Michael Bennett

A version for Young Adults is also available. Michael Bennett is a Super Bowl Champion, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end, a fearless activist, a feminist, a grassroots philanthropist, an organizer, and a change maker. He's also one of the most scathingly humorous athletes on the planet, and he wants to make you uncomfortable. Bennett adds his unmistakable voice to discussions of racism and police violence, Black athletes and their relationship to powerful institutions like the NCAA and the NFL, the role of protest in history, and the responsibilities of athletes as role models to speak out against injustice. Following in the footsteps of activist-athletes from Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick, Bennett demonstrates his outspoken leadership both on and off the field.Written with award-winning sportswriter and author Dave Zirin, Things that Make White People Uncomfortable is a sports book for our turbulent times, a memoir, and a manifesto as hilarious and engaging as it is illuminating.

Michael Bennett is a Super Bowl Champion, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end, a fearless activist, a feminist, an organizer, and a change maker. He's also one of the most humorous athletes on the planet, and he wants to make you uncomfortable. Bennett adds his voice to discussions of racism and police violence, Black athletes and their relationship to powerful institutions like the NCAA and the NFL, the role of protest in history, and the responsibilities of athletes as role models to speak out against injustice. Following in the footsteps of activist-athletes from Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick, Bennett demonstrates his outspoken leadership both on and off the field. Written with award-winning sportswriter and author Dave Zirin, Things That Make White People Uncomfortable is a sports book for young people who want to make a difference, a memoir, and a book as hilarious and engaging as it is illuminating.

Michael Bennett is a Super Bowl Champion, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end, a fearless activist, a feminist, a grassroots philanthropist, an organiser, and a change maker. He's also one of the most scathingly humorous athletes on the planet, and he wants to make you uncomfortable. Bennett adds his unmistakable voice to discussions of racism and police violence, Black athletes and their relationship to powerful institutions like the NCAA and the NFL, the role of protest in history, and the responsibilities of athletes as role models to speak out against injustice.

THE GRIPPING NEW THRILLER FROM THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF BETTER THE BLOOD AND RETURN TO BLOOD. In the depths of the bleak New Zealand winter comes the rising of Matariki – a sacred constellation in Maori culture, heralding a time of new beginnings. For former Detective Senior Sergeant Hana Westerman, life is good: her work in her hometown of Tata Bay is going well, the community is thriving, and her daughter Addison is getting engaged. But this Matariki brings unwelcome change. When Hana’s ex-husband Jaye walks into an Auckland liquor store and directly across the path of a gunman, their family’s hard-won peace is shattered. With the stakes at their highest, Hana finds herself picking up a path she thought she’d never return to. Desperate for answers, she rejoins the police to help scour the city for the unidentified shooter. But as the investigation progresses, she finds herself unprepared for the darkness of the world she is entering. A darkness much closer to home than she knows. ‘Marries a crash course in Maori culture with a gripping mystery . . . The good news is that Westerman will be back’ The Times, Best Crime & Thrillers of 2025 ‘Cogently plotted and well-written, this novel brings a new perspective to Maori culture’ Belfast Telegraph ‘With Australian thrillers doing well right now, New Zealand’s hot on their heels’ Peterborough Telegraph

Aaron Matthews seems to have it all: a law degree from Yale, a prestigious position with Berman Brothers in Tokyo, a seemingly priceless art collection. But a meltdown on the trading floor kicks off a chain of events that leads him to lose his job, his savings, and his marriage.Undaunted, Aaron launches a desperate plan to regain his wealth and prestige. As the plan unravels and his desperation grows, he'll risk everything to get back to the top.Based loosely on real events, Bad Banker is a tragicomedy that traces the steep fall from grace of a Wall Street trader.

From the Barry Award nominee and Ngaio Marsh Award winner of Better the Blood, a new thriller bringing danger ever closer to Hana WestermanWhen Detective Inspector Jaye Hamilton stops at an Auckland liquor store for a bottle of champagne, it is supposed to be celebratory: his daughter Addison has just gotten engaged. Instead, he is suddenly gunned down at the register by a balaclava-clad assailant in what appears at first to be a random act. The getaway car is quickly recovered, containing the cell phone of a young Māori man, Toa Davis, who is immediately the object of an all-out police search.Jaye's ex-wife, former Māori detective Hana Westerman, asks in on the investigation. Her instincts suggest that the vehicle was meant to be found, and that Jaye had been targeted. The gun used in the assault is distinctive, and she learns that a local gang leader, Erwin Rendall--who had threatened Hana in the past--owns such a weapon. When Davis turns up dead, the hunt for Rendall is on. Yet when Rendall slips through the dragnet and escapes the country, and in the wake of Jaye's death, Hana decides to rejoin the force, acknowledging that she now has unfinished business.Skillfully plotted, inviting readers ever further into the appreciation of Māori culture, and with vibrant characters determined to overcome tragedy with resolve, Carved in Blood takes Michael Bennett's highly-praised series to new heights.

From the author of Better the Blood, the gripping second novel in a crime series starring Māori detective Hana Westerman, in which the discovery of human bones in the dunes of New Zealand upends a long-ago murder convictionAfter the perils of a case that landed much too close to home, Hana Westerman turned in her badge and abandoned her career as a detective in the Auckland CIB. Hoping that civilian life will offer her the opportunity to rest and recalibrate, she returns to her hometown of Tātā Bay, where she moves back in with her beloved father, Eru. Yet the memories of the past are everywhere, and as she goes for her daily run on the beach, Hana passes a local monument to Paige, a high school classmate who was murdered more than twenty years ago and hidden in the dunes overlooking the sea. A Māori man with a previous record was convicted of the crime, although Eru never believed he was guilty.When her daughter finds another young woman's skeleton in the sands, Hana soon finds herself awkwardly involved. Investigators suspect that this is Kiri Thomas, a young Māori woman who disappeared four years earlier, after battling years of drug addiction. Hana and her daughter Addison are increasingly captivated by the story behind this unsolved crime, but without the official police force behind her, Hana must risk compromising her own peace and relationships if justice is to be served.Expanding the range of vivid characters who made Michael Bennett's first book, Better the Blood, so appealing, and offering a shocking twist at the end, Return to Blood takes readers further into Māori culture and traditions as it engages us more deeply into the story of Hana Westerman.

THE GRIPPING NEW THRILLER FROM THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF BETTER THE BLOOD AND RETURN TO BLOOD. In the depths of the bleak New Zealand winter comes the rising of Matariki – a sacred constellation in Maori culture, heralding a time of new beginnings. For former Detective Senior Sergeant Hana Westerman, life is good: her work in her hometown of Tata Bay is going well, the community is thriving, and her daughter Addison is getting engaged. But this Matariki brings unwelcome change. When Hana’s ex-husband Jaye walks into an Auckland liquor store and directly across the path of a gunman, their family’s hard-won peace is shattered. With the stakes at their highest, Hana finds herself picking up a path she thought she’d never return to. Desperate for answers, she rejoins the police to help scour the city for the unidentified shooter. But as the investigation progresses, she finds herself unprepared for the darkness of the world she is entering. A darkness much closer to home than she knows. ‘Marries a crash course in Maori culture with a gripping mystery . . . The good news is that Westerman will be back’ The Times, Best Crime & Thrillers of 2025 ‘Cogently plotted and well-written, this novel brings a new perspective to Maori culture’ Belfast Telegraph ‘With Australian thrillers doing well right now, New Zealand’s hot on their heels’ Peterborough TelegraphPRAISE FOR MICHAEL BENNETT: 'Stunning . . . Hana Westerman, the Maori detective at the centre of the story, instantly becomes one of the great characters in crime fiction on any continent' David Heska Wanbli Weiden 'As page-turning as it is eye-opening. An excitingly fresh perspective upon a world you thought you knew' Ambrose Parry 'Bennett opens a unique window onto a fascinating Antipodean society as only world-class crime fiction can' Deon Meyer 'A significant addition to Indigenous literature' Kirkus Reviews 'Bennett is a writer to watch' Publishers Weekly

"Under the Couch" invites readers to explore the hidden spaces of life, both literally and metaphorically. This captivating collection of poems uncovers the overlooked remnants of our daily existence-forgotten trinkets, childhood memories, and the whispers of lost dreams that linger just out of view. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, the poems delve into themes of nostalgia, yearning, and the unexpected beauty found in the mundane. Each piece is a journey, beckoning readers to bend down and peer into the shadows, discovering the treasures that reside in the corners of our hearts and homes. Let "Under the Couch" enchant you with its whimsical musings and heartfelt reflections as it celebrates the overlooked and the underappreciated, reminding us that sometimes, the most precious things are found in the places we least expect.

"When Goodbye Feels Final" is a poignant exploration of the myriad emotions that accompany farewells. Through a tapestry of verses, the poet delves into the complexities of loss, longing, and the bittersweet nature of remembering what once was. Each poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with goodbye, while offering solace in shared vulnerability. With vivid imagery and profound insight, this collection captures the weight of unresolved emotions and the slow healing that follows. It artfully navigates the delicate balance between letting go and holding on, turning grief into a lyrical journey. Perfect for anyone who has faced the pain of parting, this book serves as a companion for those searching for hope and closure amidst the finality of farewell.

"When Goodbye Feels Final" is a poignant exploration of the myriad emotions that accompany farewells. Through a tapestry of verses, the poet delves into the complexities of loss, longing, and the bittersweet nature of remembering what once was. Each poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with goodbye, while offering solace in shared vulnerability. With vivid imagery and profound insight, this collection captures the weight of unresolved emotions and the slow healing that follows. It artfully navigates the delicate balance between letting go and holding on, turning grief into a lyrical journey. Perfect for anyone who has faced the pain of parting, this book serves as a companion for those searching for hope and closure amidst the finality of farewell.

Set sail on a cosmic adventure with "Pirates of the Nebula," a dazzling collection of poems that intertwines the thrill of high-seas piracy with the boundless wonders of the universe. Each verse transports you to distant galaxies, where fierce buccaneers navigate starlit waters, battling celestial storms and seeking treasure amongst the stars. This collection explores themes of freedom, rebellion, and the allure of the unknown, as demons and dreams collide in an epic struggle for power and exploration. With vivid imagery and lyrical prowess, the poems evoke the spirit of daring explorers and the beauty of uncharted realms. Join these cosmic pirates as they weave tales of love, loss, and adventure, inviting readers to embrace the enchanting chaos of the universe. "Pirates of the Nebula" promises to ignite your imagination and inspire a sense of wonder about the infinite horizons that await beyond the stars.

Set sail on a cosmic adventure with "Pirates of the Nebula," a dazzling collection of poems that intertwines the thrill of high-seas piracy with the boundless wonders of the universe. Each verse transports you to distant galaxies, where fierce buccaneers navigate starlit waters, battling celestial storms and seeking treasure amongst the stars. This collection explores themes of freedom, rebellion, and the allure of the unknown, as demons and dreams collide in an epic struggle for power and exploration. With vivid imagery and lyrical prowess, the poems evoke the spirit of daring explorers and the beauty of uncharted realms. Join these cosmic pirates as they weave tales of love, loss, and adventure, inviting readers to embrace the enchanting chaos of the universe. "Pirates of the Nebula" promises to ignite your imagination and inspire a sense of wonder about the infinite horizons that await beyond the stars.

In "The Last Goodbye," the reader is invited into an evocative journey through love, loss, and the delicate threads that bind us to those we cherish. Each poem serves as a poignant reflection on the ephemeral nature of moments, embracing the beauty of connection even as we confront the heartbreaking inevitability of parting. Through vivid imagery and lyrical depth, the poems explore the myriad ways in which goodbyes shape our lives, from bittersweet farewells to the haunting echoes of memories left behind. The collection captures the raw emotions that arise in the face of transition, inviting readers to confront their own experiences with loss while celebrating the enduring power of love. With each page, "The Last Goodbye" offers solace and understanding, encouraging readers to find strength in vulnerability and to treasure the relationships that leave indelible marks upon our hearts. This collection is a heartfelt ode to the moments we never forget and the goodbyes that forever linger in our souls.

In "The Last Goodbye," the reader is invited into an evocative journey through love, loss, and the delicate threads that bind us to those we cherish. Each poem serves as a poignant reflection on the ephemeral nature of moments, embracing the beauty of connection even as we confront the heartbreaking inevitability of parting. Through vivid imagery and lyrical depth, the poems explore the myriad ways in which goodbyes shape our lives, from bittersweet farewells to the haunting echoes of memories left behind. The collection captures the raw emotions that arise in the face of transition, inviting readers to confront their own experiences with loss while celebrating the enduring power of love. With each page, "The Last Goodbye" offers solace and understanding, encouraging readers to find strength in vulnerability and to treasure the relationships that leave indelible marks upon our hearts. This collection is a heartfelt ode to the moments we never forget and the goodbyes that forever linger in our souls.