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Smokescreen
Charlie Hardwick has spent the last 16 years in jail for a murder he didn't commit. Now, he's out of prison and back to work... as a homicide detective. But while he tries to make the transition from convict to cop again, he can't stop thinking about how he wound up in jail in the first place - because he thinks it was no accident.
He has no idea how deep it goes.
In this new vigilante series from debut author Tom Meitner, watch Charlie solve murders while he unlocks the gripping mystery of who set him up... and why. This pilot episode is a free murder mystery and suspense story that introduces you to the main players and lays the groundwork for the conspiracy that follows Charlie in his new, "normal" life.
He has no idea how deep it goes.
In this new vigilante series from debut author Tom Meitner, watch Charlie solve murders while he unlocks the gripping mystery of who set him up... and why. This pilot episode is a free murder mystery and suspense story that introduces you to the main players and lays the groundwork for the conspiracy that follows Charlie in his new, "normal" life.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2016
127 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Tom Meitner
47 books10 followersTom Meitner (me) is a father and husband who lives in Wisconsin.
They say if you want a job done right, you have to do it yourself. A lot of fiction today doesn't speak to me - they're well written and have plenty of fans, so other authors are certainly doing it right. But me? I want something simple. I want something I can consume on my schedule. I want to be able to commit to a story, but have a clear point to break off when I have to get back to my real life.
So that's how I write.
My nonfiction books - based entirely on my experiences making stupid mistakes throughout my life - can all be read in under 2 hours apiece. My fiction books - including my current series, "Hardwick" - are arranged like episodes of an ongoing television show.
You can commit to the full series and keep on reading, or you can find a spot to take a break. It's reading on your schedule, with stories that move forward. I write the stories I would want to read. I hope you want to read them, too.
They say if you want a job done right, you have to do it yourself. A lot of fiction today doesn't speak to me - they're well written and have plenty of fans, so other authors are certainly doing it right. But me? I want something simple. I want something I can consume on my schedule. I want to be able to commit to a story, but have a clear point to break off when I have to get back to my real life.
So that's how I write.
My nonfiction books - based entirely on my experiences making stupid mistakes throughout my life - can all be read in under 2 hours apiece. My fiction books - including my current series, "Hardwick" - are arranged like episodes of an ongoing television show.
You can commit to the full series and keep on reading, or you can find a spot to take a break. It's reading on your schedule, with stories that move forward. I write the stories I would want to read. I hope you want to read them, too.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 31, 2016
Charlie Hardwick is not an ordinary man. He spent 16 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. His friend and partner was murdered and Charlie was accused, charged and sentenced. After 16 years his case was re-opened. Additional info was produced and Charlie was freed. The city offered him a lot of money ... but Charlie wanted only one thing in return for his lost years. He wanted his job back ... and he got it. He is now back to work as a homicide detective.
On his first day back, he meets his new partner, Sarah Bryer. This short story (less than 100 pages) introduces the reader to a new series featuring Charlie Hardwick.... and it's off to a roaring good start. There's a lot of information packed into these pages. I really like Charlie Hardwick. He doesn't outwardly seem to be bitter or angry over his lost years behind bars, but he is determined to do at least one thing .... find the person or persons responsible for the death of his former partner.
The police department is not sure how they feel about having him back as one of them. His new partner, Bryer, warns him that the powers that be will be looking for a reason to fire him. She believes in second chances, this is also hers, and she will not go down because of him. It's an interesting relationship ... one that will bear watching.
The story is written in episodes. Much like watching a TV series .... you get a snippet each week, just not the entire story. ... and cliffhangers. Well written!
I wish to thank the author for the digital copy of this short story. The opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.
On his first day back, he meets his new partner, Sarah Bryer. This short story (less than 100 pages) introduces the reader to a new series featuring Charlie Hardwick.... and it's off to a roaring good start. There's a lot of information packed into these pages. I really like Charlie Hardwick. He doesn't outwardly seem to be bitter or angry over his lost years behind bars, but he is determined to do at least one thing .... find the person or persons responsible for the death of his former partner.
The police department is not sure how they feel about having him back as one of them. His new partner, Bryer, warns him that the powers that be will be looking for a reason to fire him. She believes in second chances, this is also hers, and she will not go down because of him. It's an interesting relationship ... one that will bear watching.
The story is written in episodes. Much like watching a TV series .... you get a snippet each week, just not the entire story. ... and cliffhangers. Well written!
I wish to thank the author for the digital copy of this short story. The opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.
September 2, 2016
I don’t care how good of a person you are. I don’t care how strong you are. When you spend that much time in prison, it messes you up. You’re not the same person when you get out.
~~~~
More than half his life spent in prison. The guy could’ve sued for millions - walk away crazy-rich, live on an island in the middle of nowhere. Peace for the rest of your life after everything you’ve been through.
Not bad but not great either... never felt connected to any of the characters (slight sympathy for our MC but that's it).
The ending is a mini-cliffhanger but it didn't interest me in continuing with the series.
~~~~
More than half his life spent in prison. The guy could’ve sued for millions - walk away crazy-rich, live on an island in the middle of nowhere. Peace for the rest of your life after everything you’ve been through.
Not bad but not great either... never felt connected to any of the characters (slight sympathy for our MC but that's it).
The ending is a mini-cliffhanger but it didn't interest me in continuing with the series.
March 13, 2017
Intriguing and slightly confusing. Hardwick, a cop, just released from prison after 16 years returns to the police force instead of accepting the settlement offered. Who killed Peter Nolte (his partner) and framed him? Detective Hardwick knows he didn't do it but obviously there are roadblocks preventing him from attempting to find out; the new chief of police doesn't want him on the force, his new partner doesn't know how to take him but at the same time, she doesn't wish for him to be the cause of ending her career.
October 19, 2016
"A good read"
An interesting story line with loads of potential. The main characters don't have a lot of depth so far; perhaps that will grow as the series continues. This first 'taster' certainly encourages me to get Episode 2.
An interesting story line with loads of potential. The main characters don't have a lot of depth so far; perhaps that will grow as the series continues. This first 'taster' certainly encourages me to get Episode 2.
May 17, 2017
This series is written in short episodes so to call this a book is not truly fair. Charlie Hardwick, police officer, sentenced to prison for killing his partner and best friend, has been released and proven not guilty. Rather than take a large settlement, all he wants is his job and life back and to find the truth along the way. Somebody doesn't want that to happen.
July 24, 2018
It's A fascinating read,
Have read most all of the books in the series, very good read, really enjoyed them. Thank you Tom for giving me this opportunity. The stories are very interesting and compelling. Very realistic it's a series you will be happy to have added to your library.
Have read most all of the books in the series, very good read, really enjoyed them. Thank you Tom for giving me this opportunity. The stories are very interesting and compelling. Very realistic it's a series you will be happy to have added to your library.
May 24, 2017
I received this as a free book. A good start to a series. Imprisoned for a murder he didn't commit; back on the force as a detective again, Charlie is determined to find out who framed him.
November 4, 2017
Cliffhanger short
May 16, 2019
How do you go back to a normal life after being punished for a crime you didn’t do? Who is looking and listening? I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
August 2, 2019
Partner and friend is murder he serves time, and says he didn’t do it.
He wanted not revenge, but his job, when he gets, and then meets his new partner. Interesting plot.
He wanted not revenge, but his job, when he gets, and then meets his new partner. Interesting plot.
February 24, 2017
O.k.
Better in order for the story . I am not a fan of continued stories, as an incentive to purchase more of the same story
Better in order for the story . I am not a fan of continued stories, as an incentive to purchase more of the same story
October 30, 2016
First off, this is a novella and novellas, by definition, are short. Second, the plot for Smokescreen is really good, but is secondary to the main plot line of the series. This is a 5 book series so that is no problem. Okay, then, you already know that Hardwick is a cop who spent 16 years in prison for killing his partner. A crime he did not commit. So the obvious question is, since he didn't do it, who did? I imagine the author is going to keep us guessing until the end. In this installment Hardwick is fresh out of prison. Instead of suing for millions, he sued to get back on the police force. His new boss doesn't want him because he is a distraction and a bit of a head case. Trying to solve his first case, while being obsessed with finding his partner's killer, makes for interesting reading.
February 6, 2017
Could not get into this at all. It seemed very close to the story behind the TVs series Life, but not nearly as interesting. Simplistic writing style left me feeling annoyed more than anything. I stopped reading after the first three chapters.
September 6, 2016
I think without the abrupt ending this book would have been given a five star review, it is a short read, but the author does a good job capturing the readers attention and telling the compelling story of Charlie Hardwick, a cop, who was wrongly accused of murdering his partner and sent to jail. When years later, his sentence was overturned, Charlie returns to the police department and new partner Sarah Bryer. Having a fresh start doesn't mean Charlie has forgotten the past and the fact that whoever murdered his partner then, may still be out there.
February 6, 2017
Good series beginning
Initial volume in a series featuring Detective Charlie Hardwick. Charlie is a recently released 16-year prison inmate, falsely convicted of killing his partner. Charlie was offered a monetary settlement but all he wanted was his old job back. Now he wants to find who killed his friend, but his chief says work on the case assigned or your out the door. What to do? Read this page turner and see. It's short but satisfying.
Initial volume in a series featuring Detective Charlie Hardwick. Charlie is a recently released 16-year prison inmate, falsely convicted of killing his partner. Charlie was offered a monetary settlement but all he wanted was his old job back. Now he wants to find who killed his friend, but his chief says work on the case assigned or your out the door. What to do? Read this page turner and see. It's short but satisfying.
December 7, 2016
A good start
I really enjoyed reading Smokescreen, but it left me feeling that I had just read the first few chapters of a novella. I understand that Smokescreen is a series, but I felt that it stopped in an unnatural place. Anyway, what I read was excellent and I recommend reading it.
I really enjoyed reading Smokescreen, but it left me feeling that I had just read the first few chapters of a novella. I understand that Smokescreen is a series, but I felt that it stopped in an unnatural place. Anyway, what I read was excellent and I recommend reading it.
August 30, 2016
Unique Perspective
The good news is this story is written from two different viewpoints: the one in Charlie's own mind, and the one detailing his life as a cop.
The good news is this story is written from two different viewpoints: the one in Charlie's own mind, and the one detailing his life as a cop.
September 13, 2016
Extraordinarily good for so short a book!
Why didn't you write those 16 years? That would have made some great books! Hope your next one is as good.
Why didn't you write those 16 years? That would have made some great books! Hope your next one is as good.
September 27, 2016
I read this book and while it is not the best mystery I have ever read it is good enough that I am starting the next book of the series -- we will see where it goes.
October 26, 2016
My only problem with this story is that it isn't long enough.
March 30, 2017
A fugitve twist.
Needs more character background. Good suspense. I like the short book approach. A conspiracy is about to unfold. Poor Chicago cops.
Needs more character background. Good suspense. I like the short book approach. A conspiracy is about to unfold. Poor Chicago cops.
December 16, 2016
Short but punchy
Episode 2 is obviously a must read after reading this novel. While this was more of a novella, the gist of the plot was good if brief.
Episode 2 is obviously a must read after reading this novel. While this was more of a novella, the gist of the plot was good if brief.
December 27, 2016
Good reading
This book keeps you going to see what happens to Set. Hardwick. Very good read! Recommend to anyone that likes mysteries.
This book keeps you going to see what happens to Set. Hardwick. Very good read! Recommend to anyone that likes mysteries.
January 2, 2023
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
March 27, 2017
Good cup or bad cop?
Interesting story about a former cop who returns to the police force after being released from prison for crime in which he supposedly did not commit. I'm curious enough now to tea the remaining series in this story.
Interesting story about a former cop who returns to the police force after being released from prison for crime in which he supposedly did not commit. I'm curious enough now to tea the remaining series in this story.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews