late to help his boss. Now it’s up to him to implement Truck’s plan for this turn of events.
Elsewhere, PI Trudi and her ex-husband Samuel (who works for Truck), find themselves in a spot of bother, when a mysterious, ageing man comes calling. When they manage to give him and his bodyguard the slip, the two of them find themselves on the run and having to stay together, if they are to survive.
Just who is Annabel Lee? Why did her uncle hide her in the bunker? The answers will be revealed in this gripping novel.
When this book arrived, I was really excited by the synopsis and couldn’t wait to read it. I certainly wasn’t disappointed, as I loved every minute of it.
The plot has you on the edge of your seat throughout. What makes it more exciting is that it is told from the various viewpoints of Annabel, The Mute and Trudi, so you get to witness, and feel, each persons’ aspect of what was happening to them.
Annabel is a very likeable character. She is clearly very well educated, and advanced for her age. I’m not sure many eleven year old’s would cope with being locked in a room all alone for weeks on end, not knowing why they were hidden there and when they would get to see daylight again.
The Mute is a very loyal character. He is called The Mute, as he can’t speak. He is a very serious, well-trained military personnel. It often felt like he had some kind of super sense, especially the way he could assess a situation so accurately.
Trudi and her ex-husband Samuel, are the characters that brought the humour to the story. They often fought like cat and dog, yet you get an understanding of how much they still love one another.
The book made me lose track of time, as I was fully engrossed in the story, and the real world just melted away. It often felt like I was standing in the middle of a scene watching it play out, not reading about it.
A fantastic novel that I fully enjoyed, and if you like mysteries I’m sure you will too.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
Annabel is now alone with only the dog, that terrifies her, for company, unsure why she has been placed in the bunker, and when she will be allowed out.
Above ground, explosions and gunfire are tearing the house apart, and Truck’s lifeless body is sprawled out on the floor for a mysterious figure to see. The Mute, from his hiding place has witnessed everything and knows that it is too late to help his boss. Now it’s up to him to implement Truck’s plan for this turn of events.
Elsewhere, PI Trudi and her ex-husband Samuel (who works for Truck), find themselves in a spot of bother, when a mysterious, ageing man comes calling. When they manage to give him and his bodyguard the slip, the two of them find themselves on the run and having to stay together, if they are to survive.
Just who is Annabel Lee? Why did her uncle hide her in the bunker? The answers will be revealed in this gripping novel.
When this book arrived, I was really excited by the synopsis and couldn’t wait to read it. I certainly wasn’t disappointed, as I loved every minute of it.
The plot has you on the edge of your seat throughout. What makes it more exciting is that it is told from the various viewpoints of Annabel, The Mute and Trudi, so you get to witness, and feel, each persons’ aspect of what was happening to them.
Annabel is a very likeable character. She is clearly very well educated, and advanced for her age. I’m not sure many eleven year old’s would cope with being locked in a room all alone for weeks on end, not knowing why they were hidden there and when they would get to see daylight again.
The Mute is a very loyal character. He is called The Mute, as he can’t speak. He is a very serious, well-trained military personnel. It often felt like he had some kind of super sense, especially the way he could assess a situation so accurately.
Trudi and her ex-husband Samuel, are the characters that brought the humour to the story. They often fought like cat and dog, yet you get an understanding of how much they still love one another.
The book made me lose track of time, as I was fully engrossed in the story, and the real world just melted away. It often felt like I was standing in the middle of a scene watching it play out, not reading about it.
A fantastic novel that I fully enjoyed, and if you like mysteries I’m sure you will too.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
March 30, 2016
I should warn you that once you have begun this novel, you will find it impossible to put down! The characters are unlike any you've encountered before, particularly the enigmatic Annabel who simply stole my heart as she bravely endures a situation that any adult would be loathe to live through. "Annabel Lee" has plenty of well-written action-packed moments to drive the story along, along with a mounting tension that deliciously permeates the book as you try to figure out exactly who Annabel Lee is and how the mysterious Dr. Smith figures into the equation. By the time you get to the final chapters, there really is no time to breath as the heroes of the story find themselves in one perilous situation after another. Like Annabel, Trudi and Samuel are fantastic characters, especially Trudi with her brave and courageous outlook on life, her sassy moments, and her clear ability to overcome hardship from her past. She makes no apologies for being a strong woman of faith (though this book is by no means preachy), and is not afraid to stand up to the bullies in life. If she were to step off the pages of this book into reality, she is definitely someone you would want in your corner!
I loved this book from start to finish, and find it hard to believe that this is Nappa's first foray into the adult fiction realm (though of course he's published many other books as well). The plot is superbly crafted and will certainly appeal to readers who enjoy a well-written suspense novel. As for me, I can hardly wait to become reacquainted with the Coffey & Hill Investigations team in the next book in the series, "The Raven". I award this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
I loved this book from start to finish, and find it hard to believe that this is Nappa's first foray into the adult fiction realm (though of course he's published many other books as well). The plot is superbly crafted and will certainly appeal to readers who enjoy a well-written suspense novel. As for me, I can hardly wait to become reacquainted with the Coffey & Hill Investigations team in the next book in the series, "The Raven". I award this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
May 7, 2016
I really didn't like this book. For one, Christianity is a small, but strong undercurrent in the story. It took me by surprise because there is no mention of religion in the synopsis. I really didn't like being preached to. [return][return]That probably wouldn't have been a deal-breaker for me if the characters were less inept. Coffee, Hill, and the Mute are suppose to be highly trained. I won't go into details as they might be spoilers, but suffice to say, they could have resolved this whole matter within the first 25% of the book if they didn't make such poor choices. It wasn't even just one bad decision. There were quite a few. It's just lazy writing in my opinion when you purposefully have your characters make bad judgements (that they would never make if they had been real people) simply to further your plot. Good writers know how to create conflict in the story without having their characters behave idiotically. Needless to say, despite my love of mysteries, I really wanted to stop reading this book, but powered through and regret that I did. Spoilers ahead so be warned.[return][return]Spoilers:[return]For a seasoned PI with a member of the CIA for an ex, you would think Trudi would know the bad guys could track a cell phone. But nope! Even a member of the general public would know better than that. [return][return]Trudi stupidly decides to go back to her office for her gun despite the fact that these mercenaries know where she works. Why on earth wouldn't she just have Sam get her another identical weapon with all of his connections? Which brings me to the next idiocy. Why wouldn't Sam want her to have a gun? He doesn't truly believe she would shoot him accidentally. She has training and experience. And they are going into battle with armed soldiers. Why wouldn't he arm her!?[return][return]This next bit is their biggest mistake of all, and the one that could have resolved all of this within the first week of Anabel's time in the bunker. Why didn't the Mute and Sam agree to meet again the next day after Sam had gotten the paper and key from his wife? It makes absolutely no sense. The Mute knew Anabel was in desperate need of rescue. And he knew that time was of the essence. Why would they have left that Denny's with no plans to reconvene to hand over the key!? If they had, they could have gotten Anabel out the very next day! Instead, both parties bumble around for a couple more weeks while poor Anabel is trapped in the bunker.[return][return]And finally, with all of the resources of the CIA at their disposal, why wouldn't they call for backup!? They could have had a team of agents sweep the area and take out the mercenaries in the forest surrounding the farm. It is just plain silly if you ask me.
March 23, 2016
Annabel Lee is the first book I've read by this author and it was so good!!! While it took me a while to read, I blame myself for that and not the story; because once I made time for it, I flew through the pages -- the story thoroughly captured my attention.
The suspenseful gets very intense (which I loved!) in Annabel Lee and there are some pretty violent scenes, so just a warning if you have a weaker stomach when it comes to violence in books.
I loved the characters. All of them were great, especially The Mute. I loved the chemistry between Trudi and Samuel and can't wait until the next book, The Raven, is released, just so I can see what happens next with them.
All in all, I loved this book! The mystery was not what I expected and really kept me guessing and in suspense. I recommend it if you enjoy suspense/thrillers.
*I received a complimentary copy of this for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
The suspenseful gets very intense (which I loved!) in Annabel Lee and there are some pretty violent scenes, so just a warning if you have a weaker stomach when it comes to violence in books.
I loved the characters. All of them were great, especially The Mute. I loved the chemistry between Trudi and Samuel and can't wait until the next book, The Raven, is released, just so I can see what happens next with them.
All in all, I loved this book! The mystery was not what I expected and really kept me guessing and in suspense. I recommend it if you enjoy suspense/thrillers.
*I received a complimentary copy of this for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
November 21, 2022
I was not expecting such an action-packed mystery. I read this bc of the Edgar Allan Poe references and this was way beyond what I thought. This went deep into terrorism, and even branches off into an ancient cult. It may start semi-slow but speeds up.
Maybe more thoughts later. This isn’t a mild book, but it seems to have a strong faith element running through it. It is subtle and simple. It wouldn’t bother most sensitivities as it is definitely not preachy. I enjoyed the book elements and the main characters were interesting. Even those that weren’t human.
Maybe more thoughts later. This isn’t a mild book, but it seems to have a strong faith element running through it. It is subtle and simple. It wouldn’t bother most sensitivities as it is definitely not preachy. I enjoyed the book elements and the main characters were interesting. Even those that weren’t human.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2017
I have mixed feelings about this quirky suspense novel. I loved the chemistry between Trudi Coffey and her ex-husband Samuel Hill. I loved Trudi in general. She is independent, confident, warm, courageous and funny. Trudi made the book for me.
The two other main characters were The Mute and Annabel. The Mute was an admirable man. While I liked Annabel, some of the chapters in which the story is told from her point of view were a little flat. I would be remiss if I didn't give credit to the German Shepard. This four legged creature is a huge part of the novel.
The suspense scenes were well done and definitely kept my interest. The secret code in the newspaper was interesting and I wonder if the history shared was factual.
The author's note at the end of the novel about how Annabel Lee came to be reality was inspiring and a little bit comical.
I look forward to reading the next in the series.
The two other main characters were The Mute and Annabel. The Mute was an admirable man. While I liked Annabel, some of the chapters in which the story is told from her point of view were a little flat. I would be remiss if I didn't give credit to the German Shepard. This four legged creature is a huge part of the novel.
The suspense scenes were well done and definitely kept my interest. The secret code in the newspaper was interesting and I wonder if the history shared was factual.
The author's note at the end of the novel about how Annabel Lee came to be reality was inspiring and a little bit comical.
I look forward to reading the next in the series.
June 10, 2016
Copyright Night Owl Reviews
When I saw that this book had somewhat of an Edgar Allan Poe theme, I knew I had to get it, no matter what genre it was. It's been a while since I read a good suspense novel anyway and that is definitely what this book is. It keeps you guessing, wondering who Annabel Lee really is and why she was in Truck's custody.
To see my full review, please click the link below:
https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
When I saw that this book had somewhat of an Edgar Allan Poe theme, I knew I had to get it, no matter what genre it was. It's been a while since I read a good suspense novel anyway and that is definitely what this book is. It keeps you guessing, wondering who Annabel Lee really is and why she was in Truck's custody.
To see my full review, please click the link below:
https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
September 11, 2016
Edgar Allan Poe is one of my favorite writers of all time, and now this series in kinda based on his stories... That's the only thing I need to know, I'm DEFINITELY reading this series!
PS: The second book is called The Raven: A Coffey & Hill Novel.
My inner nerd is happy!
PS: The second book is called The Raven: A Coffey & Hill Novel.
My inner nerd is happy!
December 20, 2021
I re listened to this with hubs and enjoyed it even more.
August 20, 2017
Whoa, and I thought Moving Target by Lynette Eason was intense and twisted. Is this book ever DARK.
Despite being more gruesome than my normal fare, this book sucked me in and had me absolutely riveted from the start. It wasn't exactly gruesome from the get-go, but there were some allusions that let the reader realize where things were going to give up. And 'tweren't purty.
Let me just say that this book is not for the faint of heart, but if you like Irene Hannon, Lynette Eason, and/or Colleen Coble, it's pretty safe to say you might like this one. They have a similar level of gore in some of their books (except for one scene of this one that beats anything I've read of theirs in that respect).
Now, for the GOOD part. This book has some GREAT characters and character development, along with a stellar, well-done plot. Annabel Lee and the Mute are not characters I'll soon forget. And I'm super stoked to find out what will happen to Coffey & Hill in the next book. I'm curious to see what path those two will take together, and how their story will turn out.
Despite being more gruesome than my normal fare, this book sucked me in and had me absolutely riveted from the start. It wasn't exactly gruesome from the get-go, but there were some allusions that let the reader realize where things were going to give up. And 'tweren't purty.
Let me just say that this book is not for the faint of heart, but if you like Irene Hannon, Lynette Eason, and/or Colleen Coble, it's pretty safe to say you might like this one. They have a similar level of gore in some of their books (except for one scene of this one that beats anything I've read of theirs in that respect).
Now, for the GOOD part. This book has some GREAT characters and character development, along with a stellar, well-done plot. Annabel Lee and the Mute are not characters I'll soon forget. And I'm super stoked to find out what will happen to Coffey & Hill in the next book. I'm curious to see what path those two will take together, and how their story will turn out.
August 12, 2023
Well, I pushed through, but I wish I hadn't. That ending was bonkers! It was just so weird and made me uncomfortable. The dog scenes were awful. It's labeled as Christian fiction, but it gets very dark and goes into medical experiments with holy relics.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2017
Annabel Lee by Mike Nappa
Time Frame: Present day
Location: Georgia and Alabama
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Main Characters:
Annabel, Special 11 year old being hidden by her uncle
Truck, Annabel's uncle and protector
The Mute: Annabel's godfather, protector. Mute since an I.E.D. blast in Iraq
German shepherd: Truck's dog, never named, eats fingers, also a protector
Trudi: Private investigator
Samuel: Trudi's ex-husband, currently CIA working with Truck
Serious change in genre for me, but not a bad change. I like mixing it up on occasion. Annabel Lee is a suspense book with a faith element. It's not an overwhelming theme, but there's a thread running through it. One Christian, one searching, and three aware of it, but avoiding a search in that direction just now.
This was a book about loyalty, protection, about overcoming hurts, and about a little girl well loved, and how lives are changed with the need to protect her. Special Forces, CIA and weird scientists trying find the girl they "created" play major parts in this drama of hide and seek.
Synopsis
The characters in this story are so well done, and so fun to read about. The animosity Trudy shows her ex-husband is downright comical at times. He takes it all very well though. Truck, the dog and The Mute are such great characters. Then there's Annabel. Sweet, loveable and quite unique Annabel, with abilities beyond that of a normal 11 year old.
Very different book, but if terrorist type killings (not too much) don't make you too sqeemish, it's a creative and enjoyable book. What can I say, I had 4 brothers and three sons. I was the only female in generations of my family, so I learned to do more than tolerate this sort of story. I rather liked it.
As far as the faith element, the bible is quoted several times, the reality of Jesus is evident in the book and there's a seeking. In the end, Annabel realizes she can't ignore God. After spending weeks pouring over the bible and translating in it the Creole tongue, she just couldn't get past what she had been learning about Jesus. One day she came to a conclusion about Christ and she said to The Mute that she now knows who she is.
Time Frame: Present day
Location: Georgia and Alabama
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Main Characters:
Annabel, Special 11 year old being hidden by her uncle
Truck, Annabel's uncle and protector
The Mute: Annabel's godfather, protector. Mute since an I.E.D. blast in Iraq
German shepherd: Truck's dog, never named, eats fingers, also a protector
Trudi: Private investigator
Samuel: Trudi's ex-husband, currently CIA working with Truck
Serious change in genre for me, but not a bad change. I like mixing it up on occasion. Annabel Lee is a suspense book with a faith element. It's not an overwhelming theme, but there's a thread running through it. One Christian, one searching, and three aware of it, but avoiding a search in that direction just now.
This was a book about loyalty, protection, about overcoming hurts, and about a little girl well loved, and how lives are changed with the need to protect her. Special Forces, CIA and weird scientists trying find the girl they "created" play major parts in this drama of hide and seek.
Synopsis
The characters in this story are so well done, and so fun to read about. The animosity Trudy shows her ex-husband is downright comical at times. He takes it all very well though. Truck, the dog and The Mute are such great characters. Then there's Annabel. Sweet, loveable and quite unique Annabel, with abilities beyond that of a normal 11 year old.
Very different book, but if terrorist type killings (not too much) don't make you too sqeemish, it's a creative and enjoyable book. What can I say, I had 4 brothers and three sons. I was the only female in generations of my family, so I learned to do more than tolerate this sort of story. I rather liked it.
As far as the faith element, the bible is quoted several times, the reality of Jesus is evident in the book and there's a seeking. In the end, Annabel realizes she can't ignore God. After spending weeks pouring over the bible and translating in it the Creole tongue, she just couldn't get past what she had been learning about Jesus. One day she came to a conclusion about Christ and she said to The Mute that she now knows who she is.
July 26, 2017
For a Dutch bookclub called Thrillzone I got the chance to read this book. For me it was my first acquaintance with the work of this author. He has written many books before but ‘Annabel Lee’ is his thriller debut. And a thriller it is!
The book mostly tells the story about Annabel. Her uncle puts her together with the highly trained dog in an underground military bunker. She has no clue why and maybe even worse how long is this going to take? Above several people are looking for her, including the private detective duo Coffey & Hill and the Mute. What is so important, who are all these people and who is going to find her first?
All the above factors make it an ultimate exciting story. The writing style immediately sucks you right into the story from the beginning and it doesn’t let you go until you finished it. The use of effortless running sentences, smooth language use, sometimes short sentences in foreign languages and change in perspective all keeps the stories swiftness going. The chapters written out of diverse main characters let you bit by bit learn who you are dealing with. You learn to get to know them very well and it creates a bonding feeling with the characters. When you for example read out of Annabel’s mind you are really reading the story of a little girl, her reasoning and experience. All aspects in the story make you as reader constantly puzzling how it all fits together, why is Annabel so important and who are all the players in this game.
I give this book the fully 5 stars.
Excitement: 8,5
Plot: 8
Reading fun: 10
Writing style: 10
Originality: 9
Psychology: 7,5
Recensie in het Nederlands:
Voor de leesclub van Thrillzone heb ik dit boek mogen lezen. Het was voor mij de allereerste kennismaking met het werk van deze schrijver. Hij heeft al tal van boeken op zijn naam staan maar ‘Annabel Lee’ is zijn thriller debuut. En wat voor één!
Het boek gaat vooral over het meisje Annabel naar wie iedereen opzoek lijkt te zijn. Door haar oom wordt zij samen met zijn afgetrainde hond opgesloten in een militaire ondergrondse bunker. Ze heeft geen idee waarom en nog erger hoe lang gaat dit duren? Boven de grond zijn er diverse mensen naar haar opzoek, waaronder het privédetective duo Coffey & Hill en The Mute. Wat is er zo belangrijk, wie zijn al die mensen en wie gaat haar als eerste vinden?
Alle bovenstaande factoren zorgen voor een ultiem spannend verhaal. De schrijfstijl zorgt gelijk vanaf het begin dat je het verhaal ingezogen wordt en het je niet meer loslaat totdat je het uithebt. Het gebruik van goed lopende zinnen, vlot taalgebruik, soms korte zinnen in andere talen en wisseling in perspectief alles zorgt ervoor dat het verhaal constant zijn vaart behoudt. De hoofdstukken zijn vanuit verschillende hoofdpersonages geschreven en laten je stukje bij beetje kennis maken met wie je te maken hebt. Je leert hen op die manier goed kennen en creëert een gevoel van inleving met de personages. Wanneer je bijvoorbeeld vanuit Annabel leest lees je echt het verhaal van een jong meisje, haar gedachtegang en belevingswereld. Alle aspecten in het verhaal zorgen ervoor dat je zelf als lezer ook constant aan het puzzelen bent van hoe zit het nou in elkaar, waarom is Annabel zo belangrijk en wie zijn die andere spelers in het spel.
Ik geef dit boek dan ook de volle 5 sterren.
Spanning: 8,5
Plot: 8
Leesplezier: 10
Schrijfstijl: 10
Originaliteit: 9
Psychologie: 7,5
The book mostly tells the story about Annabel. Her uncle puts her together with the highly trained dog in an underground military bunker. She has no clue why and maybe even worse how long is this going to take? Above several people are looking for her, including the private detective duo Coffey & Hill and the Mute. What is so important, who are all these people and who is going to find her first?
All the above factors make it an ultimate exciting story. The writing style immediately sucks you right into the story from the beginning and it doesn’t let you go until you finished it. The use of effortless running sentences, smooth language use, sometimes short sentences in foreign languages and change in perspective all keeps the stories swiftness going. The chapters written out of diverse main characters let you bit by bit learn who you are dealing with. You learn to get to know them very well and it creates a bonding feeling with the characters. When you for example read out of Annabel’s mind you are really reading the story of a little girl, her reasoning and experience. All aspects in the story make you as reader constantly puzzling how it all fits together, why is Annabel so important and who are all the players in this game.
I give this book the fully 5 stars.
Excitement: 8,5
Plot: 8
Reading fun: 10
Writing style: 10
Originality: 9
Psychology: 7,5
Recensie in het Nederlands:
Voor de leesclub van Thrillzone heb ik dit boek mogen lezen. Het was voor mij de allereerste kennismaking met het werk van deze schrijver. Hij heeft al tal van boeken op zijn naam staan maar ‘Annabel Lee’ is zijn thriller debuut. En wat voor één!
Het boek gaat vooral over het meisje Annabel naar wie iedereen opzoek lijkt te zijn. Door haar oom wordt zij samen met zijn afgetrainde hond opgesloten in een militaire ondergrondse bunker. Ze heeft geen idee waarom en nog erger hoe lang gaat dit duren? Boven de grond zijn er diverse mensen naar haar opzoek, waaronder het privédetective duo Coffey & Hill en The Mute. Wat is er zo belangrijk, wie zijn al die mensen en wie gaat haar als eerste vinden?
Alle bovenstaande factoren zorgen voor een ultiem spannend verhaal. De schrijfstijl zorgt gelijk vanaf het begin dat je het verhaal ingezogen wordt en het je niet meer loslaat totdat je het uithebt. Het gebruik van goed lopende zinnen, vlot taalgebruik, soms korte zinnen in andere talen en wisseling in perspectief alles zorgt ervoor dat het verhaal constant zijn vaart behoudt. De hoofdstukken zijn vanuit verschillende hoofdpersonages geschreven en laten je stukje bij beetje kennis maken met wie je te maken hebt. Je leert hen op die manier goed kennen en creëert een gevoel van inleving met de personages. Wanneer je bijvoorbeeld vanuit Annabel leest lees je echt het verhaal van een jong meisje, haar gedachtegang en belevingswereld. Alle aspecten in het verhaal zorgen ervoor dat je zelf als lezer ook constant aan het puzzelen bent van hoe zit het nou in elkaar, waarom is Annabel zo belangrijk en wie zijn die andere spelers in het spel.
Ik geef dit boek dan ook de volle 5 sterren.
Spanning: 8,5
Plot: 8
Leesplezier: 10
Schrijfstijl: 10
Originaliteit: 9
Psychologie: 7,5
March 2, 2016
Here’s my disclaimer – I’ve never met a book I didn’t like. That could be because I’m super choosy about what I read. This book, Annabel Lee (a Coffey & Hill novel), which released today, simply KNOCKED MY SOCKS OFF, despite the fact that I don’t typically read Christian fiction.
From one look at the front cover, to the synopsis on the back cover, I was hooked.
I had not heard of Mike Nappa before reading this book, but you can bet I’m going to find his other stuff. Pronto. His Amazon author page reveals that not only does he write fiction novels, he also writes devotions and non-fiction on family relationships.
I started Annabel Lee on a Thursday and had it finished by Sunday. It was that good. I think my husband may have been a bit annoyed with me because I pretty much refused to interact with anyone until I finished reading this book.
This gem has all of the makings of an outstanding book:
Suspense? √
Subtle romantic themes? √
Faith element? √
Good vs. Evil? √
Mike had me on the edge of my seat as, chapter upon chapter, I learned more about Annabel Lee, her enigmatic uncle, a PI named Trudi, and Trudi’s ex-husband Samuel.
As each page unfolded into the next, I was drawn in more deeply to the elusive world of Annabel Lee and her supporting cast of characters.
Why did her uncle lock her in an underground shelter? And then further, why did he instruct her not to open the door to anyone – unless they had the secret code?
Having never attended school, how was she so intelligent and fluent in so many languages?
What is her tie to Trudi and Samuel?
Why is that dog so bloody terrifying and why was it trained to be a killer?
Who is the mysterious and eccentric Dr. Smith and why does he keep following Trudi, Samuel, and The Mute? What is his tie to all of this?
I became so enmeshed in the plot and characters in this book that I began to feel as though I was a witness to the events. That I was present for the conversations, the battles, the crucial decisions, and even an insider to the private thoughts of two ex-lovers who clearly still have feelings for one another.
As Mike revealed little by little, I began to see the plot thickening and to feel the tension. Dr. Smith had plenty to gain by finding Annabel Lee. And the others were clearly doing their best to protect her from his clutches – before they even knew why he wanted her so desperately.
This was, by far, one of the best fiction stories I’ve read in a long time. Mike has another Coffey & Hill novel, The Raven, releasing in the fall of this year. I’ll be in line to get that before it hits the shelves.
From one look at the front cover, to the synopsis on the back cover, I was hooked.
I had not heard of Mike Nappa before reading this book, but you can bet I’m going to find his other stuff. Pronto. His Amazon author page reveals that not only does he write fiction novels, he also writes devotions and non-fiction on family relationships.
I started Annabel Lee on a Thursday and had it finished by Sunday. It was that good. I think my husband may have been a bit annoyed with me because I pretty much refused to interact with anyone until I finished reading this book.
This gem has all of the makings of an outstanding book:
Suspense? √
Subtle romantic themes? √
Faith element? √
Good vs. Evil? √
Mike had me on the edge of my seat as, chapter upon chapter, I learned more about Annabel Lee, her enigmatic uncle, a PI named Trudi, and Trudi’s ex-husband Samuel.
As each page unfolded into the next, I was drawn in more deeply to the elusive world of Annabel Lee and her supporting cast of characters.
Why did her uncle lock her in an underground shelter? And then further, why did he instruct her not to open the door to anyone – unless they had the secret code?
Having never attended school, how was she so intelligent and fluent in so many languages?
What is her tie to Trudi and Samuel?
Why is that dog so bloody terrifying and why was it trained to be a killer?
Who is the mysterious and eccentric Dr. Smith and why does he keep following Trudi, Samuel, and The Mute? What is his tie to all of this?
I became so enmeshed in the plot and characters in this book that I began to feel as though I was a witness to the events. That I was present for the conversations, the battles, the crucial decisions, and even an insider to the private thoughts of two ex-lovers who clearly still have feelings for one another.
As Mike revealed little by little, I began to see the plot thickening and to feel the tension. Dr. Smith had plenty to gain by finding Annabel Lee. And the others were clearly doing their best to protect her from his clutches – before they even knew why he wanted her so desperately.
This was, by far, one of the best fiction stories I’ve read in a long time. Mike has another Coffey & Hill novel, The Raven, releasing in the fall of this year. I’ll be in line to get that before it hits the shelves.
April 4, 2016
Mike Nappa in his new book, “Annabel Lee” Book One in the Coffey & Hill series published by Revell introduces us to Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill.
From the Back Cover: Fourteen miles east of Peachtree, Alabama, a secret is hidden.
The secret’s name is Annabel Lee.
She doesn’t know why her mysterious uncle has stowed her deep underground in a military-style bunker. He’s left her with a few German words, a barely-controlled guard dog, and a single command: “Don’t open that door for anybody, you got it? Not even me.”
Above ground, a former Army sniper called The Mute and an enigmatic “Dr. Smith” know about the girl. As the race begins to find her, the tension builds. Who wants to set her free? Why does the other want to keep her captive forever? Who will reach her first?
Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill need to piece together the clues and stay alive long enough to retrieve the girl–before it’s too late.
All the characters written in this book are well written including the dog. All the bad guys are bad. All the good guys are good and when they clash look out there is going to be fireworks. Mr. Nappa has delivered us a story that is loaded with action, suspense, intrigue, danger and drama. And just think the setting is unique as it all takes place in the South. Mr. Nappa has given us a tension-filled page turner. It will keep you flipping pages as you try to keep up with everything that is happening. I am looking forward to the next book from this very talented author.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the Back Cover: Fourteen miles east of Peachtree, Alabama, a secret is hidden.
The secret’s name is Annabel Lee.
She doesn’t know why her mysterious uncle has stowed her deep underground in a military-style bunker. He’s left her with a few German words, a barely-controlled guard dog, and a single command: “Don’t open that door for anybody, you got it? Not even me.”
Above ground, a former Army sniper called The Mute and an enigmatic “Dr. Smith” know about the girl. As the race begins to find her, the tension builds. Who wants to set her free? Why does the other want to keep her captive forever? Who will reach her first?
Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill need to piece together the clues and stay alive long enough to retrieve the girl–before it’s too late.
All the characters written in this book are well written including the dog. All the bad guys are bad. All the good guys are good and when they clash look out there is going to be fireworks. Mr. Nappa has delivered us a story that is loaded with action, suspense, intrigue, danger and drama. And just think the setting is unique as it all takes place in the South. Mr. Nappa has given us a tension-filled page turner. It will keep you flipping pages as you try to keep up with everything that is happening. I am looking forward to the next book from this very talented author.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
April 13, 2016
I always start reviews by saying I don't recap books. Plenty of people do and they do a much finer job than I would.
This book sucked me in from the get-go. If life hadn't prevented me from reading straight through I would have.
I think my favorite part was the end. Halfway in, you pretty much know what's going on, but the suspense is so tight you can't put it down.
If I had any complaints it would be the Trudi and Samuel characters. They aren't bad on their own, but together they had moments where I wanted to slap them both. I think it was the childish bickering where they picked on each other, mainly Trudi, she seemed like someone right out of high school at times with the snide comments on men.
That would be the only flaw. The rest I loved. I loved Trudi with Annabel. I love The Mute. I love the dog. Do I need to continue? To write a character that never speaks and yet has such a presence, wow! Phenomenal job!
Now the end, I won't spoil anything. Well it may spoil so I'll hide this in case, it doesn't give much away, but just to be on the safe side
Love it. I checked it out from the library, but that's not enough, I need to buy my own copy.
This book sucked me in from the get-go. If life hadn't prevented me from reading straight through I would have.
I think my favorite part was the end. Halfway in, you pretty much know what's going on, but the suspense is so tight you can't put it down.
If I had any complaints it would be the Trudi and Samuel characters. They aren't bad on their own, but together they had moments where I wanted to slap them both. I think it was the childish bickering where they picked on each other, mainly Trudi, she seemed like someone right out of high school at times with the snide comments on men.
That would be the only flaw. The rest I loved. I loved Trudi with Annabel. I love The Mute. I love the dog. Do I need to continue? To write a character that never speaks and yet has such a presence, wow! Phenomenal job!
Now the end, I won't spoil anything. Well it may spoil so I'll hide this in case, it doesn't give much away, but just to be on the safe side
Love it. I checked it out from the library, but that's not enough, I need to buy my own copy.
March 2, 2016
Book Review & Giveaway: I was hesitant about agreeing to read and possibly review Annabel Lee by bestselling and award-winning author Mike Nappa. I devoured Edgar Alan Poe’s stories as a child and his haunting tale about Annabel Lee has always stuck with me. I knew I would not be happy if Mike Nappa’s novel was a riff on that – luckily it isn’t. Instead this is a thriller, Book #1 of the new Coffey & Hill PI series. It does, however, have a slightly otherworldly air to it that drew me in, in addition to a sinister edge. Sound interesting? If so, read on and enter our giveaway because someone is going to win a copy at http://popcornreads.com/?p=8933.
July 3, 2016
Very seldom am I at a loss about describing a book's plot but this one kind of escapes me but here goes. A young girl is buried in a bunker by a man that she calls Uncle Trunk. He locks the door and tells her to not open it up until he comes back but he gets killed. Meanwhile a lady detective reunites with her ex husband and they become entwined in the girl's plight. Before it is all over there are CIA, German Nazi and Middle Eastern connections to this trapped girl. Wacky premise.
March 11, 2016
My first Mike Nappa novel, and I was hooked from page one. Love the intro to our title characters--they have a complicated past, I understood why they'd ended up where they are, and yet I root for them to work it out. The Annabel story line was enthralling! Can't wait to see what comes next from Coffey & Hill.
June 16, 2016
I've never read something quite like this. At least the first half. Very good! Well done and not a boring second. Something different which I like.
August 7, 2023
DNF…2nd time in the last few years trying to read this book/author. But both times didn’t hold my interest.
February 27, 2024
It has a CIA dude feeding human fingers to his dog on the first page. What more could you want in a thriller?
I first ran into Mike Nappa as the author of "Johnny Grav and the Visioneer," the graphic novel that came out in each issue of the Clubhouse magazine for a while 20 years ago. That is probably the highest-quality children's literature I've seen come out of the evangelical industrial complex.
Dude's still got it. Annabel Lee has some cringe stuff going on - Trudi's sections are the weakest, though they're not terrible - but this is good stuff. The plot is inventive, almost to the point of being zany. You get the feeling that Mike got to the end of the book, needed to figure out what the deal is with the big bad guy, and threw a dart at a board of possibilities. "A literal vampire? You've never steered me wrong before, dartboard of possibilities! Let's do it!" And it totally works!
I first ran into Mike Nappa as the author of "Johnny Grav and the Visioneer," the graphic novel that came out in each issue of the Clubhouse magazine for a while 20 years ago. That is probably the highest-quality children's literature I've seen come out of the evangelical industrial complex.
Dude's still got it. Annabel Lee has some cringe stuff going on - Trudi's sections are the weakest, though they're not terrible - but this is good stuff. The plot is inventive, almost to the point of being zany. You get the feeling that Mike got to the end of the book, needed to figure out what the deal is with the big bad guy, and threw a dart at a board of possibilities. "A literal vampire? You've never steered me wrong before, dartboard of possibilities! Let's do it!" And it totally works!
January 13, 2019
Wow - what a fantastic book! This book had a little bit of everything - Private investigators, CIA, religious cult, and a different sort of hidden relic.
I had no idea what to expect when I picked up this title and was pleasantly surprised. The book was well-written and takes on multiple perspectives (all 3rd person). The characters are well-developed and likeable. The interactions between them were intense and hilarious at times. The plot was well-written, well thought-out and fast paced. I never knew what all was really happening until it actually happened. I absolutely adore Trudi Coffey and want to be her when I grow up. This was my first book by this author and won't be my last! I'm glad to see this is the first book in a series. I will definitely be checking out the others!
I had no idea what to expect when I picked up this title and was pleasantly surprised. The book was well-written and takes on multiple perspectives (all 3rd person). The characters are well-developed and likeable. The interactions between them were intense and hilarious at times. The plot was well-written, well thought-out and fast paced. I never knew what all was really happening until it actually happened. I absolutely adore Trudi Coffey and want to be her when I grow up. This was my first book by this author and won't be my last! I'm glad to see this is the first book in a series. I will definitely be checking out the others!
November 7, 2022
Annabel Lee is locked in an underground locker for an unknown reason. At first it was hard to know who were the good guys and who were the bad because both were killers. Trudy Coffey and her ex-husband Sam Hill tried to rescue Annabel from those who were wanting to either kill or at least kidnap the young girl. It was a suspenseful book involving a strange medical and mystical culture. I have mixed feelings about the book. There is some talk of Christianity but there is also far to much fighting and killing for my taste so it didn't really ring true for me. The book was interesting but also disgustingly nauseating. I very likely won't be reading any more of this author's books.
April 6, 2017
Engaging and Masterful
I don't usually like books written by men and few books meet my standard of "real" and "spiritually sound." This book exceeded all expectations. Wonderful, engaging characters, believable personalities and quirks, and a spiritual depth that reminded me that it is God that works His message out in our hearts. He alone can prove Himself real. Makes me long to be a better author, and I can't help but wish for an hour to pick this fantastic author's brain. Mike, if not here then there :)
I don't usually like books written by men and few books meet my standard of "real" and "spiritually sound." This book exceeded all expectations. Wonderful, engaging characters, believable personalities and quirks, and a spiritual depth that reminded me that it is God that works His message out in our hearts. He alone can prove Himself real. Makes me long to be a better author, and I can't help but wish for an hour to pick this fantastic author's brain. Mike, if not here then there :)
June 22, 2020
I guess the old saying, don't judge a book by it's cover is definitely true in this case. If this had not been a book club pick for an online book club I participate in, I probably would not have ever picked it up. The cover totally creeped me out. I don't like to read really scary or horror type books. However, I love a good suspense or mystery so thankfully that is what I got in this book. This one is hard to summarize without giving too much away. This book was action packed and full of page-turning suspense. I wanted to keep reading to see what was going on. Was totally surprised at the end to get the full story. I will definitely be checking out the other books in the series.
August 7, 2017
This book was one of those that you just can't put down. The characters were very real. There was just enough comic relief for the plot to not get too intense/gory/sad. I can't wait to see what the next book is going to be about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????
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