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Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Tuesday - First Chapter - First Paragraph - Missing, Presumed



Each Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea shares the first part of a book that she is reading or thinking about reading.  This week I'm sharing the first few paragraphs of Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner.  This was my July selection from Book of the Month last year and I'm just getting around to reading it or considering reading it.  The first book in a series featuring Manon Bradshaw, member of the Cambridgeshire Police Force.  Based upon the first few paragraphs, I'm sold.  See what you think:



     She can feel hope ebbing, like the Christmas lights on fade in Pound Saver.  Manon tells herself to focus on the man sitting opposite, whose name might be Brian but could equally be Keith, who is crossing his legs and his foot bangs her shin just where the bone is nearest the surface.  She reaches down to rub it but he's oblivious.
     'Sensitive,' his profile had said, along with an interest in military aircraft.  She wonders now what on earth she was thinking when she arranged it, but then compatibility seemed no marker for anything.  The last date with a town planner scored 78 percent--she'd harbored such hopes; he even liked Thomas Hardy--yet Manon spent the evening flinching each time his spittle landed on her face, which was remarkably often.
     Two years of Internet dating.  It's fair to say they haven't flown by.


Blurb:

At thirty-nine, Manon Bradshaw is a devoted and respected member of the Cambridgeshire police force, and though she loves her job, what she longs for is a personal life. Single and distant from her family, she wants a husband and children of her own. One night, after yet another disastrous Internet date, she turns on her police radio to help herself fall asleep—and receives an alert that sends her to a puzzling crime scene.

Edith Hind—a beautiful graduate student at Cambridge University and daughter of the surgeon to the Royal Family—has been missing for nearly twenty-four hours. Her home offers few clues: a smattering of blood in the kitchen, her keys and phone left behind, the front door ajar but showing no signs of forced entry. Manon instantly knows that this case will be big—and that every second is crucial to finding Edith alive.

The investigation starts with Edith’s loved ones: her attentive boyfriend, her reserved best friend, her patrician parents. As the search widens and press coverage reaches a frenzied pitch, secrets begin to emerge about Edith’s tangled love life and her erratic behavior leading up to her disappearance. With no clear leads, Manon summons every last bit of her skill and intuition to close the case, and what she discovers will have shocking consequences not just for Edith’s family but for Manon herself.

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Have you read this one?  It's been out for a bit, so some probably have.  You know, it's passages such as the one above that make me so delighted that I never had the 'opportunity' to do Internet dating.  I suppose for some it works out well, but I've heard some pretty awful tales.  And yes, this is indeed a police procedural, so there will be a body and a crime.  The 2nd book in the series, Persons Unknown, will be published here in the US on July 4th.  

38 comments:

  1. Yes, Kay I've read this one and I did enjoy it - like you I'm glad that I haven't sampled internet dating - the town planner sounded like an absolute dream! I guess you don't put I spit when I talk on the profile?
    Enjoy Missing, Presumed!

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    1. I thought it was a very compelling picture and icky! LOL

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  2. That intro makes me want to read more - another great sounding crime/mystery by Kay LOL

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    1. Diane, my aim in life (and I'm not kidding completely) is to share more about fun mysteries with other people. Ha!

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  3. I read it, but wasn't much impressed. Manon's desperate need for a partner didn't appeal to me.

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    1. Oh, well, that's disappointing. However, we'll see how I fare.

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  4. I did read this book and I liked it fairly well. I would like to read more featuring Manon, this could shape up to be a good series.

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    1. Yes, I was glad to see there is a second book coming before long. If I enjoy it, then the story will go on. :-)

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  5. It sounds tempting. I might enjoy it on audio, depending on the reader.

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    1. I totally understand. Although, lately I've had a couple of narrators that I really didn't like much. I need to make a point to listen a bit longer to the audio samples that are usually available.

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  6. This is the kind of book that I want to pick up immediately. I'm going to check my library catalog for a copy right now. Enjoy!

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    1. Bet they have it, Catherine. This was pretty popular last year.

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  7. Sounds like another intriguing book to add to my ever-growing TBR list. Thanks for the introduction.

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    1. Nice to see you again! Ah, the TBR list. It grows and grows, right?

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  8. There was no Internet for most of the time I was dating, so I've never had the "pleasure" either. Thank goodness! How nerve-wracking and soul-crushing.

    This book has been on my radar for awhile now. I need to get around to actually reading it one of these days!

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    1. Yes, I can't even imagine meeting someone from the internet, but I know many have and it's worked out. And then some...not so much. I met my husband at church. When we were teenagers. LOL

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  9. This is a new-to-me novel/series, but I like the sound of it. I like that the author started out letting me know something about the detective first and not the bloody crime scene. I'm too old for internet dating, but I do recall some pretty awful blind dates.

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    1. Wow, Margot! I never did do a blind date. Think I would have been too nervous. Yes, I thought the beginning was pretty funny and no blood right away. I think it comes soon after though.

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  10. I actually have this (!) on my other kindle, buried with the other shiny titles I acquired and then "forgot" to read. I might get the urge to read it if you enjoy it, or even if you don't, lol, out of curiosity. I think this had another cover? That one above is creepy.

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    1. I'll let you know how it goes when I get started on it. Pretty soon, hopefully.

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  11. This does sound really good, Kay! I haven't read this one, but I am adding it to my wish list. I hope you like it! (It's good to know how to spell Manon--that's my neighbor's name, and I wasn't sure.)

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    1. I've never actually heard the name Manon. Funny that your neighbor is named that.

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  12. I loved this one, and hope to read more of the series, as Manon is a great character. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Glad to know you liked this one, Laurel. That bodes well for me. LOL

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  13. Like others, I really enjoyed this,one. I liked that Manon wanted a partner as so many females in these books run away from love. Enjoy x

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    1. That is very true, Emma. Glad to know this one worked well for you too.

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  14. I haven't read this one but I really want to read it. I've seen some great reviews for it and I just love the sound of it. Hope you enjoy it!

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    1. I think it will be a good one, though some have not been as enthusiastic. Happy to know that if I like it, the second will be out before long.

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    1. Probably not. I watched the first episode of Vera tonight and probably half the second episode. Once I got used to the accent, which is pretty thick, I'm liking it very much.

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    2. I began the book and got through the first part, which I still didn't care for, and I think I'm going to continue. I like the idea of the chapters.

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    3. Me, again. I just finished and liked it.

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  16. I enjoyed this book and hope you do as well.

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  17. I hope you enjoy this one! I read it last year and thought it was really good. I hope the author has another book out soon. Would love to revisit with this character.

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    1. New book coming in a few months. I think I'll like this one.

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Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy to hear your thoughts and will respond as soon as I can. Happy Reading!