Craig Bennett Hallenstein

The Dolphin by Craig Bennett Hallenstein follows Sean Jordan, an aspiring child psychologist who had been labelled a sex offender at age 15. He's spent years wracked by guilt over the choices of his youth. But is he really a sex offender? Sean moves to New Orleans trying to put the past behind him. Sadly, that wasn't to happen. As a ploy for ratings, a radio host LeGrande outs all of the local registered 'dangerous sex offenders’, which includes Sean. Thanks to this, when the radio host’s teen daughter disappears, Sean is accused. However, he becomes just as much a victim of the kidnapper. Sean is given a devil's deal. He has the chance to save the young girl if he meets the kidnapper's demands, but doing could cost his moral integrity. Refusing could cost his life.

This was an interesting read. Intellectually, I know that not all sex offenders are paedophiles or rapists, but society is trained to think so. In fact, there are a fair amount of cases that are the result of consensual teenaged encounters. Sean’s is one such case. As a result, he’s lived his life on the Registry, dealing with all the prejudice and suspicions that result. I had never heard of the term 'dolphin’ before, regarding these types of sex offenders, many of whom shouldn't even bear the label or stigma. This was certainly a controversial topic to work with, and it’ll certainly give you something to think about. The setting of New Orleans during Mardi Gras was great. It felt vivid and immediate.

***Many thanks to Netgalley, and Storyville Press for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.… (més)

Sean Jordan moves to New Orleans with his wife and daughter to escape his past. But when a new shock jock outs him as a convicted sex offender, his life unravels rather quickly. The police look at him for a bomb that went off at the aquarium and the murder of a seven year old girl. With Mardi Gras coming quickly, the police need to make a speedy arrest. And Sean is not making it easy for them.

A dolphin is described as an accidental capture when the law goes fishing for sharks. Every once in a while when hunting for a bad guy; a good guy gets caught in that net. But is Sean a dolphin?

There is so much about Sean that comes out in this story. He tries to overcome all obstacles and rid himself of baggage that he has been carrying. As the police investigate further; there are more murders, Sean’s wife may leave him and there may be no place to turn.

It’s is a suspenseful story to say the least. Not a mystery, but full of though provoking ideas. One has to fell not only for Sean, but also for the detective trying to solve the case(s) and also for the radio personality that as to deal with the new shock jock at his station. All around, a complex and exciting novel.… (més)