Pearls of Deception

by Carolyn Arnold

When Christina finds out her husband of twelve years is cheating on her, she takes justice into her own hands. The question is: will she get away with it?

Genres: Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Short Stories

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2012

About the author

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has nearly thirty published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christina's husband is cheating on her and she is not happy! She comes up with the perfect plan to make him ..and the other woman ... pay.

After all Christina is smart .. she knows how to commit the perfect murder...doesn't she?

Very short story .... well written ... loved the ending!

[Wiseask · Rating 2 out of 5]

In her 18-page short story, Pearls of Deception, Carolyn Arnold attempts the type of ironic twist you’ll find in masters of the form like O. Henry and H. H. Munro (pseudonym: Saki). Alfred Hitchcock brought these types of tales to television in the 1950s and 1960s. Unfortunately, at least based on this story, Carolyn Arnold is not even remotely in their league, but I give her a star and a half for trying, and another half star for only wasting ten minutes of my time.

In Pearls of Deception, Christina has caught her husband of 12 years cheating on her, and spends “months” planning the “perfect” crime of revenge. But then, when the big moment arrives, she does something so incredibly stupid we can only shake our heads in disbelief, disappointment, and appreciation for the skill that Saki brought to this literary form — in contrast to the hapless Carolyn Arnold.

[Nancy Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just downloaded this short story, and I immediately started reading it. Since my husband was on the phone, I delayed getting dinner ready and continued reading. This story reminds me of some of the 30-minute radio shows of suspense and mystery that I listened to as a child. It is pumped with adrenalin as this wife takes her revenge on her husband and his mistress. At the end, I said, "OMG"... one would never suspect who the wife really is! And I'm not telling; worth every bit of 99-cent enjoyment! Now I have to feed my husband!

[Joanna Doster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Polished Gem!


Just like the rare qualities of a pearl, Carolyn Arnold's short story, "Pearls of Deception" has many elements that make it unique, polished, and luminous. The author usually writes best-selling police procedurals and other thrillers, but has taken a different path this time, in writing about a woman's revenge against her cheating husband and his mistress. It is written in such a palpable way that you feel you are sharing the same excruciating pain and torment as the scorned wife. Arnold embraces the old school of mystery writing by telling her "woman scorned" story with exquisite detail and emotion. Her true talent shines through by her keen ability to encapsulate this riveting tale into a short story.

[Vickie McKeehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the short story, Pearls of Deception, Ms. Arnold switches gears from her usual best-selling thrillers to a snapshot from within of a scorned wife seeking retribution. She sets this scene from page one, grabbing the reader and taking us into Christina’s world of revenge. Christina’s been betrayed, she has a captive audience. Now she’s armed and ready for them to suffer. To her, the power has shifted. You’ll be irresistibly drawn into this mesmerizing tale watching it unfold. An unexpected twist at the end will have you wondering, did Christina really get away with it or…?

[David Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A home run takes less time than an entire baseball game. Similarly, a short story takes less time than a full novel. Both are wonderful, but like a home run strikes a viewer, a short story has a brief opportunity to strike the reader. All the elements of a good story must be there. Tension, character development, plot, it just has to be succinct. Like being surprised by a mad dog chasing you when you go out to get the mail. Right now. Right there. In Pearls of Deception the author, Carolyn Arnold, meets that challenge to deliver a fascinating story of murder and solution. Enjoy.

[Jennifer Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short stories are either a hit or miss for me, and Carolyn Arnold hit this short story right out of the park. I held my breath wondering how it would end and what would be the justice for Christina with her cheating husband. Pearls of Deception evokes the entire thriller senses for a great short read. It's well written with crisp, believable dialogue and a wonderful twist ending. I'm off to read another one of Arnold's thrillers.

[Victoria Washuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Will definitely buy another Carolyn Arnold book. Intrigue and surprise, short story that left me wanting more.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of eBook

Christina hides in the kitchen, waiting. It isn’t long before Lynn, the owner of the house, and Bob, Christina’s husband of twelve years, come into the house. Christina feels betrayed by her husband; he is having an affair with Lynn . . . and she means to put an end to it.

What will happen when Christina reveals herself to Lynn and Bob? And how will this confrontation end?

=========

In this short story, the execution of the “perfect” murder falls a bit short. The author wastes no time in getting right into the heart of the story, everything moves along at a brisk pace.

However, when Christina lets her anger get the best of her and acts in an absurd manner [given that she is hiding in the mistress's kitchen], astute readers will instantly realize what will happen next in the unfolding story . . . thus making the ironic twist fall flat, becoming more of an “I knew it” on the part of the reader as the discovery abruptly ends the telling of this tale of revenge.

Also included here are several chapters from the author’s “Remnants.”

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was interesting for a short story. It filled all qualifications from setting up the crime to solving it. Carolyn Arnold wrote the characters with so much clarity and made me feel like I knew them. It was a great ending.

[Belinda Earl Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carolyn Arnold has written a thrilling story with an arresting ending. She would have outlined her characters better if she had described them physically more and given more details of their lives. She would have set the scene better with more description.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did nothing for me.

[Diane Spurlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great book! Great writer would love to finish this book although this is a sample it has a great plot and form

[c. white]

i really couldn't get into this book. I read as much as I could, then stopped

[Kevin Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I am a big fan of Ms. Arnold's novels, this short story left me unimpressed. The art of the short story is a difficult one to master. Achieving effective and satisfying endings in a compressed format is a big challenge. Unfortunately, this story left me feeling "so what?

[Ashley Fontainne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the whole revenge motif, hence the reason I write about it as well! So of course, when I heard that the incredibly talented Carolyn Arnold had penned a short revenge tale, I had to read it.

Deception. Betrayal. Retribution. Emotional turmoil and extreme rage. Dreams shattered by actions of the one she loves. What's a girl to do?

Plot, plan and lie in wait until the appropriate time, then strike out in a way that not only will you be shocked by, but is the ultimate way for someone to seek revenge.

But this fantastic short isn't just about the revenge of a scorned woman. It also brings forth the fact that even the best laid plans don't always come off without a hitch.

Snag your copy of this great short today!

[Carmen DeSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell hath no fury....

Remember to cover your tracks and who you're married to if you're gonna screw around. This is a perfect introduction to Ms. Arnold. Will I download one of her other novels after reading this short story? Absolutely! It's short, but it had a beginning, a middle, and an impeccable end. Carolyn got an, "I'll bet!" and several head nods from me while I read, which proves she sold me on the characters.

[Jodie D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

WAYYYYY too short. I was just getting into the story and it was over. It didn't even answer the question given in the book description (will she get away with it). She finds out her husband of 12 years is cheating on her and she decided to get rid of the mistress by having him kill her. That scene is the ONLY one in the book. I read it in about 15 minutes.

I am so glad this was a freebie. Not worth paying for.

[Katya · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was alright, nothing that I'd go out of my way to recommend or read again. It was disappointing to discover that "short" story was a rather generous description... it only took up 7% of the kindle book! The rest of the book was filled with excerpts from other stories.

[Clarissa Draper · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a creepy mystery! This story is about a woman who seeks revenge on her cheating husband and his girl-friend. Can she get away with it? Read this short story to find out.

[Susan Crowe · Rating 1 out of 5]

awful

[Tina]

It was ok. But I wouldn't read it again.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost perfect.

[Charleen Marx sowards · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short story? Try VERY short story. Wasn't worth the 15 minutes it took me to read it.

[Lori M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok for a quick short story the ending did take me by surprise.

[BJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for a short story. Also included a sample of another of this author's books, which was pretty good. Will place on my to be read list.

[Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never heard of this author, but the stories were well written and interesting. I will certainly look for her.

[Kathleen Downey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories

a great little set of short stories. It will make you want to read all of them. Gives you just enough information to hook you.