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MIDNIGHT PATRIOTS
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jun 26While war raged in Europe, the battle for America’s soul was already underway.
Blending fact and fiction, MIDNIGHT PATRIOTS follows real-life friends Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin as they confront powerful enemies threatening the United States from within.
It’s 1940. Europe is in flames. Germany occupies much of the continent, and the Blitz rains terror on London. Fritz Duquesne, a German spy straight from the history books, plots to kidnap Einstein and steal America’s nuclear secrets. Enraged by Chaplin’s mockery in The Great Dictator, Adolf Hitler dispatches an SS assassin to silence the man who ridiculed him.
The story features Charles Lindbergh, Lena Horne, and J. Robert Oppenheimer—along with a dangerous German spy on a mission of her own. As Nazi agents and FBI operatives close in, all roads lead Einstein and Chaplin to a deadly showdown aboard the Santa Fe Super Chief as it races from Chicago to Los Angeles.
MIDNIGHT PATRIOTS is the second novel in the Einstein–Chaplin Series. The first entry, MIDNIGHT BURNING, was named Historical Thriller of the Year by Best Thrillers Book Review and one of Bookreporter’s Favorite Books of 2025. The novels stand alone and may be read in any order.
Blending fact and fiction, MIDNIGHT PATRIOTS follows real-life friends Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin as they confront powerful enemies threatening the United States from within.
It’s 1940. Europe is in flames. Germany occupies much of the continent, and the Blitz rains terror on London. Fritz Duquesne, a German spy straight from the history books, plots to kidnap Einstein and steal America’s nuclear secrets. Enraged by Chaplin’s mockery in The Great Dictator, Adolf Hitler dispatches an SS assassin to silence the man who ridiculed him.
The story features Charles Lindbergh, Lena Horne, and J. Robert Oppenheimer—along with a dangerous German spy on a mission of her own. As Nazi agents and FBI operatives close in, all roads lead Einstein and Chaplin to a deadly showdown aboard the Santa Fe Super Chief as it races from Chicago to Los Angeles.
MIDNIGHT PATRIOTS is the second novel in the Einstein–Chaplin Series. The first entry, MIDNIGHT BURNING, was named Historical Thriller of the Year by Best Thrillers Book Review and one of Bookreporter’s Favorite Books of 2025. The novels stand alone and may be read in any order.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 16, 2026
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Paul Levine
82 books559 followersMIDNIGHT PATRIOTS
Germany wants Einstein alive. Chaplin dead. Spies, assassins, a femme fatale board the Super Chief. Destination: danger.
It's 1940. Europe is in flames. Germany occupies much of the continent, and the Blitz rains terror on London. Fritz Duquesne, a German spy straight from the history books, plots to kidnap Einstein and steal America's nuclear secrets. Enraged by Chaplin's mockery in The Great Dictator, Adolf Hitler dispatches an SS assassin to silence the man who ridiculed him. The story features Charles Lindbergh, Lena Horne, and J. Robert Oppenheimer—along with a beautiful German spy on a mission of her own. As Nazi agents and FBI operatives close in, all roads lead Einstein and Chaplin to a deadly showdown aboard the Santa Fe Super Chief as it races from Chicago to Los Angeles.
ORDER FROM AMAZON HERE
MIDNIGHT BURNING
Award-winning author Paul Levine weaves historical figures into a gripping, true-to-life plot to overthrow the U.S. government in this sizzling historical thriller.
Named "Historical Thriller of the Year" by Best Thrillers Book Review and one of the "Favorite Books of 2025" by Bookreporter.
“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.
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.
Named PenCraft "Book of the Year" and the third best legal thriller of the 21st Century by Best Thrillers Book Review.
"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.
Germany wants Einstein alive. Chaplin dead. Spies, assassins, a femme fatale board the Super Chief. Destination: danger.
It's 1940. Europe is in flames. Germany occupies much of the continent, and the Blitz rains terror on London. Fritz Duquesne, a German spy straight from the history books, plots to kidnap Einstein and steal America's nuclear secrets. Enraged by Chaplin's mockery in The Great Dictator, Adolf Hitler dispatches an SS assassin to silence the man who ridiculed him. The story features Charles Lindbergh, Lena Horne, and J. Robert Oppenheimer—along with a beautiful German spy on a mission of her own. As Nazi agents and FBI operatives close in, all roads lead Einstein and Chaplin to a deadly showdown aboard the Santa Fe Super Chief as it races from Chicago to Los Angeles.
ORDER FROM AMAZON HERE
MIDNIGHT BURNING
Award-winning author Paul Levine weaves historical figures into a gripping, true-to-life plot to overthrow the U.S. government in this sizzling historical thriller.
Named "Historical Thriller of the Year" by Best Thrillers Book Review and one of the "Favorite Books of 2025" by Bookreporter.
“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.
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.
Named PenCraft "Book of the Year" and the third best legal thriller of the 21st Century by Best Thrillers Book Review.
"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.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Midnight Patriots” by Paul Levine is a fast-paced historical thriller that blends fact and fiction. With Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin positioned at the centre of a story involving spies, assassins, and a high-stakes journey across America, the novel establishes a strong sense of momentum from the outset. What unfolds is an expansive and intricately constructed narrative that draws together multiple perspectives and historical figures, creating a story that is both ambitious and richly textured.
With Europe at war and Hitler’s influence spreading across the continent, the novel follows Einstein and Chaplin as they become entangled in a web of intrigue involving Nazi agents, FBI surveillance, and organised crime. With Germany seeking access to nuclear research and intent on silencing outspoken critics such as Chaplin, the narrative moves across a range of settings as tensions steadily escalate.
Levine’s use of real historical figures lends the novel an immediate sense of authenticity. The inclusion of Einstein, Chaplin, J. Edgar Hoover, and others firmly anchors the story in its historical moment, while the wider context—America’s internal divisions, the rise of fascist sympathies, and the early development of atomic science—adds depth and relevance. I was particularly struck by how effectively the novel captures the uncertainty of this period, when the direction of global events remained unresolved.
The narrative moves between multiple plotlines—espionage, political investigation, personal relationships, and criminal activity—each contributing to a broader picture of a society under pressure. While this structural complexity occasionally requires careful attention, it also reflects the interconnected nature of the forces at work. As the story progresses, these strands are drawn together with increasing clarity, particularly in the latter stages, where the narrative gains a stronger sense of cohesion and momentum.
The interplay between historical fact and fictional invention is central to the novel’s appeal. While certain elements take creative liberties, they remain grounded in a convincingly realised historical framework. This blending of fact and imagination allows Levine to explore not only what happened, but what might have been, without losing sight of the period’s underlying realities.
Levine’s writing is energetic and frequently infused with wit, especially in the exchanges between Einstein and Chaplin. These moments of humour and insight provide a welcome contrast to the darker themes of espionage and political tension, adding warmth and humanity to the narrative.
As the novel builds towards its conclusion, the action shifts aboard the Santa Fe Super Chief, where the tension becomes more immediate and contained. The confined setting heightens the stakes, bringing the competing interests of spies, agents, and civilians into closer proximity.
I found “Midnight Patriots” to be an ambitious and engaging novel that offers a vivid and thought-provoking exploration of a pivotal historical moment. While its layered structure may occasionally demand closer attention, its scope, originality, and thematic depth make it a rewarding and memorable read.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
With Europe at war and Hitler’s influence spreading across the continent, the novel follows Einstein and Chaplin as they become entangled in a web of intrigue involving Nazi agents, FBI surveillance, and organised crime. With Germany seeking access to nuclear research and intent on silencing outspoken critics such as Chaplin, the narrative moves across a range of settings as tensions steadily escalate.
Levine’s use of real historical figures lends the novel an immediate sense of authenticity. The inclusion of Einstein, Chaplin, J. Edgar Hoover, and others firmly anchors the story in its historical moment, while the wider context—America’s internal divisions, the rise of fascist sympathies, and the early development of atomic science—adds depth and relevance. I was particularly struck by how effectively the novel captures the uncertainty of this period, when the direction of global events remained unresolved.
The narrative moves between multiple plotlines—espionage, political investigation, personal relationships, and criminal activity—each contributing to a broader picture of a society under pressure. While this structural complexity occasionally requires careful attention, it also reflects the interconnected nature of the forces at work. As the story progresses, these strands are drawn together with increasing clarity, particularly in the latter stages, where the narrative gains a stronger sense of cohesion and momentum.
The interplay between historical fact and fictional invention is central to the novel’s appeal. While certain elements take creative liberties, they remain grounded in a convincingly realised historical framework. This blending of fact and imagination allows Levine to explore not only what happened, but what might have been, without losing sight of the period’s underlying realities.
Levine’s writing is energetic and frequently infused with wit, especially in the exchanges between Einstein and Chaplin. These moments of humour and insight provide a welcome contrast to the darker themes of espionage and political tension, adding warmth and humanity to the narrative.
As the novel builds towards its conclusion, the action shifts aboard the Santa Fe Super Chief, where the tension becomes more immediate and contained. The confined setting heightens the stakes, bringing the competing interests of spies, agents, and civilians into closer proximity.
I found “Midnight Patriots” to be an ambitious and engaging novel that offers a vivid and thought-provoking exploration of a pivotal historical moment. While its layered structure may occasionally demand closer attention, its scope, originality, and thematic depth make it a rewarding and memorable read.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
March 13, 2026
I’ve really been enjoying this series and it didn’t disappoint. The series follows the unlikely friendship between Golden Age Hollywood’s Charlie Chaplin and mathematician Albert Einstein.
In isolationist United States with the rise of Nazi Germany, Chaplin comes out with his movie “The Great Dictator” creating enemies in Germany. On top of this, Albert Einstein’s pacifist beliefs make him an impossible recruit for the United States’ desire to develop an atomic bomb. The story weaves together historical figures, the threat of Nazi Germany and 1930s world events, all with the fun of following these characters.
At times the story seemed a little slow, but I enjoyed the reparte between Chaplin and Einstein and their unlikely friendship. The inclusion of other historical figures such as Lindbergh and Oppenheimer really brought the story to light. I also loved that the story was told from the perspective of several characters. Overall, an enjoyable read.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #HeraldSquare for an ARC
In isolationist United States with the rise of Nazi Germany, Chaplin comes out with his movie “The Great Dictator” creating enemies in Germany. On top of this, Albert Einstein’s pacifist beliefs make him an impossible recruit for the United States’ desire to develop an atomic bomb. The story weaves together historical figures, the threat of Nazi Germany and 1930s world events, all with the fun of following these characters.
At times the story seemed a little slow, but I enjoyed the reparte between Chaplin and Einstein and their unlikely friendship. The inclusion of other historical figures such as Lindbergh and Oppenheimer really brought the story to light. I also loved that the story was told from the perspective of several characters. Overall, an enjoyable read.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #HeraldSquare for an ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It is always fun reading a novel by Paul Levine —- especially one with characters such as Chaplin, Einstein, Hearst, Lindberg, Oppenheimer and others of note. Since the novel is centered in the period just before the United States enters World War II, a significant portion takes place on an exciting cross country rail trip wherein the major characters are dealing with creating the atomic bomb before their German counterparts, uncovering German spies, foiling a kidnapping attempt, etc. Despite the seriousness of several plot points, there is a tremendous amount of humor in the writing and respect in the manner in which Negroes are depicted. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews