What do you think?
Rate this book
Influence
When famed attorney Bradley Hudson learns of his youngest son Langston’s arrest for drug trafficking, he immediately assembles a team of lawyers and investigators, including members of his own family, to build a defense. With his reputation for being a shark in the courtroom, Bradley is confident he will get justice for his son—until he realizes he will be going up against an old foe, Assistant District Attorney James Brown. Is the ADA allowing his personal history with the Hudsons to influence his handling of the prosecution?
To complicate matters, Bradley discovers that his older son, Lamont, a young lawyer and Bradley’s right-hand man, has secretly been planning his exit from the family law firm to get out from under his father’s shadow.
Desiree, Bradley’s only daughter, is fresh out of law school and quite reserved compared to her siblings. She’s the good girl who doesn’t normally like to rock the boat, but in what could be considered the worst of all timing, she is secretly dating a man and a woman, and both relationships are on a collision course. Given the problems her family is facing, now is not the right time for Desiree to introduce
more drama to the mix, but she just can’t seem to help herself.
As if fighting for one son’s freedom and fending off the other’s betrayal isn’t enough pressure, Bradley is also in the middle of his own love triangle between his ex-wife, federal judge Jacqueline Hudson, and his current wife and jury consultant, Carla. He knows how much is at stake if his family’s drama spirals out of control, so he’ll do everything within his power to keep it all together and prevent his son from landing behind bars. With his trademark dramatic style, Carl Weber introduces readers to the Hudsons. Only time will tell if they can stand united, or if the legal dynasty of Bradley Hudson is about to come crashing down.
To complicate matters, Bradley discovers that his older son, Lamont, a young lawyer and Bradley’s right-hand man, has secretly been planning his exit from the family law firm to get out from under his father’s shadow.
Desiree, Bradley’s only daughter, is fresh out of law school and quite reserved compared to her siblings. She’s the good girl who doesn’t normally like to rock the boat, but in what could be considered the worst of all timing, she is secretly dating a man and a woman, and both relationships are on a collision course. Given the problems her family is facing, now is not the right time for Desiree to introduce
more drama to the mix, but she just can’t seem to help herself.
As if fighting for one son’s freedom and fending off the other’s betrayal isn’t enough pressure, Bradley is also in the middle of his own love triangle between his ex-wife, federal judge Jacqueline Hudson, and his current wife and jury consultant, Carla. He knows how much is at stake if his family’s drama spirals out of control, so he’ll do everything within his power to keep it all together and prevent his son from landing behind bars. With his trademark dramatic style, Carl Weber introduces readers to the Hudsons. Only time will tell if they can stand united, or if the legal dynasty of Bradley Hudson is about to come crashing down.
316 pages, Hardcover
First published August 28, 2018
186 people are currently reading
447 people want to read
About the author
Carl Weber
92 books2,105 followersCarl Weber is a New York Times and #1 Essence® bestselling novelist.
In addition to his writing, Weber is the founder and publisher of Urban Books and in 2005, he was named Blackboard's Publisher of the Year. He is the owner of the Urban Knowledge chain of book stores and a past recipient of Blackboard's Bookseller of the Year award.
Weber graduated from Virginia State University and holds an MBA in marketing from the University of Virginia.
In addition to his writing, Weber is the founder and publisher of Urban Books and in 2005, he was named Blackboard's Publisher of the Year. He is the owner of the Urban Knowledge chain of book stores and a past recipient of Blackboard's Bookseller of the Year award.
Weber graduated from Virginia State University and holds an MBA in marketing from the University of Virginia.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
June 5, 2024
I truly enjoyed this book. Very well written and definitely relevant in today's society. I am hoping that this becomes a series like Family Business. I am a sucker for a good Carl Weber book and movie.
October 1, 2018
If you're familiar with the author's work, then you know he's known for family drama. This book has a lot of it. It was a fast read, I just hate that it ended with me having a lot of questions.
September 20, 2018
Have you ever read a book that had you so on edge you just had to know the outcome and could not wait? Well this one had me like that , I went straight to the back and had to read what the outcome was going to be, after I found out I went back and read how they got to the outcome. I had the pleasure of reading and listening to this book at the same time so I was listening to chapter 30 and was reading from the back to the front. What a great way to read I may try that again. I must say Carl Weber did not disappoint me with this one except the end I needed one more chapter to hear the face expressions on some of the characters once a different outcome was revealed.
January 18, 2019
This read is cool
March 12, 2023
The ending felt rushed and I wish the discovery was made prior to the verdict, but it was still a really good listen.
September 4, 2018
OMG! Carl Weber has done it again! This book kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end!
September 21, 2018
I usually want to fight Carl Weber after reading one of his books and there is no change in that after reading Influence. He cleans things up just enough BUT he still leaves SO many questions that you are upset because you got caught up in the first book and now have to wait until God knows how long for the next part. I do feel like this will be a family series like The Duncan's though so after I get out my feelings , I can appreciate his books as always.
September 7, 2018
I love Carl Weber. However, just disappointed how this turned out. Hoping that there will be a sequel to tie up so many loose ends and questions.
November 24, 2018
I stayed with this novel because the students were heading to Howard University after a break. It was choppy and not well written. The students were found with a large amount of drugs. They were jailed without a trial. There was a same sex romance that had no sparks. An Ex was now a judge with a worthless fling. I was disappointed with the ending also.
July 26, 2020
Of course the book is better than the movie! I will definitely check out the second book in this series.
March 9, 2019
This book really does show how complicated life can become even for someone who is completely innocent. This book shows how one mans desire to break another man, forces people to turn on distrust and even turn on each other all over a mishandling of circumstances. This book is truly worth reading. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. I read it because I needed some insight on writing courtroom scenes. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this book because although it was in part a legal drama: it blended the scenes so well that it didn't have to hinge a lot of focus on only the courtroom. Much of the book took place outside of the courtroom dealing with the drama of the investigation and the breakdown of the friendship and relationships throughout the story.
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. I read it because I needed some insight on writing courtroom scenes. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this book because although it was in part a legal drama: it blended the scenes so well that it didn't have to hinge a lot of focus on only the courtroom. Much of the book took place outside of the courtroom dealing with the drama of the investigation and the breakdown of the friendship and relationships throughout the story.
November 2, 2018
This book grabs your attention from the beginning and keeps on your edge of your seat. Weber has done a great job with writing this book. You can easily connect with the characters. You will experience several emotions while reading this book. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
May 5, 2023
Whewww… this had me on the edge! Talk about messy courtroom drama and family secrets! I will say I wanted more shoes to drop with some of the mess he released in the book. We had secret affairs, being caught coming out the closet, a sons betrayal. A-lot of drama.
October 26, 2018
Awesome book!! Great writing from beginning to the end. The ending needed some work but overall I enjoyed the book.
May 17, 2020
Page turner
This was a really good story but there were way too many typos that a simple edit would catch. Other than that I loved it. Read it in three days.
This was a really good story but there were way too many typos that a simple edit would catch. Other than that I loved it. Read it in three days.
October 24, 2019
What a great read! From beginning to the end, you are drawn into the drama of this story. You are able to follow the characters and decide if you like or dislike them. The only problem I had is the ending. It was rushed. I would have loved to read how they were able to solve this crime. I would recommend this read.
March 1, 2019
It was a page turner for me. It was well written and put together. I really loved everyone's story. It shows you that when your back is against the wall, you can't trust anyone. Grudges from years ago will come and try to take you out.
April 29, 2019
I enjoyed this book the second time around.
November 7, 2019
Felt thrown together. Some parts of the story was really boring. It ended poorly. There are characters I wanted to hear more about their ending.
October 25, 2024
The book was ok and it was kind of slow. The fact that there were all four college students in a fraternity get pulled over to find out that 2 kilo was in the car which they had no clue about it being there. ADA James Brown found out about the case, and when he found out it was his ex best friend Bradley son that was in trouble. He had a plan to get his revenge even if lying on innocent people all because his ex best friend Bradley took his case and his fiancé Jacqueline back in the day, which is Langston parents. What I can say about these best friends, they were loyal to one another majority of the story but ADA James Brown start threatening their families livelihood which caused the four best friends to rethink their loyalty to one another. Quey was loyal to his best friends and didn’t testify, Crush committed suicide while in jail and Tony was offered a deal to say the drugs belong to his best friend Langston by ADA James Brown to get his mother out of prison for good just lied to the court to put everything about the drugs on Langston. The ending sucks, ADA needs his behind down and thrown in jail for this! It sad because this is what really takes place in the real world. People who hold onto grudges can be dangerous people!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2018
I'm on the fence with this one..... I enjoyed the book, it kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't wait to get to the end to see what was going to happen, but I'm still wondering. I absolutely hate sequels because I hate investing my time in a book, only to get to the end and its too be continued....ugh. Well, Mr. Weber didn't say too be continued, but the ending left open too many loose ends.
Now if the book ending was wrapped up with a bow on top, I would rate it a 5 because it kept my interest. But since it wasn't, and I'm not totally sure if there will be a sequel, I'm rating it a solid 3.5
Now if the book ending was wrapped up with a bow on top, I would rate it a 5 because it kept my interest. But since it wasn't, and I'm not totally sure if there will be a sequel, I'm rating it a solid 3.5
December 4, 2018
Well Influence, was typical Carl Weber. But I liked it.
The Hudson Family was no joke. I like the idea that all the characters were professional & doing positive things in life.
Except one, got caught riding dirty. The story takes off from here.
I felt the plot & characters were believable.
I was trying to figure out how did it. But the joke was on me. HaHa!!
My question is Kwasi & Langston are released, but what happened to Tony?
Oh well, such is life. On to my next read.
Hmmmm, what should I read next?
Head Games or Bad Men & Wicked Women
Ah hell, I'll just read them both.
Until my next review, Happy Reading!!!!!
Ciao 💋
The Hudson Family was no joke. I like the idea that all the characters were professional & doing positive things in life.
Except one, got caught riding dirty. The story takes off from here.
I felt the plot & characters were believable.
I was trying to figure out how did it. But the joke was on me. HaHa!!
My question is Kwasi & Langston are released, but what happened to Tony?
Oh well, such is life. On to my next read.
Hmmmm, what should I read next?
Head Games or Bad Men & Wicked Women
Ah hell, I'll just read them both.
Until my next review, Happy Reading!!!!!
Ciao 💋
March 4, 2019
Famed attorney Bradley Hudson is in the middle of trying to clear his youngest son Langston after he has been arrested on drug trafficking charges. His oldest son Lamont who serves as his right hand man has his own secret career plans. His only daughter Desiree is leading a secret life that is about to blow up. The ADA James Brown, who is trying to convict Langston, has a past history with Bradley and his ex-wife Jacqueline. Bradley is caught in a love triangle between his ex-wife, federal judge Jacqueline Hudson and his current wife Carla. This story is full of drama, which Carl Weber is so well at writing.
August 16, 2020
Sometimes, the choices we make in life lead us down a dark path, and other times we're just in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is just one of the lessons explored in Carl Weber's standalone novel "Influence". Langston Hudson is the son of a highly successful attorney and is used to the finer things in life. He's always trying to walk the straight and narrow, but when he gets pulled over and arrested,both he and his friends' future hangs in the balance. Can his father and his team of lawyers free him? Is he who he seems to be? What will happen to their friendships? Read it and find out! Another great read from Carl Weber!
June 2, 2021
Not my favorite Carl Weber book/series.
Story begins with four Black boys being pulled over by the police. Even from the beginning I didn’t feel the connection with the characters that I normally do with a book from Carl. I’m sure all the different storylines and intersections will all make sense later but right now it feels like a lot of information just floating out there. I’m left with more questions then answers and the one answer we were given felt like it appeared out of then air.
Hoping the sequel is an improvement.
Story begins with four Black boys being pulled over by the police. Even from the beginning I didn’t feel the connection with the characters that I normally do with a book from Carl. I’m sure all the different storylines and intersections will all make sense later but right now it feels like a lot of information just floating out there. I’m left with more questions then answers and the one answer we were given felt like it appeared out of then air.
Hoping the sequel is an improvement.
November 18, 2024
Knowing about the loyalty of fraternity brothers, I could see the situation of young Black fraternity brothers returning to school getting stopped by the police. I can also believe how they could be incarcerated for months prior to trial. The story held my interest and being able to predict the outcome with the only question was how it would be constructed when I finally got to the ending. My reaction was: what? What happened? Did I miss something? It was as if the publisher told the writer it had to be finished today and the ending was abruptly terminated.
September 9, 2018
This is a new book by the author of a family of lawyers. The youngest son and 3 of his Fraternity brothers are on their way back to college in Washington DC, when the police pulls them over in Staten Island NY. Drugs are found in the car and the drama begins of black males being profiled and a assistant district attorney out for revenge.
I enjoyed the storyline and it held my attention from beginning to the end.
I enjoyed the storyline and it held my attention from beginning to the end.
September 27, 2018
Awesome!
This was one hell of a book. Took me on an emotional roller coaster. I need to know if the drugs belonged to the former owners of the car. I thought maybe the police officer put them there. What happened to DA Brown. Please make a second book. I'm hooked. Thank God the boys got released. Praying for Krush soul and for Tony's conscience for lying to save his mother.
This was one hell of a book. Took me on an emotional roller coaster. I need to know if the drugs belonged to the former owners of the car. I thought maybe the police officer put them there. What happened to DA Brown. Please make a second book. I'm hooked. Thank God the boys got released. Praying for Krush soul and for Tony's conscience for lying to save his mother.
October 25, 2018
I am not a big fan of Carl Weber at all but, this is the second book that I read of his that I really loved. The first book was man on the run and when I say Weber kept me wanting more from that book I mean it. Oh my gosh but, this book here was great, it hit a home run. The issue in this book is a issue we have today. if you are looking for a book that you want to keep your attention then this is the book for you.
October 27, 2018
This book will have you on the edge of your seat. Jacqueline may not have been in Langston in life the way she need to be only thinking her career but she came though in the end along with Desiree and Perk. Lamont knew that Bradley was big on loyalty and he betrayed that trust. Desiree is confused she dont what she want Perk (the man) or Jerri(the woman). Should have been a part 2 unfinished business.Krush(Kirby)RIP
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews