| Title | : | Broken Justice |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 38 |
| Publication | : | First published April 1, 2022 |
But it's all an act.
When a group of sexual assault survivors are brought together by an unlikely source, they realize they have all been denied the same thing: Justice.
From the author of SMOLDER and THE RITUAL comes a new and brutal story about what happens when the predator becomes the prey.
Broken Justice Reviews
-
Michael Goodwin tackles a delicate subject with masterful finesse invoking a paralysing sense of dread that makes this story unputdownable.
-
I love a good revenge story and this certainly delivered. I’m coming to the conclusion that you really just can’t go wrong with anything by Goodwin. I really loved how this story came together. A group, bound together for vengeance against their abuser. The supernatural tie is the cherry on top.
I’m a sucker for more extreme horror, similar to KINDNESS, this story packs a punch with a delightful amount of gore. Next month is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and all royalties earned for this story in April with go towards an SA charity. If you’re a victim, please be warned that the subject matter may be triggering. If you’re anything like me, you may find this very cathartic. -
"He knew how to work the system that was supposed to provide justice for all. He knew that it really only provided justice for some.
.
Broken Justice opens with Hannah receiving news from her husband, Matthew, that Bentham Police have found "him". Daniel Spooner is dead, he was found hanging in a cemetery. But Hannah feels things in the wake of these events...
.
Michael sent me this one in exchange for an honest review. It was a fairly short but powerful tale!
.
It's definitely not an easy read and covers big issues quite early on. It feels like Michael handles the topics well, and makes for a good story that makes you emphasise with Hannah and Jane. The way the story builds upon something very dark in a sensitive way works for me. Jane as a character is one who I liked the concept of and how she plays a role in this story. It's hard to explain as I am trying to keep spoilers to a minimum here. Daniel is probably one of the most despicable characters I have come across in Michael's works. I can't think who he reminds me of, but his whole demeanor and Jekyll and Hyde personality really works to show how he is as a person. There are some beyond brutal moments in this one but keep you hooked and wanting to read on. The ending feels right and is a powerful note to end with!
.
I think I'll give this 5/5 but it's one I can't easily rate you know? Given the nature of the story it's not a simple, easy to rate story.
Many thanks to Michael for the ARC in exchange for an honest review -
Short but thrilling - in a messed up kind of way. It's a difficult read, but a powerful one dealing with, what to many, is a real issue.
I was completely behind the women and though I don't condone violence, in terms of this story, it was necessary. Whilst this is fiction, it makes it even more horrific that the underlying premise of this is the truth for many people.
There are strong content warnings for this book, but the subject matter is implemented respectfully and for good reason - as it's so important. All royalties are being donated to RAINN.org (a non-profit US organisation that provides assistance and resources to survivors of sexual assault) in honour of April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. -
Justice in the hands of those betrayed by a system "designed to protect" is a dangerous game, and in the case of Michael Goodwin's "Broken Justice", a deeply quintessential one. A powerful group of women, all brutalized by the same loathsome waste of space, have had enough. Revenge of the nastiest yet most appropriate form calls from beyond the grave to unite them for one night to end it, once and for all.
Michael Goodwin has done it again with a novella that delivers equally in disgusting realism and complete fictional chaos. Proving his mastery yet again, he's taken one of the most sensitive, traumatic subjects and eloquently molded a story around it to give the loudest voice possible to a terror often swept under the rug or avoided. While covered in carnage, every single word of this story is dripping with compassion and told with the utmost respect. This is the kind of retribution story the horror community needs. -
"It is far easier to destroy a woman’s word and reputation than it is a man’s."
This short story is one of revenge. Tackling topics that are painfully still topical, and done in a way where the trauma of these women is not a focal point in a gratuitous or shock value kind of way. It focuses on them as people.
The parts that are done in detail are what we want to see in detail - I don't want to say more in order to avoid spoilers, but I do recommend giving this short story a read. It is heavy but done with taste, and makes you think about the justice system and its never-ending failures.
4.5 Rounded up for Goodreads -
Brutal Revenge
“There was a draw to them, a magnetic pull that split her energy into many directions, like the roots of a tree. She found several others like her who had been damaged by this man.”
“Broken Justice” by Michael R. Goodwin gets a 4 out of 5 stars.
In less than 27 pages, you feel the rage, pain and suffering of Daniel Spooner’s victims that you cheer for their revenge. One victim isn’t going down easily and channels her energy into bringing all the victims strength into justice against him. The audacity of Daniel’s actions and thoughts as well as the injustice make it all too common. It’s sickening. It’s horrible. It’s possible. This is real life horror, but their revenge was… just as brutal.
Please visit my GoodReads profile or instagram for more reviews. Thank you! -
Court system fails so victims unite
-
This is going to be a short review, because Broken Justice is a short story, and I don't want to give anything away. That being said, it's a good one. Michael's writing is, as always, excellent. The characters and well-drawn, and the ending is incredibly satisfying. This is a revenge story that is never gratuitous, which I very much appreciated.
Note: All proceeds from this story will be donated to RAINN for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. -
Michael Goodwin has done it again! This novella was brilliantly written and personally, I love that there was brutal justice served to a sorry excuse of a human being. I won't get into the nitty-gritty, but I feel Goodwin addressed this in the best way possible and it definitely deserves a read from everyone!
-
“She preferred to use the word 'assault' when talking or thinking about what he had done to her, because the word 'rape' was too hard to say or even think about. A tempest of thoughts and emotions competed for focus in Hannah's mind. The flashbacks broke through, strikes of lightning in the hurricane that had been raging inside her ever since the day he assaulted her. Her hurricane had no eye, no calm at the center.”
From the author who gave us SMOLDER, Michael R. Goodwin delivers a dark, hard-hitting tale of justice and revenge.
Daniel Spooner thinks he's an all around nice guy, but it's a facade. He thinks he's on a date when a group of sexual assault survivors come together for joint justice.
It was good to see a horror author dabble in a different genre. This was a more realistic, crime thriller take. I don't want to reveal too much about it but if Lisbeth Salander was around (the anti-heroine from Stiegg Larsson's Dragon Tattoo series), she'd want a front-row seat for this.
Thank you for the free eBook Michael and Dark Pine Publishing! -
4.5/5
I read a physical copy of this story and although it's a tiny little book it really packs a punch.
It's very hardhitting and deals with a very difficult topic exceptionally well.
I was invested right from the start and was there with the ladies throughout the pages.
Highly recommended!
It comes with a content warning, in reference to sexual assault. -
A darkly satisfying tale that does not skimp on the gore.
This story tackles a very unpleasant subject in a surprisingly cathartic way, while still maintaining sympathy for those affected.
Striking on several unpleasant truths and themes, this story not only delivers on its intent, but will leave you thinking about the subject matter in a real world capacity (and hopefully sparking productive discussion about it). -
So much in a lil package!
It's sad to say many of us know of the Daniel Spooner type, either by first hand or association ..... the type to violate and get away with it. If only ALL of the "Daniel Spooners" of the world could meet the same fate! -
I was lucky enough to be given a sneak peek of this one from the author in exchange for an honest review, so here we go! In short, this is another excellent piece of work from a talented writer - my second-favourite author from Maine in fact!
This short story deals with the subject of surviving rape and sexual assault. Not an easy one to read or write about, but Michael tackles it expertly. There is no lauding the perpetrator or spending too much time living the story through his eyes. Instead, this tale is driven by his female victims, who set about on a quest for revenge - albeit with some supernatural assistance.
As a nasty but satisfying story with a satisfying outcome, Broken Justice works brilliantly. Add onto that how much it will make you think about the subject matter - and the fact that it’s being used to raise money for a sexual assault charity - and you have something even more ambitious and impressive. Michael has nailed it once again; great writing, great horror and, most importantly, a great story. Great work! -
There is so much I want to say about this perfectly crafted short story. First off, hell yes. Michael does it again. He managed to succinctly convey the story and characters. He can seriously get right to the point with his stories and it never feels like it is lacking. He doesn't leave you wanting.
In order to avoid spoilers, I won't elaborate too much on the story but I quickly had to go ramble all my thoughts to my husband when I finished. I love how the plot pulls things together and the actions were thoroughly thought through for peak effectiveness. -
for all those who still seek justice
This book is super short…and totally worth reading. I trust an author to make their story as long or as short as they see fit. At something like 27 pages, it’s crazy how hard this story hits. Be warned, it deals with rape and revenge and the emotions that accompany such awful subjects. If you can, you should read this, and don’t forget to read the author’s note at the end because it is important. -
Michael Goodwin did not shy away from a taboo topic in this short, thrilling read! You know what’s coming but you don’t know how, until the survivors serve a platter with their own version of vigilante justice!
I highly appreciate the author’s accurate description of just how deceiving a sexual predator can be and his use of survivor language in this read. This account of justice proves that even the premeditated can be a crime of passion, but more evidently, that there is still a lot of work to be done in our society for fairness and equity to be obtained by those impacted.
Bonus: This author also used his platform to raise awareness and funds to a cause that supports survivors of sexual assault and that is quite an admirable trait! -
5/5 - This short story is empowering.
I do have a bias toward the content having been a survivor of assault. The reason I say the story is empowering has to do with the strength each woman found within themselves; and, through one another to cleanse their shame and rage.
While the events in this story are perfect for fiction, in real life they are completely inappropriate. Revenge, in theory, can seem justified, however, if one truly subscribes to the notion of revenge, it’s nothing different from robbing Peter to pay Paul.
The cool thing about fiction is, as reader, we can enjoy stories that are fantastical. Therapeutic even. With, Broken Justice, not only does the reader get a great story concerning dark subject matter, but also, they are immersed into a very real world shaped by thoughtful prose.
CW: graphic violence, language, references to sexual assault. -
Difficult topic, respectfully written.
Goodwin tackles a very difficult and real horror for many with the utmost respect. This short story is wonderfully written and an absolute must read. -
At only 37 pages, this short story is fast and relentless! Reader beware, Goodwin's dicey style shines on every page, but even more important is the subject matter that he speaks on throughout the story. Goodwin does not hold back in the name of Brutal Justice! Highly recommend. 4.5 / 5
-
Women unite to bring justice to a man that assaulted all of them, leaving one dead. And may it be clear: revenge still has the sweetest taste. (Although in real life a very bitter aftertaste, I guess)
A very riveting story about revenge and justice. Not for the faint of heart. Had me swallowing some bile and feeling certain parts to make sure they were still present…
Goodwin knows how to tell a story! Violence is never the answer but sometimes… couldn’t it be satisfying to do just that what isn’t allowed? -
This is a dark, hard to read short horror story that is powerful. Based on victims let down by the justice system, who take their revenge on the perpetrator. This is an incredible read, written by an amazing talented author. I applaud the author for taking on such a difficult subject. Brilliant!
