Cheater's Game

Jake Lassiter #13

by Paul Levine

JAKE LASSITER TACKLES THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS SCANDAL

Rich parents will pay anything to get their kids into college...
Kip Lassiter can get you a perfect score on any test...
And Kip's heartbroken uncle Jake must defend an unwinnable case.

CHEATER'S GAME dives deep into the true-to-life college admissions scandal with an explosive federal trial that rocks the courthouse.

Suffering brain damage from his days as a football player, Miami lawyer Jake Lassiter says goodbye to the courtroom...until his nephew Kip desperately needs his help. Kip has been working with millionaire Max Ringle in a shady scheme to help rich, entitled kids gain admission to elite universities.

The mastermind of the fraud, Ringle cops a plea to save his own hide and shifts the blame to Kip who's charged with multiple federal crimes. Dr. Melissa Gold, a famed neurologist and Lassiter's fiancée, supervises experimental treatments intended to keep the ailing lawyer strong enough for a grueling trial. As a fiery showdown with Ringle brings the courtroom to a fever pitch, Lassiter risks everything - including his own life - to fight for his nephew's freedom.

"Lassiter is the lawyer we all want on our side and on the page." - Lee Child

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Legal Thriller, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Legal

424 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 20, 2020

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.

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**********************************************;
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

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed every one of Paul Levine’s legal thrillers featuring Jake Lassiter, a night-school lawyer who had previously had an undistinguished football career with the Miami Dolphins. Levine is a master at combining elements of comedy and suspense into a very entertaining story. Cheater’s Game (the thirteenth or fourteenth book in the series, depending on how you’re counting) is one of his best yet. The story is, as they say, “ripped from the headlines,” focusing on the recent college admissions cheating scandal.

Jake is dumbstruck when he learns that his beloved 20-year-old nephew Kip has been a key player in the scheme. When Kip is charged with multiple federal crimes, Jake vows to defend him, even though his entire jury trial experience in federal court is limited to a minor role years before. Jake knows that he’s too close to the case to be objective, but he also knows that he will fight harder on Kip’s behalf than anyone else would.

Unfortunately, the case against Kip is practically airtight, especially since others implicated in the scandal have cooperated with the FBI to make Kip the scapegoat. Jake thinks he can convince the jury that justice would not be served by convicting Kip. But not only is the evidence stacked against Kip, but the judge doesn’t appear to share Jake’s lofty opinion of justice. When Jake tells him that he cares about justice, the judge responds, “‘Justice is a meaningless term.’ That rocked me. ‘How can a federal judge say that?’ ‘And how can you have practiced law so long and not realize that justice is a mere concept? A goal, an ideal, a sweet and fuzzy word like “spirituality.” But it’s just a notion, and your definition of that notion can be far different from mine. It’s the law that’s real and tangible and nonnegotiable.’”

If that’s not enough, Jake is also battling the effects of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) as the result of many concussions during his football career. The disease appears to be affecting his memory. Dr. Melissa Gold, who is both Jake’s doctor and his fiancée, is treating him with experimental drugs, but she is worried that the stress of the trial will make things worse. But Melissa accepts the reality that Jake’s determination to help Kip overrides all other concerns.

Cheater’s Game is at its best when it moves into the trial itself. I don’t know of any writer who is more skillful than Levine at writing courtroom scenes (and scenes in judicial chambers). The trial is dramatic and suspenseful, but it’s also very funny, as Jake’s irreverent and unconventional approach repeatedly risks the judge’s disapproval.

My only quibble with this book is Levine’s decision to switch from Jake’s first-person narrative to the third person in chapters that are told from Melissa’s point of view. I found that a bit awkward. But not enough to distract from my overall enjoyment of the book. Spending time with Jake Lassiter is always a pleasure, and I’m hoping that another book in the series will be coming soon.

P.S. There are some hints that Jake and Melissa could be moving to Bethesda, Maryland, in order for Melissa to take a job running an NIH study on CTE. I’m not sure how well Jake will do if he’s taken out of his native Miami habitat, since the Miami locale is so integral to Jake’s story so far. But as someone who lives just up the road from NIH, I would certainly be happy to welcome Jake to Bethesda!

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Timely Read As Jake Lassiter Faces Off With A Shyster Who Heads An Admission Scheme For College

Another fantastic story with my favorite lawyer, the fun,always thinking Jake Lassiter. I have enjoyed this author's series often over the years and he doesn't miss a beat in this intriguing case! The nephew Jake raised when his sister dropped him off years ago has become a 20 year old. He is very intelligent but seems quite naive when dealing with people daily. Somehow he has taken the words of an admission scandal creator, Max Tingle, to heart and works with him by taking tests for other students. Unknown by Lassiter until a hint from a fellow lawyer that the kid is in some deep trouble!
We follow all the action which eventually goes to trial, seeing the love of family, need to find a defense, and how far people in a trial will push to get themselves out of trouble. A story told with humor,sadness and a little hope that makes a great read and hold your interest through out.
Take a look into Jake Lassiter's life, you will find yourself feeling better just by reading the story. 5 STARS all the way!!!#

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some authors lose their edge as they write about the same character over many years., but not Paul Levine. I've enjoyed every one of his Lassiter books, and was delighted when I saw there was a new one in the series.

Cheater's Game proved to be just as well-written, exciting, humorous, and intriguing as the other Lassiter books. Levine writes a tight story and is a master of word usage. He packs a lot into every paragraph and keeps the action flowing.

A former Miami Dolphin, Jake is suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Levine has brought this subject into sharp focus with his last three books in the series. Jake is taking part in medical trials headed by his brilliant fiancé, Dr. Melissa Gold, and we learn the extent and consequences of Jake's CTE. In Cheater's Game, Levine does a masterful job of playing out the effects of the CTE on Jake's ability to defend his nephew, Kip.

Kip has been targeted as the fall guy in a college admissions scandal. With recorded evidence of Kip admitting to his part in the scandal, there is no escaping his arrest. He's guilty of taking tests for pampered rich kids, but he's not the mastermind behind the scheme. Nevertheless, he's going down unless Lassiter can find a way to counter guilt with justice.

Nobody writes courtroom scenes like Paul Levine. They're the best, and while I may think I know where things are going, Levine throws in a twist or a surprise that I didn't see coming, which just ups the sheer pleasure of reading a legal thriller.

Jake Lassiter is one of my favorite characters, and I can't wait to see what Mr. Levine has in store for him in the future.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best Jake Lassiter novel yet. Terrific, gripping courtroom drama.

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 5 out of 5]

CHEATER’S GAME is a welcome surprise. I wasn’t entirely sure that there was going to be another Paul Levine novel, particularly one featuring defense attorney extraordinaire Jake Lassiter. Yet here we are, and it turns out to be one of the best installments in this long-running series. Readers of these books are aware that Levine is incapable of writing badly, but this latest entry turns things up a notch by putting literally everything on the line for Lassiter.

One of the reasons that I always recommend this series to friends is that newcomers can literally start with any of the (now) 14 books without feeling as if they are hopelessly lost in the background. In CHEATER’S GAME, Levine once again wastes little time in dropping just enough breadcrumbs of Lassiter’s backstory so that even those new to the series can immediately follow along.

Lassiter, a former college and professional football player, has been diagnosed with the very real-world condition of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTI), which includes such symptoms as memory loss, mood swings, depression and headaches. Lassiter has now given up his criminal defense practice and is in the somewhat unusual (for him) position of being a prosecutor. He’s not prosecuting just anyone, though. He’s employed by the State Bar Association for the purpose of bringing lawyers who are accused of violating the attorney code of ethics before the court.

However, this new phase of Lassiter’s career is put on hold when his nephew Kip is arrested for being involved in an extremely lucrative college admissions scam. Twenty-year-old Kip is earning major cheddar by working for a Svengali-type entrepreneur who is utilizing his ideas and smarts to get the children of the rich and famous into universities that they would not have a prayer of being admitted to unaided. This aid includes everything from resume padding to functioning as a ringer during college admissions testing. Lassiter had warned Kip about the job, but his reservations fell on deaf ears. Things change when federal charges are brought against the program. Kip is last to the party when the time comes to making a deal with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which has tape recordings, witness testimony, and an army of legal clerks and counsel arrayed against Kip, who has Lassiter on his side.

It would be an almost lopsided battle against Kip in any event, but Lassiter is hardly at the top of his game. He is having memory lapses, is prone to inappropriate outbursts inside and outside of the courtroom, and has headaches that flair up without any warning and at the worst possible times. What he does retain are his trial skills and instincts, the support of his too-good-to-be-true physician and fiancée, and --- perhaps most importantly --- his deep and abiding love for Kip, who he has raised as a son since he was a child. It isn’t immediately obvious, but maybe it’s the prosecution that is overwhelmed here.

I noted earlier that I was surprised to see another Lassiter novel. That is because of the introduction of the CTI diagnosis into Lassiter’s life. Along with calling attention to this serious condition, Levine has sympathetically utilized it as a plot element to effectively add more suspense into the overall story arc. It is one of the loudest ticking clocks in fiction, which I, for one, hope never tolls.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

[Eddie Tucker · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is no way that Jake Lassiter is believable as a successful attorney. I stopped at less than a third of the way through. The story's focus, a nephew taking a wrong path, is a yawn. Lassiter's self-blame about the kid's bad choices is a bore and silly. The narrative repeatedly has his wife thinking of her husband as wonderful, big, strapping, loving and perfect in every way. Not once, but all the time. Gave up on this guy.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed most of Mr. Levine’s books but never so much his most recent , “Cheater’s Game.” I recommend it without reservation to anyone who likes a taut, suspenseful courtroom drama.
The story is drawn from recent headlines in which wealthy parents used a college preparatory company’s scheme to get their less than super achieving children into prestigious universities. That was done, you recall, by bribing admissions officers, faking the applicant’s credentials and qualifications , and sometimes using “ ringers” to take the SAT tests for their kids.
Kip Lassiter is the nephew of Jake Lassiter, who has made his name as a defense attorney who Will go to the limit and beyond for clients in a tight spot. Jake finds himself defending Kip against a laundry list of Federal felony charges resulting from just such a admissions scandal.
With testimony from parents who participated in the cheating , from Kip’s boss who set everything up, and From wiretaps of conversations where Kip brags about the fun he had in perpetrating the schemes, it looks like jail doors are destined to slam behind Kip for a long time. Unless, Jake can get him off.
In a fascinating, entertaining and exciting story, Mr.Levine gives the reader characters whose emotional stress fills every page. Jake, a former Pro football player suffers from brain damage after too many helmet - to -helmet jolts. His fiancée, Melissa, a doctor, fears Jake is suffering rapid mental deterioration.Both wonder if Jake has another trial left in him.
The trial itself is a gem of writing. The author is a master at winding up tension and then, with a bit of humor or a romance, easing it off, only to ramp it up the next day in court. There is an autocratic judge, a deceptively sensitive, soft- spoken Federal prosecutor, an arrogant FBI agent, and numerous rich, privileged , elitist cheaters turned witness arrayed against a young man to smart to know how gullible he was, and Uncle Jake Lassiter a very ill man trying to pull a miracle defense out of a tortured brain.
No, you will not want to put this book down once begun. And, no, do give into the temptation to peek at the ending.
Summary: one of the best courtroom trials I have read, and a compelling human drama adds up to a five-star review and my unqualified read this book Recommendation.

[Harold Kasselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a marvelous legal comedy-drama. I've read a few in this series, but this was the best. Jack Lassiter is the most hilarious character I can ever recall. I thought Myron Bolitar was fun(Harlen Coben's PI), but Jake is in a class of his own. There is one chapter that takes place in the judge's chambers, on a motion, that had me guffawing out loud for fifteen minutes. It was that good. And the prosecution of the case is an interesting one straight out of the news.(Felicity Hoffman, Lori Loughlin, and the college admissions scandal). Despite a seemingly unsurmountable federal case against Kip Lassiter and a hostile judge, Jake manages to hang his defense on "fundamental fairness". Paul Levine does a masterful job in creating his characters-each and every one. Judge Seidel is a fascinating personality whose battles with Jake are hilarious. But despite the humor, Jake is a sad character. We have always known of his C.T.E. diagnosis(Jake was a former professional football player), but the brain disease has advanced. He functions through mere will against the pounding headaches, tinnitus, bouts of vertigo, and mental exhaustion. His nephew, more a son to Jake, may be the smartest kid in school, but the dumbest kid on the block. And Jake must give his all to save him. With the love and support of his fiancé Dr. Melissa Gold, another wonderful character, they strive to become a family again. I just loved this tale.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheater's Game is book thirteen in the Jake Lassiter series by Paul Levine. Kip Lassiter though he had the perfect job until he was pushed off the side road by another car and ended up in the hospital and arrested for fraud and other federal charges. Kip's Uncle, who Jake no longer stand up in court, took on the case to free his nephew. The readers of Cheater's Game will continue to follow Jake and Kip to find out what happens.

Cheater's Game was the first book I read of Paul Levine, and I enjoy it. Paul Levine excellently portrayed the characters in a way that engaged me from the start. I love the way the characters intertwine with each other throughout this book. I like the description of the settings of this book.

The readers of Cheater's Game will learn about a disease called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and how it affects the suffers. Also, the readers of Cheater's Game will learn about being a defence attorney.

I recommend this book.

[ReBecca]

I made it about 20% into Cheater’s Game before calling it quits. The story felt rushed from the start, like it was sprinting through scenes instead of letting anything land. The pacing wasn’t the only issue; the author’s writing style reminded me of someone with ADHD, jumping rapidly between characters and subjects with little breathing room in between. I never developed an interest or connection to the story, and eventually realized I had zero motivation to continue. No matter how much I tried to push through, it felt like forcing myself to finish something I simply wasn’t enjoying. So I put it down before investing any more time into a book that wasn’t grabbing me.

[Nick Stika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I've missed Jake Lassiter. Loved this story. A flawed hero everyone can cheer for.

[Rob Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable, glad to see Jake back in action. A compelling and layered read tackling an interesting and current issue. It was tough to see Jake's physical issues on display and I am certainly concerned for his future. But with Melissa and Kip with him, it seems like he has all that he needs.

[Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

★ ★ ★ ★
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---

When it comes to my conduct in trials, I have only two rules. I won’t lie to the court or let a witness do it. Other than that, batten the hatches, because I sail straight into storms.

Bolden spent a few more minutes talking about the judge’s wise instructions and the jurors’grave responsibilities, then thanked them all and sat down.

I got to my feet, nodded to the judge, buttoned my suit coat, smiled warmly, and said my six favorite words in the English language. “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury . . .”

When it comes to legal thrillers, those six words are pretty much my favorite, too. I want to see the protagonist in the courtroom, plying his or her trade—sure, I get that a lot of the action has to take place outside of the courtroom, but it seems even my favorite fictional lawyers are spending fewer pages there all the time. Since Perry Mason (in print or on screen) made me a fan of the genre, everything outside the courthouse just doesn't interest me as much. The fact that Lassiter utters those words at the 52% mark thrilled me--jury selection started 5% earlier. When the trial portion of a novel beings in the first half, I'm happy as you can hope for.

Which isn't to say that the material before then wasn't good—it's just secondary for me. But we can't get to the jury if we don't have a crime, a client, and a lawyer. We should probably start with them.

Our (chief) narrator, protagonist and the lawyer we met in above is Jake Lassiter, a former Miami Dolphin player turned defense attorney. Thanks to the repeated hits to the head he took as a football player, Lassiter suffers from C.T.E.—Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy—a progressive degenerative disease affecting the brain. In response to this, Lassiter's recently stopped his defense work and works for the Florida Bar.

So what gets Lassiter back to the defense table? His nephew, Kip. Lassiter basically raised Kip, and is his father in all but name. The relationship isn't as close as it should be lately, but when Kip needs him, Lassiter's there for him. Kip is freakishly smart, but some foolish moves in college resulted in him getting the boot. So he's gone another route and is working as an SAT coach. At a certain point, that coaching turned into taking the tests for his clients (or arranging to be present in-person for a little hands-on coaching). As we've all seen recently, the Feds swept in, arresting several people involved—and Kip is put in the position of taking the fall for a lot of the unethical behavior.

It's clear that he's guilty—he admits what he did—but he's also the only one that anyone's seriously prosecuting. Lassiter was already going to do everything he could for Kip, but the injustice of his being singled-out for prosecution really provokes his uncle's ire. The gloves are off when it comes to this defense.

Which is a little trickier than he's used to—this is in Federal Court, where Lassiter hasn't tried a case before. The dynamic's a little different, and the judge is far less open to antics. (doesn't stop Lassiter, it should be noted). The federal prosecutor is pretty chummy with the judge, but seems to play fair and is a good opponent for Lassiter. She's a great trial lawyer herself and won't give him an inch—but will admit when he bests her on a point. I seriously loved the dynamic between the two—it's not the typical adversarial kind of thing—it is adversarial, make no mistake, but there's a respect and lack of hostility there. A significant portion (as I indicated above) of the novel is about the trial and I loved every second of it.

Not only is Lassiter dealing with the emotional weight of defending his nephew (and what it would mean to lose), but he's dealing with the cognitive and physical effects of C.T.E.—I don't remember ever reading anything close to this before. I respect Levine for trying it, and even more so for doing it so well—I don't know enough to say that he depicts this perfectly, but it's done with sensitivity and care (and, sure, a light touch), making me think it's pretty accurate.

Our other narrator is Melissa Gold, the specialist who's been treating Lassiter since his diagnosis—she's also a leading researcher in the field. She's also Lassiter's fiancé, and practically a stepmother to Kip. She's about as invested in this trial as either of them, but is more focused on Lassiter's well-being. Her chapters provide an outside look at how Lassiter is dealing with the trial and everything around it. It's an interesting way to get around some of the limitations of the first-person narration.

This is not maudlin (as easy as it would be), it's not all somber, sober and serious, either. Lassiter is a jokey kind of guy and that comes through in his narration and his dialogue. This isn't a comedy by any means, but there's a lot of wit, and more than a few laughs throughout. That doesn't take away from any of the tension in the courtroom (or with Lassiter's condition), but it flavors the book. Think of the Andy Carpenter books without dogs and you've got a good idea how this reads.

Fifteen years ago, I became a fan of Levine's Solomon vs. Lord series after about 20-30 pages and read those all several times. I can't explain why, but I never tried the Lassiter books (although I meant to)—I now know that was a mistake, and one I hope to rectify. This is written in such a way that you don't need to have read any of the novels ahead of this, but it'd surely add a little depth to some of the serialized aspects of the novel. But I want to stress, it's completely accessible for anyone who hasn't encountered Lassiter before.

Good courtroom action, fun characters, and a wonderful voice. Cheater's Game is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser.

Disclaimer: I received this novel from the Saichek Publicity in exchange for this post and my honest opinion.

[Kent Winward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake Lassiter, my guilty pleasure.

[Ron Schwab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Levine never disappoints.

[Clwseattle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheaters Game is a hard story to read for those of us that so thoroughly enjoy Jake Lassiter, not because it's not a good story - it's a great story! - but because there is so much heartache: Jake's mental lapses and headaches are worsening, his beloved nephew scorned him for another mentor and his longtime friend and sometime enemy betrayed him.

You have to cheer Jake because knows he's fallible but he never gives up. Cheaters Game personifies that trait. It shows a man of grit and integrity. The story line is a fascinating insight for those of us who don't cheat for our kids. I think the gaming addiction information is horrifying, but the way it is woven into the story is fascinating to read. The insight regarding fighting the government is daunting.

"I have long thought that the federal government is ponderous battleship weighed down by its armor and slow to change course. But when it chooses to marshal its might against an individual, the government is a lean, mean, conviction machine. Meanwhile, the defendant's lawyer is a loinclothed Roman gladiator protected by a wooden shield, leather shin guards, and prayers to the God Jupiter. The Constitution promises due process but not a fair fight."
"As much as we prize our commitment to the individual and pay lip service to the presumption of innocence, it's the government's courthouse, the government's prosecutor, and the government's judge. Every time you go to trial, you are the Miami Dolphins playing an away game against the Patriots in a January blizzard."

Cheaters Game is all about that unfair fight, but it is just one of many, many layers to this story.

This is my 22nd book by Paul Levine. I am a fan but more so now: I checked out Cheaters Game from my library, but when I opened it, the title, author and story were not Cheaters Game! I sent a note to the publisher of the story and one to Paul Levine. He answered me within 15 minutes! That care for readers is extraordinary! And, he has great taste in dogs: his is a twin of our pup to whom we had to say goodbye far to early.

[Beth Birnbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a horrible summer so far, coming after an equally horrible spring. I'm in Queens, NY, where everything COVID hit first, and the sound of ambulances racing by was constant. We may be relatively quiet now, but much of the rest of the nation is going through what we did. One of my daughters has recovered from the virus, but has lost friends.
So when a new Paul Levine book came out, it's an even greater thrill than usual! A few hours off from thinking about our current situation is a mini-vacation.
Having read all the Jake Lassiter books, it was also like visiting a family of friends who are really wonderful people.
I thought the plot, Jake Lassiter's nephew Kip using his great brain for evil, not good, taking the SAT's and being part of a company that helps get students into college for a pretty hefty fee, was pretty much up to the minute with the recent scandals.
And then, it was discovered Donald Trump had someone take the SAT's for him. My children attended a school that Donald Trump was kicked out of, and the head of the school cringed every time someone even mentioned his name, and that was 20 years. ago.
So, in literature as in life, cheating is real.
The ongoing situation of Jake's brain damage from football is always fascinating, and the courtroom scenes after Kip is arrested and thrown under the bus by the man he worked for are absolutely great. Drama, tension, humor, logic and justice, reading about Jake, despite his handicaps, including migraines and clanging in his head, there isn't a better lawyer in fiction, and from what I've seen, real life. "Legal Thriller" is the perfect description There's some pretty exciting medical stuff in there, too.
As is usual for the series, and all of Paul Levine's other books, the book is beautifully written, exciting to read, and I lost almost a whole night's sleep. But it was well worth every minute!

[Marie Lutz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake defends his 20-year-old nephew, Kip, accused of various crimes related to his having helped students get into college by taking their standardized college admission tests or changing their incorrect answers on those tests. Jake becomes his nephew’s lawyer despite his having brain damage caused by head injuries when he played football. His fiancée, Melissa, supports him through all this while enrolling him in her clinical trial that hopefully will reverse or slow the brain changes that are causing him significant pain as well as cognitive problems.

Parts of this story were engrossing , but too much of it was repetitious and boring. Why boring? In part because the main characters were so one dimensional. Melissa unconditionally loves Jake and Kip and we’re repeatedly told how much. Jake unquestioningly loves his nephew, despite what he’s done and we’re repeatedly told how much. Unbelievably, when Jake once loses his temper with his errant nephew, Jake and everyone else attributes it to his brain damage. Huh? The kid acted unethically, but, hey, we’re just given excuses for his behavior. As for Kip, he realizes the error of his ways fairly early on and in the future just wants to help humanity, well at least some parts of humanity.

So, there was relatively little conflict among the main characters and they were not all that believable. Yes it would be a miscarriage of justice to give Kip a long jail sentence for what he did, but to whitewash him so thoroughly was a bit much. And Jake’s behavior was not completely convincing given the serious issues he was dealing with. Anyway, this novel for me was a mixed bag.

[John McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Levine is at the top of his form in Cheater’s Game—his fourteenth Lassiter novel—which covers the timeliest of subjects in this period of such income disparity . . . the ability of the haves to purchase what the have-nots can only dream about. In this case, it’s admission into the country’s most prestigious and elite universities.
As the novel begins the brain-damaged ex-pro football player, Jake Lassiter, has quit trial lawyering and taken a job with the Florida Bar Association, going after attorney’s who break the law. But when his beloved nephew Kip is indicted by a grand jury and hauled into Federal Court on 37 felony counts after being set-up by his scheming boss and so-called ‘partner,’ Jake comes back to defend the young man he’s raised as a son. He puts his life on the line in the process, while Kip is facing what amounts to a life sentence if convicted.
The courtroom drama is fast-paced, intricate and ever-changing as the strategies, schemes and betrayals play out, while at home the heartaches mount with Jake’s condition worsening as he comes to grips with the fact that the case is unwinnable and he may not be able to save his sister’s son Kip, “The smartest kid in the room . . . and the dumbest one on the street . . .”
Read it for yourself, and see why legions of die-hard fans around the world can’t wait for Jake Lassiter’s next adventure . . . and you, like me, will be a fan too!

[Shomeret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheater's Game by Paul Levine is the third book I've read in the Jake Lassiter series of legal mysteries and thrillers. I gratefully received an ARC of Cheater's Game from publicist Wiley Saichek.

In Jake's defense of his nephew Kip, he brings forward some issues that will cause readers to think about justice, and whether juries should consider fairness. If the law is enforced unfairly, how can that be redressed? We have laws about various types of discrimination, but there are other forms of unfairness that occur in the justice system.

Jake's fiancee, brain expert Dr. Melissa Gold, also plays an important role. I learned about a brain condition in this book that I'd never seen mentioned before . I thought that Kip might be somewhere on the autistic spectrum before Melissa brought up Non-Verbal Learning Disorder. It apparently has some commonality with certain forms of autism.

I think that Cheater's Game is provocative and original. I consider it a strong candidate for best thriller of 2020.

For the blog version of this review see https://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/2...

[Murrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For something different and more intelligent of lawyer tales, this one is tops. Recent dirty deals in which the rich land their kids into US snooty colleges making big donations, tossing in fake sports star offspring or being alma mater material themselves, all legal for front door access, and morally shady, this story is for our times. While Kip the smart kid who cheats for the wealthy with scholarly hanky panky, is used by a rich sleezy sponsor who has him wired as Fed bait to get himself out of deep jail trouble, Kip's uncle who reared the boy from a nine year old, comes to the rescue as his lawyer. The over-the-top criminal creep uses the innocent kid, Kip, to work an FBI deal, but Jake, his uncle, has keen court smarts plus gutsy pluck as his weapons, and works up an uncanny case to try and get his nephew off. Added to the mix is Uncle Jake's brain damage, product of his football career in which the cheering crowds knew not of the brain damage that ensues, but also that make his legal work harder than knocks to bad helmets. Only for the brighter reader to keep up, Jake's jury banter and his conflicts with a heavy weight (literally) judge and prosecutor, make this a can't-put-it-down legal bending book.

[Nancy Anne Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Paul Levine, and Jake Lassiter is my kinda man- Big, brawny, and crass with a great sense of humor and soft center. I was reading this book on a crowded plane flight - There was a time or two I had to stifle a laugh.

But it's more than that- The author gets the reader wound up emotionally with the characters. His knowledge of the legal system is excellent and he doesn't sugar coat the corrupt parts while also giving hope for true justice.

I know- I haven't mentioned the story yet...... Jake's beloved nephew, whom he's raised from a young pup, again has himself in a legal pickle. After some buildup Jake has the seemingly impossible task defending the young man to keep him from serving a long prison sentence. All the while he's maintaining a well-deserved serious relationship and battling his own demons, courtesy of prior football head trauma. The guy continues to push through despite debilitating physical ailments. Win or lose, you gotta love Jake Lassiter.

This story will have leave you sitting on the edge of your seat with unexpected twists and turns throughout. (And I am pretty good at seeing plot twists from afar- Not so here.)

If you enoy a legal thriller, this will not disappoint!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHEATER'S GAME dives deep into the true-to-life college admissions scandal with an explosive federal trial that rocks the courthouse.

Suffering brain damage from his football injuries, Miami lawyer Jake Lassiter says goodbye to the courtroom...until his nephew Kip desperately needs his help. Kip has been working for millionaire Max Ringle in a shady scheme to help rich, entitled kids gain admission to elite universities.

Ringle, the mastermind of the fraud, shifts the blame to Kip who's charged with multiple crimes. Dr. Melissa Gold, Lassiter's fianc�e, supervises experimental treatments intended to keep the ailing lawyer strong enough for a grueling trial. As a fiery showdown looms with Ringle, Lassiter risks everything - including his own life - to keep his nephew out of prison.

An excellent read. I am not a big fan of legal novels but this one had me sitting on the edge of my seat.

[Jocelyn Nielson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading it for the most part, and it kept me turning the pages. I wasn’t a fan of the book’s ending, though, which felt lackluster for what was going on with the legal case and its ties to Jake’s nephew, who I also wasn’t a big fan of. This was my first time reading a book from the series, and it’s far from being the first in the series (each book is supposed to be a stand-alone), so I don’t think I connected to the characters that well. If the opportunity presents itself, I wouldn’t be opposed to reading other books in the series, but I wouldn’t necessarily seek out the other books. If I do read more of the series, though, I might start with the first book. There was enough information in the background snippets throughout this book, that I didn’t wholly feel I was lacking in information. Still, sometimes it just helps starting with the first book when the series revolves around a specific character.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read quite a few of the earlier Jake books and one that dealt with his CTE. I must admit I liked the earlier ones more. The author has become very preachy about CTE. Yes, it is justified; however, I started skimming those paragraphs about halfway through the book. I had already read his last book which had a lot about CTE. (My error! A very good book, but wait until you have read the other ones.)

The sections about his nephew and the college admissions scandal was well done and pretty current. The courtroom scenes were particularly effective.

Yes, the books can stand alone, but it is fun to see how Jake changes over time. Find the first one and start working your through them. You will be glad you did.

[Debra Kay Gerik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the twists and turns.

Jake Lassiter retired defense attorney, now prosecuting fellow lawyers for the Florida bar ends up defending his nephew in Federal court. Tough judge, tough prosecution, willing to go to any lengths to obtain a guilty verdict against someone (a kid) who refused to cooperate in gutting his boss. Underhanded tactics by a powerful government entity of flesh eaters combatted by good old integrity and care about what's truly right and wrong. In this shark eat shark world there has to be a safe net and this brings story brings back hope for old fashioned yet honorable values.

[D. Jane Akins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Jake Lassiter books.

Paul Levine is an excellent writer and his books are well edited. That’s a winner right there for me. It’s hard to read about his brain damage from concussions playing football because I have a grandson whose favorite sport is playing football. In this book, additional stress is put on Jake because he’s defending his nephew who he’s raised as his son. He’s engaged to the doctor who’s treating him for the brain damage. His courtroom antics are legendary but he’s a good lawyer. I recommend this Jake Lassiter books and any others in the series.

[Thomas Begley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

What started as an enjoyable but somewhat lighthearted series has developed into a remarkable set of stories. As the years have progressed there has been increased depth to the writing and the characters. The handling of CTE has been so poignant it pulls at the heartstrings in a sincere manner enhancing the reader’s connection with the main character. After so many books in a series, it might be expected that a character would be wearing out or becoming too routine. Yet Paul Levine has masterfully taken an already worthwhile series to an even greater level of writing. Cheater’s Game is a must read. Highly recommended.

[Thomas R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story, ripped from today s headlines. A major College Cheating scandal, where Rich people cheated to have their kids get into some of the most prestigious schools in America. The book also illustrates how the Rich and powerful are above the law and how the Federal Government can indict anyone by stretching the law. For example their isn't a Federal Law for cheating to get into a College. So the Government uses the Mail Fraud Statute to arrest people. Sadly this story illustrates how if you are Rich enough you can avoid going to prison or receive a very favorable sentence.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining read

Wow. This book is ripped straight from the headlines. Jakes nephew Kip is arrested for his involvement with rigging college admissions His partner in this enterprise turns states evidence to testify against him in exchange for a reduced sentence. While defending Kip, Jake is also dealing with his symptoms of CTE, another timely topic. His fiancée is also his treating physician and a key witness in Kips defense. What could possibly go wrong?

There is so much humanity in Jake yet toughness and determination to save his nephew. Melissa and Jakes love story is almost fairy tale but refreshing.

Book is thoroughly entertaining in every way.