Dead Reckoning

The Still Waters Suspense Series, Book 1

By: Dawn Lee McKenna, Axel Blackwell

Narrated by: Nick Sullivan

The real Florida lies far from the interstates, where there are no dancing mice, bikini-covered beaches, or shopping malls. If you listen closely, beneath the cries of hungry gulls and the rustle of wind through the palm fronds, you might hear it whisper its secrets.

Lieutenant Evan Caldwell is a man adrift, cut loose from a life he thought he knew. His wife has lain comatose for months, and the accident that put her there has raised questions that she’s unable to answer.

With his wife in a nearby hospice, Evan has moved to a boat in the quiet Panhandle town of Port St. Joe, where he works as an investigator with the local sheriff’s office. Evan’s hopes for peace and solitude are shattered when the current sheriff is found murdered. Worse, Evan’s put in the position of interim sheriff while he investigates the murder of his former boss.

Evan keeps coming up with more questions than answers. Questions about what really happened in the dark privacy of the swamp, and questions about what really happened to his marriage and his wife. As the answers begin to surface, he discovers secrets as deep and twisted as the roots of the ancient cypress trees that litter the landscape—secrets that no one wants revealed.

©2017 Dawn Lee McKenna, Axel Blackwell (P)2023 Dawn Lee McKenna, Axel Blackwell

surprise ending

loved this book so much. can't wait to start the next one in the series.

First time listening to this author…

I enjoyed Dead Reckoning by Dawn Lee McLenna and Axel Blackwell. Since Ms. McKenna recently passed away in 2021 I would venture to guess that this is one of the last books she actually had a hard in writing. I just started listening to her books, I hadn’t been familiar with her until she was mentioned in one of Wayne Stinnett’s newsletters (Jesse McDermitt). He also said that her daughters were going to be picking up where she left off. I’m sorry I hadn’t listened to anything written by her before now but I am glad that I finally have.
This is a well written police procedural taking place in the Florida panhandle. The local Sheriff is murdered and the protagonist Evan Caldwell is appointed Sheriff until the next election. He really doesn’t want the job, he’s recently left his investigator job in Miami and the local police aren’t exactly welcoming. But because of who the victim is Evan is able to have a more objective view when looking at possible suspects. The ending was excellent and I never saw it coming.
I had actuality decided to try this book because Nick Sullivan is the narrator and I could listen to him all day! He does an excellent job.
This book is very HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
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Didn’t See It Coming!!!

I purchased this mystery as both Reviewers, Shelly and Wayne, enjoyed this book so I decided to get some relief from a few tedious 15 hr mysteries I have listen to of late. I had forgotten Florida is considered very southern, and this story brings out the good old boys.
There should be a genre “Did not SEE IT Coming”. If you enjoy stories like that, check out Harlan Coban JUST ONE LOOK, Chris Knopf BAD BIRD. Author Tom Lowe has the same tone and cadence as this author and he too sets his mysteries in Florida.
I did enjoy being introduced to this new narrator for me by Shelly’s recommendation.
Were my comments of help?

Simply terrific!!

I was looking for a quick listen when I read Shelley's recent 5-star review of Dead Reckoning. (Shelley is easily the best reviewer of novels of the mystery/thriller genre at Audible.) She mentioned a twist that was unexpected which sold me. This is a complex little story with the mother of all twists at the end. I LOVE this novel!

Easy listen

I loved Dawn Lee McKenna’s other book series set in Apalachicola, Florida - great story lines and character development - and this book was right in line with those. Interesting characters. Good plot. Satisfying ending. Good narrator.