A dynamic combination of romance and suspense, Fragile Designs will resonate with fans of Tell No Lies and Aftermath. This is Colleen Coble at her best, it is a propulsive, page-turning read and it is sure to stick with fans and newcomers alike.

There's only one thing more dangerous than family secrets.

Since her police-officer husband Eric's mysterious murder, Carly Harris has been struggling to support herself and their infant son. Her career as an antique dealer isn't sustainable, nor is her dream of becoming a novelist. So when her grandmother proposes she and her two sisters restore the family's large Beaufort home and turn it into a bed-and-breakfast, she immediately gets to work clearing out the house. In the process, she uncovers a family secret that Eric kept hidden. And an heirloom that the wrong person wouldn't hesitate to kill for.

Homicide detective Lucas Bennett isn't his neighbor's biggest fan, not since she broke his brother's heart years ago. But when Carly turns to Lucas for help, believing she's found a lost Fabergé egg that would be worth millions and that could put her family's lives in danger, he can't help but get involved. Soon, they're entangled in a mystery with threads that lead all the way to the Russian mafia. Lucas has gotten in deep, and while he trusts his ability to keep Carly and her family safe, he begins to realize he's vulnerable to an unexpected kind of danger. And he's helpless to stop the freefall. As they continue working closely together, Carly and Lucas realize they may have found something more precious than gold. Yet it's only a matter of time before Carly—or, worse, someone she loves—gets hurt.

Contemporary romantic suspense
Stand-alone novel
Book length: approximately 90,000 words
Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Reviews

On Mar 6 2024, a reader said:

Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble had an intriguing beginning. Carly is a strong woman who puts her family first. She has a big heart. At times, though, I did find myself rolling my eyes. I do not want to give anything away, but I am curious as to how Carly could be that naïve (in her relationships with men). The main characters are developed while others fell a little flat. There was one individual in particular who had a major role that I thought needed more development. The first third of the book was engaging. It had me curious to find out what would happen next. Then, unfortunately, the story seemed to slow down as a slew of new characters were introduced along with farfetched, superfluous storylines. I wish the author had not tried to overcomplicate the mystery. I liked that the mystery involved a Faberge egg. Like the author, I find them appealing. They are unique works of art. I liked the action. I did feel that the story could have used more of it, especially in the middle. The guilty party can easily be identified despite the misdirection. A dramatic scene near the end had me rolling my eyes (again). The epilogue neatly wraps up the book (gives readers a heartwarming ending). There were some details in the book that were unrealistic (no way would they happen in real life). Carly made some choices regarding her child during the story that were questionable (would have mothers with young children screaming "what are you thinking"). The longwinded and repetitive explanations slowed down the pace of the story (and took away from the suspense). Fragile Designs has a good concept. I wish the last two-thirds of Fragile Designs had been like the beginning.

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Details

Seller: JERMAINE WHITE (US)
Seller's Inventory #: Fragile Designs
Title: Fragile Designs
Author: Colleen Coble
Book Condition: New
Jacket Condition: Fine
Quantity Available: 2
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN 10: 0785253858
ISBN 13: 9780785253853
Publisher: Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Date Published: 01/2024
Pages: 352
Size: 5.50(w) x 8.38(h) x (d)
Keywords: Fragile Designs, Colleen Coble

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JERMAINE WHITE

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JERMAINE WHITE

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Fragile Designs

Fragile Designs