Benefit of the Doubt

Written by Neal Griffin

Narrated by Fleet Cooper

Neal Griffin is a twenty-five year veteran of law enforcement. He's seen it all, from routine patrols to drug enforcement to homicide investigations, from corrupt cops to men and women who went far above and beyond the call of duty.

Benefit of the Doubt is a gripping thriller that exposes the dark underbelly of policing in small-town America, where local police departments now deal with big-city crimes and corruption.

Ben Sawyer was a big-city cop, until he nearly killed a helpless suspect in public. Now a detective in the tiny Wisconsin town where he and his wife grew up, Ben suspects that higher-ups are taking payoffs from local drug lords.

Before long, Ben is off the force. His wife is accused of murder. His only ally is another outcast, a Latina rookie cop. Worse, a killer has escaped from jail with vengeance on his mind, and Newburg—and Ben Sawyer—in his sights.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: May 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781480519237

Neal Griffin

NEAL GRIFFIN is originally from a small town in Wisconsin and is the author of Benefit of the Doubt and A Voice From the Field. During his career in law enforcement, Griffin was Tactical Operations Team Leader, Narcotics Investigator, Hostage Negotiator, and Supervisor of a Homicide Unit. He's written about police ethics and the relationship between police and the communities they serve. Recently retired from the force, Griffin lives in southern California with his wife, Olga Diaz.

Reviews for Benefit of the Doubt

[gincam · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Author Neal Griffin's law-enforcement background is as impressive and fascinating as any storyline that he could create for one of his fictional characters. With his debut novel, "Benefit of the Doubt", he puts his own knowledge and skills to great use in spinning a compelling tale of loss, redemption, and ultimate justice. Ben Sawyer made a mistake, a very public mistake, and it cost him his career in law enforcement in Oakland, California. With few choices available, Ben and his wife Alex, along with their twelve-year old son, Jake, move back to their home town of Newberg, Wisconsin. Ben is now a small-town cop, and the chief of police is his own father-in-law. Distrust by his fellow officers and resentment over his family connection to the department become the least of Ben's worries when issues with drug-running and prostitution become pressing and corruption rears its ugly head. A shocking scandal occurs when Ben's wife, Alex, is labeled an adulterer and is accused of murder. Once again, Ben's law enforcement career is in jeopardy, but this time the threat to his family is even greater. With a rookie female cop, herself an outcast, as his only trusted support, Ben determines to bring down the criminal element endangering his family. Ben's worries have only just begun, however, because someone truly evil is headed his way--a convicted murderer fueled by revenge--and Ben and his family are the targeted prey. "Benefit of the Doubt" is a suspenseful, thrilling debut from an author with just the write stuff for the crime fiction genre.Book Copy Gratis Amazon Vine

[mikedraper · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"Benefit of the Doubt" begins with Harlan Lee's release from prison. He served a seventeen-year-stretch and during that time his father passed away leaving Harlan angry at the world.He murders a woman in the early part of the story and we learn that this is a step in his settling an old score.A parallel story concerns Ben Sawyer, a big city cop in Oakland, California. There is an incident and he comes to the aide of a fellow cop who yelled that the suspect had taken his (the other cop's) gun. Ben pulls the suspect off the cop. The suspect knows he's beaten and surrenders to Ben but Ben let's his anger get the best of him. What he does next is captured by a number of cell phone cameras and Ben is forced to resign in disgrace.He relocates to Newberg and joins the police there. His father-in-law is chief of police and Ben begins work as a detective supervisor. Ben isn't liked or appreciated by most of the other cops who feel he didn't deserve the position.Ben does begin doing a credible work but his father-in-law has a stroke and Ben loses the person protecting him on the job.Harlan Lee continues his revenge and in one of his crimes, Ben's wife, Alex, is made to look like the main suspect.The story moves nicely and the writing keeps the reader's avid attention as we follow Ben's attempt to do his job and defend his wife. During this time, we also observe the corruption within the Newberg Police Department.The novel is interesting as the author, Neal Griffin, describes how Ben has to continue with his work on the job. There is increasing drug activity in Newberg but only one member of the department thinks Ben is doing a good job and wants to help.The reader will feel sympathetic for what Ben is going through and wonder how he will overcome the difficulties placed in his way. There is also the question of Ben's marriage and how will that survive.The characters are well depicted as is the politics of the police department. We hope for Ben's success and wonder if he can succeed against tremendous odds.I received a copy of this novel in return for my honest review.

[judithdcollins · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A special thank you to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Neal Griffin, delivers an edgy and cleverly-plotted page-turner debut -BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, a suspenseful crime thriller of revenge, corruption, and murder. Harlan Lee has one thing in mind. Revenge. He has seventeen years of rage and intensity, a reminder of all the things he missed by being caged. He is out of prison and has no plans to live the straight and narrow. A settlement of more than one old score.William Petite, the DA who put him away. Then to Newberg, Wisconsin to include a former sheriff, Lipinski and Norgaard, Newberg’s retired police chief, now institutionalized. Ben Sawyer, a fired Oakland officer, now with the Newberg police. Ben was honest enough to accept the blame, with an encounter with a fugitive in Oakland, Calif. He had been a thirteen year veteran of Oakland PD. A sergeant in charge of the prestigious Gang Suppression Unit. He was a rising star; however, shitcanned back to Newberg, his childhood home. A place that on the law enforcement career ladder came in about six rungs below mall cop.Ben happens to be Norgaard’s son-in-law, married to Alex with twelve year old son, Jake. They both grew up in Newberg, and the place she met her husband, holding much significance. Alex has had a life of cops; an absentee husband and cop, Ben, and the other-her dad, now having suffered a severe stroke, possible brain damage and total loss of speech, residing at the Newberg Convalescent Center. Even though, Alex feels a sense of peace in this isolated prairie town forty-five minutes west of Milwaukee--this soon changes. Ben has many enemies in Newberg. He is now an outsider, mistrusted by his fellow officers. A nonplayer. The Chief’s boy. He had been thrown to the wolves by his own department, and tossed aside after almost fifteen years of dedicated service. Now he and his family are forced to return, working for his father-in-law and small town America. Soon the small-town peace turns into corruption, evil, drugs, payoffs, cover-ups, violence, vengeance, conspiracy, and murder with increased tension in Ben’s personal and work life. To further complicate his life, Harlan is closing in on him, next. Alex is accused of murder. He has to find someone to help him. He needs an ally. Who is to blame? Can Ben go from disgraced to hero before someone takes him down?Griffin sets the stage slowly, for a taunt fast-paced, action filled compelling crime thriller of revenge and dark family secrets, leaving readers glued to the pages to solve the mystery, while rooting for their favorite characters. This cleverly –plotted multi-layered riveting cop procedural comes from an author who has the inside scoop with a career in law enforcement, and talents of an author, to follow for years to come. Looking forward to the next!From revenge, betrayal and redemption, Griffin hits the ground running, as reflective throughout the pages of this smashing debut. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Andrew Gross, and Harlan Coben are assured to enjoy this adrenaline ride.

[darcia_10 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a crime novel written by a man who has experienced the inner workings of our justice system. I expected realism, and Neal Griffin delivered that aspect extremely well.The book starts out a little slow. The author introduces several characters consecutively, giving us background into their lives and setting the stage for what's to come. While this reads fine, it doesn't necessarily blend well right from the start. The content also feels a little dragged out. The pace picks up considerably at about the midway point. From there, the action keeps a compelling pace.I thought the plot was somewhat predictable in its direction. That being said, the twists did still hold my attention and keep me wondering. My favorite aspects of this book were the characters and dialogue. Griffin captures the way people speak to one another, the way we hear but don't necessarily listen, particularly to those we're closest to. Each character has a unique voice. Conversations feel natural, rather than something necessary to move the plot forward. This is also true of the characters' relationships. The interactions feel genuine. We follow Ben and Alex through major upheaval, and we watch as their relationship sits on the edge of ruin. This unfolding was almost more interesting to me than the intricate crime needing to be solved.A word of caution to the more squeamish readers: This book contains a few scenes with graphic violence. Griffin handles this well. Nothing feels over-the-top. This isn't gratuitous violence used just to make readers cringe. It's honest and realistic, but something to be aware of if you're bothered by graphic scenes. Overall, this is an excellent debut by a man who knows his crime business inside and out. I'm looking forward to many more to come.

[edgoldberg · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Harlan Lee, paroled after serving 17 years for murder, is bent on revenge against anyone involved in his arrest including former Newberg, WI police chief Lars Norgaard who, after suffering a stroke, is an invalid. Disgraced police officer Ben Sawyer, Norgaard’s son-in-law, fired from the Oakland, CA police department for excessive use of force, returns to Newberg where Norgaard hires him as a detective. When participants in Lee’s arrest start getting arrested themselves and random murders occur, the current Newberg police chief is on high alert. However, his concern may be self-serving. When Sawyer’s wife (Norgaard’s daughter) is arrested for murder what better way to get revenge on Norgaard. However the evidence is ‘too neat’ and Sawyer gets involved to prove her innocence, against the wishes of the current police chief.This debut novel authored by a 25 year police veteran is well written and action packed. It contains the range of characters from despicable to honest. With only one ally in the department, Sawyer must conquer his self-doubts and overcome the antagonism and corruption of several police officers in order to solve the case, in the process transforming himself from disgraced cop to hero cop. This also sets up the next installment of what promises to be a popular series.