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Evan Dunstan Mystery #1
Dead Man Floating
One wrong decision…
Security guard Evan Dunstan didn’t expect to find a body floating in a campus stream. An empty vodka bottle nearby suggests that the highly despised George Krenn, head of the plumbing department, had drunkenly fallen in. Refusing to let the death of a vile man ruin his romantic plans, Evan decides to leave the body for the next shift to find.
One friend in trouble…
When it’s discovered that Krenn was murdered, Evan has a lot of explaining to do. So does his friend Sully, Krenn’s least favourite student. Evan uses his hacking skills and campus knowledge to keep them both out of jail, but the investigation forces him to question Sully’s innocence.
One mystery to solve…
Uncovering the truth proves to be more than challenging. It may cost Evan his job, his friendship, and his woman. Will Evan find the killer, or will the killer find him first?
Security guard Evan Dunstan didn’t expect to find a body floating in a campus stream. An empty vodka bottle nearby suggests that the highly despised George Krenn, head of the plumbing department, had drunkenly fallen in. Refusing to let the death of a vile man ruin his romantic plans, Evan decides to leave the body for the next shift to find.
One friend in trouble…
When it’s discovered that Krenn was murdered, Evan has a lot of explaining to do. So does his friend Sully, Krenn’s least favourite student. Evan uses his hacking skills and campus knowledge to keep them both out of jail, but the investigation forces him to question Sully’s innocence.
One mystery to solve…
Uncovering the truth proves to be more than challenging. It may cost Evan his job, his friendship, and his woman. Will Evan find the killer, or will the killer find him first?
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2015
2 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Debra Purdy Kong
12 books115 followersI've been writing and publishing mystery novels, short stories, personal essays, and articles for over 30 years.
Both books in my Alex Bellamy series, TAXED TO DEATH (now out of print) and FATAL ENCRYPTION center around white-collar crime and take place in Vancouver, British Columbia.
My newer series features transit security cop, Casey Holland. THE OPPOSITE OF DARK was originally released in 2011, followed by DEADLY ACCUSATIONS, BENEATH THE BLEAK NEW MOON, THE DEEP END, KNOCK KNOCK, and most recently THE BLADE MAN.
I've also published two humorous novellas, DEAD MAN FLOATING and A TOXIC CRAFT featuring campus security guard Evan Dunstan. They're currently out of print as well, but I hope to re-release them in the near future.
I've worked in retail and at a variety of clerical jobs over the years. I was also a security and communications officer for a security company, which served as useful research material for the Casey Holland series. I'm now retired from day jobs and a new grandma.
Both books in my Alex Bellamy series, TAXED TO DEATH (now out of print) and FATAL ENCRYPTION center around white-collar crime and take place in Vancouver, British Columbia.
My newer series features transit security cop, Casey Holland. THE OPPOSITE OF DARK was originally released in 2011, followed by DEADLY ACCUSATIONS, BENEATH THE BLEAK NEW MOON, THE DEEP END, KNOCK KNOCK, and most recently THE BLADE MAN.
I've also published two humorous novellas, DEAD MAN FLOATING and A TOXIC CRAFT featuring campus security guard Evan Dunstan. They're currently out of print as well, but I hope to re-release them in the near future.
I've worked in retail and at a variety of clerical jobs over the years. I was also a security and communications officer for a security company, which served as useful research material for the Casey Holland series. I'm now retired from day jobs and a new grandma.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 4, 2017
Let's be honest, this book does not deserve a 5 star. The characters were not developed, they were flat and gave no personality to the story. The storyline I didn't get. Isn't a murder mystery supposed to be suspenseful? This book is boring. I felt like I was reading a child's book minus the curse words. It is that cheezy. The curse words were obsessive.
July 8, 2017
The book is short and it didn't have a strong plot. The characters were flat and didn't have the wow factor that I'd hoped to have found.
November 19, 2016
This novella is an interesting change from the usual heroes. An average working man and his on-site buddy work together to solve a murder. Evan Dunstan, a campus security guard is finishing an ordinary night shift when he unexpectedly comes across what he thinks is a bag of garbage floating down the river. So begins an intriguing mystery, first in series, that works up a frenzy of fear and regret in Evan's mind. If this is a murder scene will he be suspected? What will happen to him if it goes unreported? After all, it's the end of his shift and he should be leaving, the next guard arriving.
Evan is a new character, one that I think Debra Purdy Kong will have a lot of fun with in this series. I love the ability she has to select the most unusual heroes in her books and this one is no different. He wants to be a police detective, but at the moment this is just a dream. Now he is trying to make amends by solving the case of an unlikeable man in a bag. His overly anxious side-kick adds to both the humour and the fear of the situation. As a novella, this is a fairly quick read, but jam-packed with excitement, twists and turns, fun, desperation and so many thoughts running through Evan's head. I really enjoyed it and look forward to Evan's future escapades.
Evan is a new character, one that I think Debra Purdy Kong will have a lot of fun with in this series. I love the ability she has to select the most unusual heroes in her books and this one is no different. He wants to be a police detective, but at the moment this is just a dream. Now he is trying to make amends by solving the case of an unlikeable man in a bag. His overly anxious side-kick adds to both the humour and the fear of the situation. As a novella, this is a fairly quick read, but jam-packed with excitement, twists and turns, fun, desperation and so many thoughts running through Evan's head. I really enjoyed it and look forward to Evan's future escapades.
October 4, 2019
Evan, a university campus security guard, discovers George Krenn’s body at the end of his shift. Desperate for a chance to meet beautiful Cecelia at a party later that night, he doesn’t report his findings.
Now he’s a suspect in the murder of the department head along with a list of others all with a motive to be rid of the despised Krenn. Evan teams up with another suspect, Sully, to untangle the labyrinth and clear his name.
As Debra Purdy Kong weaves this fast pacing, riveting novella, we are left hanging right till the end before the culprit and motive is revealed.
Now he’s a suspect in the murder of the department head along with a list of others all with a motive to be rid of the despised Krenn. Evan teams up with another suspect, Sully, to untangle the labyrinth and clear his name.
As Debra Purdy Kong weaves this fast pacing, riveting novella, we are left hanging right till the end before the culprit and motive is revealed.
March 16, 2017
This is suppose to be a murder mystery but the suspense never is developed in this short tale. It's a very short read and I couldn't even finish the book. The plot isn't developed well. The characters were one dimensional. There is no depth to the story or the characters. For me, the story is flat. The dialogue needs work but everything about this book has no teeth. I don't like the main character, Evan. He's lazy, superficial and has no spark of interest. For Pete's sake, he's a security guard. He's just an ordinary person who has no redeemable qualities. Evan doesn't report the dead person for two lame excuses, he hates paperwork and he has plans to meet up with some girl after work. For me, his excuses don't appear believable. And the wow factor doesn't exist in this book. I am confused which voice the author is using. The author is writing in third person but she keeps throwing in first person internal-dialogue. Big no-no in creative writing. Either the POV is written in first person or third. There can't be any mixing of the two with the same character. Pick a lane. I'd think that she should know this rule since she has been dabbling in creative writing for thirty years. Also, I think the author is trying to make this story an adult read even though the reading level is about an eight grade level. Evan curses a lot, a bit excessive. He used douche bag far too many times. Not only is it redundant but it is odd to for a grown man to use this word. Douche bag is used mostly by teenagers. The story needs work, the characters need work and the plot lacks the required suspense to launch this book off. There is no wow factor in this story to hold my interest. Sorry, but this short book failed miserably.
May 3, 2018
Uh... the book for me didn't have what I was looking for. The story lacked teeth. The characters for me were lacking depth. I didn't think the story or the characters were interesting and to be honest about half way through the book, I stopped reading it. It needs a really good edit. Maybe that might help it but for me, the story was disengaging. Really sorry!
September 23, 2015
I need to let review readers know that I have been a writer colleague of Debra Purdy Kong's for over twenty years. We provide feedback for each other as our books develop, and I did so for this novella.
No spoilers!
Dead Man Floating shaped up into a cracking good mystery read that I could not put down. Debra's ability to write clearly differentiated characters, good internal monologue, and contemporary settings, is superb in this short form book. Her careful choice of plot for novella-length reading makes for a satisfying story. All too often writers forget how important this is and cram too much in, especially at the end.
The mystery races along as the tension mounts. Evan's dilemma has got him into a serious position that he has to resolve quickly for his future career plans and his private life. It's not easy. I, as a reader, fully engaged with Evan due to Debra's skill as an experienced author.
Highly recommended if you like mysteries and a shorter read. Bravo, Debra!!
No spoilers!
Dead Man Floating shaped up into a cracking good mystery read that I could not put down. Debra's ability to write clearly differentiated characters, good internal monologue, and contemporary settings, is superb in this short form book. Her careful choice of plot for novella-length reading makes for a satisfying story. All too often writers forget how important this is and cram too much in, especially at the end.
The mystery races along as the tension mounts. Evan's dilemma has got him into a serious position that he has to resolve quickly for his future career plans and his private life. It's not easy. I, as a reader, fully engaged with Evan due to Debra's skill as an experienced author.
Highly recommended if you like mysteries and a shorter read. Bravo, Debra!!
January 29, 2016
Evan Dunstan is a campus security guard who makes a bad judgment call when he finds a dead body--he doesn't report it. He figures it's an accidental death and he has some pressing personal needs to attend to. Things get more complicated for him after the body is discovered and it's clear there's a killer on campus. Since this is a novella, I can't give too much more information about the plot without spoiling this quick, engaging story. The characters are entertaining and the story zips along in Kong's capable hands with suspicion bouncing back and forth between the major characters until the satisfying resolution. A great quick read.
December 16, 2015
I was captured in the very first chapter by Evan Dunstan - security officer. Kong has a way of bringing the reader close to the characters. Her vivid descriptions carry us to the campus setting, where every sense comes alive. This mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. You won't be able to guess the guilty party, and you'll feel anxious for Evan through the journey. He just doesn't know when to back off...
February 2, 2017
I don't like giving bad reviews but I have to be honest. I found this book lacking a strong plot. The characters were flat and they didn't have a personality. The focus of the story seemed lame to me. It was boring. There's really not much to say about this book. It's short and a quick read but even with it short, I struggled with finishing it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews