Break of Day brings Colleen Coble’s Annie Pederson series to a close, tying together both its ongoing investigation and its deeply personal character arcs.

Annie, a law enforcement officer still grieving the loss of her husband, has recently reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Jon. While her daughter Kylie initially resists the idea of another father figure, she gradually begins to accept him. The previous installment ended with a major revelation: Kylie is, in fact, Jon’s biological daughter. That discovery, along with the ordeal involving Sarah, has begun to thaw long-standing resentments and opened the door — tentatively — for reconciliation within the family.

Even as these emotional threads unfold, Annie remains consumed by a dangerous case. Tourists and hikers have been disappearing in the small town, and Annie is determined to uncover the truth at any cost. After sending Kylie away to keep her out of harm’s reach, Annie and Jon focus their efforts on stopping a killer who has been targeting young women. As Sarah works to piece together the full truth behind her own kidnapping, Annie closes in on the culprit — only for the killer to begin manipulating events in an attempt to misdirect law enforcement.

Coble structures the novel as a tight, fast-moving thriller, building momentum through escalating stakes and converging storylines. The narrative rarely slows, pulling the reader through a series of revelations that culminate in a decisive and largely satisfying resolution. When the truths finally come to light and justice prevails, the sense of payoff feels earned — a testament to how carefully the series has been constructed from the start.

That said, the novel’s final stretch, which unfolds largely in a forest setting, lingers longer than necessary and slightly tests the patience after such brisk pacing elsewhere. It’s a minor stumble in an otherwise engaging finale.

Despite that small issue, Break of Day is an enjoyable and effective conclusion to the series. Coble’s clear, efficient storytelling and ability to balance suspense with emotional resolution make this a strong finish — and a solid invitation to explore more of her work.

Rating:5/5