“The Lasko Tangent” is a legal thriller novel written by Richard North Patterson, an American author, and former lawyer, and was first published in 1979.
It was Patterson’s first novel and received critical acclaim, winning the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Mystery Novel in 1980.
The novel’s plot revolves around a U.S. senatorial campaign where the incumbent senator, Orrin Knox, is running for re-election against a challenger, Ben Harrison.
The main character, a young lawyer named Christopher Paget, is hired to investigate a mysterious death related to the campaign.
Paget is a passionate advocate for justice, and he is eager to take on the case, despite the fact that it will take him deep into the complex world of politics and put him in harm’s way.
The death in question is that of the campaign’s financial backer, E.J. Lasko.
Lasko was found dead in his home, and the police ruled it a suicide.
However, the circumstances surrounding Lasko’s death are suspicious, and Knox’s campaign believes that foul play was involved.
Paget’s job is to investigate the death and determine if there is any connection to the senatorial campaign.
As Paget investigates, he uncovers a web of political intrigue, corruption, and deception.
He discovers that Lasko was not only a financial backer of Knox’s campaign but also had ties to Harrison’s campaign.
Additionally, Paget learns that both candidates have skeletons in their closets that they would prefer to keep hidden.
He is torn between his professional obligations and his personal ethics, and he struggles to maintain his integrity and his sanity in the face of overwhelming pressure and danger.
In the end, Paget must confront his greatest fears and make a choice that will determine not only his own fate but the future of the country.
As he delves deeper into the case, he becomes a target himself.
He is physically attacked and threatened, and he begins to suspect that someone is trying to silence him.
Despite the danger, Paget continues to pursue the truth, determined to uncover the connection between Lasko’s death and the senatorial campaign.
In the end, Paget discovers that the true motive behind Lasko’s death was not political, but personal.
The killer was someone close to Lasko, who had a personal vendetta against him.
Although the case is not directly related to the senatorial campaign, Paget’s investigation has uncovered political corruption and unethical behavior on the part of both candidates.
The novel ends with Paget confronting Knox and Harrison with the evidence of their misdeeds, leaving the reader to speculate on the ultimate outcome of the election.
The Lasko Tangent Book Review
“The Lasko Tangent” is a thrilling and thought-provoking novel that explores the complex and often dangerous world of politics, power, and corruption, and the lengths that some will go to protect their interests.
It follows the story of Christopher Paget, a young and talented lawyer who is hired to investigate a mysterious death related to the senatorial campaign of a charismatic politician named Senator Lasko.
Paget is a sympathetic protagonist who is both idealistic and flawed.
He is torn between his desire for justice and his loyalty to his mentor, the powerful and manipulative Judge Claudia Devon.
The plot is intricate and well-crafted, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end.
Patterson’s use of legal concepts and procedures is accurate and detailed, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the story.
His writing is engaging and his characters are well-drawn and complex, making it a thought-provoking and entertaining read.
The supporting cast of characters is equally compelling, with a range of colorful and intriguing personalities that add depth and complexity to the story.
From the ambitious prosecutor to the ruthless political operative, each character adds to the overall sense of intrigue and tension.
The book explores in detail the themes of power, corruption, and the pursuit of justice and is a timeless classic that has earned its place as one of the greats of the genre.
Overall, “The Lasko Tangent” is a must-read for fans of the legal thriller genre.
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