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The Forgotten Coast #8
Lake Morality
People get up to all kinds of mischief out at Lake Morality.
When Kristen Morgan abandoned her baby girl in a locked car, Lt. Maggie Redmond was angry. Though the baby was uninjured, things could have been much worse.When the mother’s body is found two days later, in a lake far outside town on the road to the county prison, Maggie suddenly has more than child endangerment or a missing person on her hands.Kristen Morgan’s family and doctor say that she was depressed and possibly not taking her medication, and that she’d talked about suicide in the past, but Maggie and her fiancé, former Sheriff Wyatt Hamilton, aren’t convinced.When evidence of homicide surfaces, Maggie must discover who wanted a young mother dead, and why.The greatly-anticipated 8th book in the Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense series has plenty of page-turning action and suspense, along with its trademark coastal atmosphere, rich characterization and dry humor.
When Kristen Morgan abandoned her baby girl in a locked car, Lt. Maggie Redmond was angry. Though the baby was uninjured, things could have been much worse.When the mother’s body is found two days later, in a lake far outside town on the road to the county prison, Maggie suddenly has more than child endangerment or a missing person on her hands.Kristen Morgan’s family and doctor say that she was depressed and possibly not taking her medication, and that she’d talked about suicide in the past, but Maggie and her fiancé, former Sheriff Wyatt Hamilton, aren’t convinced.When evidence of homicide surfaces, Maggie must discover who wanted a young mother dead, and why.The greatly-anticipated 8th book in the Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense series has plenty of page-turning action and suspense, along with its trademark coastal atmosphere, rich characterization and dry humor.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 25, 2018
1026 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Lee McKenna
23 books403 followersI 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.
I am an unrepentant romantic, a caffeine addict and a true dork. I apologize for none of these.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
July 23, 2019
4-Stars solid, well done.
As usual with my reviews, please first read the publisher’s blurb/summary of the book. Thank you.
Note: I asked Dawn Lee how "Axel in her fiction" suddenly turns up as her Real Life co-author Axel Blackwell in her next book series, Still Waters. She kindly replied:
I've reviewed 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 due to the Amazon Kindle Unlimited library system.
McKenna is getting much better at briefly summarising the important points of her previous books, throughout each new one. This is a much less intrusive technique. Well done!
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. Her handling of "family notifications of the dead" is quite tender and poignant. The dialogue is good, and the characters speak with (mostly) distinct voices.
There is an extraordinary 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 mostly resolved in three surprising parts throughout the first 5-6 books, and each scene and dialogue between Maggie and Boudreaux is superb. The tension matures with time, remains through book ten, and probably forever.
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.
Quotes:
Then every- one was clapping, and Wyatt was kissing her, and the world she was standing in was a happy and a safe one, a place where only good people lived and no one was trying to hurt anyone else... Maggie caught a glimpse of the bay, sparkling like it had gotten all dressed up, just for them.
-
And out on the bay, hundreds of yards across the water, a beautifully restored 1947 Chris Craft Ex- press Cruiser bobbed in the gentle wake of a passing cuddy. Bennett Boudreaux leaned back against the captain’s seat, and though he could no longer make out the form of [her] in the crowd, he lifted his champagne flute anyway, smiled, and took a sip.
As usual with my reviews, please first read the publisher’s blurb/summary of the book. Thank you.
Note: I asked Dawn Lee how "Axel in her fiction" suddenly turns up as her Real Life co-author Axel Blackwell in her next book series, Still Waters. She kindly replied:
Axel Blackwell has been a friend for years, and was kind enough to loan me his name and much of his personality for the character, long before I asked him to co-author the Still Waters series with me. He joins several other real people who populate the series, although, in Axel’s case I made up the character. Everyone else plays themselves as it were.General note:
I've reviewed 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 due to the Amazon Kindle Unlimited library system.
McKenna is getting much better at briefly summarising the important points of her previous books, throughout each new one. This is a much less intrusive technique. Well done!
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. Her handling of "family notifications of the dead" is quite tender and poignant. The dialogue is good, and the characters speak with (mostly) distinct voices.
There is an extraordinary 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 mostly resolved in three surprising parts throughout the first 5-6 books, and each scene and dialogue between Maggie and Boudreaux is superb. The tension matures with time, remains through book ten, and probably forever.
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.
Quotes:
Then every- one was clapping, and Wyatt was kissing her, and the world she was standing in was a happy and a safe one, a place where only good people lived and no one was trying to hurt anyone else... Maggie caught a glimpse of the bay, sparkling like it had gotten all dressed up, just for them.
-
And out on the bay, hundreds of yards across the water, a beautifully restored 1947 Chris Craft Ex- press Cruiser bobbed in the gentle wake of a passing cuddy. Bennett Boudreaux leaned back against the captain’s seat, and though he could no longer make out the form of [her] in the crowd, he lifted his champagne flute anyway, smiled, and took a sip.
January 27, 2018
I just love this series! Each time I read one of the books in this series, I feel like I'm visiting with old friends. Okay, so those old friends are really good at solving murders, but they are old friends nonetheless! Fabulous! Get some ice cream for Miss Evangeline! ;)
January 27, 2018
A Good Honest Police Procedural With Characters Like Family
Maggie and Wyatt feel like family after seven previous books. I’ve been hooked since the first one, and they keep getting better. The plots and characters are believable and when I get the email announcement of a new book I have to download and read it through to the end in one sitting. Keep them coming please.
Maggie and Wyatt feel like family after seven previous books. I’ve been hooked since the first one, and they keep getting better. The plots and characters are believable and when I get the email announcement of a new book I have to download and read it through to the end in one sitting. Keep them coming please.
February 5, 2018
Great reading!
I've read all of the books in the series, but in my very humble opinion I truly enjoyed this novel the most. It really came down to being familiar with the characters, the humor, and the storyline. I'm still smiling over the "asteroids" comment, mentioned by a very personable old lady.
I've read all of the books in the series, but in my very humble opinion I truly enjoyed this novel the most. It really came down to being familiar with the characters, the humor, and the storyline. I'm still smiling over the "asteroids" comment, mentioned by a very personable old lady.
February 4, 2018
Finally, we’re back in Apalachicola with our favorites, Maggie, Wyatt, Boudreaux, Miss Evangeline and of course Stoopid, our favorite rooster.
Wrapping a mystery, an abandoned baby, a missing mother, and a murder into the culmination of the happiest ever we’ve all been waiting for, could only be accomplished by this master storyteller, Dawn Lee McKenna. Well played, Ms. McKenna!
I know I can’t wait for the next in this series.
Wrapping a mystery, an abandoned baby, a missing mother, and a murder into the culmination of the happiest ever we’ve all been waiting for, could only be accomplished by this master storyteller, Dawn Lee McKenna. Well played, Ms. McKenna!
I know I can’t wait for the next in this series.
June 25, 2018
More of what we've come to expect and love reading from Dawn Lee McKenna. Twists, turns, excitement, and that comfortable feeling that comes from the REAL Gulf Coast of Florida. The one that makes you take life a couple notches slower, occasionally stop to smell the gardenias and get some mango gelatto. In between murders, of course. Well done, Dawn Lee. Again.
April 6, 2018
This installment of the Forgotten Coast was a dud for me. I was really excited to jump into another book in this fantastic series, but the murder didn't seem well thought out and it was seriously lacking time with characters that I have come to know and love including Bennett and Maggie's children.
Maggie is on the case when she rescues a baby trapped in a locked hot car. Finding herself frustrated and upset with the mother who abandoned this child, Maggie checks herself when it seems that there is something lurking beneath the surface of this story. Kristen Morgan, the mother, with a history of mental disease, is ultimately found dead: drowned forcibly in Lake Morality. Long story short, the husband hired someone to do it (because it's always the husband) but the motive was never clearly established. It seemed thrown together at the last moment and completely lackluster.
This is also the novel in which Maggie and Wyatt (one of my favorite literary couples of all time!) GET MARRIED! However, this took up about a half a page and was very nondescript. Maggie and Wyatt have been in love a long time, but somehow they went from never having slept together to getting married, which I was fine with, but I wanted more details of the wedding! I knew it wouldn't be like them to throw a big affair, but that doesn't mean I didn't want to be right there in the front row watching.
There were maybe two pages dedicated to Bennett and his sassy help in this book, which is a big disservice to the reader. Bennett is such a rich character, I would have liked to have spent more time with him (and less time with say, Dwight). I'm remaining faithful to the series, but it needs a strong plot line next time.
Maggie is on the case when she rescues a baby trapped in a locked hot car. Finding herself frustrated and upset with the mother who abandoned this child, Maggie checks herself when it seems that there is something lurking beneath the surface of this story. Kristen Morgan, the mother, with a history of mental disease, is ultimately found dead: drowned forcibly in Lake Morality. Long story short, the husband hired someone to do it (because it's always the husband) but the motive was never clearly established. It seemed thrown together at the last moment and completely lackluster.
This is also the novel in which Maggie and Wyatt (one of my favorite literary couples of all time!) GET MARRIED! However, this took up about a half a page and was very nondescript. Maggie and Wyatt have been in love a long time, but somehow they went from never having slept together to getting married, which I was fine with, but I wanted more details of the wedding! I knew it wouldn't be like them to throw a big affair, but that doesn't mean I didn't want to be right there in the front row watching.
There were maybe two pages dedicated to Bennett and his sassy help in this book, which is a big disservice to the reader. Bennett is such a rich character, I would have liked to have spent more time with him (and less time with say, Dwight). I'm remaining faithful to the series, but it needs a strong plot line next time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2018
Another day in paradise with Ms. McKenna and her wonderful rendition of Apalach and its many wonderful people and opinions. I was certainly impressed with notation if Sheriff A. J.. Smith and his Crew as his a dear friend of mine. I knew him she he worked for th Florida Sheriffs Association. Great guy. Too, that created a great spinoff from the ordinary cheerfulness of another exciting adventure of Lt. Redmon and her crew.
Another outstanding five star masterpiece by Ms. McKenna, who is gaining popularity among the elite of elite authors I have consistently had the opportunity to follow. This rendition about a small County Sheriff's Department really hits home with me, as I retired from just such a Department a few years ago.
The author definitely impresses me with her descriptive adventures throughout the entire book and her storylines always maintain my undivided attention throughout the entire story, with plenty of entertaining family-friendly episodes and events.
The author's uncanny ability to create exceptionally talented characters never ceases to amaze me an her apparent knowledge of the subject matter compels me never lay the book aside until the final exciting paragraph!
Most definitely recommend this book, and the series, to everyone loving a family-friendly story with plenty of exciting gunplay and adventure throughout the complete tales of adventurous endeavors by the characters. Lt. Redmon and former Sheriff Wyatt will most definitely touch your heartstrings throughout the entire story. Good reading is awaiting your complete and fulfilling adventures throughout this series of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department!
Another outstanding five star masterpiece by Ms. McKenna, who is gaining popularity among the elite of elite authors I have consistently had the opportunity to follow. This rendition about a small County Sheriff's Department really hits home with me, as I retired from just such a Department a few years ago.
The author definitely impresses me with her descriptive adventures throughout the entire book and her storylines always maintain my undivided attention throughout the entire story, with plenty of entertaining family-friendly episodes and events.
The author's uncanny ability to create exceptionally talented characters never ceases to amaze me an her apparent knowledge of the subject matter compels me never lay the book aside until the final exciting paragraph!
Most definitely recommend this book, and the series, to everyone loving a family-friendly story with plenty of exciting gunplay and adventure throughout the complete tales of adventurous endeavors by the characters. Lt. Redmon and former Sheriff Wyatt will most definitely touch your heartstrings throughout the entire story. Good reading is awaiting your complete and fulfilling adventures throughout this series of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department!
August 23, 2018
Lake Morality: The Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense Series Book 8 is by Dawn Lee McKenna. This book takes place in Apalach, Florida on the Florida coast. Dawn’s descriptions of the setting are such that you feel you are really there or that you have gone back to your favorite small town along the Florida Panhandle. Her characters are quite realistic and the plot is very realistic as well.
Lt. Maggie Redmond is the first officer on the scene of a baby being left in a locked car at the Botanical Gardens. Although it is March, the temperature is up and she has no idea how hot it is inside the car nor how long the baby has been there or has been crying. Without a slimjim, she gets a rock and manages to break the front window in order to get the baby out of the car. She also finds the mother’s purse and keys locked in the car; but the mother is nowhere to be found.
What would cause a Mother to leave her baby in the car like this? She had been seen in the Gardens with her daughter and had all appearances of being a loving Mother. Where is she?
Maggie and her team have to track down the Mother and figure out what is going on. As usual, there are definite twists in the novel. It is another great read in the series
Lt. Maggie Redmond is the first officer on the scene of a baby being left in a locked car at the Botanical Gardens. Although it is March, the temperature is up and she has no idea how hot it is inside the car nor how long the baby has been there or has been crying. Without a slimjim, she gets a rock and manages to break the front window in order to get the baby out of the car. She also finds the mother’s purse and keys locked in the car; but the mother is nowhere to be found.
What would cause a Mother to leave her baby in the car like this? She had been seen in the Gardens with her daughter and had all appearances of being a loving Mother. Where is she?
Maggie and her team have to track down the Mother and figure out what is going on. As usual, there are definite twists in the novel. It is another great read in the series
Read
October 30, 2021People get up to all kinds of mischief out at Lake Morality.
When Kristen Morgan abandoned her baby girl in a locked car, Lt. Maggie Redmond was angry. Though the baby was uninjured, things could have been much worse. When the mother’s body is found two days later, in a lake far outside town on the road to the county prison, Maggie suddenly has more than child endangerment or a missing person on her hands. Kristen Morgan’s family and doctor say that she was depressed and possibly not taking her medication, and that she’d talked about suicide in the past, but Maggie and her fiancé, former Sheriff Wyatt Hamilton, aren’t convinced. When evidence of homicide surfaces, Maggie must discover who wanted a young mother dead, and why. The greatly-anticipated 8th book in the Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense series has plenty of page-turning action and suspense, along with its trademark coastal atmosphere, rich characterization and dry humor.
Good. Finishing series.
When Kristen Morgan abandoned her baby girl in a locked car, Lt. Maggie Redmond was angry. Though the baby was uninjured, things could have been much worse. When the mother’s body is found two days later, in a lake far outside town on the road to the county prison, Maggie suddenly has more than child endangerment or a missing person on her hands. Kristen Morgan’s family and doctor say that she was depressed and possibly not taking her medication, and that she’d talked about suicide in the past, but Maggie and her fiancé, former Sheriff Wyatt Hamilton, aren’t convinced. When evidence of homicide surfaces, Maggie must discover who wanted a young mother dead, and why. The greatly-anticipated 8th book in the Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense series has plenty of page-turning action and suspense, along with its trademark coastal atmosphere, rich characterization and dry humor.
Good. Finishing series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2019
I have so enjoyed the novels in this series. In the first 6 theres a relationship between 3 people, two romantic, one not, but a relationship never the less. From bk 6 the story lines are more about Maggie and the murders, not so much about the other two, who only show up periodically. Each novel covers a very strong issue to the murder, which have been very well done... Just enough info to make the story exciting and readable, (not too much graphic detail). I do wish though that Maggie could radiate some excitement. I know her job often takes the joy out of life, but she has a super fella and a marriage to look forwards to. Never the less, a good read. Love all the characters, but the newest one, the new sheriff may take a while to blend in...... not!
October 15, 2021
Tales from the Gulf Coast
As someone who lives in Florida, I can say with certainty that this series makes a person feel immersed in the west coast. In fact, I began reading the books on a trip away when I was missing the turquoise ocean and the salty air of the Sunshine State. There is also an everyday sweetness to these reads, not in an overwhelming way, but in a kind of nice way that doesn’t rely on over the top sex scenes and gratuitous violence to weave a good story. The ending was perfect. I cried a little, I think, both because the ending felt so right, and because the wonderful author of this book recently passed away and will be missed by so many. Thank you for sharing your stories with us, Dawn.
As someone who lives in Florida, I can say with certainty that this series makes a person feel immersed in the west coast. In fact, I began reading the books on a trip away when I was missing the turquoise ocean and the salty air of the Sunshine State. There is also an everyday sweetness to these reads, not in an overwhelming way, but in a kind of nice way that doesn’t rely on over the top sex scenes and gratuitous violence to weave a good story. The ending was perfect. I cried a little, I think, both because the ending felt so right, and because the wonderful author of this book recently passed away and will be missed by so many. Thank you for sharing your stories with us, Dawn.
May 18, 2022
I really liked this installment of Dawn Lee McKenna's Forgotten Coast series even though the courtly crime lord Bennett Boudreaux barely shows up in the book. But we get a solid crime story with a twist and, at the end, Wyatt and Maggie's long-anticipated wedding.
Also I really liked the opening when the author tells us the story of a new mom's disappearance from the viewpoint of the baby she left behind in her locked car. That took some inventive writing, and it's totally believable.
There's also a terrific scene involving the perpetually arch florists respoinding to a snarky woman gosspiing about Maggie, whom they call "the little sheriff."
My one regret with this book is that there are only two more in the series. Onward!
Also I really liked the opening when the author tells us the story of a new mom's disappearance from the viewpoint of the baby she left behind in her locked car. That took some inventive writing, and it's totally believable.
There's also a terrific scene involving the perpetually arch florists respoinding to a snarky woman gosspiing about Maggie, whom they call "the little sheriff."
My one regret with this book is that there are only two more in the series. Onward!
September 19, 2018
I have enjoyed this series of books. These characters are so well known to me now and I am definitely invested in them. I feel the joy is seeing the beauty of FL while going through the day. An abandoned baby left in a locked car, the missing mother call interrupts Maggie's lunch. She is the closest officer and responds with her partner, Dwight. The case quickly turns as the mother's body shows up ... Sit down and enjoy drifting away to the life of Maggie and Wyatt, the tiny 100 year old Nanny of Maggie's biological father, Stoopid the pet rooster and many more characters fill these books. I didn't want to put this book down.
January 10, 2023
Lake Morality
People can really disappoint you, can't they? I was so hoping to be wrong! But this book was not a disappointment! Another Appalach mystery solved & one long awaited wedding completed! I know I say about the same thing about every book in this series, but only because it's always true! The stories are well written & the characters are well developed. The descriptions of the area are so wonderful that I feel I'm right there! This area is one of my most favorite places & these books are the only way I'll ever visit there again! Give this series a read. You'll be glad you did!
People can really disappoint you, can't they? I was so hoping to be wrong! But this book was not a disappointment! Another Appalach mystery solved & one long awaited wedding completed! I know I say about the same thing about every book in this series, but only because it's always true! The stories are well written & the characters are well developed. The descriptions of the area are so wonderful that I feel I'm right there! This area is one of my most favorite places & these books are the only way I'll ever visit there again! Give this series a read. You'll be glad you did!
August 16, 2023
Police officer, Maggie Redmond, is angry when she finds a baby locked inside a car in her small coastal town of Apalachicola, Florida. When the baby's mother cannot be found, Maggie starts digging deeper into the young mother's life. On the personal side of things, Maggie's upcoming marriage to fellow police officer, Wyatt Hamilton, is fast approaching.
I love the setting of this series, along with the descriptions of the local businesses and townspeople. I also enjoy the behind-the-scenes workings of a small town police department. The author has put so much depth into the characters, that you feel you know them very well. I will really miss this series when it's over!
I love the setting of this series, along with the descriptions of the local businesses and townspeople. I also enjoy the behind-the-scenes workings of a small town police department. The author has put so much depth into the characters, that you feel you know them very well. I will really miss this series when it's over!
January 31, 2018
Dawn Lee McKenna Rocks!
I have read each of Ms. McKenna's books books and each one is as sweet as a delicious ripe peach, bursting with juicy flavor so good you can't wait for the next! Her characters are vibrant and come alive on the page. There is always enough mystery to keep you going until way past your bedtime and her description of Apalacicola is spot on! A wonderful place to visit, though I'd dare say the actual crime rate is much lower. I'd read the back of the cereal box again if Dawn wrote it!
I have read each of Ms. McKenna's books books and each one is as sweet as a delicious ripe peach, bursting with juicy flavor so good you can't wait for the next! Her characters are vibrant and come alive on the page. There is always enough mystery to keep you going until way past your bedtime and her description of Apalacicola is spot on! A wonderful place to visit, though I'd dare say the actual crime rate is much lower. I'd read the back of the cereal box again if Dawn wrote it!
February 13, 2018
Abandoned Baby Found in Car
When Sheriff’s Office Lt. Maggie Redmond responds to the scene of an infant in a closed, locked car, she gets the feeling that something more than just the baby being in a locked car is happening. When the baby’s mother is found dead from drowning the search is on for why she drowned, and was it suicide or murder.
Dawn Lee McKenna has given her faithful readers another captivating mystery in Appalacicola, Florida, on the Forgotten Coast. A well developed storyline and it’s characters.
When Sheriff’s Office Lt. Maggie Redmond responds to the scene of an infant in a closed, locked car, she gets the feeling that something more than just the baby being in a locked car is happening. When the baby’s mother is found dead from drowning the search is on for why she drowned, and was it suicide or murder.
Dawn Lee McKenna has given her faithful readers another captivating mystery in Appalacicola, Florida, on the Forgotten Coast. A well developed storyline and it’s characters.
January 31, 2018
Love these books!
I always read these books in one sitting because I can't stop reading! I've read the whole series and have enjoyed the way the characters repeat in each book and are like old friends revisited. They have been fleshed out over time and familiar as family members. I can't wait to see what happens next for Maggie, Wyatt, Boudreaux and the rest of the family including Stoopid!
I always read these books in one sitting because I can't stop reading! I've read the whole series and have enjoyed the way the characters repeat in each book and are like old friends revisited. They have been fleshed out over time and familiar as family members. I can't wait to see what happens next for Maggie, Wyatt, Boudreaux and the rest of the family including Stoopid!
February 9, 2018
Highly anticipated not disappointed
I have just reread the first seven as I was waiting for number 8. You fall in love with the characters and they become your friends. I cannot say enough about these characters coming alive. Miss Evangeline and the rooster Stoopid!!! Get book number one first and fall in love. Books have comedy, romance and a crime all in one book. Enjoy!!!!!
I have just reread the first seven as I was waiting for number 8. You fall in love with the characters and they become your friends. I cannot say enough about these characters coming alive. Miss Evangeline and the rooster Stoopid!!! Get book number one first and fall in love. Books have comedy, romance and a crime all in one book. Enjoy!!!!!
February 10, 2018
These books make me crave shrimp!!
Dawn Lee McKenna has a way with prose. The Forgotten Coast of Florida comes alive and you are there. From the bugs and heat and smell of diesel fuel on the shrimp boats to being able to smell the flowers and hear Stoopid squawk, McKenna brings it all to life. The murder is secondary to the happenings of the characters. I feel like I know them and I want to go back to Apalach so I can take them all to breakfast at Caroline’s.
Dawn Lee McKenna has a way with prose. The Forgotten Coast of Florida comes alive and you are there. From the bugs and heat and smell of diesel fuel on the shrimp boats to being able to smell the flowers and hear Stoopid squawk, McKenna brings it all to life. The murder is secondary to the happenings of the characters. I feel like I know them and I want to go back to Apalach so I can take them all to breakfast at Caroline’s.
February 21, 2018
Simply amazing
I love this series, it is as if I have lived in the community with Wyatt and Maggie. The Mystery is always a good one and always has twist and turns in it.
A baby locked inside a car, with the keys on the seat. A missing mother and a family looking for answers. Maggie and Wyatt are out trying to find where and why this woman locked her baby in the car.
Did she just walk away? Was she kidnapped? Where had the mother gone?
I love this series, it is as if I have lived in the community with Wyatt and Maggie. The Mystery is always a good one and always has twist and turns in it.
A baby locked inside a car, with the keys on the seat. A missing mother and a family looking for answers. Maggie and Wyatt are out trying to find where and why this woman locked her baby in the car.
Did she just walk away? Was she kidnapped? Where had the mother gone?
July 8, 2018
Lake Morality
Wow!! What a great read! I really like this series: quirky detailed characters--right down to a rooster named Stoopid. A plot that keeps you guessing and a setting in the rural spaces of the South, on the Gulf of Mexico.
A baby is found abandoned in a hot car, windows rolled up and doors locked. The mother is later found dead, drowned, at Lake Morality. This story is sad but truthful as it looks at some of today's families. Hope you enjoy!
Wow!! What a great read! I really like this series: quirky detailed characters--right down to a rooster named Stoopid. A plot that keeps you guessing and a setting in the rural spaces of the South, on the Gulf of Mexico.
A baby is found abandoned in a hot car, windows rolled up and doors locked. The mother is later found dead, drowned, at Lake Morality. This story is sad but truthful as it looks at some of today's families. Hope you enjoy!
October 5, 2018
Another excellent mystery
If you like unexpected endings, you will like Lake Morality. McKenna will make you laugh when she writes about Miss Josephine, the 100 year old Cajun nanny. Meanwhile the romance continues between the ex sheriff and his detective, Maggie. And your adrenaline will spike during take down of the murder suspect. You don’t want to miss this book in The Forgotten Coast series. Recommended for all mystery lovers.
If you like unexpected endings, you will like Lake Morality. McKenna will make you laugh when she writes about Miss Josephine, the 100 year old Cajun nanny. Meanwhile the romance continues between the ex sheriff and his detective, Maggie. And your adrenaline will spike during take down of the murder suspect. You don’t want to miss this book in The Forgotten Coast series. Recommended for all mystery lovers.
November 9, 2019
Car is locked, keys on the front seat, windows rolled up, and one baby in a car seat in the back. They had just been together strolling the gardens, what happened, makes a puzzling case. The lies were many, saying she was probably off her medicine.The wedding for Maggie and Wyatt are coming, they both feel like they are ready now to be a family. Each story seems more complex into the lives of the characters we have meet thru the stories.
January 3, 2021
Deep
There is a weight to these books that is unusual. All the places, the crimes, and the subplots speak of a timelessness and history that is carefully tended by characters that deeply feel it. Friends are for life in these books. Men - if they’re lucky - do the same jobs their fathers did. Even the way the same scenes are replayed in every book reinforce that feeling of timeless depth.
There is a weight to these books that is unusual. All the places, the crimes, and the subplots speak of a timelessness and history that is carefully tended by characters that deeply feel it. Friends are for life in these books. Men - if they’re lucky - do the same jobs their fathers did. Even the way the same scenes are replayed in every book reinforce that feeling of timeless depth.
December 1, 2021
Lake Morality
Surprised me that there was a Lake Morality that I never heard if in 30 years as an Apalachicola resident. Being the only sign maker in Franklin County, at the time, I traveled from Alligator Point to Port St. Joe and up 65 installing signs, but never up that road.
I am really enjoying the walk down memory lane and can't wait to get on to the next book.
Thanks for the stories, so well written. I can smell the smells of home water from here in Belleview, Florida.
Surprised me that there was a Lake Morality that I never heard if in 30 years as an Apalachicola resident. Being the only sign maker in Franklin County, at the time, I traveled from Alligator Point to Port St. Joe and up 65 installing signs, but never up that road.
I am really enjoying the walk down memory lane and can't wait to get on to the next book.
Thanks for the stories, so well written. I can smell the smells of home water from here in Belleview, Florida.
May 29, 2025
I give this book two and half stars actually. It was a little predictable but McKenna's characters and her tight plot make the reading enjoyable despite the wear on this series.
The eighth book in the Forgotten Coast mystery series features sheriff's deputy Maggie Redmond looking for the killer of a young mother. The mother had appeared to abandon her baby, but Maggie learns that she really did it to keep her daughter safe.
Recommend only for series readers.
The eighth book in the Forgotten Coast mystery series features sheriff's deputy Maggie Redmond looking for the killer of a young mother. The mother had appeared to abandon her baby, but Maggie learns that she really did it to keep her daughter safe.
Recommend only for series readers.
January 28, 2018
And the Beat Goes On!
Feel like the main characters are family and Apalach is home away from home. Thanks to Dawn's FB page, the location comes alive. Used to drive to Franklin county some years ago on the job, been to Tates Hell and lost on back roads through the national forest. Thanks for making it all come alive!
Feel like the main characters are family and Apalach is home away from home. Thanks to Dawn's FB page, the location comes alive. Used to drive to Franklin county some years ago on the job, been to Tates Hell and lost on back roads through the national forest. Thanks for making it all come alive!
January 31, 2018
Lake Morality
Another hard-to-put-down Forgotten Coast suspense novel by Dawn Lee McKenna. If you like conspiracy, suspense and emotion - Lake Morality is for you. I read it in two sittings. The author brought back the characters that we know so well and if you don't know this series, I recommend you read all seven before reading this one.
Another hard-to-put-down Forgotten Coast suspense novel by Dawn Lee McKenna. If you like conspiracy, suspense and emotion - Lake Morality is for you. I read it in two sittings. The author brought back the characters that we know so well and if you don't know this series, I recommend you read all seven before reading this one.
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