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Badge of Honor #3
The Victim
W.E.B. Griffin has captured a worldwide audience with his stunning novels of men and women of outstanding courage. BROTHERHOOD OF WAR revealed the drama and challenge of army life...THE CORPS explored the proud tradition of the Marines...Now BADGE OF HONOR takes you behind the scenes of today's urban police force. A brutal Mafia slaying rocks the city of Philadelphia when the only living witness is revealed--a wealthy debutante involved with the targeted mobster. One of the suspects is a cop, Matt Payne, who unwittingly takes on the ultimate battle between organized crime, upper-class power...and his own police force.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
252 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
About the author
W.E.B. Griffin
351 books1,302 followersW.E.B. Griffin was one of several pseudonyms for William E. Butterworth III.
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 2, 2019
9.5 out of 10 stars. Continuation of the series. Reading versus listening to a book/series can make a difference in a rating or review. Some people give low reviews, because they can't relate to the subject/storyline and some want 'just the facts' like Joe Friday not any details. When reading this series, I have images of Jack Webb come into mind and have to block them out. I am sure most people have no clue to what I am referring.
February 25, 2019
My criticisms of the first two books in this series – too much about the Philly PD command structure and too much backstory on characters – applies here, too. Regular readers of police procedurals need only the briefest sketching of the PD’s hierarchy to ‘get’ it. And do we really need 7 pages of backstory chronicling the life of the paramour of one of the characters?
I can see Griffin’s reasons for such huge info dumps: anyone can pick up any book in this series and not have to figure out who outranks who in the PPD or how a newly minted patrolman can afford a Porsche. The downside is that some readers won’t care about those things, some don’t need it explained to them in that depth, and some already know it from earlier books. To those people, those digressions only bog down the story in unnecessary or unwanted info.
Another problem I had with this book was the sheer number of police characters in this story. Every time one of them popped up, I had to stop for a second to pin down where he fit into the story. And there were two or three who I could not keep straight no matter how hard I tried.
And Griffin chalked up another car error. There was no Buick Limited model in the years immediately before 1991 (the copyright date on this book). The Limited was a model from 1936 – 1942 and in 1958. After that it was a trim level on models such as the Electra 225.
In spite of all that, I liked this story enough that the next one is on my ‘To Read’ list.
In a twist, I started this novel the day Mr. Griffin died.
I can see Griffin’s reasons for such huge info dumps: anyone can pick up any book in this series and not have to figure out who outranks who in the PPD or how a newly minted patrolman can afford a Porsche. The downside is that some readers won’t care about those things, some don’t need it explained to them in that depth, and some already know it from earlier books. To those people, those digressions only bog down the story in unnecessary or unwanted info.
Another problem I had with this book was the sheer number of police characters in this story. Every time one of them popped up, I had to stop for a second to pin down where he fit into the story. And there were two or three who I could not keep straight no matter how hard I tried.
And Griffin chalked up another car error. There was no Buick Limited model in the years immediately before 1991 (the copyright date on this book). The Limited was a model from 1936 – 1942 and in 1958. After that it was a trim level on models such as the Electra 225.
In spite of all that, I liked this story enough that the next one is on my ‘To Read’ list.
In a twist, I started this novel the day Mr. Griffin died.
August 8, 2012
The Butterworth boys (writing as W.E.B. Griffin) have mastered the realism and feel of a metropolitan Police Dept at work, and you'll be hooked on the characters that populate the Badge of Honor series. If I find myself at an airport bookstand, this is the series I look for first. It may not be lit-fic, or get them into a college-level English course beside Updike, but they're a helluva lot more fun to read. Their other series are equally well-researched and written, whether you want to read about the impact of WWII and the Peronists on Argentina, or explore the dark side of the CIA. Always a great read.
July 10, 2014
I love, love, love this series! The author is amazing with his character development, plot twists and the dialog (the dialog is so witty!). The cop aspect is just so cool and (seems) authentic (what do I know?). There is just enough emotional connection between the men and their prospective ladies to satisfy my romantic wants but never too much to become drama.
Can't wait for the next book.
Can't wait for the next book.
January 20, 2018
This book is entertaining, BUT there is a great deal of profanity. No explicit sex, but certainly plenty of references to sex. There is violence, but not much and it isn't graphic. Really the profanity is the only thing objectionable.
July 29, 2017
The further into this series I get, the more I like it.
April 2, 2018
Good crime series
Definitely a good series, characters and plots kept me completely involved. Looking forward to book 4 in the series. Going to start it now
Definitely a good series, characters and plots kept me completely involved. Looking forward to book 4 in the series. Going to start it now
July 13, 2019
While on way to a wedding reception Matt is first on scene of a murder and attempted murder of Good friend ,Penny.
August 15, 2019
Excellent
W. E. B. Griffin continues to be one of my favorite authors. He keeps your interest throughout the book. The action is quick, and the storyline compelling.
W. E. B. Griffin continues to be one of my favorite authors. He keeps your interest throughout the book. The action is quick, and the storyline compelling.
December 21, 2019
Possibly one of the greatest series of all time. My father read this and passed it down to me. Great reading.
March 25, 2020
Great book, police work in the late 70’s , great old school stuff.
December 15, 2020
I think the series is getting better with each installment! I am ready for #4 !
January 7, 2021
Rcsva13
Started rereading this series. I had read this series as it was released. I'm enjoying it just as much this time
Started rereading this series. I had read this series as it was released. I'm enjoying it just as much this time
March 20, 2021
Not a bad read, not a great read. These days, it's a look back in time to a time where all sorts of discrimination was real.
May 17, 2021
Fun to read, but unrealistic with way too many coincidences.
May 26, 2022
An exciting "you can't put it down" story. A lot of characters new to the stories an a fun story to read.
June 1, 2022
Love his writing but I found this one to really good. Love the plot and how it plays out to the last page.
December 29, 2022
If you love procedurals, and minutae delivered in painstaking information dumps... Then this is your writer and series. I love them.
February 2, 2023
Excellent characters, dialogue, and story. Book three in the Badge of Honor series. A police drama set in 1973 Philadelphia!
August 14, 2023
Very nice “Philly” read
October 17, 2025
See my comments on Men in Blue in this series.
October 8, 2023
Loving this series. So glad there are so many books in it!
What I love about this author (and this series) is he clearly spent an immense amount of time developing his characters before he wrote a word. The characters in this book, and in this series, are fully-developed characters with their own unique voice. No easy task with a cast as large as in this series.
What I love about this author (and this series) is he clearly spent an immense amount of time developing his characters before he wrote a word. The characters in this book, and in this series, are fully-developed characters with their own unique voice. No easy task with a cast as large as in this series.
August 21, 2014
I really, really want to like this series. I keep trying.. There's something that draws me back to it, but I'm not exactly sure what!. I keep trying.
Griffin's novels always have some rich young man who somehow manages to impress his superiors either in the police (in this particular series) or military.
This novel, which follows the same pattern as most of Griffin's work-- features characters getting in trouble repeatedly with the chain of command, being threatened with serious punishment or winked at by their commanders (not flirted with-- but basically their commanders ignoring problem behavior, etc.) and eventually either distinguishing themselves so much that they cannot be punished or avoiding punishment by a technicality. Griffin has been there and done that multiple times in multiple novels.
There is an interesting mystery here-- but sadly the investigation methods used are the usual methods we find in Griffin's novels. The good guys run around, hampered by the brass and/or political considerations, make connections, and then some supposed bad guy gives them what they need.
Another factor that causes this novel to suffer is that it shows its age. For example, the technology is mid 70's.. no cell phones, video cameras, etc. This isn't a terribly bad thing, but the cops are repeatedly reporting where they will be able to be reached, which at times clogs the pages.
The writing isn't too bad if you like your stories opening in an exciting manner and then screeching to a snail's pace.
Griffin's novels always have some rich young man who somehow manages to impress his superiors either in the police (in this particular series) or military.
This novel, which follows the same pattern as most of Griffin's work-- features characters getting in trouble repeatedly with the chain of command, being threatened with serious punishment or winked at by their commanders (not flirted with-- but basically their commanders ignoring problem behavior, etc.) and eventually either distinguishing themselves so much that they cannot be punished or avoiding punishment by a technicality. Griffin has been there and done that multiple times in multiple novels.
There is an interesting mystery here-- but sadly the investigation methods used are the usual methods we find in Griffin's novels. The good guys run around, hampered by the brass and/or political considerations, make connections, and then some supposed bad guy gives them what they need.
Another factor that causes this novel to suffer is that it shows its age. For example, the technology is mid 70's.. no cell phones, video cameras, etc. This isn't a terribly bad thing, but the cops are repeatedly reporting where they will be able to be reached, which at times clogs the pages.
The writing isn't too bad if you like your stories opening in an exciting manner and then screeching to a snail's pace.
June 13, 2013
The Case of the Semi-Innocent Victim in the Mob Hit Gone Bad. Philly mafia don Vincenzo Savarese puts out a hit on a local using out of town muscle, but the hit goes terribly awry when Tony goes to meet his side squeeze who is taken down as a witness, although she survives the hit. The squeeze, Penny Detwieler, is into cocaine and is also a bridesmaid in eminent society wedding that Matt Payne is best man for. The maid of honor is the bride's smoking hot college pal, and she and Matt develop a horizontal exercise program on the side. The case begins to break when it is discovered that Narcotics had the hit scene surveilled because of the slimeball's drug dealing. Under intense pressure to solve the case, Matt, Peter and Jason Washington-number 1 homicide detective-force the hand by exposing the Detwieler girl's addiction and fucking relationship with the married slimeball, and by slipping Savarese pictures of his hit man outside the parking garage where the hit occurred. The Detwieler's come to grips with their wayward daughter, Savarese takes out the hit man and a reward is posted for the cop killer.
April 23, 2014
This book is CLEARLY a part of a series ... and that is the reason for the low rating ... it - at least to me - quite literally ends as if it is the end of a chapter in a longer book, not the end of a book per se.
As in many good books, there is more than one story going on here ... there is what might be called the main story, but then there are several back stories going on as well. Especially in this book, there two sub stories that - simply - end. The image here should - for those readers old enough to remember them - evoke the feelings left after a Saturday morning serial movie or TV show ... no closure, no answers, no satisfaction ... just an arbitrary-feeling end.
This, then is NOT a book to buy, unless you feel the urge to be frustrated or to buy more than one. This is a book to borrow from a library, read and enjoy what is in most part a fun, quick, light read, and then return and borrow the second half of the book to finish.
As in many good books, there is more than one story going on here ... there is what might be called the main story, but then there are several back stories going on as well. Especially in this book, there two sub stories that - simply - end. The image here should - for those readers old enough to remember them - evoke the feelings left after a Saturday morning serial movie or TV show ... no closure, no answers, no satisfaction ... just an arbitrary-feeling end.
This, then is NOT a book to buy, unless you feel the urge to be frustrated or to buy more than one. This is a book to borrow from a library, read and enjoy what is in most part a fun, quick, light read, and then return and borrow the second half of the book to finish.
March 27, 2013
Well if you know Griffin's work, you know what to expect and you get exactly that. If you've had no prior experience with the series, it's like..., its like watching an 800 metres race in the early days of television. It starts off at a good, smooth, seemingly easy pace, the speed increasing steadily until at the end, it is a full out sprint. Then just when they are about to cross the finish line your television has reception problems and the screen gets fuzzy.
It is over!
Too soon!!
You are not completely sure how your favourites fared.
But no matter, they'll be racing again an hour or so from now!
It is over!
Too soon!!
You are not completely sure how your favourites fared.
But no matter, they'll be racing again an hour or so from now!
March 23, 2020
This book doesn't truly merit 5 stars but I loved it when I first read it.
Probably 3 stars
If you are a person who can tolerate a 'period' piece set in the 1970s it is a decent story. There is still a lot of casual racism and stereotyping. And it concisely summarizes the first two books in approximately 14 pages which means you could skip them and not feel like you missed anything.
This book brings Matt Payne to the forefront where he will remain for the rest of the series. Matt being a upper class, Porsche driver spends way too much time being a whiny little bitch.
Probably 3 stars
If you are a person who can tolerate a 'period' piece set in the 1970s it is a decent story. There is still a lot of casual racism and stereotyping. And it concisely summarizes the first two books in approximately 14 pages which means you could skip them and not feel like you missed anything.
This book brings Matt Payne to the forefront where he will remain for the rest of the series. Matt being a upper class, Porsche driver spends way too much time being a whiny little bitch.
September 10, 2016
Griffin can tell a story! This one is the third in a series about the Philadelphia Police. It's a good read, but as always, leaves you hanging at the end. The new Special Operations force has been tasked by the mayor to solve a crime that's vexing the city. Our young hero, plucked from basic training as an incomplete trainee (sounds like "the Corps" series,doesn't it?) is misunderstood. This novel shows its age....the technology is mid 70's.. no cell phones, video cameras, etc. The ending just stops, no really big conclusion to be drawn; nonetheless, where's book #4?
July 9, 2012
this series is an education in itself...
I actually love the way Wohl has been handling the situations, tho i am not sure if it'll work in the same way in real life, the principals r hard to ignore!
Just hope that the 2 male protagonists - Payne and Wohl do not get settled down too quickly - they seem to be the only source of some "action" in the series as of now!
Going on to the 5th book now...
I actually love the way Wohl has been handling the situations, tho i am not sure if it'll work in the same way in real life, the principals r hard to ignore!
Just hope that the 2 male protagonists - Payne and Wohl do not get settled down too quickly - they seem to be the only source of some "action" in the series as of now!
Going on to the 5th book now...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews