The Vigilantes

Legendary Philadelphia Homicide sergeant Matt Payne returns in this tenth "Badge of Honor" title, following The Traffickers (2009). Unfortunately, this effort pales in comparison to nearly every book that Griffin (www.webgriffin.com) and his son, Butterworth, have previously cowritten. The rich character development for which Griffin is known is here replaced with trite phrases and inner monologs on the problems of society and love. What could have been an outstanding police procedural by a great writer simply seems phoned in. Even Audie Award winner Scott Brick (see Behind the Mike, LJ 10/15/09), despite his best efforts and mastery of accents, can't salvage this novel. Recommended only for die-hard fans, who will be left hoping for a return to the usual excellence they've come to expect. [The Putnam hc was a New York Times and Publishers Weekly best seller; see Prepub Exploded, BookSmack! 1/7/10.—Ed.]—Scott R. DiMarco, Mansfield Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib.