Benefit of the Doubt by Neal Griffin
Reviewed by: Diane Soffietti, Reference and Adult Services
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Suggested Age: Adult
What is the book about?: We are introduced at the beginning of the story to two different sides of law and order. Ben Sawyer, the cop who had to come home in disgrace from the Oakland, CA police department for rage issues caught on cell phones and who has begun to work for his father-in-law in the small town in Wisconsin; and the second character, Harlan Lee, a recently released convict, who has been plotting his revenge against everyone who put him away illegally (he was innocent of murder, but not drugs) seventeen years ago, including Ben’s father-in-law, who recently had a stroke. Harlan Lee has had time to plot his revenge very carefully, and he has made many friends with other convicts, who can help with his planned vengeance. Ben and his family are trying to do the right thing in their old hometown, but there is plenty of blame for having to leave CA and having to adjust to small town life. These two characters collide to a fast pace ending that shows the dirty side of police work in small towns.
My Review: This debut novel is by a 25 year veteran CA police officer, who was born in Wisconsin. It shows the police procedures of small town departments, with issues of drug and corruption clearly and realistically most of the time. Some crimes are supposedly solved in quick fashion and so not as realistic as could be, mostly for pacing issues. (TV crime dramas are always solved in the allotted one hour!) Other crimes committed are not solved at all or even investigated, again maybe a pacing issue. The characters are mostly believable, and the Wisconsin settings seem truthful. The ending was a page-turner with Ben being true to his convictions within his flawed, raged character. I am interested in reading Neal Griffin’s sophomore novel, A Voice from the Field, which takes a secondary character in Benefit of the Doubt to the lead role.
Disclaimer: This novel is suspense, which means that you read of the crimes as they are committed and know the criminal. Some crimes are graphic.
Rating: 4/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!