Neal Griffin
Author of Benefit of the Doubt
6 Works 109 Members 5 Reviews
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gincam | 4 other reviews | Sep 15, 2019 | "Benefit of the Doubt" begins with Harlan Lee's release from prison. He served a seventeen-year-stretch and during that time his father passed away leaving Harlan angry at the world.
He murders a woman in the early part of the story and we learn that this is a step in his settling an old score.
A parallel story concerns Ben Sawyer, a big city cop in Oakland, California. There is an incident and he comes to the aide of a fellow cop who yelled that the suspect had taken his (the other cop's) gun. Ben pulls the suspect off the cop. The suspect knows he's beaten and surrenders to Ben but Ben let's his anger get the best of him. What he does next is captured by a number of cell phone cameras and Ben is forced to resign in disgrace.
He relocates to Newberg and joins the police there. His father-in-law is chief of police and Ben begins work as a detective supervisor. Ben isn't liked or appreciated by most of the other cops who feel he didn't deserve the position.
Ben does begin doing a credible work but his father-in-law has a stroke and Ben loses the person protecting him on the job.
Harlan Lee continues his revenge and in one of his crimes, Ben's wife, Alex, is made to look like the main suspect.
The story moves nicely and the writing keeps the reader's avid attention as we follow Ben's attempt to do his job and defend his wife. During this time, we also observe the corruption within the Newberg Police Department.
The novel is interesting as the author, Neal Griffin, describes how Ben has to continue with his work on the job. There is increasing drug activity in Newberg but only one member of the department thinks Ben is doing a good job and wants to help.
The reader will feel sympathetic for what Ben is going through and wonder how he will overcome the difficulties placed in his way. There is also the question of Ben's marriage and how will that survive.
The characters are well depicted as is the politics of the police department. We hope for Ben's success and wonder if he can succeed against tremendous odds.
I received a copy of this novel in return for my honest review.… (more)
He murders a woman in the early part of the story and we learn that this is a step in his settling an old score.
A parallel story concerns Ben Sawyer, a big city cop in Oakland, California. There is an incident and he comes to the aide of a fellow cop who yelled that the suspect had taken his (the other cop's) gun. Ben pulls the suspect off the cop. The suspect knows he's beaten and surrenders to Ben but Ben let's his anger get the best of him. What he does next is captured by a number of cell phone cameras and Ben is forced to resign in disgrace.
He relocates to Newberg and joins the police there. His father-in-law is chief of police and Ben begins work as a detective supervisor. Ben isn't liked or appreciated by most of the other cops who feel he didn't deserve the position.
Ben does begin doing a credible work but his father-in-law has a stroke and Ben loses the person protecting him on the job.
Harlan Lee continues his revenge and in one of his crimes, Ben's wife, Alex, is made to look like the main suspect.
The story moves nicely and the writing keeps the reader's avid attention as we follow Ben's attempt to do his job and defend his wife. During this time, we also observe the corruption within the Newberg Police Department.
The novel is interesting as the author, Neal Griffin, describes how Ben has to continue with his work on the job. There is increasing drug activity in Newberg but only one member of the department thinks Ben is doing a good job and wants to help.
The reader will feel sympathetic for what Ben is going through and wonder how he will overcome the difficulties placed in his way. There is also the question of Ben's marriage and how will that survive.
The characters are well depicted as is the politics of the police department. We hope for Ben's success and wonder if he can succeed against tremendous odds.
I received a copy of this novel in return for my honest review.… (more)
Flagged
mikedraper | 4 other reviews | Aug 12, 2015 | A special thank you to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Neal Griffin, delivers an edgy and cleverly-plotted page-turner debut -BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, a suspenseful crime thriller of revenge, corruption, and murder.
Harlan Lee has one thing in mind. Revenge. He has seventeen years of rage and intensity, a reminder of all the things he missed by being caged. He is out of prison and has no plans to live the straight and narrow. A settlement of more than one old score.
William Petite, the DA who put him away. Then to Newberg, Wisconsin to include a former sheriff, Lipinski and Norgaard, Newberg’s retired police chief, now institutionalized.
Ben Sawyer, a fired Oakland officer, now with the Newberg police. Ben was honest enough to accept the blame, with an encounter with a fugitive in Oakland, Calif. He had been a thirteen year veteran of Oakland PD. A sergeant in charge of the prestigious Gang Suppression Unit. He was a rising star; however, shitcanned back to Newberg, his childhood home. A place that on the law enforcement career ladder came in about six rungs below mall cop.
Ben happens to be Norgaard’s son-in-law, married to Alex with twelve year old son, Jake. They both grew up in Newberg, and the place she met her husband, holding much significance. Alex has had a life of cops; an absentee husband and cop, Ben, and the other-her dad, now having suffered a severe stroke, possible brain damage and total loss of speech, residing at the Newberg Convalescent Center. Even though, Alex feels a sense of peace in this isolated prairie town forty-five minutes west of Milwaukee--this soon changes.
Ben has many enemies in Newberg. He is now an outsider, mistrusted by his fellow officers. A nonplayer. The Chief’s boy. He had been thrown to the wolves by his own department, and tossed aside after almost fifteen years of dedicated service. Now he and his family are forced to return, working for his father-in-law and small town America.
Soon the small-town peace turns into corruption, evil, drugs, payoffs, cover-ups, violence, vengeance, conspiracy, and murder with increased tension in Ben’s personal and work life. To further complicate his life, Harlan is closing in on him, next. Alex is accused of murder. He has to find someone to help him. He needs an ally. Who is to blame? Can Ben go from disgraced to hero before someone takes him down?
Griffin sets the stage slowly, for a taunt fast-paced, action filled compelling crime thriller of revenge and dark family secrets, leaving readers glued to the pages to solve the mystery, while rooting for their favorite characters. This cleverly –plotted multi-layered riveting cop procedural comes from an author who has the inside scoop with a career in law enforcement, and talents of an author, to follow for years to come. Looking forward to the next!
From revenge, betrayal and redemption, Griffin hits the ground running, as reflective throughout the pages of this smashing debut. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Andrew Gross, and Harlan Coben are assured to enjoy this adrenaline ride.… (more)
Neal Griffin, delivers an edgy and cleverly-plotted page-turner debut -BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, a suspenseful crime thriller of revenge, corruption, and murder.
Harlan Lee has one thing in mind. Revenge. He has seventeen years of rage and intensity, a reminder of all the things he missed by being caged. He is out of prison and has no plans to live the straight and narrow. A settlement of more than one old score.
William Petite, the DA who put him away. Then to Newberg, Wisconsin to include a former sheriff, Lipinski and Norgaard, Newberg’s retired police chief, now institutionalized.
Ben Sawyer, a fired Oakland officer, now with the Newberg police. Ben was honest enough to accept the blame, with an encounter with a fugitive in Oakland, Calif. He had been a thirteen year veteran of Oakland PD. A sergeant in charge of the prestigious Gang Suppression Unit. He was a rising star; however, shitcanned back to Newberg, his childhood home. A place that on the law enforcement career ladder came in about six rungs below mall cop.
Ben happens to be Norgaard’s son-in-law, married to Alex with twelve year old son, Jake. They both grew up in Newberg, and the place she met her husband, holding much significance. Alex has had a life of cops; an absentee husband and cop, Ben, and the other-her dad, now having suffered a severe stroke, possible brain damage and total loss of speech, residing at the Newberg Convalescent Center. Even though, Alex feels a sense of peace in this isolated prairie town forty-five minutes west of Milwaukee--this soon changes.
Ben has many enemies in Newberg. He is now an outsider, mistrusted by his fellow officers. A nonplayer. The Chief’s boy. He had been thrown to the wolves by his own department, and tossed aside after almost fifteen years of dedicated service. Now he and his family are forced to return, working for his father-in-law and small town America.
Soon the small-town peace turns into corruption, evil, drugs, payoffs, cover-ups, violence, vengeance, conspiracy, and murder with increased tension in Ben’s personal and work life. To further complicate his life, Harlan is closing in on him, next. Alex is accused of murder. He has to find someone to help him. He needs an ally. Who is to blame? Can Ben go from disgraced to hero before someone takes him down?
Griffin sets the stage slowly, for a taunt fast-paced, action filled compelling crime thriller of revenge and dark family secrets, leaving readers glued to the pages to solve the mystery, while rooting for their favorite characters. This cleverly –plotted multi-layered riveting cop procedural comes from an author who has the inside scoop with a career in law enforcement, and talents of an author, to follow for years to come. Looking forward to the next!
From revenge, betrayal and redemption, Griffin hits the ground running, as reflective throughout the pages of this smashing debut. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Andrew Gross, and Harlan Coben are assured to enjoy this adrenaline ride.… (more)
Flagged
JudithDCollins | 4 other reviews | Apr 29, 2015 | This is a crime novel written by a man who has experienced the inner workings of our justice system. I expected realism, and Neal Griffin delivered that aspect extremely well.
The book starts out a little slow. The author introduces several characters consecutively, giving us background into their lives and setting the stage for what's to come. While this reads fine, it doesn't necessarily blend well right from the start. The content also feels a little dragged out. The pace picks up considerably at about the midway point. From there, the action keeps a compelling pace.
I thought the plot was somewhat predictable in its direction. That being said, the twists did still hold my attention and keep me wondering.
My favorite aspects of this book were the characters and dialogue. Griffin captures the way people speak to one another, the way we hear but don't necessarily listen, particularly to those we're closest to. Each character has a unique voice. Conversations feel natural, rather than something necessary to move the plot forward. This is also true of the characters' relationships. The interactions feel genuine. We follow Ben and Alex through major upheaval, and we watch as their relationship sits on the edge of ruin. This unfolding was almost more interesting to me than the intricate crime needing to be solved.
A word of caution to the more squeamish readers: This book contains a few scenes with graphic violence. Griffin handles this well. Nothing feels over-the-top. This isn't gratuitous violence used just to make readers cringe. It's honest and realistic, but something to be aware of if you're bothered by graphic scenes.
Overall, this is an excellent debut by a man who knows his crime business inside and out. I'm looking forward to many more to come.… (more)
The book starts out a little slow. The author introduces several characters consecutively, giving us background into their lives and setting the stage for what's to come. While this reads fine, it doesn't necessarily blend well right from the start. The content also feels a little dragged out. The pace picks up considerably at about the midway point. From there, the action keeps a compelling pace.
I thought the plot was somewhat predictable in its direction. That being said, the twists did still hold my attention and keep me wondering.
My favorite aspects of this book were the characters and dialogue. Griffin captures the way people speak to one another, the way we hear but don't necessarily listen, particularly to those we're closest to. Each character has a unique voice. Conversations feel natural, rather than something necessary to move the plot forward. This is also true of the characters' relationships. The interactions feel genuine. We follow Ben and Alex through major upheaval, and we watch as their relationship sits on the edge of ruin. This unfolding was almost more interesting to me than the intricate crime needing to be solved.
A word of caution to the more squeamish readers: This book contains a few scenes with graphic violence. Griffin handles this well. Nothing feels over-the-top. This isn't gratuitous violence used just to make readers cringe. It's honest and realistic, but something to be aware of if you're bothered by graphic scenes.
Overall, this is an excellent debut by a man who knows his crime business inside and out. I'm looking forward to many more to come.… (more)
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Darcia | 4 other reviews | Apr 13, 2015 | You May Also Like
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- Works
- 6
- Members
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- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
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