What happened to the Bennetts

Book Cover
Average Rating
Publisher
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Publication Date
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Language
English

Description

From #1 bestselling author Lisa Scottoline comes a pulse-pounding new novel.Your family has been attacked, never again to be the same. Now you have to choose between law…and justice.     Jason Bennett is a suburban dad who owns a court-reporting business, but one night, his life takes a horrific turn. He is driving his family home after his daughter’s field hockey game when a pickup truck begins tailgating them, on a dark stretch of road. Suddenly two men jump from the pickup and pull guns on Jason, demanding the car. A horrific flash of violence changes his life forever.  Later that awful night, Jason and his family receive a visit from the FBI. The agents tell them that the carjackers were members of a dangerous drug-trafficking organization—and now Jason and his family are in their crosshairs. The agents advise the Bennetts to enter the witness protection program right away, and they have no choice but to agree. But WITSEC was designed to protect criminal informants, not law-abiding families. Taken from all they know, trapped in an unfamiliar life, the Bennetts begin to fall apart at the seams. Then Jason learns a shocking truth and realizes that he has to take matters into his own hands. Sometimes justice is a one-man show.

More Details

Contributors
ISBN
9780525539674
9781432894757
9781984883049

Discover More

Excerpt

Loading Excerpt...

Author Notes

Loading Author Notes...

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful, fast-paced, and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "thrillers and suspense"; the subjects "federal witness protection program," "witnesses," and "conspiracies"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful, fast-paced, and intricately plotted, and they have the theme "on the run"; the genre "thrillers and suspense"; and the subjects "conspiracies," "missing persons," and "secrets."
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful, fast-paced, and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "thrillers and suspense"; and the subject "conspiracies."
These intricately plotted, compelling thrillers follow characters in the Federal Witness Protection Program who receive information that makes them flee (The Perfect Witness) and investigate (What Happened to the Bennetts) their situations. -- Malia Jackson
Moving with speed and suspense, each of these intricately plotted thrillers unravels the fate of a family that enters the witness protection program after becoming the target of an organized crime group. -- Basia Wilson
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful, fast-paced, and intricately plotted, and they have the genres "thrillers and suspense" and "psychological suspense"; the subjects "conspiracies" and "secrets"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful, intensifying, and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "thrillers and suspense"; and the subjects "loss" and "conspiracies."
An accidental death plunges a family into a dangerous conflict with a criminal clan while on vacation (The Island) or driving home from a school event (What Happened To The Bennetts) in these plot-driven suspense novels. -- Andrienne Cruz
A son (The Lie Maker) and a father (What Happened to the Bennets) take matters into their own hands when witness protection agencies fail in these compelling and intricately plotted thrillers. -- Andrienne Cruz
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful, action-packed, and plot-driven, and they have the genre "thrillers and suspense"; and the subjects "murder," "loss," and "conspiracies."
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful, fast-paced, and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "thrillers and suspense"; and the subjects "families," "family relationships," and "conspiracies."
Things don't add up for a grieving government-protected witness (What Happened) and a tough-minded PI (Killer View) as they set out to uncover a host of dark secrets in a setup that has far-reaching consequences in these action-packed thrillers. -- Andrienne Cruz

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
In his mix of trial and investigative detail, with strong characterizations and sense of place, as well as a passionate desire to delve beneath the surface of the case, Steve Martini makes a good suggestion for Scottoline's fans who don't mind male, rather than female, protagonists. -- Ellen Guerci
Both Lisa Scottoline and Linda Fairstein write thrillers that feature strong women juggling personal lives with their professional duties -- which sometimes place them in jeopardy. Fast pacing and a sophisticated style also characterize both authors' writing. -- Shauna Griffin
Lisa Scottoline and John Grisham's novels share a legal focus, sympathetic characters, fast pacing, and unexpected plot twists. There's more humor and sarcasm in Scottoline's stories, but both have a similarly suspenseful tone. -- Victoria Fredrick
Hillary Bell Locke and Lisa Scottoline write legal mysteries that feature strong female lawyers who are likable and knowledgeable. These fast-paced stories are character-driven and intricately plotted with a strong sense of place. They convincingly depict the law and its effects on people, with lawyers trying to find the truth. -- Merle Jacob
Sheldon Siegel and Lisa Scottoline specialize in legal suspense thrillers, drawing on their experience as former and practicing attorneys. Their work is fast-paced and compelling, although Scottoline is more humorous and intricate, while Siegel prefers a leaner, plot-driven approach. -- Mike Nilsson
Rose Connors and Lisa Scottoline put their own years of experience as lawyers into writing fast-moving novels with appealing characters -- like ex-public defender Marty Nickerson (Connors) and the lawyers at Rosato and Associates (Scottoline). The two sets of characters similarly tackle near-impossible cases with a bit of humor. -- Ellen Guerci
With her relentless pursuit of justice at all costs, Perri O'Shaughnessy's driven lawyer Nina Reilly will make a good option for fans of Lisa Scottoline's legal thrillers. Both authors also create lively plots and stories in which the characters' personal lives are as important as their professional lives. -- Shauna Griffin
Fans of gripping legal thrillers need go no further than William Bernhardt and Lisa Scottoline. Both write intricately plotted, suspenseful tales about criminal investigations, courtroom battles, and shrewd, determined attorneys. Bernhardt's fiction often addresses current national issues, while Scottoline concentrates on in-depth character development. -- Mike Nilsson
These authors' works have the genre "legal thrillers"; and the subjects "women lawyers," "lawyers," and "women defense attorneys."
These authors' works have the genres "thrillers and suspense" and "legal thrillers"; and the subjects "women lawyers," "murder," and "lawyers."
These authors' works have the genres "thrillers and suspense" and "legal thrillers"; and the subjects "women lawyers," "lawyers," and "mothers and daughters."
These authors' works have the genres "legal thrillers" and "romantic suspense"; the subjects "women lawyers," "murder," and "lawyers"; and characters that are "flawed characters."

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

The Bennett family is caught in a carjacking, and as Jason Bennett tries to calm the situation, one of the gunmen coldly shoots his partner, and Jason's daughter, Allison, is killed in the ensuing chaos. FBI agents quickly appear in the Bennetts' suburban enclave, insisting that they enter the Witness Protection Program. Unfortunately for the family, the murdered carjacker was the son of George Veria, Philadelphia's most powerful kingpin, and the other, John Milo, has ignited Veria's vengeance by fingering Jason as the killer. Jason's fear morphs to rage when he discovers that the feds are also working with Milo, and he ducks his minders, determined to redirect Veria's revenge. Unfortunately, the heartfelt father-to-father chat Jason envisioned doesn't take into account that the whole murderous shebang was meant to bury a secret he doesn't know he holds. Scottoline's gift for crafting human connections is displayed here in the evocative grief of Veria and the Bennetts, setting this thriller apart from other suburban-hero stories. A good choice for Greg Hurwitz and Harlan Coben fans.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Perennial best-seller Scottoline, who hosts a book club attracting 1,000 fans, will draw that group and thousands more with her latest.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Powered by Syndetics

Publisher's Weekly Review

At the outset of this heart-wrenching novel from bestseller Scottoline (Eternal), Jason and Lucinda Bennett, while driving home to Philadelphia with their son, his older sister, 15-year-old Allison, and their dog, are forced to stop by two men in a truck. When the dog jumps at the men, Allison is accidentally shot, and the two flee. Allison dies at the hospital, where the Bennetts learn that one of their assailants later fatally shot the other, who turns out to have been the son of the head of a criminal network that distributes and sells opiates in Pennsylvania. Early the next morning, two FBI agents bundle the Bennetts off to a safe house in Delaware, where they're to stay before entering the witness protection program. Scottoline piles on the pathos with repetitive memories and musings among the surviving family members until Jason finally decides to take back control of his life, and what started as an examination of the profound pain of losing a child morphs into a high-speed, action-packed thriller. Conspiracy theories multiply as Jason races toward the truth. Scottoline's fans will get their money's worth. Agent: Robert Gottlieb, Trident Media Group. (Mar.)

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Powered by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

As star court reporter Jason Bennett drives his family home from his daughter's lacrosse game, two men in a pickup truck attempt to carjack his shiny new Mercedes. As a result, Jason's daughter is killed, and the rest of the family is placed in the witness protection program; the would-be carjackers are associated with an ominous criminal enterprise that distributes illicit opioids. Soon, though, Jason senses that the government isn't being straight with him and sneaks out to do some investigating on his own.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Powered by Syndetics

Kirkus Book Review

A hypernormal suburban family's trip home from their daughter's soccer game leads them down a rabbit hole of criminal complications. For some reason--maybe just because it's a Mercedes--a pair of gunslingers pick court reporter Jason Bennett's ride to carjack as he drives along a quiet road with his wife, photographer Lucinda, and their teenagers, Allison and Ethan. In the scuffle that follows, one of the carjackers is shot along with Allison, who dies in the hospital. Wait, it gets worse. A pair of FBI agents knocks on the Bennetts' door at 3 a.m. to tell them that John Milo, the escaped carjacker, has framed Jason for the murder of his accomplice, George Veria Jr., in order to save himself from the wrath of Junior's father, the kingpin of the George Veria Organization. Time is of the essence, the agents assure Jason and Lucinda: They have to leave their house and their old lives behind right now and go into the witness protection program. Sure enough, minutes after the three shellshocked Bennetts allow themselves to be driven off, a representative of the GVO sets fire to their house and follows up the next day with similar fires at Jason's and Lucinda's offices. Warned off social media, the Bennetts can only watch helplessly as their friends and neighbors issue pleas for them to get in touch and self-styled "citizen detective" Bryan Krieger decides to launch his own freelance investigation, fueled by slanderous innuendo. Every time Jason thinks he's finally got the situation figured out, Scottoline tosses in explosive new complications in the most relentless of all her mysteries. A high-octane thriller whose hero is tossed into one impossible situation after another. Best started early in the morning. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Powered by Syndetics

Booklist Reviews

The Bennett family is caught in a carjacking, and as Jason Bennett tries to calm the situation, one of the gunmen coldly shoots his partner, and Jason's daughter, Allison, is killed in the ensuing chaos. FBI agents quickly appear in the Bennetts' suburban enclave, insisting that they enter the Witness Protection Program. Unfortunately for the family, the murdered carjacker was the son of George Veria, Philadelphia's most powerful kingpin, and the other, John Milo, has ignited Veria's vengeance by fingering Jason as the killer. Jason's fear morphs to rage when he discovers that the feds are also working with Milo, and he ducks his minders, determined to redirect Veria's revenge. Unfortunately, the heartfelt father-to-father chat Jason envisioned doesn't take into account that the whole murderous shebang was meant to bury a secret he doesn't know he holds. Scottoline's gift for crafting human connections is displayed here in the evocative grief of Veria and the Bennetts, setting this thriller apart from other suburban-hero stories. A good choice for Greg Hurwitz and Harlan Coben fans.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Perennial best-seller Scottoline, who hosts a book club attracting 1,000 fans, will draw that group and thousands more with her latest. Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.
Powered by Content Cafe

Library Journal Reviews

As star court reporter Jason Bennett drives his family home from his daughter's lacrosse game, two men in a pickup truck attempt to carjack his shiny new Mercedes. As a result, Jason's daughter is killed, and the rest of the family is placed in the witness protection program; the would-be carjackers are associated with an ominous criminal enterprise that distributes illicit opioids. Soon, though, Jason senses that the government isn't being straight with him and sneaks out to do some investigating on his own.

Copyright 2021 Library Journal.

Copyright 2021 Library Journal.
Powered by Content Cafe

Publishers Weekly Reviews

At the outset of this heart-wrenching novel from bestseller Scottoline (Eternal), Jason and Lucinda Bennett, while driving home to Philadelphia with their son, his older sister, 15-year-old Allison, and their dog, are forced to stop by two men in a truck. When the dog jumps at the men, Allison is accidentally shot, and the two flee. Allison dies at the hospital, where the Bennetts learn that one of their assailants later fatally shot the other, who turns out to have been the son of the head of a criminal network that distributes and sells opiates in Pennsylvania. Early the next morning, two FBI agents bundle the Bennetts off to a safe house in Delaware, where they're to stay before entering the witness protection program. Scottoline piles on the pathos with repetitive memories and musings among the surviving family members until Jason finally decides to take back control of his life, and what started as an examination of the profound pain of losing a child morphs into a high-speed, action-packed thriller. Conspiracy theories multiply as Jason races toward the truth. Scottoline's fans will get their money's worth. Agent: Robert Gottlieb, Trident Media Group. (Mar.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly.

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly.
Powered by Content Cafe

Reviews from GoodReads

Loading GoodReads Reviews.

Staff View

Loading Staff View.