Cruel and Unusual

n this set of four short stories, the perennial struggle to catch the bad guys gets the supernatural treatment. Like holding a murder trial in a twilight zone, anything can happen-but in the end, justice will be served.In "Judge and Jury," a violent gang tries to make its own rules. But out West, a kangaroo court is the only law, and this time, there's a ghost in attendance. He knows the truth about their terrible crimes, and he won't stop until someone pays for it.Capital punishment gets a vengeful twist in "The Wheel," as the victim's family gets involved in choosing the style of execution. It may be cruel to leave things to fate, but the mourners don't care. They are thirsty for retribution.Each tale is a part moral quandary, part horror story, and together they explore the death penalty in all its forms. Such justice is older than the Salem trials, but the implications extend far beyond the demise of one person. What is right may not always be clear, but eventually, whether it is the accused, the wronged, or the devil himself who makes the final call, the ax must fall.

Read four more stories of judicial horror from the award-winning author of Cryptic, Erik Dean.DUMMYRobert Holman failed to heed the warnings and an innocent night out turns into a nightmare. What punishment is fitting for this Dummy? He realizes too late that being sorry is not enough, and that there's no hiding from the vengeful hand of fate.EARLY RELEASEAn amendment to the US Constitution allows for grieving families to apply for Early Release for the prisoners who murdered their loved ones. The prisoner is set loose and the family has twenty-four hours to exact their revenge. If they don't kill the prisoner within 24 hours, they're awarded their freedom.Kelvin Heyer, a bank robber, is the lucky winner this time. Will he outrun his victim's vengeful family long enough with a little help from a Friend?PUBLIC POOLBest friends and business partners Carlos and Luis are thrilled when their swimming pool design company wins the lucrative bid to build new public pools in Phoenix, Arizona. Their delight is spoiled by a business rival and Carlos's growing-and mutual-attraction to Maria, Luis's wife. Lust, passion, and greed quickly build up to murder and betrayal.BROKEN JUSTICEIn the future, trials take place in small pods instead of courtrooms and most cars are driverless. Holly Barlow is one of the few people who still prefer to drive her own car, but she is caught speeding and must pay a fine. She quickly learns that the court pods do more than simply accept payments for fines-they can also vaporize lawbreakers, carrying out executions instantly... and automated systems are known to break down from time to time.From courtrooms of the present and into the future, you'll enjoy these ironic and horrific tales with a twist.