Блондинка от Маями

Jake Lassiter #7

by Paul Levine

Не е лесно да защитаваш клиент, когато знаеш, че е виновен. Джейк Ласитър е имал не малко трудни дела. Но нито едно не може да се сравни с бъркотията около Криси Бърнхард. Десетки хора са видели как изящната манекенка пристъпва към един човек в бара и спокойно го прострелва с три куршума от упор. И като връх на всичко нейният адвокат Джейк Ласитър през цялото време седи на един съседен стол...
Явно Джейк ще си има предостатъчно работа. Защото историята се оказва доста заплетена. А красивата и загадъчна Криси, може да се окаже от жените, за които думата "беля" е само върхът на айсберга…

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Legal, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

302 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

The Genius and the Tramp Fight Fascists in 1930's Hollywood

MIDNIGHT BURNING - September 2025
“Ingeniously pairs real-life friends Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin on a roller coaster ride to save America from a fascist threat within its borders.” – Jacqueline Winspear, author of the Maisie Dobbs series.

Award-winning author Paul Levine weaves historical figures into a gripping, true-to-life plot to overthrow the U.S. government in the sizzling thriller MIDNIGHT BURNING.

It's 1937 and clouds of war gather over Europe, and American fascists march at home. While the FBI chases suspected communists, Nazi agents plot an armed insurrection. When the world’s two most famous men–Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin–uncover the scheme, which includes the assassination of Hollywood’s biggest stars, they fight back with nothing but their ingenuity, raw courage, and the fierce resolve of Georgia Ann Robinson, LAPD’s first Black female officer.

Levine—praised by The New York Times for his “realistic, gritty, and fun” novels—delivers a breathtaking thriller laced with humor and a larger-than-life cast, including Charles Lindbergh, Douglas Fairbanks, William Randolph Hearst, and Joseph Goebbels.

"This could be Levine's masterpiece." - Lee Goldberg, New York Times #1 Bestselling Author

ORDER FROM AMAZON HERE.

ORDER FROM BARNES & NOBLE HERE.

ORDER FROM BOOKSHOP HERE.

**********************************************;
Jake Lassiter tackles high school football and becomes the most hated man in Miami in EARLY GRAVE, Paul Levine's sizzling legal thriller.

"An extraordinary hero stars in a legal tale as believable as it is riveting." - Kirkus Reviews

"Levine scores with this complex and witty legal thriller. This winner works even for those new to the series." - Publishers Weekly (★starred review★)

When his godson suffers a catastrophic injury in a high school football game, lawyer Jake Lassiter sues to abolish the sport and becomes Public Enemy Number One. The former NFL linebacker also battles CTE, the fatal brain disease caused by repetitive head injuries. His personal life, too, hits a rocky patch. He's in couple's therapy with fiancée Dr. Melissa Gold and vows to live long enough to fix his relationship and achieve justice for his godson.

"Grounded in reality, EARLY GRAVE is a novel with heartfelt emotion, flashes of humor, and high-octane excitement." - Franco Harris, NFL Hall of Fame Running Back

STILL GOING STRONG:

CHEATER’S GAME is a stand-alone entry in the Jake Lassiter series.

"Clever, funny and seriously on point when it comes to the inequities of society and the justice system, CHEATER'S GAME is top-notch stuff from Paul Levine. His Jake Lassiter is my kind of lawyer!" - Michael Connelly

You may ORDER HERE.

ALSO AVAILABLE: BUM DEAL.

“Fascinating, fully developed characters and smart, well-paced dialogue keep the pages turning. Levine manipulates the expectations of the reader as skillfully as Jake manipulates the expectations of the jury” — Publishers Weekly (★starred review★)

"Drop everything...Read it now...BUM DEAL is fantastic." - Lee Child

Reviews

[Eric_W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed Paul Levine’s books. They crackle with self-deprecating humor as well as provide a good legal drama/mystery. I haven’t read many of his Lassiter series, having concentrated on the Solomon/Lord series. Kip, who is constantly making reference to scenes and characters from movies, resembles his autistic nephew in his other series. A touch of humor never hurts.

Jake Lassiter is an ex-Miami Dolphin, a linebacker known mostly for the time when he recovered a fumble and then ran the wrong way having to be tackled by his teammates before disaster ensued. On another occasion he blocked an extra point attempt with his helmet. the ball getting stuck in his face mask. He wanted it considered a touchdown, but the refs ruled it a safety; it took two weeks to get the ball out of his helmet.

One night sitting at a bar with a friend, a blonde walks in and shoots and kills the man sitting on the next bar stool. Turns out the dead man was her father and Lassiter agrees to represent Chrissy Bernhardt.

Lassiter has a strict code of ethics: he won’t permit his clients or himself to lie. “I remembered what a writer once said about another lawyer, the disgraced and now deceased Roy Cohn: ‘He only lies under oath.’ Well, why not? That's when it counts.”

He represents all sorts of interesting, if sleezy, characters who often return the favor by helping him on his other cases. Roberto Condom was represented on a charge of smuggling dope in the intestines of boa constrictors. “When the constipated and ornery snakes were discovered by Customs, Roberto was charged with drug importation as well as cruelty to animals. Roberto showed up for trial with Bozo, his pet six-foot boa, curled around his neck, pleading that he loved snakes and would never do such a thing. The jury was out only twenty minutes, and Roberto walked. At Christmas, I was rewarded with a snakeskin jacket that looked familiar, but it took me three months to figure out that I hadn't seen Bozo in a while.”

Occasionally, Levine meanders off into making some kind of political observation. For example, I am not an environmental nut, believing in moderation in all things except consumption of Dutch beer. I am more pained by an inner-city child without a home than a heron without a nest. I don't understand people who treat a man sleeping in a cardboard box as if he were invisible but race across the street to curse at a woman wearing a fur. Sorry, but I care more about people than minks, which I always considered uptown rats. At the same time, I am opposed to fat-cat business-industrial types, such as a certain rotund, cigar-smoking radio host who calls people like Baker "environmental Nazis." There is a balancing to be done between the needs of a growing populace and the preservation of the wild. If I had to choose between Baker and those who would pave the wetlands, drill for oil on the reefs, and ravage the forests, count me with the tree huggers. Now while I might totally agree with him, it seems oddly placed and even though the story does have something to do with water rights, could have been more effectively integrated into the story.

Levine must have a rather jaundiced view of the legal system: Clients are customers, referral fees are kickbacks, experts are whores, and bondsmen are bloodsuckers. Client development is ambulance chasing. Pro bono work means getting stiffed for a fee. A retainer means "pay me now for work I may or may not do later." Lawyers' hourly bills are exercises in creative writing, in which our clients pay not only for our time but also for expensive lunches and dinners and the time we spend deciding what to order. Our "research time" often gets us paid to learn what we should have known or to relearn what we have forgotten.

In order to avoid any possibility of spoilers let me just say this one is fascinating with allegations of false memory, the possibility of implanted memory, a daughter killing her father, a trial with no question of the client’s guilt, a psychiatrist in love with the dead man’s wife, an uncle who wants his niece convicted, and a lawyer sleeping with his client.

Good story with page-turning trial dialogue.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Reading!

A woman comes into a cocktail lounge in Miami and shoots a man sitting at the bar. The man is her father. Jake Lassiter, who has witnessed the shooting, is hired to defend her on a first degree murder charge. The novel deals with his investigation of the shooting and defense at the trial. It is well done and has been updated and reissued in 2017. The story is complex and the protagonists are very winning. All in all, it’s great reading. Thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC for an honest review.

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book - Lassiter was his normal barnstorming self and there were a lot of courtroom scenes - compared with so many legal thrillers where the lawyer becomes an action hero.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this in the kindle lending library. I believe this is the seventh in the Jake Lassiter series.
Jake must defend a model after she shoots her father three times at a bar. Jake was there with his friend and witnessed the whole thing.
To complicate matters further, Jake falls in love with his client.
The one draw back, for me, was that the book felt a little dated. It was published in 1998. I read older copyrighted books for the most part, and so I have a tolerance for the mention of phone booths, VCR 's etc. But, I was put off by comments of obvious respect for a certain Penn State football coach, and the whole "repressed memory " defense that was so popular in the 90's.
Other than that, the dialogue was crisp, the humor was sharp, and I loved the courtroom drama. There were a few surprising twist and the ending was great. I'm off to check out the next book in this series.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture this, you’re an actor-turned football player-turned lawyer sitting in bar with a friend when in walks a model. This model walks up to another man and shoots him. Turns out this other man is her father who abused the poor girl when she was a child. Would you represent this woman?

Jake Lassiter doesn’t really want to, but something about the case has piques his interest and off he goes – seeker of the truth. This is the seventh in the Jake Lassiter series, but the first for me.

This legal thriller has its plot twists and the dialogue is witty and there is sarcastic humor thrown in. Paul Levine’s description of the Florida Keys is detailed. Some of the situations are predictable and I thought it ended too quickly, but otherwise a pleasant read. I will check out some of the Jake Lassiter stories.

[Mike French · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows why Paul Levine is one of my favorite authors! Lassiter is best when he is in a courtroom and he is smokin' in Flesh and Bones!

[Giovanni Gelati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hopefully I can get this right, because believe me I want to, on so many levels. First to just get this out of the way, this novel just flat out ROCKS! Now I have had the pleasure and honor of interviewing Paul Levine on my blogtalk show The G-ZONE last week. I know I mentioned this yesterday in my John Locke/Vegas Moon post, but the reason I point this out yet again is this: The guy’s voice, as smooth, kind and silky as it is, was in my head the entire time I was pressing the buttons on my Kindle, narrating the story for me. I am not going to place the usual synopsis of the story in this post, instead I am placing something about the novel and the good this is going to be doing for some sick kids, kids that have cancer, and the generosity of Paul Levine, an author that has won just about every major award an author can possibly win. Am I smooching fanny here, maybe, but it is all the truth, let it be said. The guy is first rate, a Hall of Fame author and a man with a huge heart for the right reasons. Basically you download this novel and the proceeds go to The Four Diamonds Club @ Penn State, The Hershey Children’s Hospital, for children’s cancer research and care. Nobody loses here, an awesome read, a great cause, a win –win for everyone.
Back to the voice in my head, yes, it is said I hear many, but this was just over the top. Lassiter is one smart $%^ that is a fun read. Levine creates so many layers, so many rich characters, describes his environment so well that it makes this novel so irresistible it is not funny. The hardest part for me after reading this , is that during the interview ,Paul Levine said that the next novel he has coming out in the fall, his newest Lassiter novel is probably his best work .To be able to say that after reading this, that my friends is a statement. I will be glad to stand in the virtual line for that one; hopefully I will be able to get him back on the show before that. PLEASE READ THIS:
BACKSTORY: WHY AUTHOR DONATES TO “CONQUER CHILDHOOD CANCER”
“Flesh & Bones,” the last of the bestselling Jake Lassiter thrillers, is now an e-book. Author Paul Levine explains why he has pledged all royalties to childhood cancer treatment and research.
By Paul Levine
In the United States today, one in 300 children will be diagnosed with some form of cancer. All of us have friends or family members who have fought that grueling battle. These days, with great advances in medicine, there’s an increasing chance the fight has been successful.
Yet, progress seems excruciatingly slow for those on the front lines.
A few years ago, one of my dearest friends, the godfather of my son, lost his daughter Margaux to Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare but vicious bone cancer. Another friend, a well-known author, has lost both a child and a grandchild to the disease. The survival rate for Ewing’s sarcoma that metastasises is a disheartening 10 per cent.
Ten per cent!

In this age of medical miracles, how can that be?
After Margaux’s death at age 14, I dedicated a book to her. Such a feeble gesture. I wanted to do more. Still do. Here’s how.
“Flesh & Bones,” the last of the Jake Lassiter novels, was published internationally to wide acclaim in 1997. Out of print for many years, it’s now a $2.99 e-book, with all proceeds going to the Four Diamonds Fund, a charity that pays for treatment of pediatric cancer patients at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. In addition to providing world-class medical care, the Fund supports research in immunotherapy, carcinogenesis, and several other fields I can barely spell, much less understand. I can’t imagine a better charity. I’m hoping that the e-book will sell for years, bringing enjoyment to readers and support to a life-saving cause. Hoping, too, that others will be moved to directly contribute.
This is my second venture into “publishing for charity.” Last summer, my first novel, “To Speak for the Dead,” was brought out of retirement as an e-book and produced thousands of dollars for the Four Diamonds Fund. That book introduced the world to Jake Lassiter, a linebacker-turned-lawyer who searches for justice but seldom finds it. The book facilitated my career change from lawyer to novelist and has always held a special place in my heart. Now, good old Jake can help a cause that’s also dear to me.
“Flesh & Bones,” priced at $2.99, is available on Kindle, Nook, and at Smashwords. More information at Paul Levine’s Website.
In between the two, I’ve published the rest of the Lassiter backlist plus two stand-alone thrillers, and a collection of short stories. But nothing gives me more pleasure than helping a good cause with my writing.
Here’s a little background about the Four Diamonds Fund. In 1972, a 14-year-old boy named Christopher Millard was an aspiring writer. Or rather, he was already a writer. He’d penned a mythic tale about “Sir Millard and The Four Diamonds,” in the tradition of Sir Galahad and Sir Lancelot. What are those Four Diamonds? Wisdom. Courage. Honesty. Strength. All are needed in our daily lives, especially in children’s battles with a dread disease.
You have probably figured out that Chris wrote the story while in the throes of cancer. The diamonds of his story were allegorical. The quest was for life itself. After a three-year battle, Chris died, but his memory lives in the name of the Fund established by his family with the straightforward goal of “Conquering Childhood Cancer.”
Penn State students have contributed an astonishing $78 million to the Fund through their annual dance marathon. This year’s event raised more than $9 million alone.
One more thing. If each of us can contribute – just a bit – of courage, wisdom, honesty, and strength, maybe we can reach the goal of conquering childhood cancer.
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[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Super Courtroom Drama

Paul Levine has given his lawyer - character Lassiter an absorbing story in which to star with the novel"Flesh & Bones."
The "Flesh &Bones" refer to a super model, Chrissy, who walked into a trendy bistro in Miami Beach , went up to her father who was seated at the bar and coolly pumped three shots into him.
This in front of dozens of people, including Jake Lassiter, ex-pro football player , now a defense attorney known for making a buck by trying to keep various low life skells out of spending too much time in jail?
If ever a case was coldly lost before it began, this was one: Chrissy seemed doomed. But the reader is only at the beginning of a story that takes a journey into hidden memories and hidden purposes.
I admit to enjoying the Lassiter series. The plots are intricate and Lassiter is likable, neither a legal shark nor a fool, but a man with human failings and perhaps a bit too much conscience for an attorney defending petty thieves, grifters and welfare crooks to make a buck. In this case , where there seems to be no defense Lassiter has no choice but to take the one handed to him by Chrissy's step brother: she was raped by her father as a child.
But was she? Was it a repressed memory brought to light by a skilled therapist or a false, implanted memory? If so, why?
The courtroom scenes are the heart of the book, of course, and I thought they were " un-putdownable." I am not a lawyer, of course, but they rang true to me, and that was all that counted.
Mr. Levine wrote a winner in " Flesh & Bone."

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a mediocre ex-pro football player turned mediocre lawyer, Lassiter does a pretty good job for his clients. In this edition of the amusing series, Lassiter is defending a woman who shot her father, resulting in his death, right in front of witnesses that included Lassiter. Hard to figure out how he's going to pull this one off, but he manages, of course. Some interesting (and not particularly believable) courtroom antics, but entertaining nonetheless.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Paul Levine's "Solomon Vs. Lord" novels and therefore thought I would enjoy this particular series, so I gave it a shot.

The Novel itself was a fine legal thriller. Lassiter, our hero, is sitting at a bar with a former teammate (Lassiter once played pro-football) when a beautiful model comes in and shots a man sitting several stools over. She then faints in his arms so of course, he has to represent the babe, right?
What kind of a defense can be offered when so many witnesses saw her do the shooting? Lassiter does his best to dig one up and he does so. The best part of this novel was watching Lassiter act as sort of a poor man's Perry Mason.. pushing witnesses to the point of breaking, finding inconsisten testimony, exposing faulty evidence, and presenting salient points of law. A good mystery, with some neat hidden issues, some clever twists, and the proper amount of clues that the reader should be able to use to at least come close to resolving the story.

However, you'll note I offered the book only two stars.. Here's Why:

FIRST: Lassiter is much like the lawyer in the Solomon Vs. Lord novels. He has an older mentor, a precoscious nephew (who he is responsible for because of a sister who is a druggie--- just like the other series) and the same bag of dirty tricks, guile, etc. I believe this series came first, but honestly the other series is so close as to be derivative. I guess it is a good think he is copying his own stuff instead of somebody else's writing.

SECOND: The conclusion of the novel (sort of an epilogue following the trial) was so absurd and predicatable. We've pretty much seen this type of conclusion a number of times in writing, television, and movies.. If I had only stopped reading about twelve pages earlier I would have given the book a stronger rating.

I'll probably try another one somewhere down the line, but I was not overly impressed with this one, though I did enjoy it.

[Mishel Forte · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating: 3.5/5 stars!

I accepted this book as apart of a blog tour (that I failed miserably to meet) because the synopsis sounded pretty decent. I hadn't read any other book by Paul Levine and Flesh and Bones is the seventh book in a series. I'm not a huge crime/legal novel lover but I found Flesh and Bones to be very enjoyable! The beginning of the novel sets up the plot and goes through introductions which was a bit slow for my tastes. Jake is an ex-Miami Dolphin football player who now spends his time defending the citizens of south Florida. He's sitting in a bar when a beautiful woman comes in, shoots her father, and then faints into Jake's arms. Sounds exciting but I wasn't as sucked in as I wanted to be...

Eventually I found myself immersed with the story as Jake's case goes to trial. I'm so glad I stuck with the story because I found I really liked Jake's character and I really liked the writing skill of the author. He had a very warm and caring personality that surprised me. I also loved the fact that Chrissy was obviously guilty for shooting her father and Jake had to find a way to keep her from a prison sentence. I admit I rolled my eyes when the two of them became romantically involved...but again Jake's character (and Chrissy's) surprised me and I quickly warmed up to the idea of them becoming an item. The court scenes were totally engrossing and I really appreciated all the twists in the plot. I had to keep guessing and I like that about a novel!

Flesh and Bones is number seven in the Jake Lassister series and although there were some references to some background information it can still be read as a comfortable stand alone novel. I'll be checking out the rest of the books in the series and I'm interested in reading Paul Levine's other books. I think a lot of legal thriller fans will like Flesh and Bones so I definitely recommend giving this one a go =)

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this story not entirely knowing what to expect. I was hoping for a good crime novel with some twists and I was not disappointed. Paul Levine is a really good writer that knows how to weave a story.

The first half of the book is mostly spent introducing you to the characters and settings. While at times this seemed to drag a bit. All the info given was useful and contributed to the story.

There are two main characters - Jake, the former football player turned lawyer and Chrissy, the model who he is defending for killing her father. But they are surrounded by a cast of great and interesting characters. From her shrink and her step-brother to his Granny and his nephew (Kip). The shrink and step-brother are more on the serious end of the story. While Granny and Kip are characters you love from the moment you meet them. They are entertaining and fun and really help liven up the story.

By far the best part of the book though is the courtroom scenes. Here is where the author's writing really shows its skill. During this part you have Jake weaving his questions to get reactions and eventually the truth as to what has really happened. Until the end you really don't know if she was abused or even if she really killed her father. But it all comes out skillfully during the trial in scenes that would make an amazing movie scene.

If you are looking for a good crime fiction novel with a great court scene. Don't pass this one by.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flesh and Bones is the seventh book in the series featuring Jake Lassiter, a former line backer turned lawyer. It was first published in 1997. Paul Levine is touring to promote this book and has announced that “Lassiter,” the first new book in the series since 1997, will be released as a Bantam hardcover on September 13, 2011.

I will admit that legal thrillers aren't usually my thing. I had a little trouble getting into this book. But, I am glad I stuck with it. The author does a good job of grabbing your attention and never lets go. I was kept guessing and never really knew who to trust. I wanted to see how Jake would get Chrissy off when everyone saw her shoot her father. I liked Lassiter's character. He was a really likable and funny guy; someone I would want to be friends with. He is not your typical lawyer. He is the type of guy that will do anything to get to the truth. As I said, this is number seven in the Lassiter series. I haven't read any of the previous books, but I never felt like I didn't know what was going on. I think anyone who likes mysteries will enjoy this book.

[Nancy Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Very Moving Thriller With Twists and Turns"

This is another spellbinding novel about Jake Lassiter, ex-football player turned defense attorney. You'll not want to miss reading this thriller, it has a surprise ending! While sitting at a bar, Jake notices a beautiful blond woman enter the tavern. She subtly pulls out a pistol from her fancy handbag, then shoots the man sitting beside him three times. The man is her father. Jake reaches her just as she collapses to the floor. Jake doesn't always make the wisest decisions, making a snap decision to take her in as his client. He's got a soft heart, but what's going on in his brain? He feels there will be no way he'll save her from being found guilty ... of first degree murder. This is a very deep, intriguing story, very gripping. It's packed with surprises!

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent installment in this very good series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word to say.

Finally.

Frickin' FINALLY. Two words, I guess.

Okay, fine, maybe not just one or two words, since I obviously gotta actually REVIEW the thing, but seriously, the amount of utter satisfaction this book left me with is worthy to be praised. Thing is, it's not even an absolute perfect book in general. There's little irritations throughout that had their 15 seconds of fame in nagging me. In fact, this is the first time I found myself literally arguing with Lassiter's commentary, even making little noted highlights as I went along like he's a real person I'm trying to talk some sense into. It's not a flawless presentation by any means.

But when you're as starved for specific things from a Lassiter book as I am, you embrace what you can. This Lassiter entry situated itself in a position that granted me what I've been CRAVING from most of the former entries, so you better believe I paid attention. Yeah, damn the little nagging gnats of flaws peppered throughout. I was appeased considerably, so it might as well be perfect. Five whole stars for "Flesh and Bones," and I ain't even mad or greedy about the stars.

I just loved it. I loved the simplicity of it. And like I mentioned above....FINALLY. So why finally? Because this is pure courtroom, good-hearted Jake, the Lassiter I adore. This is the one who's kept me hostage even whilst reading far more inferior entries simply because he's SUCH a great character. A nice hefty chunk of this book takes place in the courtroom and I love, love, LOVE when Lassiter is more in his element because he's so frickin' GREAT at it. I enjoy reading it. I enjoy being a part of it. I enjoy the cat and mouse of it. I enjoy his wit and he got me laughing SEVERAL times because of it. Sure, he still has some moments of getting himself into trouble, as is typical for dear ol' Lassiter, but they feel so incredibly tame compared to the troubles (many of them deadly) that have ensnared him in the past. I was ready for the tameness, believe me.

As per usual, I adore the dialogue, the characters, the interactions, the thrills and surprises (this time with them being more contained in the courtroom setting which if I haven't stressed enough is YAY). Charlie, Granny, Kip are a fantastic trio for Lassiter's family and I love "hanging out" with them. The courtoom drama is most definitely my favorite feature of this story, particularly the lovely little twist I honestly didn't see coming (even though I feel like I SHOULD have seen it, not that I'm complaining). The ending was a tad too abrupt, if I had to dare voice one of my grievances, but given my happiness with the whole thing, I can forgive it. It isn't like the former entries aren't guilty of the exact same thing anyway. This has now become my favorite entry thus far on my Jake Lassiter journey, and apparently the last written in the 90's before the huge gaps of years before his world is revisited. While I'm so glad this first decade ended with a bang with "Flesh and Bones," I sure do hope this book's stride continues on to the next bundle of books on my plate.

Loooove me some Lassiter and I'm eager to continue. Still looking forward to his crossover with Solomon and Lorde. Soon!

[Midwest Geek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book in this series, chosen because it is also the first with a GR 4.+ average rating. It's a pretty good mystery, actually more than one mystery, that was apparently unraveled in the courtroom by the perseverance of attorney Jake Lassiter. Like the Solomon vs. Lord series, the action takes place in and around Key West, and Jake's family situation is a bit like that of Steve Solomon. Nevertheless, the characters are quirky, and dialog is sometimes amusing. Given the genre and the locale, it is inevitable to compare Paul Levine with Carl Hiassen. Hiassen is funnier, and his story-telling unfolds more skillfully. His plots are harder to figure out, whereas I guessed the likely villain. Still I enjoyed the story up to a point. The courtroom becomes a theater at one point, in which Lassiter suggests that a psychologist hypnotize the defendant, even though he had no idea what the outcome would be. I doubt this would have been suggested by a responsible attorney or that a judge would permit such an experiment. This is followed by an apparent denouement in a Perry Mason-like courtroom scene in which Jake breaks down the witness and elicits a confession. After the trial, in order to sew up loose ends, the author adds a preposterous epilogue which, I felt, weakened the entire story.

I listened to the audio version that was narrated by Luke Daniels. He did a pretty good job, except toward the end. The compound KCl (potassium chloride) played a prominent role in the denouement. Even after calling it "potassium chloride," Mr. Daniels mispronounced the abbreviated form as kay-see-one rather than kay-see-ell, which really grated on my ear. Didn't he or someone involved in the production take high school chemistry?

[Ellen Behrens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake Lassiter, former Miami Dolphins player now defense attorney, happens to be in the right spot at the right time to catch a fainting model right after she shoots her father in a bar full of witnesses. Of course Jake takes her on as a client, despite the case having all the earmarks of an open-and-shut case. Why? Because Chrissy Bernhardt's beautiful.

And of course we know nothing is as obvious as it seems; the question, really, is what's really going on.

I was tempted to put the book aside right there: the familiar "gorgeous dame walked into my office and though everything in me said I should walk away I couldn't resist those big, pleading eyes and those pouty lips" trope was activating warning lights all over the page.

I kept reading, solely because Paul Levine endowed Jake Lassiter with a snarky, self-deprecating, amusing voice, which drew me in. I enjoyed reading about Jake and found myself rooting for him despite his generally dopey puppy love.

None of that, however, would have saved this book had it not been for the curiosity that kept building in me to figure out what was going on with the odd family at the heart of the murder. What had driven Chrissy to murder her father?
That seemed obvious, but still a sketchy defense: would that be the book's twist? That Jake would somehow pull off the ultimate defense? Or was there something more to come from Levine?

In the end, I was satisfied with the story and the ending (mostly).... could it have been even better? Yep. Hence the four stars. Even so, it was a fun read and I will read the next in the series.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have purchased a lot of books on BookBub and have resigned myself to the fact that just about every book by a ‘NYTimes bestselling author’ is terrible. I figured out why. Authors or their publishers only put up the dogs in a series on BookBub, selling for cheap, either because they want to make a few bucks off a book that doesn’t sell, or under the mistakenly naive impression that they can let one in a series that isn’t doing well go and maybe the reader will read another. This reader does not read another book in a series when the one I just read sucks. So consequently, I was prepared for yet another dud. Boy was I wrong. Flesh & Bones is very good. I love the narrator’s voice, which is fun, witty, knowledgeable, and charmingly cynical. The plot worked really well. Of course towards the end, I figured out what was going to happen, and it did, but that unfortunately is the fate of people who read a lot of mysteries. I’m amazed I hadn’t heard of this author before. I tend to follow a number of writers in the mystery field and yet this series Lassiter was unknown. Thanks to the author or publisher, or both as the case may be, for putting this particular book up. It was refreshing to read a great story on a BookBub sale. I’ll definitely be reading more of the Lassiter series. And perhaps some of the stand-alone novels by Levine.

[Denise Mullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems like an impossible case to win: a beautiful model saunters into a crowded bar and repeatedly shoots her father, claiming it was premeditated. But of course, when your lawyer is Jake Lassiter, failed pro-footballer turned unorthodox lawyer, the outcome is sure to be filled with a plethora of convoluted twists that result in the predictably anticipated win.
While Levine's prose and style follows a logical -albeit predictable- storyline, he manages to generously intersperse interesting but irrelevant trivia that-instead of being annoying- actually sustains the story's flow. Perhaps this is because it's told through Lassiter's first person digressive narration which then interjects solid legal references, but the overall effect provides a fast-paced read.
My only objection is to Lassiter's client, the aforementioned model who stereotypically pouts, vamps, and exploits her sexual prowess to win her lawyer's unswerving loyalty. However, he's a guy who unabashedly admits on numerous occasions that he's a sucker for a sexy babe, so can I really fault him? The open ending was a clever way to punctuate his ambivalence to working with the system and matters of the heart while guaranteeing that the next installment will include more entertaining adventures.

[Bkunkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A plot that cracks like a gunshot and spits fire like a shotgun

Our old friend Jake is back and as loveable as ever. This story starts with a bang (well, three of them) and never lets up from there. He is defending the beautiful model who shot a man as Jake looked on. Always there to do the right thing, he catches her as she faints and carries her out to be arrested.

As always, the investigation shows that things are seldom what they seem as Jake and his crew pull the facts together. But the plot really crackles when the trial begins and the courtroom scenes will keep you reading to the end.

This is a first-rate legal thriller that will keep you turning pages until the satisfying conclusion.

[Desislava Todorova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Поредната кримка за разтуха / passatempo. Да, мога да кажа, че имаше интересен замисъл, но според мен авторът малко се е озорил да сложи пълнеж на книгата. В началото се разтакаваше, говореше се за разни крокодили и т.н. Кондом така и не се появи след това в книгата. Имаше моменти, които едвам ги избутах, за да стигна до последните 100 страници (моето издание е на Санома блясък и е от 250 стр ситен шрифт). Краят ми беше too much, по-добре някой да беше умрял и да се свършва без процес, нали освен това всички жени, които са защитавани от Ласитър умират или нещо друго им се случва. На моменти имаше хумор, ама беше малко измъчено. Средна хубост.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake Lassiter, a former football player is now a lawyer who witnesses a woman shooting her own father. When he is asked to be her defense lawyer he decides to take the case. The fact that she sought her father is not in dispute as there many witnesses. The reason she shoots him is where things get sticky. And, then there is the fact that Jake is falling in love with his own client. Not good.

This was an interesting story with some real twists though not totally unexpected. I will probably read more in this series if I can squeeze it in.

[James Georger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book considering Unlimited price. Suspensful plot, balancing the reader's opportunity to project an outcome, without making it obvious, or pulling tricky turns out of the machine.
Still waiting for the time when a woman who is plain, or a bit overweight can have a principle or romantic role in one of these thrillers. The guys are beat up and high mileage, but the gals have to be exquisite. But I digress... The strong point to me is the courtroom proceedings, motions, objections and testimony.. I will read more of his stuff.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Lending Library provided the opportunity for me to read another Jake Lassiter book. From the beginning, right up to the end, the reader wonders what Jake will use as the final defense of someone who was witnessed killing her father. Jake looks at everything backward and forward, and gets clues from listening to his nephew Kip who is a movie buff. And then, at the end, he puts everything together and comes up with the perfect ending. Looking forward to borrowing another Jake Lassiter book.

[Donna ~ The Romance Cover · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jake is sitting at a bar having a drink with friends, a blonde walks in and pops a few bullets into the man on the next stool. Watching this seemingly cold-blooded crime first hand, Jake comes to the rescue when the killer faints and ends up catching her...and then defending her.

Nothing is at it seems in this book and I loved the pretense. I have often wondered about the subject in this book and I feel that Paul Levine gets a great handle on it and brings the nefarious side to light. Thoroughly engaging, I couldn't put this one down.

[Chanel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author writes compelling law dramas with a touch of steam. When you think there is no possible way Jake can win the case, he pulls a rabbit out of his hat.
The subject manner on this case and Chrissy’s past is sad and painful at times to read. Jake always gives 100% to his clients and in this story that includes the bedroom, as well.
The secondary cast is filled with colorful characters. Every lawyer needs a “Charlie”.
The ending is typical for the author, though I rather have things tied up with a bow and not left to my imagination.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story

I loved the down to earth approach of the protagonist, lawyer Jake, and the convoluted, psycho discrediting plot. This story will appeal to REAL people, even though they aren’t impressed with South Beach and the hot Miami scene. Girl kills father after repressed memories show abuse - thank you, not too graphic except for a couple of love scenes. Truth wins out - YES!

[Kim Clements · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake Lassiter and a great cast of characters

Jake Lassiter is so idealistic, almost too much to believe. He falls for every pretty-faced client, who may or may not be totally truthful. But writer Paul Levine fills the story with a great cast of characters, keeping the pace moving along. I enjoy these stories and find then relaxing, like visiting with old friends in anew messy situation.

[Captain Dady Mody · Rating 5 out of 5]

As expected, Paul Levine has once again kept me totally engrossed in the reading of his book. A fine blend of humour, excitement, movie lore, Granny's cooking, court drama, a bit of sex to add spice & some Latin to get educated... in fact everything to make the reading an enthralling & exciting book. It is worthy of being read & because it is a good story that never dies, it may just fade away from the memory, it can be re-read again & still be as refreshing as the first time.