Stranded in the Keys

by Matthew Rief

In the islands, the weather can turn on a dime. And so can your luck.

It’s summer in the Florida Keys. Logan Dodge is busy working alongside family and friends to renovate a Grumman Albatross flying boat in preparation for a big adventure up north. But a week before the trip, while camping in the Upper Keys, Logan’s daughter Scarlett and her friend go missing in a sudden storm.

What begins as a straightforward search and rescue mission quickly turns into something far more sinister. While battling nature’s fury, the two teenagers find themselves in a terrifying game of cat and mouse with two cold-blooded criminals.

In the twenty-sixth installment in the bestselling Florida Keys Adventure Series, Logan Dodge faces off against his most vile enemies yet. But to defeat the violent lowlifes and save his daughter, the former Navy SEAL will have to confront an evil more wretched and depraved than any he’s encountered before. Buckle up for a high-stakes, guns blazing, boat chasing, edge of your seat adventure in the Florida Keys.

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2026

About the author

Matthew is the author of the Florida Keys Adventure Series and the Jason Wake Novels. He's always had a deep rooted love for adventure and the ocean. He loves traveling, diving, rock climbing and writing adventure novels.

Reviews

[Gary S]

Stranded in the Keys follows former Navy SEAL Logan Dodge as what should have been a simple day on the water turns into a desperate fight for survival when a sudden storm sweeps through the Florida Keys and leaves his teenage daughter and her friend missing somewhere in the chaos. As Logan launches a frantic search, he discovers that the girls’ disappearance isn’t just the result of bad weather—dangerous criminals operating in the area have crossed their path, turning the rescue into a race against ruthless men who will do anything to stay hidden. Battling rough seas, limited time, and his own rising fear, Logan pushes deeper into the backwaters and mangroves of the islands, relying on instinct, training, and sheer determination to track the girls before the captors move them or the storm claims them. The novel blends high‑stakes action with emotional urgency, using the Keys’ beauty and isolation to heighten the tension as Logan confronts both nature and human threat to bring his daughter home.

[Ricki]

Logan Dodge's daughter Scarlett & friend Elana are camping in the keys when the girls get separated from their phones/drybags and stranded on another island after trying to rescue a ferret.

Simultaneously, there are some sketchy dudes rounding up girls and smuggling them into the swamps of the keys to disappear. Unfortunately, Scarlett & her friend come across these degenerates and although captured a few times, they escape/fight back etc. Scarlett's been taught a lot by Logan/Angie and she just has to make it til they are found.

Logan/Angie go scorched earth to rescue them and everything that happens to the kidnappers is warranted!. Super fast read, in one sitting!

[Walter Bell]

Scarlet is one tough Dodge!

The main focus of this book was Scarlet and her friend. It was really nice to read about how young ladies can meet a challenge. Logan and Angie did come to the rescue but not before these seventeen year old girls gave it their all.

Thank you Matthew for having characters that always prevail without the loss of family. Too many authors think they have to kill off friends or family to make the story more, not sure what to call it, but you catch my drift. Give me a Dodge, who is better left alone!

[scott]

ok, first I have read every book in this series. I have never been a big fan of Scarlet. I get the end of the book awareness message. Having said that this is a very bad book. Scarlet needs to go off to college and come home every few books for a quick visit. Rief just can't write in her voice, and I don't think his readers want him to. Please get back to the origin of these characters and maybe bring Scott back into the fold. I am looking forward to your next adventure with Logan.

[G.Richard Mccafferty]

Another great story

Once again there were 50 some chapters of never stopping action and adventure the this author always provide for his enthusiastic followers about life and the evils that need to be stopped .only one thing why did lucky not come back with Scarlett oh well ..ciao from Bobbie and george

[Kim M. Guzzo]

Fast paced adventure!

I think I read this book faster than most others and I've read a lot of books including the previous 25 Logan Dodge books. This one kept the pages turning super quickly. It was exciting and gripping and sad and happy all at once. Good conquering evil at its worst. I highly recommend to anyone who loves a sea adventure. 🌊

[Cheryl A]

I give this a ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 because I did not like the theme of this story. I have read a few of Matthew Rief’s books in this series and have thoroughly enjoyed them. I can say I speed read this one just to finish it because I always like to finish a book. I just think it went on too long with too many words. I do look forward to the next in this series though.

[KerryO]

Although the subject matter of this story was extremely upsetting, I really enjoyed Scarlett’s more prominent role with Logan and Ange in parental support mode. She has been a terrific addition to their family and now I anxiously await the next installment of this series.

[William Berkley]

Justice Found !

I do really do enjoy all of Matthew’s Logan Dodge adventures. I could not put this one down.It kept me on the edge of my seat all the through ! I am glad Logan was able to bring Justice to the evil men who prey on the innocent.

[Wilbur Hundley]

An exciting adventure

Stranded in the Keys is filled with non stop action. Scarlet and Elena are great and Ange and Logan provide their usual excitement. It’s a great story with lots of twists and turns. A great read.

[Walter & Janice Heim]

Wow!!

As usual another great read. I think I have read all of the Stranded in the Keys series so far. I have enjoyed the experiences of every read. Thank you Matthew Rief. Please don't stop your writing.

[Joan Brigham]

Lots of Adventure

Matthew Rief writes a wonderful adventure story every time. His take on the subject of trafficking is something that needs much more exposure. His take on Key West makes me want to go back there!

[Lroper24]

Matthew Rief never disappoints!

I’ve now read all the Logan Dodge books. I love them. They are easy, yet interesting reads. They depict a life I never really knew existed. Cannot wait to see what the next adventure will entail!

[Don Blank]

Great Read

I throughly enjoyed this book. It had a good story line and kept me interested throughout the entire story. I recommend reading this book.

[bscourtney]

Just keeps getting better

Born and mostly raised in Key West makes me feel like I'm there when reading the Florida Keys Adventures. Looking forward to book 28

[Doug Parker]

Truly, an edge of your seat adventure.

Logan and family never fail to deliver a great page turner.
This one will certainly keep you enthralled from cover to cover.
👍👍

[Norman G.]

Could not put it down once i started it.

Fast read only took a break from reading it for lunch. Now i have to wait for the next one in line. Hope i live that long!

[Brent Caldwell]

Tough to put down….

A little dark in the story line but the ending that is crafted makes it well worth it. I would recommend this read to Logan Dodge fans.

[Vincent T Farren Jr]

evil

Another great Logan Dodge series. Matthew Rief has written as fabulous although an ugly storyline they ended up well.. Can’t wait for the next Logan Dodge adventure.

[Mark Tanner]

excellent read

Not sure how he does it, but every Logan and Ange Dodge book never fails to entertain and surprise. Highly recommend.

[Mary Ann Olsztyn]

Not interested in reading about Scarlett and her friend Elana. Really disappointed. I want to read about Logan and his friends not his teenage adopted daughter and her adventures.

[GeorgeT Cummins]

8

8/10 Logan Dodge. Stranded in the Keys. Brings back memories of Camping in the Keys 1979. When available camping was easy.

[Denis]

Good book

I am not a big reader but when I started this book, I had a hard time putting it down.

[FRANK HICKS]

Another Great Book

I've read everyone of the his books in the series and you know the outcome. But I still enjoy each one..

[John Craig]

what a tangled web is in this read, two girls taken captive, and they manage to escape in the swamps, hiding in muddy holes, a great read.... 5 stars

[Walter Johnson]

Another masterpiece

This was one book that once I started.I couldn't stop. Stayed up until four a m to finish this one cause I couldn't put it down.

[Mike Gilbert]

Very good story.

[Dean Vetter]

The Florida Keys

I always enjoy Riff’s mysteries and the added bonus of learning more about the Keys. It’s just like being there.

[Joan]

Very intense!

This was a book you will not want to put down! I was afraid of what the ending was going to be !

[mary l white]

hard to read subject

Harder to read than most Logan Dodge books, anxiety producing. But written well and ends well. 4 more words required.