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Unlawful Greed: A Short Story
From award-winning author Pamela Samuels Young, author of Anybody’s Daughter. Featured in the Anthology, The Funeral, this fast-paced short story wastes no time pulling the reader into a fascinating whodunit. When a prominent L.A. lawyer is found dead in his office, the detectives assigned to solve the crime search high and low for clues. What they discover at the lawyer's funeral, may well lead them to his killer. But will the murderer turn out to be among the usual suspects?
30 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 25, 2015
28 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Samuels Young
28 books456 followersAward-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 .
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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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 17, 2019
A Whodunit with a Bombshell Ending
This short story doesn’t pull any punches. When a popular lawyer is gunned down in his office, wise-cracking Detective Helen Lawrence and her logical thinking partner Detective Candace Maleveaux take on the case, pulling you into a page-turning whodunit with a cast of bona fide, multicultural characters, exposing some stereotypes, twists, and turns, secrets and lies, revelations, greed, envy, and scandal. The plot is so well written that it keeps you guessing to the very end. I love the two smart women detectives taking charge of a murder case, leaving the men out for a change. The author never disappoints when she introduces women who can stand on their own.
This short story doesn’t pull any punches. When a popular lawyer is gunned down in his office, wise-cracking Detective Helen Lawrence and her logical thinking partner Detective Candace Maleveaux take on the case, pulling you into a page-turning whodunit with a cast of bona fide, multicultural characters, exposing some stereotypes, twists, and turns, secrets and lies, revelations, greed, envy, and scandal. The plot is so well written that it keeps you guessing to the very end. I love the two smart women detectives taking charge of a murder case, leaving the men out for a change. The author never disappoints when she introduces women who can stand on their own.
September 9, 2019
Let's get this out of the way first... This is a Short Story! Only about 5o min. and change on audio. If you're gonna buy the book, please don't give it a negative review because it's short!
I enjoyed this Pamela Samuels Young story and the surprise ending... and if you're a RC Bray fan (like me) this is a perfect nugget for a short commute...
I enjoyed this Pamela Samuels Young story and the surprise ending... and if you're a RC Bray fan (like me) this is a perfect nugget for a short commute...
June 4, 2015
4.5 stars
Not used to anything but victory in his court cases, high-powered lawyer Vernon Jackson Jones was nevertheless feeling a little nervous as he waited for the verdict in his latest case. He needn’t have worried. The jury found in favour of his client. He wished his personal life was as successful but with a cheating wife, an alcoholic partner and a sponging son it wasn’t easy going.
It was time for Vernon to sort his life out. He should have known a much younger, gorgeous woman wouldn’t be content to sit waiting for someone who worked the hours he did. He could see his third divorce looming. As for his son, Vernon knew he’d been spoiled in compensation for the death of his mother. The last, and hardest, item on his to do list was firing his partner.
When Vernon is found dead in his office from gunshot wounds, Detectives Helen Lawrence and Candace Malveaux have several ready-made suspects heading their enquiries.
I had to feel sorry for Vernon, he’s not a bad man just the classic rich, older and good-looking man wanting a young and beautiful wife. Unfortunately the attraction, in the main, is his money. His son has been wrongly over indulged and pampered all his life, but for understandable reasons. And Vernon feels genuine sadness over his partner’s troubles. The problem is Vernon just can’t see what’s under his nose.
A very good whodunit with an ironic twist at the end, during the reading of the will. The two detectives are great characters and play well off each other. Although the audio is less than an hour it has a well paced and believable plot, great writing and a wonderful narration by RC Bray.
Not used to anything but victory in his court cases, high-powered lawyer Vernon Jackson Jones was nevertheless feeling a little nervous as he waited for the verdict in his latest case. He needn’t have worried. The jury found in favour of his client. He wished his personal life was as successful but with a cheating wife, an alcoholic partner and a sponging son it wasn’t easy going.
It was time for Vernon to sort his life out. He should have known a much younger, gorgeous woman wouldn’t be content to sit waiting for someone who worked the hours he did. He could see his third divorce looming. As for his son, Vernon knew he’d been spoiled in compensation for the death of his mother. The last, and hardest, item on his to do list was firing his partner.
When Vernon is found dead in his office from gunshot wounds, Detectives Helen Lawrence and Candace Malveaux have several ready-made suspects heading their enquiries.
I had to feel sorry for Vernon, he’s not a bad man just the classic rich, older and good-looking man wanting a young and beautiful wife. Unfortunately the attraction, in the main, is his money. His son has been wrongly over indulged and pampered all his life, but for understandable reasons. And Vernon feels genuine sadness over his partner’s troubles. The problem is Vernon just can’t see what’s under his nose.
A very good whodunit with an ironic twist at the end, during the reading of the will. The two detectives are great characters and play well off each other. Although the audio is less than an hour it has a well paced and believable plot, great writing and a wonderful narration by RC Bray.
August 21, 2017
Great short story
Attention grabbing from beginning to end. As always, Pamela Samuels Young is an amazing writer! Another page turner that we'll definitely keep you motivated to finish the book. Definitely recommend this book!!!!
Attention grabbing from beginning to end. As always, Pamela Samuels Young is an amazing writer! Another page turner that we'll definitely keep you motivated to finish the book. Definitely recommend this book!!!!
August 2, 2018
Pamela Samuels Young has done it again. This short story grabbed my attention and held it from the beginning to the very end. It is amazing how money can bring out the absolute worst in people, especially from those who claim to love you or share the same blood as you. The ending was a huge shocker, because never ever would I expect the culprit to be who it was. This is an absolute page turner and I look forward to reading more by her.
December 22, 2018
A short story wherein a prominent Lawyer is fond dead in his office shot multiple times. Very few clues for the detectives, but as they interview people in the deceased life they find a number with motive and opportunity. Pursuing the case the catch a break and uncover the killer. Short, quick read with a twist.
November 14, 2020
Unlawful Greed: A Short Story
It's a good plot. 🕵 Helen Lawrence and Candance Malveaux take on the murder case of LA lawyer Vernon Jackson Jones. He's found shot dead in his office. It's a who done it that I figured out half way through this novella.
11/14/2020.
It's a good plot. 🕵 Helen Lawrence and Candance Malveaux take on the murder case of LA lawyer Vernon Jackson Jones. He's found shot dead in his office. It's a who done it that I figured out half way through this novella.
11/14/2020.
November 28, 2017
This case of whodunit kept me intrigued although I was not surprised Vernon had so many against him. Interesting storyline and content helped make this a great read
September 2, 2019
Great short story
The inheritance going to the murderer which by law can't benefit as she is the criminal. The other's have limitations on what they can receive
The inheritance going to the murderer which by law can't benefit as she is the criminal. The other's have limitations on what they can receive
October 22, 2022
Great short story.
March 1, 2023
Enjoyed thoroughly 👍🏾👍🏾
March 17, 2023
Loved it!
Thought I saw it coming but…. Nope! Lol very good book like all of her books. I can’t wait to read the next one!
Thought I saw it coming but…. Nope! Lol very good book like all of her books. I can’t wait to read the next one!
February 9, 2024
I enjoyed this short mystery, even though it was fairly easy to predict the killer. The last line was excellent, given the manner of the murder!!!!
February 18, 2016
A Murderous Quickie!
Surprisingly a quick but fast paced mystery. When high power attorney Vernon Jones is murdered all of the three potential suspects have great motives and bad alibi. It's up to the two sharp lady detectives to get the culprit before they can collect on an inheritance worth millions.
Surprisingly a quick but fast paced mystery. When high power attorney Vernon Jones is murdered all of the three potential suspects have great motives and bad alibi. It's up to the two sharp lady detectives to get the culprit before they can collect on an inheritance worth millions.
April 3, 2015
Great narration. Great story line, will keep you guessing up until the very end. Well written short story.
April 14, 2015
I listened to the audiobook edition which was gifted to me for an honest review.This was a fast,fun read!the suspense and culmination were wonderful!The narrator,R C Bray,was perfect!
October 26, 2015
Excellent! Such a mystery; not who I expected the criminal to be!! Read it in 30 minutes!
April 18, 2015
Review posted on Audible
October 7, 2015
Awesome
July 2, 2016
Lots of errors in this book but the ending was good. Love this author.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews