What do you think?
Rate this book
Samantha Starr #1
Deadstick Dawn
The Belfast Agreement is about to be shattered by Operation Blue Blood. One young American stands in the way, airline pilot Samantha Starr. She is catapulted into a deadly chess match with police, assassins, and British Special Forces, all who want her dead. The fate of nine noble bloodlines depends on Samantha and a boy whose hero is a wizard. Stranded in Scotland where she is accused of kidnapping and murder, where can she run? When a US Navy fighter pilot and a SEAL join the hunt and every choice can get her killed and start a bloody war in Northern Ireland, on whom should she rely? The line between trust and betrayal is razor sharp, and it is cut at Deadstick Dawn.
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 12, 2013
243 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
S.L. Menear
18 books22 followersS.L. Menear (Sharon Littlefield Menear) is a retired airline pilot. US Airways hired Sharon in 1980 as their first female pilot, bypassing the flight engineer position. The men in her new-hire class gave her the nickname Bombshell. She flew Boeing 727s and 737s, DC-9s, and BAC 1-11 jet airliners and was promoted to captain in her seventh year.
Before her pilot career, Sharon worked as a water-sports model and then traveled the world as a flight attendant with Pan American World Airways.
Sharon also enjoyed flying antique airplanes, experimental aircraft, and Third World fighter airplanes. Her leisure activities included scuba diving, powered paragliding, snow skiing, surfing, horseback riding, aerobatic flying, sailing, and driving sports cars and motorcycles.
Sharon has flown many of the airplanes in her fantasy thriller novels, Flight to Redemption, first place winner of the Royal Palm Literary Award, Flight to Destiny, Triple Threat, Stranded, and Vanished, Books One - Five in the Samantha Starr Series featuring a woman airline pilot.
Sharon and her mother, D.M. (Dorothy) Littlefield, co-wrote Journey into the Land of the Wingless Giants, a middle-grade children’s adventure novel, and Enchanted, a novella for young children. They also wrote a short-stories anthology book, Life, Love, & Laughter: 50 Short Stories by S.L. Menear and D.M. Littlefield. Their newest book, Sniffers Agency – The Nose Knows, is a unique adult cozy mystery featuring a female private investigator who uses highly-trained dogs to solve cases.
S.L. Menear’s web site: https://www.slmenear.com
Author’s Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/slmenear
All books by S.L. Menear are available in soft cover and eBooks at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and on request at bookstores.
Before her pilot career, Sharon worked as a water-sports model and then traveled the world as a flight attendant with Pan American World Airways.
Sharon also enjoyed flying antique airplanes, experimental aircraft, and Third World fighter airplanes. Her leisure activities included scuba diving, powered paragliding, snow skiing, surfing, horseback riding, aerobatic flying, sailing, and driving sports cars and motorcycles.
Sharon has flown many of the airplanes in her fantasy thriller novels, Flight to Redemption, first place winner of the Royal Palm Literary Award, Flight to Destiny, Triple Threat, Stranded, and Vanished, Books One - Five in the Samantha Starr Series featuring a woman airline pilot.
Sharon and her mother, D.M. (Dorothy) Littlefield, co-wrote Journey into the Land of the Wingless Giants, a middle-grade children’s adventure novel, and Enchanted, a novella for young children. They also wrote a short-stories anthology book, Life, Love, & Laughter: 50 Short Stories by S.L. Menear and D.M. Littlefield. Their newest book, Sniffers Agency – The Nose Knows, is a unique adult cozy mystery featuring a female private investigator who uses highly-trained dogs to solve cases.
S.L. Menear’s web site: https://www.slmenear.com
Author’s Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/slmenear
All books by S.L. Menear are available in soft cover and eBooks at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and on request at bookstores.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 26, 2017
Gripping read
This book has you on the edge of your seat the entire book. The characters are so well written that they could jump off the page at any second.......and the storyline.....well it's fantastic!! S. Menear has truly written a fantastically gripping tale
This book has you on the edge of your seat the entire book. The characters are so well written that they could jump off the page at any second.......and the storyline.....well it's fantastic!! S. Menear has truly written a fantastically gripping tale
April 14, 2018
Awesome, pulse-pounding thriller that grabs you and doesn't let go until the end. Great engaging story with well developed characters, that you become emotionally invested in.
There is scattered cursing, but no "F" bombs, and one really stomach-turning method of concealment, also one undetailed sexual scene.
Books this intense come along too rarely, so it is a true thrill to experience one.
There is scattered cursing, but no "F" bombs, and one really stomach-turning method of concealment, also one undetailed sexual scene.
Books this intense come along too rarely, so it is a true thrill to experience one.
January 11, 2014
Wow! What a read. Made me nervous while reading it, and couldn't get it read fast enough. I was given this book by the author and a promise to write a review. I was more than glad to read it and to tell everyone how good it is. Loved everything about it, from the setting to the evil characters involved. And what a story it is. Especially loved that it was set mostly in Scotland as that is a place I would love to go to. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves mystery, action, lots of great characters and even kids. Hope to see Charlie in other books. Cool kid. Can hardly wait for the next book.
May 20, 2016
Excellent...couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I am ordering the second book in the series.
October 21, 2013
S.L. Menear's debut novel knocks it out of the park! From emergency aircraft landings to Navy SEALs to Scotland's best law enforcement to "bad cops" to handsome Scottish lairds to former KGB thugs, the new super-heroine on the block, Samantha Starr, and her Harry Potter wannabe sidekick best them all! Prepare yourself for edge-of-your-seat suspense that will grab you on page one and not let go until its brilliant ending. The fact that the author is a retired jumbo jet pilot adds authenticity to this thriller. (The title is perfect BTW - just another exciting scene in DEADSTICK DAWN.) I can't WAIT for Book 2! Bring it on, Samantha Starr!!!
August 13, 2013
S.L. Menear’s debut novel, Deadstick Dawn, explodes into action from the first page until the last. Riddled with suspense and fast-paced action, the intense plot kidnaps you with the allure of the Scottish Highlands. This adrenaline-pumping thriller will keep you up late into the night. Samantha Starr is your captain on this flight into international intrigue, revenge, and redemption. Reading this award-winning thriller is like flying at Mach 2 with your hair on fire. Strap in and brace for impact!
February 13, 2021
I received a review copy from eBook Discovery and this is my honest opinion. This book opens with a bang and never lets up. Samantha 'Sam' Starr manages to run from one potential disaster to another and always come out on top. I thoroughly enjoyed the action and the characters in this book. It was a nice change to have the 'hero' with mega-skills be a woman instead of a man. Of course, we can't have her develop all of her skills by herself: she was trained by her older twin brothers who are Seals and Navy pilots. But we have to give her credit that she had the foundation for them to build on...;). I appreciated that the author included a bit of romance without making that the focus of the story and without the seemingly required sex scene. I prefer my mysteries and thrillers without all of that. This would have been a solid 5-star rating for me if not for the injury to the kidnapped boys. That was unnecessary in my opinion. However, it is a good story otherwise.
I did notice that one reviewer was unhappy with what they termed 'a cliffhanger ending'. It doesn't come across that way for me. In my opinion, Lord Sweetwater represents the overall arc of the series and ties them all together. Otherwise, it is a series of books with a few characters in common. I appreciated that this story was resolved while leaving tie-ins to the following books. I definitely recommend this series.
I did notice that one reviewer was unhappy with what they termed 'a cliffhanger ending'. It doesn't come across that way for me. In my opinion, Lord Sweetwater represents the overall arc of the series and ties them all together. Otherwise, it is a series of books with a few characters in common. I appreciated that this story was resolved while leaving tie-ins to the following books. I definitely recommend this series.
June 25, 2020
An Intense Thriller!
I loved this book. There was action from page one. The plot is believable and the characters wrap around you in moments. Sam Starr is a pilot who becomes a heroine. For her earned vacation she ventures to Scotland to see the places her rich widowed mother writes about in her romance novels. Sam’s two brothers are in the military and taught her what they learned. Sam becomes embroiled in a kidnapping case and runs for her life with one of the kidnapping victims, Charles, a boy of 12. They spend the next week outwitting the bad guys as well as the SAS. Sam is accused of being the kidnapper but one SAS soldier thinks otherwise and sets out to find her before the police do. The action never stops. I read this when I had time over three days. I cannot wait to read the remaining Samantha Starr books.
I loved this book. There was action from page one. The plot is believable and the characters wrap around you in moments. Sam Starr is a pilot who becomes a heroine. For her earned vacation she ventures to Scotland to see the places her rich widowed mother writes about in her romance novels. Sam’s two brothers are in the military and taught her what they learned. Sam becomes embroiled in a kidnapping case and runs for her life with one of the kidnapping victims, Charles, a boy of 12. They spend the next week outwitting the bad guys as well as the SAS. Sam is accused of being the kidnapper but one SAS soldier thinks otherwise and sets out to find her before the police do. The action never stops. I read this when I had time over three days. I cannot wait to read the remaining Samantha Starr books.
March 22, 2020
Look it was a good great but I felt the entire plane bombing situation was unnecessary for the storyline. The book would still have made sense if it had been left out. And her mother just happened to write novels about the highlands and her brothers just happened to both be in the air forces and her younger brother just happened to be kidnapped as a child in the exact same way as the children in the story? Too many coincidences. In saying that it was still a good read and I enjoyed the twists and turns
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2020
... and redeem herself, she did!
It's hard to imagine a book with much more action than this one ... and, there's no shortage of it for protagonist, Samantha Starr, and her sidekick, Charlie (Charles) Moncreiffe. The plot, characters, and story-line are all first-rate, and if you can suspend (your) disbelief enough to get through yet, another, fortunate coincidence, I think yoll find that the book is quite enjoyable, and very well written. Action-packed, fast-moving ... a good read, all around!
It's hard to imagine a book with much more action than this one ... and, there's no shortage of it for protagonist, Samantha Starr, and her sidekick, Charlie (Charles) Moncreiffe. The plot, characters, and story-line are all first-rate, and if you can suspend (your) disbelief enough to get through yet, another, fortunate coincidence, I think yoll find that the book is quite enjoyable, and very well written. Action-packed, fast-moving ... a good read, all around!
September 29, 2023
Fantasy AT Best
I liked the fascination of damsel in distress and all the highlights of the castle and such. What I didn't like was the fairy tale of Samantha. Too much macho for a pilot and a (sorry) woman!
It read as make believe as ever. A few too many saves by her with such military prowess. She knew too many moves and was way too strong .
I finished and did like the romantic, but questionable ending.
Don't know if I will read next book, but might to see what happens with Samantha and Ross.
I liked the fascination of damsel in distress and all the highlights of the castle and such. What I didn't like was the fairy tale of Samantha. Too much macho for a pilot and a (sorry) woman!
It read as make believe as ever. A few too many saves by her with such military prowess. She knew too many moves and was way too strong .
I finished and did like the romantic, but questionable ending.
Don't know if I will read next book, but might to see what happens with Samantha and Ross.
November 13, 2020
I enjoyed the book, not 5 stars worth. I appreciate authors taking literary license to make things turn out for the best but Samantha is wonder woman and superman all rolled into one. She can fly, she can scuba dive, she can drive a motor cycle, she can shoot, she can ride the Loch Ness monster, she has a black belt. I kept waiting for the Russian terrorists to slow her down with kryptonite.
Having said that it is a good read once you get around the implausibility of parts of the book.
Having said that it is a good read once you get around the implausibility of parts of the book.
July 10, 2019
OMG! Hang on for dear life!. This thrilling story grabs you right from the first page and catapults you to the end. The pages cannot turn fast enough! I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
June 16, 2020
Strong wonderful woman heroin
I love to read books with strong woman characters and this did not disappoint. I will be reading the series of books by this author. This is a hard book to put down.
I love to read books with strong woman characters and this did not disappoint. I will be reading the series of books by this author. This is a hard book to put down.
July 6, 2020
This is the most enjoyable book I have read in a long time. I read a fair amount every day but with this book I was glued to it. Couldn't read it fast enough. From "oh no's" to "laughing out loud" what a fun book. Can't wait to read the next one.
Read
November 30, 2020Storyline was somewhat plausible, but when the Loch Ness Monster showed up, that was just too much. Main character seems more like wonder woman with the multidimensional capabilities.
I just thought it was more like science fiction. Readable, just not cup of tea.
I just thought it was more like science fiction. Readable, just not cup of tea.
December 1, 2022
Who exactly wrote this book???
A 12-year-old????
Or rather a 12-year-old who acts out his adolescent fantasies.
It reads a bit like a Mexican telenovela.
Totally improbable and with such a poorly thought-through plot and wooden dialogues.
What a waste of resources and time!
A 12-year-old????
Or rather a 12-year-old who acts out his adolescent fantasies.
It reads a bit like a Mexican telenovela.
Totally improbable and with such a poorly thought-through plot and wooden dialogues.
What a waste of resources and time!
April 25, 2020
Wonder Woman?
Wonder Woman would have a hard time keeping up with this heroine! And the police are bad while the SAD is well-obtained but almost incompotent.
Wonder Woman would have a hard time keeping up with this heroine! And the police are bad while the SAD is well-obtained but almost incompotent.
April 26, 2020
Flight to Redemption review
Flight to Redemption is the first exciting fast paced action packed book in the Samantha Starr series written by author S. L. Menear.
Flight to Redemption is the first exciting fast paced action packed book in the Samantha Starr series written by author S. L. Menear.
Read
May 5, 2020Really good and exciting
June 14, 2020
Great Read !!
I loved this book !! It was exciting the whole way through. The language was clean, and the romance was hot but clean !! I couldn’t put it down until I finished it!
I loved this book !! It was exciting the whole way through. The language was clean, and the romance was hot but clean !! I couldn’t put it down until I finished it!
December 1, 2020
I gave up 1/2 way through. This is written in more of a young adult style. The dialog is sometimes childish.
December 20, 2020
Terrible. Badly written.
August 3, 2022
A good mystery/adventure/thriller
July 2, 2023
Fun, Intrigue, Action.
I liked Sam and Charlie as a team.
It kept me guessing who was safe and who was not.
Sam as a female hero was great.
I liked Sam and Charlie as a team.
It kept me guessing who was safe and who was not.
Sam as a female hero was great.
July 23, 2024
Love Samantha Starr! Action packed suspense that will keep you turning pages.
November 7, 2013
Airline pilot Samantha Starr heads to Scotland for a well-deserved vacation after safely landing her bomb-disabled jetliner. While out riding one day, she interferes in a kidnapping attempt and rescues Charlie. The boy is the son of a wealthy nobleman and the target for a group of terrorists who have captured several other children. On the run when she’s identified in the media as Charlie’s abductor, Sam has to find the real villains before they—and their allies—find her. Fortunately, she’s been well trained in survival skills by her military men brothers. And so when she encounters SAS Captain Ross Sinclair, she knows his capabilities. He’s out to hunt her down, and she has to elude his men along with the police and the terrorists while keeping Charlie safe.
Deadstick Dawn is a thrill-a-minute ride that won’t let you off until you reach the final page. Adventure, romance, and suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat in this top-notch debut thriller. Kudos to S.L. Menear for creating an unstoppable heroine.
Deadstick Dawn is a thrill-a-minute ride that won’t let you off until you reach the final page. Adventure, romance, and suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat in this top-notch debut thriller. Kudos to S.L. Menear for creating an unstoppable heroine.
July 28, 2019
She's a believable heroine and role model
The action-packed first chapter of Flight to Redemption by S.L. Menear jerked me into this contemporary suspenseful romance. Granted, the plot is heavy on the action and light on the romance, but still every page held my attention. Ms. Menear's writing is descriptive and the plot is tight. Captain Samantha Starr was a believable heroine and she sets the bar high. Except for the minimal swear words, this story is suitable for most all readers.
I suppose I have only one complaint. Since this is a series about heroine Sam Starr, the over-arching plot is not brought to conclusion in the first book. The immediate threat or danger is averted, but there is a semi-annoying cliffhanger and to get to the bottom of the mystery, a reader must read the series.
Content: This book contains some swearing (d*mn, h*ll, s*hit, g*d) but no sex.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
The action-packed first chapter of Flight to Redemption by S.L. Menear jerked me into this contemporary suspenseful romance. Granted, the plot is heavy on the action and light on the romance, but still every page held my attention. Ms. Menear's writing is descriptive and the plot is tight. Captain Samantha Starr was a believable heroine and she sets the bar high. Except for the minimal swear words, this story is suitable for most all readers.
I suppose I have only one complaint. Since this is a series about heroine Sam Starr, the over-arching plot is not brought to conclusion in the first book. The immediate threat or danger is averted, but there is a semi-annoying cliffhanger and to get to the bottom of the mystery, a reader must read the series.
Content: This book contains some swearing (d*mn, h*ll, s*hit, g*d) but no sex.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
July 13, 2019
Samantha Starr is a strong, determined and captivating character. Beautiful and intelligent she always excels at out smarting her enemies. In this story, Samantha protects Charlie from being kidnapped by a terrorist group. She also meets her knight in shining armor, Special Air Service Captain, Laird Ross Sinclair.
A well written intense story with betrayal,deceit and action packed suspense to keep the readers attention. It only gets better with each book in this series. I love this author.
These engaging characters will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.
The author's expertise of aviation knowledge only adds a great contribution to the story as well. Highly recommend. I received this book for free from Ebook Discovery. I volunteered to review and this is my honest review.
A well written intense story with betrayal,deceit and action packed suspense to keep the readers attention. It only gets better with each book in this series. I love this author.
These engaging characters will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.
The author's expertise of aviation knowledge only adds a great contribution to the story as well. Highly recommend. I received this book for free from Ebook Discovery. I volunteered to review and this is my honest review.
September 19, 2013
S. L. Menear wastes very little time getting you hooked in her award-winning debut novel, Deadstick Dawn. From the very first sentence the reader is gripped to the edge of their seat and no stone has been left unturned to keep them there, either. SAS, former Russian Spetsnaz, Navy Seals, dirty cops, Scottish Lairds, and even Harry Potter are thrown into the mix with wild abandon in this crazy thriller that moves at breakneck speed. Yes, it moves fast, but you'd better keep up, because you won't want to miss out on even the tiniest morsel of the action!
C. W. Lovatt - author of "The Adventures of Charlie Smithers"
C. W. Lovatt - author of "The Adventures of Charlie Smithers"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews