Carl Weber

Influence is an interesting book though a little more salacious then necessary. The story itself is very interesting but requires a bit of suspension of disbelief. In the book, the son of a famed lawyer is arrested along with three fraternity brothers from Howard on the way back from the beach. From there, things go terribly wrong for the young men.

On one hand, the book serves as an eye-opener as to what can happen to young African American males once they are into the judicial system. It show more doesn't matter their wealth or the perceived power of their parents, innocent miscalculations turn deadly very quickly. Lives are irrevocably changed.

The downside of this book, for me at least, is the gratuitous sexual descriptions, that do nothing to advance the plot. There are several of these and they only serve to distract from the seriousness of what happens to the boys.

Still, I'd recommend this one. show less

Many of Carl's books are very good: interesting characters with plot twists and turns you will never see coming. However, this book was an exception. The characters were shallow and the plot was totally predictable. None of the characters were believable (married womanizer falling head over heels for a teen-ager, successful black businessman falsely arrested has to go to Africa because he can't understand why his white wife doesn't support his racial discrimination lawsuit, Momma's boy plans show more to marry girl who has slept with all his best friends and he understands when she wants take out a $200,000 life insurance policy on his mother, henpecked husband tells his gossiping wife all the dirt on his friends and is shocked when she can't keep her mouth shut).

Some of the 1-star reveiwers have commented on the poor portrayal of black women in the book. While I found the women totally uninteresting, I think Carl's portrayal of the men in the story was just as bad. I wouldn't choose any of the characters in the book as role models.

I cannot recommend this book and I am glad I borrowed it from my local library instead of purchasing it. show less

Title: Up to No Good
Author: Carl Weber
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Church
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:

"Up to No Good" by Carl Weber...

"There is always a man around the corner. Church trustee James Black should know--he's usually that man, carrying on adulterous affairs and sleeping with one conquest after another. But when he suddenly finds himself truly in love, the other women in his church have a thing or two to say about it--including his daughter, Jamie.
Jamie has every show more intention of dismantling the relationship--until she discovers a mystery woman has been secretly calling her lover, Louis. Meanwhile, James's son, Darnel, spirals out of control after he catches his fiancée cheating. James knows he's to blame for the turmoil that surrounds him and his loved ones. Now he'll have to find a way to bring peace to their lives. But he can only do it by facing some hard truths about himself and changing his scandalous ways."

What I liked from the novel.....

This was another one of this author good reads. "Up to No Good" was definitely one of this author types of drama novels that will keep you on the edge of your seat with a lot of drama and suspense and leave you wondering what will come next. You will be left saying 'what a story' that was a little predictable but yet not disappointing in any way with some characters that were simply off the chart. Some of the characters were greatly flawed while a few others were simply well developed, engaging and oh so real to give the readers a simply good character development with a excellent subplots along with a unforgettable story line. The ending will definitely leave thinking just how far would you go to help out a blood relative. That ending left me in awe...because even though I know that person had a lots of demons and definitely needed help....I never thought that would happen. I am still shaking my head about that ending. All that is left to say is wow what a interesting intensed read that still I have thoughts about long after this read. If you are looking for drama with a lots of pain and craziness you have come to the right place for "Up to No Good" will give it all to you and more! show less

The audiobook was great. The book itself was fantastic..solid story, interesting funny characters, a moral, and all around excellent development. Many stories I read fall flat, some in the middle but most at the end. Not once have I discovered this to be true with Mr. Weber's books. I'm very pleased and enjoyed my time with The Man in 3B.