Secrets in Calusa Cove by Elle James

Sixteen years ago, she was the suspect. This time, she’s the target.

Audra McCain’s life changed forever when her father disappeared deep in the Everglades. The last thing Audra remembers is a sharp pain, flashes of violence, and the horrifying sight of her father being thrown into alligator-infested waters. When she was later found alone, the town of Calusa Cove turned on her, branding her a Stigini—a swamp owl witch.
Now an adult and a seasoned wildlife photographer, Audra returns to Calusa Cove for the annual python challenge, determined to reclaim her life and uncover the truth. But old suspicions die hard. Former friends keep their distance, whispers follow her every step, and someone is determined to ensure she never remembers what really happened that night.
When Dawson Ridge, the town’s new Chief of Police, arrests two men trying to smuggle dynamite into the Everglades, a dangerous chain of events is set in motion—one that places Audra directly in the crosshairs. As Dawson and Audra grow closer, he’s forced to walk a tightrope between his duty to the law and his instincts that she’s being framed. Their investigation leads them deep into the Everglades, where they uncover evidence linking the town’s darkest secrets to a ruthless killer.

But the truth comes at a deadly cost.