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DI Lennon's partner DS Carmella Masiello has her own chance to shine in this standalone story of interfering neighbours and a maverick barrister who takes the law into her own hands, with disastrous consequences. But was it murder or an unfortunate accident? Carmella's career will be in ruins if she gets it wrong... Louise Voss and Mark Edwards are co-authors of six thrillers as well as having many successful solo novels to their names. The third installment in their popular DI Lennon series, following FROM THE CRADLE and THE BLISSFULLY DEAD, will be out in 2017. You can find them at www.vossandedwards.com, or come and join their lively Facebook www.facebook.com/vossandedwards, for news and competitions.

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2015

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Louise Voss

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5 stars
216 (29%)
4 stars
221 (29%)
3 stars
188 (25%)
2 stars
85 (11%)
1 star
34 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Louise Wilson.
3,716 reviews1,696 followers
January 5, 2019
D.S. Carmella Masiello has her own chance to shine in this standalone story of interfering neighbours and a maverick barrister who takes the law into his own hands.

On the first page of this short story it states that the story was inspired by actual events. With some tongue in cheek comedy, this is a very well written who did it. It too me about 45 minutes to read it and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Although it's part of a series it can easily be read as a standalone. I do recommend this short story.
Profile Image for Matt.
4,921 reviews13.1k followers
July 28, 2016
Voss and Edwards shift the focus away from Lennon and place the lead with DS Masiello in this well-crafted short story. Sweltering in the heat of a Lonfon summer, DS Carmella Masiello appears in court to offer her testimony in a GBH case involving a contractor. At issue is whether a nail gun could have reached far enough onto the estate. When the forensic lab results are delayed, Masiello is approached by CPS Mariel Jenkins to witness a test of her own, which could definitively show the power of the aforementioned weapon. During this amateur testing, the results prove to be more than substantive evidence in the case, but have drastic results for Jenkins' elderly neighbour. During her time in the witness box, Masiello learns something that sends her right to her boss, DI Patrick Lennon, as she examines the events of that summer afternoon when she and Jenkins undertook to test the nail gun. Could this have been a neighbourly feud gone wrong or simply a horrible accident? Voss and Edwards create a wonderful story to add personality to an already interesting series, giving the limelight to a minor player in the series.

I cannot express how impressed I am with the development of the DS Carmella Masiello character in this story. Voss and Edwards have built a wonderfully cryptic mystery in which she can engage and left the reader to follow along, as they have done previously with Lennon and the rest of the MIT9 team. Leaving doubt strewn throughout, the reader must construct their own views and work alongside Masiello, who was hoodwinked from the beginning. I look forward to any tie-ins that may be found in subsequent DI Lennon novels, as I did not see anything that tossed back referenced to the previous published works. Well presented, thoroughly enjoyable, and perfect for that lazy hour in the sun, or while sipping a mug of coffee.

Kudos, Madam Voss and Mr. Edwards for such a delightful piece. I cannot wait to see what else you have in mind for Lennon and Masiello.

Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Profile Image for Gary.
3,092 reviews425 followers
July 28, 2016
A free book I obtained from Mark Edwards web site www.facebook.com/vossandedwards.
I have read quite a few books by the co-writing pair Louise Voss and Mark Edwards and always find them excellent reads. This book is another excellent read that features DI Lennon's partner DS Carmella Masiello who is given the opportunity to lead in this story.
The plot concerns interfering neighbours and a barrister who takes the law into her own hands, with disastrous consequences. The question is was it murder or an unfortunate accident?
Another example of the very good novels that are available for free.
Profile Image for Jülie ☼♄ .
545 reviews28 followers
November 17, 2015

I thoroughly enjoyed this short story by Louise Voss and Mark Edwards.

The first page says that this story is inspired by actual events, which makes the mind boggle!
Though I am sure it was unintentional, I did have a few laugh out loud moments whilst reading about the events that led to the sad demise of one of the characters within. That really was an unfortunate and sad consequence, but the story behind that is so fantastical that it surely had to be inspired by real events!

This was a really good read, one that I would highly recommend to lovers of a good short mystery.

4★s

You can download a free copy of this short story at: http://vossandedwards.com
Profile Image for Lizzie.
61 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2020
Read this story in about 45 mins, not realising it was part 2.5 of the Detective Patrick Lennon series until I read the acknowledgements at the end! I’d recently bought the first two books in the series, so probably should have waited to read this last! Never the less it was a good short story, albeit it a pretty predictable and easily guessable plot line.
Profile Image for Abigail Lovick.
89 reviews
January 26, 2025
I usually like Louise Voss and Mark Edwards but this read like it was written by a child? I understand there’s not much room for literary genius in 34 pages but I wouldn’t waste those 15 minutes again 😂
Profile Image for Karly.
484 reviews177 followers
October 30, 2023
My rating 2⭐️⭐️ fairly bland and meh stars!!!

So I am 50% through my current read, I have a feeling that it can go one of two ways… down the tube or get better… I am on a losing streak so my breath is not held… so I decided that I will read two really short stories in the middle… well WHAT A LET DOWN!!!

This was genuinely so short and when I went to review it after reading it less than 24 hours ago I could barely remember it… not a good start. When I finally jogged my memory I was like… that was so meh that its worth one star… but then I read the other short story and in comparison this is a 2 so… thats why the two.

If you are a fan of this series I would say that this is not the author’s best work… if you are looking for an entertaining short read… this is very bland… I would look elsewhere.
Profile Image for Beth Roger aka Katiebella_Reads.
732 reviews48 followers
June 23, 2021
Ok for a coffee read

Shot and predictable. Not really worth the time if your not a fast reader. Was kinda disappointed since Carmella does deserve her own story and this was a let down. The writing wasn't even up to par for the authors. Still worth the short time if your a fan or need a book fix and only have a short time to read
23 reviews
May 21, 2018
Short but sweet!

Short but sweet. Took no more than an hour to read. Was like a small bit of cake .. just enough to keep you wanting more but not enough to be too overpoweringly sweet! Perfect!
18 reviews
April 14, 2019
Great short story

Loved this short story. Brilliant plot. I've read other books by the authors and this stop gap between main books in the series was a great idea.
The fact that you can't be sure if the deaths were premeditated or not is a wonderful idea
6 reviews
August 26, 2018
Brilliant twist in the tale .

Liked the way the twist came . Was not expecting the way the story ended. . Would recommend to friends .
132 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2018
One shot.

Great 👍 shortpiece. Loved it. Quite funny in places. Love Dell but do think she is more cunning than we are led to believe.
Profile Image for Hannah.
27 reviews
March 14, 2019
Excellent little story that I read in one sitting
8 reviews
August 24, 2020
One shot,

Short but sweet, very enjoyable.love both these authors, I am totally hooked on Mark Edwards and so had I have discovered Louise
Profile Image for Natasha du Plessis.
1,064 reviews8 followers
October 14, 2020
I read this book as a standalone and that was a mistake on my part, I will need to read the whole series to get a better feel for the characters.
3,832 reviews8 followers
October 25, 2021
This was a very quick read. It's a short story about Carmela (from the Det Lennon series) and how she solves a case that wasn't even a case.

I won't give it away, so I will just say this was a fun addition to the series.
339 reviews3 followers
September 17, 2016
Whodunit??

Chuckable. Tongue in cheek comedy. Positively laughable mystery of possible murder by nail gun. This story had me going 'til the very end trying to figure which of the many characters was the naughty killer if any of them were guilty at all. Quick and funny read.
Profile Image for Elisa.
4,374 reviews44 followers
October 23, 2015
I'm new to the Patrick Lennon series and he is not even the lead in this one. Carmella is. And I can't believe how the authors can cram so many twists and turns into a short story. Very well written. I will add this series to my TBR.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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