Colleen Coble’s latest thriller, Ambush, combines the author’s signature elements of faith, romance, and suspense while introducing readers to a distinctive setting that breathes fresh life into her repertoire. Set in the lush backdrop of a wildlife sanctuary in Alabama, this novel weaves together multiple mysteries, a rekindling romance, and profound themes of forgiveness and healing. While the book delivers an engaging read with memorable characters, it occasionally stumbles with pacing issues and some convenient plot resolutions.
The Setting: A Wildlife Haven with Deadly Secrets
One of Colleen Coble’s greatest strengths in Ambush is her vivid portrayal of The Sanctuary Wildlife Preserve. Inspired by her visit to Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Coble creates an immersive world populated by rescued exotic animals – from temperamental hyenas to majestic tigers and playful grizzly bears. This unique setting offers far more than just a backdrop; it becomes an integral element that drives the plot forward. The preserve’s expansive grounds provide the perfect stage for dangerous encounters and narrow escapes, while the animals themselves often mirror the characters’ own journeys from trauma to trust.
The author’s attention to detail regarding animal behavior and sanctuary operations (supported by consultation with predator keeper Addam Krauch) lends authenticity to the narrative. From the feeding protocols to enclosure security measures, readers gain insight into the complex world of wildlife conservation. This setting differentiates Ambush from standard romantic suspense novels and creates natural tension as characters navigate both human and animal dangers.
Character Development: Healing Hearts and Hidden Scars
Paradise Alden makes for a compelling protagonist whose journey feels authentic despite the dramatic circumstances. Her character arc—from a trauma-hardened, distrustful woman to someone who gradually opens herself to connection and faith—unfolds naturally through the story’s events. Her physical scars from a jaguar attack mirror her emotional ones, creating a powerful metaphor for her healing journey.
Blake Lawson provides an effective counterbalance to Paradise’s guardedness with his steadfast nature and unwavering faith. His willingness to sacrifice his career to help his family demonstrates his character, though at times his perfection borders on unrealistic. The supporting cast, particularly Blake’s brothers Levi and Isaac, inject warmth and lightness into what could otherwise be an overwhelmingly heavy narrative.
What makes the character dynamics particularly effective is how Coble portrays their growth:
Paradise’s journey with faith – Her gradual opening to spiritual connection feels earned rather than forced
Blake’s patient persistence – His consistent care wears down Paradise’s defenses without dismissing her valid reasons for them
The brotherly bonds – Small moments between Blake and his brothers reveal character through action rather than exposition
Intergenerational relationships – The connections between Paradise and Blake’s family create a found-family dynamic that resonates
Plot and Pacing: Multiple Mysteries with Mixed Results
The novel juggles several mysteries simultaneously:
Who murdered Paradise’s parents twenty years ago?
Who killed activist Danielle Mason?
Who is behind the escalating attacks on The Sanctuary?
What happened to Paradise’s long-lost brother?
This ambitious scope creates a narrative that rarely slows down, but it also leads to some of the book’s weaker elements. The resolution to Paradise’s parents’ murder mystery feels somewhat anticlimactic after the build-up, while other plot threads get tidier resolutions than real life might offer.
The pacing in the middle section occasionally sags as characters work through personal revelations and relationship dynamics. However, Coble excels at crafting genuinely suspenseful action sequences, particularly in the climactic scenes during a severe storm. The story picks up considerable momentum in the final quarter, delivering an intense finale that effectively brings together the emotional and suspense elements.
Themes: Trust, Forgiveness, and Finding Home
Ambush by Colleen Coble explores several resonant themes:
The journey from fear to courage: Paradise’s confrontation with her fear of big cats serves as a powerful metaphor for facing past traumas. Her willingness to enter a tiger enclosure to save a child demonstrates growth that transcends simple character development.
Forgiveness as liberation: The novel suggests that holding onto anger—whether toward God, others, or oneself—creates its own prison. Paradise’s gradual release of resentment toward Blake parallels her spiritual journey.
The meaning of home: The question of what constitutes “home” runs throughout the narrative. Is it a physical place? The presence of loved ones? A state of mind? Paradise’s discovery that home exists in relationships rather than locations offers a touching resolution to her lifelong search for belonging.
Faith amid uncertainty: Rather than presenting simplistic answers, Coble portrays faith as a gradual process of trust-building, with characters acknowledging doubts while choosing to move forward.
Writing Style: Accessible with Occasional Brilliance
Coble’s straightforward prose serves the story well, particularly in action sequences where clarity is paramount. Dialogue generally feels natural, though occasionally characters make statements that seem more intended to convey information to readers than to communicate authentically with each other.
The author excels at sensory details, particularly in describing the wildlife sanctuary. Readers can almost smell the animals, feel the Alabama humidity, and hear the hyenas’ distinctive “laughter.” These touches create an immersive reading experience.
While the writing rarely calls attention to itself, there are moments of genuine insight, particularly in Paradise’s internal reflections about her journey toward healing. When describing emotional breakthroughs, Coble’s prose becomes more lyrical, providing effective contrast to the more functional passages.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works Well:
The unique wildlife sanctuary setting that provides fresh scenarios for danger and character development
Authentic portrayal of trauma recovery that acknowledges both setbacks and progress
Well-developed romantic tension between Paradise and Blake that builds on their shared history
Effective integration of faith elements without becoming preachy
Strong action sequences, particularly during the climactic storm
Where It Falls Short:
Some too-convenient plot resolutions that diminish the impact of certain mysteries
Occasional pacing issues in the middle sections
A few too many coincidences that strain credibility
Underdeveloped antagonists who sometimes feel like plot devices rather than fully realized characters
Some redundant dialogue that restates information readers already know
Connections to Coble’s Other Works
Fans of Colleen Coble will recognize her hallmarks in Ambush: a strong female protagonist recovering from trauma, faith elements woven naturally into the narrative, and romantic tension that develops alongside the mystery. The novel shares DNA with her Pelican Harbor series (One Little Lie, Two Reasons to Run, Three Missing Days), particularly in its Gulf Coast setting and law enforcement elements.
The book connects to her previous series by including cameo appearances from characters in the Pelican Harbor and Tupelo Grove novels, rewarding longtime readers while remaining accessible to newcomers. Like in her Annie Pederson novels (Edge of Dusk, Dark of Night, Break of Day), Coble demonstrates skill in creating a sense of place that becomes almost a character in itself.
For Readers Who Enjoy…
Ambush by Colleen Coble will appeal to fans of:
Lisa Wingate’s emotional depth
Dani Pettrey’s romantic suspense
Carrie Stuart Parks’ character-driven mysteries
Lynette Eason’s fast-paced action sequences
Karen Kingsbury’s faith-focused narratives
The novel strikes a balance between suspense and romance, making it suitable for readers who enjoy both genres but don’t want either element to overwhelm the other.
Final Assessment: A Satisfying Start to a Promising Series
Despite some flaws, Ambush succeeds as both a standalone novel and the beginning of Colleen Coble’s new Sanctuary series. The combination of a unique setting, well-realized characters, and compelling mysteries overcomes occasional pacing issues and convenient plot resolutions. The novel leaves readers satisfied with the primary story’s conclusion while offering enough unresolved elements to generate interest in future installments.
For its immersive setting, authentic character development, and skillful integration of faith, romance, and suspense elements, Ambush is a compelling read. It represents Coble doing what she does best—crafting stories where damaged characters find healing through love, faith, and confronting the truth—while breaking new ground with an innovative backdrop that elevates the familiar formula.
Readers new to Colleen Coble will find Ambush an accessible entry point to her work, while longtime fans will appreciate the appearance of familiar locations and characters alongside fresh elements that keep her formula from growing stale. The novel’s final pages leave readers with a sense of hard-won hope that feels earned rather than imposed—a fitting conclusion to a story about the long, winding journey from ambush to sanctuary.