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The Setup: A Short Story

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When a star running back is gunned down by a cop with a questionable history, the city of L.A. is on the verge of a racial explosion. Enter a lawyer who comes to the cop's defense . . . but a desire for justice has nothing to do with it.

28 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2011

21 people are currently reading
136 people want to read

About the author

Pamela Samuels Young

27 books454 followers
Award-winning author and attorney Pamela Samuels Young writes mysteries that matter. Dubbed “John Grisham with a sister’s twist” by one reviewer, Pamela’s fast-paced novels tackle important social issues.

Her most recent legal thriller, Failure to Protect, takes on the bullying epidemic and its devastating aftermath. Pamela won the prestigious NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Fiction for her thriller Anybody’s Daughter, which provides a realistic look inside the world of child sex trafficking. Her courtroom drama Abuse of Discretion centers around a troubling teen sexting case. #Anybody’s Daughter and #Abuse of Discretion are young adult editions of the two books. A young adult version of Failure to Protect is forthcoming.

Pamela also writes erotically sassy romantic suspense under the pen name Sassy Sinclair. A natural hair enthusiast, Pamela writes about her own empowering natural hair journey in Kinky Coily: A Natural Hair Resource Guide.

Prior to retiring from the practice of law to write full time, Pamela worked as Managing Counsel for Toyota specializing in labor and employment law. A former journalist, she spent several years as a television news writer and associate producer in Detroit and Los Angeles. Pamela received her bachelor’s degree from USC and also earned graduate degrees from Northwestern University and UC Berkeley School of Law. The Compton native is a frequent speaker on the topics of sex trafficking, bullying, online safety, fiction writing, self-empowerment, and pursuing your passion.

Pamela loves connecting with her fans! To invite her to a speaking engage or a book club meeting via Skype, Facebook Live, FaceTime, Zoom, speakerphone or in person, email her at authorpamelasamuelsyoung@gmail.com. To read excerpts of Pamela’s books, visit her websites at www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com and www.sassysinclair.com .

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5 stars
54 (44%)
4 stars
51 (42%)
3 stars
11 (9%)
2 stars
3 (2%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for ToniReads_1.
581 reviews14 followers
December 13, 2020
The Set Up

I love this authors writing. This one doesn't fail, the suspense, well if you have read anything by this author then you already know. Not sure if this is an excerpt but definitely could be a short book or novel. Waiting to see if anything follows.
Profile Image for Vivienne Neal.
Author 14 books24 followers
December 20, 2019
A Jaw-dropping Short Story

This story may be short but it’s filled with some hard-hitting blows. Larry Littlefield reluctantly defends Officer Harold McIntyre who is accused of killing an unarmed college football player but as the plot begins to develop, things are not always what they appear to be. It’s a cat-and-mouse thriller that keeps you guessing as to who is really being played, the lawyer or the defendant, exposing some uncertainties, assumptions, secrets and lies, lust, police wrongdoings, and an imperfect justice system, slowly building up to ending that will leave you reeling. The author never disappoints when it comes to writing engaging narratives with strong multi-ethnic characters that will do whatever it takes to get the job done by exposing the truth when it comes to crime and murder.
Profile Image for Carol.
1,835 reviews21 followers
August 16, 2021
I love the author's books, have been reading them for a long time. After I read one of her books, I wrote to her and thanked her. I used to have jury duty in downtown LA and lived in Arcadia. I got to know and enjoy the area, and her writing always connects me to that area. This was a short story, but made me hungry for more. I have a lot of her hooks on my Kindle, so I am looking forward to digging into that treasury.

The author is a pro at character development, police and area lingo and clear writing. Thank you again, and I hope that you continue writing.

I bought this long ago at the Kindle Store and read it on my PC Kindle
Profile Image for TISHA.
193 reviews7 followers
February 7, 2019
I guess you can say that I am a little bias when it comes to this author because I love all of her books. This book kept me on my toes because I didn't expect that ending. I knew the cop was a slime ball and knew he couldn't be trusted, but the extent that he went to just to clear his name, left me in shock. I love her short stories but I wanted a few more pages so I could know the outcome of this slime ball.
Profile Image for reneeNaDaCherry.
2,430 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2020
The Setup: A Shirt Story

LA lawyer Larry Littlefield is representing officer Harold McIntyre in the murder case of a USC student and popular college football player Deon Jackson. The DA office is represented by Ms. Shana Banks. The greed and lies that are told is real shady. Another good novella by the author Pamela Samuels Young.

11/15/2020.
5 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2020
The Set-Up

The Set-up is a great Short story - wished the book was a little longer....unfortunately innocent people are killed or beaten by police and police get away with these acts.
Profile Image for vivian.
270 reviews1 follower
September 2, 2019
Great storyline

Starts out with a active story with a lawyer representing a cop in a uncharted crime against a university athlete and ends with the lawyer quitting the case
34 reviews1 follower
September 29, 2023
let’s Get This Straight

It was short but kept you engaged and wanting more. Pamela has a knack for writing crime and she nailed this short story.
Profile Image for Jada.
15 reviews
February 25, 2012
A thriller short set in Southern California shows how an average Joe attorney can get caught up in the limelight of a high profile murder case. When a star football university player is shot dead by an LAPD police officer Harold McIntyre, Larry Littlefield, the attorney sought by the cop, thinks he knows what he is getting into. Little does he know, he really doesn’t.

The case takes up speed when Littlefield is threatened, but he does not allow that to stop him. Drugs and dirty business along with race sets the tone of the story. I liked the way the author (one of my favs by the way), weaves her characters’ development into major conflicts that seems impossible to get out of. Littlefield is forced to choose between doing his job as a defense attorney and getting his client, the cop, off of the murder charge.

I look forward to the sequel, Attorney-Client Privilege to find out what happens with Littlefield and Officer McIntyre.
Profile Image for OOSA .
1,802 reviews237 followers
February 12, 2012
Guilty Until Proven Innocent

They say money talks, and for attorney Littlefield, twenty thousand dollars to defend a cop accused of killing USC's star running back and Heisman Trophy winner was saying a lot. His plan was to get all the press he could to make his name a household brand and get out before things got too sticky. Unfortunately, Littlefield finds himself chasing clues. Will the clues prove to be beneficial for his case?

"The Setup" by Pamela Samuels Young is a Kindle short. Initially I didn't know it was a short, and settled in for a long case. With that said, the story has all of the key elements to keep a reader perched on the edge of their seat. Looking forward to "Attorney Client Privilege" to be released this year.

Reviewed by: Crystal
Profile Image for Adrienna.
Author 18 books242 followers
December 15, 2012
Right when I was trying to get a grip of the twists and turns, it was done. This was a setup for me as the reader to be taken in, then it was done. It was a quick and easy read. I cannot wait to read "Attorney Client Privilege" which this book setup in this reading.


Adrienna Turner
Author of "God is in the Equation
www.dream4more.webs.com (Dream 4 More Reviews)
Profile Image for Barbara.
799 reviews133 followers
October 26, 2013
When a star running back is gunned down by a cop with a questionable history, the city of L.A. is on the verge of a racial explosion.



When I purchase this book, I did not know that it was a short story.

The story line is good but is too short and could have been expanded. To me it left an inclusive ending.



Thank you to the author for a very good story
Profile Image for deryl taylor.
54 reviews23 followers
March 20, 2014
A really short story

this was first time listening to narration version. I think it's better to read and listen to follow the story line, that's why I rated 4 stars. the story was okay not captivating and not suspenseful like her other books. I still recommend if you are a fan of this author.
Profile Image for Dionna Johnson.
222 reviews2 followers
May 14, 2014
This was good but the ending totally left me hanging. There was this whole build up then nothing. I guess I expected a huge wow factor at the end but then it just ended. The best part of the book is it is only a 30-45 minute read.
Profile Image for Denise.
49 reviews
July 2, 2016
Really Good..

This was another great read by Ms. Young. She never fails to disappoint. My only problem was, albeit it was a short story, it left me wanting to know more about what happened...and hoping that justice was served and the police officer got what he deserved.
Profile Image for Michelle Armster.
3 reviews2 followers
March 19, 2016
Isn't a s smooth read as her other books.

There were too many extra characters didn't add to the story. So when the story ended, it felt like there ARE UNNECESSARY holes in the story and the ending is abrupt.
Profile Image for Kelly.
263 reviews11 followers
July 3, 2014
A fun and well written short story with a great twist, I definitely didn't see it coming. Very impressive.
Profile Image for Lynel.
31 reviews
September 14, 2013
Gripping and moving! Though it was short, it was a complete thriller that I happily devoured.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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