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Showing posts with label Dylan Scott Mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dylan Scott Mystery. Show all posts
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Review: Dying Art by Shirley Wells
Dying Art
Author: Shirley Wells
Release Date: Nov. 12, 2012
Publisher: Carina Press
Dylan Scott Mystery #5
Genre: Mystery
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Dylan Scott vowed never to return to the dreary town of Dawson's Clough. But one visit from a beautiful ex-lover and he's back in Lancashire, investigating a possible murder. The police think Prue Murphy died during a burglary gone wrong, but her sister isn't so sure—and neither is Dylan. After all, the killer overlooked the only valuable thing in Prue's flat.
So who could have wanted the quirky young woman dead, and why? Dylan's search for answers takes him to France, where he discovers Prue's family didn't know her as well as they thought they did. And the more he digs, the more secrets he unearths—secrets someone would kill to keep buried…
What I’m talking about:
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Ex-police office Dylan Scott is an amazing detective with a proven track record. Unfortunately, there isn’t a high demand for solving mysterious deaths. That is until Dylan’s old flame, Madeleine “Maddie” Murphy comes tumbling into his office looking for help with the investigation into her sister Prue’s murder.
Back in Dawson’s Clough, Dylan sifts through the clues, meeting the main players, including Prue’s shady landlord, the owner of a not-very-successful wine bar, and the widow of a renowned artist, who may or may not have been friends with Prue. And as always, Dylan must juggle solving the crime with his family life, and this time, an ex-lover who wants to win Dylan back into her bed.
Oh, I LOVE the Dylan Scott Mysteries! There is just something about the almost anti-hero that has me cheering for him all the way. Dylan is a good man, and we’ve seen this time and time again, over the course of five stories. His life is far from perfect, but he makes the most of it. He loves his wife and kids and works hard.
I’ve said this before, but one of my favorite things about the Dylan Scott books is that we view the crime scene and plot development from multiple points of view. One would think that this would “give away” the murderer, but it actually has the opposite effect. The reader is left wondering “whodunit,” because everyone either seems to be hiding something, or totally innocent. The multiple POVs are never confusing and help move the story forward in such an interesting and exciting manner.
This time around, the case appears fairly straight forward. Prue was killed in her home, and not by a burglar as the police believe. As Dylan uncovers the facts, he discovers that Prue is in possession of a very valuable piece of art, painted by a recently deceased, extremely famous artist. He figures that someone may have wanted to steal the art for profit, but it would have to be someone that knew Prue had the painting. Part of the mystery is figuring out how Prue came to possess something so valuable. I was captivated by the unfolding plot and desperate to solve the crime myself (which I did, but not until almost the end!).
Another thing I adore about Ms. Wells’ mysteries is that we get personal story with the detective work, and Dying Art is no exception. First, we are privy to Dylan being tempted by the memories of his gorgeous ex, Maddie. Oh, and is she a bit loony! I was on edge the entire book, wondering what, if anything, would happen between the two. Let’s just say I love the way Ms. Wells’ wrote the storyline, and am very satisfied with how it went down.
We also continue to follow Dylan’s family life. One of the things I enjoyed immensely in the previous full-length story, Silent Witness, was the deeply touching look at postpartum depression through the eyes of both Dylan and his wife, Bev. I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t see more from Bev’s POV this time around. However, she was front and center, and one of my favorite scenes involved a discussion between Bev and Dylan at a dinner party hosted by Maddie. She provides a fantastic emotional edge to the thrill of murder. We also get more from Dylan’s pot-smoking, hippy mom, who has a few surprises of her own. This subplot was well executed, and I hope it continues into the next book!
Without spoiling the story, I want to mention that there is a twist at the end involving Maddie’s family. I did not see it coming. The resulting revelations felt a bit coerced, but not contrived. I’m okay with what happened, and see the reasons for it, but I sure hope that’s the last we see of the Murphy family.
Dying Art is another great Dylan Scott Mystery. Ms. Wells has a way of immediately hooking me and keeping me invested until every rock has been turned, and the puzzle is solved. But it's more than just a fantastic whodunit… the personal side of Dylan and his family add depth and warmth - just enough to enjoy Dylan, but never too much to turn the mystery into a drama. The multiple POV adds complexity and depth without confusion. You really should pick up Dylan Scott for a great reading escape!
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Reviews in the Series:
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Contest Winner - Shirley Wells
I would like to thank everyone for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About for the guest post by author, Shirley Wells. I also want to give a special thanks to Shirley for sponsoring the giveaway of Carina Press Presents Editor’s Choice Volume 2 and Dead Calm.
Every person that commented was entered into the contest - one entry per person. The winners were selected using random.org.
The Winners are:
for the Anthology:
erin
and for the novella, Dead Calm:
Kretch1
CONGRATULATIONS!!
If you left your email, I will contact you. However, if you did not leave your email for me, please contact me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com so that Shirley may send you the book. If I do not hear from the winners by Monday July 16, 2012 by the end of the day, I will select another winner.
Thank you all so much for stopping by and Happy Reading!
Friday, July 6, 2012
Quickie Review: Dead Calm by Shirley Wells
Dead Calm
Author: Shirley Wells
Release Date: June 4, 2012
Publisher: Carina Press
Dylan Scott Mystery #4
ISBN: #978-1426893889
Genre: Mystery, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Detective Dylan Scott thinks cruising well above the Arctic Circle in November is nothing short of madness. He has zero interest in seeing the elusive aurora borealis, but agrees to the Norwegian holiday to keep his wife and mother happy. At least the biggest problem he'll have to deal with is boredom. But that boredom quickly dissipates when the unpleasant elderly woman in the neighboring cabin is found dead.
Everyone thinks Hanna Larsen had a heart attack. Everyone except Dylan. Dylan is convinced there's a killer aboard the Midnight Sun—a killer who may strike again…
What I’m talking about:
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The story opens with our reluctant hero, Dylan Scott, having a late night run in with the irritable woman staying in the cabin next to his aboard the cruise ship, Midnight Sun. Much to his (and everyone else) surprise, the miserable old woman, Hanna Larsen, is found dead the next morning in her cabin. Everyone assumes it was her heart problems and the stress of traveling that caused her death, but Dylan’s inner private eye sees it differently, especially after he knows he heard someone leaving her cabin at 3:00 AM. Soon Dylan has a fairly long list of suspects and is determined to prove there is more going on than appears.
Once again, Ms. Wells offers a wonderful whodunit with the most lovable Dylan Scott. Dead Calm has all of the ingredients that make each of the full-length Dylan Scott Mysteries engrossing and exciting. Even in this shortened format, the mystery is packed with viable suspects, multiple points-of-view, and a few surprising twists.
I have really grown to love Dylan over the course of reading three (of four) of his stories. He is truly a likable guy - he’s an average “joe,” complete with his own flaws and bad habits. He is annoyed by his mother, doesn’t want to be on this trip, and is obsessed with a dead woman, yet we know he loves his family and does what he can to make them happy. I enjoy reading his point-of-view and seeing how he works out the mystery. I find that I am always trying to solve the case before he does. And while I may guess the correct suspect, there are always doubts planted so that I really am uncertain right up until the end.
For those who have not yet tried one of the Dylan Scott Mysteries, Dead Calm is a great taste of the author’s writing style in a novella-length story. It is offered as a stand alone book, or in a four-author anthology from Carina Press. Although each of the stories are completely stand alone, we do witness wonderful character development from book to book. I also enjoy watching Dylan and wife Bev go from separated to happy once again. SO - if you enjoy a great mystery coupled with stupendous characters and thrilling plots, I highly suggest starting at the beginning with Presumed Dead.
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Author Guest Post & Giveaway: Shirley Wells
Hello Readers! Today I bring you mystery author Shirley Wells. Shirley was born and raised in the Cotswolds (England) and after time spent living in Cyprus and on the idyllic island of Hoy in the Orkneys, she’s now lucky enough to live in the beautiful rolling hills of the east Lancashire Pennines. It’s no surprise then that her mystery novels are set in the area as it saves on research trips.
She’s a dog person and her husband is a cat person. They have two of each which means chaos rules in their house. It also means Shirley has plenty of company during the day. She says that the cats’ computer lessons are coming on well. They now know all there is to know about the fun to be had with the delete key...
Shirley is here today to talk about what types of books she does (and does not) like to read. In addition, Shirley is offering TWO prizes to some lucky commenters. There’s one digital copy of Carina Press Presents Editor’s Choice Volume 2 and one digital copy of her Dylan Scott mystery, Dead Calm, up for grabs. Details for GIVEAWAY are below.
Please help me welcome Shirley to That’s What I’m Talking About. Take it away Shirley...
A huge thank you to Jen for letting me take over the blog!
I ‘met’ Jen through Twitter and she generously offered to review the first book in my Dylan Scott mystery series, Presumed Dead. Was I nervous? Hell, yes. You see, I knew she was a paranormal romance junkie. Not only did she love my book though, she asked (yes, asked!) to read more in the series.
Me? I read mysteries, mysteries and more mysteries. When I need a break from murder and mayhem, I read contemporary romance. But we readers are strange creatures. I’m often heard to say “Oh, I read anything. Well, except science fiction. I hate science fiction. And fantasy. I hate that too. Oh, and paranormal. Can’t bear that.” Then, when asked for a list of my all-time favourite books, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams is always in the Top 5. Yes, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul is a fantasy detective novel featuring holistic detective Dirk Gently.
I think it does us good to have a change of reading diet now and again but, more often than not, we have to be forced into taking a risk on reading something out of our comfort zone.
My latest novella, Dead Calm, a Dylan Scott mystery, has been published as a single title and as part of an anthology: Carina Press Presents Editor’s Choice Volume 2. There are four titles in the anthology. Dance of Flames by Janni Nell, No Money Down by Julie Moffett and Pyro Canyon by Robert Appleton are included along with my own Dead Calm.
Dance of Flames features paranormal investigator Allegra Fairweather and her gorgeous hunky friend, Casper the ghost. Right, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking I don’t like paranormal. Well, I’ve been a huge fan of Allegra and Casper since the first and I couldn’t wait to read Dance of Flames. I wasn’t disappointed. It’s a fabulous story. (And trust me, Casper really is gorgeous!)
No Money Down is a Lexi Carmichael mystery and is pure action adventure mystery. Lexi is SWFG: Single, White, Female, Geek. I read the first Lexi Carmichael story and I’ve been a fan ever since so I was really excited to read this latest installment.
Finally, the anthology features Pyro Canyon by Robert Appleton which is science fiction/space opera. Now, I don’t like science fiction (sorry, Robert), but as it was part of ‘my’ anthology, I had to read it. Let me tell you, I was hooked from the first page. The writing is wonderful and Robert is hugely talented at building a whole new world. I loved Pyro Canyon so much that I had to buy a couple of Robert’s other books, Alien Velocity and Sparks in Cosmic Dust.
So if I ever tell you what I love (or hate) to read, take no notice of me. For me, a good story with strong characters will grab me every time - no matter the genre.
What about you? Are there genres you won’t touch or do you read pretty much anything? Do share - I’m curious.
Oh yes, and I have prizes. There’s one digital copy of Carina Press Presents Editor’s Choice Volume 2 and one digital copy of my Dylan Scott mystery, Dead Calm, up for grabs. All you have to do is leave a comment. Easy-peasy!
Thanks for having me on the blog, Jen!
You can find Shirley on line:
GIVEAWAY: Thank you Shirley for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About. As Shirley mentioned, she’s got prizes! Thank you to Shirley for graciously giving away one (1) one digital copy of Carina Press Presents Editor’s Choice Volume 2 and one (1) digital copy of her Dylan Scott mystery, Dead Calm. To enter, leave a comment telling us what is your favorite genre to read. Please leave your comments for Shirley by Tuesday July 10, 2012, at 10:00 PM EDT to be eligible for the contest. There will be two winners. One entry per person, the winners will be selected from eligible entries using random.org. Contest is open internationally; please leave your email address so the author can send you the book. Thank you to Shirley for this awesome giveaway!
Purchase Info:
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Thursday, April 26, 2012
Review: Silent Witness
Silent Witness
Author: Shirley Wells
Release Date: March 5, 2012
Publisher: Carina Press
Dylan Scott Mystery #3
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Format(s): e-book, audio
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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After his ex-wife bled to death in a bathtub covered in his fingerprints, the case against Aleksander Kaminski seemed open and shut. Though sentenced to life in prison, he swears he's innocent, a claim supported by his current wife.
Private investigator Dylan Scott finds himself drawn back to dreary Lancashire in a search for justice. The evidence against Kaminski is damning, but having been unjustly jailed himself, Dylan is compelled to peruse the case; if there's even a small chance the man is innocent, he has to help. The other obvious suspect - the victim's second husband - has a watertight alibi. But Dylan has a strong hunch that as usual, there's more going on than meets the eye in Dawson's Clough.
The deeper Dylan digs, the more secrets he unearths. The question remains: If Kaminski didn't murder his childhood sweetheart, who did?
What I’m talking about:
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Dylan Scott, ex-police officer and current private investigator, is looking into the murder of Carly Walsingham. Currently, her ex-husband, Alek Kaminski is serving time for her death, but he claims innocence. Alek’s parents (along with current wife, Sue) have hired Dylan to discover the truth and get Alek out of jail. Among the list of suspects: Carly’s second husband: Dr. Neil Walsingham, Jamie Tinsley: a vet at Sue’s animal shelter, Neil’s current mistress: Megan Cole and Neil’s former mistress: Sonia Trueman. Although all evidence points to Alek’s guilt, Dylan Scott is compelled to take the case.
This is my second Dylan Scott Mystery and once again, I am captivated! Ms. Wells has a knack for story-telling that keeps me on my toes and fully engaged until the very end! One of the best things about this story (and series) is that it is told from multiple points of view. This not only gives the reader insight into Dylan’s sleuthing, but paints a different portrait of the victim and events depending on who’s doing the thinking. I never really knew who was guilty until the very end. It is a very effective and suspenseful way to present the story.
Second, I adore Dylan Scott. He is a reluctant "hero," who is human and flawed, but a good man. I enjoy going through his thought processes and watching him interact with suspects. He is still bitter because of his dismissal from the police force (and subsequent incarceration for being too rough with a convict), and it impacts his interactions with everyone. Yet, I think it drives him to be a better detective. He has a way of putting me at ease.
Another wonderful thing about this book is Dylan’s relationship with his family. His interactions with his wife, Bev, are touching and real. There is just enough of his personal life to give the story a compassionate touch, but not overrun the central plot. In addition, we are treated to sections of the story told by Bev. She has a newborn baby and is clearly suffering from postpartum depression. As a mom of two, I understand those feelings and fears, and it is these sections that make Silent Witness something special.
I really don’t have anything negative to say about this book. I am a bit baffled as to why the victim (Carly) had a bruise and what was up with the heightened anxiety Alek experienced. It was the one loose end not wrapped up. Everything else found its place by the end of the tale, and I look forward to more Dylan Scott stories!
Silent Witness is and exciting and at times suspenseful murder mystery. I was left guessing whodunit until close to the end. It's funny that my first inclination was correct. I enjoy how Ms. Wells builds the case and gives her story a human touch.
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Other Reviews in the Series:
Presumed Dead (Dylan Scott #1) Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Review: Presumed Dead
Presumed DeadAuthor: Shirley Wells
Release Date: July 26, 2010
Publisher: Carina Press
Dylan Scott Mysteries Book #1
ISBN: #978-1426890444
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Format(s): e-book
I received a e-copy of this book from the author for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
Dylan Scott has problems. Dismissed in disgrace from the police force for assaulting a suspect, he has no job, his wife has thrown him out and—worse luck—his mother has moved in. So when Holly Champion begs him to investigate the disappearance of her mother thirteen years ago, he can't say no, even though it means taking up residence in the dreary Lancashire town of Dawson's Clough for the duration.
Although the local police still believe Anita Champion took off for a better life, Dylan's inquiries turn up plenty of potential suspects: the drug-dealing, muscle-bound bouncer at the club where Anita was last seen; the missing woman's four girlfriends, out for revenge; the local landowner with rumored mob connections—the list goes on. But no one is telling Dylan all they know—and he soon finds that one sleepy Northern town can keep a lot of secrets.
What I’m talking about:
Heads up and note: THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE. THIS IS NOT A PARANORMAL-THEMED BOOK! *shock* I know... I can expand my horizons!
Okay, so now that I have that out of the way, I want to tell you about this great mystery I just read... First of all, we have our hero, Dylan Scott. The poor man has had a bit of a tough run and we catch him trying to pull his life back to some normalcy. After being kicked off the police force and spending time in jail, his self-esteem and pride have taken a huge hit. His wife is tired of his attitude and kicks him out. Dylan’s chance to turn himself around falls to Holly Champion. He is contacted by Holly to find her missing mother and she persuades him by insisting he is the only one for the job. In order to repair some of the problems in his life, Dylan decides to take on the case, even though he is convinced that nothing good will come of it.
I like Dylan. He’s a good man. His investigative technics are not unusual, but he is so personable that he gets the information he needs from complete strangers. I enjoyed following him around as he searched for the truth. In addition, he is convinced that his wife, Bev, will see the errors of her ways and allow him back into the marital home. His ignorance of their problems, his honest desire to return home and his interactions with his son, Luke, helped shape Dylan and create a lovable character. I found myself pulling for this poor, deluded man the whole time. I shared his enthusiasm for his work and his desire to return home.
The mystery itself is captivating. The story pulled me in quickly, using multiple point-of-views to tell the tale. We are not only privy to Dylan’s thought-process, but we are able to see what the suspects and other players are up to with this very effective writing style. Each turn of events had me guessing and re-writing theories in my mind.
The side characters are also enjoyable. Dylan’s mom doesn’t make much of an appearance, but she is a hoot (or at least how she bothers Dylan is). Simple Stevie is one of those observant, mis-treated, pleasant characters that everyone overlooks except Dylan. And again, Dylan shines in his relationship with Stevie. All of the suspects are plausible and interesting. All-in-all, this is an enjoyable story!
My Rating:
Really enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
READERS: Don’t forget... The author, Shirley Wells, has generously donated an electronic copy of her book, Presumed Dead to giveaway to you. Please leave a comment on this review or on yesterday’s interview with Ms. Wells. The contest is open to everyone (international). Comments must be posted by Thursday October 14, 2010 at 9:00PM EDT.
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