Frame-Up

by Eric Christopherson, Brad Schoenfeld (co-author)

Will Pruett is a young magazine journalist with a father who sits on death row, claiming innocence. While his father's execution date looms, capital punishment is under consideration for abolishment by the state government of New York. Will seeks to influence the debate and to speed the abolishment along by framing himself for a murder he had nothing to do with--demonstrating how a simple coincidence or two can cost an innocent man his neck. With assistance from his publisher and a defense attorney, Will succeeds in getting himself arrested for the murder before realizing the actual murderer has arranged for him to take the fall for real . . .

NYPD Homicide detective Samantha "Sam" Ortiz conducts an investigation complicated by a city on edge due to racial tensions inflamed by the murder, by a district attorney anxious to capitalize on the case in time for his reelection, by a thirst for revenge within her own police department, and by the man she'd put behind bars who belatedly insists he'd incriminated himself on purpose.

Sam must not only determine whether Will is telling the truth but also follow unexpected investigative leads involving Nazi-stolen artwork missing since WW II and illicit high-tech genetic engineering. Will she crack the case? Or will there be a family reunion on death row?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2010

About the author

Eric is a former police officer and federal government consultant. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Texas at Tyler, and he has a graduate degree from Duke University. He was born in California, grew up in New England, and has since lived throughout the USA and a bit in Asia. He now lives in semi-rural Ohio with his wife, Seiko, and their children, Keith and Annabel.

Reviews

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t even realize this book was going to be a mystery. Kind of a bait & switch theme. I get the reasoning, but I think I would have enjoyed the whole thing more had it just been up front that it wasn’t a mystery who done it not set up for taking down the death penalty. It wasn’t a bad book, it just wasn’t what I was expecting to be reading. Characters were good, I could have done without some of the language used, but maybe it was necessary to make it more authentic.

[Misty Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had several periods of literary addiction in my life. My classics phase, where I devoured anything and everything written in the 1800′s. My romance phase, where I didn’t really care how cheesy it came, as long as the story had some smooching, and then… my who-done-it phase, where I cleaned out the Barnes & Noble shelves of authors like Patrica Cornwell, Robin Cook and James Patterson.

It has been a while (I hate to confess) since I have committed my brain to the inner workings of a “cop thriller,” but I am ecstatic to say that I still have that “need” to figure “it” out.

There are few things better than trying to figure out a mystery, this is the exact reason television shows like CSI, and Bones have thrived for so long. The viewer, or reader (in this case,) is given a handful of situations and asked to figure out their significance, but right when you think you have it, the author takes those pieces, throws them into a Yahtzee cup, shakes them up and you have to start again.

In “Frame-Up” Eric Christopherson and Brad Schoenfeld do exactly that.

Will is a magazine journalist who’s life is about to change. On a mission to make an example out of New York’s legal system he does the unthinkable…he frames himself for a murder he didn’t commit. What murder exactly? A racially motivated murder of a New York police officer. Hoping to get some insight (and maybe a Pulitzer) Will takes the plunge and lands himself in the slammer, but when his “search for the ultimate story” starts to become a little “too real” he is desperate to find a way out. Is it to late to take back all of the evidence he stacked against himself, and will the people that helped him get there have his back or will they leave him hanging?

While this is not necessarily a traditional “who done it” (more a unique way of spouting the authors political views) the writing/plot elements are still the same. The “focused” plot is immediately established in the opening sequence of the novel, and is then followed up by sub-connecting plots which are inserted to create a web of conflicting clues. The pace was quick and solid, leaving no time for the reader to nod off, and the characters (with 1 exception) were very will established and superbly detailed in not only their personal but business persona’s.

There was, however… one VERY notable problem with character development (this is the aforementioned exception) “Will” is a very (highly) educated man. He not only spouts a private primary education, but a degree from Columbia, so the authors need to fill his inner and peer dialogue with rough Ebonics not only felt misplaced, but in places came across as ridiculous or offensive. Establishment of this character as having “come from the ghetto” was clear, and the authors’ constant need to reiterate his education made his use of words like “fo shizzle” sickeningly unbelievable and had me rolling my eyes.

This novel was by no means perfect, but the twists and turns were enough to make it enjoyable. Approximately 70% of the way in the plot gets smacked around making it hard to put down, and though then ending of the novel left a little to be desired, I wouldn’t call it a deal breaker.

All in all? Intelligent story, captivating plot.

Get it, Live it, Love it… pass it on.

Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: never leave ALL of your “evidence” with 1 person… what if they suddenly decide they hate you?

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the synopsis caught my attention when I first started reading it I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to finish it as it seemed a bit disjointed. However I was wrong and it soon captured my imagination. Will, a journalist on a magazine, has an estranged dad who is currently on death row for a crime that he insists he didn't commit. After previously writing an article on the rights and wrongs of capital punishment his editor meets with him and puts an idea to him - frame yourself for a murder to prove that innocent black men can and do end up on death row. After a couple of days of thinking about it he is rushed into making his decision when a racist cop is found murdered. He informs three people of the plan - his dad (who tells him NOT to do it), his girlfriend and his close friend who is his alibi for when he is convicted, as proof that he COULD NOT have committed the crime. His friend is not really convinced of the plan but agrees to flee the country so that he can't perjure himself, after first taking ownership of a pen drive which contains documents and videos of his editor and legal consultants of the plan which will also prove his innocence.

Racial tensions are running high and after being arrested and arraigned and sent to RIKERS a notorious prison and being assaulted by the police and a prisoner on the way he comes to his senses and realises that he cannot go through with his plan and rings his editor who prior to the arrest promises to make herself available anytime that he wants to speak to her, however he soon finds out that she has gone back on her word and he now has to convince the arresting officer of the "ridiculous" plan - which is harder than he thought, especially as his friend turns up dead, the pen drive has been wiped clean and his editor and the legal consultants deny all knowledge of the plan...

I loved this story and the different elements to it - genetic engineering, nazi art theft etc. It's very rare that when approaching the end of a book that I will stay up way past my bed time to finish it as I get little enough sleep as it is, but last night I found myself staying up 2 hours past my bed time as I wanted to finish reading it as I was enjoying it too much. First book that I have read by this author - received it as a freebie through Amazon and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrillers with a difference.

[Ruth Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite knowing from the beginning how key elements of the book would likely play out (and they did) the book was well written and a page turner because there were multiple storylines.

Will, who clearly allows is visions of greatness and self righteousness to put his brain on pause, agrees to frame himself for the ugly murder of a racist cop. But Will is determined to prove the obvious - black men sometimes get convicted for crimes they did not commit and end up on death row. Just like his father, supposedly. So when his editor offers him the opportunity of a lifetime - Will foolishly thinks he must do this for his father, the brothers in the hood and the potential book deals it will receive.

But can Will really trust his editor to follow through and rescue him in the 11th hour - can this college educated fella who left the "hood" a long time ago, really survive in prison - on death row?

What do you think?

But this story also includes an interesting storyline about the treasurers stolen from the Jews by the Nazis which include art work worth millions. The writers also include believable characters. Including the Latin Sam (female) cop who does not think even with such an open and shut case they should cut corners.

I actually stayed up to 1 a.m. trying to finish the book (on my iPhone!) and I was not disappointed. Oh my goodness, I just wish they would make it into a movie just for the court scene. It was priceless.

The Kindle edition also includes an excerpt from Christopherson's Crack-Up which certainly grabs your attention. After seeing how he handles plotting and believable details in the face of craziness so I look forward to reading the book.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will, an overly-ambitious magazine writer, and his publisher concoct a scheme, frame the writer for a murder he didn’t commit and hold back the evidence that will eventually exonerate him. Will objects to the death penalty, some of his reasons very personal. This should make his point to the public and maybe win him a Pulitzer Prize. Brilliant idea, right?

On its’ face the premise seems farfetched, but as I came to understand Will and his motivations I bought into it. I’ve read that any fiction requires the reader to “suspend disbelief” at some point. I anticipated this would be tough. Turns out I was wrong.

But, as with any book of this type, things are not as they seem. Some characters have motivations that aren’t as they first appear. When the plan starts falling apart those who seemed allies sometimes aren’t. Your perceived enemies might really be your best friends. Those who should want the truth uncovered might not, those who don’t, maybe do. Hopefully, in the end, Will can survive, but will the price be too high?

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frame-Up, a free e-book from Amazon, had a different plot that caught my interest. Will conspires with his publisher to get himself framed for murder to, among other more personal reasons, prove how easily an innocent man can be wrongfully convicted and sentenced to the death penalty. after he successfully gets himself arrested and charged with the capital murder of a police officer and thrown in jail, Will has second thoughts and wants out, only to find his publisher denies the whole plot. Will now has to convince the police of his innocence and finds that all of his exonerating evidence has disappeared or is missing.

Other than having to suspend belief that a person could actually think this sounded like a good idea, the book was an interesting read. The sub-plots which tie into the murder and Will's predicament were unexpected and somewhat distracted me from the main plot. And for a short part of the book the author started using street slang in some of the dialog which seemed forced and out of character. Other then that, I enjoyed the characters and the book.

[Brinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up as a free e-book. The premise seemed interesting and looked like a good book to get me out of my romance rut. A black reporter attempts to frame himself for murder in order to show how easy it is for an innocent person to get the death penalty. What could possibly go wrong?

Sounds like a bad idea from the beginning, but Will has his reasons, which override his common sense. It is interesting enough to keep you reading to find out how he gets out of this mess. Sam Ortiz, the detective who won't give up, is a great character. She is tough and determined. If you like police/crime dramas, this is a good read.

[WiLoveBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up as a free e-book. The premise seemed interesting and looked like a good book to get me out of my romance rut. A black reporter attempts to frame himself for murder in order to show how easy it is for an innocent person to get the death penalty. What could possibly go wrong?

Sounds like a bad idea from the beginning, but Will has his reasons, which override his common sense. It is interesting enough to keep you reading to find out how he gets out of this mess. Sam Ortiz, the detective who won't give up, is a great character. She is tough and determined. If you like police/crime dramas, this is a good read.

[Joo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another well writen original story from Eric Christopherson. I enjoyed his other two books and this one is possibly the best.

In short it's the story of a black newspaper writer who has the idea to frame himself for a murder just to prove how injustices occur when someone is in the wrong place at the wrong time and coincidences occur.

It kind of reminded me of a John Grisham novel where the story gets deeper and deeper. It was very well written and a very good read.

I'm just sad now that I have read all of Eric's books and there's not another one for me to read.

[Joy Stephenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will Pruett, a black New York journalist, is persuaded to allow himself to be framed for the murder of a police officer, in order to bring to public attention how often black people are subject to mis-carriages of justice. This is a good zippy thriller, which is generally well-plotted and with believable characters. The only part I wasn't entirely happy with was the end - I don't want to give it away by going into detail. However, I enjoyed this and read it very quickly.

[Karine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good thriller.

[Therese]

$0.0

[Barb]

Great book! Lots of twists and turns!

[Jodi Jeannette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea of this book- a guy who wants to prove the system is flawed, but who changes his mind out of fear... very cool story!

[Barbara King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok

Good story but the policewoman's one liners made her look like an idiot. I don't think that was the intent of the authors.

[Amber Moore]

this book was good but really dragged at times. it really opens your eyes to watch ur back.

[Jen Deutsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. The plot initially seems crazy but the real story is very good!