Worse than a Lie

A Beau Lee Cooper Novel

By: Ben Crump

Narrated by: Leon Nixon

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 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.

Critic reviews

“A sensationally good crime and legal thriller—and also a really important document . . . Half the time you’re breathless with suspense, and the other half breathless with fury. This is exactly what a book should be.”—Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of the Reacher series

“Legendary civil rights attorney Ben Crump’s debut novel Worse Than a Lie is a great, gritty legal thriller set in Chicago. It grabs you from beginning to end.”—Don Cheadle, award-winning actor, director, and producer

“A legal thriller in the tradition of A Few Good Men, The Rainmaker, and The Lincoln Lawyer—but with a kind of flavor that audiences will love and that is uniquely Crump’s own.”—Will Packer, New York Times bestselling author and award-winning Hollywood producer

“Worse than a Lie presents a new superhero lawyer that's different from anything the legal thriller genre has ever seen.”—Sunny Hostin, New York Times bestselling author and award-winning television host of The View

“Be careful when you start reading Worse than a Lie, you won’t be able to put it down.”—Sharon Stone, award-winning actress

“Every once in a while, a book like To Kill a Mockingbird is written and it inspires a generation of civil rights lawyers. Worse than a Lie is that book for this generation.”—Representative Jasmine Crockett

“[A] riveting legal procedural . . . What the story reveals about racial injustice and police corruption is absolutely harrowing.”—Booklist, starred review

Powerful story!

This book is well written and well read! The emotions you feel are extremely powerful!

Bravo

I’m very impressed and was locked in to this book the entire time. The narrator was great and the storyline was even better. Had me on the edge of my seat yearning for more. Bravo Mr. Crump, bravo!

The close proximity to real life

This story is reminiscent of so many stories we hear about in the news. I enjoyed the plot but it hits too close to home.

Excellent trial thriller ☆☆☆☆☆

The best trial drama I've read/listened to in years. Realistic courtroom scenes, well paced, interesting characters. I'm thrilled this will become a series. Fell in love with the main characters. The narration is well done. The novel also provides a searing indictment of the justice system for people of color. An important contribution. You don't want to miss this one.

Clear your day great read

There’s nothing about this story that I didn’t like from the beginning to the end I enjoyed every character the description of the characters, the way that you could feel the emotions of each. I definitely can envision Mr. Crump as the lead character. The emotions felt in the courtroom scenes. I highly recommend this book. I started the book this morning and read it in a day couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to read more of Mr.Beau Lee Cooper.