The Broken Bird: Innocence and Malice Hatched In The Same Nest

by Joslyn Chase

One suspicious death. One key to what happened.

Innocence and malice, hatched in the same nest, ends in tragedy for one family.

Father Tonio Rinaldi helps fold back the layers exposing the rotten egg, standing by to pick up the broken pieces.

One girl holds the key to the truth. Can Father Rinaldi guide her into revealing it?

39 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2020

About the author

Joslyn Chase is a prize-winning author of mysteries and thrillers. Any day she can send readers to the edge of their seats, chewing their fingernails to the nub and prickling with suspense, is a good day in her book.
Joslyn’s story, “Cold Hands, Warm Heart,” was chosen by Amor Towles as one of the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2023 and “A Band of Scheming Women” was a finalist for the Derringer Award in 2025. In addition, her thriller novel Staccato Passage was a 2025 semi-finalist for the Adventure Writer’s Grandmaster Award.
Her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Malice Domestic's Mystery Most Devious, Thrill Ride Magazine, Fiction River, Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem, Mystery Magazine, and Pulphouse Fiction, among others.
Known for her fast-paced suspense fiction, Joslyn’s books are full of surprising twists and delectable turns. You will find her riveting novels most anywhere books are sold.
Her love for travel has led Joslyn to ride camels through the Nubian desert, fend off monkeys on the Rock of Gibraltar, and hike the Bavarian Alps. But she still believes that sometimes the best adventures come in getting the words on the page and in the thrill of reading a great story.

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes! Just read a four star book after a sea of two and three star. AND a few DNF'S.

So this is short and not so sweet. A girl loses her life in a fall and the authorities are trying to solve the murder.

There is so much depth in this tiny book. I loved the analogy of the girl to the broken bird and my heart broke as I read about who and what the broken bird represented.

I have had reader burnout this week. I have read a few three stars in the last few weks and one four star but mostly my readings have been average. I was ready for a short story and this one, while dark, was engaging and fiercely beautiful in its way. Four happy stars.

[Carlos Valcarcel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a touching whodunit with an emotional twist that will keep this story in your memory well past your having read it. I have read a previous Josyln Chase book and was not disappointed. I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

This novella was free on Amazon.

A young girl 👧 falls from the roof of the family mansion. The local community father comes to console the family. He investigation leads to the unexpected truth. I would recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers of family relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😤👒

[Chloe Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this was a different kind of thriller! A mysterious death of a teen has happened. Father Tonio Rinaldi has been called on to help the family and so have the polce. I really like how Chase ties in the title with this story. I especially liked that one of our primary narrators is the little sister who we can tell just worshipped her big sister, the deceased. Was this death an accident, a suicide, or was it something else? This is first book ive read by Joshlyn Chase, but i look forward to reading more of her books. Really good story! I highly recommend it.