Short Story Review: "Silent Witness" by B. K. Stevens

While she has experience in family court as well as small claims, Jane Ciardi has never before interpreted in the criminal court. That will change today as her skills sign language interpreter are urgently needed as the usual interpreter is out because her husband had a heart attack. Sandra Blackmore, the remaining interpreter, plans on handling the deaf witnesses so she will voice as well as sign for them. She wants Jane to handle the witnesses that can hear. It will be a little easier on Jane as all she has do is sign when those witnesses testify so that those in the courtroom that are hearing impaired can understand what is happening in the trial.

The case is emotionally charged as the assistant vice principal of the Cleveland School for the Death stands accused of the murder of the recently hired principal. While the assistant principal is deaf, the now deceased principal was not. The fact that somebody who was not deaf was hired to lead the school generated a lot of controversy with students and staff. That controversy resulted in intense media coverage. The situation has further escalated with the murder and subsequent trial as the media, as they usually do, are having a field day with the details of the murder case.

A complicated murder case where everyone has their role to play in the short story Silent Witness by B. K. Stevens. This is a tightly woven intense read that was originally published in December 2010 in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine under the title Interpretation Of Murder. Not to be confused with the upcoming novel of the same name published by Black Opal Books, this short story is a Derringer Winner and a very good read. 

Silent Witness

B. K. Stevens

http://www.bkstevensmysteries.com

Amazon Digital Services

ASIN: B00VGVZBY2

March 30, 2015

E-Book

29 Pages

$0.99

Material was picked up during the author’s recent free read promotion.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2015