Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
“Bones don’t float, no.” In the quiet, coastal town of Apalachicola, the past is never far behind, and secrets don’t always stay buried. When a young girl is attacked, Lt. Maggie Redmond draws on her own experience as a rape survivor to give the girl the help that she herself never got, but in the process finds herself doubting her judgement, her commitment to the law, and who she believes herself to be. Maggie’s also increasingly confused about her feelings for town crime lord Bennet Boudreaux. If she really loves Sheriff Wyatt Hamilton, why is she so unwilling to walk away from her strange friendship with this enigmatic man with the startling blue eyes? What is the secret from the past that connects them? The answers will turn Maggie’s world upside-down and make her question everything she thought she knew about herself and her past. In her efforts to rescue a defenseless young girl, Maggie finds that maybe she is the one who needs rescuing.

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 8, 2016

982 people are currently reading
245 people want to read

About the author

Dawn Lee McKenna

23 books402 followers
I live in small town Tennessee, with three children still at home and two grown kids just blocks away.

I am an unrepentant romantic, a caffeine addict and a true dork. I apologize for none of these.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
2,086 (61%)
4 stars
1,011 (29%)
3 stars
271 (7%)
2 stars
33 (<1%)
1 star
11 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
Profile Image for Pauline Ross.
Author 11 books362 followers
August 15, 2016
Book 6 of the Forgotten Coast series already, and still more to come. Anyone who’s read this far will know what to expect — fascinating characters, lots of drama, plenty of humour and McKenna’s trademark brilliant dialogue, where the subtext beneath the words stretches halfway to the earth’s core. Never have characters said so much with so few words. I don’t always fully understand exactly what it is they’re saying (or not saying) but trying to work that out is part of the fun.

For anyone whose interest is in the crime-of-the-moment, with the personal lives of the characters a minor note, this isn’t the series for you. Here the characters are what it’s all about, and again in this book the crime to be solved is deeply connected to Maggie, the female cop who is the heart of the series. Maggie was raped as a teenager, and when she’s called to investigate a very similar case to her own, she becomes deeply involved.

While the case is absorbing and heart-rending, it’s the slow progression of Maggie’s own emotional life that’s the most riveting part of this series. As Maggie and Wyatt inch towards a proper relationship, and possibly marriage, her fascination with the local crime lord, Bennett Boudreaux, threatens to derail everything. I love both her two men. Boudreaux epitomises southern courtliness, even while he has a history of ruthlessly dispatching anyone who falls foul of him. And Wyatt is just beyond-words awesome, with his dry humour and not-totally-relaxed-about-it tolerance of Maggie’s relationship with Boudreaux. The oh-so-polite macho posturing between the two men at the oyster bar is just superb, capped only by Maggie’s meeting with Boudreaux at the end, with its multiple layers of meaning. Did I mention how much I love McKenna’s dialogue? Brilliant stuff.

Another cracking read in this series. Five stars.
Profile Image for William.
676 reviews412 followers
July 21, 2019
4-Stars

As usual with my reviews, please first read the publisher’s blurb/summary of the book. Thank you.

The Big Big Mystery hidden by Boudreaux and Maggie's parents is so supercharged by now that you just don't care about the "new crime" in this book.

I had to stop reading, and start over at the beginning. It's better this way. And the supercharged secret is (finally) handled very nicely by the author.

General note:

I'm going to review the first five books as if they were one large volume, since the first few books end suddenly and mid-plot, frustratingly. I speculate that publishing 5x 200 page volumes might provide better income for her than a single large volume...

Which leads to a second problem: Endless repetition of character descriptions (including animals), and plot updates in each new volume (which you can skim over) but... These books cannot really be read separately, they must be read in order (at least books 1-5).

The Good
Firstly, McKenna shines at character development and description. There is a commanding feminine demeanour throughout these books, perhaps the best I've ever seen.

In fact, I would say characters and emotions are the lead attraction of these books for me now, well ahead of the mystery/plots (which get better). The pacing is always good, and the prose also improves substantially over time. The dialogue is good, and the characters speak with (mostly) distinct voices.

There is a sub-plot which, to me, drives everything:
The strange and powerful attraction between Maggie and Bennett Boudreaux.

Boudreaux is the town "kingpin", ascribed with various crimes including murder, but his charm and eloquence make him impressive and attractive. The mystery of what binds Maggie and Boudreaux is resolved in three surprising parts throughout the first 5-6 books, and each scene and dialogue between Maggie and Boudreaux is superb.

Nevertheless, I'm enjoying this series more and more, especially as the quality of prose and plotting improves.

If you pick up this series (must start with book #1), please be patient and read through the first four or five books before making a decision on the overall series.
20 reviews
June 11, 2016
Love the series and continuing character development

Must read the entire series! Brings Apalach to life.... Just wish the book had been longer.... The plot thickens!..... The tazing scene was hilarious!
Profile Image for Frieda Thompson.
395 reviews6 followers
November 26, 2022
Awash

More questions, no answers!! I still want to know more about Zoe. Will she emerge whole as she grows up? What does she end up doing with her life? I'm not satisfied with how this case ended. No sense of fulfillment even though the guy was arrested. DNA not followed through with. What was "between" the 2 of them? What's up with the leaves, anyway? Maggie. Will she figure things out? Will she propose to Wyatt? Will Wyatt be patient? Will he give in & propose to her? Will he give up & move on? Will Stoopid ever be...not stupid? 😁 Maybe I'll find my answers in the next book!! If you've read from thr Prequel through book 5, do not miss this one! If you've not read any of them, begin with the prequel & read progressively! These stories are set in a magical place! I know! I've sent many a glorious time in the area, beginning in the 70's, much of them before it became touristy. Much has changed, but it seems the small town feel of Appalach remains cloaking the entire area!
Profile Image for Ericka N.Blackwell.
152 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2019
Binge worthy series! Loved this. The character development and plot twist simply gut wrenching. I laughed and cried. Really enjoy these characters. The mystery was believable, the new characters were interesting and I really felt for Zoe. All of the children so thoughtful and appropriate. Maggie is no damsel in distress and the developing love story is unfolding honestly and maturely. Cannot wait for the next book in the series. Ms. McKenna, please add a warning page to let us know uncontrollable sobbing imminent. Sitting on a NYC subway ugly crying was not cute! Loved it!!
Profile Image for April.
564 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2016
Excellent read

This is a book you will tell your friends about.

Charming, witty, snarky, and emotional are words that describe this book.

The setting is so important to this series and the characters fit there perfectly. This series will draw you in with the characters and their dialogue.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series.
Profile Image for Pam.
4,625 reviews68 followers
August 22, 2018
Awash: The Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense Series Book 6 is by Dawn Lee McKenna. This book is also set in Apalach, Florida.
A young girl is sitting up alone at night. Her aunt has come home but is sleeping heavily in her bedroom, probably drunk. Zoe has been alone most of her life. She is homeschooled and doesn’t have much interaction with others. However, she did play on a ball team that Maggie Redmond had coached about six years ago. She is trying to do homework but is distracted. She lets the cats out and she is so deep in thoughts that she fails to lock the door. A short time later, she heard footsteps in back and realizes the door is unlocked. She is paralyzed with fear. A man comes in and grabs a butterknife from the kitchen. Not wanting her aunt to awaken and possibly be hurt, Zoe talks the man into taking her outside where he rapes her. Zoe makes her way back inside and calls the police, especially Maggie.
Because she knows the girl, this case becomes personal for Maggie. She will do anything it takes for Maggie to undergo NO harassment of any kind. Will Maggie be able to find the rapist among the people in town? Is it someone she knows?
Profile Image for Craig Pittman.
Author 11 books216 followers
April 28, 2022
Not as sharp as the first four books in the series, but better than the fifth one, and featuring the funniest scene in the whole series so far.

The tone of the book overall, though, is quite serious. Maggie Redmond, a detective with the Franklin County Sheeriff's Office in Apalachicola, is called in to investigate the rape of a 14-year-old girl. She's got two personal connections to the case: 1) she coached the girl in softball a few years before, and 2) Maggie is herself a rape survivor.

Although Maggie's investigation gives the plot its narrative drive, including a particularly satisfying scene where the girl fights back against her assailant, it's not the main focus of the book. Instead, we see Maggie finally figuring out what her real connection is with the town's crime lord, the urbane and courteous seafood dealer Bennett Boudreaux.

The best part, though, comes when Boudreaux says he has to go out of town and asks her to watch over his former nanny, a feisty 90-year-old who has a Taser and is not afraid to use it. I laughed good and long about what happens.

Now, on to No. 7!

1,630 reviews
Read
October 28, 2021
4.49 · Rating details · 2,834 ratings · 114 reviews
“Bones don’t float, no.”

In the quiet, coastal town of Apalachicola, the past is never far behind, and secrets don’t always stay buried.

When a young girl is attacked, Lt. Maggie Redmond draws on her own experience as a rape survivor to give the girl the help that she herself never got, but in the process finds herself doubting her judgement, her commitment to the law, and who she believes herself to be.

Maggie’s also increasingly confused about her feelings for town crime lord Bennet Boudreaux. If she really loves Sheriff Wyatt Hamilton, why is she so unwilling to walk away from her strange friendship with this enigmatic man with the startling blue eyes? What is the secret from the past that connects them?

The answers will turn Maggie’s world upside-down and make her question everything she thought she knew about herself and her past.

In her efforts to rescue a defenseless young girl, Maggie finds that maybe she is the one who needs rescuing.

Good. Will continue series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
210 reviews
December 17, 2024
The sixth book in the Forgotten Coast mystery series, Awash also stands well alone for readers not familiar with the series. A teenage girl living in a quiet working class Apalachicola neighborhood is attached and raped in her home. Sheriff's deputy Maggie Redmond is called to investigate. Sadly, Maggie is uniquely qualified to help the girl based on her own rape experience.

Adding to Maggie's personal issues, a local mobster and sort of friend, Bennett Boudreaux, has asked her to watch over his housekeeper's mother while he takes his housekeeper back to Louisiana for a family funeral. But this request requires Maggie to stay the night in his house and the old woman is more than his employee. As he former nanny, she holds many of Boudreaux's life secrets...including one that involves Maggie.

Recommended for those who like to read cozy mysteries with a little more teeth but less bad language and gratuitous sex.
Profile Image for Satrajit Sanyal.
573 reviews3 followers
July 29, 2017
If only Dawn McKenna could write as fast as we can read her wonderful tales of life in what appears to be a small, quiet coastal town.
Her characters are marvelously well developed, so much so that you feel if you visited this town you would recognize Boudreaux, Miss Evangeline, " Stoopid" as they went about their business.
The stories are quintessentially Southern, yet they could be set in any small town. There is no privacy for those who may wish to be less visible. Yet one glaring secret remains unspoken, continuing to impact lives directly and indirectly, for three generations. When will it come to light and its powerful hold on many lives be diminished ?
Profile Image for Patricia.
838 reviews
November 30, 2017
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF THE FORGOTTEN COAST

In some ways, this book is the climax of a series.
Oh, the series can go on - and I hope it does. It has the pieces to be like Janet Evanovich's wonderful books, now 24 and counting.
There is that dry humor, painful sarcasm, that the characters use.
There are the standard misunderstandings that create life as we know it, and sometimes, keep us from realizing that we are living the life we lead until its too late.
And, there are the things that add up to who we are, even when we don't know.
When an author captures all that, the book has the glory of being the real world.
312 reviews1 follower
September 20, 2018
wyatt still loves Maggie, but he won't ask her to marry him - (you'll love the reason)
Maggie loves wyatt, but then there is bennett b, the town crime lord...
we think we know where this is going , but Maggie is all mixed up - you know - feelings,do i love him too?
bennett is always cool and gentlemanly and protective of Maggie - i'll just say it - like a father - there!
a 14 year old is raped
Maggie wants to protect her and take her in.
no explaining about particulars of the crime -Why the leaves? what did they mean to him? why was it between "him and her?, was there a past encounter,

my inquiring mind wants to know!
Profile Image for BJ.
465 reviews5 followers
August 5, 2020
Underlying secrets

This story made me mad. This kind of thing happens all the time, in rural communities, in villages, in big cities. What is it? Arrogance? Entitlement? Bullies? I wish McKenna had expanded more on the why. She did a really good job with bringing out the damage to the victim. And Maggie is doing a really good job helping this girl through it. I'd liked to have had more on the why though. Seems like there could be more than just the arrest. The why, the punishment. That aside, I'm trying really hard to be patient with the underlying drama with Maggie's other relationships! Her boat IS 'awash'. Half star off for typos and sudden end to the main story.
42 reviews1 follower
November 9, 2021
I am in love with the characters in this book. The books are free of foul language and sexual content. I think the are worth reading. The plot of this one was a tough one but thank goodness she got to release her anger. So glad it was directed at the person who started it all. Oh my gosh, the relationship between Boudreaux and Maggie is so sweet. When she learns the truth how mad is she going to be that no one told her the truth. I would mad. Especially after she put herself in that awkward situation. Poor girl. To have a person in your life that brings you calm and peace is worth hanging onto no matter what.
882 reviews3 followers
July 21, 2023
When a teenage girl is attacked, it takes police officer Maggie Redmond back to her own nightmare when she was just a teenager herself. Along with working together, Maggie and Sheriff Wyatt Hamilton slowly continue their romance, although Maggie's friendship with the wealthy and charming Bennet Boudreaux, who has connections to myriad crimes in the past, continues to get in the way.

This book focuses quite a bit on Maggie's unusual relationship with Bennet Boudreaux, as well as the investigation. Maggie and Wyatt are both confused by her being drawn to a possible criminal, but neither of them know the truth about Bennet and his role in Maggie's life.
Profile Image for Adrienne.
74 reviews
May 28, 2025
I keep coming back to these because they're interesting and familiar and an easy read (and my mom recommended). A mental Twinkie, as I like to call them. Some of the storylines and redundancy are getting on my nerves. But the dialogue really kills me... so awkwardly written and choppy it's distracting. Otherwise, McKenna's writing is pretty good. With a better editor, she would be a great writer. I am getting tired of the "relationship" with Maggie and Wyatt. I don't see the appeal or feel the attraction. They mostly seem annoyed with each other. Then the bizarre attraction to Bennett, and his weird interactions with Maggie... Just let her know what you know. Gross!
Profile Image for Judith  Wong.
142 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2018
A young girl who is violated calls upon Maggie Redmond for help.

Will Maggie be able help young Zoe deal with being raped? Zoe seems to gather some comfort being in her company. Zoe frantically calls Maggie when she realizes who the perpetrator is. After Maggie is attacked by him, it's Zoe who saves Maggie. After so many months of coping with unexpected trials and trouble, Maggie turns to Bennett Boudreaux for some comfort of her own, only to be regretfully turned away. He would not be the one to reveal his true relationship with her. Who will tell her?
Profile Image for Megan.
183 reviews
April 22, 2019
Poignant

Well written story of the rape of a young girl, and the investigation of the attack. With the echo of another attack ringing in her ears, Maggie, as always with Wyatt at her side, examines the evidence and hunts down the perpetrator to its satisfying conclusion. Her connection to the victim, Zoe, is poignant and moving. The book finishes with an examination of some personal issues for Maggie, but I found the ending as confusing as Maggie appeared to, and I'm unsure where the author was going with this. Still, another good instalment in this series.
7,766 reviews50 followers
October 22, 2019
This was a haunting emotionally case for Maggie, coming to help Zoe after she had been attacked. The memories for both were still raw. The drama of the family, the rooster. and the taxing scene One feels for Wyatt, what is this attraction she has for Mr Boudreaux, it is hurting him, and even her father is concerned. One feels like there is a secret, that some know but what. Big changes have been made, and who is taking Wyatt’s job. The characters are ones we want to know more about, with the next story.
Profile Image for Melissa.
741 reviews27 followers
June 16, 2021
Overall a good story. But Maggie is back to being clueless and annoying. I just don’t like her. Emotionally she is somewhere between a grumpy old woman and a teenager and not in a good, fun way, but in a sad way. I want to be kind and blame it on her past trauma but the way the author presents her and the way I read it, she’s just so self absorbed and juvenile and not at all likable.

The writing has improved a lot and while I don’t like Maggie this book and the previous one were both well written and good stories.
12 reviews
February 13, 2020
I love this whole series! Being a Florida native my self I could totally visualize every word! I love the characters especially Miss Evangeline!! I love that the book has mystery, humor and a little romance! I plan on reading all the way thru book 10! I’ll be sad to finish but can’t wait to see what happens

I can’t wait to read more books from this talented Author. She’s a new favorite of mine for sure! I read a lot❤️
21 reviews
September 23, 2020
LOVE this book !

Dawn Lee McKenna just keeps getting better. I find myself laughing out loud & reading passages to my husband because her descriptions of the characters in her books are vivid , her characters are so real, & it's just too good to not share with someone else.
I would recommend her books to everyone from young adult to very old. Thank you Me McKenna for another captivating book that I just couldn't put down !!!!!
257 reviews
November 18, 2021
Again, Good story

Again this is a good story. Again Maggie gets taken by surprise and has to be rescued but in this instance it was worth it. I really thought she would figure out the Boudreaux connection but with this ending it is unclear if she did. I still don’t like how Wyatt tells her what to do with that connection and their ‘romance’ is still too weird for words but all in all a good story.
9 reviews
July 13, 2017
Great book

I can't think when I've enjoyed a book or I should say a series so much. I love the mystery the humour and the suspense. You make the caricatures come alive. Since I live on the nature coast I'm very familiar with the area the books are set in. I can see the people and hear their voices. I love your book and can't wait to start the next one. Georgia P.
Profile Image for Douglas Brown.
Author 2 books4 followers
November 21, 2017
Another comforting crime read ?

Another pleasing entry in Dawn McKenna's Apalachicola series. The heroine takes on another major case while edging ever closer to the great secret that will cause her multiple life and love triangles to resolve themselves ... or implode completely. Given that we know there is a volume 7, McKenna manages a deft end to this volume.
305 reviews
May 1, 2018
The truth is elusive

A young girl is raped, bringing up old nightmares. A story that happens everyday, told with compassion and understanding. Book six in the series brings a new look to romance and relationships. Well written and a gripping story. For those who love southern writing, complex relationships and crazy roosters, this is for you.
Profile Image for Judy G Spivey.
412 reviews8 followers
May 4, 2018
The story continues as Maggie tries to find answers, but not sure of the question.

Maggie and Dwight have officially started dating. She continues to try an rescue the people she runs into. Her relationship with the monster continues. She is pulled to him, but didn't understand why.
67 reviews
July 10, 2018
Incest

Invest is not unknown in Florida but morality among good people discourages it. So, Dawn Lee's bad people are really good people. That is the way she likes to keep you hanging. Rape, trauma and Seafood Fests come and go but the complexities of the Deputy Sherrif's life keep hanging in there. Entertaining story.
309 reviews4 followers
July 18, 2019
Addicting

This series is pretty addicting. Needing to be read in order, this is book six of ‘The Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense Series’. My favorite two people in this series are not the main characters. Evangeline with her taser and Bodreaux with his reaction to her quips steal every scene they are in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.