What Happened to the Bennetts is a novel by Lisa Scottoline that mixes elements of a mystery novel with those of an action thriller. The novel follows the journey of a suburban dad who risks his life to save his family from corrupt government officials and law enforcement. Along the way, he confronts grief and mortality while deciding what kind of father and husband to be in the future.
Lisa Scottoline is a #1 bestselling and Edgar award-winning author of 33 novels. Her books are book-club favorites, and she is known for her fast-paced plots, suspenseful twists, and relatable characters. She has also written humorous memoirs with her daughter Francesca Serritella and served as President of Mystery Writers of America.
Plot Summary
The narrative commences with the tragic killing of the main character’s daughter, Allison, by two males in a pickup. Jason Bennett, the proprietor of a court-reporting venture, is driving his family back post Allison’s field hockey contest when a pickup commences trailing them on a dim highway. Abruptly, two men emerge from the vehicle, brandishing weapons at Jason and demanding the car. This terrifying burst of brutality alters his life irrevocably.
Subsequently that dreadful night, an unexpected visit from the FBI shakes Jason and his family. The agents disclose that the carjackers belonged to a menacing drug-trafficking syndicate, placing Jason and his family in their sights. The agents recommend that the Bennett family enter the witness protection program immediately, a suggestion they find impossible to resist.
Nonetheless, WITSEC was crafted to shield criminal informants, not innocent families. Removed from their familiar surroundings and placed in a new life, the Bennetts start to unravel. Jason grapples with the guilt and grief linked to Allison’s demise, while his wife Rachel turns distant and melancholic. Their son Ryan revolts against their new identities and makes attempts to reach out to his old acquaintances.
A shocking revelation then changes everything: the FBI agents that ushered them into WITSEC are actually on the payroll of the drug cartel. They have been misleading the Bennetts, using them as bait to draw out a rival cartel leader who seeks retribution against Jason for the death of one of his crew during the carjacking.
Confronted with this horrifying truth, Jason decides to take action, combating both the corrupt agents and the relentless cartel. He partners with an independent FBI agent named Kelly, who has been delving into the case and is privy to the truth. They join forces on a perilous mission to unveil the conspiracy and rescue their families.
Throughout this journey, Jason encounters numerous impediments and trials, such as evading a motel shootout, penetrating a drug storage facility, hacking a classified database, and confronting his own insecurities and uncertainties. He also unveils new layers of his personality and his family, such as his bravery, his affection, and his faith.
The tale culminates in a thrilling face-off at a secluded cabin where Jason confronts the cartel leader and the treacherous agents who betrayed him. He overpowers them with Kelly’s assistance, but not without suffering a significant loss: Kelly, who sacrifices herself to protect him.
Post battle, Jason reunites with his family, saved by another FBI squad alerted by Kelly pre-mortem. They embrace, expressing gratitude for their survival. Jason reassures them of his unwavering love.
In the epilogue, we discover that Jason and his family, now bearing new identities, have relocated to a new town. They are diligently rebuilding their lives. Jason has embarked on a fresh venture as a private detective, utilizing his honed abilities to assist others. He remains connected with Kelly’s family, who have become like a second family to him. He admits to missing Allison daily, yet carries a sense of optimism for the days to come.
Analysis of Characters
The main characters in What Happened to the Bennetts are:
- Jason Bennett: The protagonist of the novel, a suburban dad who owns a court-reporting business. He is loyal, caring, and protective of his family, but also insecure, guilt-ridden, and conflicted about his role as a father and husband. He undergoes a dramatic transformation throughout the novel, facing danger, loss, betrayal, and redemption.
- Rachel Bennett: Jason’s wife, a stay-at-home mom who loves her family but feels unhappy and unfulfilled in her marriage. She is supportive, compassionate, and intelligent, but also distant, depressed, and resentful of Jason’s lack of attention and affection. She struggles to cope with Allison’s death and their new life in WITSEC, and she questions her relationship with Jason.
- Ryan Bennett: Jason and Rachel’s son, a teenager who is smart, athletic, and popular at school. He is rebellious, impulsive, and defiant of his parents, but also loyal, brave, and caring of his sister. He resents being uprooted from his old life and friends, and he tries to escape from their new reality by contacting his old buddies online.
- Allison Bennett: Jason and Rachel’s daughter, a teenager who is talented, cheerful, and kind. She is the victim of the carjacking that sets the plot in motion, and her death has a profound impact on the rest of the family. She appears in flashbacks and memories throughout the novel, showing her close bond with Jason and her positive influence on him.
- Kelly O’Brien: A rogue FBI agent who helps Jason expose the conspiracy and fight the cartel. She is tough, smart, resourceful, compassionate, loyal, and brave. She has a personal stake in the case, as her brother was killed by the cartel leader. She becomes Jason’s ally and friend, and they develop mutual respect and attraction for each other.
Themes and Messages
Some of the themes and messages in What Happened to the Bennetts are:
- Family: The novel explores the importance of family as a source of love, support, and identity. It shows how the Bennetts cope with their tragedy and their new situation as a family unit, as well as how they grow closer or apart from each other. It also shows how Jason forms a new family with Kelly and her relatives, who share his values and goals.
- Justice: The novel examines the concept of justice as a moral and legal principle. It shows how Jason faces a dilemma between following the law or taking justice into his own hands. It also shows how he deals with the corruption and betrayal of the people who are supposed to uphold the law. It questions whether justice can ever be achieved in a world full of violence and evil.
- Betrayal: The novel depicts the theme of betrayal as a source of pain, anger, and distrust. It shows how Jason is betrayed by the FBI agents who put him in WITSEC, as well as by some of his former friends who turn against him. It also shows how Rachel feels betrayed by Jason’s lack of communication and intimacy. It explores how betrayal can damage relationships and trust.
- Redemption: The novel portrays the theme of redemption as a process of healing, forgiveness, and change. It shows how Jason seeks redemption for his guilt over Allison’s death and his mistakes as a father and husband. It also shows how he finds redemption through his actions to save his family and expose the truth. It suggests that redemption is possible even in the darkest of times.
Writing Style and Narrative Structure
The author’s writing style in What Happened to the Bennetts is:
- Fast-paced: The novel moves at a rapid speed, with short chapters, cliffhangers, and action scenes that keep readers hooked. The author uses suspense, tension, and surprises to create a thrilling reading experience.
- Suspenseful: The novel creates a sense of suspense by withholding information from readers and characters alike. The author uses foreshadowing, hints, and red herrings to build anticipation and curiosity. The author also uses plot twists to shock readers and challenge their expectations.
- Relatable: The novel makes readers empathize with the characters by portraying them as realistic, flawed, and human. The author uses dialogue, inner thoughts, emotions, and flashbacks to reveal their personalities, motivations, and relationships. The author also uses humor, sarcasm, and pop culture references to lighten the mood and add some fun.
The narrative structure of What Happened to the Bennetts is:
- Linear: The novel follows a chronological order of events from Jason’s point of view. The author uses flashbacks sparingly to provide background information or contrast between the past and present.
- First-person: The novel is narrated by Jason in the first-person perspective. This allows readers to see his thoughts, feelings, opinions, and reactions to everything that happens to him. It also creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy between readers and the narrator.
- Single-perspective: The novel only shows one perspective throughout Jason’s. This limits readers’ knowledge of what Jason knows or discovers. This creates a sense of mystery and uncertainty about what is really going on behind the scenes.
Impact and Reception
The influence of What Happened to the Bennetts is as follows:
- Commercial: This best-selling novel has found its way into over 30 million homes across the globe. It’s been translated into more than 35 diverse languages. A cinematic adaptation, with Matt Damon in the lead role of Jason Bennett, a suburban father battling against a drug cartel and unscrupulous FBI agents, has taken shape. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film has garnered praise from both critics and viewers.
- Critical: The book has captivated critics and readers with its thrilling storyline, multifaceted characters, and pertinent themes. It’s commended for its genuine representation of the witness protection program, its contemplation of the moral quandaries surrounding justice and revenge, and its depiction of a powerful female figure in Jodie Comer’s Marguerite. Notably, its unique and inventive narrative approach, using three different viewpoints to recount the same tale, has gained recognition. The National Board of Review has honored the book as one of the top ten films of 2017. Additionally, Jodie Comer has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 75th Golden Globe Awards.
Conclusion
The novel titled “What Happened to the Bennetts” provides a riveting and poignant narrative. It blends elements of suspense, exhilaration, drama, and love, crafting an intriguing story that grips readers’ attention intensely. The narrative grapples with significant themes such as familial bonds, justice, treachery, and atonement, exploring their impacts on human existence. The book prompts readers to reflect on personal values, decisions, and potential responses in analogous circumstances. It stands as an engaging read for those who appreciate well-constructed tales populated by unforgettable characters and filled with unexpected twists.
Yet, potential readers should note that the narrative presents certain explicit descriptions of violence, sexual assault, and death, which might unsettle or potentially traumatize some individuals. The book also employs robust language and colloquial expressions that might appear offensive or unfitting for specific readers. It thus advises readers to exercise careful judgement before delving into this book.
