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Jenny Cooper #0.5
The Innocent
ASIN B00AER8286 moved to the most recent edition
When Coroner Jenny Cooper narrowly escapes death in a freak accident, she finds herself propelled back to traumatic events ten years in her past...
We meet Jenny in the thick of her former career as a hard-working family lawyer. When one of her clients, fourteen-year-old Natasha, dies tragically under the wheels of a train, Jenny finds herself falsely accused of being responsible. Betrayed by her colleagues and pursued by the police, Jenny faces the fight of her life to prevent herself falling victim to a gross injustice.
A gripping, moving short court-room drama, The Innocent is a fantastic introduction to M. R. Hall's Coroner Jenny Cooper crime series. Includes the opening chapters of M. R. Hall's stunning new novel The Chosen Dead.
When Coroner Jenny Cooper narrowly escapes death in a freak accident, she finds herself propelled back to traumatic events ten years in her past...
We meet Jenny in the thick of her former career as a hard-working family lawyer. When one of her clients, fourteen-year-old Natasha, dies tragically under the wheels of a train, Jenny finds herself falsely accused of being responsible. Betrayed by her colleagues and pursued by the police, Jenny faces the fight of her life to prevent herself falling victim to a gross injustice.
A gripping, moving short court-room drama, The Innocent is a fantastic introduction to M. R. Hall's Coroner Jenny Cooper crime series. Includes the opening chapters of M. R. Hall's stunning new novel The Chosen Dead.
116 pages, ebook
First published December 6, 2012
88 people are currently reading
426 people want to read
About the author
M.R. Hall
23 books196 followersM R Hall, otherwise known as Matthew Hall, lives and works in the Welsh borders near Monmouth. Born in London in 1967, he was educated at Hereford Cathedral School and Worcester College, Oxford, where he graduated in law.
After several years as a criminal barrister in London, Matthew started writing TV drama, beginning with epsiodes of ITV's Kavanagh QC. He was nominated for a BAFTA for his first original series, Wing and a Prayer. He has since written over 60 hours of prime time drama including the recent BBC hit series, Keeping Faith.
His debut novel, The Coroner (2009) was shortlisted for the CWA's Gold Dagger, as was his fourth, The Flight. The Jenny Cooper coroner series has now been adapted for television. 'Coroner' is made in Toronto for CBC and distributed internationally by Cineflix.
Series:
* Jenny Cooper
After several years as a criminal barrister in London, Matthew started writing TV drama, beginning with epsiodes of ITV's Kavanagh QC. He was nominated for a BAFTA for his first original series, Wing and a Prayer. He has since written over 60 hours of prime time drama including the recent BBC hit series, Keeping Faith.
His debut novel, The Coroner (2009) was shortlisted for the CWA's Gold Dagger, as was his fourth, The Flight. The Jenny Cooper coroner series has now been adapted for television. 'Coroner' is made in Toronto for CBC and distributed internationally by Cineflix.
Series:
* Jenny Cooper
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 15, 2018
A prequel short story of the Jenny Cooper 'Coroner' series highlights child protection issues and gives Cooper a first real taste of Coroner Court
April 16, 2014
I have 5 books by M R Hall in the Jenny Cooper series so when this ebook became available I got it only to find out that it was an early story in Jenny's professional life when she was a lawyer. Others have commented that it is too short but for what it says it is word perfect. As many such short accounts the ebook promotes a later book in the series as an introduction to the character and then previews much of The Chosen Dead. Where others perhaps take a season like Christmas to join up their other books and principal characters M R Hall has offered fresh insights into why Cooper changed career path and became a Coroner. Therefore it sets me up nicely to read book 1 in the Jenny Cooper series - The Coroner.
As someone who likes to read books in chronological order or from dates of publication this later edition provides wonderful backstory and presents a women I would be interested in reading about even before you contemplate the mysteries she seeks to unravel. At I time when authors look at the earlier days of their detectives this is a welcome jumping off point for me to commit fully to reading this series that has always appealed to me. For that reason alone the ebook has served its purpose and demonstrates the benefit of owning an electronic devise to read books where publication costs mean a short story would not be published other than in a journal or magazine.
For anyone familiar with M R Hall's work this short story will be a treat; for others like me it might finally convince them to read the whole series sooner rather than later.
As someone who likes to read books in chronological order or from dates of publication this later edition provides wonderful backstory and presents a women I would be interested in reading about even before you contemplate the mysteries she seeks to unravel. At I time when authors look at the earlier days of their detectives this is a welcome jumping off point for me to commit fully to reading this series that has always appealed to me. For that reason alone the ebook has served its purpose and demonstrates the benefit of owning an electronic devise to read books where publication costs mean a short story would not be published other than in a journal or magazine.
For anyone familiar with M R Hall's work this short story will be a treat; for others like me it might finally convince them to read the whole series sooner rather than later.
May 5, 2019
Having loved the Coroner TV series, I've decided to check out the books - only to find it's definitely a case of being "inspired by" rather than "adapting". Still, it was a good book, and for the first in the series, just liking it is enough for me to continue.
August 7, 2021
A short novel by M.R.Hall.
Can't remember how or why I had this book but decided to read it anyway and what a pleasant surprise. I had no prior knowledge as to the outline of the story but it was a very good quick read.
A gripping, short court-room drama, The Innocent is a fantastic introduction to M. R. Hall's Coroner Jenny Cooper crime series.
Can't remember how or why I had this book but decided to read it anyway and what a pleasant surprise. I had no prior knowledge as to the outline of the story but it was a very good quick read.
A gripping, short court-room drama, The Innocent is a fantastic introduction to M. R. Hall's Coroner Jenny Cooper crime series.
June 8, 2017
Now we know how it all started.
I read The Coroner before reading this, and although it was pretty easy to get the gist of how Jenny became a Coroner, this book fills in a few gaps.
There is Jenny's boss in the child protection team who doesn't appear to trust her; or even like her for that matter. She certainly doesn't have Jenny's back when the plot unfolds, and appears to be looking after number one, herself. Neither does she appear to have much faith in the foster parents of the deceased girl. No wonder there is a shortage of professional people in this line of work. The only person who is in tune with Jenny is Boulter, the Coroner. He seems to be a decent chap.
This book is short, but explains everything we needed to know about how things came to be. I am looking really forward to reading the rest in this series.
I read The Coroner before reading this, and although it was pretty easy to get the gist of how Jenny became a Coroner, this book fills in a few gaps.
There is Jenny's boss in the child protection team who doesn't appear to trust her; or even like her for that matter. She certainly doesn't have Jenny's back when the plot unfolds, and appears to be looking after number one, herself. Neither does she appear to have much faith in the foster parents of the deceased girl. No wonder there is a shortage of professional people in this line of work. The only person who is in tune with Jenny is Boulter, the Coroner. He seems to be a decent chap.
This book is short, but explains everything we needed to know about how things came to be. I am looking really forward to reading the rest in this series.
March 28, 2022
Coroner
Glad I read this first before going on to the books themselves. Well written, a glimpse behind the scenes as they say without spoiling the play. Didn't realise that the character of Jenny Cooper evolved in Bristol rather than Toronto where the tv series is based. Would like to read more before deciding if I prefer the books to the series.
Glad I read this first before going on to the books themselves. Well written, a glimpse behind the scenes as they say without spoiling the play. Didn't realise that the character of Jenny Cooper evolved in Bristol rather than Toronto where the tv series is based. Would like to read more before deciding if I prefer the books to the series.
November 25, 2018
Short and enjoyable read, because of the story line and fast paced narrating events. The catchy cover is definitely capable enough to make the reader opt for this book. Story was gripping and I found it justifying enough to recommend book lovers. Thank you.
June 29, 2022
3.5
Novella setting up series. Not a particularly likeable main character but interesting enough to continue with the series. A lawyer gets too close to a young client and loses the backing of her colleagues.
Novella setting up series. Not a particularly likeable main character but interesting enough to continue with the series. A lawyer gets too close to a young client and loses the backing of her colleagues.
March 30, 2019
A good introduction to the series
August 2, 2021
Freebie Novella Prequel
August 1, 2015
A short novella, available only on Kindle (but is a free download from Amazon, so if you have the Kindle app you can read it). A prequel to the Coroner series, it takes place when Jenny is still a practicing lawyer, in a practice that deals with disadvantaged kids/families.
A relatively small story. It does not show the breakdown that leaads to Jenny being hospitalized, which occurs presumably between this story and the beginning of the series in The Coroner. But written after the first few books in the series, it nevertheless is more mature writing, without the franticness that is so annoying in those first few books.
A relatively small story. It does not show the breakdown that leaads to Jenny being hospitalized, which occurs presumably between this story and the beginning of the series in The Coroner. But written after the first few books in the series, it nevertheless is more mature writing, without the franticness that is so annoying in those first few books.
April 10, 2013
A good story, well told. It's a prequel to the first book in a series in which the main character in this story, Jenny Cooper, becomes a Coroner after realizing she is burned out from her government job as an in-house lawyer for a child protection agency. In this prequel her associates all abandoned her when she got in a jam and it seems the Coroner was the only official interested in getting to the truth.
I've purchased the first book and am looking forward to reading it.
I've purchased the first book and am looking forward to reading it.
December 31, 2013
Really enjoyed this short story. We get a little more insight into Jenny Cooper's past and why she became a coroner. When I first opened the book my kindle paperwhite calculated that It would take me 2 hours 30 minutes to read this "short story". Turned out the story only goes to 50% then there is an hour preview of another book. I have previously only read "The flight" which I think is book 3 in the series. Now to read the rest of them in order :D looking like a very good series x
August 2, 2015
I've only read The Coroner which left me wanting to know more about Jenny's breakdown. The Innocent is the prequel to that book but it comes long before the breakdown. Even so, it was a great story from Jenny's time as a family lawyer. A quick read of about 30-45 mins, this book is great for a train journey.
July 23, 2013
A good read - great descriptions of how coroners hearings actually work & really interesting analysis of how mental illness can totally alter your behaviour. Really want to find out more about the mysterious childhood trauma
December 23, 2013
I accept that a novella is going to be short but when the text of the book only fills 45% of the book I think it is disappointing. I am pleased that I didn't pay for it. Having said this I enjoyed Th Coroner so much that I will read the rest of the series.
August 9, 2016
Interesting prelude and introduction to Jenny Cooper. It gives the background as to why she changed occupation from lawyer to Coroner.
A harrowing, well written tale with strong characters.
A series worth following and the included chapters from the book, The Chosen Dead, are tantalising.
A harrowing, well written tale with strong characters.
A series worth following and the included chapters from the book, The Chosen Dead, are tantalising.
December 24, 2015
Short story prequel to the series.
March 6, 2013
great stuff made me want to read others
December 10, 2013
Quick short story, helps give the background on Jenny Cooper. If you enjoy the series this a good little quick read.
October 4, 2014
I am going to re-read this book and post an updated review
June 5, 2014
I enjoyed other novels in this series but confess I found this short story, a prequel to the other novels, somewhat disappointing. The story seemed to come to an abrupt halt.
December 28, 2015
A very quick read that gave a glimpse of Jenny Cooper before she became a coroner.
February 5, 2016
Very good prequel to the series. Gives an interesting take on child suicide, social care and inquests. I think it sets the series up nicely
February 2, 2017
This short story does just what it should, gets the reader involved enough to want to read the series :)
March 31, 2017
easy to read - good storyline
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews