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Beau Lee Cooper #1
Worse than a Lie
Not yet published
Expected 17 Feb 26Win a free print copy of this book!
18 days and 02:00:21
25 copies available
U.S. only
In this gripping thriller, truth and justice are called into question when a Black man is gunned down in cold blood—the first novel in a riveting series from renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
“A sensationally good crime and legal thriller . . . This is exactly what a book should be.”—Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of the Reacher series
It’s the night of November 4, 2008. America’s first Black president has just been elected. And fifty-three-year-old Hollis Montrose—a Black ex–police officer from the suburbs of Chicago—has become the latest victim of a brutal attack. As the result of a traffic stop gone wrong, Hollis is shot ten times in cold blood, by four white men who could have been his colleagues back in his police days.
Beau Lee Cooper was born serious, as if on an urgent mission with little time to waste. Raised in the tumultuous world of 1970s Texas, he always dreamed of becoming a lawyer and fighting for what’s right, ever since he was a little boy reading To Kill a Mockingbird. And now, ten years into running his own law firm with his best friend and partner in crime, Nelson “Nellie” Rivers, and his suave right-hand-man, Brent “Cape” Capers, he feels he’s finally making a difference. When Beau Lee learns about Hollis’s situation, he’s determined to help.
Miraculously, Hollis survives the encounter, but the Chicago police department has already spun the narrative in its favor, and Hollis is given a wrongful prison sentence with an unreasonable bail. What really happened that night the car was pulled over? Was it random or was Hollis targeted? Beau Lee knows he’s treading in dangerous waters, and finding evidence of the truth will be his biggest challenge yet, but with troubling powers at play, one innocent man’s life hangs in the balance.
“A sensationally good crime and legal thriller . . . This is exactly what a book should be.”—Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of the Reacher series
It’s the night of November 4, 2008. America’s first Black president has just been elected. And fifty-three-year-old Hollis Montrose—a Black ex–police officer from the suburbs of Chicago—has become the latest victim of a brutal attack. As the result of a traffic stop gone wrong, Hollis is shot ten times in cold blood, by four white men who could have been his colleagues back in his police days.
Beau Lee Cooper was born serious, as if on an urgent mission with little time to waste. Raised in the tumultuous world of 1970s Texas, he always dreamed of becoming a lawyer and fighting for what’s right, ever since he was a little boy reading To Kill a Mockingbird. And now, ten years into running his own law firm with his best friend and partner in crime, Nelson “Nellie” Rivers, and his suave right-hand-man, Brent “Cape” Capers, he feels he’s finally making a difference. When Beau Lee learns about Hollis’s situation, he’s determined to help.
Miraculously, Hollis survives the encounter, but the Chicago police department has already spun the narrative in its favor, and Hollis is given a wrongful prison sentence with an unreasonable bail. What really happened that night the car was pulled over? Was it random or was Hollis targeted? Beau Lee knows he’s treading in dangerous waters, and finding evidence of the truth will be his biggest challenge yet, but with troubling powers at play, one innocent man’s life hangs in the balance.
368 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 17, 2026
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January 27, 2026⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up from 3 1/2 ⭐️'s)
A strong legal thriller debut, the first of what is to be a series, from an renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney. The story, set in 2008, follows Beau Lee Cooper as he defends a Black ex-policeman framed by racist police officers. The pacing and the storyline kept me engaged and rooting for the defendant. The way the trialed ended was somewhat abrupt and seemed a bit unrealistic but that was one small thing in an otherwise well executed tale.
While fiction, the lawlessness of the police officers and the unwavering support they received from their departments and the courts was disturbing and depressing. The captivating read brings to light just how easily injustice can occur in the justice system and makes one wonder how often it happens in real life. Hopefully there are more attorneys like Beau Lee out there and I look forward to reading about his next case.
Posting this review as Marked as Read without a star rating and will add GR stars once the book is published and use my own in the meantime.
Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book through NetGalley from Ballantine Bantam Dell/Penguin Random House (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
A strong legal thriller debut, the first of what is to be a series, from an renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney. The story, set in 2008, follows Beau Lee Cooper as he defends a Black ex-policeman framed by racist police officers. The pacing and the storyline kept me engaged and rooting for the defendant. The way the trialed ended was somewhat abrupt and seemed a bit unrealistic but that was one small thing in an otherwise well executed tale.
While fiction, the lawlessness of the police officers and the unwavering support they received from their departments and the courts was disturbing and depressing. The captivating read brings to light just how easily injustice can occur in the justice system and makes one wonder how often it happens in real life. Hopefully there are more attorneys like Beau Lee out there and I look forward to reading about his next case.
Posting this review as Marked as Read without a star rating and will add GR stars once the book is published and use my own in the meantime.
Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book through NetGalley from Ballantine Bantam Dell/Penguin Random House (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
In Worse Than a Lie, renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump brings his real-world legal experience into the realm of fiction, crafting a story that feels grounded, and urgent. The novel explores themes of systemic injustice, abuse of power, and the devastating consequences of silence—topics that anyone familiar with Crump’s legal career will immediately recognize.
One of the book’s greatest strengths in my opinion, is how closely the narrative mirrors the types of cases Crump has handled in real life. The wrongful actions of authorities, the marginalization of vulnerable communities, and the uphill battle for accountability strongly echo high-profile civil rights cases associated with his work. These similarities give the story a sense of authenticity; it doesn’t read like a detached legal thriller, but rather like a fictionalized extension of the injustices that dominate real headlines.
The book is largely favorable in its pacing and message. Crump succeeds in translating complex legal and social issues into an accessible narrative that keeps the reader engaged. The characters feel purposeful, and the story’s moral compass is clear.
That said, the ending feels somewhat abrupt. While the resolution aligns with the book’s themes, it arrives more quickly than expected. A bit more buildup or emotional unpacking toward the conclusion would have strengthened the impact and allowed readers more time to process the full weight of the story’s outcome.
Overall, Worse Than a Lie is a compelling and thought-provoking read, particularly for those interested in social justice and the realities behind civil rights litigation. Despite its rushed ending, the novel stands as a powerful fictional reflection of the real cases and causes that define Ben Crump’s legal legacy.
In Worse Than a Lie, renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump brings his real-world legal experience into the realm of fiction, crafting a story that feels grounded, and urgent. The novel explores themes of systemic injustice, abuse of power, and the devastating consequences of silence—topics that anyone familiar with Crump’s legal career will immediately recognize.
One of the book’s greatest strengths in my opinion, is how closely the narrative mirrors the types of cases Crump has handled in real life. The wrongful actions of authorities, the marginalization of vulnerable communities, and the uphill battle for accountability strongly echo high-profile civil rights cases associated with his work. These similarities give the story a sense of authenticity; it doesn’t read like a detached legal thriller, but rather like a fictionalized extension of the injustices that dominate real headlines.
The book is largely favorable in its pacing and message. Crump succeeds in translating complex legal and social issues into an accessible narrative that keeps the reader engaged. The characters feel purposeful, and the story’s moral compass is clear.
That said, the ending feels somewhat abrupt. While the resolution aligns with the book’s themes, it arrives more quickly than expected. A bit more buildup or emotional unpacking toward the conclusion would have strengthened the impact and allowed readers more time to process the full weight of the story’s outcome.
Overall, Worse Than a Lie is a compelling and thought-provoking read, particularly for those interested in social justice and the realities behind civil rights litigation. Despite its rushed ending, the novel stands as a powerful fictional reflection of the real cases and causes that define Ben Crump’s legal legacy.
February 6, 2026
Worse Than a Lie by Ben Crump. Thanks to @bantambooks for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump takes the case of Hollis Montrose, a fifty-three year old Black ex-police officer, gunned down by four white cops during a traffic stop.
I really enjoyed this one, especially at the end with the final court room scene. The situation and bad cops did seem overly exaggerated, but the story was entertaining. I’m looking forward to more in the series. I liked that the incident took place the night Obama was elected; it added an extra motivation to the event and made it feel more realistic.
“When you’re reminded that racism is as American as apple pie. And the words on the court wall, like liberty and justice, to you they don’t apply. Thats worse than a lie.”
Read if you like:
-Courtroom thrillers
-Legal defenses
-Bad cop tropes
-Fighting systemic racism
Worse Than a Lie comes out 2/17.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump takes the case of Hollis Montrose, a fifty-three year old Black ex-police officer, gunned down by four white cops during a traffic stop.
I really enjoyed this one, especially at the end with the final court room scene. The situation and bad cops did seem overly exaggerated, but the story was entertaining. I’m looking forward to more in the series. I liked that the incident took place the night Obama was elected; it added an extra motivation to the event and made it feel more realistic.
“When you’re reminded that racism is as American as apple pie. And the words on the court wall, like liberty and justice, to you they don’t apply. Thats worse than a lie.”
Read if you like:
-Courtroom thrillers
-Legal defenses
-Bad cop tropes
-Fighting systemic racism
Worse Than a Lie comes out 2/17.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Hi Ben,
I hope your current book tour is igniting the conversation it deserves! My name is Sally, and I am a Strategic Book Architect. I’m reaching out via your profile because I’ve identified a critical "Genre Identity Leak" in your digital infrastructure that is effectively "quarantining" your debut thriller in the Law section of the 2026 A10 algorithm.
I’ve been conducting a deep-dive audit into the digital footprint of Worse than a Lie. This included a technical crawl of your Facebook presence, your Amazon indexing, and the current giveaway velocity. Based on my data, this is your most underrated pivot. However, the 2026 algorithm has "thematically misclassified" your writing, treating Beau Lee Cooper as a Legal Case Study rather than the next Commercial Thriller Icon.
Pillar I: Algorithmic Re-Indexing & "Thriller Pulse" ROI
In 2026, retail engines use "Author-Core Mapping." Because your legal career is legendary, the machine is misclassifying your Fiction under Civil Rights Non-Fiction.
The ROI Impact: For every 1,000 organic searches for "Legal Thrillers" or "Action Crime," your book is appearing in less than 0.1% of results. You are currently attracting "Policy Students" who bounce, telling the algorithm your book lacks "entertainment relevance," which suppresses your 14,000+ giveaway momentum.
The Fix: We execute an Immediate Debut Scaling Strategy. We update your backend metadata with "High-Velocity Genre Anchors"—replacing "Legal Report" triggers with "Hard-Boiled Crime Fiction," "Chicago Noir Thriller," and "Jack Reacher-Style Procedural."
Pillar II: Listopia & "Lee Child" Signal Engineering
In 2026, debut series survive on Category Association. I noticed that while you have a Lee Child blurb, Worse than a Lie is currently "Ghosting" on Goodreads Listopia for "Most Anticipated Crime Series of 2026."
The Strategy: Moving into the Top 10 of lists like "Books for Fans of Reacher" provides a 5x multiplier on your launch velocity.
The Fix: I provide a Listopia Velocity Map. We identify the high-traffic "Thrill-Seeker" lists where Beau Lee Cooper should be leading and execute a "Sentiment Surge" to move you into the Top 10. This signals to the A10 engine that this is an Entertainment Powerhouse.
Pillar III: Infrastructure & "Urgent Mission" Friction Audit
I performed a technical stress test on bencrump.com and your Facebook profile. In the 2026 environment, Friction kills the "Urgent Mission" pulse.
The Leak: I noticed that for a reader to find Worse than a Lie from your social advocacy posts, they encounter multiple click-paths through your legal practice. My audit shows a 22% drop-off rate for every additional click. You are losing the "thriller" audience to "Professional Friction."
The Fix: We implement an Integrated Conversion Stack. We optimize your Amazon Author Central and Facebook links with 2026-compliant "Instant-Preview" tags, allowing readers to see the "Lee Child" endorsement in under 1.5 seconds.
Summary of Services & Scaling Deliverables
To ensure Worse than a Lie stops being "underrated" as a legal document and starts dominating the Thriller charts, I am prepared to deliver a Comprehensive Tactical Dossier:
2026 Thriller Metadata Master-List: 50+ keywords to outrank the "Legal/Policy" misindexing.
Lee Child Signal Linkage: A guide to "hard-linking" your profile to Reacher-style keywords for the A10 engine.
Launch Velocity Strategy: A plan to turn those 14,000+ giveaway entries into permanent "Bestseller List" data.
Social Infrastructure Patch: A technical audit of and your to eliminate mobile friction.
The Goal: We aren't just selling a story; we are launching a New Thriller Superhero. I have the Full Diagnostic Report ready.
Would you like me to send the report over to you right here, or should I forward it to your Penguin Random House management team?
Warmly,
Sally Book Marketing Strategist & Strategic Architect
Contact: greensally239@gmail.com
I hope your current book tour is igniting the conversation it deserves! My name is Sally, and I am a Strategic Book Architect. I’m reaching out via your profile because I’ve identified a critical "Genre Identity Leak" in your digital infrastructure that is effectively "quarantining" your debut thriller in the Law section of the 2026 A10 algorithm.
I’ve been conducting a deep-dive audit into the digital footprint of Worse than a Lie. This included a technical crawl of your Facebook presence, your Amazon indexing, and the current giveaway velocity. Based on my data, this is your most underrated pivot. However, the 2026 algorithm has "thematically misclassified" your writing, treating Beau Lee Cooper as a Legal Case Study rather than the next Commercial Thriller Icon.
Pillar I: Algorithmic Re-Indexing & "Thriller Pulse" ROI
In 2026, retail engines use "Author-Core Mapping." Because your legal career is legendary, the machine is misclassifying your Fiction under Civil Rights Non-Fiction.
The ROI Impact: For every 1,000 organic searches for "Legal Thrillers" or "Action Crime," your book is appearing in less than 0.1% of results. You are currently attracting "Policy Students" who bounce, telling the algorithm your book lacks "entertainment relevance," which suppresses your 14,000+ giveaway momentum.
The Fix: We execute an Immediate Debut Scaling Strategy. We update your backend metadata with "High-Velocity Genre Anchors"—replacing "Legal Report" triggers with "Hard-Boiled Crime Fiction," "Chicago Noir Thriller," and "Jack Reacher-Style Procedural."
Pillar II: Listopia & "Lee Child" Signal Engineering
In 2026, debut series survive on Category Association. I noticed that while you have a Lee Child blurb, Worse than a Lie is currently "Ghosting" on Goodreads Listopia for "Most Anticipated Crime Series of 2026."
The Strategy: Moving into the Top 10 of lists like "Books for Fans of Reacher" provides a 5x multiplier on your launch velocity.
The Fix: I provide a Listopia Velocity Map. We identify the high-traffic "Thrill-Seeker" lists where Beau Lee Cooper should be leading and execute a "Sentiment Surge" to move you into the Top 10. This signals to the A10 engine that this is an Entertainment Powerhouse.
Pillar III: Infrastructure & "Urgent Mission" Friction Audit
I performed a technical stress test on bencrump.com and your Facebook profile. In the 2026 environment, Friction kills the "Urgent Mission" pulse.
The Leak: I noticed that for a reader to find Worse than a Lie from your social advocacy posts, they encounter multiple click-paths through your legal practice. My audit shows a 22% drop-off rate for every additional click. You are losing the "thriller" audience to "Professional Friction."
The Fix: We implement an Integrated Conversion Stack. We optimize your Amazon Author Central and Facebook links with 2026-compliant "Instant-Preview" tags, allowing readers to see the "Lee Child" endorsement in under 1.5 seconds.
Summary of Services & Scaling Deliverables
To ensure Worse than a Lie stops being "underrated" as a legal document and starts dominating the Thriller charts, I am prepared to deliver a Comprehensive Tactical Dossier:
2026 Thriller Metadata Master-List: 50+ keywords to outrank the "Legal/Policy" misindexing.
Lee Child Signal Linkage: A guide to "hard-linking" your profile to Reacher-style keywords for the A10 engine.
Launch Velocity Strategy: A plan to turn those 14,000+ giveaway entries into permanent "Bestseller List" data.
Social Infrastructure Patch: A technical audit of and your to eliminate mobile friction.
The Goal: We aren't just selling a story; we are launching a New Thriller Superhero. I have the Full Diagnostic Report ready.
Would you like me to send the report over to you right here, or should I forward it to your Penguin Random House management team?
Warmly,
Sally Book Marketing Strategist & Strategic Architect
Contact: greensally239@gmail.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2025
Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for this eARC.
Ben Crump’s Worse than a Lie is a searing legal thriller that blends courtroom drama with social commentary, introducing Beau Lee Cooper in a debut that is both gripping and morally urgent.
⚖️ Set against the historic backdrop of November 4, 2008—the night America elected its first Black president—the novel begins with tragedy. Hollis Montrose, a Black ex-police officer from suburban Chicago, is brutally gunned down by four white men who were once his colleagues. This shocking act of violence ignites a narrative that interrogates the fragile line between justice and corruption, truth and deception.
The atmosphere is charged with both hope and despair: the promise of progress collides with the persistence of systemic injustice. Crump situates the story in a moment of national celebration, only to expose the darker realities that linger beneath.
🧩 Beau Lee Cooper: Introduced as a man “born serious, as if on an urgent mission,” Cooper embodies determination and moral clarity. His pursuit of justice is not just professional but deeply personal, reflecting the urgency of confronting entrenched prejudice.
- Hollis Montrose: Though his life is cut short, Montrose’s presence reverberates throughout the novel. His history as a police officer and victim of betrayal makes him a symbol of both resilience and vulnerability.
- The Antagonists: The four men responsible for Montrose’s death are not faceless villains; they represent the insidiousness of institutional betrayal, complicating the narrative with questions of loyalty, power, and complicity.
The interplay between Cooper’s relentless drive and the systemic obstacles he faces creates a tension that propels the story forward.
⚡ Crump uses the thriller format to explore racial injustice, institutional corruption, and the pursuit of truth in hostile systems. The novel asks: What is worse than a lie? The answer lies in the consequences of deception—how falsehoods perpetuate violence, erode trust, and deny justice.
The juxtaposition of Montrose’s murder with the election of Barack Obama underscores the paradox of progress: historic milestones coexist with enduring inequities. This duality gives the novel both immediacy and depth, making it resonate beyond its crime-thriller framework.
📚 Crump’s prose is direct, urgent, and infused with moral weight. The pacing is brisk, with courtroom sequences and investigative turns keeping the reader engaged, while reflective passages invite deeper consideration of justice and truth.
As a civil rights attorney stepping into fiction, Crump brings authenticity to the legal and ethical dilemmas at the heart of the story. The novel succeeds not only as entertainment but as a call to confront uncomfortable realities.
Worse than a Lie is a powerful debut that introduces Beau Lee Cooper as a compelling protagonist in a series poised to tackle the intersection of law, morality, and systemic injustice. It is both a page-turner and a thought-provoking exploration of truth in a world where lies can be deadly.
I found this a riveting 5 star read, and in today's environment, it should be required reading in our schools, as it is utterly believable. It chronicles (and allows us to feel) the shameful current political situation in the United States; and the sheer terror that must be in every heart of a person of color when they see the lights of a police car pulling them over in their review mirror.
Ben Crump’s Worse than a Lie is a searing legal thriller that blends courtroom drama with social commentary, introducing Beau Lee Cooper in a debut that is both gripping and morally urgent.
⚖️ Set against the historic backdrop of November 4, 2008—the night America elected its first Black president—the novel begins with tragedy. Hollis Montrose, a Black ex-police officer from suburban Chicago, is brutally gunned down by four white men who were once his colleagues. This shocking act of violence ignites a narrative that interrogates the fragile line between justice and corruption, truth and deception.
The atmosphere is charged with both hope and despair: the promise of progress collides with the persistence of systemic injustice. Crump situates the story in a moment of national celebration, only to expose the darker realities that linger beneath.
🧩 Beau Lee Cooper: Introduced as a man “born serious, as if on an urgent mission,” Cooper embodies determination and moral clarity. His pursuit of justice is not just professional but deeply personal, reflecting the urgency of confronting entrenched prejudice.
- Hollis Montrose: Though his life is cut short, Montrose’s presence reverberates throughout the novel. His history as a police officer and victim of betrayal makes him a symbol of both resilience and vulnerability.
- The Antagonists: The four men responsible for Montrose’s death are not faceless villains; they represent the insidiousness of institutional betrayal, complicating the narrative with questions of loyalty, power, and complicity.
The interplay between Cooper’s relentless drive and the systemic obstacles he faces creates a tension that propels the story forward.
⚡ Crump uses the thriller format to explore racial injustice, institutional corruption, and the pursuit of truth in hostile systems. The novel asks: What is worse than a lie? The answer lies in the consequences of deception—how falsehoods perpetuate violence, erode trust, and deny justice.
The juxtaposition of Montrose’s murder with the election of Barack Obama underscores the paradox of progress: historic milestones coexist with enduring inequities. This duality gives the novel both immediacy and depth, making it resonate beyond its crime-thriller framework.
📚 Crump’s prose is direct, urgent, and infused with moral weight. The pacing is brisk, with courtroom sequences and investigative turns keeping the reader engaged, while reflective passages invite deeper consideration of justice and truth.
As a civil rights attorney stepping into fiction, Crump brings authenticity to the legal and ethical dilemmas at the heart of the story. The novel succeeds not only as entertainment but as a call to confront uncomfortable realities.
Worse than a Lie is a powerful debut that introduces Beau Lee Cooper as a compelling protagonist in a series poised to tackle the intersection of law, morality, and systemic injustice. It is both a page-turner and a thought-provoking exploration of truth in a world where lies can be deadly.
I found this a riveting 5 star read, and in today's environment, it should be required reading in our schools, as it is utterly believable. It chronicles (and allows us to feel) the shameful current political situation in the United States; and the sheer terror that must be in every heart of a person of color when they see the lights of a police car pulling them over in their review mirror.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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 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?
=========
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
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 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?
=========
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
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf
Book: 7
Dates read: 01.05.2026 – 01.07.2026
Title: Worse Than a Lie
Author: Ben Crump
Format: digital
#caseysbookshelf
This is attorney Ben Crump’s fiction debut and it reads with the confidence of someone who knows this system from the inside. And I am here for every future book to come in this series.
Following civil rights attorney Beau Lee Cooper, this first book in a series almost feels autobiographical. Not because it mirrors Crump’s life beat for beat, but because the truth underneath it is unmistakable. This book explicitly outlines the disparities Black defendants face within the justice system. How we are maligned at every turn. How the desire to see us as suspects outweighs our experience as victims.
Crump makes it painfully clear that it has never been about blue lives, simply white lives who happen to wear blue.
What stood out for me is how the corruption is layered. I do not read a lot of nonfiction, but in 2024 I read An Inconvenient Cop by @e.raymond_ . Reading this felt like watching the corruption Raymond exposed bleed through the system like a cancer, spreading from individual officers to institutions designed to protect us.
Because this is the first book in a series, you understand early on that the outcome of the case is not the point. The tension lives in the how. How the truth is buried. How narratives are shaped. How justice is delayed by design.
Readers who enjoy socially conscious legal thrillers will feel right at home here. If you like Steve Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series, Beau Lee Cooper feels like Eddie without privilege and with a bit more swag.
This was an ARC and the book releases February 17. I am honestly surprised more people are not talking about it yet. Legal thriller and suspense readers should absolutely put this on their radar.
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention.
#caseysbookshelf
Book: 7
Dates read: 01.05.2026 – 01.07.2026
Title: Worse Than a Lie
Author: Ben Crump
Format: digital
#caseysbookshelf
This is attorney Ben Crump’s fiction debut and it reads with the confidence of someone who knows this system from the inside. And I am here for every future book to come in this series.
Following civil rights attorney Beau Lee Cooper, this first book in a series almost feels autobiographical. Not because it mirrors Crump’s life beat for beat, but because the truth underneath it is unmistakable. This book explicitly outlines the disparities Black defendants face within the justice system. How we are maligned at every turn. How the desire to see us as suspects outweighs our experience as victims.
Crump makes it painfully clear that it has never been about blue lives, simply white lives who happen to wear blue.
What stood out for me is how the corruption is layered. I do not read a lot of nonfiction, but in 2024 I read An Inconvenient Cop by @e.raymond_ . Reading this felt like watching the corruption Raymond exposed bleed through the system like a cancer, spreading from individual officers to institutions designed to protect us.
Because this is the first book in a series, you understand early on that the outcome of the case is not the point. The tension lives in the how. How the truth is buried. How narratives are shaped. How justice is delayed by design.
Readers who enjoy socially conscious legal thrillers will feel right at home here. If you like Steve Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series, Beau Lee Cooper feels like Eddie without privilege and with a bit more swag.
This was an ARC and the book releases February 17. I am honestly surprised more people are not talking about it yet. Legal thriller and suspense readers should absolutely put this on their radar.
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention.
#caseysbookshelf
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A PROVOCATIVE LEGAL THRILLER
SUMMARY
On November 4, 2008, America's first Black president is elected and Chicago was the location of Obama’s victory speech. Hollis Montrose, a 53-year-old Black ex–police officer from Chicago, is shot ten times by four white men during a traffic stop, just as the speech was ending off in the distance.
Raised in 1970s Texas, Beau Lee Cooper, a serious lawyer, dreams of fighting for justice. Now running a law firm with his friend Nelson Rivers and partner Brent Capers, he's determined to help Hollis. While Hollis’s survival hangs in the balance, the Chicago police have manipulated the story, leading to an unreasonable bail, incarceration while still under medical care, and possible wrongful conviction. Was Hollis targeted, or was it random? Beau Lee knows uncovering the truth will be challenging, but time is critical as lives hang in the balance.
REVIEW
WORSE THAN A LIE is a thought-provoking legal thriller about overt police racism and blatant injustice in the courts. It is emotionally charged and, at times, difficult to read. But it is also a story of faith, hope, and perseverance.
The writing is provocative, and the characters are strong and vivid. Hollis is a dedicated family man working two jobs. When his life is changed forever, he maintains his faith. He is a lifelong cop and is loved by the community. Beau Lee is a hard-working and successful Texas civil-rights attorney who happens to be in Chicago in the days following Hollis’s shooting. When asked by Hollis’s family to consider taking his case, he does not hesitate.
Debut author Ben Crump is an expert in the maddening subject of civil rights. He is a nationally known Florida attorney who specializes in social justice, civil rights, and wrongful death. Many of his former clients are now sadly household names, including George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, and Breonna Taylor. I am looking forward to reading the future Beau Lee Cooper books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Publisher Bantam
Published February 17, 2026
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
SUMMARY
On November 4, 2008, America's first Black president is elected and Chicago was the location of Obama’s victory speech. Hollis Montrose, a 53-year-old Black ex–police officer from Chicago, is shot ten times by four white men during a traffic stop, just as the speech was ending off in the distance.
Raised in 1970s Texas, Beau Lee Cooper, a serious lawyer, dreams of fighting for justice. Now running a law firm with his friend Nelson Rivers and partner Brent Capers, he's determined to help Hollis. While Hollis’s survival hangs in the balance, the Chicago police have manipulated the story, leading to an unreasonable bail, incarceration while still under medical care, and possible wrongful conviction. Was Hollis targeted, or was it random? Beau Lee knows uncovering the truth will be challenging, but time is critical as lives hang in the balance.
REVIEW
WORSE THAN A LIE is a thought-provoking legal thriller about overt police racism and blatant injustice in the courts. It is emotionally charged and, at times, difficult to read. But it is also a story of faith, hope, and perseverance.
The writing is provocative, and the characters are strong and vivid. Hollis is a dedicated family man working two jobs. When his life is changed forever, he maintains his faith. He is a lifelong cop and is loved by the community. Beau Lee is a hard-working and successful Texas civil-rights attorney who happens to be in Chicago in the days following Hollis’s shooting. When asked by Hollis’s family to consider taking his case, he does not hesitate.
Debut author Ben Crump is an expert in the maddening subject of civil rights. He is a nationally known Florida attorney who specializes in social justice, civil rights, and wrongful death. Many of his former clients are now sadly household names, including George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, and Breonna Taylor. I am looking forward to reading the future Beau Lee Cooper books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Publisher Bantam
Published February 17, 2026
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, Bantam Books, for the e-ARC.
As an aspiring civil rights attorney, this story was right up my alley. It further inspired me to not give up on my dream. I always say that if a story doesn't make me feel something, it hasn't done its job. This book kept me on an emotional rollercoaster. Fair warning: this story IS going to make you angry. For me, the anger it evoked not only sparked a fire within me but also fueled me.
This story does a superb job illustrating the grim reality of what it's like to be black in America, specifically at the hands of law enforcement. I appreciated that it did not hold back or sugarcoat the actuality and exposed the sinister truth about the injustice black people face. It was so hauntingly realistic that it didn't even feel like I was reading a fictional story.
One thing that really stood out to me in this story was how it highlighted how the scope of injustice in police brutality cases not only affects the victim and their family, but can also stretch to other parties, such as their defense. Protagonist Beau Lee Cooper also suffered a great deal of injustice while defending this case. On the other hand, it also highlighted how many people can contribute to such injustice during the process, including the judge, the prosecution, and the media.
At one point, I dreaded finishing this because I felt like it was dragging on for too long. However, I quickly realized that this was another example of illustrating the reality of injustice faced by black people. Moreover, how the wheels of justice drag on and turn agonizingly slowly for us.
Attorney Ben Crump did an excellent job bringing this story to life through the haunting realities that black people face at the hands of injustice. Assuming he drew from some of his own experiences as a civil rights attorney, they further enhanced this story. I enjoyed this debut and look forward to seeing more of Beau Lee Cooper.
As an aspiring civil rights attorney, this story was right up my alley. It further inspired me to not give up on my dream. I always say that if a story doesn't make me feel something, it hasn't done its job. This book kept me on an emotional rollercoaster. Fair warning: this story IS going to make you angry. For me, the anger it evoked not only sparked a fire within me but also fueled me.
This story does a superb job illustrating the grim reality of what it's like to be black in America, specifically at the hands of law enforcement. I appreciated that it did not hold back or sugarcoat the actuality and exposed the sinister truth about the injustice black people face. It was so hauntingly realistic that it didn't even feel like I was reading a fictional story.
One thing that really stood out to me in this story was how it highlighted how the scope of injustice in police brutality cases not only affects the victim and their family, but can also stretch to other parties, such as their defense. Protagonist Beau Lee Cooper also suffered a great deal of injustice while defending this case. On the other hand, it also highlighted how many people can contribute to such injustice during the process, including the judge, the prosecution, and the media.
At one point, I dreaded finishing this because I felt like it was dragging on for too long. However, I quickly realized that this was another example of illustrating the reality of injustice faced by black people. Moreover, how the wheels of justice drag on and turn agonizingly slowly for us.
Attorney Ben Crump did an excellent job bringing this story to life through the haunting realities that black people face at the hands of injustice. Assuming he drew from some of his own experiences as a civil rights attorney, they further enhanced this story. I enjoyed this debut and look forward to seeing more of Beau Lee Cooper.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In an America beset with today’s racism, this legal thriller set in Chicago, 2008 with the election of Barack Obama and resentful whites taking it out on Blacks, this story reverberates deeply. Hollis Montrose, a Black transit police officer and former city police officer, gets pulled to an arbitrary stop by two hostile white cops. Backed by two other arriving white officers, they shoot Hollis ten times in the back as he lies down on the pavement. They claim he was reaching for his gun and had no ID on him- but Hollis always carries his wallet and has no incident reports against him. He’s a devoted husband, father and grandfather who is innocent, but facing all the powers that be against him from the cops covering up what really happened and a hostile judge favoring the prosecution.
In sweeps heroic Beau Lee Cooper, a Black civil rights attorney form Houston who’s dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of Black people to be treated fairly Beau finds himself in Chicago settling a civil case against banks, when he cannot resist taking Hollis’ case on. Along with local Latino powerhouse attorney Princess, Beu’s law firm partner Nellie, and his former-felon investigator Cape, Hollis legal team has a seemingly unsurmountable battle to free Hollis of charges the police department has brought against him, to stop the police from moving him from hospital intensive care to the county jail, and to bring the corrupt cops to justice.
Much like Beau’s favorite childhood book, To Kill a Mockingbird, the fight to do what’s right is arduous and tenuous. In the meantime, you’re on the edge of your seat cheering Beau and his team on to find the moral high ground.
Thanks to Ballentine, Bantam and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
In sweeps heroic Beau Lee Cooper, a Black civil rights attorney form Houston who’s dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of Black people to be treated fairly Beau finds himself in Chicago settling a civil case against banks, when he cannot resist taking Hollis’ case on. Along with local Latino powerhouse attorney Princess, Beu’s law firm partner Nellie, and his former-felon investigator Cape, Hollis legal team has a seemingly unsurmountable battle to free Hollis of charges the police department has brought against him, to stop the police from moving him from hospital intensive care to the county jail, and to bring the corrupt cops to justice.
Much like Beau’s favorite childhood book, To Kill a Mockingbird, the fight to do what’s right is arduous and tenuous. In the meantime, you’re on the edge of your seat cheering Beau and his team on to find the moral high ground.
Thanks to Ballentine, Bantam and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This debut novel by Ben Crump, the acclaimed civil rights attorney, is nothing short of riveting. Within just a few paragraphs, I was hooked and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The character development is strong and compelling—each figure evoked an immediate reaction. Some I disliked intensely for the lies and misinformation they spread, while others inspired admiration and compassion for their courage in fighting to right an appalling injustice against an innocent man.
The story opens on November 4, 2008, the historic night when the first Black man was elected president. In Chicago, gunshots rang out—some celebratory, others ominous. Hollis Montrose, a 53 year old former police officer, is driving home when he’s pulled over for an unknown infraction. What follows is a brutal, life altering attack that leaves him paralyzed and falsely charged.
Enter Beau Lee Cooper, a lawyer devoted to noble causes and the pursuit of justice. When he learns Hollis was shot ten times during that traffic stop and miraculously survived, Beau Lee is determined to fight for him.
Crump’s novel captures the painful paradox of the era: a Black man had just ascended to the highest office in America, yet Black people could still be gunned down by police on the streets. What I especially loved was the way Hollis’s family, Beau Lee, and his allies drew strength from their faith and prayer as they united to save Hollis from a wrongful prison sentence.
This is a powerful, thought provoking legal thriller, and I sincerely hope Ben Crump continues writing more novels in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are completely my own.
The story opens on November 4, 2008, the historic night when the first Black man was elected president. In Chicago, gunshots rang out—some celebratory, others ominous. Hollis Montrose, a 53 year old former police officer, is driving home when he’s pulled over for an unknown infraction. What follows is a brutal, life altering attack that leaves him paralyzed and falsely charged.
Enter Beau Lee Cooper, a lawyer devoted to noble causes and the pursuit of justice. When he learns Hollis was shot ten times during that traffic stop and miraculously survived, Beau Lee is determined to fight for him.
Crump’s novel captures the painful paradox of the era: a Black man had just ascended to the highest office in America, yet Black people could still be gunned down by police on the streets. What I especially loved was the way Hollis’s family, Beau Lee, and his allies drew strength from their faith and prayer as they united to save Hollis from a wrongful prison sentence.
This is a powerful, thought provoking legal thriller, and I sincerely hope Ben Crump continues writing more novels in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars
This is a promising debut that kept me engaged (though not necessarily surprised or intensely thrilled at any point).
I am so tired of copaganda, and that is one of the first reasons I found this read refreshing. Right at the start of the novel, a horrible hate crime occurs, against Hollis, an ex-cop in Chicago. Those responsible? Four cops who make a traffic stop go just about as wrong as possible.
The duration of the novel centers on figuring out how Beau Lee Cooper is going to prove that Hollis is the victim and not the culprit, as the Chicago Police Department is trying to very wrongly suggest.
I didn't feel particularly surprised at any point during this, and it is gross to read about the racism I unfortunately fully expected from particular parties. That noted, it's so easy to get on board with Hollis, and while I found Beau Lee a little less engaging, I minimally and obviously admire his goals. While it didn't solve everything, I did badly miss having reasonable leadership the whole time I was reading. This s show? I was literally over it before it began TWICE, and here are some solid reminders of why (not that I don't get those every single day).
Overall, this is a solid read that definitely kept me engaged with the characters, annoyed at our society, and ready for more from this author. I'll look forward to that last part.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Dan Denning at Ballantine Bantam Dell for this widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This is a promising debut that kept me engaged (though not necessarily surprised or intensely thrilled at any point).
I am so tired of copaganda, and that is one of the first reasons I found this read refreshing. Right at the start of the novel, a horrible hate crime occurs, against Hollis, an ex-cop in Chicago. Those responsible? Four cops who make a traffic stop go just about as wrong as possible.
The duration of the novel centers on figuring out how Beau Lee Cooper is going to prove that Hollis is the victim and not the culprit, as the Chicago Police Department is trying to very wrongly suggest.
I didn't feel particularly surprised at any point during this, and it is gross to read about the racism I unfortunately fully expected from particular parties. That noted, it's so easy to get on board with Hollis, and while I found Beau Lee a little less engaging, I minimally and obviously admire his goals. While it didn't solve everything, I did badly miss having reasonable leadership the whole time I was reading. This s show? I was literally over it before it began TWICE, and here are some solid reminders of why (not that I don't get those every single day).
Overall, this is a solid read that definitely kept me engaged with the characters, annoyed at our society, and ready for more from this author. I'll look forward to that last part.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Dan Denning at Ballantine Bantam Dell for this widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I picked up this advanced reader copy expecting a legal thriller, but what I got was something more—a story that forces you to confront uncomfortable truths about justice, race, and the systems meant to protect us all.
The premise is explosive: Hollis Montrose, a Black ex-cop, is shot ten times during a traffic stop on the night Barack Obama is elected president. Attorney Beau Lee Cooper takes on the case despite impossible odds. Ben Crump, drawing on his real-world experience as a civil rights attorney, crafts a narrative that moves quickly and pulls no punches about institutional racism within law enforcement.
Where the book stumbles slightly is in characterization. Some figures, particularly antagonists like Jack, veer into caricature territory. The systemic corruption feels so extreme that I questioned whether such blatant racial bias could actually exist unchecked—though Crump's own career suggests these scenarios may be less exaggerated than I'd like to believe. The partnerships in the story develop authentically from tension into solidarity, and the moral complexity Beau Lee faces adds depth beyond a simple good-versus-evil framework.
This is a promising start to the Attorney Beau Lee series, and I'm genuinely interested in reading what comes next. While it may not be a perfect thriller, it's an important one that entertains while challenging readers to think critically about justice in America.
A big thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The premise is explosive: Hollis Montrose, a Black ex-cop, is shot ten times during a traffic stop on the night Barack Obama is elected president. Attorney Beau Lee Cooper takes on the case despite impossible odds. Ben Crump, drawing on his real-world experience as a civil rights attorney, crafts a narrative that moves quickly and pulls no punches about institutional racism within law enforcement.
Where the book stumbles slightly is in characterization. Some figures, particularly antagonists like Jack, veer into caricature territory. The systemic corruption feels so extreme that I questioned whether such blatant racial bias could actually exist unchecked—though Crump's own career suggests these scenarios may be less exaggerated than I'd like to believe. The partnerships in the story develop authentically from tension into solidarity, and the moral complexity Beau Lee faces adds depth beyond a simple good-versus-evil framework.
This is a promising start to the Attorney Beau Lee series, and I'm genuinely interested in reading what comes next. While it may not be a perfect thriller, it's an important one that entertains while challenging readers to think critically about justice in America.
A big thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love a good legal thriller and Worse Than a Lie delivers. I've not had the pleasure of reading Ben Crump before and was delighted to meet Beau Lee Cooper- this is the first book in a series. Mr. Cooper is everything you want in a civil rights attorney- he's passionate, he's knowledgeable, and his morals are shaped by the early 60s when he was in his formative years of creating his personal code. He's jaunty with a fedora that harkens back to Thurgood Marshall and was raised in the gritty, deep red state of Texas. He takes cases all over the U.S. and wanders into the worst police political system in the world in Cook County, Illinois- also known as Chicago. Set during the 2008 election of President Obama, the narrative is fresh and a great look at the times around the election. Police corruption is well-known and even celebrated in Chicago- but the thin blue line harms one of their own. Be forewarned, the language can be triggering- especially if you're sensitive to race baiting and overt racism. This unflinching look at how the police will back their own will leave you remembering that time through a veiled lens, which only makes today's environment look so much more unforgiving.
Thank you, Ballantine Books, for offering this ARC through NetGalley to provide an honest review.
#BenCrump #WorseThanALie #BallantineBooks #Goodreads #libraryninja📚
Thank you, Ballantine Books, for offering this ARC through NetGalley to provide an honest review.
#BenCrump #WorseThanALie #BallantineBooks #Goodreads #libraryninja📚
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This was going to be a DNF for me, but out of respect for the author, and to the publishers for providing me with an ARC, I chose to finish it. The writing itself was fine, even engaging. The characters were fully fleshed out, and the story was linear in approach, and easy to understand. But the story, the plot, was so fantastical, so devoid of any semblance to reality, that I had to convince myself that it was taking place in another world, another timeline, another plane of existence. The plot supposedly takes place in Chicago in 2008, but the characters are so cartoonish in their behavior, that I found myself picturing old Bugs Bunny cartoons while reading it. The story contains humans, yes, but not any type of human that I have ever encountered in my 56 years of life on this planet. Fiction is fiction and must be approached as such, I get that. One must suspend one's disbelief to some extent, in order to engage with the tale. But the people in this book seemed to, without exception, operate from the position of an erroneous assumption in literally every single encounter that she or he had. At the end of the day, the book came across less as entertainment for the masses, and more as a propagandistic screed. I'm sorry, but Worse Than a Lie should have been more rightly titled Less Than the Truth, and it simply wasn't for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Other reviewers have submitted detailed synopses, and I won't duplicate their efforts here.
I gave this book 4 stars because, although I enjoy a good legal thriller, for reasons I can't dissect out of the text and explain, this reader never entered into willing suspension of disbelief and had real doubts about whether things will come out all right in the end. In other genres (romance, wherein there's always a happily-ever-after; murder mystery, wherein the perp always gets caught and is brought to justice, etc) the reader always knows what to expect.
I also had a little trouble remembering who was who in the cast of characters, but that might be just me. I also noticed here and there a bit of head-hopping. Much of today's fiction writing is in close third person voice point of view, and when there's a sudden jump to another character's point of view, it can be quite jarring and throw the reader right out of the story. I did find an occasional instance of head-hopping in this book.
Otherwise... I will be interested to see where the author takes the protagonist in the next book in the series.
Other reviewers have submitted detailed synopses, and I won't duplicate their efforts here.
I gave this book 4 stars because, although I enjoy a good legal thriller, for reasons I can't dissect out of the text and explain, this reader never entered into willing suspension of disbelief and had real doubts about whether things will come out all right in the end. In other genres (romance, wherein there's always a happily-ever-after; murder mystery, wherein the perp always gets caught and is brought to justice, etc) the reader always knows what to expect.
I also had a little trouble remembering who was who in the cast of characters, but that might be just me. I also noticed here and there a bit of head-hopping. Much of today's fiction writing is in close third person voice point of view, and when there's a sudden jump to another character's point of view, it can be quite jarring and throw the reader right out of the story. I did find an occasional instance of head-hopping in this book.
Otherwise... I will be interested to see where the author takes the protagonist in the next book in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Read his full review on Rosepoint Publishing.
Being a police officer in Chicago has never been an easy or safe job. One would think being a security officer might be safer. Also, the pay for a policeman in Chicago wasn’t enough to properly care for a family. Hollis Montrose was a policeman supplementing his income with two other jobs, one as a security guard.
It was late at night behind a Macy’s department store when he was pulled over by a fellow white police officer. Hollis was held face down on the pavement and his license was never checked.
Ten slugs were found in his body as he struggled to stay alive after being rushed to the hospital.
This book shares the adjustment to life after the election of Barack Obama. The chapters are at times very gruesome but the end result is apparent. White officers had little regard for their African American fellow officers. The South was not dead in Chicago! 4 stars – CE Williams
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.
Being a police officer in Chicago has never been an easy or safe job. One would think being a security officer might be safer. Also, the pay for a policeman in Chicago wasn’t enough to properly care for a family. Hollis Montrose was a policeman supplementing his income with two other jobs, one as a security guard.
It was late at night behind a Macy’s department store when he was pulled over by a fellow white police officer. Hollis was held face down on the pavement and his license was never checked.
Ten slugs were found in his body as he struggled to stay alive after being rushed to the hospital.
This book shares the adjustment to life after the election of Barack Obama. The chapters are at times very gruesome but the end result is apparent. White officers had little regard for their African American fellow officers. The South was not dead in Chicago! 4 stars – CE Williams
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The night Barack Obama was elected President, Hollis Montrose a black, 25 year veteran police officer was physically removed from his car, thrown to the ground by 4 white police officers, shot 10 times and arrested. He miraculously survived and filed a $50M lawsuit against the City of Chicago. Championing his case was attorney, Beau Lee Cooper who believes in justice above all else.
Spinning the encounter, the 4 police officers falsified their report, destroyed evidence and continually lied.
This book could be a test case for racial profiling, prejudice and trigger happy men consumed by their own sense of power.
Written by a true civil-rights attorney, I struggled to remember that this was a work of fiction and not one of the attorney’s cases.
Does what happened to Hollis Montrose happen outside of the pages of this book? You only have to turn on the television for the answer. But does it also happen the other way around? Yes, absolutely. But that doesn’t make it right.
I would like to think we have come a long way since 2008, but this well written book is a strong reminder that all is not right in our world.
Thank you Netgalley and Bantam/Ballantine Books for the eARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book without remuneration and this review is my own opinion.
Spinning the encounter, the 4 police officers falsified their report, destroyed evidence and continually lied.
This book could be a test case for racial profiling, prejudice and trigger happy men consumed by their own sense of power.
Written by a true civil-rights attorney, I struggled to remember that this was a work of fiction and not one of the attorney’s cases.
Does what happened to Hollis Montrose happen outside of the pages of this book? You only have to turn on the television for the answer. But does it also happen the other way around? Yes, absolutely. But that doesn’t make it right.
I would like to think we have come a long way since 2008, but this well written book is a strong reminder that all is not right in our world.
Thank you Netgalley and Bantam/Ballantine Books for the eARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book without remuneration and this review is my own opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“Worse Than a Lie” is a legal mystery by Ben Crump. For me, this book is strongest when discussing law, rules, and the court. Mr. Crump can write well and I found this book very engaging. I can imagine that many people will enjoy this book - and the series that is planned with this character. What I found lacking, however, were the people involved in the attack - they seemed so over-the-top stereotypical that it was difficult for me to take this seriously. Yes, there is corruption, yes there are cover-ups … but the backstory “reason” for one character just felt “too too much” … and the ending, for me, read more like a TV court drama (maybe it happens in real life, but I don’t know). I liked the character of the two lawyers (Princess and Beau Lee) and Lee’s assistants and how they worked together and I can see others really enjoying reading more about them (or even just Beau Lee and his company as they tackle more cases). Would I read another book in this series - probably, but I would really hope that Mr. Crump’s bad guys aren’t so one-dimensional in their motivation and dastardly deeds.
“Worse Than a Lie” is a legal mystery by Ben Crump. For me, this book is strongest when discussing law, rules, and the court. Mr. Crump can write well and I found this book very engaging. I can imagine that many people will enjoy this book - and the series that is planned with this character. What I found lacking, however, were the people involved in the attack - they seemed so over-the-top stereotypical that it was difficult for me to take this seriously. Yes, there is corruption, yes there are cover-ups … but the backstory “reason” for one character just felt “too too much” … and the ending, for me, read more like a TV court drama (maybe it happens in real life, but I don’t know). I liked the character of the two lawyers (Princess and Beau Lee) and Lee’s assistants and how they worked together and I can see others really enjoying reading more about them (or even just Beau Lee and his company as they tackle more cases). Would I read another book in this series - probably, but I would really hope that Mr. Crump’s bad guys aren’t so one-dimensional in their motivation and dastardly deeds.
February 10, 2026
Worse Than a Lie by Ben Crump
Holy. This book- it’s heavy. It’s relevant. It is brilliant and beautiful. This is what we should be reading about, and this is what readers are demanding.
This book is political. It deals with racism. Injustice. Bigotry. And the thin blue line. It also deals with angels on earth, represented by Attorney Beau Lee and his incredible team.
This was such a powerful story. It was eye-opening, heartbreaking, and beautifully just. This was well written, with incredible characters, a twisted story, and a perspective we don’t often see.
This book will stay with me forever. And I am grateful to say that. Seeing the Black experience through the eyes of Black characters, written by a Black author- whew.
Knowing that there are men in the world like the dirty characters in this novel is horrific. And the fact that this plot is one we have all seen unfold on the news. We have all known someone, protested for someone, and taken our voices to the streets- but this work of art went to the next stratosphere.
I am so excited about this series, and cannot wait for the next case.
Publication date: February 17, 2026
Publisher: Bantam
Holy. This book- it’s heavy. It’s relevant. It is brilliant and beautiful. This is what we should be reading about, and this is what readers are demanding.
This book is political. It deals with racism. Injustice. Bigotry. And the thin blue line. It also deals with angels on earth, represented by Attorney Beau Lee and his incredible team.
This was such a powerful story. It was eye-opening, heartbreaking, and beautifully just. This was well written, with incredible characters, a twisted story, and a perspective we don’t often see.
This book will stay with me forever. And I am grateful to say that. Seeing the Black experience through the eyes of Black characters, written by a Black author- whew.
Knowing that there are men in the world like the dirty characters in this novel is horrific. And the fact that this plot is one we have all seen unfold on the news. We have all known someone, protested for someone, and taken our voices to the streets- but this work of art went to the next stratosphere.
I am so excited about this series, and cannot wait for the next case.
Publication date: February 17, 2026
Publisher: Bantam
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this novel. Beau Lee Cooper, a Texas civil rights attorney, takes the case of an off-duty black Metra officer, Hollis Montrose, gunned down by 4 Chicago policemen. The state charges Mr. Montrose criminally on the theory that he shot first. Mr. Cooper is both the defense attorney and is suing the Chicago PD, arguing that Mr. Montrose's shooting was unprovoked. The story follows Mr. Cooper's efforts to clear his client and get him justice. This story of police corruption is truly chilling. The bad guys are almost cartoonishly bad, and the state had no business bringing the case portrayed in the book, but this kind of litigation is Mr. Crump's area of expertise in real life, so he has probably seen cases like these. (These are not spoilers because the events are described in the prologue.) I kind of wish there had been more legal content in a legal thriller, but that's just my preference.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Very good story from the most credible source of our time! The premise and how it unfolded were mapped out well and came to a satisfying conclusion. Good setup for a series along the lines of the Lincoln Lawyer. However, the exposition and character development felt fairly simplistic. While I realize there are real people as evil as the villain and as God-fearing as the protagonists - both lacked complexity and it could be over the top at times. Chapter 50 also was unclear about who was where and when, seemingly mixing characters and their settings up. Granted, this was an uncorrected proof (with typos in nearly every chapter), so I'll give grace to some of those errors. I hope those all get worked out in the final copy. The ending took this from a 3-3.5 to a 4 for me, but more dynamic characters would have taken this over the top!
NOTE: I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion/review.
NOTE: I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion/review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Written by Ben Crump, a well-known civil rights attorney, Worse Than A Lie is a fictional story about police corruption and power in the upper echelons of the justice system.
When a police officer is pulled over for no other reason than being black, the officers who pulled him over refused to believe that he was also a cop. Instead, they shot him and tried to convince the courts that they were within their rights.
The courtroom scenes are brilliantly detailed with a strong emphasis on strategy. This book will challenge you to think critically about accountability in America and the injustices that are faced in our legal system.
Crump is a talented storyteller, which makes this book as compelling as it is entertaining.
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced reader copy.
When a police officer is pulled over for no other reason than being black, the officers who pulled him over refused to believe that he was also a cop. Instead, they shot him and tried to convince the courts that they were within their rights.
The courtroom scenes are brilliantly detailed with a strong emphasis on strategy. This book will challenge you to think critically about accountability in America and the injustices that are faced in our legal system.
Crump is a talented storyteller, which makes this book as compelling as it is entertaining.
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This debut novel by Ben Crump introduces us to Beau Lee Cooper, a man of faith, great humility, and compassion. Cooper is a civil rights attorney who knew from a young age that this would be his calling. The action moves quickly and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are so deftly drawn that it is easy to see them in your mind. The plot concerns a former police officer, a good man who loves his family and takes pride in a job well done, driving home from work one night when he is pulled over and brutally shot by other police officers. Cooper takes on the case and the Chicago Police Department in an effort to keep Hollis from going to jail, as the facts of the case are distorted and Hollis is portrayed as the instigator of the shooting.
Powerful and intense, this legal thriller is a great debut by Ben Crump. I’ll be looking for more from him!
Powerful and intense, this legal thriller is a great debut by Ben Crump. I’ll be looking for more from him!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, Ballantine, for providing the copy of Worse than a Lie by Ben Crump. I knew Crump was a lawyer, but did not know he was an author too, so I was excited to read this book. The idea for the story was really good, but the writing style was emotionless. I hope future books have more emotional depth. I loved the courtroom scenes, even though Beau Lee acted more like a seasoned, successful lawyer then the less experienced lawyer I was expecting. (I’m not sure how I got that expectation, but it makes for a better backstory IMO.) The big reeal came out of nowhere, but it was a fitting end. I will read other books in this series to see how Beau Lee’s character grows! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Ben Crump, Ballantine, and NetGalley for access to the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In this debut legal thriller, Hollis Montrose is headed home from work when he is pulled over by the Chicago police. The interaction that followed led to him being shot 10 times and later put on trial for charges stemming from the incident. Beau Lee Cooper is hired for the defense, and he deals with quite a few challenges in this difficult case.
The author has an extensive background in civil rights, and it shows through in the novel. The courtroom scenes are well written and will keep you engaged as we wonder how Beau Lee Cooper will find a way to successfully defend his client.
In this debut legal thriller, Hollis Montrose is headed home from work when he is pulled over by the Chicago police. The interaction that followed led to him being shot 10 times and later put on trial for charges stemming from the incident. Beau Lee Cooper is hired for the defense, and he deals with quite a few challenges in this difficult case.
The author has an extensive background in civil rights, and it shows through in the novel. The courtroom scenes are well written and will keep you engaged as we wonder how Beau Lee Cooper will find a way to successfully defend his client.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a well paced courtroom drama focused on social injustice and racism. The characters were engaging and the novel held my interest throughout, however it definitely read like a debut novel. The dialogue was stilted at time, almost to the point of distraction, the ending was predictable, and the characterization of the good guys vs bad guys was so definitive that the bad guys had no redeeming qualities and the good guys were profoundly righteous. Having said that, I am looking forward to the next book in the series because I really enjoyed the characters, and experience shows that authors improve with each book. Strongly recommended
Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for an advanced reader copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for an advanced reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Worse than a Lie has interesting messaging that probably hits pretty close to home for many. I felt the characters could have been a bit more developed for a first novel, that I expect will become a series if all goes well. Worse than a Lie is a good book for people that do not need the surprise twists in a book. The book followed a formula with layers, good guys, bad guys, friends, family, and a touch of Christian values.
This book is almost a cozy mystery with a bit more grit than a teapot and a cat. I would recommend this book to someone looking for a lawyer/police procedural that is pretty straightforward. I don’t want to give any spoilers!
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of Worse than a Lie. #NetGalley #WorseThanALie #BenCrump
This book is almost a cozy mystery with a bit more grit than a teapot and a cat. I would recommend this book to someone looking for a lawyer/police procedural that is pretty straightforward. I don’t want to give any spoilers!
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of Worse than a Lie. #NetGalley #WorseThanALie #BenCrump
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballentine for the free book in exchange for my honest review.
As the result of a traffic stop gone wrong, Hollis, a 53 year old Black ex–police officer from the suburbs of Chicago, is shot ten times in cold blood, by four white men who could have been his colleagues back in his police days. Miraculously, Hollis survives the encounter, but the Chicago police department has already spun the narrative in its favor, and Hollis is given a wrongful prison sentence with an unreasonable bail. Enter Beau Lee Cooper, a renowned civil rights attorney.
I love police procedural and legal thrillers so this one does not disappoint. This is a well written thriller with building tension and a fast pace. Loved it!
As the result of a traffic stop gone wrong, Hollis, a 53 year old Black ex–police officer from the suburbs of Chicago, is shot ten times in cold blood, by four white men who could have been his colleagues back in his police days. Miraculously, Hollis survives the encounter, but the Chicago police department has already spun the narrative in its favor, and Hollis is given a wrongful prison sentence with an unreasonable bail. Enter Beau Lee Cooper, a renowned civil rights attorney.
I love police procedural and legal thrillers so this one does not disappoint. This is a well written thriller with building tension and a fast pace. Loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The author writes a very pertinent police and judicial procedural about a crime that took place on the night that the country elected its first Black President. The question is whether the black man who was attacked was guilty of a crime..... or were the white police officers covering up what they did to him?? The characters were realistic which made it easy to become invested in the investigation, the truths and lies uncovered, and the culmination of the courtroom drama. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #WorseThanaLie
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