Ben Crump

I am always looking for another good legal thriller and Worse Than a Lie by Ben Crump is just the thing. Tight, taut, tragic, kept my interest first page to last. Often disturbing and hard to read, with so much brutality that goes unpunished. And Hollis Montrose’s story is shocking (but somehow also not), heartbreaking and infuriating. Don’t take my word for it. Trying to describe everything exciting and satisfying about this book would not do it justice; you need to read it for show more yourself.

Beau Lee Cooper is a lawyer I want to know more about. I received an advance copy of Worse Than a Lie from Ballantine / Bantam / Dell / Penguin Random House via NetGalley. I couldn’t put it down, recommend it without hesitation and can’t wait for the next book in the series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. show less

I enjoy court dramas and I was excited to read a novel by this distinguished author. "Worse than a Lie", is the first (of what I hope will be many) in the Beau Lee Cooper series. The novel provides detail in the lives of Beau and his family and acquaintances.
The plot delves into racism and corruption within the Chicago police department in 2008. It's interesting and sad that here we are nearly twenty years later and little has changed. This novel could have been written in 2026.
I found Mr. show more Crump to be a talented writer. He did a great job of developing interesting and believable characters, a plot that is none too realistic and a setting that fits his storyline.
I would have liked to see more detail in the trial preparation and research. That's just me, others may not be that interested in that much detail.
If you're looking for a well-written court drama, I would definitely recommend. show less

Review of eBook

Beau Lee Cooper, always a serious child, decided early that his calling was to be a lawyer. He’s spent the last ten years running his own law firm with his best friend, Nelson Rivers and Brent Capers.

As Chicago celebrates the election of Barak Obama, America’s first Black president, Hollis Montrose is stopped by two Chicago police officers and, despite the fact that Hollis tells them he is a police officer and can show his badge and ID. The two patrolmen brutally attack show more him. Although he’s shot ten times, he somehow survives, only to find that the police department spun the narrative to protect its officers and Hollis is unjustly sentenced to prison.

Can Beau Lee find the truth about the night Hollis was stopped? And can he bring Hollis true justice?

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Young Beau Lee Cooper, captivated by Thurgood Marshall’s biography, has read “To Kill a Mockingbird” some thirty [or more] times. And his story, as he seeks justice for Hollis Montrose, is, in many ways, evocative of that book.

The fast pace of the unfolding story keeps the pages turning; it isn’t difficult for readers to internalize the disparity between the election of a Black man as president and the all-too-common occurrence of dishonorable, corrupted police officers gunning down a Black man without cause. And, although the story is told without evoking much emotion, readers are sure to bring their own emotional fervor to the reading of this sometimes maddening tale.

Readers will find some of the language is harsh; the police corruption is agonizingly difficult to see played out in the pages of the story. In contrast, it heartwarming to see how Beau Lee and his family rely on their faith as they pray . . . and work . . . for true justice.

Thought-provoking, unwavering, and intriguing, readers will find much to appreciate in this story.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Ballantine / Bantam and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#WorseThanaLie #NetGalley show less

The main character is a civil rights lawyer fighting for wronged African Americans. In “Worse than a Lie”, he defends a man who was wrongly accused of firing at police officers, who try to cover up their own wrong-doing. The writing lays it on a little thick at times, with our main character being such a flawless, righteous hero. Similarly, the frequent mentions of racism in the corrupt Chicago police force and injustice for African Americans felt repetitive. Much of the story was about show more the legal battle but there was some coverage of family issues of the victim and of our main character. The story was mostly interesting and engaging. It dragged a little around the middle, but got better towards the end. Potential triggers include racism and an incidence of police brutality, which occurs early on and makes for a difficult read. It is an important topic.
This is my honest review, and I am posting it voluntarily. Thanks to the author & publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book. show less