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The Four-Night Run
J.D. Scrbacek has just won the biggest trial of his career, but even as he crows to the press, his entire life blows sky-high. Was the bomb meant for him, or for his mobster client? In this seaside casino town where the tables run hot and the tensions run high, the odds say the attorney is a marked man. Alone and on the run, Scrbacek flees into the city’s forgotten underbelly, a ruined corridor called Crapstown, where he is forced to confront the ghosts of his past, his present, and his future. Somewhere in the sordid stream of his own existence lie the answers he needs. But in order to emerge from the depths of Crapstown, Scrbacek must argue for his life before a jury of the forgotten and the damned. Is he lawyer enough to save his own skin? From the bestselling author of The Barkeep comes a raucous tale of reckoning, racketeering, and revenge.
430 pages, Paperback
First published May 24, 2016
153 people are currently reading
521 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 1, 2016
Boy, can a lot of activity happen in one day. From the top of the world to the bottom, if there is such. this is quite a story. The characters are well defined so that you know them and how they think, and the plot is certainly full of twists and turns that you don't see coming. It was an interesting read.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" "To Whom It May Concern" and "Tell Me About the United Methodist Church"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" "To Whom It May Concern" and "Tell Me About the United Methodist Church"
May 4, 2017
I really like William Lashner, but this thriller, full of narrative arabesques, alternates the good (even the very good) and the mediocre.
The construction of the book is well thought out, its intrigue is globally convincing, some chapters are excellent, and there are some very convincing characters. Some ideas about attorney's morality and duties are very interesting.
But there are too many narrative exercises of style (long monologues, many POV...), some very boring chapters, too many details and useless descriptions, too many improbable personages (The Furies, the bad guys) and some developments of the plot too fanciful (The Furies).
Besides these problems of likelihood and rhythm, the hero (a lawyer more or less wicked) is not very endearing. In the end, I get the impression of a good thriller that would have added superfluous style effects and crazy characters to impress the gallery.
And it's very moralistic: the hero must suffer to atone for his sins before he can consider reconstructing himself and regaining happiness. What an antiphon! (Snow in winter, Heat in summer, wash your teeth and don't forget to pee before going to bed...)
And I found it was much less funny than usual for a Lashner book.
It is a constant among the American crime writers of wanting to forge towards the "great novels".
A tragic constant.
Never better when the author say it himself:
The construction of the book is well thought out, its intrigue is globally convincing, some chapters are excellent, and there are some very convincing characters. Some ideas about attorney's morality and duties are very interesting.
But there are too many narrative exercises of style (long monologues, many POV...), some very boring chapters, too many details and useless descriptions, too many improbable personages (The Furies, the bad guys) and some developments of the plot too fanciful (The Furies).
Besides these problems of likelihood and rhythm, the hero (a lawyer more or less wicked) is not very endearing. In the end, I get the impression of a good thriller that would have added superfluous style effects and crazy characters to impress the gallery.
And it's very moralistic: the hero must suffer to atone for his sins before he can consider reconstructing himself and regaining happiness. What an antiphon! (Snow in winter, Heat in summer, wash your teeth and don't forget to pee before going to bed...)
And I found it was much less funny than usual for a Lashner book.
It is a constant among the American crime writers of wanting to forge towards the "great novels".
A tragic constant.
Never better when the author say it himself:
It's been a long night, Joey, and already I've heard enough speeches and monologues, enough solipsistic self-satisfied confessions, including my own...
June 28, 2016
I think that Lashner needs to stop doing everything he can to not write a Victor Carl book. He's gone as far from that genre as he can go. Post apocalyptic novels, fictional town mysteries (a la Sin City). It's not that the writing was bad, it's that the story is so strained. You can hear the faint sounds of his famous character wanting to speak again.
I know he said he wanted to take time off from the Carl series. He's taken enough time off. He may never want to go back, but if that's the case, Lashner shouldn't try to run so far from what he does best. I've read all of his post-Carl books. I'm not sure I can keep it up. I'm all for spreading your wings. But sometimes it's time to land.
I know he said he wanted to take time off from the Carl series. He's taken enough time off. He may never want to go back, but if that's the case, Lashner shouldn't try to run so far from what he does best. I've read all of his post-Carl books. I'm not sure I can keep it up. I'm all for spreading your wings. But sometimes it's time to land.
November 20, 2017
Pretty strained plot and characters. I don’t need pure realism, but this strained credulity too far. Lashner tries to blend a straight thriller with a 1930s style populist fantasy about a ground down town and people tying to rise up. There were some good moments, a typical Lashner hero but less likable than usual, and some distinctive side characters. I liked it because it’s Bill, but it’s my least favorite.
May 23, 2018
My opinion
The rating is appropriate.
I liked the twists and turns the sudden change in the plot to kill Scrbacek. I loved the characters of Nightingale, Blixen, and Ed. For me there was to much unnecessary chatter it seemed drawn out, which in turn rushed the ending.
I would definitely recommend this book to readers looking for something different, who appreciate legal drama.
I look forward to your next book.
The rating is appropriate.
I liked the twists and turns the sudden change in the plot to kill Scrbacek. I loved the characters of Nightingale, Blixen, and Ed. For me there was to much unnecessary chatter it seemed drawn out, which in turn rushed the ending.
I would definitely recommend this book to readers looking for something different, who appreciate legal drama.
I look forward to your next book.
May 29, 2018
Lashner continues good diverse work with Four Nightrun
This book held my attention in so many ways: style, storyline, characterization, etc. I have only read three prior books by him and have been surprised by each of them. I have come to this conclusion. I am going to read more of his work
You should too
This book held my attention in so many ways: style, storyline, characterization, etc. I have only read three prior books by him and have been surprised by each of them. I have come to this conclusion. I am going to read more of his work
You should too
December 27, 2019
Keeps your attention
The story based around J.D. and his troubles will keep your attention riveted to the book. There is never a dull moment and never a moment when you could guess what would happen next.
The story based around J.D. and his troubles will keep your attention riveted to the book. There is never a dull moment and never a moment when you could guess what would happen next.
December 13, 2020
When a man loses the life that everyone dreamed of overnight, Scrbacek is left with nothing but his wits. This was such a riveting and fast paced novel that had me engrossed for hours. It was such a nice change of pace from what I usually read.
May 16, 2019
I love Lashner's books. He's a clever writer and his characters are well written.
Read
January 30, 2020Can’t get enough. Reality. Brutality. Hope. Mystery. Depravation.
March 9, 2017
This was a really entertaining read by Mr. Lashner. I was drawn in at the outset and read it through just two days. For all his flaws, I liked the character and was rooting for him.
June 11, 2016
“Mr. Breest is my client.”
“Your client? Has your client ever done anything other than destroy whatever it was he touched? Wouldn’t the world now be a better place if your Caleb Breest was on death row waiting the hangman and my son was still alive? Couldn’t we all then rejoice? Isn’t that the end you should have been working for, Mr. Scrbacek?”
“Mrs. Brummel, the Constitution provides…”
“Don’t. Don’t you dare,” she said. “He came to you searching for a future, and you dragged him down to the level of that monster, to the level of filth, to your level. Wasn’t it inevitable that at the end of it, your Caleb Breest would be as free as a gull, and my boy, my sweet innocent boy, would be the one burned so badly they won’t even let me see his face a final time, won’t let me wash his flesh with my tears? And you, you shifty bastard, you try to quote to me the Constitution.”
William Lashner’s latest standalone book is a mix of his usual conflicted attorney with some humor mixed but this time with some different almost graphic novel-like characters and story. The weird characters (The Nightingale, Squirrel and others) that Lashner adds did bother me somewhat and what keeps me from rating this book higher. This part of the story bothered me the way that Johnny Shaw’s latest book Floodgate bothered me.
J.D. Scrbacek, a successful defense attorney is just starting his celebration for winning a big case for his likely guilty mobster-tied client Caleb Breest, when Scrbacek’s car blows up, killing his young assistant Ethan Brummel. The excerpt above shows how Scrbacek handles the visit’s with Ethan’s mother and how badly he attempts to show his remorse. The excerpt shows some of Lashner’s writing style and more about who Scrbacek is.
Scrbacek quickly realizes the car bomb was likely meant for him or his client both of whom were supposed to be in his car. He soon finds that he can’t trust anyone and begins a four-day adventure running around the New Jersey shore towns of Craptown and Casinoland (the unnamed Atlantic City) getting help from people he’s not sure he can trust and not getting the help from the police and others he thought he could trust. I found this adventure at times interesting and at other times a bit too unbelievable. Good writing, not always a good story. Of course, the parts I didn’t like were intentionally added by Lashner likely as an attempt to broaden his writing in other areas, just not an area I enjoy reading.
I’ve read and really enjoyed many other books by William Lashner, especially the Victor Carl books. I really enjoyed The Barkeep one of his recent standalone books so I was really looking forward to The Four-Night Run. Overall, I did enjoy the book, just not as much as other books I’ve read by Lashner.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
January 7, 2022
You will like this book if: grimy lawyer thrillers and eccentric underdogs/outsider cliques are your speed.
Synopsis/Plot: Just after winning the biggest trial of his career, J.D. Scrbacek’s car is hit by a bomb. On the run in the shadier side of town called Crapstown, Scrbacek must piece together information to determine whether he was the target, and if so, why. Used to the neon lights of Casinoland, a stark contrast to his current dingy digs (and friends), Scrbacek is forced to confront the demons of his past, his present, and his future to get to the bottom of the mystery and save his own skin.
Characters: Scrbacek starts out as a hot mess gambler asshole and really comes into his own throughout his journey toward truth and survival. His eclectic group of hood friends that he makes along the way are incredibly quirky and loveable. Many characters are introduced upfront, and I had to write down who was who.
Setting: The rundown dinginess of Crapstown in contrast to the bright Casinoland is really compelling. I felt like I was in an alternate Las Vegas universe.
Conflict/Resolution: About halfway through I was unsure where things were headed, but I absolutely loved when all of the pieces came together at a quickening pace. I would absolutely call this crafty handiwork.
Writing: Very direct, straightforward, no-nonsense writing style.
Overall/Other notes: To me, this seems like a good book for a man’s man. I received a copy through a Goodreads giveaway.
Synopsis/Plot: Just after winning the biggest trial of his career, J.D. Scrbacek’s car is hit by a bomb. On the run in the shadier side of town called Crapstown, Scrbacek must piece together information to determine whether he was the target, and if so, why. Used to the neon lights of Casinoland, a stark contrast to his current dingy digs (and friends), Scrbacek is forced to confront the demons of his past, his present, and his future to get to the bottom of the mystery and save his own skin.
Characters: Scrbacek starts out as a hot mess gambler asshole and really comes into his own throughout his journey toward truth and survival. His eclectic group of hood friends that he makes along the way are incredibly quirky and loveable. Many characters are introduced upfront, and I had to write down who was who.
Setting: The rundown dinginess of Crapstown in contrast to the bright Casinoland is really compelling. I felt like I was in an alternate Las Vegas universe.
Conflict/Resolution: About halfway through I was unsure where things were headed, but I absolutely loved when all of the pieces came together at a quickening pace. I would absolutely call this crafty handiwork.
Writing: Very direct, straightforward, no-nonsense writing style.
Overall/Other notes: To me, this seems like a good book for a man’s man. I received a copy through a Goodreads giveaway.
June 20, 2016
William Lashner has long been on my list of authors to check out, so I was thrilled when his publisher (through Netgalley) gave me a chance to do so.
"The Four-Night Run" is an action-packed crime/mystery novel that both literally and figuratively takes the reader through the sewers of a city run by mobsters, a corrupt police force and shady businessmen. It starts out as a John Grisham-like courtroom drama, but after those initial 20-30 pages Grisham is far from the reader's thoughts.
Lashner writes with a dry humor that fits the bleak setting and disturbing developments well. He lets his main character, the criminal defense lawyer J.D. Scrbacek, get beaten up and shot so severely that I have rarely read about a character going through so much and still be alive at the end.
The description of the city's underworld is a little over the top, but it adds a number of unforgettable characters to the cast.
This will definitely not be the last book by William Lashner on my reading list this summer, and fans of e.g. Robert Crais will enjoy this one as well.
"The Four-Night Run" is an action-packed crime/mystery novel that both literally and figuratively takes the reader through the sewers of a city run by mobsters, a corrupt police force and shady businessmen. It starts out as a John Grisham-like courtroom drama, but after those initial 20-30 pages Grisham is far from the reader's thoughts.
Lashner writes with a dry humor that fits the bleak setting and disturbing developments well. He lets his main character, the criminal defense lawyer J.D. Scrbacek, get beaten up and shot so severely that I have rarely read about a character going through so much and still be alive at the end.
The description of the city's underworld is a little over the top, but it adds a number of unforgettable characters to the cast.
This will definitely not be the last book by William Lashner on my reading list this summer, and fans of e.g. Robert Crais will enjoy this one as well.
July 18, 2016
I want to thank lovely people at Wunderkind PR for sending me a copy of The Four-Night Run by William Lashner. I was on the blitz tour for this book, and I loved the sound of it so I requested it. I love a wide variety of books, and one of the first genres I really got into was mystery/thriller/procedural (law). I've always loved that realm and even want to work as a lawyer or forensic scientist one day. Anyway, onto a review of the book that is spoiler free. I really enjoyed this book overall. It reminded me of books I've read by John Grisham and James Patterson. I loved the character of J.D. Scrbacek and the adventure we as readers go on with him. While I don't like the names of Crapstown and Casinoland (they could be more original), they were interesting places full of twists and turns. The cities somewhat remind me of The Soprano's or Boardwalk Empire, where the corrupt rule the world. As I read this I wondered how much William Lashner drew from his time as a Philadelphia lawyer. I can see aspects of Philly and Atlantic City (Casionland?) in this book. The one aspect I wasn't a fan of, was that this all happened in less than a week. I just think that's a little unlikely, but hey, books are there to make the impossible seem real.
October 29, 2016
The Four-Night Run by William Lashner is a page-turning, suspense-filled thriller. Don't start reading it late in the afternoon, or you won't get sleep that night. It kept my attention from start to finish so I gave it five stars.
Lashner has done it again with quirky, memorable characters, just like the ones in Guaranteed Heroes, I will remember them a long time.
J.D. Scrbacek is the attorney protagonist, who gives a different ethnic persuasion for the origin of his name each time he is asked. He doesn't know who to trust or where to turn after a bomb destroyed his SUV and intern who started the vehicle after he won a case for his brutal mobster client, Caleb Breest.
He has to examine his past, present and future to determine who is attempting to kill him. Can he do this before they finish the job?
I received a complimentary Kindle copy from Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Night-Run...
Lashner has done it again with quirky, memorable characters, just like the ones in Guaranteed Heroes, I will remember them a long time.
J.D. Scrbacek is the attorney protagonist, who gives a different ethnic persuasion for the origin of his name each time he is asked. He doesn't know who to trust or where to turn after a bomb destroyed his SUV and intern who started the vehicle after he won a case for his brutal mobster client, Caleb Breest.
He has to examine his past, present and future to determine who is attempting to kill him. Can he do this before they finish the job?
I received a complimentary Kindle copy from Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Night-Run...
June 5, 2016
The Four-Night Run
William Lashner
The Four-Night Run William Lashner
J.D. Scrbacek has to discover what in his past, present, and future will save his life. This is a different kind of legal thriller. Not so much about the clients but the lawyer who defends them. Scracek is a well developed character with a quick mind. The path to the truth is incredibly dangerous and he has the scars to prove it..
This is a well thought out novel, though a bit weird. It's quick paced, action packed and has a great twist at the end. Once involved I couldn't stop till the end.
William Lashner
The Four-Night Run William Lashner
J.D. Scrbacek has to discover what in his past, present, and future will save his life. This is a different kind of legal thriller. Not so much about the clients but the lawyer who defends them. Scracek is a well developed character with a quick mind. The path to the truth is incredibly dangerous and he has the scars to prove it..
This is a well thought out novel, though a bit weird. It's quick paced, action packed and has a great twist at the end. Once involved I couldn't stop till the end.
June 5, 2016
I received this arc from Netgalley.
Having read books by this author before I had high hopes for this one. This was a major disappointment! The action at the beginning hooked me and then it was like a rollercoaster ride. Up and down, action and then long drawn out spells of boredom. Way too many details. I found myself constantly checking to see if I was anywhere near the end (PLEASE). And the ending was just too predictable and wrapped up a little bit too nicely. Unfortunately I do not recommend this book at all.
Having read books by this author before I had high hopes for this one. This was a major disappointment! The action at the beginning hooked me and then it was like a rollercoaster ride. Up and down, action and then long drawn out spells of boredom. Way too many details. I found myself constantly checking to see if I was anywhere near the end (PLEASE). And the ending was just too predictable and wrapped up a little bit too nicely. Unfortunately I do not recommend this book at all.
Read
July 26, 2016Attorney J.D. Scrbacek defends Caleb Breest in a huge case and his client is found not guilty. As Scrbacek stands on the courthouse steps to talk to the media, his SUV blows up with his intern inside it. Later that night, his home/office is set on fire and he barely escapes with his life. Someone obviously wants him dead.
I received a Kindle copy though a Goodreads giveaway. I thought it was a legal thriller but it's definitely not a traditional one. I realized this is not the book for me and didn't finish it. The writing seemed to be fine, simply not my type of book.
I received a Kindle copy though a Goodreads giveaway. I thought it was a legal thriller but it's definitely not a traditional one. I realized this is not the book for me and didn't finish it. The writing seemed to be fine, simply not my type of book.
July 20, 2016
Karma in print
A great suspense novel. All the people polite society tries to avoid are the true heroes of this book. A twisting and turning finger-pointing back at yourself. Makes you question whether you're brave enough to objectively look at your own life.
I won this on a goodreads.com giveaway.
A great suspense novel. All the people polite society tries to avoid are the true heroes of this book. A twisting and turning finger-pointing back at yourself. Makes you question whether you're brave enough to objectively look at your own life.
I won this on a goodreads.com giveaway.
February 16, 2018
This one was just OK. I never warmed up to any of the characters; I mostly didn't care who won or lost and I can't say there was "a good guy" anywhere in the book. The plot itself was interesting, if convoluted. I would give this author another try as I liked some of the dialogue, but this one just wasn't great for me.
I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
June 2, 2016
A lot of action, fairly well written, but I could not engage with the characters. Some of this felt frenetic. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.
May 22, 2016
Good solid crime fiction. Lashner doesn't disappoint. Following the travails of Scrback, will keep you on the edge for the Four Night Run.
June 24, 2016
I enjoyed this book very much.
Want to read
June 4, 2016I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
July 7, 2016
I read 96% of this book and realized I had no idea what was going on and that I didn't care one way or the other. Too confusing, too weird.
August 11, 2016
Deliciously quirky.
December 18, 2016
Really good read! Fast paced. Hard to put down.
September 30, 2016
Lawyers
This is another of lashner's goodies. The set up, character development, and a little bit of humor make it a good read for the mystery/thriller crowd.
This is another of lashner's goodies. The set up, character development, and a little bit of humor make it a good read for the mystery/thriller crowd.
November 3, 2016
Good read
Goodhearted tale. A bit slow, but I was enticed to read on. Enjoyable and entertaining.
I would recommend this book
Goodhearted tale. A bit slow, but I was enticed to read on. Enjoyable and entertaining.
I would recommend this book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews