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Jane Perry #0.5
An Unfinished Death
Raves for Protector:
A great novel and a fabulous mystery.” &ndash Mysterious Reviews
A unique, entertaining, emotionally powerful, deftly crafted, highly recommended work.” &ndash Midwest Book Review
And for Redemption:
I took my time reading this book, actually savoring every page as it is possibly the best book I have read in a couple years.” &ndash TCM Reviews
I loved it and can’t wait for book three.” &ndash Armchair Interviews
Laurel Dewey’s Detective Jane Perry is quickly becoming one of the most distinctive, dynamic, and unforgettable characters in suspense fiction today. She’s rock hard, but capable of extraordinary tenderness. She’s a brilliant cop, but she’s capable of making life-altering mistakes. She’s uncannily talented, and she’s heartbreakingly human.
In this novella, set before the action in Dewey’s first novel, Protector, a man named Devinder Bashir reaches across the threshold of the hereafter to ask for Jane’s help. When Jane investigates his case, she learns that the man died ignominiously, but not suspiciously. But when Bashir continues to haunt her dreams, she realizes that the story of the man’s death is far from finished.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2011
5 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Laurel Dewey
23 books53 followersLaurel Dewey’s writing career has been anything but predictable. Born in Glendale, California, Dewey began her career working in public relations. Her writing talents quickly took her into other entertainment avenues. As an assistant editor at BOP Magazine in the late 1980's, Dewey helped launch the blockbuster career of teen pop groups, including The New Kids on The Block. During this time, she wrote a string of successful mystery radio plays for Los Angeles public radio networks.
Not satisfied to write in only one genre, Dewey went on to pen a western novella “In the Name of the Land” which was nominated for a Silver Spur Fiction Award. A collection of short stories followed, as did a successful stint writing and producing radio ads and promos.
In the early 1990’s, Dewey relocated to rural Colorado. But her eclectic writing forte continued as she pursued work as a freelance investigative journalist, advertising/marketing promoter and newspaper columnist. In the mid and late 1990’s, two of her books on plant medicine were published, along with 10 booklets and hundreds of articles on alternative health. During this time, she appeared as a featured guest on hundreds of national radio and television programs and lectured extensively across the United States and Canada.
But then the pages turned...literally. In 2007, Dewey released her first fiction novel, PROTECTOR, a gritty, mystical crime thriller that follows the rocky life of damaged Denver homicide detective Jane Perry. In preparation for writing the book, Dewey immersed herself in detailed research, interviewing Colorado homicide detectives and traveling on "ride-a-longs" with street cops. The intricate research helped Dewey create a debut novel that is powerful, compelling, controversial and utterly original.
The sequel to PROTECTOR, REDEMPTION, was released in June of 2009. The third book, REVELATIONS, released in June, 2011. A series of short stories and novellas featuring Detective Jane Perry were published throughout 2011, starting with "An Unfinished Death" which is a prequel to PROTECTOR.
The fourth Jane Perry novel will be published in late 2012.
In keeping with Dewey's ability to push the envelope, she's written a standalone novel, "Betty's (Little Basement) Garden," that is set for release on June 12, 2012. This controversial book will certainly spark many conversations and hopefully enlighten readers at the same time.
Dewey lives with her husband and two orange cats in rural Colorado.
Not satisfied to write in only one genre, Dewey went on to pen a western novella “In the Name of the Land” which was nominated for a Silver Spur Fiction Award. A collection of short stories followed, as did a successful stint writing and producing radio ads and promos.
In the early 1990’s, Dewey relocated to rural Colorado. But her eclectic writing forte continued as she pursued work as a freelance investigative journalist, advertising/marketing promoter and newspaper columnist. In the mid and late 1990’s, two of her books on plant medicine were published, along with 10 booklets and hundreds of articles on alternative health. During this time, she appeared as a featured guest on hundreds of national radio and television programs and lectured extensively across the United States and Canada.
But then the pages turned...literally. In 2007, Dewey released her first fiction novel, PROTECTOR, a gritty, mystical crime thriller that follows the rocky life of damaged Denver homicide detective Jane Perry. In preparation for writing the book, Dewey immersed herself in detailed research, interviewing Colorado homicide detectives and traveling on "ride-a-longs" with street cops. The intricate research helped Dewey create a debut novel that is powerful, compelling, controversial and utterly original.
The sequel to PROTECTOR, REDEMPTION, was released in June of 2009. The third book, REVELATIONS, released in June, 2011. A series of short stories and novellas featuring Detective Jane Perry were published throughout 2011, starting with "An Unfinished Death" which is a prequel to PROTECTOR.
The fourth Jane Perry novel will be published in late 2012.
In keeping with Dewey's ability to push the envelope, she's written a standalone novel, "Betty's (Little Basement) Garden," that is set for release on June 12, 2012. This controversial book will certainly spark many conversations and hopefully enlighten readers at the same time.
Dewey lives with her husband and two orange cats in rural Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 22, 2011
This is a novella, first of all. So, it's short....like 48 pages. But it's a nice little tidbit, prequel to PROTECTOR and definitely worth the read. I loved the description of the middle ground (purgatory) that Jane Perry travels to in order to help a dead man who is wrongly accused of committing suicide and disgracing his family. Through Jane's alcoholic haze, we're never sure if what she's seeing and hearing is real or imagined....and the final lines of the story reminded me of those wonderful "Twilight Zone" episodes that made you go "A ha!" A good, quick read that will make you love Jane Perry even more.
If you are offended by crude language, this is not for you. But in my opinion, Jane's choice of words is one of the things I love about her. It makes her one of the most real heroines I've read in a long time.
If you are offended by crude language, this is not for you. But in my opinion, Jane's choice of words is one of the things I love about her. It makes her one of the most real heroines I've read in a long time.
September 27, 2011
This is like nothing I've ever read before. And it's not so much because of the murder mystery in it. Laurel Dewey has crafted what the middle ground between this earth and "heaven" is like and it will send chills up your spine. No, that middle ground is not dark and gruesome; it's captivating and heart tugging to think that some souls get trapped after they die for whatever reason and have to work out their unresolved issues in this place before they can ascend. Brilliant idea and to tie in a murder mystery on top of it is unexpected. What I love about Dewey's work is that she writes a strong thriller but adds this mystical/metaphysical dimension to the stories/novels that is so unique. NOTE: THIS IS A NOVELLA, NOT A FULL LENGTH NOVEL. But it's a great, captivating read for a lunch break or afternoon downtime.
May 25, 2023
"Unfinished Death" packs a lot into 40 pages and is just interesting enough to encourage me to read on in the 'Jane Perry' series.
At the core it is standard crime noir but there is an added layer of the paranormal.
Devinder Bashir died by suicide, surrounded by child pornography, over the weekend and a drunken Jane has a dream/vision in which he claims his innocence.
She's a Denver detective, not assigned to the case, but decides to investigate anyway - solving the death in short order.
Jane, herself, is an interesting character. Aged 35 she's been a heavy drinker for many years and, towards the end, a hint is given as to the reason why. She's also involved in an abusive relationship.
2.5 Stars, reduced to 2 Stars.
At the core it is standard crime noir but there is an added layer of the paranormal.
Devinder Bashir died by suicide, surrounded by child pornography, over the weekend and a drunken Jane has a dream/vision in which he claims his innocence.
She's a Denver detective, not assigned to the case, but decides to investigate anyway - solving the death in short order.
Jane, herself, is an interesting character. Aged 35 she's been a heavy drinker for many years and, towards the end, a hint is given as to the reason why. She's also involved in an abusive relationship.
2.5 Stars, reduced to 2 Stars.
October 13, 2018
I'll absolutely read the rest of this series
This was a very short but good story. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I Recommend it to anyone that liked mystery.
This was a very short but good story. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I Recommend it to anyone that liked mystery.
October 12, 2013
I was a bit disappointed in the shortness of this ebook, since I actually purchased this. It was a quick predictable suspense thriller, that was easily wrapped up in 37 pages. Detective Jane Perry is haunted by a spirit that is unable to rest because even though it was thought that is was a suicide, ended up indeed to be a murder. She starts digging to come up with who the man's killer is.
July 29, 2011
This is the first book I have read by Laurel Dewey and the first novella I've read. I was pleasantly surprised at the story-line and found it very intriguing. I'm looking forward to reading her full-length novels, and I hope they are just as interesting!
August 17, 2011
Warning this is a novella not a full length book. It is short but sweet. I love the main character and Laurel allows her to jump off the page and describes her so well that you will feel like you know her. As with her other books, loved it. I can't wait for her to write another!!!
April 30, 2011
A series of books featuring a tortured chemically dependent detective. Nice AA spin.
December 15, 2013
I really enjoy the Jane Perry novels so I couldn't pass up this short story.
A very good read. 4 stars!
A very good read. 4 stars!
December 25, 2012
Nice short story. Could have done away with the cigarette count in the beginning. Repetitive. Hate that.
February 11, 2013
Quick and to the point. How this author can spin a web and untie it in 38 pages (e-book) is beyond me!! Oh I know this author is going to my MUST READ NO MATTER WHAT list. WOW!
September 14, 2023
This was a good story but too short. There wasn’t e ouch time to build the characters, except for Jane. I enjoyed it a lot I just wish it had been longer.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews