Dawn Lee McKenna

My actual rating for this book is 3 ½ stars. I’m rounding up my Goodreads rating to 4 because it hit me on so many levels. I’ve lived a bit north of Port St. Joe all my life, so I know these places and people quite well. Even more, my dad is a retired cop from this area, so, oh man, do I know these people well. (He was a little disturbed by this book, since he knows several of the characters’ IRL counterparts, lol.)

It was by turns fun and difficult to read 'Dead Reckoning', since I show more started it just after the one year anniversary of Hurricane Michael, which severely damaged or even destroyed many of the places in the book. I laughed, I cried. #850Strong

You don’t have to know the area so intimately to get a pretty good sense of the place, however. The authors did a great job ‘translating’ the Panhandle. (It would be a good idea to use Google Maps, though. There is no other way to wrap your head around the geography.)

I loved the humor, which popped up in the most random places and was very… law enforcement. The descriptions of N FL weather were also hilariously accurate: “The sun was right overhead and Evan felt his hair melting before he’d made it halfway across the lot.” True story.

From the viewpoint of a semi-insider, the interaction in the LE community was very well done, as was the investigation itself. I’m really fascinated by Evan Caldwell. The ending, however, wasn’t 100% convincing. Not the resolution, sometimes that just happens. The ending itself was too abrupt and a little too easy. Once an investigation rolls, it rolls fast. But that was more “Law & Order” than most real cases.

If you’re from N FL, this is a must-read. If you’re not from N FL, read it anyway, because it’s really good. show less

My least favorite in the series so far. This seems to be the book where 'that one plot-line that shall remain nameless' starts getting beat slam to death. It shifted focus away from everything else in the book, including what could've been a really good mystery. Instead, the body in the wall and the investigation into it seemed almost like a footnote, yet another thing to drive 'that one plot-line that shall remain nameless'. I'm annoyed enough to have to step away from the series for a show more little while. I'll be back for sure, but I may have to go visit Three Pines before I can deal with these people again. show less

This book got my attention from the start, and no wonder. A flood from the most recent hurricane most certainly can make a lot of changes to buildings and landscapes. On the other hand, what turns out to be a completely unexpected find turns the town's citizens upside-down. Welcome to Apalachicola! Now I am very sorry I haven't discovered this series before. Unusual problems exist in the relationships of the citizens in their everyday lives but the shocking find while renovating a building show more halts almost everything but the investigation. Surprising twists and turns, mistaken answers to questions, I really enjoyed the sometimes shocking and sometimes humorous relationships, hidden secrets and the surprises that go along with it. show less

I read this book somewhat on a lark. I encountered the author on a writer's forum and decided to look into her book, "See You." The blurb drew me in and the "look inside" did it. I bought it before I even read all of the free sample.

I really like the way Dawn writes. We are both southerners, and her writing style resonates with me. Not to mention the story was very interesting.

This book was a bit outside the genres I read, but I absolutely loved it. I laughed out loud and I wept. It will show more touch your heart.

It is a love story, not a traditional romance novel. The ending makes it such, but I enjoyed the ending the most.

It takes place in modern times, and the two protagonists seem a mismatch at first, but as you read their story, it becomes obvious they were made for each other.

I highly recommend "See You."

Dawn is writing another novel called "The Cricket Jar," which I am very much looking forward to. show less