Wednesday 17 October 2012

Presumed Dead – A Dylan Scott Mystery


This is a first in a series of five, and going on this particular book I would be very happy (and in fact look forward) to reading the rest in the series.


I won Shirley Well’s book a while ago and finally felt ready to actually sit and read a book ... especially as Alex’ and Ciara’s “Did I Notice Your Book Blogfest” is today.


I thoroughly enjoyed the read ... Dylan Scott is one of those investigators, who mulls through his thought processes, engages in the seedy side of investigative thoroughness ... while easily drawing me along in this tale of “Presumed Dead”.


The search is on for a missing mother – the reality is there – I certainly could see this easily transcribed into a tv murder mystery ... a lady with a weakness for shoes ... bright red killer heels, lime green ankle breakers – completely out of context set in the whereabouts of a mobile home.


Ciara Knight's Blog 
Shirley’s descriptions seem to fit with my understanding of England in the time span – the last 40 years or so – I can relate to everything ... I followed along, I cross-questioned her interrogations and thought processes in the story – I was happily transported: I had to find out the answer.


The dialogue is great ... Presumed Dead is all so readable ... easy to get lost in, absorbed and happily so – I highly recommend Shirley’s book ...


I wonder how long before she turns up here?!  I hope I have enticed you to give her book a go ... a really good read for an afternoon in winter, wrapped up against the snowy chill ...


... you might need that support against the icy scenes, or those characters wanting to jump out at you... too realistically ... I’m glad I don’t live on the wild side!


Presumed Dead will appeal to all readers ... I am certain you’ll enjoy it too ... let me know!


Presumed Dead – falls into the Crime Fiction/Murder Mystery genre – the synopsis and detail can be found here: Shirley Wells Presumed Dead 


I found the Carina Press link not working while the Amazon US link had no price detail, however the Amazon UK site is here for the kindle edition 



I am sure Shirley will correct these aspects, or amend the link pages ... (once she gets here!)


Barnes & Noble – it’s available as a Nook book ... 



Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories



62 comments:

Francene Stanley said...

Great idea to mention a book that caught your eye. And you did it in your own unique style. Well done.

Ciara said...

I love how you took the DINYB blog fest and made it your own! that cover jumps out. The red dress with the light shinning down, intriguing. I'll tweet. Hope the author finds her book.

Unknown said...

Great way to spice up the party :)tweet tweet

Laura Eno said...

What an awesome cover! Sounds like a great choice.

Unknown said...

It's a bit on the wild side? Just my type of book...sounds great.

Old Kitty said...

A Lady with Killer Shoes!!! What's not to like!! Great choice! Take care
x

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for sharing about it.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Francene - delighted I've got a unique style - lovely to see you.

@ Ciara - the story stands out - it's a great read .. thanks for tweeting .. I expect Shirley will get here

@ Siv - appreciate the tweet tweet -

@ Laura - great read too ... but the cover does stand out doesn't it

@ Susan - gentle wild side! a good murder mystery ..

@ Old Kitty - supporting a Brit - but one who writes very good investigative stories - killer shoes too ..

@ Susanne - appreciate you being here ..

Cheers everyone - hope you get a chance to read Shirley's book .. happy reading - Hilary

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I'm really into reading crime fiction right now. Thanks for sharing.

Tara Tyler said...

what a stellar review! and it sounds wonderfully thrilling!
thanks!

Trisha said...

This looks like a good one! Thanks for the pointer! I'm going to check this out on GoodReads!

Isis Rushdan said...

Wow, that cover really pops! Nice review :)

Libby said...

I know someone who would read this just for the shoes! I see you've made your way around the bloghop thoroughly. :) I'm in it as well:
http://libbyheily.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Hilary, and thanks for stopping by and saying hello. I've been taking a Blogcation for most of August and September and great to be back.

Thanks for your review of Presumed Dead. I don;t know how women can wear those kind of shoes. I have trouble walking and chewing gum at the same time.

Sherry Ellis said...

Sounds like a great book. And I love the red dress and heels!

Misha Gerrick said...

The story sounds awesome! And I liked your approach to the blogfest. :-)

Tyrean Martinson said...

Loved your descriptions and snippets about the book. Lime green ankle breakers . . .funny, and I don't even wear heels.

Marta Szemik said...

Love the red dress on the black backdrop! Good pick!

Unknown said...

Sounds like a good mystery! :-)

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Love the splash of red on the cover. Very provocative.

Maryannwrites said...

Thanks for the intro to a really neat book. Already I can see that this blogfest is not going to be good for my book-buying budget. (smile)

I agree with others that you did a first-rate job with the review, and I do love that cover.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

At first I thought I'd read it, but I'm thinking of another novel, I think. Guess I better check to see for sure.

I'm doing the #NoticeBook blogfest today too, Hilary. What a nice small world this is, eh?

cleemckenzie said...

Amazing shoes! Have to take a look at this book.

Southpaw said...

That cover drew my eye! Those shoes - they look deadly! LOL

Julie Flanders said...

This sounds like just the sort of story I love. Thanks for sharing it, Hilary. :)

LynNerdKelley said...

That cover works for me. Sounds like a great read, too.

Kyra Lennon said...

Sounds good!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Susan - oh great .. you should enjoy Presumed Dead ..

@ Tara - thanks so much .. it was easy to write - enjoy it

@ Trisha - it is a good book ... I sure hope it's on GoodReads ..

@ Iris - Shirley and her publishers have done a great job haven't they ..

@ Libby - that's great - I hope they'll enjoy the shoe story line ... I started in the middle!

@ Steve .. pleasure - I know you've been taking some time to take stock ... Well I guarantee I most definitely can't and never could wear those sorts of shoes ... I just have trouble walking - let alone chewing gum as well!!

@ Sherry - the cover does entice doesn't it .. and heels ..

@ Misha - it's just me .. I'm here and that's what counts ..

@ Tyrean - they're worn for a good cause - hope you'll enjoy the book ..

@ Marta - the cover is very good isn't it ..

@ EJ - that it certainly is .. a good mystery

@ Maryann - I think I agree there re the book buying budget - but you'll enjoy this one .. and so appreciate your comment re my review

@ Joylene - you might perhaps or one of the others ... this is a good one to start with ..

Another Blogfest - one's enough!! You are doing well ...

@ Lee - it'll make a change from crocodiles or are you in alligator land?!

@ Holly - Shirley will be pleased to read your comment re the cover .. and boy I wouldn't be seen dead in those shoes!! So deadly they be ...

Cheers everyone - I'm just getting back on to tie in with you all - Hilary

Nancy Thompson said...

New follower here via the blogfest. Finally, a book that is right up my alley. Thanks for the recommendation!

Jeff Beesler said...

What a great idea to mention a book that you've previously won in a contest. I'm still happy with the choice I made for the blogfest, but that's an excellent approach, too.

Rusty Carl said...

I love the red on the cover. Sounds pretty good too.

Michelle Wallace said...

Sounds like my type of a story!
Nice to meet you Hilary. Thanks for swinging by my blog.

Christine Rains said...

Awesome cover! Intriguing premise too. Thanks for adding another book to my TBR list. This blogfest has been great for that.

msmariah said...

Hi Hilary, great recommendation. You can never go wrong with a good old fashioned mystery, especially when the main character is in ankle breaker red high heels. It sounds Noir.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Those are some serious heels.

Sara said...

Thank you very much, Hilary. I am "without book" currently and I do love a good mystery. I will definitely check this one out!

Have a great week!

Ink in the Book said...

This books sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing it with us!
New follower saying hi:)

J.L. Campbell said...

The cover does give a mysterious feel and man I like those killer lime-green heels!

Patsy said...

Sounds like my sort of thing - I like to get lost in a book.

klahanie said...

Hi Hilary,

Thanks for bringing my attention and your analysis of "Presumed Dead".

And Hilary, jolly good of you to make mention of so many people and corresponding links.

Cheers, Gary

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sounds like a great read!
Thanks for participating in our blogfest.

A Lady's Life said...

I watch Angela Lansbury in Murder She Wrote and so this is my kinda book.
I can never figure out who dun it.

Brinda said...

I love the sound of this one, the cover, and your shoe images!

Golden Eagle said...

Sounds like a great book!

Susan Oloier said...

This sounds like a noteworthy read, Hilary. I may have to add it to my TBR list.

Patricia Stoltey said...

Since crime fiction is my all-time favorite (even though I've been reading those post-apocalyptic dark novels lately), this book appeals to me a lot. I'm not familiar with Shirley Wells' books so may have to give this one a try.

~Sia McKye~ said...

I've been meaning to read this. I love been wanting it since I first read about it.

I can't wear those type of shoes anymore--well I can manage 3 inch for a couple of hours. Then the country in this girl comes out and I kick them off. Even when I wore heels regularly, I hated anything over 3 inches.

Nice one, Hilary.

I've been thinking about you, btw. You've been in my thoughts quite a bit of late. Sending good ole southern hugs to you!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Nancy - great to have you here .. and that I seem to have selected your type of book - enjoy it. I saw your book being promoted somewhere ..

@ Jeffrey - many thanks I need to read quite a few I've won or bought .. and now I'm in a position to settle down occasionally. So pleased you're happy with your suggestion .. I've been by I think !

@ Rusty - it was a well written book ...

@ Michelle - pleasure always good to have new friends out there .. and hope you enjoy this read.

@ Christine - everyone's TBR list is growing isn't it ..

@ Mariah - good thought that it might be noir .. but it's not thankfully - just plain old fashioned mystery with some thuggery thrown in.

@ Diane - those heels be good for strutting, if you can cope = me not!

@ Sara - it's a good read, then there's the series - well worth the read ..

@ Ink in the Book - welcome .. glad you enjoyed the recommendation

@ JL - the ladies of your novel would suit these heels I feel - good British mystery here

@ Patsy - you can do that easily enough ... it's a great read

@ Gary - it was an entertaining read .. just what I need now. Thanks re the thought and the links ..

@ Alex - great to see you here ... it's being a very successful blogfest --- thanks to you and Ciara for setting it up for us ..

@ A Lady's Life - exactly .. similar kind of style and I never know who has dun it - so true

@ Brinda - thanks so much .. good to see you here ..

@ GE - many thanks

@ Susan - Shirley's description and dialogue really brought me in to her scene .. it's a good read - enjoy

@ Patricia - it's a lovely crime fiction read, very British, but very realistic .. I see lots of those post-apocalyptic dark novels around - I'd better give one or two a try! Am sure you'll enjoy the read ..

@ Sia - well now's your reminder chance! It's a fun read ...

Oh Sia - those shoes I've never been able to wear them .. I guess we all try at times - I certainly didn't for long!!

Thanks so much .. I'm fine I'm pleased to say .. but am so grateful for your thoughts and I love the good ole southern hugs!!


Thanks everyone - we must congratulate Alex and Ciara for putting on such an excellent bloghopfest .. everyone seems to be having so much fun ...

Cheers from a gloomy Thursday on the south coast of England! Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Comment from Elizabeth Seckman "I love the splash of red on the cover" ..

I'm posting it as - I suspect that it will disappear once I try to take it out of spam ...

I do wish I understood blogger!!

Thanks Elizabeth .. cheers Hilary

Lynn said...

I love a good murder mystery. :)

LynnRush said...

That's a great cover. Love the red amongst the dark color. :)

Amy Jarecki said...

Hi Hilary - Presumed dead with stilettos, very cool! Thanks for visiting my blog :-)

Karen Lange said...

I am enjoying seeing bloggers' picks for this Blogfest. So glad you shared yours. It sounds interesting. Can you imagine wearing those heels? Oh my. :)

Have a great weekend,
Karen

Hart Johnson said...

Great cover and I like the description. Sounds like a great read.

Cathy Keaton said...

Sounds like a good read and has a nice cover. Glad to know it follows some real-world logic, too. ;)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Lynn - this was certainly one of those .. a good read, and a good murder mystery

@ LynnRush - Shirley's cover seems to have wowed everyone ..

@ Amy - it's a good premise and the description of stilettos - sends us all off thinking ... they loom large!

@ Karen - everyone's selections are so interesting aren't they .. I'll definitely be buying some next week. Nope Karen - stilettos are not for me!

@ Hart - good to see you and glad you appreciate the description ..

@ Cathy - yes it's real that's for sure .. just glad I don't usually come across that sort of real!

Cheers everyone .. I wonder when Shirley will get round here ..

Have good Fridays and happy weekends .. Cheers Hilary

Empty Nest Insider said...

Sounds like a wonderful book! Beautiful cover and excellent review Hilary! Julie

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Julie .. I'm just wondering when Shirley's going to get here - to reap some rewards for writing the book! It's a great read ...

Lovely to see you - cheers Hilary

Diane Estrella said...

I had not seen this book. Thanks for your thoughts and the review. Hope you have a great week! :O)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane .. good to see you here - the Did I Notice Your Book posting seems to have caught everyone's imagination ..

It was a great read .. I thoroughly enjoyed it ...

You too Diane - have a good week .. Hilary

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness. I'm almost speechless. Thank you so much, Hilary. So glad you enjoyed Presumed Dead. Ah yes, those killer heels. That's the wistful side of me coming out because I can't walk in heels. :)

Totally lost for words. Thank you for spreading the word.

I must go and check those links. I know the Amazon US site won't show prices to us Brits. I always have to ask American friends how much it's selling for. :) However, the Carina Press link should be working so I must rectify that.

Many thanks!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Shirley - delighted you got here at last - I know you've been busy and now have family staying - enjoy their visit.

Hope you can get the links sorted and then visit all the bloggers in due course ..

So pleased you're chuffed! Cheers Hilary