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Rock Harbor #4
Abomination
A beautiful woman stands by the side of the road, barefoot and bleeding, a child in her arms. Someone just tried to kill her, but she wouldn't recognize him if she saw his face. She doesn't even remember her own name.
A suburban cop surveys a kitchen in disarray—a woman and child missing, a chilling note. This crime scene is unlike any he has ever seen.
The man who calls himself Gideon waits and plans. He sees himself as a destroyer of evil, one who rids the world of abominations. He has already killed five. He will kill again.
And somewhere in the wilderness, in a secret geocache near where the wild swans gather, lies the unspeakable clue that links them all together.
Michigan's rugged and beautiful Upper Peninsula is the setting for this absorbing tale of love and loss, beauty and terror, grievous sins and second chances. A deftly woven thriller from the bestselling author of the Rock Harbor novels.
Previously published as Abomination.
A suburban cop surveys a kitchen in disarray—a woman and child missing, a chilling note. This crime scene is unlike any he has ever seen.
The man who calls himself Gideon waits and plans. He sees himself as a destroyer of evil, one who rids the world of abominations. He has already killed five. He will kill again.
And somewhere in the wilderness, in a secret geocache near where the wild swans gather, lies the unspeakable clue that links them all together.
Michigan's rugged and beautiful Upper Peninsula is the setting for this absorbing tale of love and loss, beauty and terror, grievous sins and second chances. A deftly woven thriller from the bestselling author of the Rock Harbor novels.
Previously published as Abomination.
328 pages, Hardcover
First published August 7, 2007
379 people are currently reading
3620 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Coble
147 books6,311 followersUSAToday bestselling author Colleen Coble lives with her husband, Dave, in Arizona. 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 6 million books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 376 reviews
September 5, 2021
This one was a really gruesome serial killer and even the ending is gruesome. I liked the handful of main characters and enjoyed the amnesia part, but honestly nothing else really attracted me. The small-town feel of Rock Harbor was completely missing in this one, where Sheriff Kaleva is nowhere to be seen, no one listens to Bree, and a maniac is running loose murdering women for their faces.
There was almost no follow-up to all the small-town drama left unresolved from the fourth book and this is set several years later with all the same things left unresolved. Bree’s sister is nonexistent and Naomi may or may not have ever had a baby—we don’t know since not a single bit of Naomi’s home life is mentioned. But in the place of small-town charm we have a pride parade out of nowhere in 2007 rural Michigan (hey, I know it isn’t the Bible Belt and all, but this is highly unlikely) and women putting their hands all over the place on each other—talk about unnecessary scenes in a “Christian” novel which doesn’t forward the suspense a single bit. And the only one who says anything about it is the extremely mixed-up maniac killer?
Come to think of it, while everyone’s supposed to be Christian in this little town, I don’t recall any pastor mixing in the inner circle of people. Odd.
Anyway, with the extreme violence, the lack of Rock Harbor charm, and the lack of side character follow-up, the book didn’t even seem to be in the same series. I’m disappointed.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required. Review is based on a final copy.
There was almost no follow-up to all the small-town drama left unresolved from the fourth book and this is set several years later with all the same things left unresolved. Bree’s sister is nonexistent and Naomi may or may not have ever had a baby—we don’t know since not a single bit of Naomi’s home life is mentioned. But in the place of small-town charm we have a pride parade out of nowhere in 2007 rural Michigan (hey, I know it isn’t the Bible Belt and all, but this is highly unlikely) and women putting their hands all over the place on each other—talk about unnecessary scenes in a “Christian” novel which doesn’t forward the suspense a single bit. And the only one who says anything about it is the extremely mixed-up maniac killer?
Come to think of it, while everyone’s supposed to be Christian in this little town, I don’t recall any pastor mixing in the inner circle of people. Odd.
Anyway, with the extreme violence, the lack of Rock Harbor charm, and the lack of side character follow-up, the book didn’t even seem to be in the same series. I’m disappointed.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required. Review is based on a final copy.
March 21, 2017
Sadly, I have had to abandon my read of this book. I've read 11 of Colleen Coble's books so far, and I've thoroughly enjoyed them. Yes, they are not for the faint hearted. They include death & murder, and disturbing revelations. So far I have been able to appreciate the plot for what it is, and for the intricacy in combining mystery with romance, with a location to 'die for' (sorry for the pun!)
Haven of Swans begins at a level I have not even encountered before. I found it extremely dark and uncomfortable to read, and chose for my own sanity to put the book away. I do love Christian reads, but I think it borders on a story that goes to a place my spirit does not want to dwell. If this was a movie, I would not choose to watch it.
Thank you to Netgalley & Thomas Nelson for the digital ARC. This is my honest review.
Haven of Swans begins at a level I have not even encountered before. I found it extremely dark and uncomfortable to read, and chose for my own sanity to put the book away. I do love Christian reads, but I think it borders on a story that goes to a place my spirit does not want to dwell. If this was a movie, I would not choose to watch it.
Thank you to Netgalley & Thomas Nelson for the digital ARC. This is my honest review.
October 1, 2017
A beautiful woman stands by the side of the road, barefoot and bleeding, a child in her arms. Someone just tried to kill her, but she wouldn't recognize him if she saw his face. She doesn't even remember her own name.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher Thomas Nelson Fiction for giving me a copy of this book.
3.5 stars. Haven of Swans is the first book I've read by Colleen Coble and I liked it. It's Christian Fiction, but not overtly so which I liked. The message was there, but it didn't overshadow the story and wasn't preachy. I didn't realize when I requested this book that it was the fourth book in a series, but it didn't seem to matter much. It stood on it's own and was a complete story.
I thought the mystery was ok, but there were too many big coincidences and the end felt a little anticlimactic. What a way to die though. I almost thought it was funny. I was also disappointed that I guessed who the killer was pretty early on. It wasn't glaringly obvious, but I think anyone who reads a lot of mystery will pick up on the little clues that were left here and there. The good thing is that I wouldn't have expected the characters in the book to know who it was so easily, so I didn't feel like they were dumbed down.
I'm interested in this author and this series and I'll probably end up reading more books from it eventually. I would also like to read some of the other books the author has written that are not a part of this series.
Just on a side note here- I thought it was an interesting coincidence that I got two different books from NetGalley that I read back to back (see The Marsh King's Daughter ) that were set in the UP of Michigan, and they both had covers involving water, and were mysteries that featured killers.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher Thomas Nelson Fiction for giving me a copy of this book.
3.5 stars. Haven of Swans is the first book I've read by Colleen Coble and I liked it. It's Christian Fiction, but not overtly so which I liked. The message was there, but it didn't overshadow the story and wasn't preachy. I didn't realize when I requested this book that it was the fourth book in a series, but it didn't seem to matter much. It stood on it's own and was a complete story.
I thought the mystery was ok, but there were too many big coincidences and the end felt a little anticlimactic. What a way to die though. I almost thought it was funny. I was also disappointed that I guessed who the killer was pretty early on. It wasn't glaringly obvious, but I think anyone who reads a lot of mystery will pick up on the little clues that were left here and there. The good thing is that I wouldn't have expected the characters in the book to know who it was so easily, so I didn't feel like they were dumbed down.
I'm interested in this author and this series and I'll probably end up reading more books from it eventually. I would also like to read some of the other books the author has written that are not a part of this series.
Just on a side note here- I thought it was an interesting coincidence that I got two different books from NetGalley that I read back to back (see The Marsh King's Daughter ) that were set in the UP of Michigan, and they both had covers involving water, and were mysteries that featured killers.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
March 18, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. When I read it under the title 'Abomination' in 2007. I am taking away a star, even though it deserves it as a book, because I seriously dislike this practice of publishers taking a book that was published years earlier and re-publishing it under a new title. It seems somehow unethical to me. Why not just simply re-publish the book under it's original title? It's very disconcerting to buy a book, as I have in the past, only to discover it's a book I've already read, just now out with a new title. I just don't approve of this. Abomination was a great book. Colleen Coble does a wonderful job with it. It would have stood on its own again under the same title.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via Net Galley. My opinion is my own.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via Net Galley. My opinion is my own.
June 4, 2021
This story was reminiscent of the TV show Criminal Minds’ creepiest episodes. If you can stomach those, you’ll be able to read this book. I only recommend it for 18+ or with parental approval for this reason.
The plot of this one was interesting and intriguing, but it was also twisted. The antagonist was a complete psychopath, and it was really hard to read about the gruesome murders the antagonist committed.
I was glad Bree and Kade were back, and I really enjoyed the baby angle of the story. This book did have a lot going for it. It was just really hard for me to stomach the gruesome bits.
A celebration of sexual perversion was shown in a positive light. It was thrown in randomly, in a tiny paragraph, so it seemed pretty pointless. It did nothing to further the plot, and it never resurfaced.
Content: profanity, quotes from “Apocrypha,” sexual perversion mentioned, exotic dancer mentioned, gruesome murders (graphic details), marital affair, replacement expletives, bar, tobacco, skimpy clothing, drugs, alcohol, half an expletive phrase
The plot of this one was interesting and intriguing, but it was also twisted. The antagonist was a complete psychopath, and it was really hard to read about the gruesome murders the antagonist committed.
I was glad Bree and Kade were back, and I really enjoyed the baby angle of the story. This book did have a lot going for it. It was just really hard for me to stomach the gruesome bits.
A celebration of sexual perversion was shown in a positive light. It was thrown in randomly, in a tiny paragraph, so it seemed pretty pointless. It did nothing to further the plot, and it never resurfaced.
Content: profanity, quotes from “Apocrypha,” sexual perversion mentioned, exotic dancer mentioned, gruesome murders (graphic details), marital affair, replacement expletives, bar, tobacco, skimpy clothing, drugs, alcohol, half an expletive phrase
June 26, 2020
I honestly can’t tell if it was the story or the awful narrator that makes this book 2-star worthy. Her reading was far too sing-songy, and the emotions for many scenes or conversations were all wrong. You don’t read a tense moment with a lilt. Often she sounded like she was reading a children's story rather than a suspense drama. I’ve heard Devon O'Day before and each time I've said something similar. I need to make note of her name and avoid future audiobooks.
The story was okay, and it was nice being reintroduced to old friends from other books by this author, but too many things bothered me besides the narrator.
Early on I guessed Gideon's identity by his age compared to the others presented as possibilities. Too easy.
Now... if someone has grabbed you more times than you can count, and you know someone is hunting you, and you’ve had threats of violence, mutilation and death, and you've seen the killer's handiwork on other women's bodies, do you hide yourself, and be as careful as possible, staying always in the company of your protectors? Or do you go out in public, walk places alone, go geocaching in the woods so you could be grabbed? Oh, of course, you ignore all common sense and do the very thing you shouldn’t that might save your life!!! Ugh!!
Then there was her state police captain husband who says he’s there to protect her, but keeps taking off for no especially good reason. Each time he leaves, something happens. How many times does he leave her in danger before he gets it? And her friends who are also concerned for her safety also leave her alone and are delayed long enough for something tragic to happen. Ugh x 2!!!
Granted, these all lend a certain amount of tension and drama, but still, it’s frustrating to read events like this and not want to shake the characters. Plus it all feels so contrived.
Even the ending wasn't great. It was wrapped up with a bow too easily.
Nope. The execution of what could have been a fairly decent story just didn’t do it for me.
The story was okay, and it was nice being reintroduced to old friends from other books by this author, but too many things bothered me besides the narrator.
Early on I guessed Gideon's identity by his age compared to the others presented as possibilities. Too easy.
Now... if someone has grabbed you more times than you can count, and you know someone is hunting you, and you’ve had threats of violence, mutilation and death, and you've seen the killer's handiwork on other women's bodies, do you hide yourself, and be as careful as possible, staying always in the company of your protectors? Or do you go out in public, walk places alone, go geocaching in the woods so you could be grabbed? Oh, of course, you ignore all common sense and do the very thing you shouldn’t that might save your life!!! Ugh!!
Then there was her state police captain husband who says he’s there to protect her, but keeps taking off for no especially good reason. Each time he leaves, something happens. How many times does he leave her in danger before he gets it? And her friends who are also concerned for her safety also leave her alone and are delayed long enough for something tragic to happen. Ugh x 2!!!
Granted, these all lend a certain amount of tension and drama, but still, it’s frustrating to read events like this and not want to shake the characters. Plus it all feels so contrived.
Even the ending wasn't great. It was wrapped up with a bow too easily.
Nope. The execution of what could have been a fairly decent story just didn’t do it for me.
January 30, 2014
I hated this book. I guessed the supposed twist ending, the author did not do enough research to write from police standpoint, not to mention all of the glaring errors. I could not get past how unbelievable this story is. I will probably not read another book by this author, that's how awful it was. I'm overly sorry I paid for this book at all, even with it being in the used book store.
September 5, 2020
Okay, this book was INTENSE! I mean, it kind of freaked me out a little bit. There is this psychopath who is killing young women and thinks God told him to do it.
I really don't like when people do that. I can't stand when God is used to justify evil. So that made me sad/angry because I know it's a real thing.
A young woman turns up in Rock Harbor with a two year old child but has no clue who she is. Bree picks her up and takes her in. They begin trying to uncover anything they can about this mysterious woman. Oh yeah, and the woman had been attacked. But of course, she doesn't remember that either.
Nick is a divorced cop who is set on the case of solving who is murdering young, blonde dancers. That's the commonality. Another connection pops up: Gideon (Sir Psychopath) is apparently trying to cleanse the world (or at least the dance world) of "abominations", following the chapter in Proverbs about "six things that the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him". Creepy, right? Then Nick discovers his ex-wife and daughter missing. When the bones of a murdered young woman are found, the rendering looks exactly like Eve, Nick's wife. Devastated, he turns his search to finding his little girl.
The trail leads to Rock Harbor, where he is shocked to discover that Eve isn't dead. The mystery woman is Eve and Terri is actually Keri. But the problem is, Eve still doesn't remember; at least anything important. Not the attack, who attacked her, nothing. Nick has to tell her things, but that doesn't jog any memories. And Gideon is still after her.
I never suspected Oliver for one minute. Creepy, creepy, creepy. There were some important topics discussed in Abomination, especially in Eve and Nick's relationship. What's really important? Why do you love someone? Should you try to change someone or expect them to change?
I really enjoyed getting to read about Bree's life. The last two books were shockers!
I'm going to be so sad when I've read all of Colleen Coble's books. They are so good!
UPDATE 2020: I’m reading Coble’s “Pelican Harbor” series now as it comes out and just realized that she brought the Mount Sinai connection into it! Moses Bechtol and Liberty’s Children are mentioned and Nick’s raid is the raid that got Reid and Jane out. I love connections like this!
I really don't like when people do that. I can't stand when God is used to justify evil. So that made me sad/angry because I know it's a real thing.
A young woman turns up in Rock Harbor with a two year old child but has no clue who she is. Bree picks her up and takes her in. They begin trying to uncover anything they can about this mysterious woman. Oh yeah, and the woman had been attacked. But of course, she doesn't remember that either.
Nick is a divorced cop who is set on the case of solving who is murdering young, blonde dancers. That's the commonality. Another connection pops up: Gideon (Sir Psychopath) is apparently trying to cleanse the world (or at least the dance world) of "abominations", following the chapter in Proverbs about "six things that the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him". Creepy, right? Then Nick discovers his ex-wife and daughter missing. When the bones of a murdered young woman are found, the rendering looks exactly like Eve, Nick's wife. Devastated, he turns his search to finding his little girl.
The trail leads to Rock Harbor, where he is shocked to discover that Eve isn't dead. The mystery woman is Eve and Terri is actually Keri. But the problem is, Eve still doesn't remember; at least anything important. Not the attack, who attacked her, nothing. Nick has to tell her things, but that doesn't jog any memories. And Gideon is still after her.
I never suspected Oliver for one minute. Creepy, creepy, creepy. There were some important topics discussed in Abomination, especially in Eve and Nick's relationship. What's really important? Why do you love someone? Should you try to change someone or expect them to change?
I really enjoyed getting to read about Bree's life. The last two books were shockers!
I'm going to be so sad when I've read all of Colleen Coble's books. They are so good!
UPDATE 2020: I’m reading Coble’s “Pelican Harbor” series now as it comes out and just realized that she brought the Mount Sinai connection into it! Moses Bechtol and Liberty’s Children are mentioned and Nick’s raid is the raid that got Reid and Jane out. I love connections like this!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2021
I really loved this book. You can read it as a stand alone, if you want.
The story is about Eve, a woman on the run for a serial killer. But there is one other problem. She has complete amnesia. So she has no clue who she is, or why she is chased by the serial killer. She comes to live in Rock Harbour, a safe haven. Or not? I can not tell too much of course. But I loved the lesson she learned at the end. That home does not have to be in Rock Harbour. Home is were you are loved unconditiously.
The story is about Eve, a woman on the run for a serial killer. But there is one other problem. She has complete amnesia. So she has no clue who she is, or why she is chased by the serial killer. She comes to live in Rock Harbour, a safe haven. Or not? I can not tell too much of course. But I loved the lesson she learned at the end. That home does not have to be in Rock Harbour. Home is were you are loved unconditiously.
April 22, 2017
This was my first Colleen Coble book that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it! A true psychological thriller that is fast-moving and suspenseful with a touch of drama and romance.
This book takes everyone back to Rock Harbor with Bree, Kade, and the lovable search and rescue dog Samson, as they assist Captain Nick Andreakos in his search for a serial killer who is really into geocaching.
Coble really has a way of telling a story, throughout the entire book I thought for sure I knew who the killer was, but as I was lead down another path I had my big jaw-dropping moment! I am definitely looking forward to reading more of her books!
*I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
This book takes everyone back to Rock Harbor with Bree, Kade, and the lovable search and rescue dog Samson, as they assist Captain Nick Andreakos in his search for a serial killer who is really into geocaching.
Coble really has a way of telling a story, throughout the entire book I thought for sure I knew who the killer was, but as I was lead down another path I had my big jaw-dropping moment! I am definitely looking forward to reading more of her books!
*I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
August 9, 2016
Colleen Coble is one of my favorite Christian authors for many reasons but mostly because she can draw me into her mysteries faster than I can blink, and her characters are so real. And this book was no exception.
The story opens in the killer's point of view. Then we're introduced to the main character, who doesn't know where she is, why she's bleeding from a stab wound, or who the little girl is in her arms. All she knows is that she's terrified and believes someone tried to kill her.
A car approaches, and she doesn't know whether to run or ask for help. The driver could be the person she's running from. Thankfully, the driver, Bree Matthews, provides a haven in her lighthouse and protection with her husband and search-and-rescue dog, Samson. When another murder happens in the area, one done in the same pattern as a wanted serial killer, a handsome cop arrives in Rock Harbor to help. The refugee, who thinks her name might be Evelyn, feels an instant connection to the cop. Is he the man she's running from, or is he connected to the past she can't unlock?
This story is full of twists and turns, and just when you'll think you know who the murderer is, you'll be proven wrong. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense/thrillers.
The story opens in the killer's point of view. Then we're introduced to the main character, who doesn't know where she is, why she's bleeding from a stab wound, or who the little girl is in her arms. All she knows is that she's terrified and believes someone tried to kill her.
A car approaches, and she doesn't know whether to run or ask for help. The driver could be the person she's running from. Thankfully, the driver, Bree Matthews, provides a haven in her lighthouse and protection with her husband and search-and-rescue dog, Samson. When another murder happens in the area, one done in the same pattern as a wanted serial killer, a handsome cop arrives in Rock Harbor to help. The refugee, who thinks her name might be Evelyn, feels an instant connection to the cop. Is he the man she's running from, or is he connected to the past she can't unlock?
This story is full of twists and turns, and just when you'll think you know who the murderer is, you'll be proven wrong. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense/thrillers.
February 18, 2023
Another Rock Harbor mystery.
Colleen Coble must of changed the name to Haven of Swans, which is the title that I read. Eve is driving with her daughter when she is discovered by Bree. When she is cared for by the Doctor she has no idea who she is and what happened to her. After she heals she stays with the Bree and her family as well as her daughter who she doesn't remember. Nick, Eve ex husband, thinks Eve and his daughter is dead from the serial killer who is murdering women. When he goes to interview Bree he finds his ex wife there. Still in love with her, it is his job to find out who wants to kill her. Can Eve every trust Nick again and go back to the relationship? Can they find the murderer without Eve getting killed?
Love Rock Harbor mysteries and this one was excellent. Had me guessing until the end. If you haven't read the who series you can step into this book. Highly recommend to all!!
Colleen Coble must of changed the name to Haven of Swans, which is the title that I read. Eve is driving with her daughter when she is discovered by Bree. When she is cared for by the Doctor she has no idea who she is and what happened to her. After she heals she stays with the Bree and her family as well as her daughter who she doesn't remember. Nick, Eve ex husband, thinks Eve and his daughter is dead from the serial killer who is murdering women. When he goes to interview Bree he finds his ex wife there. Still in love with her, it is his job to find out who wants to kill her. Can Eve every trust Nick again and go back to the relationship? Can they find the murderer without Eve getting killed?
Love Rock Harbor mysteries and this one was excellent. Had me guessing until the end. If you haven't read the who series you can step into this book. Highly recommend to all!!
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September 23, 2011Terrible book. Someone needs to tell this author that if you're going to write a book that involves investigative and police work, you should talk to people in that field. Her characters are completely umrealistic, I didn't believe them at all. Awful dialogue. And I only made it just over a hundred pages in. Don't waste your time.
August 3, 2017
Picked this up at the library on the last run. Saw the cover and it had a sticker on it that said it was an 'inspirational' title. .....
#1 - I don't know who the he** put that sticker on this book .... or why they thought it was inspirational. ..... I had no inkling of anything that would be even remotely inspirational in the general sense ... so ... If someone at your library has done the same thing ... they are wrong. ha ha.
The book is okay. It's about a woman who, after being nearly killed by a man, runs away with her daughter, only she's lost all memory of the trauma and who she is, where she came from, where she's going. She only knows that she needs to get away. She has no memory of her daughter even.
Her ex-husband is a police officer who is working on murders of a gruesome kind, where the killer has mutilated bodies by taking their face, and then some other body part. He leaves clues for the police on Geo-Caching sites, and uses the locations of his victims bodies as the Geo Cache coordinates.
There are some plot twists in here that I didn't see coming. Perhaps they had clues to the twists and I just wasn't paying enough attention (which is a crime when reading!) or perhaps it was sensational twist... I couldn't for sure tell you which right now.
Anyways. I think it's a good read if you need something to read and you like mental thrillers. There is death and mental illness and revenge involved. And Geese ... lots of Geese. I didn't get too into it but, perhaps I just had more exciting things on the horizon and couldn't give it a fair shot. Who knows!
- CJ
#1 - I don't know who the he** put that sticker on this book .... or why they thought it was inspirational. ..... I had no inkling of anything that would be even remotely inspirational in the general sense ... so ... If someone at your library has done the same thing ... they are wrong. ha ha.
The book is okay. It's about a woman who, after being nearly killed by a man, runs away with her daughter, only she's lost all memory of the trauma and who she is, where she came from, where she's going. She only knows that she needs to get away. She has no memory of her daughter even.
Her ex-husband is a police officer who is working on murders of a gruesome kind, where the killer has mutilated bodies by taking their face, and then some other body part. He leaves clues for the police on Geo-Caching sites, and uses the locations of his victims bodies as the Geo Cache coordinates.
There are some plot twists in here that I didn't see coming. Perhaps they had clues to the twists and I just wasn't paying enough attention (which is a crime when reading!) or perhaps it was sensational twist... I couldn't for sure tell you which right now.
Anyways. I think it's a good read if you need something to read and you like mental thrillers. There is death and mental illness and revenge involved. And Geese ... lots of Geese. I didn't get too into it but, perhaps I just had more exciting things on the horizon and couldn't give it a fair shot. Who knows!
- CJ
January 17, 2023
I am glad I got to return to Rock Harbor, but I was sad that the return wasn’t what I expected. We don’t get to see Bree & Cassie’s relationship, or really Bree and her dad’s. Where’s Lauri? I enjoyed the backstory to the Mount Sinai cult, because I read Coble’s new series that features it.
This one was too gruesome for me. I don’t like yucky serial killer stuff. I just can’t wrap my head around so much violence happening in ONE small town.
Colleen Coble really needs a better editor. In the last book Bree’s other love interest was named Nick, and in this book the leading man’s name is Nick!! Completely different Nick, but same name. In another series that Colleen Coble writes, the villain in two different books, in the same series are named Ben, but they’re two different men. There are so many men’s names in the world. Why would you choose the same one in two books in the same series? It’s very frustrating as the reader, especially when you read them back to back. Another detail here that really frustrated me was that there were two men that were supposed to be these really nice guys- jolly, Santa Claus,-like men with beards. In the same series, different men, same characteristics and they both ended up being the villain!!! There isn’t enough creativity when describing them. They were totally different MOs and personalities, but the descriptions are the same, and they were both portrayed as good guys and it was just frustrating to read. Oh another thing! In the previous book a birth mom was trying to sue for custody, and that happened in “ Abomination” too.
I still love all the search and rescue dog information and this one was definitely riveting mystery, but those details overshadowed it.
This one was too gruesome for me. I don’t like yucky serial killer stuff. I just can’t wrap my head around so much violence happening in ONE small town.
Colleen Coble really needs a better editor. In the last book Bree’s other love interest was named Nick, and in this book the leading man’s name is Nick!! Completely different Nick, but same name. In another series that Colleen Coble writes, the villain in two different books, in the same series are named Ben, but they’re two different men. There are so many men’s names in the world. Why would you choose the same one in two books in the same series? It’s very frustrating as the reader, especially when you read them back to back. Another detail here that really frustrated me was that there were two men that were supposed to be these really nice guys- jolly, Santa Claus,-like men with beards. In the same series, different men, same characteristics and they both ended up being the villain!!! There isn’t enough creativity when describing them. They were totally different MOs and personalities, but the descriptions are the same, and they were both portrayed as good guys and it was just frustrating to read. Oh another thing! In the previous book a birth mom was trying to sue for custody, and that happened in “ Abomination” too.
I still love all the search and rescue dog information and this one was definitely riveting mystery, but those details overshadowed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2024
“Abomination” is one of my favorite books written by Colleen Coble. It is such a dark murder mystery, unlike her other books. I’ve never been disappointed by any of Colleen’s books, but this one just stands out from them all. The twists and attention to detail is unmatched by any other. It had me shook by the end. Read it! It’s an outstanding book.
March 22, 2025
Wow, I was really impressed with this book! I've read a lot of Colleen Coble's books, and hers can vary from fast-paced and exciting to incredibly boring. This one had a lovely flow and plenty of conflict and interest to keep you reading. Very interesting antagonist and plot! The perfect amount of romance and thriller. 👌
October 22, 2018
Overall this book was good but there were a couple things that bothered me. First, Eve is badly injured and the people that find her don't take her to the hospital or the police station. They just let a complete stranger stay at their house. And second, Eve blames her husband for these horrible things happening to her.
January 9, 2018
Nice Christian suspense series.
July 30, 2024
I was surprised by who the killer was
January 4, 2025
This is my favorite book I’ve read so far! Kept me on the edge of my seat and kept me up at night thinking about it. 😁
July 10, 2017
Very good!
March 28, 2019
Really great story....had no idea "who done it"
April 10, 2023
Freaky, but good. Well written. The characters felt real.
Content Warnings: Potentially disturbing descriptions. A serial killer. A child in danger. Assault.
Really good, if you want something that will make your skin crawl.
Content Warnings: Potentially disturbing descriptions. A serial killer. A child in danger. Assault.
Really good, if you want something that will make your skin crawl.
September 20, 2022
I liked it enough. There were many times I had to put it down because I was just getting too nervous honestly about where the story was going. But good story
April 9, 2017
Colleen Coble takes up back to Rock Harbor with a suspense that will suck you in until the very last page. Characters you can relate to and a plot to grab your attention, this is a crime suspense to put on your reading list. *I received a NetGalley copy of this book.*
March 11, 2017
A hair-raising thriller that kept me glued to the page...with frequent shoulder checks for good measure. Somewhat gruesome -- Coble never goes too far but my vivid imagination filled in the details all too clearly. Shudder. The suspense just doesn't quit -- complicated and gnarly and completely riveting. The plot twists and turns and twists some more. It got to the point where I just couldn't put the book down and finished it in the wee hours of the morning.
Back in Rock Harbor with Bree and Samson the wonder search-and-rescue dog was a pleasant surprise. The Rock Harbor series books were my first Colleen Coble reads so I squealed when Bree and Samson showed up early on. :-) You don't need to have read any of that series in order to enjoy this one. I just got an unexpected kick when I met up with them and the rest of the Rock Harbor gang in this story.
Abomination is classic Coble -- filled with subtle intricacies in a complex plot and packed with surprises. The kind of book you inhale the moment you open to the first page.
Back in Rock Harbor with Bree and Samson the wonder search-and-rescue dog was a pleasant surprise. The Rock Harbor series books were my first Colleen Coble reads so I squealed when Bree and Samson showed up early on. :-) You don't need to have read any of that series in order to enjoy this one. I just got an unexpected kick when I met up with them and the rest of the Rock Harbor gang in this story.
Abomination is classic Coble -- filled with subtle intricacies in a complex plot and packed with surprises. The kind of book you inhale the moment you open to the first page.
October 18, 2019
Thomas Nelson and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Haven of Swans. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.
Haven of Swans was previously published under the name of Abomination. This mystery suspense novel can also be categorized as Christian fiction, although it is not preachy and the message does not overshadow the story. Having not read the other books in the series, I was pleasantly surprised that I could follow along with no issues or blaringly obviously holes in the content. As I am a huge fan of mystery suspense, I was eager to read this novel, as the premise promised such things as a serial killer, a woman suffering from amnesia, a horrific crime scene, and a hidden secret. I was ultimately disappointed in Haven of Swans, as the investigative aspects of the novel did not seem realistic and the conclusion was telegraphed early in the book.
Simply put, the author did not take enough time to relay all of the intricate details of a police investigation. The inclusion of the Christian undertones was not necessary to the plot, but readers who enjoy reading a clean novel will enjoy this aspect. For me, Haven of Swans just did not measure up to the many mystery suspense novels that I have read throughout the years. For these reasons, I would not recommend the book to other readers.
Haven of Swans was previously published under the name of Abomination. This mystery suspense novel can also be categorized as Christian fiction, although it is not preachy and the message does not overshadow the story. Having not read the other books in the series, I was pleasantly surprised that I could follow along with no issues or blaringly obviously holes in the content. As I am a huge fan of mystery suspense, I was eager to read this novel, as the premise promised such things as a serial killer, a woman suffering from amnesia, a horrific crime scene, and a hidden secret. I was ultimately disappointed in Haven of Swans, as the investigative aspects of the novel did not seem realistic and the conclusion was telegraphed early in the book.
Simply put, the author did not take enough time to relay all of the intricate details of a police investigation. The inclusion of the Christian undertones was not necessary to the plot, but readers who enjoy reading a clean novel will enjoy this aspect. For me, Haven of Swans just did not measure up to the many mystery suspense novels that I have read throughout the years. For these reasons, I would not recommend the book to other readers.
July 26, 2016
I actually grabbed Abomination off the shelf of our local dollar book store because the cover is so captivating, but it was also an enjoyable read. Colleen Coble weaves an intriguing mystery, fraught with danger, in the beautiful setting of Rock Harbor, Michigan. It's well written, refreshingly clean, and I'll definitely be reading more of her in the future.
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