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David Brunelle Legal Thriller #1.5
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
SHORT STORY, set several years after PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE.
A woman is brutally murdered, and it's district attorney Dave Brunelle's job to put the killer away. The defendant fled barefoot, abandoning her shoes in the pool of blood under the victim. It looks like an open-and-shut case, but Brunelle should know better. If he doesn't figure out the truth--and fast--it's his blood that might be spilled next.
A woman is brutally murdered, and it's district attorney Dave Brunelle's job to put the killer away. The defendant fled barefoot, abandoning her shoes in the pool of blood under the victim. It looks like an open-and-shut case, but Brunelle should know better. If he doesn't figure out the truth--and fast--it's his blood that might be spilled next.
43 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 9, 2012
100 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Penner
62 books159 followersStephen Penner is an author, artist, and attorney from Seattle, Washington. He has written more than 30 novels and specializes in courtroom thrillers known for their unexpected twists and candid portrayal of the justice system. He draws on his extensive experience as a criminal trial attorney to infuse his writing with realism and insight.
Stephen is the author of several top-rated legal thriller series. The DAVID BRUNELLE LEGAL THRILLERS feature Seattle homicide D.A. David Brunelle and a recurring cast of cops, defense attorneys, and forensic experts. The TALON WINTER LEGAL THRILLERS showcase tough-as-nails Tacoma criminal defense attorney Talon Winter and her closest allies. And the RAIN CITY LEGAL THRILLERS deliver the adventures of attorney Daniel Raine and his unlikely partner Rebecca Sommers. Stephen is also the author of the MAGGIE DEVEREAUX PARANORMAL MYSTERIES, recounting the exploits of an American graduate student in the magical Highlands of Scotland, and several other stand-alone works.
In his spare time, Stephen enjoys painting, drawing, and spending time with his family. For more information, visit his website www.stephenpenner.com.
Stephen is the author of several top-rated legal thriller series. The DAVID BRUNELLE LEGAL THRILLERS feature Seattle homicide D.A. David Brunelle and a recurring cast of cops, defense attorneys, and forensic experts. The TALON WINTER LEGAL THRILLERS showcase tough-as-nails Tacoma criminal defense attorney Talon Winter and her closest allies. And the RAIN CITY LEGAL THRILLERS deliver the adventures of attorney Daniel Raine and his unlikely partner Rebecca Sommers. Stephen is also the author of the MAGGIE DEVEREAUX PARANORMAL MYSTERIES, recounting the exploits of an American graduate student in the magical Highlands of Scotland, and several other stand-alone works.
In his spare time, Stephen enjoys painting, drawing, and spending time with his family. For more information, visit his website www.stephenpenner.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 28, 2025
Meh. I'd read a David Brunelle book before this, and this short story makes me gripe about the same things. Brunelle is a douchebag around women. Having said that, I wonder if the author has a low opinion of women because not only do the women seem like slutty objects, but they don't seem very bright in his books either. Even the medical examiner in this one seemed like only a slab of meat who didn't even really know what was going on at the best of times.
Aside from that huge gripe, facts don't seem to matter at all here. For example, blood doesn't "flow" from a body once it's dead. But this was a decent evidence point in the crime.
I might give one more of Penner's books a try, but I think it's going to be "3 strikes and you're out" on this series for me.
Aside from that huge gripe, facts don't seem to matter at all here. For example, blood doesn't "flow" from a body once it's dead. But this was a decent evidence point in the crime.
I might give one more of Penner's books a try, but I think it's going to be "3 strikes and you're out" on this series for me.
April 17, 2020
Decent Short Story
Read this in about an hour. The author does a good job packing a lot into a few pages: good dialogue, love interest, intrigue and a good ending. Oh, it also had realistic courtroom scenes as well.
Read this in about an hour. The author does a good job packing a lot into a few pages: good dialogue, love interest, intrigue and a good ending. Oh, it also had realistic courtroom scenes as well.
August 24, 2020
Fun
A fun and quirky short story about a prosecutor and his red stilettoes. I would give five stars except for numerous times that the author shifts the point of view between characters.
A fun and quirky short story about a prosecutor and his red stilettoes. I would give five stars except for numerous times that the author shifts the point of view between characters.
April 10, 2025
this was a short one and goood
I’ve always enjoyed all of the David Beunelle books. I love to see what kinds of situations he gets into. And how he will take his case in trial and this was no different either. Just keep reading
I’ve always enjoyed all of the David Beunelle books. I love to see what kinds of situations he gets into. And how he will take his case in trial and this was no different either. Just keep reading
May 29, 2020
Not bad for a short story.
April 6, 2024
David Brunelle is the assistant district attorney.
David goes with Detective Chen and Dr. Anderson, the medical examiner, to a murder scene at a trap house—a woman’s throat has been slit.
David is concerned that their prime suspect is too small, but she’s high af on meth. David is impressed by the cops’…mediocre techniques.
We learn that the meth head didn’t actually do it. Coincidentally, the victim’s boyfriend was recently released from prison, unbeknownst to David.
When Carrington is called to testify, he drops some bombs that help David’s case tremendously. David’s pumped. Until Dr. Anderson takes the stand…
David is a really sloppy attorney. He doesn’t bother to listen to the suspect’s confession in its entirety, and he doesn’t even read the toxicology report.
Very readable. While the flow is back and forth, the pacing is solid. Unfortunately, the plot devolves pretty quickly. Few discerning readers will be able to suspend this much disbelief. Cute caper, but this cannot be taken seriously.
David goes with Detective Chen and Dr. Anderson, the medical examiner, to a murder scene at a trap house—a woman’s throat has been slit.
David is concerned that their prime suspect is too small, but she’s high af on meth. David is impressed by the cops’…mediocre techniques.
We learn that the meth head didn’t actually do it. Coincidentally, the victim’s boyfriend was recently released from prison, unbeknownst to David.
When Carrington is called to testify, he drops some bombs that help David’s case tremendously. David’s pumped. Until Dr. Anderson takes the stand…
David is a really sloppy attorney. He doesn’t bother to listen to the suspect’s confession in its entirety, and he doesn’t even read the toxicology report.
Very readable. While the flow is back and forth, the pacing is solid. Unfortunately, the plot devolves pretty quickly. Few discerning readers will be able to suspend this much disbelief. Cute caper, but this cannot be taken seriously.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews