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Rebecca Lavoie
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Notes on a Killing: Love, Lies, and Murder in a Small New Hampshire Town Kindle Edition

by Kevin Flynn (Author), Rebecca Lavoie (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 275 ratings
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Their friendship would kill her…

Weaver and fiber artist Edith “Pen” Meyer knew her friend Sandy Merritt’s relationship with a married man was wrong. She had even urged Sandy to take out a restraining order against Kenneth Carpenter. Which was why her call to Sandy on February 23, 2005, seemed to come from out of the blue. During it, she told Sandy to drop the restraining order and get back together with Ken.

Pen was never seen again.

One man stood to gain from Pen’s disappearance: Ken Carpenter. But evidence was bleak: no blood, no DNA, no body. Until detectives found notes hidden beneath a leather chair that turned out to be a playbook for murder…

INCLUDES PHOTOS
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  1. Print length
    432 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Berkley
  4. Publication date
    April 2, 2013
  5. Reading age
    18 years and up
  6. File size
    2.9 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"It's intriguing. It's heartbreaking. It's a crime story laced with sentiments of love, triumph, and loyalty among friends. To sum it up, it's a fantastic story you simply don't want to miss."
True Crime Zine
"Notes on a Killing certainly won't disappoint devotees of its genre. But among the surprises between its covers - and there are plenty... - are the richly developed characters and, dare we say, artful passages of writing."The Concord Monitor
"This is a book that really delivers in spades, and will keep the reader riveted...I was still glued to the pages, and I couldn't turn them fast enough. That's how harrowing a story this is."The Nashua Telegraph
"Flynn and Lavoie wrote Notes on a Killing as a stirring pastiche of the true-crime genre...The frost-heave complications of this conniving case get smooth-road writing by the diligent authors...a plenty good home-town page-turner." - Keene Sentinel

"Their book follows the gritty (but not gory) details in the case, and despite its factual nature, the book reads like a novel." - Hippo Press

"An opus...It's amazing these events happened in a sleepy little Granite State town." - Springfield Republican
"Harrowing and haunting, Notes on a Killing will have you in its grip. As they proved with Our Little Secret, Kevin Flynn and Rebecca Lavoie illuminate the darkest corners, offering a story not only filled with twists and suspense but is also rich with heartbreak and humanity."
Megan Abbott, Edgar-winning author of The End of Everything and Dare Me.

"The authors have once again nailed a harrowing, larger-than-life conundrum that is too strangely wonderful for fiction and is the quintessential true crime yarn."
Joseph Olshan, author of Cloudland.

From the Author

Thanks for supporting true crime authors and the booksellers who support them.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0099CW7OC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (April 2, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 2, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.9 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 275 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Rebecca Lavoie

    Rebecca Lavoie

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    Rebecca Lavoie is coauthor of "Our Little Secret: The True Story of a Teenage Killer and the Silence of a Small New England Town," (Berkley, 2010) "Legally Dead: A Father and Son - Bound by Murder" (Berkley, 2011)and "Notes On A Killing" (Berkley 2013).

    Lavoie is Digital Director at New Hampshire Public Radio, where she leads an award-winning newsroom’s online journalism projects. She has written stories on true crime, technology, and lifestyle for outlets including New Hampshire Magazine, Newsweek and Playboy magazine.

    A former public radio producer, Lavoie combined her love for audio and true crime when she created the popular podcast, “Crime Writers on Serial,” on which she and her coauthor husband, Kevin Flynn, discuss the hit podcast “Serial” and other true crime stories with a panel of fellow crime and noir authors. Her website is crimewriterson.com.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Kevin Flynn

    Kevin Flynn

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Kevin Flynn is the author of four true crime books: "Wicked Intentions," "Our Little Secret," "Legally Dead," and "Notes on a Killing." He has appeared on such TV shows as "Unusual Suspects," "Deadly Women," "Killer Instinct," "Deadly Sins," "Pretty Bad Girls," "Nightmare Next Door," and "On the Case with Paula Zahn." He has also written for such publications as Playboy and playboy.com.

    Kevin's primary writing partner is his wife, best-selling author and public radio producer Rebecca Lavoie.

    Kevin is a native of Holyoke, MA. He got his start in journalism at the age of 19 working as a news writer for News Radio WHYN-AM in 1989. In the subsequent twenty years, Kevin has become an award-winning journalist and respected author.

    He rose through the ranks of WZID-FM in Manchester, NH, starting off at 8 hours a week until he eventually became News Director. During his decade at WZID, he won more than 50 awards for broadcast journalism, including multiple New Hampshire AP awards, several Golden Mike awards from the New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters, and four Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio and Television News Directors Association. The award winning pieces covered a diverse set of topics, including features on gang intervention, secret government meetings, opening day at Fenway Park, and a visit to Ground Zero in New York City. Kevin was also three-time winner of the AP Contributor of the Year.

    In 2002, Kevin joined the staff of WMUR-TV as a general assignment reporter, again winning several honors for himself and the station. For the first feature piece he ever did for television, Kevin won a New England Emmy Award - the first reporter from his station ever to do so. Kevin excelled at both hard news and soft news features. He covered deadly floods, the murder of a police officer, and presidential politics as easily as his fun stories about spelling bees, karaoke, and dodge ball. He was named "Best TV Reporter" three times by the readers of New Hampshire magazine.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
275 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and easy to follow. They describe it as a solid read with an interesting story. Readers appreciate the author's research and detail, including police, attorneys, and forensic scientists. Overall, they find the book gripping and enjoyable.

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Writing qualityReadabilityStory qualityInterestResearch accuracy
24 customers mention "Writing quality"20 positive4 negative

Customers find the book well-written and easy to follow. They appreciate the author's compassion and understanding of human frailties.

"...The book was well written and a pleasure to read." Read more

"...hear more about how the authors investigated the book, but it was well written and a good memorial to the memory of Pen the murder victim." Read more

"...This story is an honest portrayal of the events and is well written." Read more

"...I appreciate the pictures in the book which are easy to see and through. Holds your interest and is hard to put down. Recommended." Read more

19 customers mention "Readability"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They describe it as a solid read that is hard to put down.

"...I enjoyed the book quite a bit...." Read more

"...The authors really made Pen come alive, on the page and in the heart! Great book, horrid story but told in a compassionate manner...." Read more

"...It is a really good book that I recommend to all true crime enthusiasts!" Read more

"Truly good read. Written clearly so the reader could follow the astonishing way the murder actually happened. I had no doubt who the killer was." Read more

18 customers mention "Story quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the story gripping and well-documented. They say it's a good true crime story that is told in a compassionate manner. The author does an excellent job of telling the story step-by-step, which enhances the sad story.

"...This story is an honest portrayal of the events and is well written." Read more

"...Great book, horrid story but told in a compassionate manner...." Read more

"...Mr. Flynn did an excellent job telling this story step by step...." Read more

"...I had to keep reminding myself that this actually happened, and it is TRUE CRIME...." Read more

16 customers mention "Interest"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's gripping murder story with twists. They find it interesting and hard to put down, with a flowing narrative that keeps them interested until the conclusion. Readers appreciate the New Hampshire settings and characters. Overall, it's a good book for those who enjoy suspenseful and nail-biting mysteries.

"...The book was well written and a pleasure to read." Read more

"I give this book 3 and one half stars. I loved hearing about New Hampshire sights and the characters in this book...." Read more

"...I found this book interesting even though you knew pretty much right away who the killer was...." Read more

"...The authors really did their homework as it is well researched. I appreciate the pictures in the book which are easy to see and through...." Read more

5 customers mention "Research accuracy"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's research accuracy. They find it detailed and well-written, with references to police, attorneys, and forensic scientists.

"...lives of all that were involved, including police, attorneys, forensic scientiests. After reading this book I was so moved, and you will be too...." Read more

"...Their research is impeccable. Shows how a murder in the midst effects so many in the family and community." Read more

"First time reading from this author found it detailed and well written" Read more

"Very good, well told and researched it was hard to put down. These authors did a great job and I will look for more book they have written." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • JB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Senseless Murder
    Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    The author did a wonderful job of presenting the characters in this book. It made me sad that an amazing woman's life was snuffed out by a psychopath. The book was well written and a pleasure to read.
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  • George-Fan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I found out about Flynn and Lavoie from their podcast Crime Writers On Serial. I enjoyed the book quite a bit. I tend to watch 48 Hours and had hoped to hear more about how the authors investigated the book, but it was well written and a good memorial to the memory of Pen the murder victim.
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  • Mac D
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sad story well told
    Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I live a few towns away from Lempster and remember vividly the search for Penn. I was vacationing on the Cape when my Dad called to tell me she had been found...her remains that is. He said that Kenny, a boy I had dated in Chelmsford, was arrested for her murder. So hard to believe this is what Kenny had come to. The Kenny I knew was thoughtful and lived a fast paced life. He came from one of Chelmsfords iconic families. It was many years since I or my husband, who also is from Chelmsford, had seen Kenny, but we remembered he was always looking to push the bar in search of a good time. Not surprised about the drugs or alcohol problems as those were the days where it was the norm. It makes me sad to hear and read how lost he became and his battles with delusion. This story is an honest portrayal of the events and is well written.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • CORGIBOSS
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I give this book 3 and one half stars. I loved hearing about New Hampshire sights and the characters in this book. Tragic that Pen had to die because Ken Carpenter is a sycophants and Sandy Merritt and Harvard were used shamelessly but Ken ax well. I hope Ken is enjoying his confinement in prison with plenty of time to consider his selfishness.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Bee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Could not put it down. Read it on my Kindle in one day, switching between digital listening (you know it's a page turner if you are willing to torture yourself with a digital reading). Even though I have been a Behavioral Health nurse for many years (now retired) and have dealt with the dreaded Borderline Personality Disorder patient many, many times I am still astonished at the lengths they go to to get their way! Carpenter went as far as one could go....murder! The authors really made Pen come alive, on the page and in the heart! Great book, horrid story but told in a compassionate manner. I have read other books by Kevin Flynn and he has a real talent for putting a story to page.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Judy K. Jensen
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Story
    Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I'm only 60% through the book as of now but so far am enjoying the story. It is one of the rare few that I haven't heard anything about before reading the book. I found this book interesting even though you knew pretty much right away who the killer was. I also didn't find it repetitive like a coupe of the reviews claimed. I would be the first to complain about repeating and word for word trial testimony. Both are pet peeves of mine when I find either in a book and usually do not buy anything else from an author that "writes" like that. I do quite a bit of reading when time allows and Ann Rule, Kathryn Casey and M. William Phelps are among my favorites so am a fairly good judge between a good book and a bad one.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Violet
    5.0 out of 5 stars well written book
    Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    this book is very interesting and well-written. The authors really did their homework as it is well researched. I appreciate the pictures in the book which are easy to see and through. Holds your interest and is hard to put down. Recommended.
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  • Sandra
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of those books you just don't want to put down! Mr. Flynn did an excellent job telling this story step by step. It was so interesting and he made it easy to read and follow a story with many people and personalities involved. It is a really good book that I recommend to all true crime enthusiasts!
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Patricia Andrusyk
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book
    Reviewed in Canada on January 26, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Thought it was a pretty good book.
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  • Stevie T
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Absolutely loved it
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  • Joan Thorkelson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Black is the New Orange and Notes on a Killing
    Reviewed in Canada on November 4, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I liked the 2 books that I read - I found Black is the New Orange well written but I found it dragged a bit. I wouldn't read another book based in prison.

    The second book was more to my liking - I enjoyed it - it moved along and I probably would read another book by this author.
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  • Philip Turnbull
    5.0 out of 5 stars book
    Reviewed in Canada on October 9, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    another great reading adventure
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  • sandra
    5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I expected
    Reviewed in Canada on January 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Ok
    Report

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