Dead Witness is the best kind of rollercoaster ride in the park! A slow ominous beginning rolls forward, building tension as the bumps ahead come into view.

By the time our heroine Valerie McCormick is on her vigilante mission to take down a cartel boss where the FBI had failed, sub-plots keep us rocketing along.

From her husband's potential betrayal and her brother's brave search for her - to the continuing mystery around her parents' death - Valerie's life is spiraling towards a dark conclusion.

Author Joylene Butler has crafted a skillfully woven narrative around a simple question: How far would a mother go to protect her children?

Valerie's actions answer resoundingly in her heroic journey into the dangerous world of psychotic career criminals, armed only with passion and tenacity.

In the face of certain death, she discovers the full extent of her physical and emotional capabilities.

Dead Witness is highly recommended for mystery lovers and anyone from BC who would enjoy reading their own small towns threaded into an international thriller.

DEAD WITNESS by Joylene Nowell Butler.

When Canadian Valerie McCormick won a trip to Seattle , she could never have imagined the bizarre twist that fate had in store for her. She had promised to take pictures of a boat one of her husband's client wanted to buy, and she was determined to keep her promise. What she saw instead was a gang-style execution in progress; and the killer saw her. In her desperation to get away she dropped her camera and her life took a sharp turn that couldn't be reversed.

The killers are members of the DeOlmos family, a drug cartel operated by charming but deadly brothers. Valerie is the eye-witness who could put them away forever, and they knew who she is. Once Valerie is placed into the witness protection program, things go haywire. Somehow the DeOlmos know her every move. Mike "Candyman" Canaday is the special FBI agent assigned to protect her, and he will do anything necessary to do his duty.

Dead Witness is an adventure/mystery novel with enough twists and turns to keep the pages turning. Will Valerie's family be safe? Will she ever see her daughters again or will the DeOlmos gang take their revenge on them? Or will they find her before the FBI can take them down. This is a terrific novel with a strong female lead and an equally strong male counterpart. Great entertainment.

J. F. Gump
Author of:
"Siam Nights"
"Thailand , Cold Rain"
"Tears For The Thai Girl"
"Blame It On Bangkok "

Valerie McCormick witnesses the murder of two FBI agents while visiting in Seattle, Washington. When the FBI lose track of the killer and not only her safety but also that of her family is jeopardized, Valerie escapes from their witness protection program and gets personally involved in the search with a tenacity that mothers everywhere will relate to.

The advice writers are frequently given -- to write what they know -- doesn't always work to their advantage. For author Joylene Butler, however, it's helped her produce believable characters who function in credible locales. This debut novel, "Dead Witness", features a wife and mother from Prince George, a small city in western Canada, where Butler also lives. In the story Valerie's brother is an ex-RCMP officer and PI; Butler's real life brother is also a PI. It all provides a familiarity that makes it easy for readers to get and stay involved in the story.

"Dead Witness" has good storytelling and a well paced plot. It's a suspense-filled page-turner right to the end!

Valerie McCormick is combining a solo all-expense paid dream trip to Seattle with business, while her family is at home in Canada. Her trip takes a life-altering turn when she accidentally witnesses two murders.

Valerie realizes how alone she is when the murderers give chase to silence her. She is unfamiliar with the area and panics even more when she realizes what she dropped. Her inner need for self-preservation to stay alive and get home to her kids keeps her alive. She wrestles with her conscience about what to do about what she saw. It's her personal family history that helps her make the tough decision and it might not be the safest one.

Learning she witnessed the murder of two FBI agents does nothing to soothe Valerie's nerves as she makes her way home and tries to keep the graphic images out of her mind. With her brother's unwavering support, she focuses on the family lumber business and raising her three daughters.

Joylene Butler's protagonist is a 'real person' - a mother, wife, and co-owner of a family business - but it's the exceptionally crafted, extreme circumstances Butler devises for the protagonist that yank the reader into the prose and keep eyes focused on the pages. Butler's research is seamlessly written to make the story move along as quickly as the action. The tight, descriptive writing makes the characters seem like they are on a movie screen and not mere text in a book.

Joylene Nowell Butler was born in Manitoba, Canada, grew up in Haney, and raised her sons in Pr. George, BC. She and her husband built and now live in a cottage on Cluculz Lake. The jury is out whether they'll retire there or not, but it's where Joylene is currently at work on her sixth novel. Check out her blog at: http://cluculzwriter.blogspot.com/.

Dead Witness is a true suspense novel. The reader naturally tries to anticipate where the story is going, but Butler has a surprise around every corner. If you enjoy thrillers or suspense, this book does not disappoint. The novel is a literal page turner if you focus on the story and overlook any editorial issues. Butler is a name to watch in the thriller genre.

Dead Witness, the exciting break-out novel from a talented new author - Joylene Butler, is a non-stop roller-coaster of suspense and intrigue.

Joylene does a masterful job of creating an "Every-Woman" protagonist, Valerie McCormick, that at first you will feel compassion for when she is forced to abandon her beloved family to save their lives. But as the story progresses, you will find yourself rooting for Valerie as she learns that she is much stronger that she ever imagined

The story is tight and well crafted. The villains are pure poison but the author doesn't fall in to the trap of so many others who make their evil characters two dimensional stereotypes.
Author Butler's villains are evil to be sure but the author gives us a back story which helps we the reader, to comprehend their actions without necessarily sympathizing with them


The action is fast paced and intense, as is the transformation of Valerie; from a bored, and beleaguered wife and mother - to a woman who finds that when the worst happens and her family lives are in danger, she has the inner strength to transform herself from an insecure and vulnerable housewife, to a brave and strong woman.

I highly recommend Dead Witness as a "Must" for your reading list !

Ric

Ric Wasley - Author

•The Scrimshaw - 2008
•Shadow of Innocence - 2007
•Newport Blues (limited Edition)
•Acid Test - 2004

Short Stories:
At my Window with a Broken Wing
Embers
The Night
Baby Boomer article series: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ric_Wasley

Dead Witness is dead on
27 Jul 2008)
by Keith Pyeatt
I reluctantly reached the end of Dead Witness this afternoon and had to say goodbye to Valerie and Canaday, the two main characters. They are wonderful, as are the plot and the pace and the characterization and the twists. The dialogue is as real as it gets. But yet another reason Dead Witness shines so brightly is the DeOlmos brothers, the bad guys. They're evil but oh so human. Individually, they're scary and believable and sometimes even charming, but there's something about the way they interact and complement each other that makes them all the more realistic and complex and terrifying. Still, it's Valerie who gets my highest praise. What a fascinating mix of vulnerability and strength, naivety and savvy, purity and seductress.

The writing style is crisp and dynamic and consistent, perfect for a thriller. This novel gets all the stars I'm allowed to give it. I loved reading Dead Witness and hated to see it end.

I am not an English major, writer or journalist so please forgive any grammatical errors.... I am an ordinary person who lives in genteel poverty and likes to read. I purchase my books on sale or at rummage/garage sales. So right off the top, I really appreciated being able to download a copy of Dead Witness for only $2.

Now about the story. I liked it. I really liked it. The plot kept moving at a good pace. The initial chapters felt script like but by chapter nine the characters started to become real to me and I was definitely hooked. I would have preferred the main characters to have had their personality traits more exaggerated, bigger than life, more emotional, not so reserved ... so they could jump off the page and into my heart sooner... After all, it's imperfections and contradictions that, for me, make people lovable.

Being from Prince George, it would have been great to have had more action take place in PG, the north and Canada. Alaska would have been my choice for the first safe house. More descriptions of the city and surrounding area would have made me feel I'm traveling in the vehicle or shopping in the store with Valerie & Ed. Not being a writer, I wondered why the names of establishments had to be changed. For example we have five major banks in Canada. Why couldn't the bank scene have been in a real Canadian branch because then I could have visualized RBC with its blue decor or the Bank of Nova Scotia with its red color scheme. Why couldn't UNBC keep its real name?

My bias would have been to have the law enforcement agencies themselves look more competent with bureaucratic bungling and miscommunication something that happens in large organizations rather than appear so ineffective. I also sometimes questioned how easily information could be traced in this story and sure hope it is not true... I want the mounties to always get their man!

And dare I say, I would have liked the sexual thoughts to have been steamier, the attraction deeper, more animalistic and less tame, the sex hotter and more descriptive... this is not real life after all. Given the situation, all the emotions and hormones galloping at warp speed, I think it would have been perfectly natural for a character to have acted totally out of character and lost their societal inhibitions to the moment.... tomorrow may not be a reality for them after all. But this is just one reader's opinions.

All of the above points are minor things. I enjoyed reading the book and was entertained. I want to know when Ms. Butler's next book is coming out. I hope it contains more of Valerie, Canaday, Roth, and Vamozzi. Now that these characters have entered my life, I really hope I get to continue a relationship with them in future books. My secret wish is Canaday moves to Canada, becomes a Canadian citizen...... maybe teams up with Roth to build a very successful investigative firm. Vamozzi's connections are used but ... after a bit .... he is asked to head a branch office in the States and perhaps meets a client that he falls in love with too. Did I mention that I like to read fictional novels? Dead Witness was a very enjoyable read and I want more. I am now a fan.

Valerie McCormick had won a Mother¢s Day contest for two fun filed days in Seattle . If she had known that winning would have her running for her life then she probably won¢t have gone. Valerie went down to the docks to take some pictures when she witnesses the murder of two men. Valerie discovers that the two men were undercover FBI agents who were working a case to bring down of Latin¢s most famous drug lord¢s Miguel DeOlmos. Now DeOlmos is after Valerie and her family but the FBI is going to try their hardest to protect Valerie. DeOlmos tracks Valerie down and almost succeeds in killing her. Now Valerie knows that she will have to take matters into her own hands. It¢s a battle of wits in addition to who has time in their favor.


I found it amazing just to what extremes a mother will go to protect her family. Valerie¢s character is a very strong woman with a fierce personality. The story line was a very exciting one with all the action and adventure. It seemed like though that Valerie was better equipped to take on Miguel DeOlmos then the FBI were. This is why I think I found Dead Witness so good was because I wanted to see what Valerie would do next. I was pleasantly surprised to find I couldn¢t put Dead Witness down. Dead Witness can by classified as a great read. This is all due to the author Joylene Nowell Butler. Keep up the good job.

I have never read a book that had me feeling so much like the main character. I could feel her despair when she went to turn the ignition key. Joylene has a wonderful knack for putting you into the characters shoes. It was so well written, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Anyone wanting a great read from beginning to end should be sure to read this novel.

I would like to know if Joylene has other novels published and if so what are the names of them. If she doesn't, when will she have her next novel published?

This was a fast paced, gripping book. I was rooting for Valerie and Canaday the whole way. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves endearing, believable characters and a break neck ride from the forests of British Columbia to the hot sultry beaches on Baja where danger lurks in the most gracious, evil package. I look forward to more books by Joylene.

When I pick up a suspense/crime novel, I have certain expectations. I want to get pulled in to the story right away, I want to like the main character a lot and thus care about her fate, and I want to be entertained; that is, I want to feel surprised, scared, angry, amused, shocked and thrilled. Being a normal human being, I want the good guys to win and the bad guys to go down-- they have to either get put away or die, and it's even better if they are thoroughly humiliated and disgraced first. And, being a woman, I enjoy a good love story.

This author fulfilled all my requirements. This story moves very quickly at all the right times, yet also vividly portrays the boredom and frustration of life as a protected witness. Valerie is a very likeable heroine: an orphan who married for security not love, and a mother of three who cares passionately about her kids and especially wants them to have a better life than she did. In terms of the entertainment, it was first rate and made the book difficult to put down. Without giving too much away, the conclusion of the book is very satisfying. And finally, the love story is possibly the best part, because it is not straightforward and at times you wonder if the two characters, who are obviously attracted to each other, are ever going to actually connect!

I strongly recommend this first novel to anyone who wants to read an exciting suspenseful book with a lot of heart. Joylene Butler never talks down to her readers; she is right there with us, leading us through Valerie's adventures in a way that leaves no doubt of her passion for a rivetting, well-told tale.
Review by N. MacFarlane

When Valerie McCormick stumbles upon the scene of a murder she becomes the only witness who can testify in the trial of crime boss Miguel DeOlmos, and becomes a target for murder herself. While the story unfolds at a thriller pace, author Butler weaves a compelling tale of Valerie, a woman who will risk everything for the sake of her endangered family.

I have to admit to breaking all the rules in this review; Joylene Butler has been an online writing buddy for years and I critiqued an earlier draft of this novel, but I wanted to showcase a self-published novel as atonement for casting aspersions when I ceased accepting them for review. A self-published novel can be as good a read as this and do well, but it must contain the same amount of critical reading and novel craft as a commercial publisher would require. The only aspect I would fault in this edition of Dead Witness is to suggest it needed stronger copy editing, and if another edition is intended, now would be a good time to do it.

While murder and violence underlie the action this is no bang bang shoot em up where the author sacrifices depth and characterization for impact; which may have caused potential publishers to shy away from something so different from the kind of mindless TV drama most thriller writers aim for. We are thrust into Valerie's turmoil as the FBI whisk her away from DeOlmos's attempts to silence her and she has to let her husband, brother, and beloved daughters believe she's dead. She turns out to be a very difficult subject for the witness protection program because she feels as if she might as well have died as to become so irrevocably separated from them; unless DeOlmos can be caught and successfully brought to trial.

The cast of characters are well drawn, from the cold and murderous DeOlmos, ever wary of plots to catch him, to Canaday the withdrawn and lonely FBI chief who finds protecting his star witness requires him to make his own commitments to a life that he has eschewed. The love of family is central to both heroine and villain and the author's excellent exploration of their personalities provides a powerful underpinning to the action. The drama unfolds and deepens as the suspicious DeOlmos uses all his corrupt resources to send his killers to her hiding places. The contest between the crime boss and the FBI swings back and forth as each plans to outwit the other.

This is Joylene Butler's earliest and first released novel which has gone through a great deal of polishing and re-writing over the years while she also worked on four more thrillers. While it was represented by no fewer than three different literary agents, none were able to place it with NY publishers. This edition became self-published almost by accident. As she has explained on on-line writers' sites, and in the interview I did with her on Blogcritics (http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/08/05/080239.php), she decided to self publish with Lulu merely for the chance to hold the book upon which she had lavished so much care. She bought a single copy, and didn't intend to order more until her family became excited and insisted she sell them locally. To her surprise the copies she then ordered have sold well and she has become something of a local celebrity within a few weeks. She is currently seeking wider distribution.

Dead Witness is a thriller that satisfies on more than one level. While the action is sufficient to keep the reader up late turning the pages, the exploration of personalities, fears, and loyalties marks the beginning of Joylene Butler's fascination with the inner lives of the characters whose crimes and struggles drive her stories. I am one of those who looks forward to see her other thrillers in print so that others can enjoy the keen perception she brings to the genre.

Watch out for Joylene Nowell Butler. Her first novel, Dead Witness, is a gripping tale of a woman whose life changes forever when she witnesses the leader of a Latin drug cartel murder two FBI agents. The FBI desperately wants Valerie to testify; the drug lord is just as determined to make sure she never does.

It's a rollercoaster ride of chilling plot twists and turns. Butler takes us into the mind and heart of a woman who lost her parents as a child and now loses her children, when the FBI force her into hiding. As she struggles to elude the drug lord and return to her children, she discovers an inner strength that allows her to not only face the demons in her past, but also find romance in a most unlikely place. Butler's writing is fluid and compelling: she evokes each scene with an attention to detail that makes you feel you're actually there.

Plot, pace, characterization and prose: Butler delivers on all counts. Pick up Dead Witness and you won't want to put it down.

Fast-paced entertainment with characters you won't forget!!,
By V. L. Smith (Central PA) -

Dead Witness is definitely a Friday night read. If you start this book on a school night, prepare to spend the next day sleep-deprived. Joylene Nowell Butler's crisp plot races forward and never relents. The book delivers an exciting story at a hot pace; but that is not what makes it a five-star read. What distinguishes Dead Witness is the outstanding quality of the dialogue and the depth and complexity of its characters.

Nowell Butler's heroine, Valerie McCormick, is a Canadian housewife and mother from Prince George, British Columbia. When the machinations of the FBI fail to protect her or her family from Colombian drug lord Miguel DeOlmos, Valerie makes the decision to seek DeOlmos on her own terms. Those terms are what make this heroine so appealing and so interesting, as one quiet, determined BC housewife takes her fate in her own hands and sets the FBI, and its star agent, Michael Canady, on their ears.

Imagine being on an innocent vacation - one that has been won, no less, and suddenly being the unwitting witness to a murder. To top things off, this is not just any murder, but the murder of two undercover FBI Agents, the gunman one of the highest on the most wanted lists and the leader of a powerful Latin drug cartel. Murder is horrible enough, but with these dangerous circumstances, it can be deadly to the witness.

Valerie McCormick, a wife and dotting and loving mother of three precious girls, lives in a small Canadian town. After winning a trip to Seattle, Valerie is alone when she encounters a seemingly heated conversation between several men. Before she knows it, one of the men pulls out a gun and kills two of men, right before her eyes. As she turns to escape, she drops her camera, which just happens to have one picture of herself in front of the hotel that she is staying at. Being the honorable person that she is, Valerie goes to the police with what she has witnessed, and her life is never the same again.

Imagine being a mother whose one true purpose and reason for living is her children. Then suddenly being told that you will never again be able to see your children and if you do not cooperate, you will be putting those precious and cherished lives in grave danger. This is just one, but the most vital heart wrenching circumstance that Valerie must come to deal with. Until the murderer is found, her life is no longer her own and it does not take long for Valerie to take matters into her own hands.

Invoking on a dangerous and life threatening quest, Valerie comes face to face with horrors that would break the average person. However, finding a deep inner strength and courage unlike any other, Valerie does what must be done to save her family and regain her life.

I loved the character of Valerie and felt easily connected to her. The development that she goes through, as she engulfs upon this life threatening journey, is heartwarming and makes the reader want to cheer her discovery of inner courage and strength.

Ms. Butler does a superb job of bringing the story of Dead Witness and her characters to life. I found it difficult to put this book down and though greatly satisfied with the ending, I was left wishing for more. Dead Witness is an excellent story of suspense with just a dash of romance thrown in. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a great read - you will not be disappointed. From the first word, until the last, there were never any dry spots, over-wording, or story lagging. I, for one, cannot wait to read more by this author and hope that the wait is not long!

No good deed goes unpunished.

When Valerie McCormick takes time from her vacation (which she won) to take a photo of a boat one of her husband's clients is wanting to buy. She has only 15 minutes to do this, but that's okay--she can run down the pier. While rushing down the wharf, she comes upon the scene of a double murder of a pair of FBI agents and everything changes.

Valerie is now running for her life whether she knows it immediately or not. The killer, Miguel DeOlmos, is the head of a South American drug cartel no one has been able to identify and that's the way he wants it. DeOlmos is the kind of man who can smile killing a faithful retainer.

You can barely catch your breath while you're reading, "Dead Witness" moves so quickly. Valerie is a flawed and fascinating character as is her antagonist.

This is Ms. Butler's first novel and I sincerely hope it is not her last. If you can find a copy of this book, grab it--and reserve about 4 hours to read it. You won't want to stop.

Rebecca Kyle, September 2008

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't miss this read!, September 23, 2008
By author: www.wrparkbooks.com - See all my reviews
If Chapter One doesn't force your adrenaline pumping--you better check your pulse. You've ceased breathing.

Author Joylene Nowell Butler words on a white sheet of paper is the equivalent of a master painter creating a scene that comes to life on canvas in every detail. The reader will make the same journey as her characters--and sense the action, joy and sorrow, as witnessed and experienced through fictional eyes.

Ms. Butler is as talented as those whose names are featured on the bestseller list. Pack up your beach bag, suntan lotion, and a copy of Dead Witness--then lean back in your lounger and enjoy the ride.

--WR.PARK, author of the highly acclaimed suspense-thriller COMA
http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A24PQWJ4EMNF3V/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp

4.0 out of 5 stars From J. Kaye's Book Blog, September 26, 2008
By J. Kaye Oldner "Book Blogger" (http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/) - See all my reviews
The beginning of the book jumps into action when Canadian Valerie McCormick witnesses the murder of two FBI agents while on vacation in Seattle.

The FBI has been trying to track down this evasive Miquel DeOlmos. Witnesses end up dead when they try to testify against this Latin drug lord. Valerie agrees to help, but she has no idea what's in store and ends up in a witness protection program only to find out it's not enough. When her children's safety is at risk, she takes matters into her own hands by hunting down DeOlmos herself.

My only complaint was I didn't completely believe all of the FBI procedures. Keep in mind, I'm not expert and all of it might be true. As a reader, I wasn't convinced.

Although the story was about the FBI and witness protection, it had a CSI Miami feel to it. I loved the story. The characters were crystal clear with depth. Once I got started, I had trouble putting the book down.

Joylene Nowell Butler is an author to put on your watch list. Her books are packed with non-stop suspense and I look forward to reading more.

More reviews can be found on http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/

Joylene Nowell Butler's mystery, "Dead Witness," is a heart pounding, visceral story about a mother's love for her three daughters and the impossible decision that faces her: should she endanger her own and her family's lives by testifying to a murder she witnessed?

The primary character, Valerie McCormick, will win your heart. Vulnerable and full of self doubt, she is fiercely strong when her family is threatened. And the antagonists, the deadly DeOlmos brothers, are creepy, charming, and gorgeous - enough to make any sane reader get up and lock the doors.

Ms. Butler, a Canadian native, sets her tale in Seattle; Prince George, Canada; and Los Cabos, Mexico. The story races from one place to another, leaving you gasping with its twists and turns. The delightfully complex plot rivals any police story I've read, and the compelling characters far surpass those usually found in genre fiction.

If you like a dynamic read with remarkable characters, get out and buy Dead Witness.