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Butch Karp #27
Trap
“The pace is fast, the courtroom scenes make you feel like you’re there” (Kirkus Reviews)—a devastating deadly explosion sets a breakneck tone that never lets up in New York Times bestselling author Robert K. Tanenbaum’s action-packed Butch Karp legal drama.
A tremendous fatal blast rocks a book-signing event where supporters have gathered to see the inspirational leading advocate for New York City charter schools, a Holocaust survivor. A neo-Nazi is the prime suspect, but District Attorney Butch Karp believes the hate crime may be a cover-up for a more sinister plot. The treacherous teacher’s union president has long been furious at the unqualified successes of the charter school movement, which threatens to expose his corrupt practices—manipulation and misappropriation of union funds and, now, possibly even murder.
But is there another motive behind the attack that could derail the case? How will Karp discover the set-up, and can he do so in time to bring justice? This exciting legal thriller ends in a dramatic courtroom showdown that proves New York Times bestselling author Robert K. Tanenbaum is always at the top of his game.
A tremendous fatal blast rocks a book-signing event where supporters have gathered to see the inspirational leading advocate for New York City charter schools, a Holocaust survivor. A neo-Nazi is the prime suspect, but District Attorney Butch Karp believes the hate crime may be a cover-up for a more sinister plot. The treacherous teacher’s union president has long been furious at the unqualified successes of the charter school movement, which threatens to expose his corrupt practices—manipulation and misappropriation of union funds and, now, possibly even murder.
But is there another motive behind the attack that could derail the case? How will Karp discover the set-up, and can he do so in time to bring justice? This exciting legal thriller ends in a dramatic courtroom showdown that proves New York Times bestselling author Robert K. Tanenbaum is always at the top of his game.
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First published August 11, 2015
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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 71 reviews
December 3, 2015
While I always enjoy catching up with Marlene and Butch and their kids who are all growing up, Tanenbaum's books are becoming rather perfunctory. This time out, a dear friend is murdered when a car bomb blows up at a book signing for her book about the Holocaust. There is a good chance it was done by the Neo-Nazis who deny the Holocaust. But Butch believes there is something more involved and boy, is he right. While Rose Lubinsky was a Holocaust survivor who carried a lot of guilt around, she was also active in the charter school movement, which was facing agitation from the New York Teachers' Union. The Union, headed by Thomas Monroe, has been skimming money for years from the Union and now they face an audit that will reveal the depths of several peoples' greed. Butch has to ferret out the truth among many diverse threads to pull the correct string. A deft legal thriller, Tanenbaum knows how to write.
February 18, 2018
This is sort of a two part book, the first is the crime and the second is the trial. NY DA Butch Karp and is drawn into a political fight between the head of the NY teachers union and is local DA and the leader of a charter school movement over a bill up before the NY government which would expose he union head long time fiddling with the union monies. When the fight turns deadly when threats and bribes fail Butch is drawn into the investigation. Add to this a small group of Neo Nazis who are harassing the charter school leader who is Jewish making the investigation more complicated. The second part is the trial of the accused killer which pits Butch up against a long time and accomplished defense lawyer. A good absorbing read with plenty more going on then I have mentioned above.
May 1, 2019
As always I live this series. This series although as stated before I have read out of order is best read in order as this is a building story with tons of reoccurring players. This one just like the other deals with some of the horrors of our time. This one with Jews, skinheads, race and unions. All very hot button topics and sometimes hard to fathom and for me hard to understand. Pride in who you are is all over this book and on the other side of pride is greed! Enjoy!
July 22, 2019
Good story. I didn't realize it was a series. I would like to read more!
November 4, 2016
The customary courtroom drama in the Butch Karp series takes up about half of this novel, but it isn’t as dramatic as most of the prior episodes. Although the legal description is proficient, it is highly technical in nature and less dramatic than many of the previous legal battles, which are always a highlight of a Robert K. Tanenbaum story. This tale is a mixture of a Karp family saga, hate crimes, deranged arsonist and bomber, religious beliefs combined with Nazi sympathizers and events during the Holocaust and World War II, and the conflict between the public school system, the teachers union as led by corrupt officers and charter schools. How’s that for a mouthful?
What leads up to the courtroom scene are a series of events and even a murder or two. The Teacher’s Federation president is attempting to head off a bill in Albany which would result in an audit that would expose him and his cohorts for stealing funds from the union’s coffers. The author certainly knows better than this premise. Certainly unions are subject to regular audits. But for the plot to work, this fact has to be ignored.
So the battle between proponents of the charter school legislation, who want a mandatory audit of the Teacher’s Federation, and the corrupt union and public officials, ultimately sets the stage for the dramatic trial. As side issues, we have a scraggly group of Nazi sympathizers who conveniently serves as a red herring in the lead-up to murder charges, and Karp’s twin sons’ wishy-washy approach to their religious beliefs and late (by several years) Bar Mitzvah.
All in all, however, this was an enjoyable read, and is recommended.
What leads up to the courtroom scene are a series of events and even a murder or two. The Teacher’s Federation president is attempting to head off a bill in Albany which would result in an audit that would expose him and his cohorts for stealing funds from the union’s coffers. The author certainly knows better than this premise. Certainly unions are subject to regular audits. But for the plot to work, this fact has to be ignored.
So the battle between proponents of the charter school legislation, who want a mandatory audit of the Teacher’s Federation, and the corrupt union and public officials, ultimately sets the stage for the dramatic trial. As side issues, we have a scraggly group of Nazi sympathizers who conveniently serves as a red herring in the lead-up to murder charges, and Karp’s twin sons’ wishy-washy approach to their religious beliefs and late (by several years) Bar Mitzvah.
All in all, however, this was an enjoyable read, and is recommended.
January 6, 2016
This is exactly the kind of Butch Karp book that got me involved in the series in the beginning. I love the way Karp puts his case together, revealing one piece of the puzzle at a time until he has the defendant locked up tight for a guilty verdict (this isn't a spoiler, if you've read any of these books, you know it will happen). The usual danger to his family was present, but it took up only a small portion of the book, and was resolved relatively quickly. There is one scene in this book that I will likely never forget the horror of. It comes right at the beginning of the book, and I'm not sure it was necessary. I can only think of one scene from a Jonathan Kellerman book that even begins to rival it for how likely I am to forget it.
August 17, 2015
I wish this book was as good as the rest of the books in this series, sadly it's not even close. The plot seems flat, and the natural charm and integrity of the main characters don't work as well in this book as the rest of the series.
If you love this series don't read it until they release the next book that I hope is far better than this one. I will be annoyed that this book sucked for about a year until I get my next fix.
If you love this series don't read it until they release the next book that I hope is far better than this one. I will be annoyed that this book sucked for about a year until I get my next fix.
September 18, 2018
Reminded me a lot of James Patterson's style of writing but I felt like I wasn't invested in the story as much as I would like to have been. A little to heavy on the race issues and that just doesn't hold my attention the way some other subject matter is able to.
I also have not read any others from this series so I feel like there would be more of an impact if I had gotten to know the MC over time like intended.
Decent read just not really my thing.
I also have not read any others from this series so I feel like there would be more of an impact if I had gotten to know the MC over time like intended.
Decent read just not really my thing.
July 31, 2016
Cliché ridden, eye rolling moments throughout.Tanenbaum could have substituted a T for the C in the title and it would have been a better fit.The court room scenes were the reason it even got two stars.Hiring an editor would go a long way to improving his books.
August 20, 2015
Wow - what a shill for charter schools. I cringed every time one of the characters went on an anti-union/pro-charter rant. The story was heavy handed even for Tanenbaum and felt rushed.
September 15, 2015
Terrible book - a political diatribe against public schools.
March 8, 2016
can't take 300 pages of anti-union ranting.
June 11, 2018
Robert Tannenbaum never disappoints!
I enjoyed the Holocaust element and Giancarlo & Zak (they're not mentioned often enough).
I am on to the next in the series!
I enjoyed the Holocaust element and Giancarlo & Zak (they're not mentioned often enough).
I am on to the next in the series!
September 16, 2017
Robert K Tanenbaum writes another awesome book with Trap.
I applaud him for taking on the teachers unions and the anti-school choice zealots. I further applaud him for taking them on while taking on Nazi's, white supremacists and haters of the Jewish faith. He gave us a history of charter schools and the Jews in such a compelling and fact based manner. In light of what's happening today in our streets and educational politics, that he did it so effectively in 2015 was downright prescient. Those zealots and their sycophants rioting/whining today could stand to learn a few facts and a lot of history.
We didn't see many of the characters we usually meet in the Karp/Ciampi novels and while they were sorely missed it was refreshing that Tanenbaum brought Trap back to the city with legal issues and less about global issues and fighting terrorism. Tanenbaum brought Butch Karp back to his roots.
I applaud him for taking on the teachers unions and the anti-school choice zealots. I further applaud him for taking them on while taking on Nazi's, white supremacists and haters of the Jewish faith. He gave us a history of charter schools and the Jews in such a compelling and fact based manner. In light of what's happening today in our streets and educational politics, that he did it so effectively in 2015 was downright prescient. Those zealots and their sycophants rioting/whining today could stand to learn a few facts and a lot of history.
We didn't see many of the characters we usually meet in the Karp/Ciampi novels and while they were sorely missed it was refreshing that Tanenbaum brought Trap back to the city with legal issues and less about global issues and fighting terrorism. Tanenbaum brought Butch Karp back to his roots.
May 20, 2017
In Trap, Tanenbaum puts the legal process at the core of the story. Reading this Tanenbaum novel reminds me so much of what has attracted and sustained my interest in courtroom novels. We experience the legal process from the defense lawyer's perspective. The novel ends with an engaging view of the courtroom process.
Tanenbaum creates a setting that most of us would say is not fertile ground for a courtroom procedural novel. The murder in the novel grows out of the rise of charter schools in New York City.
Tanenbaum creates a setting that most of us would say is not fertile ground for a courtroom procedural novel. The murder in the novel grows out of the rise of charter schools in New York City.
March 21, 2023
More Message than story but important message nonetheless.
Have read over 20 Butch and Marlene Karp books. Loved most of them. As a story this one is somewhat simplistic and not one of Tanenbaum’s best. More of a message of the dangers of antisemitism which was fine. The courtroom scene is overly drawn out for the expected conclusion. Tanenbaum is usually great and I hope he returns to form. Marlene, Lucy, and Tran are the stars of the series. This was like the comedian who forgot the funny.
Have read over 20 Butch and Marlene Karp books. Loved most of them. As a story this one is somewhat simplistic and not one of Tanenbaum’s best. More of a message of the dangers of antisemitism which was fine. The courtroom scene is overly drawn out for the expected conclusion. Tanenbaum is usually great and I hope he returns to form. Marlene, Lucy, and Tran are the stars of the series. This was like the comedian who forgot the funny.
Read
November 3, 2022My rule is - read until page 30 and if it isn't working for me, take it back to the library. In this case I was tempted to give it away at about page 10. I hate being lectured. The language used here is clumsy and when the word 'belied' was used incorrectly I had to go and have a lie down and a cup of tea. And this is number 27? I note other reviewers, some of them loyal readers, have dismissed the book as well.
January 16, 2026
I have been a fan of Butch Karp and Mr Tanenbaum for years. This book is not one of his stronger stories. In real life Mr Karp would not be allowed as the prosecuting attorney in the murder case due to his strong connection to all the evidence accumulated . This book of fiction was very similar to a Hallmark TV movie with good defeating evil with everything falling into place for the ending. I cared about many of the characters. Thanks RKT rest in peace.
February 16, 2023
always great reads
Love these books. The family is so real. The struggle the young Jewish boy suffered was also made real. There are many, many bad people in this world who are only there for themselves. Thank goodness, there are those who are brave enough to stand up to those people and even being bad themselves confess and take their punishment.
Love these books. The family is so real. The struggle the young Jewish boy suffered was also made real. There are many, many bad people in this world who are only there for themselves. Thank goodness, there are those who are brave enough to stand up to those people and even being bad themselves confess and take their punishment.
September 29, 2017
Neo-Nazis are protesting a book about the Holocaust when three women die in a firey explosion, one who is a leader of a charter school movement. The leadership of the teacher's union have taken ever means possible to silence her. This is a tale of corruption, arson, and murder set in New York City.
May 15, 2017
Been awhile since I read one of these. Was like running into an old friend that you haven't seen in a few years.
June 25, 2017
A good read but not as great as the earlier Butch and Marlene books. Enjoyed the twins update but Lucy was sadly missing.
March 19, 2018
Typical Butch Karp courtroom drama.
March 26, 2019
Good story with good characters. As always, a fast pace.
September 11, 2019
Would not recommend! Repetitious, pretentious, not a fan.
July 10, 2020
I found this in a little free library. I loved the incorporation of what is means to be Jewish in the modern day and though the trial was expertly thought out
November 15, 2020
Good drama with a nice blend of Holocaust survivors, charter school supporters and white supremacy. Like the main characters a lot
May 3, 2022
Hadn't read about Karp and Marlene for awhile. This book gives a lot of Jewish history which I enjoyed. The plot involving charter schools was also interesting. A good read over all.
March 2, 2023
good story
I identified with the character of Rose and the coming of age of Zak. Being Jewish and knowing what I know of the holocaust, I think this story come full circle.
I identified with the character of Rose and the coming of age of Zak. Being Jewish and knowing what I know of the holocaust, I think this story come full circle.
September 5, 2015
#27 in the Roger “Butch” Karp and Marlene Ciampi series (#12 actually written by author Tanenbaum after the first 15 were ghosted by Michael Gruber). Thankfully, Tanenbaum has gotten away from the Sons of Man and the global terrorism theme. Here the theme is praise for the Charter School system and the villains are intent on bringing it down.
NYC DA "Butch" Karp & Marlene Ciampi series - At a book signing for Holocaust survivor Rose Lubinsky at the bakery owned by Moishe and Goldie Sobelman, a car bomb kills her and two others. Suspicion falls on a neo-Nazi rabble rouser, and after his release from arrest he swears vengeance on DA Karp by abducting his two sons and Goldie Sobelman. Meanwhile, suspicion has shifted to a conspiracy by the head of the NYC Teacher's Union, the corrupt Brooklyn DA and her psychotic lover. Their goal is to escape an audit of Union funds, an audit being pushed for by Rose Lubinsky.
NYC DA "Butch" Karp & Marlene Ciampi series - At a book signing for Holocaust survivor Rose Lubinsky at the bakery owned by Moishe and Goldie Sobelman, a car bomb kills her and two others. Suspicion falls on a neo-Nazi rabble rouser, and after his release from arrest he swears vengeance on DA Karp by abducting his two sons and Goldie Sobelman. Meanwhile, suspicion has shifted to a conspiracy by the head of the NYC Teacher's Union, the corrupt Brooklyn DA and her psychotic lover. Their goal is to escape an audit of Union funds, an audit being pushed for by Rose Lubinsky.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews