The Girl from Felony Bay by J. E. Thompson*

Abbey Force is determine to prove her father's innocence.  Her town thinks he stole Mrs. Jenkins' gold and jewelry.  He cannot defend himself because he is in a coma.
Abbey is feisty and intelligent as she maneuvers around corrupt adult and solves the mystery at Felony Bay.  In the process she befriends Bee who has her own set of troubles and heartache.
Lots of conflict: man vs. man, man vs. self and man vs. nature.
After reading this book, I do not want to live in the deep south!  Cottonmouths and alligators?  No Thank You!!
I did not like how the book ended with her father still in a coma.
**I just saw online that there is a sequel called Disappearance at Hangman's Bluff.  
*Highly recommend.
Mr. Thompson has created a well-developed character in Abbey and an exciting mystery.
I did, however, find a couple of typos which really bothers me when I am reading a published book!
**
Warnings/points to discuss: Abbey's uncle is an alcoholic.  Abbey lives with him and his wife Ruth.  He is quite cruel towards Abbey.  The one police officer in the story is corrupt plus he is abusive towards his son and wife.  The antagonists in this story try to kill Abbey and Bee by feeding them to the mama alligator.  They also kidnap the girls and one other boy.  All the characters lie at some point.