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Badge of Honor #7
The Investigators
A brutal crime...A group of urban terrorists...An investigation of dirty cops...The leads in these supposedly unconnected cases have become tangled in some very ugly--and dangerous--knots. Now Special Operations detective Matt Payne and his colleagues find themselves fearing not only for their jobs, but also for their very lives...
592 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 12, 1998
273 people are currently reading
656 people want to read
About the author
W.E.B. Griffin
351 books1,303 followersW.E.B. Griffin was one of several pseudonyms for William E. Butterworth III.
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 29, 2013
Definitely one of the better novels in the Badge of Honors series, if not the best. Matt Payne is still a bit tempestuous and is clearly the central character now in the series.
This was a great story and drew me in pretty quickly. More minor characters from previous books become more central. And interestingly, Griffin, who I wouldn't say uses a ton of literary techniques in his books, does use foreshadowing in this one, and I admit it caught me by surprise.
As typical, one of the major story arches kind of disappears for a while, and then gets resolved in the last 10 pages.
Starting to realize I"m going to miss this series when I'm done with it.
This was a great story and drew me in pretty quickly. More minor characters from previous books become more central. And interestingly, Griffin, who I wouldn't say uses a ton of literary techniques in his books, does use foreshadowing in this one, and I admit it caught me by surprise.
As typical, one of the major story arches kind of disappears for a while, and then gets resolved in the last 10 pages.
Starting to realize I"m going to miss this series when I'm done with it.
September 11, 2025
This novel dealt with a series of unlawful events that were concerning to several different branches of law enforcement. There were kidnappers, bank robbers, rapists, bombers, society events, gangsters, drug dealers and rotten cops. A lot to keep up with.
And that was the major problem I had. Although the causes were resolved by the various officers, each working together, or in some cases, crosswise, the jumping from problem to problem was confusing.
The stories all wrapped up in the end, with most of the bad guys heading to prison or early graves, and at least one special and important person dead, with another society person in a mental hospital.
Very good stories, although in my opinion, the storytelling could have been a little sooner, with more of a soft segue into a new view.
And that was the major problem I had. Although the causes were resolved by the various officers, each working together, or in some cases, crosswise, the jumping from problem to problem was confusing.
The stories all wrapped up in the end, with most of the bad guys heading to prison or early graves, and at least one special and important person dead, with another society person in a mental hospital.
Very good stories, although in my opinion, the storytelling could have been a little sooner, with more of a soft segue into a new view.
January 5, 2019
The cast returns with more complex plots and entanglements. I really enjoy the way the author uses the same characters in each book, always introducing some new incidental ones, but he focuses on one or two in particular per book to keep the series from stagnating. The plots are generally fairly intricate but eventually come together at the end. This book featured the young Matt Payne. He is kind of a jerk through it all (IMO), and I saw the ending coming, but the story was still thoroughly enjoyable.
October 14, 2019
9.5 out of 10. As soon as I picked this book up and looked at the length, I knew I wasn't going to be thrilled with the ending. The same thing happens with TV shows and some movies.
December 5, 2011
Ok if you are reading Badge of Honor series #7 you too are most likely hooked as I am-- so lets cut to the chase-- "Another good to great" novel in the series -- Great -- is to watch the advancement of the main Characters -- now that we own them and care about them-- good-- in that there is not too much surprising in the story telling-- and the story is starting to wear thin-- so As I begin # 9 I am hoping for more from he author --than just a money script to keep him in bacon and beans--
November 2, 2020
I have to look past a lot of stuff when the setting for this is supposed to be 1975.
I also really liked early Matt Payne. It seems he is just more and more outrageous with each book.
This is the third or fourth book in a row where the ending was rushed. I guess Griffin was all about the Taylor Ham and the name dropping of beer/whiskeys rather than finishing out a story with a good solid ending.
I also really liked early Matt Payne. It seems he is just more and more outrageous with each book.
This is the third or fourth book in a row where the ending was rushed. I guess Griffin was all about the Taylor Ham and the name dropping of beer/whiskeys rather than finishing out a story with a good solid ending.
February 26, 2020
This book in the Badge of Honor series has Detective Matt Payne putting his career and his life at risk as he tackles both the cases of eco-terrorists and dirty narcotics squad cops. There are also numerous subplots, including the rape of a Philadelphia monster's granddaughter that has the don waging a war to find the culprit.
Once I got about a quarter of the way through the story, I was able to keep the characters straight, and it is a numerous cast, after having read a few books that come later in the series. The plot is woven together really well and the loose ends are tied up nicely by the end. If someone has the patience to follow the events in the first few chapters, they are rewarded with a terrific story. This review is a little short for such a long novel, but to do the book justice I would have to start throwing out spoilers left and right. Highly recommended for mystery fans and anyone who loves cop shows.
Once I got about a quarter of the way through the story, I was able to keep the characters straight, and it is a numerous cast, after having read a few books that come later in the series. The plot is woven together really well and the loose ends are tied up nicely by the end. If someone has the patience to follow the events in the first few chapters, they are rewarded with a terrific story. This review is a little short for such a long novel, but to do the book justice I would have to start throwing out spoilers left and right. Highly recommended for mystery fans and anyone who loves cop shows.
March 23, 2017
Hard hitting detective story set in Philadelphia, with a large cast of characters who are dealing with a horrid crime, dirty cops, the mobs and terrorists that all converge around the main characters. Like all big city police departments police are often connected by family ties that go back generations and departments larger than most small towns where the control of abuse of power, politics and corruption are inevitable no matter how diligent any Police Commissioner is.
Fast paced with many plots, the main character a highly educated and wealthy young Detective, Matt Payne who has risen quickly in the ranks because of connections and his bravado in past cases becomes a pivotal player in these cases where his lack of discipline and weakness in being led around by his nether parts complicates the plot. Payne is not my kind of cop, he is too much of a hot-dog and I tend to embrace officers more like his mentor Inspector Fredrick Wohl. Being my Dad was a Philadelphia boy and full Irish, with many who became cops and firemen, and continue to work in those professions I can appreciate how so many things can go wrong. Great read.
Fast paced with many plots, the main character a highly educated and wealthy young Detective, Matt Payne who has risen quickly in the ranks because of connections and his bravado in past cases becomes a pivotal player in these cases where his lack of discipline and weakness in being led around by his nether parts complicates the plot. Payne is not my kind of cop, he is too much of a hot-dog and I tend to embrace officers more like his mentor Inspector Fredrick Wohl. Being my Dad was a Philadelphia boy and full Irish, with many who became cops and firemen, and continue to work in those professions I can appreciate how so many things can go wrong. Great read.
July 29, 2019
Standard W.E.B Griffin fare.
For some reason he loves writing about rich people - many of the characters in this book are interchangeable with characters in his military novels. Rich kids doing jobs their parents don't approve of.
It is amazing how many people on this Police Department are millionaires. Much like the millionaires he has written in his army and Marine novels. (One character contemplating the fact that he has five paychecks in his desk that he has forgotten to cash)
As for this story, much of the story is a continuation from the previous novel. That does give it some continuity.
While it was an entertaining novel, it was fairly predictable. In fact about 3 quarters of the way in you can pretty much guess the ending.
Over on my opinion it is not the best novel in this series.
For some reason he loves writing about rich people - many of the characters in this book are interchangeable with characters in his military novels. Rich kids doing jobs their parents don't approve of.
It is amazing how many people on this Police Department are millionaires. Much like the millionaires he has written in his army and Marine novels. (One character contemplating the fact that he has five paychecks in his desk that he has forgotten to cash)
As for this story, much of the story is a continuation from the previous novel. That does give it some continuity.
While it was an entertaining novel, it was fairly predictable. In fact about 3 quarters of the way in you can pretty much guess the ending.
Over on my opinion it is not the best novel in this series.
July 14, 2020
I liked the plot in this one- the main plot involving the dirty cops. The secondary plot of the terrorist group wasn’t very good & a lot of it became unbelievable as the romance went on... But overall the plot was interesting and detailed. I felt like most of it can & does happen, as police officers do often have the chance for corruption.
My major complaints were a) the cheesy dialogue and b) why the author felt the need to use every character’s full name all the time, including middle initial!!!
My major complaints were a) the cheesy dialogue and b) why the author felt the need to use every character’s full name all the time, including middle initial!!!
August 6, 2025
This series is like potato chips or popcorn to me. I just keep reading them one after another. I like most of the characters and it is interesting to see how they develop from one book to another. I didn't really like the subplot romance of Matt Payne, and I am very interested on seeing how Griffin handles him in the next book.
It's apparent that Matt Payne has the "Cartwright Curse" in this series.
It's apparent that Matt Payne has the "Cartwright Curse" in this series.
December 15, 2023
Fun to read? 4 stars
Easy to follow? 5 stars
Plot? 3 stars
Characters? 2- 4 stars
Good / entertaining characters: Wohl, mafia boss, and sometimes Matt Payne
Less interesting characters: Susan (who is a major character), unit 5.
Why it’s not rated higher? Too much of a love / sex story.
Why I put it in the “like” category? It reminded me of an 80’s LE story that is just fun to follow.
This is my first Griffin novel. I do see why people like him and will read another.
Easy to follow? 5 stars
Plot? 3 stars
Characters? 2- 4 stars
Good / entertaining characters: Wohl, mafia boss, and sometimes Matt Payne
Less interesting characters: Susan (who is a major character), unit 5.
Why it’s not rated higher? Too much of a love / sex story.
Why I put it in the “like” category? It reminded me of an 80’s LE story that is just fun to follow.
This is my first Griffin novel. I do see why people like him and will read another.
March 14, 2022
This is a good police story. It involves two concurrent cases. They are a terrorist case and a dirty cops case. The book was confusing at first, But once I determined the parts in italics was peoples thoughts I enjoyed the book. There were a large group of different people. It became a challenge to keep track of all of them.
December 8, 2023
8/10
Plot was super interesting and connected perfectly from beginning to end. Main characters were a little bit obnoxious/cringe simply put. The end felt weak and rushed, but no plot points were left unfinished. There were so many characters which made it difficult to remember each chapter, but also kept things interesting. There was definitely never a moment of boredom.
Plot was super interesting and connected perfectly from beginning to end. Main characters were a little bit obnoxious/cringe simply put. The end felt weak and rushed, but no plot points were left unfinished. There were so many characters which made it difficult to remember each chapter, but also kept things interesting. There was definitely never a moment of boredom.
May 24, 2023
I’m forever hooked!
Have read and listened to 6 now and I love his writing style and the characters he creates! I’ve been an avid reader of a wide variety of genre and he’s become my favorite author for a relaxing evening with a glass of wine.
Have read and listened to 6 now and I love his writing style and the characters he creates! I’ve been an avid reader of a wide variety of genre and he’s become my favorite author for a relaxing evening with a glass of wine.
December 2, 2023
Matt Paine, the PPD's "fair-haired boy" is getting more unlikeable and obnoxious with his smart-ass mouth with every new volume. Not to mention every girl who falls for him ends up dead... and him the hero cop of the day who can do no wrong....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2023
Loads of colourful characters introduced; takes a bit of time and patience to get through and keep straight. Well worth the effort though. Story has some great turns and unexpected twists. First time reading Griffin's work. Like the tone and pace of the writing. Good read!
October 3, 2025
Book seven of this series is even better than any of its predecessors. WEB did a superb job of melding the main character into two separate stories. As always his use of Pennsylvania as a part of his background brings everything alive.
December 23, 2017
FBI, Philadelphia PD and mobster's family mixed together in bank robbery, bad drug deal and dirty cops.
January 4, 2018
I stumbled across this book and now I want to read the series.
August 17, 2019
The previous books in this series were just boring. This book is not only boring but long winded and boring. Could not finish.
August 27, 2019
Matt falls in love with another girl who is a good friend of a terrorist. that robs banks and had bomb building.
October 1, 2019
Great
I still wish that I didn't have to write 20 words. Mr. Butterworth is a great author, who keeps my attention throughout the entire book.
I still wish that I didn't have to write 20 words. Mr. Butterworth is a great author, who keeps my attention throughout the entire book.
February 28, 2020
Not his best--unlikely plot line
June 1, 2020
Good story and characters but way too many named characters. I had to start the book over after three chapters and wrote down the all names with a clue as to how they fit into the story.
June 5, 2020
4.5 - another highly enjoyable visit with this cast of cops, and characters in a series which keeps getting better and better.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
January 18, 2021
Multiple mysteries and plots.
January 20, 2021
Rcsva13
I'm rereading this whole series again and enjoying it as much as the first time. Awaiting release of more books in this series
I'm rereading this whole series again and enjoying it as much as the first time. Awaiting release of more books in this series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews