What do you think?
Rate this book
Victor Carl #2
Bitter Truth
A stained legal career spent defending mob enforcers, two-bit hoods, and other dregs of humanity has left Philadelphia lawyer Victor Carl jaded and resentful -- until a new client appears to offer him an escape and a big payday. Caroline Shaw, the desperate scion of a prominent Main Line dynasty, wants him to prove that her sister Jacqueline's recent suicide was, in fact, murder before Caroline suffers a similar fate.
It is a case that propels Carl out of his courtroom element and into a murky world of fabulous wealth, bloody family legacies, and dark secrets. Victor Carl would love nothing more than to collect his substantial fee and get out alive. But a bitter truth is dragging him in dangerously over his head, and ever closer to the shattering revelation that the most terrifying darkness of all lies not in the heart of a Central American jungle...but in the twisted soul of man.
It is a case that propels Carl out of his courtroom element and into a murky world of fabulous wealth, bloody family legacies, and dark secrets. Victor Carl would love nothing more than to collect his substantial fee and get out alive. But a bitter truth is dragging him in dangerously over his head, and ever closer to the shattering revelation that the most terrifying darkness of all lies not in the heart of a Central American jungle...but in the twisted soul of man.
592 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1997
102 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
William Lashner
49 books303 followersWilliam Lashner is a former criminal prosecutor with the Department of Justice in Washington D.C. and a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. His novels have been published world-wide and have been nominated for two Shamus Awards, a Gumshoe Award, an Edgar Award, and been selected as an Editor’s Choice in the New York Times Book Review. When he was a kid his favorite books were The Count of Monte Cristo and any comic with the Batman on the cover.
Under the pseudonym Tyler Knox he wrote the noir novel, Kockroach.
Series:
* Victor Carl Mystery
Under the pseudonym Tyler Knox he wrote the noir novel, Kockroach.
Series:
* Victor Carl Mystery
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 26, 2014
Veritas by William Lashner
Ancient theft of business, murder, secret graves in the garden, recovered sections of a diary all fuel this multi-generational, dueling family feud. Oh, and lets not forget the Mob connected attorney that falls into this pit of vipers. Victor Carl is in over his head, and he knows it. He is trying to find out who is murdering off a family, and in conjunction attempting to extricate himself from his Mob connections. Carl is not exactly the picture of morality himself, but he tries to mostly do the right thing. And, if that right thing involves lining his own pockets, well, all the better.
Lashner certainly has a sense of humor, albeit a twisted one. Veritas is the last thing that is on the minds of any of the inhabitants of the vast Reddman/Shaw estate. Lying and generational obfuscation seem to be the order of the day, here.
Philadelphia to Belize, Carl slowly finds his way to the real truth of the matter, but will the truth win out? Depends on your version of the truth.
Recommended.
Ancient theft of business, murder, secret graves in the garden, recovered sections of a diary all fuel this multi-generational, dueling family feud. Oh, and lets not forget the Mob connected attorney that falls into this pit of vipers. Victor Carl is in over his head, and he knows it. He is trying to find out who is murdering off a family, and in conjunction attempting to extricate himself from his Mob connections. Carl is not exactly the picture of morality himself, but he tries to mostly do the right thing. And, if that right thing involves lining his own pockets, well, all the better.
Lashner certainly has a sense of humor, albeit a twisted one. Veritas is the last thing that is on the minds of any of the inhabitants of the vast Reddman/Shaw estate. Lying and generational obfuscation seem to be the order of the day, here.
Philadelphia to Belize, Carl slowly finds his way to the real truth of the matter, but will the truth win out? Depends on your version of the truth.
Recommended.
November 28, 2011
Great historical thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. I love the narrator's self-deprecating voice and the detailed background of Philadelphia's Main Line. There's something for everyone - a mob tale, a family's historical saga through the 20th century and a love story. Great read.
February 16, 2024
Not bad, but slow and convoluted at times.
September 15, 2016
The second in the series featuring Victor Carl, defense lawyer in residence for the Philly mob and his quest for respectability, i e., lots of money.
A good novel, less a lawyer at the bar story than a whodunit. In fact, Veritas read in some ways
like a Gothic romance in the classic sense. There is the big,decaying somewhat forbidding manse ( the Veritas of the title) with gloom overhanging , a throughly debased family of heirs to a diseased fortune who seem to despise one another and unexplained, sudden disappearances and deaths.
It begins when a daughter of the family hires lawyer Carl to prove that her sister did not commit suicide. Only when she writes him a very large check for a retainer does Victor Carl realize that she comes from money. Carl senses a big payoff. He is in for the chase. But that chase leads him into a swamp, both literally and figuratively of deceit.
As I said , a good novel , with interesting characters and well- done plot, but there are some slow spots caused by the lawyer's musings and his introspective delving into his avaricious motives: " Why am I not a better person? Do I want to be a better person? Is money all that matters? Is the veal good tonight?"
You , as I did, might guess the identity of the killer; nevertheless, there are surprises at exent of the evil of the family and of the pain caused by revenge.
So: a solid three stars with another half deducted for prolixity. But it is narrated by a lawyer.
A good novel, less a lawyer at the bar story than a whodunit. In fact, Veritas read in some ways
like a Gothic romance in the classic sense. There is the big,decaying somewhat forbidding manse ( the Veritas of the title) with gloom overhanging , a throughly debased family of heirs to a diseased fortune who seem to despise one another and unexplained, sudden disappearances and deaths.
It begins when a daughter of the family hires lawyer Carl to prove that her sister did not commit suicide. Only when she writes him a very large check for a retainer does Victor Carl realize that she comes from money. Carl senses a big payoff. He is in for the chase. But that chase leads him into a swamp, both literally and figuratively of deceit.
As I said , a good novel , with interesting characters and well- done plot, but there are some slow spots caused by the lawyer's musings and his introspective delving into his avaricious motives: " Why am I not a better person? Do I want to be a better person? Is money all that matters? Is the veal good tonight?"
You , as I did, might guess the identity of the killer; nevertheless, there are surprises at exent of the evil of the family and of the pain caused by revenge.
So: a solid three stars with another half deducted for prolixity. But it is narrated by a lawyer.
September 20, 2010
OK, this is my favorite of Lasher's Victor Carl books, and the only one in which Carl escapes the tawdriness of his usual legal rathole. But that's not what grabs me. It's the complexity of style and the mixing of genres: part legal thriller, part detective novel, part gothic horror, part mob tale, part adventure story, it intertwines all this elements into a sum greater than its parts. And its Navy Yard climax is something you're not likely to forget – ever.
This title has been reissued as "The Bitter Truth." Presumably the publisher decided that no one would pick up a book with a title that made them move their lips while reading it. And probably, alas, they're right.
This title has been reissued as "The Bitter Truth." Presumably the publisher decided that no one would pick up a book with a title that made them move their lips while reading it. And probably, alas, they're right.
January 26, 2012
I am only withholding the final star because the printing of this book was all messed up. It went from page 212 to 325 - I had to search to find the nearest page (244)to continue. But the book was interesting enough and the story convoluted enough that I worked hard to find the path to finish it. Very well written - brilliant descriptions, well developed characters - good story.
January 10, 2014
Good but somewhat confusing
The story was great but it was hard to keep the family tree straight. The descriptions were a little too extensive when he was describing the environment or places he was in. I did enjoy his private detective though.
The story was great but it was hard to keep the family tree straight. The descriptions were a little too extensive when he was describing the environment or places he was in. I did enjoy his private detective though.
February 16, 2014
This was a long book, but it held my attention throughout. The story has many different strands: a treasure hunt, mob story, redemption theme, some humour, etc. I liked it even better than Lashner's first Victor Carl book, Hostile Witness.
July 5, 2014
Someone recommended this author, and I'm so glad they did. Thank you, Sandy Gaudreau! He's from Philly, my home-town, so, just for that fact I like his books! But the naturalistic sound of the dialogue, and the fast, clever, humerous pace of the novel has made me a fan of the novelist.
March 31, 2023
Well damn. That was definitely something different compared to the first Victor Carl book but it was even better. Crazy twists and turns that played out like more of a who dunnit than your average courtroom drama but it worked so well. The story and family history was told in a way that really grabs your attention and as you learn more about this family you are more and more fascinated by the book. Great read and already ready to go to book 3
September 29, 2018
The good: Beautifully written. The descriptions were vivid and evocative and it was easy to see the people and places. There were some real surprises. Interesting characters and plot.
The not so good: Some explicit sex
For the most part I really liked the book. The story really kept me guessing.
The not so good: Some explicit sex
For the most part I really liked the book. The story really kept me guessing.
March 4, 2024
I am a fan of Lashner and enjoyed Hostile Witness and Fatal Flaw and other stories written by him.
I did not enjoy this book. The family history was too complicated to follow and the book was exceptionally verbose. I recommend his other Victor Carl
Who done it mysteries
This book has some interesting elements, but …
I did not enjoy this book. The family history was too complicated to follow and the book was exceptionally verbose. I recommend his other Victor Carl
Who done it mysteries
This book has some interesting elements, but …
March 7, 2018
I liked the writing style but the family lineage did get a little confusing. It was nice to read a book set in Philadelphia. Obviously the author lived here for a while, because he got it spot on.
January 5, 2019
Detailed family history from murder to redemption. Well written.
Read
August 7, 2020It started out promising, and I slaved through more than half the book, but life is too short.
January 26, 2021
Excellent. Well-crafted, suspenseful, interesting.
April 6, 2021
Twists and turns galore. From gothic horror, to mob vengeance, to treasure hunt in Belize. It's got a bit of everything.
April 25, 2022
A lot of twists
June 22, 2022
Too many excerpts from diaries etc.
November 21, 2023
While I enjoyed this book I had trouble with all the many people sleeping with the wrong people, hard to keep track.
January 29, 2024
I couldn't really get into this book, so ended up skimming a lot, to see who did what. I did miss some of the explanations, but, oh well.
May 25, 2010
I thought this was a good book. A protagonist who is an unabashed ambulance chaser of a lawyer who chose mob law as an easy way to make money but is seeking a new life (and lots and lots of money!) by aiding the wealthy heiress of a family that found its fortune through swindle. Does it get any better than that? Well, it was also kind of cool that a portion of the book takes place in the Cayo region of Belize, a place that Gin and I visited last November. It is always cool to follow along as the main characters walks down foreign streets that I have also been on. Anyways, this is a good trashy mystery book. Nothing more, nothing less.
June 5, 2009
Second in Victor Carl series. Victor is now lawyer for the Philly mob. His investigation into the murder of the heir to a pickle fortune takes him into family horrors and links up with his mob associates. In the end, Victor pursues the killer to Belize. He laso completes his debt to mob boss Rafirllo. Dragged a little.
Read
March 5, 2015WARNING: "Bitter Truth" is exactly the same book as "Veritas." The publisher notes (in the fine print on the publishing information page), "This book was originally published in 1997 as 'Veritas' by HarperCollins Publishers."
Both books are published by HarperCollins.
I wasted my money on this book (because I've already read "Veritas") but this is not the fault of Better World Books.
Both books are published by HarperCollins.
I wasted my money on this book (because I've already read "Veritas") but this is not the fault of Better World Books.
November 14, 2008
A great book to listen to while on the treadmill. There are enough twist and turns to keep the listener wanting to know whodunit. Even though I really enjoyed the book the plausability is debatable, I think.
November 8, 2014
Another Classic
Will Lashner as usual has delivered another beaut.
He is the next great American author hands down. Move over Grisham, Ludlum and Stephen King. Really good read. Fast paced and a page turner for sure.
Will Lashner as usual has delivered another beaut.
He is the next great American author hands down. Move over Grisham, Ludlum and Stephen King. Really good read. Fast paced and a page turner for sure.
November 24, 2014
Picking a favorite William Lashner book is like picking a favorite cat or dessert! But regardless, I think this is my favorite of his- awesome descriptions of the old money world of the Main Line - great plot and writing. I think I need to read it again soon!
April 2, 2016
A very complex story line.
Wow! So many twist and turns right up to the end. The setting felt almost Gothic. This character Victor Carl is so interesting you can't wait for the next installment. The author William Lashner has really got it going on.
Wow! So many twist and turns right up to the end. The setting felt almost Gothic. This character Victor Carl is so interesting you can't wait for the next installment. The author William Lashner has really got it going on.
Read
April 7, 2008I read this under the title "Veritas".
March 19, 2009
This was a spectacular read. Well written and well developed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews