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The Forgotten Coast #9
Squall Line
In the small, coastal towns of the Florida Panhandle, there are no six degrees of separation; they’re lucky to stretch it to three. Everyone knows everybody, and the loss of any one person is felt by all.
But what happens when a beloved law enforcement officer is shot down, and the shooter is a terrified young man, barely more than a child?
Lt. Maggie Hamilton is devastated when a good friend and fellow officer is shot while trying to keep a bullied high-schooler from making a terrible mistake. Soon after, videos of the event become viral, fanning the flames.
Now both the young man and the bully who victimized him go missing. It suddenly becomes clear that the two boys disappeared together. Who is the aggressor now, and who is most at-risk? As the situation begins to unfold both online and in the real world, everyone is faced with the ramifications of bullying, and with the part that social media plays in making bad situations worse and turning private hells into public tragedies.
This is the ninth book in the bestselling Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense series, known for its rich coastal atmosphere, authentically-textured characters and dry humor.
Please note that an unedited copy of this manuscript was mistakenly released. The correct copy was uploaded on July 1. I apologize for the inconvenience, and for looking like an idiot. /i>
But what happens when a beloved law enforcement officer is shot down, and the shooter is a terrified young man, barely more than a child?
Lt. Maggie Hamilton is devastated when a good friend and fellow officer is shot while trying to keep a bullied high-schooler from making a terrible mistake. Soon after, videos of the event become viral, fanning the flames.
Now both the young man and the bully who victimized him go missing. It suddenly becomes clear that the two boys disappeared together. Who is the aggressor now, and who is most at-risk? As the situation begins to unfold both online and in the real world, everyone is faced with the ramifications of bullying, and with the part that social media plays in making bad situations worse and turning private hells into public tragedies.
This is the ninth book in the bestselling Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense series, known for its rich coastal atmosphere, authentically-textured characters and dry humor.
Please note that an unedited copy of this manuscript was mistakenly released. The correct copy was uploaded on July 1. I apologize for the inconvenience, and for looking like an idiot. /i>
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2018
2163 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Lee McKenna
23 books401 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 124 reviews
June 26, 2018
This is one very powerful book. Yes, all my favorite characters appeared and gave outstanding performances. Sky's valedictorian speech was superb. But, it is a very powerful statement about kids, guns, social media, bullying, families, lives affected and the horrific consequences all the way around. It is also a sad statement of what so many kids have to deal with today. Yes, a very powerful book.
August 18, 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. Stick with these books, they develop wonderfully, along with McKenna's skills as a writer.
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.
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.
This particular book shows teen angst and subsequent troubles that can and do happen, unfortunately. The tragedy derives from a teen-testosterone driven confrontation, enabled by the easy access to guns in America. Maggie performs beautifully throughout, showing her courage and wisdom and heart. I love these characters and especially the settings in the Florida panhandle.
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.
I especially enjoyed Sky's valedictorian speech at her high school graduation. It's wonderful that McKenna has led her to this point, through Maggie's motherhood and the other fine people around her.
Ongoing:
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.
Quotes:
Coming awake, married and happy
Coco had been sleeping with her since she was a puppy. Since the Wedding, it had become her habit to sneak onto the bed once Wyatt was asleep. It had become Wyatt’s habit to wake up in the morning and pretend he was surprised.
Maggie's daughter, Sky giving commencement address:
“We were born into a world that has never been seen before. A world where a high school student in Franklin County can build a lasting friendship with a high schooler in Kenya. A world where it seems like at least half of life is lived online. It’s a world where the cure for cancer is right at our fingertips, and where we see, all the time, that one person really can make a difference, no matter what age they are.”
“Kids like us, the ones born into this generation, have a much greater chance of being bullied and tormented and stalked, and kids like us have much greater opportunities to humiliate, frighten, and attack others.”
.
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. Stick with these books, they develop wonderfully, along with McKenna's skills as a writer.
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.
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.
This particular book shows teen angst and subsequent troubles that can and do happen, unfortunately. The tragedy derives from a teen-testosterone driven confrontation, enabled by the easy access to guns in America. Maggie performs beautifully throughout, showing her courage and wisdom and heart. I love these characters and especially the settings in the Florida panhandle.
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.
I especially enjoyed Sky's valedictorian speech at her high school graduation. It's wonderful that McKenna has led her to this point, through Maggie's motherhood and the other fine people around her.
Ongoing:
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.
Quotes:
Coming awake, married and happy
Coco had been sleeping with her since she was a puppy. Since the Wedding, it had become her habit to sneak onto the bed once Wyatt was asleep. It had become Wyatt’s habit to wake up in the morning and pretend he was surprised.
Maggie's daughter, Sky giving commencement address:
“We were born into a world that has never been seen before. A world where a high school student in Franklin County can build a lasting friendship with a high schooler in Kenya. A world where it seems like at least half of life is lived online. It’s a world where the cure for cancer is right at our fingertips, and where we see, all the time, that one person really can make a difference, no matter what age they are.”
“Kids like us, the ones born into this generation, have a much greater chance of being bullied and tormented and stalked, and kids like us have much greater opportunities to humiliate, frighten, and attack others.”
.
June 26, 2018
Just like old friends
I absolutely love this series, nothing is over done its just right!! I look forward each time a new one comes out. Each book has made me feel right there. So much truth and feeling without over doing it!!
I absolutely love this series, nothing is over done its just right!! I look forward each time a new one comes out. Each book has made me feel right there. So much truth and feeling without over doing it!!
June 26, 2018
Okay! The book needed proofreading but those things don't bother me. It's the story and the characters that matter and this book has plenty of both!!
July 9, 2018
Dawn Lee McKenna continues to show why she earns her high rankings! In Squall Line she takes a subject from the headlines and shows not just one side of it, but how the events affect everyone concerned. I'm guessing that this book would have been her hardest to write, and it's definitely one of, if not THE best she's written.
October 22, 2018
Another book in a series I've read for over a year now that takes place where I vacation. Always a quick read.
August 13, 2018
Squall Line: The Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense Series Book 9 is by Dawn Lee McKenna. This is the ninth book but I can assure you I will be going back and reading the first eight books. This book was absolutely fantastic. As a suspense, it definitely kept the suspense building throughout the book. The situations were definitely realistic and could happen anywhere in the US at any time. The characters jumped off the page and you could see and feel them next to you as you read. The descriptions of the area in Florida where this takes place are wonderful. Having been in that area, I felt like I was back there watching this take place.
Ryan Warner wanted only to finish his last year of school and get out of this place. He didn’t mind the area and he did have family nearby; but he didn’t like the high school. Since the day he arrived he had been bullied but in such a way that the school was unable to do anything about it. There were never any witnesses so it was his word against the bully’s. The day before, the bullies caught him in the science lab where he was feeding the mice and ganged up on him. In the process, he wet his pants and they caught it on tape. They put it all over the Internet on YouTube just to embarrass him. This was the last straw, he took his Dad’s pistol to school to scare those bullies. He didn’t use it until he got off the bus and they began harassing him again. He then brought it out to scare them. A police officer came upon the scene. He was meeting his small daughter when she got off the bus. Instead, he found himself trying to calm the scene down. As he was talking to Ryan to put the gun down, one of the other boys threw his backpack and hit Ryan’s arm and the gun went off. The officer was hit; but managed to get the bus driver to drive the bus away with his daughter on board before he fell.
In the ensuing commotion of getting the officer to the hospital, Ryan ran away and the other boys went home. Later, Adrian took his car and left home. Now the police had two boys missing. One had just accidentally shot a police office and the other was involved. Was Ryan holding Adrian hostage? Did Ryan shoot Adrian? Were they even together?
The police are trying to find the boys while the officer is fighting for his life. Will the police find them in time?
Ryan Warner wanted only to finish his last year of school and get out of this place. He didn’t mind the area and he did have family nearby; but he didn’t like the high school. Since the day he arrived he had been bullied but in such a way that the school was unable to do anything about it. There were never any witnesses so it was his word against the bully’s. The day before, the bullies caught him in the science lab where he was feeding the mice and ganged up on him. In the process, he wet his pants and they caught it on tape. They put it all over the Internet on YouTube just to embarrass him. This was the last straw, he took his Dad’s pistol to school to scare those bullies. He didn’t use it until he got off the bus and they began harassing him again. He then brought it out to scare them. A police officer came upon the scene. He was meeting his small daughter when she got off the bus. Instead, he found himself trying to calm the scene down. As he was talking to Ryan to put the gun down, one of the other boys threw his backpack and hit Ryan’s arm and the gun went off. The officer was hit; but managed to get the bus driver to drive the bus away with his daughter on board before he fell.
In the ensuing commotion of getting the officer to the hospital, Ryan ran away and the other boys went home. Later, Adrian took his car and left home. Now the police had two boys missing. One had just accidentally shot a police office and the other was involved. Was Ryan holding Adrian hostage? Did Ryan shoot Adrian? Were they even together?
The police are trying to find the boys while the officer is fighting for his life. Will the police find them in time?
June 27, 2018
Maggie is definitely one of the most rewarding characters I have ever read. She and Wyatt make an ideal couple and the are always prepared for the worst case scenario. This series improves with each new episode and the excitement never ceases.
Another outstanding five stars episode of an exceptionally well defined group of characters and, as always, the greatest storylines I have had the opportunity to follow. Ms. McKenna does an excellent job with her descriptive episodes throughout the entire story.
I am basically a reader of western adventures, but this series is unsurpassed in quality and the author does an outstanding job with her very heartwarming stories. I have been very impressed with the her apparent knowledge and research that produces more than enough interesting episodes throughout the entire story.
I am definitely looking forward to the next thrilling release of Maggie and Wyatt's ongoing adventures and entertaining escapades of small town law enforcement. The author definitely impresses me with her descriptive episodes and thrilling drama that never ceases to amaze me.
I, most certainly, recommend this series to all readers loving another great masterpiece of love, friendship and never ending adventures of super heroes in small town law enforcement. This series improves with each new episode and the excitement never ceases throughout the entire process. If you fail to follow Maggie and Wyatt, it will be the greatest loss of entertainment you will ever miss!😂
Another outstanding five stars episode of an exceptionally well defined group of characters and, as always, the greatest storylines I have had the opportunity to follow. Ms. McKenna does an excellent job with her descriptive episodes throughout the entire story.
I am basically a reader of western adventures, but this series is unsurpassed in quality and the author does an outstanding job with her very heartwarming stories. I have been very impressed with the her apparent knowledge and research that produces more than enough interesting episodes throughout the entire story.
I am definitely looking forward to the next thrilling release of Maggie and Wyatt's ongoing adventures and entertaining escapades of small town law enforcement. The author definitely impresses me with her descriptive episodes and thrilling drama that never ceases to amaze me.
I, most certainly, recommend this series to all readers loving another great masterpiece of love, friendship and never ending adventures of super heroes in small town law enforcement. This series improves with each new episode and the excitement never ceases throughout the entire process. If you fail to follow Maggie and Wyatt, it will be the greatest loss of entertainment you will ever miss!😂
April 24, 2019
Dawn Lee McKenna hits it out of the park with another 5 star book.
Each of her works in this series deals tastefully with contemporary issues-- rape, out of wedlock pregnancy, murder, greed, a devasting hurricane, premarital dating in the workplace, workplace issues with a not so good boss, raising kids, family dysfunction, drugs, secrets, shady characters, and in this one the school issues with bullying, zero tolerance, good and bad parenting, cyberbullying, and
weapons at school.
Dawn Lee skillfully deals with all these things in a way that while at times is highly emotionally charged, there is almost none of the cruel gruesomeness that society finds so entertaining today. Strong family and moral values are emphasized, which is refreshing.
Each successive book continues to develop characters in the previous books, turning minor characters into more major ones, some at least temporarily.
Her descriptions of Apalachicola are spot on, so good in fact that the first time I visited this little town after reading the first 5 or 6 books, I could find my way around town easily. I patronized many of the businesses and restaurants that are real, half expecting to see characters from her books seated at the next table! ( and some of the people are real-- I've met a few!)
This suspenseful series about Florida's Forgotten Coast is well worth the effort for a causal and enjoyable read.
Number 10's release is delayed from this month to next, and I am so looking forward to it!
Each of her works in this series deals tastefully with contemporary issues-- rape, out of wedlock pregnancy, murder, greed, a devasting hurricane, premarital dating in the workplace, workplace issues with a not so good boss, raising kids, family dysfunction, drugs, secrets, shady characters, and in this one the school issues with bullying, zero tolerance, good and bad parenting, cyberbullying, and
weapons at school.
Dawn Lee skillfully deals with all these things in a way that while at times is highly emotionally charged, there is almost none of the cruel gruesomeness that society finds so entertaining today. Strong family and moral values are emphasized, which is refreshing.
Each successive book continues to develop characters in the previous books, turning minor characters into more major ones, some at least temporarily.
Her descriptions of Apalachicola are spot on, so good in fact that the first time I visited this little town after reading the first 5 or 6 books, I could find my way around town easily. I patronized many of the businesses and restaurants that are real, half expecting to see characters from her books seated at the next table! ( and some of the people are real-- I've met a few!)
This suspenseful series about Florida's Forgotten Coast is well worth the effort for a causal and enjoyable read.
Number 10's release is delayed from this month to next, and I am so looking forward to it!
June 25, 2022
A good read but not the best book in Dawn Lee McKenna's Forgotten Coast series. The set-up: On the day he's supposed to get promoted, Lt. Maggie Redmond Hamilton's best friend, Deputy Dwight Schultz tries to break up a confrontation at a bus stop and winds up getting accidentally shot.
The boy who shot him, a senior in the same high school class as Maggie's daughter Sky, is a transfer student who has lost his dad in a car crash. A group of bigger boys have been bullying him all school year, and they posted an embarrassing video of him on social media. He and his mother have been frustrated by the lack of action by school officials, So the kid takes a .22 pistol to school, then realizes it's a mistake, doesn't take it out while he's in school.
But as he's about to get off the school bus and go home, he sees those same boys gathered waiting for him. Sure enough, when he steps off the bus, they crowd around and start giving him grief -- so he yanks out the gun to scare them.
Schultz sees what's happening, tries to calm everything down and is on the verge of taking the gun away when one of the bullies tosses his backpack at the kid, making the gun go off. Schultz, shot in the stomach, goes down, and the kid, still armed, runs away -- dragging along the chief bully.
The sheriff's office tries for several days to find them, and ultimately Maggie's the one who -- well, I don't want to give it all away. But social media plays a role, and so does one of Maggie's kids. The search drives most of the plot, parallelling the medical efforts to save Schultz and make sure he's OK.
Bennett Boudreaux pops only briefly in this book, which is a disappointment. And once the situation with the missing kids is resolved, we never find out what happens to the shooter. The kid was all set to go to the University of Central Florida on scholarship and become a vet before his life went off the rails, and I was seriously disappointed that that was left up in the air.
On the other hand, I don't want to complain too much because I know the author was dealing with serious medical issues while writing this, and I am sure that occupied most of her attention. There's one more book in this series and because it's the last one, I will wait to read it.
The boy who shot him, a senior in the same high school class as Maggie's daughter Sky, is a transfer student who has lost his dad in a car crash. A group of bigger boys have been bullying him all school year, and they posted an embarrassing video of him on social media. He and his mother have been frustrated by the lack of action by school officials, So the kid takes a .22 pistol to school, then realizes it's a mistake, doesn't take it out while he's in school.
But as he's about to get off the school bus and go home, he sees those same boys gathered waiting for him. Sure enough, when he steps off the bus, they crowd around and start giving him grief -- so he yanks out the gun to scare them.
Schultz sees what's happening, tries to calm everything down and is on the verge of taking the gun away when one of the bullies tosses his backpack at the kid, making the gun go off. Schultz, shot in the stomach, goes down, and the kid, still armed, runs away -- dragging along the chief bully.
The sheriff's office tries for several days to find them, and ultimately Maggie's the one who -- well, I don't want to give it all away. But social media plays a role, and so does one of Maggie's kids. The search drives most of the plot, parallelling the medical efforts to save Schultz and make sure he's OK.
Bennett Boudreaux pops only briefly in this book, which is a disappointment. And once the situation with the missing kids is resolved, we never find out what happens to the shooter. The kid was all set to go to the University of Central Florida on scholarship and become a vet before his life went off the rails, and I was seriously disappointed that that was left up in the air.
On the other hand, I don't want to complain too much because I know the author was dealing with serious medical issues while writing this, and I am sure that occupied most of her attention. There's one more book in this series and because it's the last one, I will wait to read it.
December 5, 2021
Just finished the 9th book in this series and what I'm about to say should have been said a couple of books back. First off let me say that I enjoy these books immensely. They are well written and entertaining, easy reading. I do have a couple of issues that I felt needed addressing. A book or 2 back, not sure which, the Toyota pickup truck that was David's and then became Sky's suddenly became a Ford Ranger for that book but has since gone back to being a Toyota. Not sure how that one slipped through the cracks. The other thing that kind of has me shaking my head is Maggie's continuing to drive the 10 year old Jeep Cherokee after it having gone thru Hurricane Faye in book 4 Landfall. I mean come on, the Jeep took out the stairs of her house and I would assume got washed away just as far as Boudreaux's F450 did in the flooding and yet in the very next book she's still driving the same vehicle. Should have thought that through a little better I'm thinking. Like I said at the beginning, I do really enjoy these books and only wish there would be many more forthcoming but as we all know Ms McKenna lost her battle with cancer. This woman brought her characters and their lives to life for us and I can truly say I have enjoyed everything she wrote and will miss seeing future creations from her. God bless.
Read
November 1, 2021In the small, coastal towns of the Florida Panhandle, there are no six degrees of separation; they’re lucky to stretch it to three. Everyone knows everybody, and the loss of any one person is felt by all.
But what happens when a beloved law enforcement officer is shot down, and the shooter is a terrified young man, barely more than a child?
Lt. Maggie Hamilton is devastated when a good friend and fellow officer is shot while trying to keep a bullied high-schooler from making a terrible mistake. Soon after, videos of the event become viral, fanning the flames.
Now both the young man and the bully who victimized him go missing. It suddenly becomes clear that the two boys disappeared together. Who is the aggressor now, and who is most at-risk? As the situation begins to unfold both online and in the real world, everyone is faced with the ramifications of bullying, and with the part that social media plays in making bad situations worse and turning private hells into public tragedies.
Good. One more in series to finish.
But what happens when a beloved law enforcement officer is shot down, and the shooter is a terrified young man, barely more than a child?
Lt. Maggie Hamilton is devastated when a good friend and fellow officer is shot while trying to keep a bullied high-schooler from making a terrible mistake. Soon after, videos of the event become viral, fanning the flames.
Now both the young man and the bully who victimized him go missing. It suddenly becomes clear that the two boys disappeared together. Who is the aggressor now, and who is most at-risk? As the situation begins to unfold both online and in the real world, everyone is faced with the ramifications of bullying, and with the part that social media plays in making bad situations worse and turning private hells into public tragedies.
Good. One more in series to finish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2022
Squall Line
Squall Line by Dawn Lee Mckenna is a very relevant book for our day. It deals with bullying and the possibility of a school shooting. Even though I dealt with being bullied from elementary school through high school, I never had to see it being posted on social media. Growing up being beat up every day I never fought back because I never wanted anyone to hurt as much as they made me hurt. But would those feelings be different if all the name calling and the fists was played back on Facebook live for all to see. The boy in this book was able to deal with being bullied at his new school ( for his senior year) until an incident was posted on utube.
That resulted in a gun being brought to school and a shooting occurred.
My question for you here who is more responsible for this accidental shooting the child who was bullied all year or the children who did the bullying. We need to change the laws in this country, so that our school system has the power to help stop bullying instead of turning a block nd eye to it because they are afraid of being sued.
Squall Line by Dawn Lee Mckenna is a very relevant book for our day. It deals with bullying and the possibility of a school shooting. Even though I dealt with being bullied from elementary school through high school, I never had to see it being posted on social media. Growing up being beat up every day I never fought back because I never wanted anyone to hurt as much as they made me hurt. But would those feelings be different if all the name calling and the fists was played back on Facebook live for all to see. The boy in this book was able to deal with being bullied at his new school ( for his senior year) until an incident was posted on utube.
That resulted in a gun being brought to school and a shooting occurred.
My question for you here who is more responsible for this accidental shooting the child who was bullied all year or the children who did the bullying. We need to change the laws in this country, so that our school system has the power to help stop bullying instead of turning a block nd eye to it because they are afraid of being sued.
June 27, 2018
I think the subject matter was appropriate for the times. I've always liked the characters. I lived in the FL panhandle for 30 yrs so I can identify with some of the references. I read this book in just a matter of hours. I'm not a speed reader, the author just seemed like she rushed through the story. I felt as though I read the Cliff's Notes version. I wish she could have built it up a bit more so as a reader I could sit back and relax, get absorbed into the story. Good story but I'm left feeling there could have been more.
Now for a petty criticism for all authors. Please use spellcheck/grammarcheck. It makes no sense for someone who writes for a living, and has editors, to have misspelled words in their printed material.
Now for a petty criticism for all authors. Please use spellcheck/grammarcheck. It makes no sense for someone who writes for a living, and has editors, to have misspelled words in their printed material.
September 23, 2018
guess who is married?
Dwight is being promoted to sgt.
stooped lives in the house now - (has anyone ever heard of chicken diapers?)
a relentless bully drives a good kid to kid to commit a felony
sky steps in to help the kid and is in harm's way
Maggie is in a hostage exchange
have we tied the hands of our teachers and school administrators? can bullies keep on terrorizing other kids, and get away with it, because their minions vouch for them, because they run in packs; because that's how bullies operate - they need to feel "big". they get that feeling when they torment others and from their underlings. so whose fault is it when the tormented kid brings a gun to school and targets the bullies? what could have been done different?
Dwight is being promoted to sgt.
stooped lives in the house now - (has anyone ever heard of chicken diapers?)
a relentless bully drives a good kid to kid to commit a felony
sky steps in to help the kid and is in harm's way
Maggie is in a hostage exchange
have we tied the hands of our teachers and school administrators? can bullies keep on terrorizing other kids, and get away with it, because their minions vouch for them, because they run in packs; because that's how bullies operate - they need to feel "big". they get that feeling when they torment others and from their underlings. so whose fault is it when the tormented kid brings a gun to school and targets the bullies? what could have been done different?
October 29, 2021
When you think it can't get any better
Amazing writing, riveting plot. I'm embarrassed that I avoided this author because she was a woman. So many stories will remain untold. Rest in peace, Dawn Lee.
As she mentioned, writing about real places make the story come alive. There is one tropical author who has fictitious locations and because of that it is impossible to relate. I am a Floridian, know all these locations well, and can become very involved in the book. It makes it real to me. Now, if I was reading a series about a location in the Midwest or any other place than Florida, I guess it wouldn't matter to me. It will leave an unfinished place in my mind when I finish all of her works.
Amazing writing, riveting plot. I'm embarrassed that I avoided this author because she was a woman. So many stories will remain untold. Rest in peace, Dawn Lee.
As she mentioned, writing about real places make the story come alive. There is one tropical author who has fictitious locations and because of that it is impossible to relate. I am a Floridian, know all these locations well, and can become very involved in the book. It makes it real to me. Now, if I was reading a series about a location in the Midwest or any other place than Florida, I guess it wouldn't matter to me. It will leave an unfinished place in my mind when I finish all of her works.
June 28, 2018
WOW! This really hit home.
Teresa Gabelman
Recently, Kelly Clarkson stated that we needed action because a moment of silence wasn't working. Well, I believe Dawn Lee McKenna may have heard that plea. I love this series, actually, everything by this author. I dove into this expecting to enjoy a great fictional story. However, the more I read, the more real the story became. I love this series and appreciate how Mckenna used the characters we love so much to address a growing crisis. I wish everyone would read this. I wish the commencement speech could be given at every graduation.
Teresa Gabelman
Recently, Kelly Clarkson stated that we needed action because a moment of silence wasn't working. Well, I believe Dawn Lee McKenna may have heard that plea. I love this series, actually, everything by this author. I dove into this expecting to enjoy a great fictional story. However, the more I read, the more real the story became. I love this series and appreciate how Mckenna used the characters we love so much to address a growing crisis. I wish everyone would read this. I wish the commencement speech could be given at every graduation.
August 17, 2018
WOW
What a remarkably straight-forward look at the upsurge that is bullying in today’s society. In this day and age, bullying has become commonplace everywhere from the home, to schools, to the workplace, and even to the innocuous online poker table. Abusive parents do it, students AND teachers do it, co-workers AND bosses do it, and I have even found it while trying to play a fun game of poker in the form of players that will put an exorbitant number of chips into the pot, just to scare off other players and win a very small amount of chips. In my opinion, this has been the best book in this series.
What a remarkably straight-forward look at the upsurge that is bullying in today’s society. In this day and age, bullying has become commonplace everywhere from the home, to schools, to the workplace, and even to the innocuous online poker table. Abusive parents do it, students AND teachers do it, co-workers AND bosses do it, and I have even found it while trying to play a fun game of poker in the form of players that will put an exorbitant number of chips into the pot, just to scare off other players and win a very small amount of chips. In my opinion, this has been the best book in this series.
January 11, 2023
Squall Line
This is exactly where I hate to be! Finishing the next to last book in a series! I have loved all of these books, except the Prequel, & probably would've loved it, too, if I'd read it first, instead of halfway through the series! As usual, the book is well written & the characters are well developed. I don't believe Ms. McKenna knows how to write a bad book! Set in a sweet Southern Town whose heyday was before the Civil War, with beautiful sugar sand beaches just across the Bay. What's not to like? Well, there's always something! This time it all hinges on the horrible modern-day plague, bullies! See how it all turns out!
This is exactly where I hate to be! Finishing the next to last book in a series! I have loved all of these books, except the Prequel, & probably would've loved it, too, if I'd read it first, instead of halfway through the series! As usual, the book is well written & the characters are well developed. I don't believe Ms. McKenna knows how to write a bad book! Set in a sweet Southern Town whose heyday was before the Civil War, with beautiful sugar sand beaches just across the Bay. What's not to like? Well, there's always something! This time it all hinges on the horrible modern-day plague, bullies! See how it all turns out!
June 30, 2018
I am so hooked on this series by Dawn Lee McKenna. Squall Line is the ninth and now I have to wait until number ten comes out. I read it will be here in August. Main character, Maggie, is one of those strong southern women who is a mother, a detective with the sheriff's department, and a newly-wed wife. The things she gets herself into are incredible. The fictional characters of the small town of Apalachicola are so real I'm sure I'll recognize them when I visit. One of these days I'll get there. There is one bad thing about Squall Line. It was over too soon.
July 2, 2018
Extremely relevant
Very relevant to our time. It seems we all live our lives on the internet. I remember when people had actual face to face conversations. Now people speak in shorthand in texts and on FB with smiley faces. I much prefer an old fashioned phone call or conversation. I just wish people would be more like Sky. Unfortunately, meaness seems to be the currency of the day and appears to be the new normal of political correctness.Thank you for putting Stoopid into the book. Just love that guy! Waiting for the next release.
Very relevant to our time. It seems we all live our lives on the internet. I remember when people had actual face to face conversations. Now people speak in shorthand in texts and on FB with smiley faces. I much prefer an old fashioned phone call or conversation. I just wish people would be more like Sky. Unfortunately, meaness seems to be the currency of the day and appears to be the new normal of political correctness.Thank you for putting Stoopid into the book. Just love that guy! Waiting for the next release.
October 12, 2018
Squall Line
Another great visit to Apalach!
I found this book to be so bittersweet in many ways. The plot covers bullying in social media and in person. An officer is shot trying to break up a fight at the bus stop. The shooter runs and later kidnaps one of the bullies.
If you've been reading the series, you will want to know what Maggie does and how the situation is resolved. You will try to decide if the shooter is good or bad and the mixed emotion involved. And you will want to know how Sky handles a coming of age.
Another great visit to Apalach!
I found this book to be so bittersweet in many ways. The plot covers bullying in social media and in person. An officer is shot trying to break up a fight at the bus stop. The shooter runs and later kidnaps one of the bullies.
If you've been reading the series, you will want to know what Maggie does and how the situation is resolved. You will try to decide if the shooter is good or bad and the mixed emotion involved. And you will want to know how Sky handles a coming of age.
December 3, 2019
Lots of suspense
This book was so in tune with what are world faces all the time now....kids taking guns to school. This is another captivating book by Ms. McKenna that does a good job holding interest. I start one and can hardly stop reading until I am totally finished with the book. My only objection is there wasn't enough info at the end about what happens to the kid that was a primary character. One can only speculate unless the next one elaborates more. Happy Reading!
This book was so in tune with what are world faces all the time now....kids taking guns to school. This is another captivating book by Ms. McKenna that does a good job holding interest. I start one and can hardly stop reading until I am totally finished with the book. My only objection is there wasn't enough info at the end about what happens to the kid that was a primary character. One can only speculate unless the next one elaborates more. Happy Reading!
June 9, 2020
One smart kid
You know you get invested in these characters as if we know them, but when their children take on the properties of a main character, and you love them, you know a) you're hooked and b) you've got one great author. Of course there is a crime here, it's a police suspense mystery after all, and yes, it gets solved. But for me the biggest kicker and most surprising reaction came in the very last page. Social commentary from the valedictory high school senior and a surprise fulfilling recovery. Great job Dawn Lee. Thank you!
You know you get invested in these characters as if we know them, but when their children take on the properties of a main character, and you love them, you know a) you're hooked and b) you've got one great author. Of course there is a crime here, it's a police suspense mystery after all, and yes, it gets solved. But for me the biggest kicker and most surprising reaction came in the very last page. Social commentary from the valedictory high school senior and a surprise fulfilling recovery. Great job Dawn Lee. Thank you!
May 1, 2022
I finished books nine (Squall Line) and ten (Overbord) in Dawn Lee McKenna’s 10-book, Forgotten Coast series. While I found the entire series captivating, these last two books had me reading late into the night. They are excellent. McKenna, bless her dearly departed soul, is a talented storyteller, whose characters jump off the page in the small coastal town of Apalachicola, FL. If you live in Florida and like mystery, start at the beginning and fall in love with Maggie and Walt, reluctant lovers in the Apalach Sheriff’s Office, and a host of characters who make this series a must read.
August 22, 2018
Riveting
This was another book I found difficult to put down. While it dealt with a kid who takes a gun to school it didn't "preach" about gun control. I have a granddaughter who has been bullied in middle school. Her family has also experienced the zero tolerance policies when she stood up for herself. Dawn Lee McKenna made some excellent points in Sky's Valedictorian address.
Can't wait for the next Forgotten Coast Florida book so I'm going to start on her new series!
This was another book I found difficult to put down. While it dealt with a kid who takes a gun to school it didn't "preach" about gun control. I have a granddaughter who has been bullied in middle school. Her family has also experienced the zero tolerance policies when she stood up for herself. Dawn Lee McKenna made some excellent points in Sky's Valedictorian address.
Can't wait for the next Forgotten Coast Florida book so I'm going to start on her new series!
September 17, 2019
Two themes strike me as I begin reading this story:
1) That a seventeen-year-old boy had ready access to a handgun
2) That a perceived lack of any action to deal with the bullying he was suffering and put a stop to it made him feel he had to use it.
The sad outcomes that follow are an all too familiar story in America.
The final chapters read like a social media lecture. And I may sound like a broken record but the text needs another edit.
1) That a seventeen-year-old boy had ready access to a handgun
2) That a perceived lack of any action to deal with the bullying he was suffering and put a stop to it made him feel he had to use it.
The sad outcomes that follow are an all too familiar story in America.
The final chapters read like a social media lecture. And I may sound like a broken record but the text needs another edit.
November 16, 2019
Superb, powerful message, captivating, with the cast of characters all in it. The daughter is following in her mother’s footsteps. With Wyatt and Maggie married, Sky has matured, and ready for college. The mark of bullies, harassment, and steps not taken to stop before it escalated with a gun being taken to school. Her speech was great about those, and going back to the basic. Looking for the next Story of how things will change in their household.
November 7, 2020
Incredible read for everyone today
This book may be fiction but it carries a message for everyone today. It covers the impact of school bullying and social media but it is just as relevant for adults who have adapted social media as a bullying tool. Everyday people leverage a medium that wasn’t in popular use 10+ years ago.
I have written numerous articles on this topic to job seekers but this book says it so well. Read it and especially the end.
This book may be fiction but it carries a message for everyone today. It covers the impact of school bullying and social media but it is just as relevant for adults who have adapted social media as a bullying tool. Everyday people leverage a medium that wasn’t in popular use 10+ years ago.
I have written numerous articles on this topic to job seekers but this book says it so well. Read it and especially the end.
June 27, 2018
Big whew!
A story for today told with understanding. So much to love in this series with, now, old friends keeping Apalachicola as safe as they can. Searching for a kid with a gun & a hostage while not knowing the fate of fellow officer Dwight keeps everyone tense but Maggie & Wyatt have to keep it together. Tense, funny, loving & worth every minute reading!
A story for today told with understanding. So much to love in this series with, now, old friends keeping Apalachicola as safe as they can. Searching for a kid with a gun & a hostage while not knowing the fate of fellow officer Dwight keeps everyone tense but Maggie & Wyatt have to keep it together. Tense, funny, loving & worth every minute reading!
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