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Dylan Scott Mystery #1
Presumed Dead
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 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.
86,000 words
Although the local police still believe Anita Champion took off for a better life, Dylan’s inquiries turn up plenty of potential 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.
86,000 words
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
20 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 26, 2011
Presumed Dead (Dylan Scott, #1)Shirley WellsPresumed Dead
Mystery/Suspense. I have to admit this was one of the best books I have read in quite a while. Dylan Scoot was kicked off the police force in disgrace, and spent some time in prison. Down on his luck with no job, and his wife kicking him out, and worse yet his mother moving in. Then Holly Champion approaches him, she wants him to find out what happened to her mother Anita thirteen years ago. Reluctantly he takes on the case.
Soon he finds himself in Dawsons Clough, a small sleepy Northern town. He soon begins his investigation. It seems everyone he speaks to is hiding something. The list of people Anita encountered that last night is growing, Dylan is determined to find out exactly what happened. He has promised Holly he will get answers no matter the outcome.
A definite all night read. I found myself really liking Dylan and I did hope for the best. Page turner for sure, I was guessing and trying to piece it all together until the superb ending. I look forward to more (books) in this series as well as the others by Ms. Wells.
Mystery/Suspense. I have to admit this was one of the best books I have read in quite a while. Dylan Scoot was kicked off the police force in disgrace, and spent some time in prison. Down on his luck with no job, and his wife kicking him out, and worse yet his mother moving in. Then Holly Champion approaches him, she wants him to find out what happened to her mother Anita thirteen years ago. Reluctantly he takes on the case.
Soon he finds himself in Dawsons Clough, a small sleepy Northern town. He soon begins his investigation. It seems everyone he speaks to is hiding something. The list of people Anita encountered that last night is growing, Dylan is determined to find out exactly what happened. He has promised Holly he will get answers no matter the outcome.
A definite all night read. I found myself really liking Dylan and I did hope for the best. Page turner for sure, I was guessing and trying to piece it all together until the superb ending. I look forward to more (books) in this series as well as the others by Ms. Wells.
June 17, 2018
Disgraced cop Dylan has hit rock bottom when a woman asks him to find her mother who disappeared 13 years ago. He goes north and finds the usual small town secrets.
Not bad, but nothing special.
Not bad, but nothing special.
September 23, 2015
Presumed Dead features Dylan, a private detective of sorts who reluctantly takes on the case of a woman who disappeared 13 years ago. At the same time he is struggling to save his marriage and avoid the attentions of his interfering mother who has arrived to help him through his difficult time. It's a fairly gentle tale, with Dylan trekking around interviewing potential witnesses without really getting anywhere. Despite none of the characters being either keen or obliged to talk to Dylan, no-one refuses to, which seemed a bit unlikely. One way or another, things eventually meander around to a conclusion and I was left a bit underwhelmed. Having said that, Presumed Dead is an easy read that moves along at a decent pace and is an enjoyable enough read for anyone in the mood for an undemanding mystery.
June 13, 2016
It was okay, but I just couldn;t really get into it
April 17, 2012
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:
4 Stars
Really enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
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:
4 Stars
Really enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
June 26, 2010
I was fortunate enough to get a digital review copy of Presumed Dead through netgalley.com. I had absolutely no intention of reading it in one sitting, but rapidly found myself caught up in the story until the wee hours of the morning.
Dylan Scott is having a very bad patch in his life, disgraced, imprisoned on a charge of excessive force and losing his career on the London Police Force as a detective. Not only that, he is nearly penniless, booted out by his wife and is living in "the smallest flat in the land". When he is approached by Holly Champion, a young woman in Lancashire obsessed by the disappearance of her mother thirteen years earlier, he really has no choice but to take on the case.
Dylan is generally clueless about personal relationships and his own marital situation, but he is nothing if not dogged in the pursuit of answers. Presumed Dead is a very well constructed mystery with a nice balance of procedural and personal life. The characters are memorable and I look forward to possible further books featuring Dylan, his new career as a P.I. and fractured family. I particularly liked the very "English" flavor of the novel. It has lots of British terms and slang, but nothing that would be confusing to American reader.
If you are a fan of Peter Robinson's Inspector Alan Banks novels, I think you would also enjoy Presumed Dead by Shirley Wells. Highly recommended!
Dylan Scott is having a very bad patch in his life, disgraced, imprisoned on a charge of excessive force and losing his career on the London Police Force as a detective. Not only that, he is nearly penniless, booted out by his wife and is living in "the smallest flat in the land". When he is approached by Holly Champion, a young woman in Lancashire obsessed by the disappearance of her mother thirteen years earlier, he really has no choice but to take on the case.
Dylan is generally clueless about personal relationships and his own marital situation, but he is nothing if not dogged in the pursuit of answers. Presumed Dead is a very well constructed mystery with a nice balance of procedural and personal life. The characters are memorable and I look forward to possible further books featuring Dylan, his new career as a P.I. and fractured family. I particularly liked the very "English" flavor of the novel. It has lots of British terms and slang, but nothing that would be confusing to American reader.
If you are a fan of Peter Robinson's Inspector Alan Banks novels, I think you would also enjoy Presumed Dead by Shirley Wells. Highly recommended!
March 20, 2011
Dylan Scott has gotten out of prison for assaulting a suspect. His wife has kicked him out and his mother has moved into a tiny flat with Dylan. As he is trying to figure out what to do about his marriage and money, Holly Champion has contacted him to hunt her mother down who has been missing for 13 years. At first Dylan was wonder if he wanted the case or not. Off he goes to see Holly in Dawson's Clough. He decides he is indeed going to take the case after talking to Holly.
He finds out how small towns talk and word gets around about him and Anita Champion. Anita's friends even clam up. It makes you wonder what everyone has to hide.
I liked all the characters in the book. I really did not have a favorite as they all had something to bring to the story rather it was attitude, secrets, sarcasm everything worked. Holly comes close as she just wants to know the truth about her mom even if it is the worst she needed closure.
The book does well in keeping who done it a secret and what happens. The secrets bring some twists in the book that makes it pop. If you are looking for mystery, thrills, small town secrets etc this is the book for you
He finds out how small towns talk and word gets around about him and Anita Champion. Anita's friends even clam up. It makes you wonder what everyone has to hide.
I liked all the characters in the book. I really did not have a favorite as they all had something to bring to the story rather it was attitude, secrets, sarcasm everything worked. Holly comes close as she just wants to know the truth about her mom even if it is the worst she needed closure.
The book does well in keeping who done it a secret and what happens. The secrets bring some twists in the book that makes it pop. If you are looking for mystery, thrills, small town secrets etc this is the book for you
September 6, 2010
I had been saving PRESUMED DEAD for a long holiday weekend. After reading it--or maybe it's better to say, inhaling it--I was glad that I did. The mystery was so cleverly crafted and there were so many twists and turns that I could not put it down. I loved Dylan Scott--his flaws, his subtle soft side, his Britishness. In a way, he sort of reminded me of Christopher Chance on HUMAN TARGET, but more real. The dialogue was also very authentic, the characters believable, and the setting very vivid. I now have a sudden urge to go pub-crawling and then order fish and chips! Would love to see this as a series because Dylan Scott is the kind of character where one book isn't enough.
July 6, 2011
Poor Dylan. Fired from the police department, kicked out by his wife... he’s a man at low ebb. But then Holly Champion comes to him for help in finding her mother, who disappeared 13 years earlier, and suddenly Dylan’s true nature rises to the surface. The man is dogged and thorough and he won’t stop until he learns exactly what happened to Holly’s mother all those years ago.
This was a fun read. I started out feeling sorry for Dylan (his mother moves in with him, for Pete’s sake) and ended up liking and respecting him very much. It was fun following the twists and turns of the case—and his personal life—and I look forward to reading his continuing adventures as a private investigator.
This was a fun read. I started out feeling sorry for Dylan (his mother moves in with him, for Pete’s sake) and ended up liking and respecting him very much. It was fun following the twists and turns of the case—and his personal life—and I look forward to reading his continuing adventures as a private investigator.
June 18, 2011
I need another Dylan Scott mystery!!! I finished this one and was so sad that it was over.
"She'll come around. She always does."
Poor Dylan Scott. While waiting on his wife to 'come around' he takes on the plight of a young woman determined to find out the fate of her mother who disappeared 13 years ago. The woman, Anita Champion interacted with a host of suspicious characters the night she disappeared and I could not get enough of hearing Dylan cajole each one into divulging more information.
Bravo, Ms. Wells! Keep writing!
"She'll come around. She always does."
Poor Dylan Scott. While waiting on his wife to 'come around' he takes on the plight of a young woman determined to find out the fate of her mother who disappeared 13 years ago. The woman, Anita Champion interacted with a host of suspicious characters the night she disappeared and I could not get enough of hearing Dylan cajole each one into divulging more information.
Bravo, Ms. Wells! Keep writing!
February 8, 2011
An entertaining read that kept me guessing. Was put off by the hero's inability to wash his clothes. Not sure we needed that much information but overall a good insight into life in a small English town and the jealousies and resentments that arise. Didn't need to be told quite so many times that the hero's wife would come round because she always did but this well-written, fast moving crime novel was hard to put down.
October 17, 2011
I really loved this book. I enjoyed all the characters and the way the plot fit nicely together without any cliched action. I can see Dylan Scott being a regular in my TBR pile.
February 2, 2020
I liked this book more & more as I read. The characters grew & grew on me. I especially love that it’s set in the UK and written in their local dialects. I love the atmosphere of the smaller towns and the characters truly made me care about their futures. Frankly, this story surprised me.
December 6, 2020
Good read
Good read, good plot and can't wait for Dylan to finally realize that Bev will not come around anytime soon****************
Good read, good plot and can't wait for Dylan to finally realize that Bev will not come around anytime soon****************
August 19, 2010
Dylan Scott's life has been really messed up. Nothing seems to be going his way but when he finally gets a job it's not exactly something he wants to take but beggars can't be choosers and it will get him away from his mother, if only for a little while. Dylan doesn't think he'll find Anita Champion, it's been too long, but her daughter is willing to pay and Dylan needs the money.
The more Dylan finds out about Anita, the more he understands her and he is certain she never would have left her daughter. Not willingly. As Dylan starts connecting the dots he finds even more questions and realizes this isn't the case of an irresponsible women taking off in the middle of the night. The way the author, Wells, lead Dylan along, finding the different clues and piecing them together to make that final picture kept and held my interest. I never thought Anita was still alive but I did want to know what happened to her - why she left and were she had gone. I think for a mystery to work the reader needs to not only want to read the steps in discovery the truth but also to know the why of the mystery. Wells does a good job delivering both.
In addition to the mystery there is also a subplot concerning Dylan's marriage. He's been kicked out of his home, his wife is barely talking to him and his relationship with his son is sliding down hill. Dylan is certain his wife, Bev, will come around and let him move back home. I liked how Dylan's marital problems also reflected on his state of mind when searching for answers about Anita's disappearance. He doesn't understand why the wife he loves kicked him out. He doesn't understand why Anita Champion abandoned her daughter that she loved very much. As he slowly unravels the mystery of Anita's disappearance, he slowly understands why his wife kicked him out. Dylan is smart and applies that intelligence to solving the case. He's a little slower when it comes to his own personal mystery of his wife and their marriage.
Overall, a good solid mystery with interesting characters, plot and a dash of humor thrown in. I also liked the British flavor the book held. There were a few words that I had to look up to be certain of their meaning but I did enjoy the feel it gave the story. There was no doubt this book took place in England and the characterization of the people and country reflected that.
The more Dylan finds out about Anita, the more he understands her and he is certain she never would have left her daughter. Not willingly. As Dylan starts connecting the dots he finds even more questions and realizes this isn't the case of an irresponsible women taking off in the middle of the night. The way the author, Wells, lead Dylan along, finding the different clues and piecing them together to make that final picture kept and held my interest. I never thought Anita was still alive but I did want to know what happened to her - why she left and were she had gone. I think for a mystery to work the reader needs to not only want to read the steps in discovery the truth but also to know the why of the mystery. Wells does a good job delivering both.
In addition to the mystery there is also a subplot concerning Dylan's marriage. He's been kicked out of his home, his wife is barely talking to him and his relationship with his son is sliding down hill. Dylan is certain his wife, Bev, will come around and let him move back home. I liked how Dylan's marital problems also reflected on his state of mind when searching for answers about Anita's disappearance. He doesn't understand why the wife he loves kicked him out. He doesn't understand why Anita Champion abandoned her daughter that she loved very much. As he slowly unravels the mystery of Anita's disappearance, he slowly understands why his wife kicked him out. Dylan is smart and applies that intelligence to solving the case. He's a little slower when it comes to his own personal mystery of his wife and their marriage.
Overall, a good solid mystery with interesting characters, plot and a dash of humor thrown in. I also liked the British flavor the book held. There were a few words that I had to look up to be certain of their meaning but I did enjoy the feel it gave the story. There was no doubt this book took place in England and the characterization of the people and country reflected that.
January 16, 2015
Dylan Scott, protagonist of this novel, is in a bad place when it starts. An ex cop who lost his job when he was jailed for assault, he is now working as a private investigator, living in a tiny flat because his wife has thrown him out, and to top it all off, his overbearing mother comes to stay.
When we are introduced to Dylan, he is in the middle of a rant about how women should not be allowed to drive because they are all 'too emotionally unstable'. This is not the way to endear me, as a reader, to a main character. Later on he agrees with his 11-year-old son that 'girls are rubbish at Xbox'. And all the while he is mooning over his wife, assuming that 'she'll come around' and let him back home because apparently this is not the first time she's thrown him out and she always relents in the end.
I was waiting for Dylan to have the revelation that he was actually a sexist asshat, and that was why his wife had thrown him out. Unfortunately, it never came.
The plot of this novel involves a young woman, Holly Champion, hiring Dylan to investigate what happened to her mother. Thirteen years earlier Anita Champion, beautiful, vivacious and impulsive, disappeared after a night out with friends. The police never took her disappearance seriously, because Anita had a habit of disappearing off for weekends at a time with men that caught her fancy, but Holly is convinced her mother would not have abandoned her. And she has absolute faith that Dylan is the man who can find out what happened. Even if Dylan doesn't have faith in himself.
The plot is engrossing and the book is well written. Unfortunately, the misogynistic and intensely annoying Dylan Scott is not a character I can muster any sympathy for, so I won't be following through with the rest of this series.
When we are introduced to Dylan, he is in the middle of a rant about how women should not be allowed to drive because they are all 'too emotionally unstable'. This is not the way to endear me, as a reader, to a main character. Later on he agrees with his 11-year-old son that 'girls are rubbish at Xbox'. And all the while he is mooning over his wife, assuming that 'she'll come around' and let him back home because apparently this is not the first time she's thrown him out and she always relents in the end.
I was waiting for Dylan to have the revelation that he was actually a sexist asshat, and that was why his wife had thrown him out. Unfortunately, it never came.
The plot of this novel involves a young woman, Holly Champion, hiring Dylan to investigate what happened to her mother. Thirteen years earlier Anita Champion, beautiful, vivacious and impulsive, disappeared after a night out with friends. The police never took her disappearance seriously, because Anita had a habit of disappearing off for weekends at a time with men that caught her fancy, but Holly is convinced her mother would not have abandoned her. And she has absolute faith that Dylan is the man who can find out what happened. Even if Dylan doesn't have faith in himself.
The plot is engrossing and the book is well written. Unfortunately, the misogynistic and intensely annoying Dylan Scott is not a character I can muster any sympathy for, so I won't be following through with the rest of this series.
May 16, 2015
Well, another decent read from Shirley Wells. This is the first Dylan Scott mystery – I had read #4 a week or so ago and decided to go back to the beginning. In it we find Dylan battling with his pride, self-worth and humiliation over being thrown out of not only the police station but also the marital home.
Let me just interject a bit of reality here – I worked with law enforcement officers for eight years and none of them have the issues that the lawmen in Hollywood films and books seem to have. They aren’t drunks, womanizers, brutal or power hungry. So yes, it does wear a bit on me in crime dramas that the cop usually has some personal demon or is always in trouble with the law in some form or other.
But anyway, it is what it is. I have to say, the writing is good and I will read more of the Dylan Scott series. Once again, I knew who the killer was early on but the motive escaped me until the last possible moment.
The story is sad – a woman who goes missing right as life is picking up for her. It moves along at a bit of a slow pace but it would have to as it was a cold case – can’t move quickly along after thirteen years. This is Dylan’s first case as a private investigator so he makes a few missteps along the way as well.
Interesting book. Perfect for the beach or a quiet evening at home. I give it an A.
Let me just interject a bit of reality here – I worked with law enforcement officers for eight years and none of them have the issues that the lawmen in Hollywood films and books seem to have. They aren’t drunks, womanizers, brutal or power hungry. So yes, it does wear a bit on me in crime dramas that the cop usually has some personal demon or is always in trouble with the law in some form or other.
But anyway, it is what it is. I have to say, the writing is good and I will read more of the Dylan Scott series. Once again, I knew who the killer was early on but the motive escaped me until the last possible moment.
The story is sad – a woman who goes missing right as life is picking up for her. It moves along at a bit of a slow pace but it would have to as it was a cold case – can’t move quickly along after thirteen years. This is Dylan’s first case as a private investigator so he makes a few missteps along the way as well.
Interesting book. Perfect for the beach or a quiet evening at home. I give it an A.
October 9, 2011
When I read the description of this book I thought it sounded interesting and I was curious about which track the author would take as there aren't really that many reasons for someone to go missing like this are there?
The storyline switches between Dylan's efforts to reunite with his estranged wife Beverley while spending time with his son and away from his mother and his time involved in trying to discover Anita Champion's last movements and what may have happened to her. We follow his movements up and down the country and even a visit abroad or two. Each location described well and full of characters that are easy to read about and a few that become favourites as you read more about them, both who they are and, for some, why they are the way they are now.
We learn more and more about Anita's lifestyle and although the ending was a cliche, it wasn't one I saw coming, I totally missed a very subtle hint about what had happened to Anita which made the reading of this book very enjoyable as it wasn't at all obvious what had happened.
There's a great flow to the writing and it's a great read which I thoroughly enjoyed, now I guess I should go find myself a copy of 'Dead Silent' to read as well!
The storyline switches between Dylan's efforts to reunite with his estranged wife Beverley while spending time with his son and away from his mother and his time involved in trying to discover Anita Champion's last movements and what may have happened to her. We follow his movements up and down the country and even a visit abroad or two. Each location described well and full of characters that are easy to read about and a few that become favourites as you read more about them, both who they are and, for some, why they are the way they are now.
We learn more and more about Anita's lifestyle and although the ending was a cliche, it wasn't one I saw coming, I totally missed a very subtle hint about what had happened to Anita which made the reading of this book very enjoyable as it wasn't at all obvious what had happened.
There's a great flow to the writing and it's a great read which I thoroughly enjoyed, now I guess I should go find myself a copy of 'Dead Silent' to read as well!
March 1, 2017
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
Appearances can be deceptive. The cover of this book made me think I was in for vampires, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Ex-cop Dylan Scott has been thrown out by his wife and faced with his mother moving into his tiny rental flat, he takes on the job of finding Holly Champion's mother Anita, who had just seemingly vanished 13 years ago when Holly was 11. Dylan travels to the small Lancashire town of Dawson's Clough where people remember Anita all too well, but seem to be hiding bit of the full story. Dylan gets more involved in digging up the past and seems to set in motion a chain of violenc behind him. I really took to Dylan, he was very likeable and the whole story was easy to read but gripping at the same time. I am pleased to see there are others in the Dylan Scott series and will be adding them to my wishlist.
Appearances can be deceptive. The cover of this book made me think I was in for vampires, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Ex-cop Dylan Scott has been thrown out by his wife and faced with his mother moving into his tiny rental flat, he takes on the job of finding Holly Champion's mother Anita, who had just seemingly vanished 13 years ago when Holly was 11. Dylan travels to the small Lancashire town of Dawson's Clough where people remember Anita all too well, but seem to be hiding bit of the full story. Dylan gets more involved in digging up the past and seems to set in motion a chain of violenc behind him. I really took to Dylan, he was very likeable and the whole story was easy to read but gripping at the same time. I am pleased to see there are others in the Dylan Scott series and will be adding them to my wishlist.
January 3, 2012
Dylan has been dismissed in disgrace from the police force for using unnessacary force on a suspect, he now has no job his wife has thrown him out and worse yet - his mum has come to live with him. So when Holly Champion begs him to investigate her mothers disappearance some thirteen years ago, he can, t say no.... even though it means taking up residence in in the dreary Lancashire town of Dawson,s Clough for the duration if the investigation. T he local police still believe that Anita Hollys mum simply took off for a better life and left Holly behind. Yet Dylan,s questions turn up plenty of suspects, her four vindictive girlfriends, the drug dealing bouncer from the night club she used to go to, the local land owner with mob connections.... But the citizens of Dawson,s Clough aren,t telling Dylan all they know, and he soon finds that a sleepy Northern town can keep a lot of secrets.
September 6, 2011
Poor, poor, poor Dylan. Fired from the police department, kicked out by his wife... he’s a man at low ebb. But then Holly Champion comes to him for help in finding her mother, who disappeared 13 years earlier, and suddenly Dylan’s true nature rises to the surface. The man is dogged and thorough and he won’t stop until he learns exactly what happened to Holly’s mother all those years ago.
This was a fun read. I started out feeling sorry for Dylan (his mother moves in with him, for Pete’s sake) and ended up liking and respecting him very much. It was fun following the twists and turns of the case—and his personal life—and I look forward to reading his continuing adventures as a private investigator.
This was a fun read. I started out feeling sorry for Dylan (his mother moves in with him, for Pete’s sake) and ended up liking and respecting him very much. It was fun following the twists and turns of the case—and his personal life—and I look forward to reading his continuing adventures as a private investigator.
September 18, 2011
Dylan Scott, considered a sometime imperfect husband by his wife and persona non grata by the police, is a detective you'll want to spend time with. Dylan--in Presumed Dead by Shirley Wells-- searches for a lovely, lively woman who attracts many men and the jealousy of her so-called friends has been missing for too many years and is presumed dead by many in her community. Her daughter, Holly, hires Dylan to find out what's become of her and we're off on an exciting read.
June 14, 2014
Easy read
Easy read
this book was a fun read. it kept you thinking where the plot was headed next. it dragged along a little to much in the middle but the pace and action picked up towards the end. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an easy and enjoyable book to read.
Easy read
this book was a fun read. it kept you thinking where the plot was headed next. it dragged along a little to much in the middle but the pace and action picked up towards the end. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an easy and enjoyable book to read.
April 10, 2015
I thought this was an interesting book. This is the first time I've read a book by this author and I enjoyed it. The story was a wee bit repetitive with Bev but I think that it might be because more of their story is to come in the future. This book was a good mystery and I would recommend it to others.
November 30, 2016
I enjoyed the beginning, the plot and the journey and wish that I enjoyed this book more than I did. I didn't really get a feel for most of the characters and about halfway through I wondered if I even cared who did it.
I'd give Shirley Wells and Dylan Scott another shot since this was her first book, but with so much else to read, it doesn't feel compelling.
I'd give Shirley Wells and Dylan Scott another shot since this was her first book, but with so much else to read, it doesn't feel compelling.
July 24, 2010
I really enjoyed this novel. How much? My power went out and I had to know what was happening. I used the light from my Iphone and had to click every few seconds so I would have light!
Longer review to come!
Longer review to come!
February 2, 2012
I enjoyed this book. It is the first book I have read by Shirley Wells and I found it intriguing. This is book #1 in her Dylan Scott Mystery series. I am looking forward to future books in this series.
July 22, 2010
My review can be viewed here at Night Owl Reviews:
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/Re...
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/Re...
September 3, 2011
five stars brilliant read you actually felt part of the story also character came alive in my imagination.Very fast paced story having you unsure of the outcome one of the best I have ever read.
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