My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“I want to commit the murder I was imprisoned for.”
----J.K. Rowling
Neal Griffin, the Detective-Lieutenant-cum-author, pens his debut thriller, Benefit of the Doubt that unfolds the story of a cop who is fired but now works under his father-in-law, who happens to be a retired Police chief and of a prisoner who just completed his 17-year sentence and now has an agenda to thrive for revenge against those who put him behind the bars.
Synopsis:
Ben Sawyer was a big-city cop, until he nearly killed a helpless suspect in public. Now a detective in the tiny Wisconsin town where he and his wife grew up, Ben suspects that higher-ups are taking payoffs from local drug lords.
Before long, Ben is off the force. His wife is accused of murder. His only ally is another outcast, a Latina rookie cop. Worse, a killer has escaped from jail with vengeance on his mind, and Newburg--and Ben Sawyer--in his sights.
Ben Sawyer, a recently fired cop from Oakland PD, shifts back to his hometown, Newburg, where he gets a job as a cop under his father-in-law, who is now institutionalized. Being fired due to his mistakes, Ben is constantly harassed by his fellow officers as they think that he got a job because of his father-in-law. Harlan Lee has just completed his 17-year in the prison and is determined to take revenge against the officers who put him away that includes Ben's father-in-law. Eventually, Newburg becomes a destination for scandals, murders, corruption and many more crimes come to light. And on the blink of an eye, Ben's wife, Alex is falsely accused of a murder. Now will Ben, who has no friends in the town, be able to save the town as well as his wife?
Being a detective, the author surely knows where to pinpoint his focus while concocting this pot-boiler thriller. Well, I was arrested by the author's writing style, his carefully chosen words, the thrill, the ride and especially the mystery. The author did not let me guess or anticipate anything even for a single moment, as there is so much drama and thrill that kept me from turning the pages till the very end. That doesn't mean the author has fallen short with brain-twisting twists and turns, but I tell you what, it is better, if you leave the mystery on the hands of this mater story-teller to unravel it for us.
As for the pacing, the story opens bit slow, but later the mystery and the tension along with it builds up so quickly, that I finished reading it within a couple of hours. Moreover, the story is not only centered around the mystery but it also unravels around Ben and Alex's relationship and many more relationships. In the beginning of the story, Ben and Alex's relationship is highlighted with a crack in their marital life, but later it develops and grow along with the mystery.
The narrative is the real charm in this book as it is kept thoroughly realistic and feels like an inside story into the world of crime and justice through the eyes of the author. The vivid details and intricate and multi-layered plot made me feel like riding a roller-coaster filled with adrenaline-rushing actions. And from the emotions part too, the author have poured out his best emotions to make his readers feel deeply connected with the story line.
The characters are flawed yet holds an air of self-respect and strength among them. Yes, they feel very real, just like an every day character. Ben, Alex, Harlan and rest of the supporting cast are very well-developed. They achieved to make a bond with my heart which made me root for them till the very end.
All-in-all, this is a gripping thriller with a twisted plot that will keep the readers engaged and on their edges of the seats till the very last page.
Verdict: A compelling must-read thriller for all.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Neal Griffin, for giving me an opportunity to read and review his book.
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Author Info:
Growing up in west-central Wisconsin on a steady diet of Joseph Wambaugh novels and episodes of Police Story, Neal never considered any career other than being a cop. In fact, his whole purpose in joining the Marines at nineteen was to improve his chances of landing a job in police work. After an eight year hitch in the Marines, Neal applied for a number of agencies and landed in Southern California where he is still on the job.
Neal has worked as a patrol cop, field training officer, member of SWAT, Hostage Negotiator, Narcotics Investigator, Gang Enforcement Specialist; and, Supervisor of a Homicide Unit. He has been named as Officer of the Year on two occasions during his career and he currently holds the rank of Detective Lieutenant. Neal holds a Bachelor’s Degree from California State University, San Marcos and he is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
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