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Christopher Paget #1
The Lasko Tangent
William Lasko is a self-made multimillionaire who's got an eye for wealth and influence, the ear of the president, and a talent for using both to get what he wants.
Now the Economic Crime Commission wants the corrupt, untouchable Lasko brought down—and U.S. Attorney Christopher Paget is tapped to take on the job.
To gather enough evidence to nail Lasko without alienating the White House, Paget's got to go by the book. But Lasko makes his own rules. And eliminating enemies is William Lasko's golden one...
In "The Lasko Tangent," Richard North Patterson has written an unstoppable thriller of one man's fight for justice—the man who became the hero of his phenomenal New York Times bestseller, "Degree of Guilt."
Now the Economic Crime Commission wants the corrupt, untouchable Lasko brought down—and U.S. Attorney Christopher Paget is tapped to take on the job.
To gather enough evidence to nail Lasko without alienating the White House, Paget's got to go by the book. But Lasko makes his own rules. And eliminating enemies is William Lasko's golden one...
In "The Lasko Tangent," Richard North Patterson has written an unstoppable thriller of one man's fight for justice—the man who became the hero of his phenomenal New York Times bestseller, "Degree of Guilt."
360 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
199 people are currently reading
3035 people want to read
About the author
Richard North Patterson
105 books675 followersRichard North Patterson is the author of fourteen previous bestselling and critically acclaimed novels. Formerly a trial lawyer, Patterson served as the SEC’s liaison to the Watergate special prosecutor and has served on the boards of several Washington advocacy groups dealing with gun violence, political reform, and women’s rights. He lives in San Francisco and on Martha’s Vineyard.
Macmillan.com Author Profile
Awards
Edgar Award, 1980, Best First Novel for The Lasko Tangent
Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, International Award, 1995 for Degree of Guilt
http://us.macmillan.com/author/richar...
Macmillan.com Author Profile
Awards
Edgar Award, 1980, Best First Novel for The Lasko Tangent
Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, International Award, 1995 for Degree of Guilt
http://us.macmillan.com/author/richar...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
September 18, 2007
I read this book many years ago, when it was first published. I decided to re-read it and see if I still liked this author. I started with The Lasko Tangent because it's the first, chronologically, in the Christopher Paget series.
I found it as interesting, absorbing and well-written as I remember finding Richard North Patterson's novels in the past. THIS Patterson is a lucid, well-spoken writer who presents his characters in such a way that they are memorable. It isn't necessary to keep referring back to previous chapters to remember who is who.
Now I look forward to Degree of Guilt, next in the Christopher Paget saga.
I found it as interesting, absorbing and well-written as I remember finding Richard North Patterson's novels in the past. THIS Patterson is a lucid, well-spoken writer who presents his characters in such a way that they are memorable. It isn't necessary to keep referring back to previous chapters to remember who is who.
Now I look forward to Degree of Guilt, next in the Christopher Paget saga.
June 28, 2015
Loved it! A gripping political thriller with a main protagonist you can admire for his daring and drive to uncover the TRUTH goddammit. ... if not for his shamelessly chauvinist attitude, which is almost forgivable considering this was written in the barely enlightened final year of the 70s. Hungry for more from Richard North Patterson!
September 15, 2013
Ths is a fast read. Lots of twists and turns. A real mystery until the last couple of pages.
January 15, 2010
I'd call the first half OK. The latter part of the second half really gets interesting -- the kind of "I don't want to put it down" interesting -- but then abruptly, the story is done. It's not the way I expected it to end, so that was a bit disappointing. I do realize that Patterson's later books will fill in the gaps with flashbacks back to this book, but it would be nice to have kept the story going and see the story play out here.
March 1, 2013
I really enjoyed reading Richard North Patterson's first novel. As I am a big fan of his, I felt it only right to go back and read the book that started his incredible career! If you are a fan as well, it is definitely a worthy read and doesn't disappoint. I gave it 4 stars only because it took me a little while to get into it, but once I did, I was hooked!
October 9, 2012
Incredible debut novel that had me turning pages all the way through. Patterson created a detective that was my kind of cynical as well as being very intelligent. I really enjoyed following him through the novel.
February 4, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Have read almost all of Richard North Patterson's books and have enjoyed them all. I think this was his 1st book or at least one of his early books.....1979. I recognized the main character from several other books. Quick...easy....enjoyable read.
August 17, 2018
As a lead lawyer at the Economics Crime Commission, Christopher Paget is handed a challenging case to investigate: one of stock price manipulation by a powerful industrialist with political connections to the White House. The case becomes larger and more mysterious quickly and the story becomes more of a police thriller than a legal/political one. While his relentless following of the “paper trail” is quite believable, Chris Paget’s going beyond his mandate in his quest for getting to the criminal element of the story, which encompasses numerous escapes from hit-men, a car chase where he outlasts (albeit, with some luck) the pursuers and coming out on top of a fistfight with a key villain is a lot tougher to take in. Also, the love connection happens quite quickly and not in the most believable manner.
Still, the book is a decent read in that the two essential questions – what is the bigger mystery behind the financial manipulations of the industrialist, Mr Lasko? and how does Lasko always seem to know what Chris Paget is up to and have his hit men ready to assail him? - run across the entire story and keep you interested. In the end, the answer to the first is plausible but not compelling; the answer to the second is a bit of surprise.
In short, a decent page turner that reads more like a Hollywood action movie than a tightly written suspense thriller.
Still, the book is a decent read in that the two essential questions – what is the bigger mystery behind the financial manipulations of the industrialist, Mr Lasko? and how does Lasko always seem to know what Chris Paget is up to and have his hit men ready to assail him? - run across the entire story and keep you interested. In the end, the answer to the first is plausible but not compelling; the answer to the second is a bit of surprise.
In short, a decent page turner that reads more like a Hollywood action movie than a tightly written suspense thriller.
April 10, 2025
Easy to read book that still resonates in current political climates.
This book was first published in 1979, and it still has some of that older world quality in the writing and the attitudes. That said, the plot takes us into a scenario that we could recognise today - it's still relevant and pertinent.
A self-made millionaire (aren't they all, except they really aren't - they all had luck and support etc) has the ear of the president. The Economic Crimes Commission wants to investigate a case of stock manipulation and corruption, but need to step carefully given Lasko's closeness to the president. This is where the U.S. Attorney, Christopher Paget comes in.
An easy to read book, with an intriguing plot that drew me in. Paget is an interesting character albeit a 70's kind of guy, and his exploits, at times they stretch belief, are entertaining.
I love that this book can draw on a plot that resonates with our current world dynamics. It's the beginning of a series and I'll be looking out for the next installment.
This book was first published in 1979, and it still has some of that older world quality in the writing and the attitudes. That said, the plot takes us into a scenario that we could recognise today - it's still relevant and pertinent.
A self-made millionaire (aren't they all, except they really aren't - they all had luck and support etc) has the ear of the president. The Economic Crimes Commission wants to investigate a case of stock manipulation and corruption, but need to step carefully given Lasko's closeness to the president. This is where the U.S. Attorney, Christopher Paget comes in.
An easy to read book, with an intriguing plot that drew me in. Paget is an interesting character albeit a 70's kind of guy, and his exploits, at times they stretch belief, are entertaining.
I love that this book can draw on a plot that resonates with our current world dynamics. It's the beginning of a series and I'll be looking out for the next installment.
March 9, 2020
The Lasko Tangent
Christopher Paget #1
Richard North Patterson
This is the start of the journey through Richard N. Patterson Bibliography; a great start so far;
I enjoyed the case, the twist, the turns, the reveal, and the final scene was masterfully imagined;
Though I felt it got rushed through the ending, I still enjoyed it.
I like this kind of stories :)
As a debut novel, it is amazing! it is going to be a great read across the collection;
I did not like Mary :/ she showed promise as a character at the beginning then it all went down from there :/
I think for a series, not a single story, it needs more characters
I will give it a 3.5/5
Christopher Paget #1
Richard North Patterson
This is the start of the journey through Richard N. Patterson Bibliography; a great start so far;
I enjoyed the case, the twist, the turns, the reveal, and the final scene was masterfully imagined;
Though I felt it got rushed through the ending, I still enjoyed it.
I like this kind of stories :)
As a debut novel, it is amazing! it is going to be a great read across the collection;
I did not like Mary :/ she showed promise as a character at the beginning then it all went down from there :/
I think for a series, not a single story, it needs more characters
I will give it a 3.5/5
May 30, 2017
I tried to like The Lasko Tangent. I wanted to like it. Mr Patterson is a giant in the genre.
In the end, however, I couldn't get there. The characters were flat and uninteresting. I felt very little empathy for the protagonist. The premise held promise but the prose didn't deliver. One could argue it is a reflection to the time in which it was created. I'll concede that point but great literature should be timeless.
Maybe Paget becomes a more interesting character in subsequent novels. I am guessing that Patterson has refined his craft. I'm just not certain I am willing to find out.
In the end, however, I couldn't get there. The characters were flat and uninteresting. I felt very little empathy for the protagonist. The premise held promise but the prose didn't deliver. One could argue it is a reflection to the time in which it was created. I'll concede that point but great literature should be timeless.
Maybe Paget becomes a more interesting character in subsequent novels. I am guessing that Patterson has refined his craft. I'm just not certain I am willing to find out.
Want to read
June 4, 2021From Follett: The investigation of a politically powerful industrialist; the death of a key witness; the corruption of a federal agency. These are the explosive elements facing cynical young government lawyer Christopher Paget as he embarks on a mission that will hurl him into a brutal world of murder, kidnapping, and deception. From its intriguing beginnings to its stunning climax, international best-selling author Richard North Patterson’s first novel is a taut, gripping thriller about real people forced to face their inner fears and values.
June 25, 2023
I found this somewhat disappointing after reading some of R N P's later books.
The story flows along at a good pace but I found the characterisation somewhat lacking. Also his sense of justice that is apparent in later books (e.g. the Kerry Kilcannon series where he deals with Abortion and Gun Control and his liberal credentials show through)
For me it was just a quick summer read. had I have read this first I would not have gone on to read later books. For anyone coming to RNP for the first time - don't be put off - his writing develops from this his first book'
The story flows along at a good pace but I found the characterisation somewhat lacking. Also his sense of justice that is apparent in later books (e.g. the Kerry Kilcannon series where he deals with Abortion and Gun Control and his liberal credentials show through)
For me it was just a quick summer read. had I have read this first I would not have gone on to read later books. For anyone coming to RNP for the first time - don't be put off - his writing develops from this his first book'
August 14, 2025
I read a few books in this series a long time ago and, though I remember nothing, I do remember how much I liked them. I have a few of the books in my bookcase so I decided to start over. I am glad I did! I really enjoyed this book. I am sure I read it previously but don't remember it at all. I would call this a legal thriller even though it isn't a courtroom legal thriller if that makes sense. I found it riveting pretty much from start to finish. I am excited to continue reading this series! I love it!
September 25, 2022
Ik ging op zoek naar dit boek omdat ik De Schuldvraag met heel veel plezier had gelezen. Deze eerste uit een kleine reeks rond jurist Christopher Paget viel me echter nogal tegen. De setting vond ik niet zo aansprekend, de karakters niet bijster interessant en de plot kon mij maar niet op het puntje van mijn stoel brengen. Bovendien werd er in het boek verwezen naar zaken uit het verleden van Paget, terwijl dit toch het eerste deel uit de serie zou moeten zijn. Erg verwarrend allemaal.
October 13, 2024
Didn't know that a book about the Economic Crimes division of the government would be this interesting. The characters' wittiness kept me engaged through some of the bureaucratic fluff, with the main character's voice especially shining through. My biggest gripe was some of the outdated references, but that's no real fault of the author. Just means I need to touch up on my cultural savvy with regards to the late 60s.
October 7, 2021
This one takes some concentration, and the first part of the book is slow-paced, but it picks up steam and becomes an intriguing story. The writing seems somewhat forced at times, trying to impress, but that's a minor point. RNP comes up with some very nice observations, like this: "The idea of death was ugly and enormous, like infinity made personal."
February 18, 2023
Chris investigates a corrupt millionaire with political ties. He wants to do a good job, but is constantly thwarted by political manipulations as well as by the subject of his investigation. And it’s not clear who he can trust.
Not bad although I thought the writing was sometimes a little rough. 31/2*
Not bad although I thought the writing was sometimes a little rough. 31/2*
February 23, 2023
Probably the worst book I've read in awhile. There were passages that didn't make sense (I have a Master's Degree) and the author used so many unncessary "ten dollar words." It was like he was trying to show that he had a large thesaurus. For example: 1. Scrofulous: unkempt, unhealthy appearance. Why use a ten dollar word when the two dollar would be better...
May 1, 2023
Bought this book at my library … extra copy I guess !
I needed a book for the beach 🏖️… wow what a excellent surprise ! I had not looked the summary or the name, just knew it was a suspense. 1979. I really liked the fact that the intrigue was old school, no electronic devices, no social media, just a good suspense !
I needed a book for the beach 🏖️… wow what a excellent surprise ! I had not looked the summary or the name, just knew it was a suspense. 1979. I really liked the fact that the intrigue was old school, no electronic devices, no social media, just a good suspense !
September 8, 2017
This wasn't my favorite book. It just seemed like some of it was a bit predictable to me. The main characters "love" interest didn't feel believable since they never really had a relationship outside of a weekend together. This could have been a much better story.
September 21, 2017
Pretty good for a first novel, although you can see the rough edges in some places. A quick read, well plotted until the abrupt and surprise ending, which I am sure will not please some people. His later novels are, for the most part, much better. Recommended to any Patterson fans.
January 11, 2018
I like to read authors' works in chronological order. This book takes place in the 70's, so there was a natural disconnect with some aspects of the book. Solid story. I liked the characters. Glad I can now move on towards more recent works.
August 13, 2018
The Lasko Tangent
I would not recommend this author or his work to anyone. Slow-paced and reeks of ennui. A great novel if you are bored and ready for bed. Better than Unisom or Ambien for sleeping.
I would not recommend this author or his work to anyone. Slow-paced and reeks of ennui. A great novel if you are bored and ready for bed. Better than Unisom or Ambien for sleeping.
September 2, 2018
The lead up to the end was an enthralling and suspenseful read however the ending was slightly abrupt. All was said and done in a flash. Dispite the ending an enjoyable read. Will give number 2 in the series a go as well.
December 6, 2019
I read this book many years ago and I am just updating my Goodreads profile. This is one of my favorite authors. I will read this book again. Could not put the book down and was hoping it kept going. Good thing there’s some more books with this character.
April 12, 2023
I always give a book 25-35 pages in order to get to the crux of the story. Well, I had to wade through many more pages before anything other than descriptions setting the stage. Ugh! That’s why it took so long to read.
July 21, 2023
getting to like this writer
This is my second book for the author. It has been entertaining and a good “summer.” book. I’m on the patio, ready to order the next book in the series.
This is my second book for the author. It has been entertaining and a good “summer.” book. I’m on the patio, ready to order the next book in the series.
August 16, 2025
stupendous
Superbly and intricately crafted plot and character development. Intriguing, perspicacious political view, especially cogent. This author is a continuing favorite of mine.
Superbly and intricately crafted plot and character development. Intriguing, perspicacious political view, especially cogent. This author is a continuing favorite of mine.
January 14, 2017
I read his later Christopher Paget novels years ago and finally found an old copy of this one. I had to force myself to finish it. I found it very boring; I'm glad his later novels got better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews