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Butch Karp #24
Bad Faith
A parent’s worst nightmare sets the stage for the exhilarating new thriller in Robert K. Tanenbaum’s New York Times bestselling Butch Karp series. New York District Attorney Butch Karp has no qualms about putting David and Nonie Ellis on trial following the excruciating death of their young son, Micah. To him, the case is cut-and-dried—reckless manslaughter. Helpless ten-year-old Micah counted on his parents to protect him from the effects of a rare but treatable cancer. Instead, the Ellis family relied solely on prayer and the guidance of snake-oil salesman Reverend C. G. Westlund, of the End of Days Reformation Church of Jesus Christ Resurrected, to save him. Westlund and his zealous followers set up camp outside the DA’s office, angrily protesting the indictment of their “brother” and “sister,” but the charismatic leader’s true objective is to create a diversion from an alarming fraud. He coerced Nonie Ellis into signing an insurance policy that listed himself and the church as beneficiaries in the event of Micah’s death, but he needs the Ellises to be exonerated to get the payout. When David Ellis discovers the deception, no amount of faith can save him from his gruesome fate. Amid the firestorm of controversy surrounding the case, Karp’s wife, private investigator Marlene Ciampi, heads to Memphis to uncover Westlund’s past. The evidence she finds is enough to blow the top off the con man’s scheme—if she doesn’t get herself blown away in the process. Back in Manhattan, meanwhile, Karp is confronted by a deadly nemesis from the past who has explosive plans of her own. The edge-of-your-seat action comes to a head at the annual Halloween parade when a merciless struggle between good and evil metes out its own fatal form of justice.
453 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2012
47 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
Robert K. Tanenbaum
76 books280 followersRobert K. Tanenbaum is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-five legal thrillers and has an accomplished legal career of his own. Before his first book was published, Tanenbaum had already been the Bureau Chief of the Criminal Courts, had run the Homicide Bureau, and had been in charge of the training program for the legal staff for the New York County District Attorney’s Office. He also served as Deputy Chief Counsel to the Congressional Committee investigations into the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. In his professional career, Tanenbaum has never lost a felony case. His courtroom experiences bring his books to life, especially in his bestselling series featuring prosecutor Roger “Butch” Karp and his wife, Marlene Ciampi.
Tanenbaum was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He attended the University of California at Berkeley on a basketball scholarship, and remained at Cal, where he earned his law degree from the prestigious Boalt Hall School of Law. After graduating from Berkeley Law, Tanenbaum moved back to New York to work as an assistant district attorney under the legendary New York County DA Frank Hogan. Tanenbaum then served as Deputy Chief Counsel in charge of the Congressional investigations into the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.
The blockbuster novel Corruption of Blood (1994), is a fictionalized account of his experience in Washington, D.C.
Tanenbaum returned to the West Coast and began to serve in public office. He was elected to the Beverly Hills City Council in 1986 and twice served as the mayor of Beverly Hills. It was during this time that Tanenbaum began his career as a novelist, drawing from the many fascinating stories of his time as a New York ADA. His successful debut novel, No Lesser Plea (1987), introduces Butch Karp, an assistant district attorney who is battling for justice, and Marlene Ciampi, his associate and love interest. Tanenbaum’s subsequent twenty-two novels portrayed Karp and his crime fighting family and eclectic colleagues facing off against drug lords, corrupt politicians, international assassins, the mafia, and hard-core violent felons.
He has had published eight recent novels as part of the series, as well as two nonfiction titles: The Piano Teacher (1987), exploring his investigation and prosecution of a recidivist psychosexual killer, and Badge of the Assassin (1979), about his prosecution of cop killers, which was made into a movie starring James Woods as Tanenbaum.
Tanenbaum and his wife of forty-three years have three children. He currently resides in California where he has taught Advanced Criminal Procedure at the Boalt Hall School of Law and maintains a private law practice.
Tanenbaum was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He attended the University of California at Berkeley on a basketball scholarship, and remained at Cal, where he earned his law degree from the prestigious Boalt Hall School of Law. After graduating from Berkeley Law, Tanenbaum moved back to New York to work as an assistant district attorney under the legendary New York County DA Frank Hogan. Tanenbaum then served as Deputy Chief Counsel in charge of the Congressional investigations into the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.
The blockbuster novel Corruption of Blood (1994), is a fictionalized account of his experience in Washington, D.C.
Tanenbaum returned to the West Coast and began to serve in public office. He was elected to the Beverly Hills City Council in 1986 and twice served as the mayor of Beverly Hills. It was during this time that Tanenbaum began his career as a novelist, drawing from the many fascinating stories of his time as a New York ADA. His successful debut novel, No Lesser Plea (1987), introduces Butch Karp, an assistant district attorney who is battling for justice, and Marlene Ciampi, his associate and love interest. Tanenbaum’s subsequent twenty-two novels portrayed Karp and his crime fighting family and eclectic colleagues facing off against drug lords, corrupt politicians, international assassins, the mafia, and hard-core violent felons.
He has had published eight recent novels as part of the series, as well as two nonfiction titles: The Piano Teacher (1987), exploring his investigation and prosecution of a recidivist psychosexual killer, and Badge of the Assassin (1979), about his prosecution of cop killers, which was made into a movie starring James Woods as Tanenbaum.
Tanenbaum and his wife of forty-three years have three children. He currently resides in California where he has taught Advanced Criminal Procedure at the Boalt Hall School of Law and maintains a private law practice.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 8, 2017
Bad Faith was a great read and had everything you would want to read in a crime thriller!
New York is about to be blown up, again, and to prevent this, Butch Karp has to work with mastermind criminal Nadya Malvo to get the answers he needs to save the city. Meanwhile, Marlene Clampi Karp is peeling away the layers to learn the true identity of the charismatic demagogue Reverend McCord. McCord learns the names of children who are about to die then approach their parents and convince them that prayer and not chemo will save their lives. McCord also convinces the parents to take out insurance policies and to sign the policies over to his church. When people stop believing McCord and try to leave his flock they end up dead.
The bad guys in Bad Faith were beyond frightening especially when you realize that they can be your next door neighbors, or your pastor. Peter Berkrot gave an excellent performance in storytelling. Berkrot not only knew the characters, he understood them.
New York is about to be blown up, again, and to prevent this, Butch Karp has to work with mastermind criminal Nadya Malvo to get the answers he needs to save the city. Meanwhile, Marlene Clampi Karp is peeling away the layers to learn the true identity of the charismatic demagogue Reverend McCord. McCord learns the names of children who are about to die then approach their parents and convince them that prayer and not chemo will save their lives. McCord also convinces the parents to take out insurance policies and to sign the policies over to his church. When people stop believing McCord and try to leave his flock they end up dead.
The bad guys in Bad Faith were beyond frightening especially when you realize that they can be your next door neighbors, or your pastor. Peter Berkrot gave an excellent performance in storytelling. Berkrot not only knew the characters, he understood them.
June 20, 2013
#24 in the Butch Karp/Marlene Ciampi series. The new business centers around the death of a young boy whose parents refused medical treatment for him on religious grounds (and coercion by their pastor). Karp argues that this isn't religious freedom but parental neglect and brings charges of reckless manslaughter against the parents. In old business, terrorist Nadya Malovo returns and with the help of the Sons of Man (Malice - 2007) intends to free Andrew Kane (Hoax - 2004) and murder Karp. Also involved in the action are Karp's traditional allies from the last 10 or so series entries - a Vietnamese gangster, a cowboy, an Indian sheriff, an ex-FBI agent, and the head of the Mole People. Since Tanenbaum started writing his own series (the first 15 entries were ghosted by Michael Gruber), NYC DA Karp has been personally involved with terrorism (Islamist and domestic).
NYC DA "Butch" Karp & Marlene Ciampi series - When Karp decides to prosecute Nonie and David Ellis for reckless manslaughter because they denied their 10-year-old son appropriate medical care on religious grounds, he incites the wrath of the Rev. C.G. Westlund, "God's emissary at the End of Days Reformation Church of Jesus Christ." Meanwhile, evil Nadya Malovo (aka Ajmaani), who's in custody, is providing federal officials with inside information about a series of planned terror attacks at the same time she's plotting an attack to seek revenge on Karp and escape her captors. Karp displays his ingenuity in and out of the courtroom, while his attorney wife, Marlene Ciampi, shows her grit digging into Westlund's sordid background. Daughter Lucy's linguistic skills and intelligence provide a key break.
NYC DA "Butch" Karp & Marlene Ciampi series - When Karp decides to prosecute Nonie and David Ellis for reckless manslaughter because they denied their 10-year-old son appropriate medical care on religious grounds, he incites the wrath of the Rev. C.G. Westlund, "God's emissary at the End of Days Reformation Church of Jesus Christ." Meanwhile, evil Nadya Malovo (aka Ajmaani), who's in custody, is providing federal officials with inside information about a series of planned terror attacks at the same time she's plotting an attack to seek revenge on Karp and escape her captors. Karp displays his ingenuity in and out of the courtroom, while his attorney wife, Marlene Ciampi, shows her grit digging into Westlund's sordid background. Daughter Lucy's linguistic skills and intelligence provide a key break.
May 25, 2019
This was one of the best in this series that I’ve read! All of the amazing players are in this book. The family we all love with their leader Butch at the helm. This does however get a little more depraved in the underground world in this book. The above ground story is also a shocking one! Faith healing family let’s their critically ill child die because Of their faith in God over medicine? Wow, as always real world issues that test the readers faith and hope!
September 9, 2016
"Woop, woop, oh boy, oh boy...." Dirty Warren might just be our favorite character among the interesting and adventurous friends of the Karp-Ciampi clan. Really enjoyed this book as it focused on controversial topics and prompted a lot of discussion between us as we read. Parental rights vs. parental neglect, religious belief vs. criminal acts, justice system failures vs. vigilante justice....and the list goes on. Along the way are the characters you love to hate, the serial killers you somehow understand and still like, the crusader of justice Butch, the seeker of truth Marlene and the whole host of interesting characters that help the story unfold. All & all, another Butch Karp winner!
May 10, 2023
A great and thrilling read that will keep you turning the page and wondering what is going to happen next.
November 6, 2012
Those who prefer subtlety should avoid bestseller Tanenbaum's 24th thriller featuring New York County DA Roger 'Butch' Karp (after 2011's Outrage). When Karp decides to prosecute Nonie and David Ellis for reckless manslaughter because they denied their 10-year-old son appropriate medical care on religious grounds, he incites the wrath of the Rev. C.G. Westlund, 'God's emissary at the End of Days Reformation Church of Jesus Christ.' Meanwhile, evil Nadya Malovo (aka Ajmaani), who's in custody, is providing federal officials with inside information about a series of planned terror attacks at the same time she's plotting an attack to seek revenge on Karp and escape her captors. Karp displays his ingenuity in and out of the courtroom, while his attorney wife, Marlene Ciampi, shows her grit digging into Westlund's sordid background. Daughter Lucy's linguistic skills and intelligence provide a key break in this relatively lackluster installment.
November 22, 2012
Nostalgic for the good old days? Don't start this book, trying to read it will just make you feel bad. Once upon a time, long, long ago, this series developed a fascinating cast of characters, interwoven investigations, prosecution prep and courtroom drama, with a consistent touch of paranormal/mystical/religious action.
Now, wooden characters developed by lengthy descriptions rather than activity, cartoonish evildoers, pathetically stupid Islamic terrorists, thwarted by well meaning and not very effective Homeland Security folks.
The glory days are gone! What is to like? Nada!
Now, wooden characters developed by lengthy descriptions rather than activity, cartoonish evildoers, pathetically stupid Islamic terrorists, thwarted by well meaning and not very effective Homeland Security folks.
The glory days are gone! What is to like? Nada!
January 13, 2014
Catching up on this series over Christmas break
I loved this novel! Tanenbaum keeps stunning readers with new and shocking plots for Butch Karp/Marlene Ciampi and family. This novel brought back his "Mole People" characters from past books. And he brought them back with a vengeance. If you are a reader of this series, keep reading; if you're not a fan yet, go start with the first book! You will not be disappointed.
I loved this novel! Tanenbaum keeps stunning readers with new and shocking plots for Butch Karp/Marlene Ciampi and family. This novel brought back his "Mole People" characters from past books. And he brought them back with a vengeance. If you are a reader of this series, keep reading; if you're not a fan yet, go start with the first book! You will not be disappointed.
January 18, 2014
This one (#24) is considerably better than the previous one in this series (#23). Plot and pacing are good, and although the writing strikes me as sappy occasionally, the characters, most of whom have appeared in previous episodes, are well drawn. There are two interwoven plot lines here. One is the continuing saga of a vicious terrorist conspiracy; the other centers around a con artist posing as a faith healer. One more book (#25) and I'll be caught up.
June 3, 2025
This book is a reasonably good legal thriller that keeps getting interrupted by a badly written terrorist thriller.
I really dislike when an author writes such a complicated plot that when it's over, he then has to spend the rest of the chapter trying to explain to you what happened. In the end, I didn't even understand the terrorist plot part of the book.
Some of the characters were terrible. I didn't want to read the obscene dialogue of a sufferer of Turret's Syndrome, nor did I want to read about a character named Booger who is known for having his finger in his nose. And one of the heroes of the book is literally a vile serial killer.
I won't be reading any more by this author.
I really dislike when an author writes such a complicated plot that when it's over, he then has to spend the rest of the chapter trying to explain to you what happened. In the end, I didn't even understand the terrorist plot part of the book.
Some of the characters were terrible. I didn't want to read the obscene dialogue of a sufferer of Turret's Syndrome, nor did I want to read about a character named Booger who is known for having his finger in his nose. And one of the heroes of the book is literally a vile serial killer.
I won't be reading any more by this author.
February 19, 2024
I struggled to finish this book but finished it I did, and I gotta say it was really bad. The main plot might’ve been okay had the author not thrown in a couple of sub-plots. Russian gangs and an underground secret society? Oh please.
This was my first Tanenbaum novel and undoubtedly my last.
This was my first Tanenbaum novel and undoubtedly my last.
September 2, 2018
This is a good story marred by poor writing it jumps around from place to place setting up surprises that you know what they're going to be before the book gets there. The characters are undeveloped, predictable and cartoonish
January 5, 2020
Another enjoyable thriller from the Butch Karp series. As usual with these books, the action is nonstop, the "bad" guys are realllllly bad, and the "good" guys are exceptional. It's always a pleasure to sit back and get involved in the lives of Butch and Marlene.
September 2, 2017
I haven't read Tannenbaum in a while. I used to love this cast of characters, but this one just didn't do it for me.
December 16, 2020
Lots of cliches. Predictable
August 27, 2023
It was very good. Love all the characters. I just wish there were more Karp & Ciampi books after Without Fear or Favor.
November 17, 2023
Thank FUCK I am finally finished with this book. Not the worst book I've ever read, but pretty awful.
May 18, 2024
I'm getting a little tired of the traitors theme but they played an important su ppport role in this one and the book is really good with interesting plots.
March 17, 2025
Five stars is a lot from me.. This book earned every one.
May 22, 2013
I started reading the Butch Karp series decades ago, and was hooked. But lately, the author has lost something. He created an intriguing cast of characters with Butch, Marlene, their kids, Tran, John Jojoba, David Grale, and more. However, when every character reappears in every book, there is less room for plot development, and too much time spent playing with stereotyping. In this book, Tran and Jojoba, both dark characters, are reduced to wisecracking sidekicks. The excitement of the plot points are dulled by the fact that the reader knows before hand that the good guys have everything locked down.
I'm not sure what has happened to Tannenbaum, but stick with his early works and forget this one.
I'm not sure what has happened to Tannenbaum, but stick with his early works and forget this one.
July 15, 2012
Ordinarily anything out of the Butch Karp/Marlene Ciampi series is a 4 or 5 star review from me, but I'm starting to fade on the counter terrorist angle that has been emerging lately...I much prefer the legal thriller part of the recent novels that have been ripped from the headlines...they provide a legal philosophy and a moral philosophy that is presented in both an educational manner and entertaining...In this one we have a clash regarding religious liberties and child welfare...the terror angle not as entertaining, but still a "page-turner"!!!
August 6, 2015
Bring back Michael Gruber
Who you ask? Gruber was the primary author of the Butch Karp novels until we got to the early 20s of the series. All the wonderful character development is gone in the newer ones. Still an interesting story, but the vocabulary shoes from big words and thoughts about philosophy and the soul. Please bring the original ghostwriter back to these factories
Who you ask? Gruber was the primary author of the Butch Karp novels until we got to the early 20s of the series. All the wonderful character development is gone in the newer ones. Still an interesting story, but the vocabulary shoes from big words and thoughts about philosophy and the soul. Please bring the original ghostwriter back to these factories
February 9, 2014
a bookmobile book Though this is one of my favorite series, I didn't think that it was as good as usual. I have another one on nook--when I get to it. This involved children with incurable disease, crooked minister, a new arch enemy, Lucy, but not her mother or brothers, and more of Butch Karp than sometimes. It was still quite entertaining.
Read
January 24, 2016I love all the books in this series. Butch Karp is a wonderful character as the Manhattan District Attorney and there are so many other wonderful characters also, from Dirty Warren, Booger, David Grale to Tran, not to forget Lucy and Marlene. I missed the twins in this book, but I am sure they will be back in the next.
June 13, 2012
More of the same. What can I say. Had a hard time caring in the beginning as it was all about an old character I really didn't like. Not much about Karp's family interactions. Predictable - was disappointed by that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2013
Although there was some of the terrorist plot stuff that's not my favorite, I thought the trial stuff made the book worthwhile reading. After reading the ending of this book, I am hopeful there will be no more terrorist stuff, at least for a while.
May 24, 2013
More like 3 1/2. It was an exciting enough story, but is the gazzillionth in a series, and sort of assumed the reader had knowledge of things in past books. It was not bad enough to be confusing; it was more I felt left out as others sahred "insider information."
April 15, 2015
The usual very good read with our old friends Butch, Marlene, the kids, Ray and Fulton. This time it's the continuing story of the terrorist Malovo while concurrently addressing the issue of the death of a child by an evangelist. Good read.
August 16, 2014
New York District Attorney puts a couple on trail after they deny medical care for their child and the child dies as a result. During the investigation it is discover that the couple's reverend stood to gain financially with the child's death.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews