Worse Than a Lie | Book Review

BEAU LEE COOPER #1

By Ben Crump

Worse Than A Lie Book Cover Art

A PROVOCATIVE DEBUT LEGAL THRILLER

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Summary

On November 4, 2008, America elected its first Black president. Chicago was the backdrop for Obama's victory speech. In a tragic twist, Hollis Montrose, a 53-year-old Black ex-police officer, is shot ten times by four white men during a traffic stop. This horrific event unfolds just as the speech concludes in the distance.

Beau Lee Cooper, a serious lawyer from Texas, dreams of fighting for justice. He runs a law firm with his friends Nelson Rivers and Brent Capers. Now, he is determined to help Hollis. As Hollis's survival hangs in the balance, the Chicago police manipulate the narrative. This leads to unreasonable bail, incarceration while still under medical care, and the looming threat of wrongful conviction. Was Hollis targeted, or was it random? Beau Lee knows that uncovering the truth will be challenging. Time is critical as lives hang in the balance.

Review

Worse Than a Lie is a thought-provoking legal thriller that tackles overt police racism and blatant injustice in the courts. The narrative is emotionally charged and, at times, difficult to digest. Yet, it is also a story of faith, hope, and perseverance.

The writing is provocative, and the characters are strong and vivid. Hollis is a dedicated family man juggling two jobs. When his life changes forever, he clings to his faith. He is a lifelong cop, deeply loved by his community. Beau Lee is a hardworking and successful Texas civil rights attorney. He finds himself in Chicago in the days following Hollis’s shooting. When Hollis’s family asks him to consider taking the case, he does not hesitate.

Debut author Ben Crump is an expert in the maddening subject of civil rights. He is a nationally known Florida attorney specializing in social justice, civil rights, and wrongful death. Many of his former clients are now sadly household names, including George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, and Breonna Taylor. I eagerly anticipate reading future Beau Lee Cooper books.

Worse Than a Lie is more than just a legal thriller. It is a powerful commentary on race, justice, and community. Ben Crump's debut is a must-read for anyone interested in these pressing issues.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Publisher: Bantam

Published: February 17, 2026

Review: www.bluestockingreviews.com