Break of Day

In the overbusy final installment of Coble’s Annie Pederson trilogy (after Dark of Night), a parks ranger works to crack a kidnapping case before she becomes a target. After some professional and personal turbulence, it seems Annie Pederson’s life is on stable ground: she’s learned that Jon, the love of her life (and, she hopes, future fiancé), is her daughter’s father, and the three are poised to settle down together. But when Glenn Hussert, a criminal accused of kidnapping and embezzlement, disappears from police custody, it becomes clear danger is lurking nearby—a suspicion that’s confirmed when Annie receives a phone call suggesting Glenn is being held against his will. As Annie digs into Glenn’s exploits, she uncovers potential links between his possible kidnappers and a number of hikers who have recently gone missing, all while contending with family issues, including a difficult relationship with her sister. Annie pursues the case and is soon stalked by gun-toting men who clearly want to curtail the investigation, leading her to stake her faith in God to protect herself and her loved ones. Despite moments of pulse-pounding suspense, readers may struggle to keep up with the myriad, overlapping story lines—including ones following Annie’s struggles to trust her formerly estranged sister, a friend’s cancer treatment, and Jon’s plans to propose to Annie (plus his own father’s recent engagement)—several of which feel rushed to wrap up by the story’s end. Coble’s fans may be left wanting. (July)