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Jake Lassiter #5
Riptide
“I’ve never been disbarred, committed or convicted of moral turpitude, and the only time I was arrested, it was a case of mistaken identity…I didn’t know the guy I hit was a cop.” -- Jake Lassiter An angry Jake Lassiter goes on the trail of millions in negotiable bonds ripped off from his favorite client, octogenarian Sam Kazdoy. There's a more sinister turn when Jake’s old buddy, Berto Zaldivar, a lawyer-turned-smuggler, ends up dead. The search for clues leads Lassiter to a menacing professional windsurfer and his companion Lila Summers, a champion athlete and lethal femme fatale. Determined to recover the missing money and discover who killed his friend, Jake’s detective work takes him from Miami to Maui via Bimini, and ultimately ends in an explosive finale in which he learns lessons never taught on the football field or in the courtroom. "A thriller as fast as the wind, a bracing rush as breathtaking as hitting the Gulf waters on a chill December morning." - Tampa Tribune "A tale involving drug smuggling and murder, windsurfing and murder, multi-million dollar thievery and murder. The action never stops." -- Denver Rocky Mountain News "A fast thrill ride with offbeat characters, humor, suspense and mayhem. Fasten your seatbelt and get ready for a pedal-to-the-metal ride." - Amazon 5-star review "A lively and skilled caper." -- Los Angeles Times "Sparkles as a mystery and a character study." -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel "One of the best mystery writers in the business today. The story fairly leaps with enthusiasm toward the finale. 'Riptide' is Paul Levine's finest work!" -- Ocala (FL) Star Banner "Levine handles his noir elements, especially his serpentine villains, with panache." - Publishers Weekly
360 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1995
About the author
Paul Levine
85 books568 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 - 30 of 62 reviews
August 14, 2024
One of the better Jake Lassiter books. A lot of action, good plotting and very interesting characters.
September 26, 2013
I raced through this book -- not because I was eager to see what happens next, the way I usually am with a Paul Levine book. No, I was eager to finish this stinker and move on to another book. What a disappointment!
I've read several of Levine's other books -- both the ones about Miami linebacker-turned-lawyer Jake Lassiter and the ones about bickering legal eagles turned lovers Solomon & Lord -- and they all have been delightfully wacky and wild, with plots that are hard to predict. Levine, a former reporter turned South Florida attorney, had apparently stockpiled a huge collection of hilarious anecdotes and observations about his old professions and trotted them all out in the course of telling the other stories.
But not in this book. "Slashback" lacks the fun and sly wit of the other novels. Lassiter seems dull and disengaged through most of the book, and there's little interaction with his usual gang of sharp-tongued supporters (Doc Riggs, Grandma Lassiter etc.)
Part of the problem, too, is that Levine abandons the first-person narration that has served him well in the other books in favor of a third-person voice that puts the reader at more of a distance from the action and emotions. Part of the problem too is that about halfway through the book, the action moves to Bimini and then to Hawaii, so there's no chance for the usual Levine witticisms about South Florida life. And while Levine includes a number of nice action sequences, there's only one courtroom scene and it's over within a couple of pages. The worst part, though, is that there's not much of a mystery at the heart of his plot. Anyone who has read other thrillers can predict what's going to happen next, and figure out who the bad guys are.
Levine has a new Lassiter novel out now. I sure do hope it's more like the other books of his that I've read, and not at all like this one.
I've read several of Levine's other books -- both the ones about Miami linebacker-turned-lawyer Jake Lassiter and the ones about bickering legal eagles turned lovers Solomon & Lord -- and they all have been delightfully wacky and wild, with plots that are hard to predict. Levine, a former reporter turned South Florida attorney, had apparently stockpiled a huge collection of hilarious anecdotes and observations about his old professions and trotted them all out in the course of telling the other stories.
But not in this book. "Slashback" lacks the fun and sly wit of the other novels. Lassiter seems dull and disengaged through most of the book, and there's little interaction with his usual gang of sharp-tongued supporters (Doc Riggs, Grandma Lassiter etc.)
Part of the problem, too, is that Levine abandons the first-person narration that has served him well in the other books in favor of a third-person voice that puts the reader at more of a distance from the action and emotions. Part of the problem too is that about halfway through the book, the action moves to Bimini and then to Hawaii, so there's no chance for the usual Levine witticisms about South Florida life. And while Levine includes a number of nice action sequences, there's only one courtroom scene and it's over within a couple of pages. The worst part, though, is that there's not much of a mystery at the heart of his plot. Anyone who has read other thrillers can predict what's going to happen next, and figure out who the bad guys are.
Levine has a new Lassiter novel out now. I sure do hope it's more like the other books of his that I've read, and not at all like this one.
June 24, 2013
Very enjoyable read! Paul Levine has done it again writing a fast-paced Lassiter novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!
February 3, 2018
Two-haiku review:
Client's bonds stolen
Jake running sailboading race
Two plots connected
Lots of violence
Jake's idealism shows
People aren't worth it
Client's bonds stolen
Jake running sailboading race
Two plots connected
Lots of violence
Jake's idealism shows
People aren't worth it
May 1, 2020
Not as good as some of the earlier Lassiter books, a lot of violence and not much legal action
March 3, 2021
Kind of an average-ish Lassiter story this time around. There wasn't much legal, in-courthouse like I like, but it had plenty to keep me occupied. What was jarring, and what preventing me from really embracing it, was reading perspectives from other characters. I don't remember that ever being a thing in the previous entries, but if they were, they were more tastefully done. I don't like NOT reading from Lassiter's perspective, so reading from other character angles was somewhat a hindrance this go around. Fortunately, Lassiter is still the dominant storyteller.
Honestly, it was mostly just a whole bunch of Lassiter running around trying to get to the bottom of stolen bonds that belonged to his friend. Of course along the way, he gets caught up in multiple pickles and unfortunate situations. There's plenty of thrilling moments and drama and violence, most of which were super exciting and total page-turners. There's some shocking bits, some character losses that were quite tragic and sad. The story is of course as well-written as the others with snarky Jake being my favorite, as well as Charlie.
But, I simply am obligated to mention that on top of Jake's usual troubling antics, he's also running around after yet another woman, who--as is pattern in these Lassiter books--is seemingly there to muck things up. I'm convinced he will never catch a break with the females he meets in these stories. Each lady somehow always seems worse than the previous one in some type of capacity, and Lassiter usually is none the wiser because, you know..."Sex. Good." He has such a caveman mentality in response to women, it's just so meh. I mean, the one shining point in this particular entry is that he is seemingly starting to recognize his desire for permanent companionship in his life, but that's still only half the battle in his world. He's just gotta stop, stop, STOP with getting carried away with these obviously shady, flippant women and make smarter choices. *groan*
But no matter. I'm still carrying on in these books. I can't get enough of them...
Honestly, it was mostly just a whole bunch of Lassiter running around trying to get to the bottom of stolen bonds that belonged to his friend. Of course along the way, he gets caught up in multiple pickles and unfortunate situations. There's plenty of thrilling moments and drama and violence, most of which were super exciting and total page-turners. There's some shocking bits, some character losses that were quite tragic and sad. The story is of course as well-written as the others with snarky Jake being my favorite, as well as Charlie.
But, I simply am obligated to mention that on top of Jake's usual troubling antics, he's also running around after yet another woman, who--as is pattern in these Lassiter books--is seemingly there to muck things up. I'm convinced he will never catch a break with the females he meets in these stories. Each lady somehow always seems worse than the previous one in some type of capacity, and Lassiter usually is none the wiser because, you know..."Sex. Good." He has such a caveman mentality in response to women, it's just so meh. I mean, the one shining point in this particular entry is that he is seemingly starting to recognize his desire for permanent companionship in his life, but that's still only half the battle in his world. He's just gotta stop, stop, STOP with getting carried away with these obviously shady, flippant women and make smarter choices. *groan*
But no matter. I'm still carrying on in these books. I can't get enough of them...
February 27, 2019
I have absolutely loved this series but I really struggled with this book. For some reason Paul Levine switches from first person to third person in this book and it just didn't work. Having had four books in first person you become connected to the characters, Jake Lassiter and the secondaries. Having them now talk about themselves in the third person totally disconnected them.
There was hardly any courtroom drama in this one. Jake's continual crap luck with his choice of women continues but to be honest, I wouldn't have him any other way. It sure makes for some good reading.
There was hardly any courtroom drama in this one. Jake's continual crap luck with his choice of women continues but to be honest, I wouldn't have him any other way. It sure makes for some good reading.
January 18, 2015
Good thriller series.
Jack Lassiter didn't use his head, mistakes beauty for purity, he didn't use his head. Killings, money, but learned about a plant and read about it. This was the third book in these series, enjoyed the others more.
Jack Lassiter didn't use his head, mistakes beauty for purity, he didn't use his head. Killings, money, but learned about a plant and read about it. This was the third book in these series, enjoyed the others more.
October 17, 2025
Jake is a lawyer in Miami. He is also managing a wind surfing event which has brought in the Hawaiian star Keaka Kealia. A second theme his is asked by his friend, an 86-year-old friend, Sam Kozdoy, to find who stole over a million dollars in bearer bonds. A third involves his former law partner and friend, Berto Zaldivar, who became a drug dealer, then an informant, then dead. As filler we have his standing and interactions with clients. The seemingly unrelated three events come together in an exciting story that takes Jake to Hawaii, an affair of the heart, and deadly events.
June 20, 2018
I read 5 of Jake Lassiter series or shoulders I say tried to read because I like legal thriller ever since John Grisham made me a fan of his but this is the crappiest series I have ever read, i mean it's okay when it stays within courtroom or around the case but all that macho crap, chasing skirts,screwing friends and clients' wives and also all of the books should have been a lot shorter...not even deserve that one star I gave it..
June 25, 2020
This thriller is action packed with many different settings
Jake appears to be going through a major career crisis while attempting to help a client turned grandfatherly friend. Jake's life is spinning out of control and he just cannot seem to pull it together. Will he ever get it back on track or was it ever on track?
Jake appears to be going through a major career crisis while attempting to help a client turned grandfatherly friend. Jake's life is spinning out of control and he just cannot seem to pull it together. Will he ever get it back on track or was it ever on track?
February 20, 2023
not the best of Levine’s Jake Lassiter series. I’m totally hooked on both Lassiter and Solomon and Lotd bbut this book as I said was not the best of the ones I’ve read so far. too much detail about board sailing in it.
Not the best of the Jake Lassiter series. Too much detail about board sailing. But I’m totally hooked on Lassiter, Solomon And Lord.
Not the best of the Jake Lassiter series. Too much detail about board sailing. But I’m totally hooked on Lassiter, Solomon And Lord.
October 12, 2019
This novel was more action/adventure than legal thriller, as Jake chased after "the bonds and the blonde." The characters were developed nicely and the plot moved quickly, making this an enjoyable read.
September 30, 2020
2015 Edition. Originally published in 1995, this tale is very dated. Ridiculous plot has protagonist running around jungle of Hawaii amidst murder and mayhem. Just plain silly at times. Fifth book in series gives me serious pause to go read sixth.
February 16, 2022
Death?!?!
Poor Jake, when you think he finds love, it can't exist with Lila. I loved the characters and their stories and interactions. The writing was outstanding and kept me intrigued from the beginning. On to the next book!
Poor Jake, when you think he finds love, it can't exist with Lila. I loved the characters and their stories and interactions. The writing was outstanding and kept me intrigued from the beginning. On to the next book!
March 6, 2022
Riptide
Bonds are stolen and Jake is tasked with finding them. There is a windsurfing race that Jake is in charge of. Windsurfers from Hawaii are also participating. And suddenly the two events merge with Jake in the middle.
Bonds are stolen and Jake is tasked with finding them. There is a windsurfing race that Jake is in charge of. Windsurfers from Hawaii are also participating. And suddenly the two events merge with Jake in the middle.
February 3, 2023
Incredible Unbelievable story
Paul deviates from his normal routine. He writes a book about how people relate to each other. Then goes to fantasy land to create a story of unbelievable people. Frankly I didn’t like the far fetched people who betrayed him
Paul deviates from his normal routine. He writes a book about how people relate to each other. Then goes to fantasy land to create a story of unbelievable people. Frankly I didn’t like the far fetched people who betrayed him
September 7, 2023
Windsurfing, theft and murder
This book packs a lot into it. Theft of millions in municipal bonds, beach bunnies, windsurfing contests, beautiful women, love, moral decisions, crooked cops, and, of course, Jake Lassiter.
This book packs a lot into it. Theft of millions in municipal bonds, beach bunnies, windsurfing contests, beautiful women, love, moral decisions, crooked cops, and, of course, Jake Lassiter.
September 23, 2026
Not a good book.
Not believable, very little about being a lawyer. Seems Jake has turned into a Rambo wanna be.
And how did he get out of Hawaii without getting arrested.
Look more closely at the next book before buying it.
Not believable, very little about being a lawyer. Seems Jake has turned into a Rambo wanna be.
And how did he get out of Hawaii without getting arrested.
Look more closely at the next book before buying it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2017
Disappointing book. However, on Amazon in one review it says this was his first book and was "fitted in" as a fifth book. Not up to the first four.
August 25, 2017
Good, fast-paced thriller.
September 3, 2017
Not nearly as good as the others. I think I read somewhere this was a first book of his.
July 9, 2018
Entertaining
June 24, 2020
A different format. No trials, just lots of detecting and lots of death.
April 2, 2021
Lassiter on steroids
He finds the loot, finds the girl and loses her and the loot! An everyday hero like Ben porter in three books, the latest being subversive addiction.
He finds the loot, finds the girl and loses her and the loot! An everyday hero like Ben porter in three books, the latest being subversive addiction.
September 11, 2021
My first Paul Levine book. Are you kidding me? So freaking unbelievable. And kept getting more so at the end. Maybe I just picked the wrong book to start the Lassiter series.
July 25, 2022
Lila
Not his best but still was an enjoyable read. Paul does a great job with Lassiter. The stories always hold your interest.
Not his best but still was an enjoyable read. Paul does a great job with Lassiter. The stories always hold your interest.
December 31, 2022
Worth the wait.
Slow to start but an ending that is "Worth the wait". I hope the next offering is half as good...
Slow to start but an ending that is "Worth the wait". I hope the next offering is half as good...
May 26, 2023
Disappointing
This book is all over the place. Characters hard to get to know, storyline difficult to follow. Not the usual type of story in this series.
This book is all over the place. Characters hard to get to know, storyline difficult to follow. Not the usual type of story in this series.
November 28, 2011
This may be a strange thing to take away from this book, but as I was reading, I was repeatedly struck with the breadth of knowledge that the author displays. He knows about lawyering and football, sure, but he also knows about windboarding and weather and geologic history, and you can tell from the words that he uses that he understand how things are built and how they come apart -- structures and people. And his Latin doesn't suck.
It's a smart guy writing these books, about another smart guy who lets his heart drag him down into being a dumb guy because Jake Lassiter has seriously terrible taste in women. It's too bad, because he's almost exactly the guy I would pick for my sister to marry if I were queen of the world for a day. He would be a great catch, because he is loyal to the uttermost; you can try to pitch him off a cliff, and he'll try to see the good side of that, bless his heart.
And he makes for a good read because you can sit there hoping he will figure it out, hoping that maybe you got it wrong, and she didn't really do that horrible thing that is breaking his heart. And you get all this without the book getting all touchy feely; I hate that! It's a plainly told story of a guy with a heart of gold that makes the girls want to rip it out of his chest.
It's a smart guy writing these books, about another smart guy who lets his heart drag him down into being a dumb guy because Jake Lassiter has seriously terrible taste in women. It's too bad, because he's almost exactly the guy I would pick for my sister to marry if I were queen of the world for a day. He would be a great catch, because he is loyal to the uttermost; you can try to pitch him off a cliff, and he'll try to see the good side of that, bless his heart.
And he makes for a good read because you can sit there hoping he will figure it out, hoping that maybe you got it wrong, and she didn't really do that horrible thing that is breaking his heart. And you get all this without the book getting all touchy feely; I hate that! It's a plainly told story of a guy with a heart of gold that makes the girls want to rip it out of his chest.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews