Customer Reviews

Frame-Up

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Plot/Storyline: 4 3/4 Stars

This was not a "figure it out" mystery with clues dropped for the reader to ascertain what is going on. It was one-half police procedural and one-half thriller with a regular guy trying to figure out the clues.

The book has an outstanding opening sentence that automatically made me want to read further. However, the first scene suffered to provide it, as the author(s) had to backtrack to "fill-in". This backtracking was not very well done and caused a little confusion.

The story progressed at a pretty fast clip, taking me along for the ride at a fast trot. New twists kept the story interesting with no filler added. The book also managed to give an interesting view of capital punishment without ever becoming `preachy'.

I found the mystery to be well-planned and well-executed in the writing. However, my first thought when the nefarious person (or persons) were uncovered was, "Why go to all that trouble?" I didn't feel the author addressed that question in enough depth.

I'm still trying to decide if I liked the dual scenes at the end of the book. It certainly kept me enthralled, but I think that it could have been better told linearly. I kept trying to picture it as a movie with cut-scenes/flashbacks, and that almost worked.

Character Development: 5 Stars

Will was a very nicely developed character that any reader could empathize with somewhat. I do admit to wondering at times, "Do all young, black (or African American, if you prefer, but I'm old...LOL) degreed professionals really think in terms of so much slang?" However, I can't take off for that because I, of course, have no idea what goes on in the minds of others. Also, it was relatively believable and gave Will's character more depth.

Sam, the lead detective on the case, was also a very good character. She was pretty and smart, without being a model or a genius. In other words, she was `real'.

My favorite character is actually the little old German lady. I was amazed at how well the author(s) portrayed the "German attitude." I lived in Germany for three years and found many Germans to be of similar personality as this woman.

Writing Style: 5 Stars

The sentence structuring is excellent thoughout the book. One thing I did not find here was a disparity between chapters that belied the fact that there were two authors. I could not tell who wrote what, which made me wonder if only one wrote while the other had ideas? Either way, the writing flowed smoothly from beginning to end.

The dialogue was filled with rich voices, giving each person their own distinct one. The descriptions were vivid, almost too much so when describing certain scenes.

Editing: 4 3/4 Stars

Although the grammatical editing was of professional caliber, I have to mark this section down a bit because of the dead man talking at the end. Yes, there is a scene with a man named Finch, but "Lynch" seems to change facial expressions and talk several times. Unfortunately, "Lynch" is the dead man that Will framed himself for killing in the beginning of the book, so I was pretty certain that he wasn't chatting it up with the cops at the end of the book. It was pretty funny.

Rating: R for Graphic Violence, Blood, Gore, Adult Situations

****This review was originally posted on my blog. The author has stated that he has corrected the "name problem" I discussed in the "Editing" Section."****

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?

After reading Eric Christopherson's marvelous thriller "Crack-Up," I was highly skeptical that the author could repeat such a success. I was wrong, very wrong. "Frame-Up," by Mr. Christopherson and co-author Brad Schoenfeld, is every bit the equal of "Crack-Up" for ratcheting up the tension as the reader wonders if Will Pruett will really be executed for a murder he framed himself on.

Even after will realizes that he's been suckered into framing himself for the murder of a cop, it's no certainty that he can escape the death penalty. His only hope lies in convincing police detectives Ortiz and Dyrstad of his innocence, not an easy job, especially with the Manhattan DA pushing for quick justice to help his struggling campaign for re-election. Fortunately for Will, the two detectives are determined to find the truth, despite having to sift through the red herrings in their way.

There are some memorable characters in "Frame-Up." Will Pruett is cool as a cucumber as he goes through the arrest process, but he never bargained on the dangers waiting for him at the jail on Rykers Island. Samantha Ortiz is a spicy enchilada of a detective who's going to prosecute Pruett all the way to the death chamber, and it appears that she's succeeding.

If you're into nonstop action thrillers, "Frame-Up" is for you .

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?

I really enjoyed this book! The premise was unusual and held my attention to the end, trying to see how it would all be resolved. I've already purchased another book by one of the authors and am looking forward to reading it.

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, right? 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.

This modern day New York City cop thriller mixed in with some World War II art history is a perfect combination for a history buff like me. I found myself not wanting to stop reading in the suspenseful parts and laughing out loud at the comments made by some of my favorite characters in other parts of this mystery thriller. It has great character development and an unpredictable plot line. Many times I thought I had it figured out and then two new twists and turns would appear to surprise me. This is an easy five star for me!

Very entertaining. While this is a typical murder/cop thriller, the plot is anything but typical.

You just can't beat a good plot, and this book is, as the British might say, "a cracking good yarn." Action, suspense, lots or trying to figure the good guys from the bad. I liked it. You will too.

Too slow, read 25%, but gave up. Also didn't like the Snoop-Dog lingo inserted here and there. Not big on rappers in general.