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With A Twist
This award winning 6000 word short story, originally published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, features Konrath's stalwart Homicide cop Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels (Whiskey Sour, Shaken) in a puzzler of a mystery.
A body is found in a man's living room, the doors all locked from the inside. The victim had apparently been dropped from a great height.
How did he die? Who killed him?
Daniels and her partner, Herb Benedict, follow a trail of ingenious clues to solve this classic whodunnit. Are you clever enough to solve it first?
A body is found in a man's living room, the doors all locked from the inside. The victim had apparently been dropped from a great height.
How did he die? Who killed him?
Daniels and her partner, Herb Benedict, follow a trail of ingenious clues to solve this classic whodunnit. Are you clever enough to solve it first?
20 pages, Nook
First published July 26, 2011
128 people are currently reading
1108 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Konrath
199 books3,016 followersJoe Konrath has written over twenty novels in the Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels thriller series. They do not have to be read chronologically to be enjoyed, but the order is: Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, Rusty Nail, Dirty Martini, Shot of Tequila, Fuzzy Navel, Cherry Bomb, Dead On My Feet, Serial Killers Uncut (with Blake Crouch), Shaken, Stirred (with Blake Crouch), Dying Breath, Everybody Dies, Rum Runner, Last Call, White Russian, Shot Girl, Chaser, Old Fashioned, Bite Force, and Witch Brew. More coming soon.
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
December 12, 2018
I haven't read any other books in this series but you don't need to, to enjoy this short story. It's not only a locked room mystery but the deceased leaves a scavenger hunt of clues for the detectives and the reader to figure out. It was fun playing a long; only wished it lasted longer.
July 14, 2019
What an interesting little story!
I love this series and the main character, Jacqueline Daniels. Following her on the cases she works on is really something. She is sharp and doesn't miss much at all. It's never more apparent as it is in this one.
This case she is on is quite unique too. One I won't forget any time soon. It had me turning the page like a madwoman. I had to know how it ended.
Can't wait to read more from this series. As you can see, I have read them out of whack a bit, but that doesn't really matter. Each story is different, being a different case for her to work on. So they can be read any way you want to.
Definitely one of my favorite authors now!
I love this series and the main character, Jacqueline Daniels. Following her on the cases she works on is really something. She is sharp and doesn't miss much at all. It's never more apparent as it is in this one.
This case she is on is quite unique too. One I won't forget any time soon. It had me turning the page like a madwoman. I had to know how it ended.
Can't wait to read more from this series. As you can see, I have read them out of whack a bit, but that doesn't really matter. Each story is different, being a different case for her to work on. So they can be read any way you want to.
Definitely one of my favorite authors now!
January 27, 2018
It has been a long, long time since I've read a locked door mystery. I had downloaded this to my Kindle without even realizing that's what it was. I'm so glad I did! This was fun! I had a good time trying to figure it out along with "Jack" and it makes me want to seek out more. I know I had read some as a teenager, but offhand I can't think of any I've read since then. This story may have been especially good considering the authors and the fact that it's a prize winner, but in my further reading choices I will definitely keep an eye out for any that sound good. I like a good puzzle.
December 31, 2015
I've long wanted to try a JA Konrath novel, especially one of his Jack Daniel's mysteries and this short story seemed the perfect opportunity to sample his style. This is a locked room mystery which I found to be clever and fun and an easy introduction to the characters. I understand from the author's website that his novels and short stories can be read in any order and so readers should not fear diving in anywhere. I will certainly be revisiting Police Lieutenant "Jack" Daniels very soon.
October 19, 2012
This short story reminded me of Edgar Allen Poe's short stories - quick, to the point and filled with complexities.
September 25, 2018
In 'With A Twist', Detective Jacqueline Daniels and her partner Herb Benedict work together to solve what seems to be an impossible locked room crime. The positioning of the body of a 67-year-old man combined with the blood spatter only point to one explanation: he had jumped or had been pushed to his death and subsequently landed on his living room carpet. But how exactly could that have happened?
This story was short but incredibly satisfying as there was plenty of suspense. The victim had left a series of clues for the detectives to discover and decipher, each one requiring ample brainwork. The two detectives didn't disappoint; they were intelligent and thorough. There was even a dash of humour especially towards the end. All questions regarding the crime were answered without leaving any loose ends.
'With A Twist' was a quick and highly enjoyable read that managed to be dark, clever and funny all within a couple of pages.
This story was short but incredibly satisfying as there was plenty of suspense. The victim had left a series of clues for the detectives to discover and decipher, each one requiring ample brainwork. The two detectives didn't disappoint; they were intelligent and thorough. There was even a dash of humour especially towards the end. All questions regarding the crime were answered without leaving any loose ends.
'With A Twist' was a quick and highly enjoyable read that managed to be dark, clever and funny all within a couple of pages.
June 2, 2017
It’s hard to get too excited about a short story that takes maybe ten minutes to read. The mystery is somewhat clever, however, in that Jack and her partner must play a “Clue”-like game to unravel the clues left by an apparent suicide whose body seems felled from many stories, but yet is locked inside his own living room, with blood spatter all over the place. Mildly entertaining, but not really much about lady Jack – so we wouldn’t suggest going too far out of one’s way to polish off this very short ebook…
September 15, 2019
A short “locked room” whodunnit story.
Follow along as detectives uncover clues and figure out how a man fell from an incredible height and was discovered dead in his own living room inside his locked house. Pay attention and see if you can figure out ALL the clues before the police do, at the very end.
A pleasant short read but all the leg work is done by Jack and Herb leaving very few clues for the reader to discover alone.
Follow along as detectives uncover clues and figure out how a man fell from an incredible height and was discovered dead in his own living room inside his locked house. Pay attention and see if you can figure out ALL the clues before the police do, at the very end.
A pleasant short read but all the leg work is done by Jack and Herb leaving very few clues for the reader to discover alone.
June 27, 2017
I absolutely love this series. The humor is so dark and disturbing. Just my kind of book. Characters are so unbelievably distateful and lovable at the same time. It's great! So dark and yet so funny. I don't even care that sometimes Konrath loses track and has a few continuity issues. Sometimes I even think he does it on purpose. Did I mention I love this series?
June 30, 2017
This is a short little piece that is fun reading. It is a classic mystery
with clues. Not a full-on crime thriller, but a puzzle for the reader to
decipher about how the body got in the locked house.
with clues. Not a full-on crime thriller, but a puzzle for the reader to
decipher about how the body got in the locked house.
April 10, 2018
Can never miss with a Jack Daniels book!!
This book, with a wicked twist, is a locked room mystery, in which, Jack and Herb Benedict must solve a gruesome death. A short, but AWESOME read!!
This book, with a wicked twist, is a locked room mystery, in which, Jack and Herb Benedict must solve a gruesome death. A short, but AWESOME read!!
July 3, 2018
Any one who loves puzzles, then add mystery to the pieces, and you have an intriguing story. Can we as readers, figure it out, as we collect the pieces. It maybe short, it was fun to read, and trying to figure out what Jack was thinking.
October 28, 2018
A Jack Daniels short story where Jack is called to a murder scene which turns into a locked room and implausible scenario. In a locked living room a man's body has been found with injuries that point to a fall from a very great height.
An interesting and enjoyable mystery
An interesting and enjoyable mystery
August 2, 2021
This was a very quick read......... didn't realize it was a short story! LOVED it..... it mentioned almost EVERY type of puzzle and puzzle book I like to read and solve! Added to that, one of my favorite characters....Jack! It was a win win for me. Loved it.
March 31, 2022
a fun short mystery
This is an easy fun mystery read. It moves quickly with lots of clues that they solve. I have read many of the Jack Daniels stories. This is a fun addition to the
This is an easy fun mystery read. It moves quickly with lots of clues that they solve. I have read many of the Jack Daniels stories. This is a fun addition to the
March 25, 2017
This was a fun quick read. I will definitely be reading more of this series.
October 24, 2017
Locked room mystery
April 27, 2018
A good short short story.
October 24, 2018
I love anything with Jack in it. It was a quick, fun read.
December 17, 2018
Jack Daniels: Brilliant! Always enjoy the ride with her as she solves these difficult mysteries!
June 2, 2019
Fun and confusing
Very short mystery that is based on a mystery book. I was completely stumped and frustrated but that is the joy of reading mysteries!
Very short mystery that is based on a mystery book. I was completely stumped and frustrated but that is the joy of reading mysteries!
September 18, 2019
Cute short story ebook. Don't have to read the series to read this one.
November 17, 2019
Good short story mystery. Definitely makes me want to read the series featuring Jack Daniels. The Swedish fish is hilarious
January 10, 2020
A real twist, I love these shorts where Jack can be used in an Angelina Lansbury type story.
February 11, 2020
Jack Daniels Stories: Fifteen Mystery Tales
September 22, 2021
What a fun read!
October 4, 2021
A short story in the Jack Daniels mystery series. Quick and entertaining.
November 18, 2023
An interesting short story in the Jack Daniels series.
December 9, 2024
Jack and partner Herb solve a locked door mystery. Good book!
March 24, 2017
A JACK DANIELS SHORT STORY REALLY, REALLY, SHORT QUICK READ. VERY WELL DONE, COMPLETELY SATISFYING SMALL BUT SO MIGHTY. BRAVO!;D
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews