Author: Ben Crump
Publisher: Ballantine
Publication Date: February 17, 2026
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
I picked up this advanced reader copy expecting a legal thriller, but what I got was something more—a story that forces you to confront uncomfortable truths about justice, race, and the systems meant to protect us all.
The premise is explosive: Hollis Montrose, a Black ex-cop, is shot ten times during a traffic stop on the night Barack Obama is elected president. Attorney Beau Lee Cooper takes on the case despite impossible odds. Ben Crump, drawing on his real-world experience as a civil rights attorney, crafts a narrative that moves quickly and pulls no punches about institutional racism within law enforcement.
Where the book stumbles slightly is in characterization. Some figures, particularly antagonists like Jack, veer into caricature territory. The systemic corruption feels so extreme that I questioned whether such blatant racial bias could actually exist unchecked—though Crump's own career suggests these scenarios may be less exaggerated than I'd like to believe. The partnerships in the story develop authentically from tension into solidarity, and the moral complexity Beau Lee faces adds depth beyond a simple good-versus-evil framework.
This is a promising start to the Attorney Beau Lee series, and I'm genuinely interested in reading what comes next. While it may not be a perfect thriller, it's an important one that entertains while challenging readers to think critically about justice in America.
A big thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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