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The Broken Doll #3
Execution Day
When justice is on the line, the courtroom becomes a battleground for a prosecutor obsessed with victory, a defense attorney hired to thwart it and a wily defendant making a bid for freedom.
Steven Ross, a family man from a small midwestern town, has been arrested for murder. Evidence suggests he’s an accomplice of the sadistic killer Paul Offenbach. County district attorney Evan Quill believes in his heart that Ross is guilty, but as the trial unfolds, doubts emerge. He presses forward anyway, in a legal fencing match against a brilliant big-city defense attorney. Will Quill’s uncompromising beliefs put an innocent man in jail? Or will a misstep let a killer go free?
From internationally bestselling master of suspense Jeffery Deaver comes Execution Day, part of The Broken Doll collection, a series of interconnected short stories about killers and prey, justice and revenge, that can be read or listened to in a single breathless experience.
Steven Ross, a family man from a small midwestern town, has been arrested for murder. Evidence suggests he’s an accomplice of the sadistic killer Paul Offenbach. County district attorney Evan Quill believes in his heart that Ross is guilty, but as the trial unfolds, doubts emerge. He presses forward anyway, in a legal fencing match against a brilliant big-city defense attorney. Will Quill’s uncompromising beliefs put an innocent man in jail? Or will a misstep let a killer go free?
From internationally bestselling master of suspense Jeffery Deaver comes Execution Day, part of The Broken Doll collection, a series of interconnected short stories about killers and prey, justice and revenge, that can be read or listened to in a single breathless experience.
81 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2022
2055 people are currently reading
642 people want to read
About the author
Jeffery Deaver
488books11.4kfollowers#1 international bestselling author of over thirty novels and three collections of short stories. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into 25 languages. His first novel featuring Lincoln Rhyme, The Bone Collector, was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. He's received or been shortlisted for a number of awards around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
February 6, 2023
Great detective read
On to the 4th book in this series. I'm really enjoying them. Here again, one character has a surprising entrance and remains elusive until the end of the court trial.
Must read for detective book lovers.
On to the 4th book in this series. I'm really enjoying them. Here again, one character has a surprising entrance and remains elusive until the end of the court trial.
Must read for detective book lovers.
January 6, 2023
I think this is the best of the four-part series. It focuses on Evan Quill, the county prosecutor, who is the primary state attorney in the trial of Steven Ross—on trial for helping Paul Offenbach torture and murder Deputy Cynthia Hooper. But the case relies on flimsy evidence and Quill has doubts about Ross’s guilt while he is prosecuting him. Ross may be an innocent family man who was in the general vicinity when the crime took place.
In addition to the proceedings taking place in the courtroom, we discover the relationship between Quill and Constant Marlowe. Although Constant plays a relatively minor role in Book 3, we learn about her actions before and after the events described in Book 2, and why she is so intent on killing Paul Offenbach.
There is also a section of this book devoted to following the actions of Kevin Rawling, who is trying to find evidence that will help his cousin. It is during Kevin’s search that we find out the origin of the title of Book 3–“Execution Day�. It comes from a movie he remembers while frantically searching for video proof.
And yes, again, several twists that I didn’t expect.
�
ʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴ�
My review for the first two novellas in the series:
� The Pain Hunter (The Broken Doll, Book 1)
� Dodge (The Broken Doll, Book 2)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
�
In addition to the proceedings taking place in the courtroom, we discover the relationship between Quill and Constant Marlowe. Although Constant plays a relatively minor role in Book 3, we learn about her actions before and after the events described in Book 2, and why she is so intent on killing Paul Offenbach.
There is also a section of this book devoted to following the actions of Kevin Rawling, who is trying to find evidence that will help his cousin. It is during Kevin’s search that we find out the origin of the title of Book 3–“Execution Day�. It comes from a movie he remembers while frantically searching for video proof.
And yes, again, several twists that I didn’t expect.
�
ʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴʴ�
My review for the first two novellas in the series:
� The Pain Hunter (The Broken Doll, Book 1)
� Dodge (The Broken Doll, Book 2)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
�
December 29, 2022
Deaver's third short story in The Broken Doll collection zips along just as fast as the first two instalments. There's good characterisation & more Deaver twists to entertain the reader once again.
April 16, 2023
This book is #3 in the Broken Doll Series. Although it begins before the other two, the author cleverly tied to them. The prosecutor and defense attorney battle it out at the murder trial of Steven Ross for his part in the torture and murder of a sheriff deputy. Each lawyer is using all they can to win the case. Can the Illinois prosecutor prove that the defendant is guilty beyond reasonable doubt? The question remains, can doubts about the case bring justice or will they end up freeing a killer?
June 2, 2024
I need more of Quil🤩
September 29, 2023
So far, the best installment for me!!!
Love it very much indeed...
If you are following the story in all the four installments, then you can see how the pieces begin to fall into the right places!!!
PS:
I'm reading and simultaneously hearing the audio book from Audible.
Great job done by the narrator; it does upgrade the novels!!!
Love it very much indeed...
If you are following the story in all the four installments, then you can see how the pieces begin to fall into the right places!!!
PS:
I'm reading and simultaneously hearing the audio book from Audible.
Great job done by the narrator; it does upgrade the novels!!!
November 27, 2024
Oh the tangled webs we weave. A thrilling little court room novella with a nice twist. A great way to kill an hour or two.
February 5, 2024
Court room drama.
The third episode in The Broken Doll series which throws more background onto the horrific crime that gives impetus to all the writing so far across this mini series.
Although each can be read as a standalone, it is their interplay with different angles on these events that brings it all together as a unique piece of story telling. It also brings it into the perfect place for a brilliant conclusion, and with that hoped for justice.
What Deaver does here again is weave misdirection into the fabric of his narration. Sucks you in as usual and despite previous reading of his books, leaves you open to that sucker punch. Knocked me down and completely bowled me over. When it is done well it is a joy to be caught out and Jeffery Deaver is the master of it.
Dust yourselves down now, book four awaits.
The third episode in The Broken Doll series which throws more background onto the horrific crime that gives impetus to all the writing so far across this mini series.
Although each can be read as a standalone, it is their interplay with different angles on these events that brings it all together as a unique piece of story telling. It also brings it into the perfect place for a brilliant conclusion, and with that hoped for justice.
What Deaver does here again is weave misdirection into the fabric of his narration. Sucks you in as usual and despite previous reading of his books, leaves you open to that sucker punch. Knocked me down and completely bowled me over. When it is done well it is a joy to be caught out and Jeffery Deaver is the master of it.
Dust yourselves down now, book four awaits.
September 20, 2024
Very engaging short novel. Part of the series, but the first one I read and found it easy to follow the characters and story. Excellent account bringing the courtroom to life, depicting the prosecution-defense battle dance in such vivid animation.
December 19, 2022
Once again this one is not what it seems at first glance. And sadly the good guys don't win. I hated how things were manipulated!
September 6, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book three of four
A trial is being conducted in a murder case. A great story with interesting characters lots of action and misdirection leading to the unexpected conclusion.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of relationships novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒😀
This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book three of four
A trial is being conducted in a murder case. A great story with interesting characters lots of action and misdirection leading to the unexpected conclusion.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of relationships novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒😀
May 8, 2024
Liked the story and the characters.
June 5, 2024
Good one.
June 3, 2024
Two-haiku review:
Lawyer prosecutes
Man accused as cop killer
Can he win the case?
Pretty short story
Not long enough for much depth
Not a fan of shorts
Lawyer prosecutes
Man accused as cop killer
Can he win the case?
Pretty short story
Not long enough for much depth
Not a fan of shorts
March 10, 2024
Another excellent entry in the Broken Doll series of novellas. Once again, Deaver expertly misdirects us almost from the beginning. I'm a big fan of putting pieces together like a puzzle and this series is a incredibly enjoyable puzzle.
March 11, 2024
Prosecution vs. Defense
Review of the Amazon Original Stories Kindle eBook (December 13, 2022).
The Broken Doll series is not being told in chronological order and it is now clear that #3 Execution Day actually the launching story of the series and takes place before #1 The Pain Hunter & #2 Dodge. The courtroom showdown between a determined prosecutor and a shady defense counsel is the leadup to the getaway & chase which was our opening scene back in #1.
Both sides in the court pull off a few twists and there is yet another bait & switch investigation going on outside of the courtroom which leads to a dramatic conclusion. I'm realizing that the bait & switch seems to be a signature move for this author.
The significance of The Broken Doll title was still not apparent to me in this third entry of the series.
Execution Day is novella #3 of 4 interrelated stories issued in The Broken Doll series.
Review of the Amazon Original Stories Kindle eBook (December 13, 2022).
The Broken Doll series is not being told in chronological order and it is now clear that #3 Execution Day actually the launching story of the series and takes place before #1 The Pain Hunter & #2 Dodge. The courtroom showdown between a determined prosecutor and a shady defense counsel is the leadup to the getaway & chase which was our opening scene back in #1.
Both sides in the court pull off a few twists and there is yet another bait & switch investigation going on outside of the courtroom which leads to a dramatic conclusion. I'm realizing that the bait & switch seems to be a signature move for this author.
The significance of The Broken Doll title was still not apparent to me in this third entry of the series.
Execution Day is novella #3 of 4 interrelated stories issued in The Broken Doll series.
February 9, 2023
Book 3 of the Broken Doll series, this book starts before the other two and ends on the same day as The Pain Hunter. This story takes us through the murder trial of Steven Ross, an accomplice and suspected associate of Paul Offenbach, who is being tried for his part in the torture and murder of a sheriff deputy. The prosecutor and defense attorney, each with a point to prove, battle it out, using every trick, available to try and win the case. But can justice be served if you have doubts about your case? Or will those doubts allow a killer to go free.
July 24, 2024
7/10
A few twists but fairly predictable.
A few twists but fairly predictable.
July 5, 2024
Review: see The Broken Doll #4.
December 21, 2022
An Illinois prosecutor has a calculating killer on trial. With time running out, can he prove that the defendant is guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
Apart from a misleading title, "Execution Day" is a fast paced and absorbing short story, which begins to unravel the mystery of 'The Broken Doll'.
Apart from a misleading title, "Execution Day" is a fast paced and absorbing short story, which begins to unravel the mystery of 'The Broken Doll'.
December 31, 2022
interesting Twist
This is the third in the Broken Doll Collection. I wasn’t sure I was enjoying this, but the end changed my mind. I enjoyed the twist and was surprised, which is always a good thing in my opinion!
This is the third in the Broken Doll Collection. I wasn’t sure I was enjoying this, but the end changed my mind. I enjoyed the twist and was surprised, which is always a good thing in my opinion!
December 19, 2022
This is incredibly mind boggling
Again great plot twists and turns like being on a rollercoaster ride. A definite must read. Very interesting and unexpected.
Again great plot twists and turns like being on a rollercoaster ride. A definite must read. Very interesting and unexpected.
December 18, 2022
I disagree with whoever stated that you can read these books as stand alone or not in order.
May 13, 2025
Brilliant twisty short story. Number 3 of 4 in the Broken Doll series
Can be read as a standalone but they all inter weave
Can be read as a standalone but they all inter weave
January 10, 2023
This brief installment in this 4 part novel was excellent.
January 31, 2023
Steven Ross is on trial for the murder of a woman as the accomplice of the violent killer Paul Offenbach. District attorney Evan Quill is hard at work with precise deliveries of his data while Kevin Rawlings is still looking for new evidence as the defense wraps up with character witnesses. The jury takes only a little time to deliberate and as the judge reads the results, Rawlings rushes into the courtroom.
* * * * * ----------- * * * * * ----------- * * * * *
Admittedly courtroom dramas are difficult in the short story format. There is not enough time to develop characters, explain the crimes, and debate the finer points of the law. We must suffer through a simplified version of things with unanswered questions and forced telling rather than showing. This story moves at a dedicated pace from start to finish and relates to the other Broken Doll narratives. I did not enjoy it, however. The relationship of Quill to Constant Marlowe who was on the task force arresting this man should have excluded him from being on the case in the first place. The lack of evidence for the crimes being alleged and zero due diligence in cross examining or questioning character witnesses seemed lazy. Allowing the biasing of the jury so not to seem like a nag and the failure of the criminal system to work in any way throughout seems disparaging. There is less action and intensity. Perhaps it is realistic to be flawed, but it held back my immersion and amusement. Further, this part doesn’t fully stand alone.
* * * * * ----------- * * * * * ----------- * * * * *
Admittedly courtroom dramas are difficult in the short story format. There is not enough time to develop characters, explain the crimes, and debate the finer points of the law. We must suffer through a simplified version of things with unanswered questions and forced telling rather than showing. This story moves at a dedicated pace from start to finish and relates to the other Broken Doll narratives. I did not enjoy it, however. The relationship of Quill to Constant Marlowe who was on the task force arresting this man should have excluded him from being on the case in the first place. The lack of evidence for the crimes being alleged and zero due diligence in cross examining or questioning character witnesses seemed lazy. Allowing the biasing of the jury so not to seem like a nag and the failure of the criminal system to work in any way throughout seems disparaging. There is less action and intensity. Perhaps it is realistic to be flawed, but it held back my immersion and amusement. Further, this part doesn’t fully stand alone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2024
Broken Doll #3: Execution Day
Two experienced attorneys appear in court near the end of a high profile case. Defense attorney Martin Gaine, six feet tall, sharply dressed in well fitted navy blue suit, shiny wingtips and gold cufflinks. Prosecutor Evan Quill in a slightly rumpled suit, and fraying shirt cuffs. Both attorneys are experienced, knowledgeable, and dramatic, playing to the jury. Both have planned bombshells to hopefully solidify their case. The defendant, Steven Ross, is very conservatively dressed, surrounded by conservative relatives and church acquaintances, wearing crosses and carrying Bibles. Ross is charged with five crimes, from conspiracy to commit theft, theft, involuntary manslaughter, voluntary manslaughter, and murder of a police officer. Apparently a guilty verdict on one of the first two charges is necessary to validate a conviction on one of the final three. So when the jury returns, which attorney has presented the most compelling case? Which will look at mistakes he might have made, all the way from voir dire to closing arguments? Very interesting story from beginning to end.
Two experienced attorneys appear in court near the end of a high profile case. Defense attorney Martin Gaine, six feet tall, sharply dressed in well fitted navy blue suit, shiny wingtips and gold cufflinks. Prosecutor Evan Quill in a slightly rumpled suit, and fraying shirt cuffs. Both attorneys are experienced, knowledgeable, and dramatic, playing to the jury. Both have planned bombshells to hopefully solidify their case. The defendant, Steven Ross, is very conservatively dressed, surrounded by conservative relatives and church acquaintances, wearing crosses and carrying Bibles. Ross is charged with five crimes, from conspiracy to commit theft, theft, involuntary manslaughter, voluntary manslaughter, and murder of a police officer. Apparently a guilty verdict on one of the first two charges is necessary to validate a conviction on one of the final three. So when the jury returns, which attorney has presented the most compelling case? Which will look at mistakes he might have made, all the way from voir dire to closing arguments? Very interesting story from beginning to end.
January 29, 2025
Can he prove it?
Evan Quill is huge in the court room, he's confident, wily and smart and more often than not he gets his man, watching him battle this case - knowing some of what we know from part one and two, has your heart in your mouth as you await the jury's verdict.
But it is also interesting to see the confident and sometimes brash lawyer lose some of that confidence when it comes to his relationship with Constant. Many people would not understand their relationship or even their interactions, both private and public. But I like that he provides a safety of sorts for Constant, not that she would ever admit that, but just as they have a mutual understanding that their profession lives and actions frequently diverge, their relationship that isn't a relationship works for them because they don't discuss it! Much as Evan would like to!
The timeline for this book runs alongside part two, and before parts one and four. It provides another piece of the jigsaw, provides more twists, more unexpected pieces that make no sense....yet. But it does leave you eager for more and hopeful that Constant and Evan will get justice for Cynthia. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
Evan Quill is huge in the court room, he's confident, wily and smart and more often than not he gets his man, watching him battle this case - knowing some of what we know from part one and two, has your heart in your mouth as you await the jury's verdict.
But it is also interesting to see the confident and sometimes brash lawyer lose some of that confidence when it comes to his relationship with Constant. Many people would not understand their relationship or even their interactions, both private and public. But I like that he provides a safety of sorts for Constant, not that she would ever admit that, but just as they have a mutual understanding that their profession lives and actions frequently diverge, their relationship that isn't a relationship works for them because they don't discuss it! Much as Evan would like to!
The timeline for this book runs alongside part two, and before parts one and four. It provides another piece of the jigsaw, provides more twists, more unexpected pieces that make no sense....yet. But it does leave you eager for more and hopeful that Constant and Evan will get justice for Cynthia. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
January 16, 2023
This is such a compelling series; I am hooked!
There have been frequent references to Quill throughout the series, and now we finally figure out his part to play with the sociopath and his cronies. This instalment follows the court case of Ross - who you'll remember as "The Snake", regarding his involvement in the murder of a female police officer; it is "edge of your seat" compelling (although, truth be told court cases often do particularly well in novels!).
Deaver excels in the court room - his own legal background I suppose we can attribute this to, but actually I find the presentation of dialogue, suspicion and the drip-feeding of information works really well for my reading preferences alongside this. I particularly like that Deaver explains some of the judicial system, because I frankly know about as much as Judge Judy has let me know.
Really compelling; far more so than the second in the series, albeit a little less twisty!
There have been frequent references to Quill throughout the series, and now we finally figure out his part to play with the sociopath and his cronies. This instalment follows the court case of Ross - who you'll remember as "The Snake", regarding his involvement in the murder of a female police officer; it is "edge of your seat" compelling (although, truth be told court cases often do particularly well in novels!).
Deaver excels in the court room - his own legal background I suppose we can attribute this to, but actually I find the presentation of dialogue, suspicion and the drip-feeding of information works really well for my reading preferences alongside this. I particularly like that Deaver explains some of the judicial system, because I frankly know about as much as Judge Judy has let me know.
Really compelling; far more so than the second in the series, albeit a little less twisty!
January 23, 2023
When justice is on the line, the courtroom becomes a battleground for a prosecutor obsessed with victory, a defense attorney hired to thwart it and a wily defendant making a bid for freedom.
Steven Ross, a family man from a small midwestern town, has been arrested for murder. Evidence suggests he’s an accomplice of the sadistic killer Paul Offenbach. County district attorney Evan Quill believes in his heart that Ross is guilty, but as the trial unfolds, doubts emerge. He presses forward anyway, in a legal fencing match against a brilliant big-city defense attorney. Will Quill’s uncompromising beliefs put an innocent man in jail? Or will a misstep let a killer go free?
From internationally bestselling master of suspense Jeffery Deaver comes Execution Day, part of The Broken Doll collection, a series of interconnected short stories about killers and prey, justice and revenge, that can be read or listened to in a single breathless experience.
Steven Ross, a family man from a small midwestern town, has been arrested for murder. Evidence suggests he’s an accomplice of the sadistic killer Paul Offenbach. County district attorney Evan Quill believes in his heart that Ross is guilty, but as the trial unfolds, doubts emerge. He presses forward anyway, in a legal fencing match against a brilliant big-city defense attorney. Will Quill’s uncompromising beliefs put an innocent man in jail? Or will a misstep let a killer go free?
From internationally bestselling master of suspense Jeffery Deaver comes Execution Day, part of The Broken Doll collection, a series of interconnected short stories about killers and prey, justice and revenge, that can be read or listened to in a single breathless experience.
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