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Rock Harbor #1
Without a Trace
In the quiet town of Rock Harbor, lighthouse resident Bree Nichols' life is turned upside down when her husband and young son disappear in a plane crash. With her search-and-rescue dog, Samson, Bree sets about scouring the wilderness. There she unwittingly discovers a plot that threatens to tear her peaceful town apart.Mystery fans will love this romantic suspense novel from best-selling author Colleen Coble. Set in the untamed beauty of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the Rock Harbor novels draw readers into the life and adventures of a canine search-and-rescue team as it unravels the secrets of an enchanting wilderness.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2003
1116 people are currently reading
8650 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Coble
147 books6,381 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 807 reviews
July 31, 2008
There were numerous facets of this book that made it great to read - characters with longings and friendships that I could relate to, losses to overcome, and a mystery to solve. Plus, the analogy of the great "Hound of Heaven" really spoke to my heart. The author made that analogy come alive for me in a way it never had before. Oh - and then there's the whole "mom" thing, about how deep and strong that bond is. Plus, I enjoyed the setting in Michigan's U.P.
The only difficulty I had with the book was that there were so many characters introduced in the first couple of chapters. I lost track of who was who, and had to go back and read those chapters again for it all to make sense. But once I got past that, the book drew me in and kept my attention to the end.
The only difficulty I had with the book was that there were so many characters introduced in the first couple of chapters. I lost track of who was who, and had to go back and read those chapters again for it all to make sense. But once I got past that, the book drew me in and kept my attention to the end.
October 28, 2017
Without a Trace was a fun enough suspense novel, but not quite as engrossing as I'd like. I think that sometimes Coble's writing style just comes across a bit lack-luster for me, which is totally a matter of personal taste as I know she has many fans. The mystery itself actually did take me by surprise, as I was not expecting the culprit one bit. Bree is a bit of a weak character at the beginning, and I really didn't like how she let some of the other characters jerk her around. However, as the story progresses, she finds some inner fortitude that helped me enjoy her character a bit more.
I haven't one iota of knowledge about rescue dogs, so I found those details to be fascinating, and they came across realistic to me. The setting, with it's harsh coldness and impressive terrain, also came across strongly to me as well. There were times that I felt like this series would make a really good TV show. :)
So, all in all, although there were some things I loved and some things I felt apathetic about with this story, I am glad I finally read it and do plan on reading the rest of the series at some point.
I haven't one iota of knowledge about rescue dogs, so I found those details to be fascinating, and they came across realistic to me. The setting, with it's harsh coldness and impressive terrain, also came across strongly to me as well. There were times that I felt like this series would make a really good TV show. :)
So, all in all, although there were some things I loved and some things I felt apathetic about with this story, I am glad I finally read it and do plan on reading the rest of the series at some point.
September 4, 2021
I really wanted to reread this series and today I had no idea what to read so I picked this up. I am glad I did. The book is fun to read and I love the narrator on audiobooks. This is a quick read as well so it was just a fun day reading my favorite Colleen Coble series.
May 27, 2018
Ah, a very satisfying and twisty mystery in this one. I’d say this is one of Coble’s best efforts. I had a hard time getting into it, but past around the 40% mark I was fully absorbed in the story and I liked the Christian message as well. I have plenty of interest in the side characters and some ongoing questions about some incidents in the book that I’ll definitely be reading more in this series.
January 4, 2015
The story was interesting, but I found it fairly predictable. This was Christian fiction, which was not identified anywhere in the description that I bought it from; it was represented as a mystery. While this did not necessarily bother me, it came off as a little preachy. The main character's sudden transformation from a non-believer to a believer was a little over the top and unbelievable.
December 19, 2014
Do you like reading about women who run away to the bathroom to cry over something silly? Do you like being introduced to a dizzying array of characters with no development that are impossible to keep track of? How about gender-bending names or dog names that could be people's names just to make it more complicated? You must love an interesting intro only to have to wade through chapters and chapters of nothing happening for any sort of follow up. Then, this is the book for you! The book has strong Christian tie ins. I finished it, but it really was a terrible book.
February 15, 2017
by Andrea Renee Cox
Without a Trace is a good mystery that featured search-and-rescue dogs, which is a neat thing I haven't seen much in fiction. I was disappointed that there was heavy emphasis on affairs, which is why I can't give this book five stars. A solid mystery with interesting characters. No expletives that I noticed, which was nice. I had noticed one in a previous Colleen Coble book, so I was hesitant about reading this one, but I'm glad it was chosen for me by a friend on Goodreads. I'm looking forward to reading more books in the Rock Harbor series.
This is my honest review.
Without a Trace is a good mystery that featured search-and-rescue dogs, which is a neat thing I haven't seen much in fiction. I was disappointed that there was heavy emphasis on affairs, which is why I can't give this book five stars. A solid mystery with interesting characters. No expletives that I noticed, which was nice. I had noticed one in a previous Colleen Coble book, so I was hesitant about reading this one, but I'm glad it was chosen for me by a friend on Goodreads. I'm looking forward to reading more books in the Rock Harbor series.
This is my honest review.
January 13, 2015
I really wanted to like this book. The characters were underdeveloped and God kept getting randomly dropped into the story. I kept picturing am episode of Scooby Doo with the stereotypical small town and characters that start bad and turn good and vice versa. At times there was a little suspense which is the only reason I didn't put it down before finishing.
March 4, 2022
Didn't realize this was a Christian novel when I checked it out...And surprisingly I loved it! CC did a fabulous job of mixing faith, drama and mayhem! I truly enjoyed Bree and her journey to find herself! Will definitely be checking out more from this author!
October 18, 2017
Solid suspense novel to begin the Rock Harbor Series. I especially enjoyed the aspects of the one year old cold case.
August 16, 2022
Without a Trace is book one in the Rock Harbor Series by Colleen Coble. Bree was still grieving for the loss of her son and husband in a plane crash when mysterious her sister-law Fay died. At first Sheriff Mason Kaleva and ranger Kade Matthews through it was a hiking accident until Samson and Charlie found more of Fay's blood elsewhere. The readers of Without a Trace will follow the investigation into Fay's death and would be surprised with the conclusion of this book.
Without a Trace is the second book I have read by Colleen Coble and it is an enjoyable, suspenseful packed book. I like the way Colleen Coble portrays her characters and the interaction between them. Without a Trace is well written and researched by Colleen Coble. I love the way Colleen Coble incorporated the search and rescue dogs to highlight their importance when people are missing in rugged terrain. Describing the plot and the settings were done well by Colleen Coble.
The readers of Without a Trace will learn about the role of rangers and law enforcement in small communities. Without a Trace highlights the consequences of greed on a person and everyone around them.
I recommend this book
Without a Trace is the second book I have read by Colleen Coble and it is an enjoyable, suspenseful packed book. I like the way Colleen Coble portrays her characters and the interaction between them. Without a Trace is well written and researched by Colleen Coble. I love the way Colleen Coble incorporated the search and rescue dogs to highlight their importance when people are missing in rugged terrain. Describing the plot and the settings were done well by Colleen Coble.
The readers of Without a Trace will learn about the role of rangers and law enforcement in small communities. Without a Trace highlights the consequences of greed on a person and everyone around them.
I recommend this book
September 8, 2020
I enjoyed this so much I bought the book set from Amazon.
June 21, 2010
I kept checking to make sure this really wasn't the second book in the series. The description leads one to believe that the plane crash occurs in this book. How am I, the reader, supposed to relate to Bree when I know nothing of her relationship with her son and husband? There was no character development, and the plot was so obviously predictible. Bree's overly calm encounter with Rachel at the end of the book would never have happened in real life. This is the first one of Colleen Coble's books I have read. I won't be looking for any more. There are so many other Christian fiction authors I prefer reading.
December 20, 2021
I first read this like 10 years ago and this book started my reading journey and love for romantic suspense.
There was a few things I remembered from the last time but also a few details I forgot which was a nice surprise when revealed.
I just adore Samson in this series and love how Bree and Kade just stared out as friends. I loved Naomi’s friendship with Bree and how she was a vital person who guided Bree to a relationship with God.
This second time I listened to the audiobook which was a well delivered and entertaining version.
There was a few things I remembered from the last time but also a few details I forgot which was a nice surprise when revealed.
I just adore Samson in this series and love how Bree and Kade just stared out as friends. I loved Naomi’s friendship with Bree and how she was a vital person who guided Bree to a relationship with God.
This second time I listened to the audiobook which was a well delivered and entertaining version.
August 7, 2020
This book was soooooo good!!! I loved the mystery and suspense! Bree, Samson, Charley, and Naomi are so cool. I loved learning about search and rescue dogs.:)
July 22, 2017
Book one in Colleen Coble's Rock Harbor Series sets up the town of Rock Harbor Michigan on Lake Superior and features Bree Nichols, a widow, whose young son and husband disappeared in a supposed plane crash. Bree is a member of Rock Harbor's Search and Rescue team along with her dog Samson.
The small town of Rock Harbor is full of all sorts of interesting, loveable, and sometimes evil people. Bree is obsessed with finding the wreck of her husband's plane to bring closure to her life so she can move on. She only has faith in herself and no relationship with God. When evil catches up with her and bad things start to happen, Bree has a difficult time.
This book is focused predominantly on the suspense element with just a touch of romance. I loved the connection between Bree and her best friend Naomi as well as her mother-in-law Anu. They really supported one another no matter what was happening. Kade exasperated me as he tried to develop a relationship with Bree, but he never let her know how he really felt. It was almost like he expected her to read his mind. Coble includes a good faith thread throughout the storyline. The surprise ending was predictable but still really good.
I couldn't wait to find out what happened next in Rock Harbor so I have already read Book 2 in this series. Definitely would recommend this to readers of Irene Hannon or Lisa Harris.
The small town of Rock Harbor is full of all sorts of interesting, loveable, and sometimes evil people. Bree is obsessed with finding the wreck of her husband's plane to bring closure to her life so she can move on. She only has faith in herself and no relationship with God. When evil catches up with her and bad things start to happen, Bree has a difficult time.
This book is focused predominantly on the suspense element with just a touch of romance. I loved the connection between Bree and her best friend Naomi as well as her mother-in-law Anu. They really supported one another no matter what was happening. Kade exasperated me as he tried to develop a relationship with Bree, but he never let her know how he really felt. It was almost like he expected her to read his mind. Coble includes a good faith thread throughout the storyline. The surprise ending was predictable but still really good.
I couldn't wait to find out what happened next in Rock Harbor so I have already read Book 2 in this series. Definitely would recommend this to readers of Irene Hannon or Lisa Harris.
May 20, 2020
This book is SO good!!!! The main main characters name is Bree and her SAR dog, Samson. Bree’s husband and son died in a plane crash, and she has devoted herself to finding the crash site. Within her grief she is dying inside, she lives only to find her husband and son’s bodies. Earlier in the book this girl whose name is Fay, gets Murdered. That’s where the mystery begins because they can’t figure out who killed her. Later in the book Bree realizes that the plane crash and Fays murder is related. She also realizes that her son is alive. It is a very powerful book about Christ’s power and salvation, and mysteries. I would say this book is for 14+. (Sorry that this is very scattered, I am not the best about keeping a good explaining path 😬😂)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2017
You know that book you almost abandoned but kept reading because you wanted to find out how the story ended in spite of the flaws? This was that book for me.
The author seemed obsessed with giving every resident in this small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan at least a line or two of ink. The chess board of characters became so crowded I couldn't follow all the players' moves. There's the about-to-go-bankrupt banker whose pregnant wife is murdered but the baby might not have been his, it could have been the child of the felon cousin of the park ranger who has his eye on the search and rescue lighthouse owner whose husband and son went down in a plane that was never found who suspects the mayor, who is also her sister-in-law, might be a suspect in the murder that her sister-in-law's husband the sheriff is investigating. Then there's the hardware store owner whose wife abandoned him and their two young children who claim to have seen a witch in the woods with a young boy that might be her son but if he is her son then why is she hiding out in a remote cabin and keeping the boy out of sight and why did she think setting fire to her brother's house in Chicago would keep her nephew out of prison? Wait a minute! What?!
The twist at the end when the murderer is revealed did surprise although the motive was obvious. But the disjointed scenarios leading up to the reveal seemed rushed and implausible to the point of groan. I hope book #2 is better. But I doubt if I'll find out.
The author seemed obsessed with giving every resident in this small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan at least a line or two of ink. The chess board of characters became so crowded I couldn't follow all the players' moves. There's the about-to-go-bankrupt banker whose pregnant wife is murdered but the baby might not have been his, it could have been the child of the felon cousin of the park ranger who has his eye on the search and rescue lighthouse owner whose husband and son went down in a plane that was never found who suspects the mayor, who is also her sister-in-law, might be a suspect in the murder that her sister-in-law's husband the sheriff is investigating. Then there's the hardware store owner whose wife abandoned him and their two young children who claim to have seen a witch in the woods with a young boy that might be her son but if he is her son then why is she hiding out in a remote cabin and keeping the boy out of sight and why did she think setting fire to her brother's house in Chicago would keep her nephew out of prison? Wait a minute! What?!
The twist at the end when the murderer is revealed did surprise although the motive was obvious. But the disjointed scenarios leading up to the reveal seemed rushed and implausible to the point of groan. I hope book #2 is better. But I doubt if I'll find out.
March 3, 2018
A lifetime resident of Michigan, The Rock Harbor series caught my eye. I've enjoyed other books by Colleen Coble, and enjoyed this first book in the series very much! Winning characters and a picturesque backdrop make this a great combination. The story moves along at a good pace, and although a bit predictable, the story was no disappointment. The term "nor'easter" was used a few times when describing a brutal winter weather phenomenon. This term is not pertinent to the Great Lakes region. An "Alberta (Canadian) Clipper" would be the appropriate term for us, but that is only something a Michigan resident might spot. A winning mystery in my estimation!
October 14, 2021
I listened to the audio version of this book and liked the narrator. I also enjoyed this story. The cold case was interesting and I really felt for Bree as she tried to track down the plane that had crashed and taken her husband and son from her. There was a lot going on in this book and it was interesting to see how things intertwined. I liked the characters and community of Rock Harbor.
February 3, 2015
Yesterday, I reviewed the book, “The Butterfly Palace” by Colleen Coble. I gave it only three stars, mostly because of personal preference. However, since that time, I’ve read another book by the same author, “Without a Trace,” which is the first book of the Rock Harbor Series. Honestly, I have to tell you that I LOVED this book by Ms. Coble.
What I liked: A Question is raised at the beginning of the book: whether Bree Nichols will find the place where the plane containing her husband and son had crashed. Seeking the answer to that question was the reason I got no work done today; I kept sneaking back to read another chapter. I thought the insights into the practices of search and rescue dogs was very informative. Ms. Coble certainly uses every tool at her disposal to keep her readers turning pages and interested in finding answers to the mysteries as they unfolded. The characters are so believable that the reader can’t help but feel their pain and anticipation. And the suspense escalated as secrets and hints turned into fear and murder.
What I didn’t like: Nothing. I enjoyed reading every page.
This book has everything: Romance, suspense, mystery, and intrigue. And even though I gave yesterday’s book by Ms. Coble three stars, this book has encouraged me to read more by the same author. Over all, I definitely give this book five stars, and it’s worth every star!
What I liked: A Question is raised at the beginning of the book: whether Bree Nichols will find the place where the plane containing her husband and son had crashed. Seeking the answer to that question was the reason I got no work done today; I kept sneaking back to read another chapter. I thought the insights into the practices of search and rescue dogs was very informative. Ms. Coble certainly uses every tool at her disposal to keep her readers turning pages and interested in finding answers to the mysteries as they unfolded. The characters are so believable that the reader can’t help but feel their pain and anticipation. And the suspense escalated as secrets and hints turned into fear and murder.
What I didn’t like: Nothing. I enjoyed reading every page.
This book has everything: Romance, suspense, mystery, and intrigue. And even though I gave yesterday’s book by Ms. Coble three stars, this book has encouraged me to read more by the same author. Over all, I definitely give this book five stars, and it’s worth every star!
May 26, 2013
Way too predictable. Coming off an amazing book by Tana French so maybe I'm being too hard on Coble. The sophistication of the plot, character dev and writing is just too simple. Lots of great reviews for this book but doesn't seem worth the time. Probably a good series for early teen girls?
August 11, 2025
I LOVE this book !
September 7, 2009
Wow, what a great christian story that keeps your wondering through out the whole book. It was a great mystery finding out what happened to Bree's husband and her son. The book kept your interest by giving you ideas of several options of what could of happened to her family with all the twist and turns - starting out with knowing that her husband and son were in a plane crash but didn't know where the crash site was. With the help of her search and resue dog "Sam" and the help of her family and friends the plot thickens when one of the friends is killed and leaves you to wonder who murdered the friend and how it relates to the disapearing of Bree's family. There were parts in the story that really disterbed me when it came to the part of Bree's son who evidently survives but is being held captive by a strange lady. The actions of the disturbed lady really got to me and by the end of the book I had to say a prayer to keep all the bad thoughts of how I wanted the disturbed lady to pay for the things she did to the boy. But overall, the key to the story is to trust in God and learn to lean on him for guidence; learn to forgive and be thankful.
October 26, 2024
If you are going to make a Jesus book, warn your readers. Not everybody wants a surprise Bible story instead of a fun murder book
August 29, 2013
I picked up Colleen Coble's book A Cry in the Night and was so drawn into the storyline I had to go looking for the rest of the series. Without a Trace is the beginning of this multi book series and it is quite a story. The main character Bri is struggling through life after loosing both her husband and young son in a plane crash in which the wreckage and remains are still unrecovered. Bri continues to make a life for herself in the small community of Rock Harbor using her search and rescue skills with her beloved dog Samson.
But all is not well in the little town and when an acquaintance turns up dead and clues point to murder, Bri begins a journey to find answers that only lead to more questions. In this tight knit community, suddenly friends become suspects and the truth may be more shocking than anyone realized.
I really enjoyed this book as well as A Cry in the Night and am looking forward to completing the series. Colleen writes with a page turner style of suspense and is gifted in creating characters it is easy to fall in love with.
But all is not well in the little town and when an acquaintance turns up dead and clues point to murder, Bri begins a journey to find answers that only lead to more questions. In this tight knit community, suddenly friends become suspects and the truth may be more shocking than anyone realized.
I really enjoyed this book as well as A Cry in the Night and am looking forward to completing the series. Colleen writes with a page turner style of suspense and is gifted in creating characters it is easy to fall in love with.
April 11, 2016
Bree's husband and son have been in a plane crash and are missing. With the assistance of a national park ranger, Kade, and her amazing search-and-rescue dog, Sampson, the search for them takes up the rest of the book.
Not bad, just not my favorite.
Not bad, just not my favorite.
February 18, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I guessed the murderer, but was still surprised at how the story played out. The faith in God that the characters had was strong, and it made Bree's story even better. 4/5 stars
August 5, 2025
This is the first book in the Rock Harbor series. I love the characters; I love the setting; I love how the author intertwines the Lord throughout the entire book.
This story is full of heart-stopping drama! A true emotional roller-coaster that i am about to ride again with Book 2!!!
This story is full of heart-stopping drama! A true emotional roller-coaster that i am about to ride again with Book 2!!!
April 28, 2019
This was a good story. Nice plot. Not overly predictable. The characters were pretty well-developed. It kept my interest, but it was not un-put-down-able.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 807 reviews