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Dylan Scott Mystery #4
Dead Calm
Murder on the Arctic Sea
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...
34,000 words
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...
34,000 words
109 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
16 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 10, 2025
one of the worst books of the year (though the year is rather new.). Was interested as it's a murder mystery that takes place on a Arctic cruise in Norway - and we have enjoyed several Arctic cruises, luckily with no one being murdered.
But what a silly and boring story - finished reading it because it was short and an easy read.
But what a silly and boring story - finished reading it because it was short and an easy read.
July 9, 2012
My Rating: 4 stars: Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
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.
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.
June 25, 2012
It was supposed to be a relaxing family vacation aboard the Viking Cruise Line, sailing the Norwegian coast in hopes of catching a glimpse of the elusive aurora borealis. What Private investigator, Dylan Scott, got instead was a string of coincidences and one old woman with a heart condition who would never survive to see the trip.
Hanna Larsen died in her sleep of suspected heart failure. When Dylan heard heavy footsteps leaving from the direction of her cabin in the wee hours of the morning and learned the late Ms. Larsen was a very wealthy woman, his hackles rose to a level of high alert. Dylan Scott did not believe in coincidence. There was a murderer on board and he was bound and determined to find out who it was.
Dylan’s only problem was the list of suspects and the emailed threats he’d been receiving. Someone did not want him poking around and was making it quite apparent that Dylan should steer clear of affairs that were none of his business. Being who he was, Dylan never backed down from an investigation, but this time his tenacity could very well cost him more than he was prepared to pay.
A high level of suspense backed up by a well thought out and believable plot will keep the pages turning to this whodunit. The characters are quirky and solid making this an easy story to get lost in. My only problem was with the ending, which seemed hurried. The story could have easily accommodated another two chapters to rectify unanswered questions and give the reader a sense of completion. Despite this, I enjoyed the read and would recommend it to anyone who’s in the mood for a good murder-mystery.
Lee-Ann Graff-Vinson is the author of ‘Georgia’s Smile’, ‘Love’s Trust’, ‘Callie’s Fate’, ‘Love And Liberty’ (now also available in print), and her most recent release ‘Queen Emily’s Enchanted Kingdom – Sugarland’, a children’s picture book series available in kindle and print versions.
Hanna Larsen died in her sleep of suspected heart failure. When Dylan heard heavy footsteps leaving from the direction of her cabin in the wee hours of the morning and learned the late Ms. Larsen was a very wealthy woman, his hackles rose to a level of high alert. Dylan Scott did not believe in coincidence. There was a murderer on board and he was bound and determined to find out who it was.
Dylan’s only problem was the list of suspects and the emailed threats he’d been receiving. Someone did not want him poking around and was making it quite apparent that Dylan should steer clear of affairs that were none of his business. Being who he was, Dylan never backed down from an investigation, but this time his tenacity could very well cost him more than he was prepared to pay.
A high level of suspense backed up by a well thought out and believable plot will keep the pages turning to this whodunit. The characters are quirky and solid making this an easy story to get lost in. My only problem was with the ending, which seemed hurried. The story could have easily accommodated another two chapters to rectify unanswered questions and give the reader a sense of completion. Despite this, I enjoyed the read and would recommend it to anyone who’s in the mood for a good murder-mystery.
Lee-Ann Graff-Vinson is the author of ‘Georgia’s Smile’, ‘Love’s Trust’, ‘Callie’s Fate’, ‘Love And Liberty’ (now also available in print), and her most recent release ‘Queen Emily’s Enchanted Kingdom – Sugarland’, a children’s picture book series available in kindle and print versions.
June 25, 2012
It was supposed to be a relaxing family vacation aboard the Viking Cruise Line, sailing the Norwegian coast in hopes of catching a glimpse of the elusive aurora borealis. What Private investigator, Dylan Scott, got instead was a string of coincidences and one old woman with a heart condition who would never survive to see the trip.
Hanna Larsen died in her sleep of suspected heart failure. When Dylan heard heavy footsteps leaving from the direction of her cabin in the wee hours of the morning and learned the late Ms. Larsen was a very wealthy woman, his hackles rose to a level of high alert. Dylan Scott did not believe in coincidence. There was a murderer on board and he was bound and determined to find out who it was.
Dylan’s only problem was the list of suspects and the emailed threats he’d been receiving. Someone did not want him poking around and was making it quite apparent that Dylan should steer clear of affairs that were none of his business. Being who he was, Dylan never backed down from an investigation, but this time his tenacity could very well cost him more than he was prepared to pay.
A high level of suspense backed up by a well thought out and believable plot will keep the pages turning to this whodunit. The characters are quirky and solid making this an easy story to get lost in. My only problem was with the ending, which seemed hurried. The story could have easily accommodated another two chapters to rectify unanswered questions and give the reader a sense of completion. Despite this, I enjoyed the read and would recommend it to anyone who’s in the mood for a good murder-mystery.
Lee-Ann Graff-Vinson is the author of ‘Georgia’s Smile’, ‘Love’s Trust’, ‘Callie’s Fate’, ‘Love And Liberty’ (now also available in print), and her most recent release ‘Queen Emily’s Enchanted Kingdom – Sugarland’, a children’s picture book series available in kindle and print versions.
Hanna Larsen died in her sleep of suspected heart failure. When Dylan heard heavy footsteps leaving from the direction of her cabin in the wee hours of the morning and learned the late Ms. Larsen was a very wealthy woman, his hackles rose to a level of high alert. Dylan Scott did not believe in coincidence. There was a murderer on board and he was bound and determined to find out who it was.
Dylan’s only problem was the list of suspects and the emailed threats he’d been receiving. Someone did not want him poking around and was making it quite apparent that Dylan should steer clear of affairs that were none of his business. Being who he was, Dylan never backed down from an investigation, but this time his tenacity could very well cost him more than he was prepared to pay.
A high level of suspense backed up by a well thought out and believable plot will keep the pages turning to this whodunit. The characters are quirky and solid making this an easy story to get lost in. My only problem was with the ending, which seemed hurried. The story could have easily accommodated another two chapters to rectify unanswered questions and give the reader a sense of completion. Despite this, I enjoyed the read and would recommend it to anyone who’s in the mood for a good murder-mystery.
Lee-Ann Graff-Vinson is the author of ‘Georgia’s Smile’, ‘Love’s Trust’, ‘Callie’s Fate’, ‘Love And Liberty’ (now also available in print), and her most recent release ‘Queen Emily’s Enchanted Kingdom – Sugarland’, a children’s picture book series available in kindle and print versions.
September 6, 2012
Disclaimer: This is only a short story.
From amazon.com: 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...
34,000 words
My review: I recently took my first cruise and so I could see myself on the ship with all those travelers.
This is another smart mystery. Is it a natural death or is it murder? There is no reason to believe it's murder except Dylan--who couldn't sleep--heard someone enter and leave the cabin next to his when his neighbour died.
There were a lot of suspects and really, this could have been made into a full length novel. However, I really enjoyed the short read. Someday I want to meet this writer.
From amazon.com: 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...
34,000 words
My review: I recently took my first cruise and so I could see myself on the ship with all those travelers.
This is another smart mystery. Is it a natural death or is it murder? There is no reason to believe it's murder except Dylan--who couldn't sleep--heard someone enter and leave the cabin next to his when his neighbour died.
There were a lot of suspects and really, this could have been made into a full length novel. However, I really enjoyed the short read. Someday I want to meet this writer.
April 20, 2015
This was my first Shirley Wells book even though it is the fourth in the series. Her opening was provocative which made me want to dive right in. I have to admit, I kind of had it figured out before the ending because I thought the one person was too obvious but why not the other?
Descriptions of the various ports-of-call the cruise made and the Norwegian coastline had enough detail that I could picture it but not so much that I got bored. Dylan Scott seemed like a typical man to me - skipping out when there is dancing and socializing to be done and rather single-minded in his pursuit for answers. I liked the passenger Ruby - love spirited older women.
I started it at work and found myself returning to it every chance I could get until I finished it five minutes before I got off work. It is a quick read - Goodreads says only 35,000 words - my edition is 270 pages so I would expect it to be longer but whatever.
Have to say I was impressed by this easy, engaging read which means I shall be reading more in the series in the future. I give the book an A. Give it a glance if you get the chance.
Descriptions of the various ports-of-call the cruise made and the Norwegian coastline had enough detail that I could picture it but not so much that I got bored. Dylan Scott seemed like a typical man to me - skipping out when there is dancing and socializing to be done and rather single-minded in his pursuit for answers. I liked the passenger Ruby - love spirited older women.
I started it at work and found myself returning to it every chance I could get until I finished it five minutes before I got off work. It is a quick read - Goodreads says only 35,000 words - my edition is 270 pages so I would expect it to be longer but whatever.
Have to say I was impressed by this easy, engaging read which means I shall be reading more in the series in the future. I give the book an A. Give it a glance if you get the chance.
March 6, 2015
Unpretentious and enjoyable. A fun weekend (or day) read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews