Florida Woman

Rogers’s debut is a tale of creeping suspense set in Florida’s swampy backwaters. Jamie is a Florida woman. She’s weathered countless hurricanes and other storms, too, including her accidental crime going viral on the internet. Hoping to avoid jail time, Jamie begins her community service at Atlas, a sanctuary for monkeys. She’s looking for a fresh start, but far from the beaches, something in the swamp is off. Soon, Jamie finds herself wrapped up in the unsettling secrets of Atlas. Will she get a much-needed new lease on life, or will she be caught up in something much more sinister? Narrator Eileen Stevens is in her element, perfectly conveying the novel’s ominous undertones and leaving readers to guess what will happen next. The beauty of Florida beaches is juxtaposed with the murder, deceit, and danger that lurks in the swampland while playfully addressing the stereotypes of Florida residents that are often in the news.