The 7th Month

Detective D.D. Warren is seven months pregnant but continues working as a police academy instructor while on modified duty. She shares stories from her past cases with her students, focusing on a home invasion investigation that took place early in her career. The narrative alternates between D.D.'s classroom lectures and flashbacks to the actual investigation, showing how she developed her instincts as a detective. The home invasion case proves more complex than initially apparent, testing D.D.'s abilities as a rookie investigator. The novella explores themes of intuition versus procedure in police work, and how personal growth shapes a detective's approach to solving crimes. It serves as both an origin story and a bridge between full-length novels in the D.D. Warren series.

Readers view this novella as a brief supplement to Gardner's D.D. Warren series rather than a full standalone story. Positive reviews note: - Provides background on D.D.'s relationship with Alex - Quick, engaging read for series fans - Explores D.D.'s mindset during pregnancy - Effective tension in the crime scene investigation Common criticisms: - Too short at 74 pages - Plot feels incomplete - High price point for length ($2.99 ebook) - Lacks the depth of Gardner's full novels Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (450+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 3.9/5 (80+ ratings) Several reviewers called it a "teaser" rather than a complete story. One Amazon reviewer noted: "This should have been offered as a free short story between books." Multiple readers mentioned feeling misled about the length given the price.

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🔎 "The 7th Month" is a novella that bridges the gap between two of Lisa Gardner's full-length novels, "Love You More" and "Catch Me," in her Detective D.D. Warren series. 👮‍♀️ The story follows Detective D.D. Warren while she's seven months pregnant, offering readers a unique glimpse into how her impending motherhood affects her approach to police work. ✍️ Lisa Gardner conducted extensive research with the Boston Police Department to ensure authenticity in her portrayal of police procedures and investigative techniques. 📱 The novella was initially released as an e-book exclusive, part of a growing trend of authors using digital-only novellas to keep readers engaged between major releases. 🏆 Lisa Gardner's meticulous attention to forensic detail in her works, including "The 7th Month," comes from her long-standing practice of attending autopsy sessions and consulting with forensic experts.