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Victor Carl #1
Hostile Witness
Hard-luck Philadelphia lawyer Victor Carl is just itching for the opportunity to sell out. Then good fortune comes knocking at his door in the guise of William Prescott III, a blue-blood attorney from one of the city's most prestigious firms. Prescott wants Victor to represent a councilman's aide who is on trial, along with his boss, for extortion, arson, and murder. It's the juiciest, highest-profile courtroom extravaganza in years -- and all Carl has to do is show up, shut up, and follow Prescott's lead. But it soon becomes clear that somene's setting him and his client up to take a long, hard fall. Victor Carl may be desperate and unethical but he's no one's patsy. And to survive in this legal snake pit of secrets, lies, and lethal double-crosses, he's going to play the game his way.
608 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1995
204 people are currently reading
963 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 102 reviews
June 7, 2013
this is an excellent work. I literally relished every word as I plunged into the depths of the brilliance of William Lashner. I am amazed that it took so long to hear about him. this is top-notch in every way. IF you like to read, I heartily recommend Hostile Witness. if you like deep character development, logical plots, and justice, I recommend Hostile Witness. I cannot say enough good about this.
June 2, 2016
I really liked the plot of this book. There are some interesting twists and the characters are interesting. What I was NOT crazy about is the explicit sex scenes, which is why I gave it three stars. When I saw one starting I skipped it and thus missed more pages than one might expect, which gives you an idea of how explicit these probably are. I don't like to be critical, but I wish more people would mention in there reviews whether there is this sort of thing in the books they review since some of us aren't into the "fly-on-the-wall-in-the-bedroom" experience. I might take the chance on the next book in the series since the basic story is so well done, but if there's this much sex that's it for me.
September 20, 2010
Can you really trust anyone with two first names?
Victor Carl is a weaselly lawyer of no repute who digs his own legal grave by getting involved with people he shouldn't. Never much to begin with in his ratty office on 21st st. in Philadelphia, by the end he's forever disgraced in his first major courtroom appearance.
So why should we care? Because Carl's a better man than he ever admits to himself, and in most things his instincts and intuition lead him to a level of truth that his more cerebral (and ethical) counterparts never reach. And though he'd hate to admit it, at heart his not only a decent human being but a deeply caring one.
The other reasons to love Carl are Lashner's writing style, full of humor and sideways comments on life, a wonderful sense of complicated plot, and a man who knows and uses his city superbly (unlike Lisa Scottoline, who has no sense of Philadelphia at all and an almost total inability to make lawyers sound real). As a Philadelphian myself, I know well the block where Carl has his office, and Lashner's pinned it to the wall.
This is the first of the Victor Carl series by Lashner, and my second favorite of the lot. By every one is worth reading.
Victor Carl is a weaselly lawyer of no repute who digs his own legal grave by getting involved with people he shouldn't. Never much to begin with in his ratty office on 21st st. in Philadelphia, by the end he's forever disgraced in his first major courtroom appearance.
So why should we care? Because Carl's a better man than he ever admits to himself, and in most things his instincts and intuition lead him to a level of truth that his more cerebral (and ethical) counterparts never reach. And though he'd hate to admit it, at heart his not only a decent human being but a deeply caring one.
The other reasons to love Carl are Lashner's writing style, full of humor and sideways comments on life, a wonderful sense of complicated plot, and a man who knows and uses his city superbly (unlike Lisa Scottoline, who has no sense of Philadelphia at all and an almost total inability to make lawyers sound real). As a Philadelphian myself, I know well the block where Carl has his office, and Lashner's pinned it to the wall.
This is the first of the Victor Carl series by Lashner, and my second favorite of the lot. By every one is worth reading.
June 14, 2018
The 1st in the Victor Carl series...a down-on-his-luck Philly lawyer picked to "go along to get along" in a headline trial whose lead attorney has a hidden agenda...sex, violence, mystery & the ins & outs of "big city" politics...great characters & plenty of twists to keep pages turning...excited to find out the author is a grad of Iowa's Writer's Workshop...good stuff!!!
October 19, 2014
I enjoyed this. It was pretty obvious that the mc was being used, at times I thought it was too obvious, but overall I liked it. Very solid legal thriller.
August 31, 2024
This novel had a very slow start. It tracked the beginning of a young lawyer’s, Victor Carl, career, who was passed over by Big Law and resents anyone who now works in such ranks. He is hustled by a partner to represent a co-defendant and play the obedient silent role that could lead to more business and prestige. Things only got interesting in the last 80 or so pages of the 500 page book. There were several noteworthy characters, especially his partner Beth and the investigator team of Morris Kapustin and his son Sheldon. The dark days of limousines and alcohol-infused weekday benders and cocaine so prolific in the 90s were a throwback. I may or may not pick another in the series.
July 3, 2025
Loved it. First in Lashner's series starring down and out attorney Victor Carl. He really wants to hit the big time and when he's approached to represent a city councilman's aide, he thinks he has. But then he realizes he's being set up. Lots of ups and downs. Not a real pretty wrap-up but a real wrap-up. Well done. I want to see more of Victor Carl.
December 10, 2014
So this summer, on the recommendation of a reader, I read
Marked Man
, the sixth book about Victor Carl, the unfortunately named Philadelphia lawyer. I wasn't wowed by it, but I enjoyed it enough that I wanted to go back to the beginning and try at least one more in the series.
I'm not convinced that was such a great idea. It wasn't until the last 100 pages that I cared about anything going on in this book -- I even started to really like it, actually. But 80% of the way through a book is far too late for that.
My main problem with the book is the characterization of Victor Carl. He's still at the beginning of his career, but not so fresh that he should be so naïve. For most of the novel, like an obedient show dog, Carl's led around by his greed, ambition, and that part of anatomy not known for its thinking skills. It's hard to watch someone who should be a bit more cynical to act this way. If he was truly wet behind the ears, if he was really that young, if he was Forrest Gump -- it might be different. But a kid who worked his way up from his beginnings through law school and a few years of practice should know better. Even as fresh to the profession as he is, Victor comes across as too world weary to get taken in so easily.
The book is easily one hundred pages longer than it needed to be -- if not more -- but most of the extra time is justifiable, and I only noticed it because I wasn't really enjoying things.
The sense of place is strong. I know next to nothing about Philly. Lashner's writing at least makes me feel I understand it a bit. The way that (early) Parker, Lehane and Tapply helped me think I understand Boston. Or a few dozen authors make me think I understand parts of New York City.
Obviously, over the course of a long series things are going to change in a character -- either because the author changes his mind/forgets something (Inspector Cramer chewing rather than smoking cigars, Spenser's time in the prosecutor's office changing counties) or there's some sort of character growth. So it's not surprising that Victor in book 1 would be different in book 6. I don't remember his eyes watering whenever he's in a confrontation from Marked Man, but it's all over the place here. Did he grow out of it? Did Lashner just drop it? Is my memory bad? (I'm leaning towards "no" based on how often he's mentioning it here, he'd have to mention it a lot then).
No matter what, I can't begrudge the time spent with this book because it introduced me to Morris Kapustin -- the elderly, Orthodox Jewish P.I. He's funny, he's easy to underestimate and overlook. Really funny to read. I'd read a Kapustin series in a heartbeat -- I'd probably collect first editions of them. Sadly, something tells me that character won't be around long.
This was good enough to justify the effort, but not so good that I could really recommend. I'm mildly curious about the new phase of Victor's career, and how that gets him to Marked Man, but not overly so. I might be back for #2 if I hit a lull next year, but I'm not going to exert a lot of effort to pick it up.
I'm not convinced that was such a great idea. It wasn't until the last 100 pages that I cared about anything going on in this book -- I even started to really like it, actually. But 80% of the way through a book is far too late for that.
My main problem with the book is the characterization of Victor Carl. He's still at the beginning of his career, but not so fresh that he should be so naïve. For most of the novel, like an obedient show dog, Carl's led around by his greed, ambition, and that part of anatomy not known for its thinking skills. It's hard to watch someone who should be a bit more cynical to act this way. If he was truly wet behind the ears, if he was really that young, if he was Forrest Gump -- it might be different. But a kid who worked his way up from his beginnings through law school and a few years of practice should know better. Even as fresh to the profession as he is, Victor comes across as too world weary to get taken in so easily.
The book is easily one hundred pages longer than it needed to be -- if not more -- but most of the extra time is justifiable, and I only noticed it because I wasn't really enjoying things.
The sense of place is strong. I know next to nothing about Philly. Lashner's writing at least makes me feel I understand it a bit. The way that (early) Parker, Lehane and Tapply helped me think I understand Boston. Or a few dozen authors make me think I understand parts of New York City.
Obviously, over the course of a long series things are going to change in a character -- either because the author changes his mind/forgets something (Inspector Cramer chewing rather than smoking cigars, Spenser's time in the prosecutor's office changing counties) or there's some sort of character growth. So it's not surprising that Victor in book 1 would be different in book 6. I don't remember his eyes watering whenever he's in a confrontation from Marked Man, but it's all over the place here. Did he grow out of it? Did Lashner just drop it? Is my memory bad? (I'm leaning towards "no" based on how often he's mentioning it here, he'd have to mention it a lot then).
No matter what, I can't begrudge the time spent with this book because it introduced me to Morris Kapustin -- the elderly, Orthodox Jewish P.I. He's funny, he's easy to underestimate and overlook. Really funny to read. I'd read a Kapustin series in a heartbeat -- I'd probably collect first editions of them. Sadly, something tells me that character won't be around long.
This was good enough to justify the effort, but not so good that I could really recommend. I'm mildly curious about the new phase of Victor's career, and how that gets him to Marked Man, but not overly so. I might be back for #2 if I hit a lull next year, but I'm not going to exert a lot of effort to pick it up.
June 15, 2011
A LAWYER HANDBOOK
This very long book masterfully written with some sense of humor and fine prose, portraits one situation any lawyer may confront any point in his working life, to decide to follow ethic principles and be financially strained or grab the opportunity that comes once in life, quick career advancement and social prestige working in association with the top company of the city in the litigation field performing dishonest maneuverings in order to protect the shady deals of the powerful bad guys.
The main character and hero, attorney Victor Carl, is very likeable, speaks in first person and probably reflects the experiences collected in the working life of the author who exhibits a proven track record as a lawyer according to what is mentioned in the back cover of the book. Throughout the intricated plot Victor explores the underworld of Philadelphia, coming in contact with corruption, scandals, organized crime, embezzlements, scams, bribes, drug abuse and all kind of crooks.
A must read for every junior lawyer fresh off from graduation, far different from any Grisham or Turrow thriller, this story besides entertaining, teaches lessons.
This very long book masterfully written with some sense of humor and fine prose, portraits one situation any lawyer may confront any point in his working life, to decide to follow ethic principles and be financially strained or grab the opportunity that comes once in life, quick career advancement and social prestige working in association with the top company of the city in the litigation field performing dishonest maneuverings in order to protect the shady deals of the powerful bad guys.
The main character and hero, attorney Victor Carl, is very likeable, speaks in first person and probably reflects the experiences collected in the working life of the author who exhibits a proven track record as a lawyer according to what is mentioned in the back cover of the book. Throughout the intricated plot Victor explores the underworld of Philadelphia, coming in contact with corruption, scandals, organized crime, embezzlements, scams, bribes, drug abuse and all kind of crooks.
A must read for every junior lawyer fresh off from graduation, far different from any Grisham or Turrow thriller, this story besides entertaining, teaches lessons.
July 10, 2018
Three stars is generous - thinking more like 2 1/2 stars. Where do I start? First off almost 600 pages for a book - I say it time and time again - no book needs to be that long, especially when it's a series and it moved slow. One thing I hated in this book was Morris - his words! What was that Yiddish? And how does any non Yiddish speaking person have the first clue what is being said? Felt like skipping his character in the book as I had no idea what he was referring to. The last thing that is going to prevent me from reading any further in this series is the fact that this reminds me of another female author that writes lawyer books in Philly. Her characters, like Lashner's, always seem to be getting shot at, kiddnapped or just plain mixed up with some mob like creatures. As I read this, I felt like I have read that story already and maybe the two were married in real life. Ok so I exaggerate but still no desire to read any more in the series (which is saying a lot for me and once I start I read them all) or perhaps any books by this author. I remember the only other book I read by this Author The Bar Keep and thought it moved slow as well.
Read
December 7, 2007This is my second William Lashner novel and now I am hooked. What reeled me in is the marvelous complexity of Victor Carl, the lawyer-protagonist-everyman. He is, contrary to the grishamlike model, a man who has been dealt a hand that is not quite up to his ambitions. He is the prototypical American hero with a dose of realistic ambivalence thrown in.
Hostile Witness also gives Carl a sex life. Lashner doesn't exactly write sex scenes, what he does is give us the protag's view of what's happening and what it means to him. The effect is-sadly-not terribly erotic but wonderfully personal and the hero emerges even more fully human in the reader's eyes.
Hostile witness is also a dark portrait of Philadelphia. Most people who know the city think of it as a fairly voluptuous place known for its pleasures: restaurants, theatres, foodmarkets, music and restaurants. (Did I mention restaurants?). But while the pleasures make for good living, they don't always make for good reading and Lashner accurately depicts the grime behind the crime.
This is lawyer-fiction on a whole new level.
November 10, 2016
This was a long book filled with an incredible amount of detail. A struggling young lawyer with resentment abounding thinks he's just landed his first opportunity with a noted blue blood firm. As it slowly dawns on him that he's been set up to represent the guy taking the fall, he comes to life. His adventures are many and varied in this new world of gangsters, drug dealers and murderers. Lashner writes a few powerfully sensual sex scenes in the course of these adventures. All in all, this is a good book well worth reading. I'm pretty sure I read it twenty years ago when it was first published. I hope I enjoyed it as much then.
August 7, 2008
Loved the descriptions of Philly!! Good crime novel.
May 18, 2013
IT WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT AND WASTE OF TIME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 30, 2014
Took forever to get reeled in! Really wouldn't recommend to anyone!
February 9, 2014
The book was descent (mot terrific). Thought that the story dragged on and on when it didn't have to.
January 22, 2016
Can't recommend this one. Had interest in the story but the book ran way too long and no "wow" factor.
March 20, 2017
A very good legal thriller
Good on the law, but Hemingway he ain't. Like some in this genre, some descriptions are overwrought, but stick with it.
Good on the law, but Hemingway he ain't. Like some in this genre, some descriptions are overwrought, but stick with it.
July 22, 2017
I tried.
October 20, 2024
Victor’s legal career is in the garbage can… Cases are hard to bring in, and the unpaid bills are piling up. Then he hits a lucky break — one of the most prestigious trial attorneys in the city asks him to assist on a high profile criminal case. And if he does a good job, additional (and quite lucrative) work will follow. Victor soon realizes, though, that this opportunity is not all that it seems. Will he do what’s best for himself or risk it all to do what’s best for his client?
This was a pretty solid legal thriller — I enjoyed the overall story, but the author just tried to do too much. There were too many false leads, too many minor subplots, too many twists. The book could’ve been about 100 pages shorter and actually been a better novel.
This was a pretty solid legal thriller — I enjoyed the overall story, but the author just tried to do too much. There were too many false leads, too many minor subplots, too many twists. The book could’ve been about 100 pages shorter and actually been a better novel.
March 30, 2018
I got this title off Marcel Berlins (of The Times) list of "The 50 Best Crime Novels in 50 years" and what a fun legal thriller it turned out to be! Victor Carl, the protagonist & ne'er do well lawyer, has more warts than any toad and yet you can't help but like him. He's chalk full of moral ambiguities and is often at odds with who he thinks he wants to be and who he really is. There are both laugh and gasp out loud moments in this densely plotted novel and although the story was a little slow getting off the ground my patience was rewarded with a meaty tale (and a lengthy one, it turned out!) involving drugs, political corruption, the 'mob', and murder.
Read
September 15, 2021This book had a mix of elements- the legal system, money and debts, sex, the Mafia, politics and political intrigue, corruption, drugs, murder, private investigators, ethics or lack thereof...
A few of the characters were ethical in their pursuit of justice- not wanting an innocent person to be convicted and be sentenced to death for example. Beth was my favorite character- she did what was right, she was passionate about pursuing justice using the proper methods, she helped Victor Carl with his legal arguments and pursuits.
It definitely was a page turner to be sure. I wanted to find out who did the crime so I kept reading.
A few of the characters were ethical in their pursuit of justice- not wanting an innocent person to be convicted and be sentenced to death for example. Beth was my favorite character- she did what was right, she was passionate about pursuing justice using the proper methods, she helped Victor Carl with his legal arguments and pursuits.
It definitely was a page turner to be sure. I wanted to find out who did the crime so I kept reading.
April 22, 2018
Great first Victor Carl novel - I plan on reading them all.
In Hostile Witness, Victor Carl has a golden opportunity land in his lap. A big law firm calls on him to represent a councilman's aids on trial for arson and murder. The aide's boss is also on trial. All Carl had to to is show up and do as he's told.
However, he figures out that his client is being set up, and decides to fight back.
I'm not a fan of legal thrillers, ever since they flooded the market on Grisham's coattails, but Lashner does it differently and better. Much more entertaining, in my opinion.
In Hostile Witness, Victor Carl has a golden opportunity land in his lap. A big law firm calls on him to represent a councilman's aids on trial for arson and murder. The aide's boss is also on trial. All Carl had to to is show up and do as he's told.
However, he figures out that his client is being set up, and decides to fight back.
I'm not a fan of legal thrillers, ever since they flooded the market on Grisham's coattails, but Lashner does it differently and better. Much more entertaining, in my opinion.
January 17, 2019
Jostle witness a good start for Victor Carl series.
I've never been good at reading out of order series so, after reading a it of the stand alone works of Wm. Lashner, I went back to the beginning a Victor Ca rl. Though the writing was less refined, it was a good start for Mr. Lashner and I have to catch up as I know the author does since I have read a lot of his recent stuff.👍👍👍👍
I've never been good at reading out of order series so, after reading a it of the stand alone works of Wm. Lashner, I went back to the beginning a Victor Ca rl. Though the writing was less refined, it was a good start for Mr. Lashner and I have to catch up as I know the author does since I have read a lot of his recent stuff.👍👍👍👍
March 1, 2021
If this guy was my lawyer, I’d do myself in. He is pathetically stupid and naive. The characters are completely stereotypical and predictable. There was not one relatable or believable person. The best part, the only thing that kept my attention was the detailed descriptions of Philly, and they only kept me going until 1/3 of the way through. I gave up.
December 6, 2017
A very well written legal thriller.
The characters are brilliant, the story very believable and the ending as not what I expected. I will probably find my ending in the next book. Buy it you will like it.
The characters are brilliant, the story very believable and the ending as not what I expected. I will probably find my ending in the next book. Buy it you will like it.
September 22, 2018
My new favorite author
I was worried when I read through series by Louis Penney, Karin Slaughter and several others. What to read next?? Then, in my tiny local library, I found William Lasher and his main character- Victor Carl. Thank Gawd! A new series, and a good pne!
I was worried when I read through series by Louis Penney, Karin Slaughter and several others. What to read next?? Then, in my tiny local library, I found William Lasher and his main character- Victor Carl. Thank Gawd! A new series, and a good pne!
July 18, 2020
I procrastinated reading this book because of its length, but I enjoyed all 501 pages. I couldn't help but like Victor, even though he needed a swift kick in the posterior for most of the first 300 pages. I'll read more Lashner after this.
November 9, 2022
great book
I have never wished that a fictional character was real and that I could meet them before encountering Morris Kapustin in this book. Gifted dialogue made this book special.
I have never wished that a fictional character was real and that I could meet them before encountering Morris Kapustin in this book. Gifted dialogue made this book special.
March 24, 2023
This was hard to put down honestly. Such an engaging plot, characters and style. So many twists and turns with a compelling narrative throughout the entire novel. Really liked this one and honestly ordered the second book before even finishing it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews