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Ellen Harper
Before the Fall: An Ellen Harper Short Story
Forensics expert Ellen Harper is pulled out of bed in the early morning by her dad, Captain Big Harv Patterson of the Chicago Police Department to process a murder scene in one of Chicago's ritziest neighborhoods. On top of that, he tells her to keep it quiet until she's arrives and talks to him. Strange for a man like Big Harv. Why? What comes next borders on bizarre and without doubt, Ellen's most intense case to date. It doesn't take long for her to realize more people will die, but who?
34 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2016
12 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Rick Murcer
36 books68 followersRick Murcer lives in Michigan and like many in that part of the country lost his job in 2008 due to a decline in the economy. An experienced executive, he sent out over 600 resumes without success. With unemployment benefits waning and savings nearly depleted he did the only logical thing he could think of...decide to become a writer.
Fortunately for Rick, he defied all conventional wisdom about self-publishing and literally became an overnight sensation. His first three books Caribbean Moon, Deceitful Moon, and Emerald Moon sold more than 300,000 copies between April and October 2011. He had two books in Amazon's top ten for many weeks and became both a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author.
Rick graduated from Michigan State University and is fairly new to the game of writing. Proving his knack for storytelling, the first piece he had ever written, Herb's Home Run, was published by The Writer's Journal in 2002. Rick attributes his success to hard work and God's blessing and believes that you can achieve any goal you wish if you just set your mind to it.
Rick has been married longer than his wife likes to admit, and they have two grown children, three grandkids, and a blind, black Lab named Max, who serves as Rick's "writing" dog. Each morning Max pushes Rick to his writing room so that the dog can snore on his rug while Rick ponds away on the keys. And pounds away he does. Rick is one of those amazing writers that are so energized by the stories in their heads the words just flow onto the page. He has many works in progress so expect more titles from him in the near future.
Fortunately for Rick, he defied all conventional wisdom about self-publishing and literally became an overnight sensation. His first three books Caribbean Moon, Deceitful Moon, and Emerald Moon sold more than 300,000 copies between April and October 2011. He had two books in Amazon's top ten for many weeks and became both a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author.
Rick graduated from Michigan State University and is fairly new to the game of writing. Proving his knack for storytelling, the first piece he had ever written, Herb's Home Run, was published by The Writer's Journal in 2002. Rick attributes his success to hard work and God's blessing and believes that you can achieve any goal you wish if you just set your mind to it.
Rick has been married longer than his wife likes to admit, and they have two grown children, three grandkids, and a blind, black Lab named Max, who serves as Rick's "writing" dog. Each morning Max pushes Rick to his writing room so that the dog can snore on his rug while Rick ponds away on the keys. And pounds away he does. Rick is one of those amazing writers that are so energized by the stories in their heads the words just flow onto the page. He has many works in progress so expect more titles from him in the near future.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 8, 2017
This is a short story that continues the adventures of Ellis Harper, the top Forensics expert with the Chicago Police Department.
Receiving a late night phone call from her father .. who also happens to be her boss ... wanting her to attend a crime scene, was not that unusual. But she hadn't heard her father sound so nervous in a really long time.
Following directions to the richest neighborhoods in Chicago, her father introduces her to the victim. It is a man with a black bag over his head with two gem encrusted daggers .. one is the middle of each eye. There are also several large holes in the man's chest.
They think they know who he is ... Gerald Demler. Demler is a very rich businessman... a not-so-nice person. During Ellie's examination, she realizes that the man on the floor looks like Demler .. but isn't quite Demler. And when Demler shows up, pointing a gun at her, she knows she is in big trouble.
So who is the victim? And why is Demler set on killing Ellie and her father?
For a short story, it has a lot of substance and very little, if any, fluff. All the makings of a full length book is present ... murder, suspense, humor, a tiny bit of romance. All my boxes are checked.
I do hope that the author continues with this series .. Ellie is a wonderful character and I really want to know what happens when she and Brice actually start talking to one another.
Receiving a late night phone call from her father .. who also happens to be her boss ... wanting her to attend a crime scene, was not that unusual. But she hadn't heard her father sound so nervous in a really long time.
Following directions to the richest neighborhoods in Chicago, her father introduces her to the victim. It is a man with a black bag over his head with two gem encrusted daggers .. one is the middle of each eye. There are also several large holes in the man's chest.
They think they know who he is ... Gerald Demler. Demler is a very rich businessman... a not-so-nice person. During Ellie's examination, she realizes that the man on the floor looks like Demler .. but isn't quite Demler. And when Demler shows up, pointing a gun at her, she knows she is in big trouble.
So who is the victim? And why is Demler set on killing Ellie and her father?
For a short story, it has a lot of substance and very little, if any, fluff. All the makings of a full length book is present ... murder, suspense, humor, a tiny bit of romance. All my boxes are checked.
I do hope that the author continues with this series .. Ellie is a wonderful character and I really want to know what happens when she and Brice actually start talking to one another.
August 25, 2023
Intriguing, suspenseful mystery!
An extremely rich powerful man is apparently found dead in his kitchen at his mansion. The victim head has a velvet bag over his head. Ellen Harper, FOR forensic technician is called to the scene. Rick Murcer writes this short story compelling the reader to keep reading to find out what will happen next. It is a big surprise that you do not want to miss. Happy reading! 😊
An extremely rich powerful man is apparently found dead in his kitchen at his mansion. The victim head has a velvet bag over his head. Ellen Harper, FOR forensic technician is called to the scene. Rick Murcer writes this short story compelling the reader to keep reading to find out what will happen next. It is a big surprise that you do not want to miss. Happy reading! 😊
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews