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The Judge: A Short Story
The media called him a serial killer, although that’s not how he saw himself. He was righting wrongs! He was protecting the innocent! He was… about to meet his match.
Excerpt:
I could tell by the slope of his shoulders he was ready to talk. I would be the first to hear the details of what transpired between Johnny Evans and his killer.
“Your honor,” I said in greeting.
He ignored me, continuing to stare at his hands, and I let the silence stretch until he was ready to break it. When he did, his eyes did not meet mine.
“Evans had motive. There was no one to corroborate his alibi.”
“And the murder weapon? His were not among the prints they found.”
He waved his hand in dismissal. “The box cutter was used by all the employees. It was more suspicious that they weren’t on it.”
“The jury didn’t think so. They considered it reasonable doubt.”
“So they did.”
“What happened that night, sir?”
The Judge leaned back in his chair, finally meeting my gaze with haunted eyes. Gone was his grandiose air. Gone was his conceit. It was a broken man who told me his tale.
Excerpt:
I could tell by the slope of his shoulders he was ready to talk. I would be the first to hear the details of what transpired between Johnny Evans and his killer.
“Your honor,” I said in greeting.
He ignored me, continuing to stare at his hands, and I let the silence stretch until he was ready to break it. When he did, his eyes did not meet mine.
“Evans had motive. There was no one to corroborate his alibi.”
“And the murder weapon? His were not among the prints they found.”
He waved his hand in dismissal. “The box cutter was used by all the employees. It was more suspicious that they weren’t on it.”
“The jury didn’t think so. They considered it reasonable doubt.”
“So they did.”
“What happened that night, sir?”
The Judge leaned back in his chair, finally meeting my gaze with haunted eyes. Gone was his grandiose air. Gone was his conceit. It was a broken man who told me his tale.
16 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2022
3 people want to read
About the author
Nannette Kreitzman
45 books53 followersI'm a retired stay at home mom and happy empty nester. I spend my morning walks dreaming up short story ideas, but despite my carefully laid plans, my characters always manage to change things up! I've learned to pay attention to them though, they're usually right.
You can find me on Instagram @netts_shorts
Check out my Reference Guide Blog for Author’s Notes and excerpts for all of my stories!
https://nannettekreitzman.blogspot.com/
You can find me on Instagram @netts_shorts
Check out my Reference Guide Blog for Author’s Notes and excerpts for all of my stories!
https://nannettekreitzman.blogspot.com/
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 26, 2022
I love Kretizman's short stories, so as soon as I see a new one released, I stop whatever I'm doing and get reading. You can do that when any one of her stories because they only take a few minutes to read - you can do it while drinking your morning coffee or on your lunch break - but they stick with you much longer than that!
The Judge is no exception. In fact I though about it for days afterward. Kretizman always includes a massive twist in her stories, which is really what keeps me coming back for more! And she never dumbs down her books for the readers, but in this case, I may have been a little dumb because it took me a long time to figure it out. But I love that in a book because no one likes to be spoon fed an aha moment.
Cannot wait for more short stories from Kreitzman!
The Judge is no exception. In fact I though about it for days afterward. Kretizman always includes a massive twist in her stories, which is really what keeps me coming back for more! And she never dumbs down her books for the readers, but in this case, I may have been a little dumb because it took me a long time to figure it out. But I love that in a book because no one likes to be spoon fed an aha moment.
Cannot wait for more short stories from Kreitzman!
July 2, 2023
Nannette Kreitzman is a master at spinning engaging stories. This tale has the essence of "And then there were None" by Agatha Christie with a Hannibal Lecter vibe. It's a good story for when you have limited reading time.
April 5, 2022
I can’t get enough of this author’s short stories. I really enjoy mixing them into my regular reading of novels, having them on my phone to soak up whenever I want, jumping straight in without having to spend a lot of time getting back into the story. They are so well crafted and satisfying that it’s like reading novels in the longer format.
The Judge is another hit for me. A journalist is determined to get into the head of a serial killer – The Judge – who has dispatched his victims as a way to right injustices in the legal system. The clever dialogue between the two in prison builds the tension nicely, contrasting with occasional insights into the journalist’s own cosy home life. My empathy for the killer was tested throughout. I’ll say no more - you’ll have to read it!
The Judge is another hit for me. A journalist is determined to get into the head of a serial killer – The Judge – who has dispatched his victims as a way to right injustices in the legal system. The clever dialogue between the two in prison builds the tension nicely, contrasting with occasional insights into the journalist’s own cosy home life. My empathy for the killer was tested throughout. I’ll say no more - you’ll have to read it!
March 8, 2023
Gerald Maddocks, "The Judge", was sent to prison on multiple life sentences. After watching juries acquit defendants based on reasonable doubt, he felt his killings were justified. He managed to get all of his victims to confess except one.
The narrator takes us through a twisted set of circumstances. Is there ever a right way to dole out justice, and is anyone immune to the repercussions?
Nannette Kreitzman has worked her magic again with efficiency, drawing readers in as she concisely tells an intriguing tale. Readers who enjoy crime and mystery will not want to miss The Judge.
The narrator takes us through a twisted set of circumstances. Is there ever a right way to dole out justice, and is anyone immune to the repercussions?
Nannette Kreitzman has worked her magic again with efficiency, drawing readers in as she concisely tells an intriguing tale. Readers who enjoy crime and mystery will not want to miss The Judge.
March 29, 2024
Another superb short from the queen of the short story. The Judge is a tense and succinct tale that packs a powerful punch despite being only a few pages long. As the reader, I was led down one path confident that I knew where the story was going, only to be thrown a twist that I did not see coming. It takes great skill to craft a short story that has a beginning, a middle, a twist, and a resolution, this author possesses that skill in spades.
Another 5-star winner and a highly recommended read.
Another 5-star winner and a highly recommended read.
November 14, 2022
Never saw that coming
Kreitzman is amazing at throwing in twists you would never see coming. This story was no exception. Who would have guessed? But, of course, I can’t give anything away so you’ll have to read it for yourself. I look forward to diving into more of Kreitzman’s short stories. Her succinct writing and skillful use of words make her stories pop off the page. You won’t regret picking up her stories.
Kreitzman is amazing at throwing in twists you would never see coming. This story was no exception. Who would have guessed? But, of course, I can’t give anything away so you’ll have to read it for yourself. I look forward to diving into more of Kreitzman’s short stories. Her succinct writing and skillful use of words make her stories pop off the page. You won’t regret picking up her stories.
March 27, 2022
This story is AMAZING!!
The story is Suspenseful
from the first page to
the last sentence!!
The story is Suspenseful
from the first page to
the last sentence!!
February 20, 2023
Surprise twists
I’ve read several of Nannette Kreitzman’s short stories and enjoyed them all. I wasn’t ready for the ending of this one. A satisfying surprise.
I’ve read several of Nannette Kreitzman’s short stories and enjoyed them all. I wasn’t ready for the ending of this one. A satisfying surprise.
March 1, 2023
A family man journalist interviews a notorious serial killer in his cell.
A short, simple idea that heads in a direction I most definitely wasn't expecting. Bravo.
5⭐ for catching me out.
A short, simple idea that heads in a direction I most definitely wasn't expecting. Bravo.
5⭐ for catching me out.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews