Dette De Sang

Victor Carl #4

by William Lashner

L'avocat Victor Carl apprend que l'un de ses clients, Joe Parma, a été assassiné. La veille, il était venu le consulter à propos d'une valise bourrée d'argent entrée en sa possession il y a une vingtaine d'années lors d'un meurtre. Victor Carl se lance à la recherche de cet argent avec comme indice la photo d'une femme nue qui appartenait à la victime de Joey.

Genres: Thriller, Legal Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Legal

533 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

William 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

Reviews

[Ice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lashner's latest, his fourth and longest, is another big and beautifully written saga, narrated by righteous, melancholy Philadelphia lawyer Victor Carl. Though the book is nominally a legal thriller, the Dickensian atmospherics command as much notice as the plot. A complex case connecting a recent murder to one 20 years ago counterpoints Victor's hospital visits to his dying father, who is obsessed with unburdening himself of (mostly sad) stories from his youth.

It's a tribute to Lashner's skill that these yarns hold their own against the more dramatic main story line. Victor has been retained by petty wiseguy Joey Parma (known as Joey Cheaps) about an unsolved murder a generation ago. The victim was young lawyer Tommy Greeley, and Joey Cheaps was one of two perps, though he was never caught. When Joey is found near the waterfront with his throat slashed, Victor knows his duty. This involves considerable legwork and clashes with an array of sharply drawn characters; Lashner is in his element depicting this rogue's gallery, and Victor riffs philosophically on his encounters. Foremost among the shady figures is a femme fatale (improbably but appropriately) named Alura Straczynski, who sets her sights on Victor. It's a move more strategic than romantic, but no less dangerous for him. The standard coverup by men in high places waits at the end of Victor's odyssey, but this novel, like Lashner's previous ones, is all about the journey. Lashner's writing-or is it Victor's character?-gains depth and richness with every installment.

*Starred Review* Joey Cheaps is a bottom feeder. He flits around the edges of the Philadelphia criminal underworld but never scores anything but trouble and jail time. Victor Car, whose place in the legal hierarchy is akin to Joey's in the criminal, is his attorney. Joey reveals to Victor his role in a 20-year-old drug rip-off in which an anonymous young man died.

Victor can't fathom why Joey chose to bare his soul when he did but decides to find out when Joey's throat is slit shortly after his confession. Using his police connections to match missing-persons files and unsolved homicides to Joey's time frame, Victor comes up with the likely name of Joey's victim: Tommy Greeley, a failing law student moonlighting in the drug business. Among Greeley's youthful circle were many who subsequently rose to prominence in law and politics. Victor lets the genie out of the bottle with his inquiries on behalf of a failed hood and soon finds himself threatened and his clients receiving unduly harsh penalties in court.

Lashner, best-selling author of Fatal Flaw [BKL Mr 15 03:], has a rich, sometimes poetic style, but he leavens his prose with humor that fluctuates between morbid and whimsical. This is an extremely good crime novel, and it vaults Lashner into the upper reaches of the hardboiled universe, along with Pelecanos, Lehane, and a very few others.

[Pascalle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het was nogal een complex boek. Er gebeurt heel veel maar het duurt bijna tot het einde totdat de puzzelstukjes in elkaar vallen. Wat opzich goed is, maar maakte het ook wel complex om te lezen. Plus je merkt dat de schrijver een slimme man is, alleen wel het type die in zijn hoofd een paar stappen verder is dan de meeste mensen. Waardoor hij net iets te veel van de hak op de tak springt, voornamelijk in de eerste helft van het verhaal.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

At last a new legal thriller series with a protagonist whose bent in the usual ways, but for once not so macho that I find myself repelled. Maybe because my husband was a public defender who faced impossible tasks daily, I found this story and its circumstances more believable than most. Any way, it kept me turning the pages and trying to figure it out. I was suitably impressed enough that I bought the kindle version of Victor Carl #1 to give the author another chance at me.

[Carey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lil too long and dragged out. Many characters to keep ahold of but some of them died so it was easier to remember.
the story dragged on and on. There was an unimportant subplot involving his hospitalized father telling a tale of girl he dated in his youth. This was boring to read on an account that I thought the father has his final breath during an earlier encounter. So I just skipped all the pgs with the dad.

There are a lot of characters. An appointed Supreme Court Magistrate who has no idea his wife of 20 yrs is being stretched-out by all the dudes in Philly. This woman communicates every thought in her journals (she is obsessed with them).



I will leave you with a that sums up my enjoyment/pleasure with the story. This is near the end of the book, when Victor just got pistol-whipped. Now a sword fight is going to take place. Wtf?

"I shook my head and it hurt, but I couldn't help but shake it, even with the pain in my jaw. Of course there would be a sword fight. Now this is truly pathetic."


Final Rating: 2.3435 stars out of cinco.

[Anna RIch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has a noir flavor to it, which I liked, and like a lot of noirs, where things are headed and what the characters' motivations are is sometimes unclear or, unrealistic; which is also par for the (noir) course as I recall. Now that I'm about a week away from finishing, I see this was a fairly straightforward whodunnit with several storylines working themselves toward final resolution. Some resolutions are more satisfying and longed for than others but this is the way. One thing that surprised me and brought me to a full stop, and this might just be me, is there were three or four times when the author used "then" when he meant "than". Even now the grammar program is telling me to choose another word. It sent me off to a consideration about the editor's input, whether this could be a tic he has, like my tendency to type "becasue". If I remember anything in a month, I will probably remember the cold slap of that recurrence.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Complicated plot with a lot of characters and much going back to their respective youths, most of which were far from sunny. Victor Carl is a always-hunting-for-a-client Philadelphia defense attorney who gets enmeshed in a convoluted series of murders, both present and past, involving colorful local types, including a local judge who's on the short list for consideration for the SCOTUS.

Everyone has baggage. Lots of baggage, both literal and figurative. I'd never read Lashner before, and I can't say that this book encourages me to hunt him out. It seems dated and bloated. Having no previous experience with the author or his protagonist may mean that I'm being harsh, but I finished this more out of duty than zeal.

[Randhir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books by William Lashner that I have read. The travails of the slightly shady lawyer Victor Carl are covered with humanity and humour. The prose is excellent. The cast of characters stand out with his deft literary strokes. Victor tries to unravel the murder of a client and gets involved with very dangerous characters. Also, his father is fighting death in a hospital, he has no money and is ostensibly being targeted by a supreme court judge. The plot twists and turns leaving us wanting to read more. Excellent book

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read 8 of Lashner's books and enjoyed them. All are older than this one. This is the first book in the Victor Carl series I have read. It was just okay. I found his father's story more compelling than the case he is working on solving. It started out ok, but just became too convoluted.

It became pretty clear where everything was headed. I got tired of the story. There are many positive reviews so feel free to ignore my input. I will find another book by Lashner that isn't part of this series.

[Dave Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge William Lashner fan, and I hope he can keep churning out great Victor Carl stories. In this book, Carl defends a low life, even after he's been murdered. He does this even though his client owed him money, and even confesses earlier crimes. Carl's determination leads to crossing paths with some powerful enemies.

As always, great dialogue and quotable that any writer wishes they'd penned.

[Akina Blaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great mystery legal thriller that keeps you intrigued. I really enjoyed the length of it, going into backstory, other characters, and a captivating side story. A few things were a bit repetitive and I personally wasn't a fan of the ending, but overall it was a fun ride with compelling writing. I am excited to check out other novels by this author.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5 stars. Good mystery set in Philadelphia, but I took a half star off because I felt this could have been 50-75 pages shorter. I wasn’t aware that this was the fourth book in a series and think it can be read as a stand-alone novel

[Kat Walter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting characters, but too many of them. Quippy dialogue, but leave out the stereotype dialects—doesn’t add to the story and it’s racist. Plot covers current murder and murder from 20 years in past; this made for a confusing read at times.

[Ann Breeding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seemed like too many character and drug out too long. I enjoy his books however and will read more of them.

[Darla Bryant · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was ok. I think I am burnt out on the whole detective genre.

[Jai Rahim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed.

[Debbie Covert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another well written entry in this legal series set in Philadelphia. My only problem with this book is that is was way too long just like all the previous books in the series.

[Allan]

great story. Lots of Philly references

[Darla Bryant · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was ok. I think I am burnt out on the whole detective genre.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Philadelphia lawyer Victor Carl is broke, as usual, and his father is lying in a hospital bed near death. Victor’s client Joey “Cheaps” Parma seeks Victor’s advice about a murder he was involved in 20 years before of Thomas Greeley, a law student/drug kingpin. Soon after his confession, Joey’s body is found on the waterfront, with his throat slit. Victor, always defender of the underdog, knows the police won’t put too much effort into finding Joey’s killer, so Victor commits to finding out why Joey was murdered. His investigation leads him back to Joey’s youth, and on to the people surrounding Thomas Greeley, including a present Supreme Court jurist and his eccentric wife and her life journals which hold the secret behind Joey’s death.

Victor Carl is perhaps the best character written today. His self-deprecating comments, inner turmoil, and reflections reveal a man whose demons from the past influence his present-day life. The relationship with his father, previously tumultuous, is now mellowing as his father’s health deteriorates. Lashner delivers intriguing characters with real depth and dimension. Victor Carl’s introspections are insightful and well-delivered and simply eloquent. The plot is a twisty one, and the read lengthier than most mysteries, but well worth the time.

[Mahinui Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book after reading another earlier Victor Carl set of misadventures. The first book I read was much better. At least for me.

This time, there was a bit too much gratuitous violence. The characters were colored up like grade B movie actors. It was like they were all wearing too much make up.

A subplot was woven so persistently through the book that I became more interested in that than the main story, that seemed to be finding its way to a predictable if not particularly plausible ending. Then the subplot sort of dissolved. I say sort of, as it may be meant to be hanging out there for a sequel. I don't know. Usually I do not think it sportsmanlike to complain about plot. The author is the author, after all, and it is the author's story. If we don't like it, we can put it down and go water the garden. It probably could use the attention.

My thoughts here go to something else - that is the series type of book. They almost never get better as they go along. My sense of William Lashner is that he is a fine writer. Far superior to most, and he has become enmeshed in this dated genre of the noir murder mystery. I would love to see him put that aside and write from his gut.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay! Maybe I'm just a sucker for criminal defense attorneys of the Jewish persuasion (being the progeny of such) but I really enjoyed this nicely plotted, darkly funny, and ocassionally poetically written crime thriller. Though this is my first encounter with Lashner's series, it is the fourth novel featuring Victor Carl, a slightly down on his luck Philadelphia defense attorney, who as the book jacket quips, "Does the wrong things . . . for the right reasons." In this novel, Victor has been hired by Joey "Cheaps," who contacts him about the "statue" of limitations of murder--a murder that he accidently committed twenty years ago and one that involved a suitcase of money gone missing. Less than 24 hours later, Joey turns up dead and now Victor, on behalf of Joey's mother, is trying to figure out why (and of course, mabye track down that missing money). Victor's slighty sarcastic first-person narration reminds me of the Harlen Coben novels featuring Myron Bolitar (and that's a very good thing.)

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The hero of this murder mystery is a low rent Philadelphia lawyer with links to both the cops and organized crime. Twenty year old crimes are unfathomably linked to contemporary murders. Our lawyer flippantly pretends to be unscrupulous while maintaining a strong sense of ethics as he wades through the various twists and turns of his dead client's problem. No wonder he doesn't make any money. Of course he succeeds in the end and even makes a few bucks.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victor Carl is an attorney that you would want in your corner when the proverbial sh*t hits the fan. This book is about how the past can come back to haunt us and how one man may have a chance at redemption who needs it just as much for himself as his clients. Great read so far. Suspenseful nail biting thriller. Do not start reading if you have other plans for your day because this one hooks you in and doesn't let go until you exhale on the last page.

[Miran · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cliche after cliche after cliche.

Main character is irritating trying too much to be cool, few other characters like Kimberly are unbelievably irritating, and I can't imagine anyone talking like they talk in many parts of this book. Story was ok, but end (one scene) ruined it, it was really too much, I couldn't believe it could be so stupid.

For reading when You have nothing better at home, and You aren't close to library or bookstore.

[Bob Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't stop thinking about it

First, I hate doing these; I'm writing on a Kindle and I'm the world's worst typist. I either really like something and have a terrible time explaining why or I can't finish it. If you like murder/ mystery you won't go wrong reading anything by William Lashner.

[Gail Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in the past ? Don't do it.

Again, Mr.Lashner writes a five star mystery that is a real page turner. Again, the character development in his Victor Carl series is what holds your interest from beginning to end. Former characters meet new ones, and the circumstances blend seamlessly. Excellent read.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourth in the Victor Carl series. Investigating the murder of client Joey Cheaps leads Victor through a web of crime and deception involving drugs, infidelity, masked identity, and a state supreme court justice. Side story about Victor's dying father and his first (and only) love.

[Richard Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this one as much as his previous books. The philosophical ruminations were less interesting, and I missed the aspects of a crime family connection. But I will continue to read this author.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story very much. It was engaging and kept my interest throughout. I thought the characters were well developed and the narrative flowed smoothly. I look forward to reading more from this author.