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Sledge
Years ago, in a small Virginia town, a murderer hammered his way through the Smythville police force and then disappeared. He left Officer Mary Walker alive, but he crushed her leg, her confidence, and her spirits.
Now a private investigator, Mary takes sleuthing work as it comes and keeps a watchful eye over her shoulder. But, during a routine surveillance job on a chilly October night, a ghost from her past leaves her future uncertain.
***
SLEDGE is a fast-paced, suspense thriller short story from the author of Sara's Game and The White Mountain.
Now a private investigator, Mary takes sleuthing work as it comes and keeps a watchful eye over her shoulder. But, during a routine surveillance job on a chilly October night, a ghost from her past leaves her future uncertain.
***
SLEDGE is a fast-paced, suspense thriller short story from the author of Sara's Game and The White Mountain.
26 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2013
51 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Ernie Lindsey
52 books184 followersErnie Lindsey grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia, working on the family farm and reading, and has spent his life telling stories to anyone that will listen. He currently works as a freelance writer and is the author of five Mystery & Suspense novels and numerous short stories. When he's not writing, you can find him tackling the gigantic To Be Read list on his Kindle or the never-ending stack of books in his office.
Ernie and his family live in Oregon, along with a multi-fingered Hemingway cat named Luna.
Head over to Ernie's site where you can pick up some free Kindle books. Join him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ErnieLindseyFiction.
Ernie and his family live in Oregon, along with a multi-fingered Hemingway cat named Luna.
Head over to Ernie's site where you can pick up some free Kindle books. Join him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ErnieLindseyFiction.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 26, 2015
This was an okay read for a short story.
Questions/Comments:
1. What kind of toothbrush would cause your gums to bleed? I use cheap toothbrushes all the time and have no issues.
2. So when Mary runs into Sledge behind the warehouse, why does she wait a year before calling 911? I mean she's just sitting there watching him, beat to death, the one cop. Then called.
3. The fact that she let her rage overtaken her, stupid! I mean she could have just stayed where she was in her car and waited for the police to get there. Rather than crashing into the other cops' car. I can't believe she actually thought Sledge would let her hit him.
4. So she doesn't call the police until a while later...and when she thinks that Sledge got away, instead of going to check on the 'down' cop, she just waits for the police. Huh? Wouldn't common sense tell you to go check the person that was hurt?
5. I would have loved to have known what Sledge did to wife considering he killed all her lovers and she was still alive.
6. I wasn't really a fan of the way it was written in regards to:
"Mary said, '...'" or "Sledge said, '...'"
IDK, it just annoyed me.
7. When it came to Sledge's mom, I'm surprised she didn't get Sledge to do something to his wife rather than just the guys.
Questions/Comments:
1. What kind of toothbrush would cause your gums to bleed? I use cheap toothbrushes all the time and have no issues.
2. So when Mary runs into Sledge behind the warehouse, why does she wait a year before calling 911? I mean she's just sitting there watching him, beat to death, the one cop. Then called.
3. The fact that she let her rage overtaken her, stupid! I mean she could have just stayed where she was in her car and waited for the police to get there. Rather than crashing into the other cops' car. I can't believe she actually thought Sledge would let her hit him.
4. So she doesn't call the police until a while later...and when she thinks that Sledge got away, instead of going to check on the 'down' cop, she just waits for the police. Huh? Wouldn't common sense tell you to go check the person that was hurt?
5. I would have loved to have known what Sledge did to wife considering he killed all her lovers and she was still alive.
6. I wasn't really a fan of the way it was written in regards to:
"Mary said, '...'" or "Sledge said, '...'"
IDK, it just annoyed me.
7. When it came to Sledge's mom, I'm surprised she didn't get Sledge to do something to his wife rather than just the guys.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2017
Simply incredible. Found me a new favourite author.
September 23, 2020
Good short story
I like Mary and learning what happened with Sledge there at the end. I wish we could have had the beginning story as well.
I like Mary and learning what happened with Sledge there at the end. I wish we could have had the beginning story as well.
May 19, 2024
Tough to review a story like this; it's hard to empathize with any of the characters. I rate this 3 stars.
January 20, 2014
Sledge is a fast-paced suspenseful thriller featuring author Ernie Lindsey's main character from his novel White Mountain. Private investigator Mary Walker was crippled five years ago by a serial cop killer nicknamed "Sledge" for obvious and uncomfortable reasons. In this short, we catch up with Walker, who left the force after surviving an encounter with Sledge to become a private detective, as she is conducting late night surveillance of a warehouse whose owner suspects his employees of stealing merchandise. Inevitably Sledge reappears, and Walker must confront the psychopath who crippled her and ended her career.
This book belongs squarely in the suspense and thriller genres and pulls off both fairly well. Once I began this piece I was compelled to finish it, especially after Sledge showed up in the narrative. This story has a bit of a creep factor too if you try to put yourself in the character's shoes and imagine what you would do in a situation with a sledgehammer-wielding maniac. Lindsey's writing in Sledge is not particularly stylistic and this has the advantage of resonating easily to the modern reader and not distracting from any of the action. Don't think that I am saying his writing is amateurish in the slightest, as it is very professional and polished. I believe that there is a certain style and tone that works with this genre, and the author nailed it. My one criticism of this piece is some of the dialogue, which I felt could be a little out of place given the dire situation. I think it falls into the familiar trap of the villain pausing to have an extended 20/20-esque interview about why he did it. Even though I'm not a huge fan of that method of exposition, Lindsey successfully manages to work in a fair amount of character development for a short story, and it makes me wonder what he can do with a full length novel. I expect that White Mountain (which calls itself A Mary Walker mystery and not A Mary Walker short story), will have a goodly amount of substance and plot, not to mention action. If you're a fan of Jeff Deaver, Patricia Cornwell, or novelists in that vein, I highly recommend Sledge.
The and other reviews can be found at http://kevinmooreauthor.blogspot.com/
This book belongs squarely in the suspense and thriller genres and pulls off both fairly well. Once I began this piece I was compelled to finish it, especially after Sledge showed up in the narrative. This story has a bit of a creep factor too if you try to put yourself in the character's shoes and imagine what you would do in a situation with a sledgehammer-wielding maniac. Lindsey's writing in Sledge is not particularly stylistic and this has the advantage of resonating easily to the modern reader and not distracting from any of the action. Don't think that I am saying his writing is amateurish in the slightest, as it is very professional and polished. I believe that there is a certain style and tone that works with this genre, and the author nailed it. My one criticism of this piece is some of the dialogue, which I felt could be a little out of place given the dire situation. I think it falls into the familiar trap of the villain pausing to have an extended 20/20-esque interview about why he did it. Even though I'm not a huge fan of that method of exposition, Lindsey successfully manages to work in a fair amount of character development for a short story, and it makes me wonder what he can do with a full length novel. I expect that White Mountain (which calls itself A Mary Walker mystery and not A Mary Walker short story), will have a goodly amount of substance and plot, not to mention action. If you're a fan of Jeff Deaver, Patricia Cornwell, or novelists in that vein, I highly recommend Sledge.
The and other reviews can be found at http://kevinmooreauthor.blogspot.com/
August 24, 2013
SledgeIs A Solid Short Story
Published by Amazon Digital Services as an e-book.
Estimated length is 35 printed pages.
Mary Walker is a private detective these days. Five years ago she was a police officer who confronted the serial killer known as "Sledge." He earned that name by killing three police officers with a sledge hammer. Mary was the only one to survive a confrontation with Sledge. He smashed her thighbone with the hammer and then let the head of the hammer rest on her throat. She choked until she passed out and then, inexplicably, he left her there.
Walker quit the force and when the story starts she is a struggling private detective staking out the loading dock of a furniture factory when she discovers that Sledge is back and he has unfinished business with her...
I rate this short story 4 out of 5 stars. Walker is an interesting character, the action is solid, a mood of foreboding and dread is created and there is a bit of a twist at the end.
Read more of my reviews (more than a thousand of them!) at http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/
Published by Amazon Digital Services as an e-book.
Estimated length is 35 printed pages.
Mary Walker is a private detective these days. Five years ago she was a police officer who confronted the serial killer known as "Sledge." He earned that name by killing three police officers with a sledge hammer. Mary was the only one to survive a confrontation with Sledge. He smashed her thighbone with the hammer and then let the head of the hammer rest on her throat. She choked until she passed out and then, inexplicably, he left her there.
Walker quit the force and when the story starts she is a struggling private detective staking out the loading dock of a furniture factory when she discovers that Sledge is back and he has unfinished business with her...
I rate this short story 4 out of 5 stars. Walker is an interesting character, the action is solid, a mood of foreboding and dread is created and there is a bit of a twist at the end.
Read more of my reviews (more than a thousand of them!) at http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/
May 18, 2013
Mary Walker is on boring night surveillance, waiting for thieves to hit her current employer's warehouse. But what she gets is something entirely different.
Her mind wanders, realizing the fifth anniversary of a life changing event is almost on her, an event that had changed her life, going from a cop to private investigator with a bum leg.
The serial killer, one that specialized in cops, had been dubbed Sledge, after his weapon of choice. Mary was the only cop that had survived his attack. Then he'd just disappeared.
But he was coming back. This very night. Right in front of Mary.
And if this were a slasher movie, the sub-title might be The Final Confrontation.
The author followed this short story up with a novel, The White Mountain, which I found engrossing all the way to the end.
Recommend both highly
Her mind wanders, realizing the fifth anniversary of a life changing event is almost on her, an event that had changed her life, going from a cop to private investigator with a bum leg.
The serial killer, one that specialized in cops, had been dubbed Sledge, after his weapon of choice. Mary was the only cop that had survived his attack. Then he'd just disappeared.
But he was coming back. This very night. Right in front of Mary.
And if this were a slasher movie, the sub-title might be The Final Confrontation.
The author followed this short story up with a novel, The White Mountain, which I found engrossing all the way to the end.
Recommend both highly
June 18, 2013
Fifth anniversary brings hammering fine ending...
Five years ago Mary Walker was a cop in Smythville, Virginia - until a serial killer with a sledgehammer demolished her leg. Now she's a private investigator, checking out business thefts, sitting in the dark and remembering...the pain and the serial killer Sledge that has killed other cops and never been caught.
Exciting short story with great dialogue, believable characters especially protagonist Mary. The story moves quickly but is filled in nicely, giving the reader the backstory needed to fully appreciate the tale.
I enjoyed this short story much more than the book that follows it up - "The White Mountain." I am now going to try Lindsey's other book - "Sara's Game."
Five years ago Mary Walker was a cop in Smythville, Virginia - until a serial killer with a sledgehammer demolished her leg. Now she's a private investigator, checking out business thefts, sitting in the dark and remembering...the pain and the serial killer Sledge that has killed other cops and never been caught.
Exciting short story with great dialogue, believable characters especially protagonist Mary. The story moves quickly but is filled in nicely, giving the reader the backstory needed to fully appreciate the tale.
I enjoyed this short story much more than the book that follows it up - "The White Mountain." I am now going to try Lindsey's other book - "Sara's Game."
July 4, 2015
The story of E.B. Sledge, a WWII veteran of the war in the Pacific. From the notes he made daily, Sledge tells of the mental trials, and the jphisical death and maiming of US forces at Peleliu and Okinawa. It is not so much, who shot who and when, but focus in on the living conditions in the jungles; the mud, the bugs, the rotting bodies of the enemy and comrades who could not be taken to the rear for proper graves registration.
It is a book that makes the reader thing, "what would I have done if I were there." But for the act of God they died, we didn't.
It is a book that makes the reader thing, "what would I have done if I were there." But for the act of God they died, we didn't.
October 4, 2013
A fast paced short story, that keeps the pages turning. Mary Walker was a cop, until the night she was attacked with a sledgehammer. The police never caught the man they named Sledge. Years later, as a private investigator Mary watches as a cop is killed by Sledge. Believing back up is on the way, she confronts the man. Only to learn, her crushed leg is due to the man's cheating wife. And, his mother has hidden him from being captured years ago.
October 3, 2014
What a fantastic ride this short story was. Wow.
The premise of this story was fantastic. The idea of being face to face with the serial cop killer that injured but spared you 5 years after the fact and the aftermath from that, it was absolutely brilliant.
Edge of your seat thriller that some may say was too short but contained everything that you frequently find in a full length novel, just sped up in a faster pace.
I definitely want to read more about Mary.
Great Read!
The premise of this story was fantastic. The idea of being face to face with the serial cop killer that injured but spared you 5 years after the fact and the aftermath from that, it was absolutely brilliant.
Edge of your seat thriller that some may say was too short but contained everything that you frequently find in a full length novel, just sped up in a faster pace.
I definitely want to read more about Mary.
Great Read!
May 27, 2020
I don't normally like short stories but this one kept me on the edge of my seat. Mary Walker is a feisty private investigator who as a former police officer suffered a horrible disabling injury by a perpetrator who was never caught. He returns with a vengeance in this story. Can't wait to read the next chapter in this series.
March 7, 2020
Sledge: A Mary Walker Mystery
I'm back ! Very good story but way way way two short. Only one question. Why was the book so short ? And, yes, I know it said "short story but a five star book could have been written from what I just read. I loved the book and was on pins and needles but was so disappointed by the length of the story.
Sorry, I only give, as to what I read.
I'm back ! Very good story but way way way two short. Only one question. Why was the book so short ? And, yes, I know it said "short story but a five star book could have been written from what I just read. I loved the book and was on pins and needles but was so disappointed by the length of the story.
Sorry, I only give, as to what I read.
November 19, 2013
This was an amazing short story. It sucked me right in and kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters had decent background, there was a good back story, and it was interesting. I only wish it could have been longer...
December 19, 2013
I was surprise by this mystery short story. Often times it takes a while to build up suspense but the author did a great job giving us background details about Mary Walker and her situation. I wished most thriller/mystery books were like this.
January 12, 2016
A short story but packed a bunch of punches
Loved this short story. I had just finished the Sara trilogy and had to read more by Ernie Lindsey! Not sorry. It explained a lot in the third Sara book. Now onto the next Mary Walker book!!
Loved this short story. I had just finished the Sara trilogy and had to read more by Ernie Lindsey! Not sorry. It explained a lot in the third Sara book. Now onto the next Mary Walker book!!
February 3, 2016
Introduction to a PI series; a short story involving a man who uses a sledgehammer to kill people.
Ernie Lindsey has several series, written in widely different styles. Some I like, others I drop after a few pages. I guess it depends upon the individual reader.
Ernie Lindsey has several series, written in widely different styles. Some I like, others I drop after a few pages. I guess it depends upon the individual reader.
June 7, 2016
Very short and action packed I was left wanting. So much action that the plot got a bit lost and no character development at all.
Not a bad read and I am betting men would love it more but I never felt grounded in the story.
Not a bad read and I am betting men would love it more but I never felt grounded in the story.
October 6, 2014
4.5 Stars. Fun, fast & well written!
December 27, 2013
Very short story. By the time my interest was piqued, the book was over.
January 23, 2014
Short Story
Five stars. I loved the author's style in this fast paced short story...likeable main character and an interesting twist at the end.
Five stars. I loved the author's style in this fast paced short story...likeable main character and an interesting twist at the end.
May 19, 2015
Good read with a nice suprise ending. Well written and will read more by Ernie Lindsey
September 29, 2014
nice quick read
September 28, 2014
Not a bad read, just wish it would have been longer in length.
October 13, 2014
Clean, interesting, & short mystery. TTS-enabled eBook ©2012 Recommended.
July 26, 2013
This is just a little too short for me! I wanted more!
November 29, 2014
story would have been better if longer still gave it 4 stars
May 5, 2015
A great freebie short. Can't wait to read more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews