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Jake Lassiter #12
Bum Deal
AN IMPOSSIBLE CASE? CALL JAKE LASSITER
No witness? No evidence? No body?
Big problem for new prosecutor Jake Lassiter.
Appointed to prosecute a high-profile murder case, Lassiter vows to take down a prominent surgeon accused of killing his wife. Problem is...there's not a scrap of forensic evidence, and the defense lawyers are the crafty team of Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord.
Lassiter's symptoms of the brain disease CTE are threatening to disable him. Even as Melissa Gold, his doctor and lover, performs experimental treatments, Lassiter could lose the case--and his life--in court.
"BUM DEAL is the real deal. Jake Lassiter at his smart-talking, fast-thinking best. A funny, compelling and canny courtroom thriller." --Scott Turow, #1 New York Times bestselling author
NOTE: The Lassiter novels are all stand-alones and may be enjoyed in any order.
No witness? No evidence? No body?
Big problem for new prosecutor Jake Lassiter.
Appointed to prosecute a high-profile murder case, Lassiter vows to take down a prominent surgeon accused of killing his wife. Problem is...there's not a scrap of forensic evidence, and the defense lawyers are the crafty team of Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord.
Lassiter's symptoms of the brain disease CTE are threatening to disable him. Even as Melissa Gold, his doctor and lover, performs experimental treatments, Lassiter could lose the case--and his life--in court.
"BUM DEAL is the real deal. Jake Lassiter at his smart-talking, fast-thinking best. A funny, compelling and canny courtroom thriller." --Scott Turow, #1 New York Times bestselling author
NOTE: The Lassiter novels are all stand-alones and may be enjoyed in any order.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2018
1944 people are currently reading
845 people want to read
About the author
Paul Levine
81 books558 followersThe 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
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
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
August 5, 2018
I listened to 47% of this then zipped over to the last few chapters to see how it ended. I won't be reading anymore about Jake Lassiter because I'm tired of reading about his "brain damage" and his "CTE" and his mixtures of medicines and him sitting out in the park and "vaping" pot.
I want to read about the court cases not about his health problems caused by playing football. Time to kill him or make him better.
This could have been a decent book about a doctor accused of killing his wife but too much time was spent with Jake and his health and with Steve and Victoria wedding plans.
There was no sex and the F-bomb was used 10 times.
As to the narration: Luke Daniels is all that kept me listening as long as I did. He's one terrific narrator.
July 3, 2018
Jake Lassiter ,A Prosecutor!!!
I have always enjoyed this series, so this book is no exception. A quick trip through bedrooms, courts, hospitals and legal offices as Jake becomes a special district attorney to prosecute a case of murder! He is still struggling through early CTE ,a result of his football career, and he is trying experimental drugs to decrease his symptoms. Usually a defense lawyer he becomes very surprised and it makes him look for a glitch when the Prosecutor asks him to work as a prosecutor for one case . Ray Pincher must believe he can use Jake as the fall guy if this case goes South!
This is an enjoyable adventure with the quick witted, street smart Jake rolling with the punches. He is trying a murder case with no body or concrete evidence! The characters are easy to understand, you feel as if you are with friends. A nice legal thriller...
I have always enjoyed this series, so this book is no exception. A quick trip through bedrooms, courts, hospitals and legal offices as Jake becomes a special district attorney to prosecute a case of murder! He is still struggling through early CTE ,a result of his football career, and he is trying experimental drugs to decrease his symptoms. Usually a defense lawyer he becomes very surprised and it makes him look for a glitch when the Prosecutor asks him to work as a prosecutor for one case . Ray Pincher must believe he can use Jake as the fall guy if this case goes South!
This is an enjoyable adventure with the quick witted, street smart Jake rolling with the punches. He is trying a murder case with no body or concrete evidence! The characters are easy to understand, you feel as if you are with friends. A nice legal thriller...
May 17, 2018
Bum Deal is the twelfth book in Levine’s Jack Lassiter series, which features an ex-football player turned defense lawyer sort of like Campbell Gault’s series about a football player turned private eye. The setting is lazy sunny Florida and it involves a lot more chitter chatter than action. Here, Lassiter becomes a special prosecutor for one case involving his pal Victoria’s exboyfriend and client, a smart, feisty, confident doctor being investigated for the murder of his wife. This is a very popular series and my first foray into it. My opinion is that of a minority when I say it Just plain didn’t work for me. Too much chitter chatter. The legal proceedings didn’t feel genuine, particularly the informal interview at the murder suspect’s house. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
June 23, 2025
Excellent. This completes my reading of all of Levine's Lassiter and Solomon & Lord books. I am going to miss these characters. They are truly entertaining.
June 14, 2018
First Sentence: The surgeon laced his fingers and cracked his knuckles, a concert pianist preparing to tackle Tchaikovsky.
Defense Attorney Jack Lassiter is switching sides. The state attorney, who has political ambitions, cannot serve as prosecutor on the case of a very high-profile cosmetic surgeon who is accused of murdering his wife. Jake is taking on a huge challenge as the defense attorneys are his best friends, he quite possibly may be dying from CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) as a result of his NFL days and, oh yes, there's no body.
One always appreciates an author who uses humor well—"when my cell phone rang, I figured someone was dead. Nah, I don't have EPS. I have caller ID."—creates a strong sense of place—"an easterly breeze kicked up sand from the beach and ruffled the palm trees a few feet from my table."—and make one stop and consider—"Who's to say why we choose our friends? Just as with lovers, there's a certain mystery to the chemistry of friendship."—all within a very short space. It also helps in creating an intriguing protagonist. These things add up to a book of real promise and, if one has never before read Paul Levine, there is also the question of "why not?".
All of Levine's characters are fully-developed and none are caricatures. Dr. Melissa Gold, neuropathologist and Jake's lover and doctor, is the means by which we learn about CTE, the symptoms, indicators, and treatments including medications and eudaimonia, a philosophy of Aristotle's related to virtue ethics.
Levin reminds one exactly how dirty and self-serving are politics and politicians. He also makes a fair assessment about being a lawyer—"I just wanted to do good work defending the wrongfully accused. Surprise! Turns out there were far more people rightfully accused." There is also a reminder that legal cases take time—"This isn't an hour TV show where a clue falls into your lap after the third commercial."
Although there is an element that may have been predicted, there is a very good twist and a story which is well executed and occasionally makes one smile. Right up until the final page.
"Bum Deal" is remarkable for the level of suspense that can be achieved by a well-done courtroom scene. Levin definitely delivers on that score.
BUM DEAL (Legal Thriller-Jake Lassiter-Florida-Contemp) – VG
Levine, Paul – 13th in series
Thomas & Mercer – June 2018
Defense Attorney Jack Lassiter is switching sides. The state attorney, who has political ambitions, cannot serve as prosecutor on the case of a very high-profile cosmetic surgeon who is accused of murdering his wife. Jake is taking on a huge challenge as the defense attorneys are his best friends, he quite possibly may be dying from CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) as a result of his NFL days and, oh yes, there's no body.
One always appreciates an author who uses humor well—"when my cell phone rang, I figured someone was dead. Nah, I don't have EPS. I have caller ID."—creates a strong sense of place—"an easterly breeze kicked up sand from the beach and ruffled the palm trees a few feet from my table."—and make one stop and consider—"Who's to say why we choose our friends? Just as with lovers, there's a certain mystery to the chemistry of friendship."—all within a very short space. It also helps in creating an intriguing protagonist. These things add up to a book of real promise and, if one has never before read Paul Levine, there is also the question of "why not?".
All of Levine's characters are fully-developed and none are caricatures. Dr. Melissa Gold, neuropathologist and Jake's lover and doctor, is the means by which we learn about CTE, the symptoms, indicators, and treatments including medications and eudaimonia, a philosophy of Aristotle's related to virtue ethics.
Levin reminds one exactly how dirty and self-serving are politics and politicians. He also makes a fair assessment about being a lawyer—"I just wanted to do good work defending the wrongfully accused. Surprise! Turns out there were far more people rightfully accused." There is also a reminder that legal cases take time—"This isn't an hour TV show where a clue falls into your lap after the third commercial."
Although there is an element that may have been predicted, there is a very good twist and a story which is well executed and occasionally makes one smile. Right up until the final page.
"Bum Deal" is remarkable for the level of suspense that can be achieved by a well-done courtroom scene. Levin definitely delivers on that score.
BUM DEAL (Legal Thriller-Jake Lassiter-Florida-Contemp) – VG
Levine, Paul – 13th in series
Thomas & Mercer – June 2018
June 26, 2018
4.5*
Normally in the defense half of the courtroom, Jake Lassiter is persuaded to change sides. State Attorney Raymond Pincher, an old sparring partner of Jake’s, asks him to be a specially appointed prosecutor in case against Dr Clark Calvert, an orthopaedic surgeon who is accused of murdering his wife. There are several factors that don’t bode well for Jake’s change of direction. There’s no body, apparently no evidence against the doctor and Jake is struggling with the possibility of having contracted CTE, otherwise known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a lethal brain disease caused by too many head traumas sustained during his days as a linebacker. Jake’s illness has worsened progressively over the course of the previous couple of books and his only hope seems to be the experimental treatments prescribed by his doctor and lover, neuropathologist Melissa Gold.
Jake’s close friends who are also defense lawyers, Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord, and learned almost everything they know from him, will be defending the doctor. Calvert and Victoria have a shared history and she doesn’t believe he’s capable of murder. Or at least that what she tells Jake and Steve…but perhaps there’s a niggling doubt in Victoria’s mind.
I’ve listened to most of the books in this series, bar one or two very early ones with a different narrator, and loved them all. Jake Lassiter is an engaging character—tough, humorous and of course, not without flaws…but never boring.
Full review and sound clip https://wp.me/p47cK4-5pP
Normally in the defense half of the courtroom, Jake Lassiter is persuaded to change sides. State Attorney Raymond Pincher, an old sparring partner of Jake’s, asks him to be a specially appointed prosecutor in case against Dr Clark Calvert, an orthopaedic surgeon who is accused of murdering his wife. There are several factors that don’t bode well for Jake’s change of direction. There’s no body, apparently no evidence against the doctor and Jake is struggling with the possibility of having contracted CTE, otherwise known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a lethal brain disease caused by too many head traumas sustained during his days as a linebacker. Jake’s illness has worsened progressively over the course of the previous couple of books and his only hope seems to be the experimental treatments prescribed by his doctor and lover, neuropathologist Melissa Gold.
Jake’s close friends who are also defense lawyers, Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord, and learned almost everything they know from him, will be defending the doctor. Calvert and Victoria have a shared history and she doesn’t believe he’s capable of murder. Or at least that what she tells Jake and Steve…but perhaps there’s a niggling doubt in Victoria’s mind.
I’ve listened to most of the books in this series, bar one or two very early ones with a different narrator, and loved them all. Jake Lassiter is an engaging character—tough, humorous and of course, not without flaws…but never boring.
Full review and sound clip https://wp.me/p47cK4-5pP
July 8, 2018
Fast paced legal thriller with good plot twists.
Having our protagonist attorney dealing with mental lapses due to CTE from his football playing years, and due to the marijuana he's using to treat it, adds another challenge to an already daunting case.
Having our protagonist attorney dealing with mental lapses due to CTE from his football playing years, and due to the marijuana he's using to treat it, adds another challenge to an already daunting case.
June 24, 2018
The main problem with Jake Lassiter novels? There are only 12 and I've already read the most recent one. Jake prosecuting? Jake in love and settling down? Yep, but hey suspension of disbelief is okay as long as justice and love win out.
October 15, 2019
There are times when all you want as a reader is a “ good read.” It does not have to be a great novel, full of social significance, heroic deeds a or compelling insight; all it has to do is entertain. I needed a book like that, so I turned to one written by one of my favorite authors, Paul Levine, the latest in his series of legal novels “Bum Deal”. It features Jake Lassiter attorney for criminals, petty or big -time who want a legal beagle who will go all the way to the mats for their defense.
Unfortunately, Lassiter has been on the mat too often in his career as a linebacker in college and the pros before passing the bar. Too many hard hits given and received, too many concussions from the days when the team doctor would prescribe an aspirin an an ice pack. With a brain rattled once too often, Jake now faces an uncertain, hazy future, perhaps a short one.
But there is this: his combative long- time legal foe, the State Attorney offers Jake, a chance to play for the good guys, acting as a Special Prosecutor to try a juicy murder trial. A surgeon, highly successful and very wealthy is suspected of murdering his beautiful, sexy and promiscuous wife. She has disappeared, left him, run off....Or is she dead, murdered by the surgeon during a roll in the marital hay. Jake is convinced to take on the prosecution, with all the powers of the state on his side for once. With all that help, it might not matter if his usual sharply perceptive mind is more than a bit dulled. Perhaps , the reader wonders, this is all to good to be true. Is Jake being used for a patsy?
Jake Lassiter is a great character, roguish and witty , with a fine cast of supporting players. The suspected killer, an insufferable , unlikeable, detestable snob is a suspect you’d love to be found guilty. Jake’s lawyer friends, who are hired by the doctor to defend him are quite a pair of lovebird shysters, themselves. There’s a crafty judge and a sleazy DA to round out the cast in this courtroom drama.
Mr. Levine is one of the best at writing courtroom dramas. He does not disappoint in “ Bum Deal” . Trial scenes are tautly written as the novel builds to a very satisfying denouement. I won’t dare to write anymore that might spoil a reader’s enjoyment of this perfect prescription for an entertaining way to get away from the nastiness of the daily fake news howling from every side these horrid days.
Recommended- a good read, in my opinion. Good, clean , enjoyable fun.
Unfortunately, Lassiter has been on the mat too often in his career as a linebacker in college and the pros before passing the bar. Too many hard hits given and received, too many concussions from the days when the team doctor would prescribe an aspirin an an ice pack. With a brain rattled once too often, Jake now faces an uncertain, hazy future, perhaps a short one.
But there is this: his combative long- time legal foe, the State Attorney offers Jake, a chance to play for the good guys, acting as a Special Prosecutor to try a juicy murder trial. A surgeon, highly successful and very wealthy is suspected of murdering his beautiful, sexy and promiscuous wife. She has disappeared, left him, run off....Or is she dead, murdered by the surgeon during a roll in the marital hay. Jake is convinced to take on the prosecution, with all the powers of the state on his side for once. With all that help, it might not matter if his usual sharply perceptive mind is more than a bit dulled. Perhaps , the reader wonders, this is all to good to be true. Is Jake being used for a patsy?
Jake Lassiter is a great character, roguish and witty , with a fine cast of supporting players. The suspected killer, an insufferable , unlikeable, detestable snob is a suspect you’d love to be found guilty. Jake’s lawyer friends, who are hired by the doctor to defend him are quite a pair of lovebird shysters, themselves. There’s a crafty judge and a sleazy DA to round out the cast in this courtroom drama.
Mr. Levine is one of the best at writing courtroom dramas. He does not disappoint in “ Bum Deal” . Trial scenes are tautly written as the novel builds to a very satisfying denouement. I won’t dare to write anymore that might spoil a reader’s enjoyment of this perfect prescription for an entertaining way to get away from the nastiness of the daily fake news howling from every side these horrid days.
Recommended- a good read, in my opinion. Good, clean , enjoyable fun.
July 26, 2018
#12 in the Jake Lassiter series. I came across this series in 2005 and by Jan-06 had devoured the first seven of the series, starting with To Speak for the Dead (1990). This 2018 book by author Levine is reported to be the last in the series. If it does turn out to be the finale, battle-scarred Lassiter goes out in a blaze of glory. He comes up against adverse condition, including his health problems related to his football days, being double-crossed by the DA in getting an indictment, and opposing his best friends (Solomon & Lord) in the courtroom. There are plot twits aplenty in this entertaining legal drama.
50-year-old Jake Lassiter, a former football player turned lawyer, is suffering from the early symptoms of CTE, a neurodegenerative disease found in people who have had multiple head injuries. Coming to terms with his own mortality doesn't stop Jake from agreeing (being coerced) by the Florida DA to prosecute Clark Calvert, an orthopedic surgeon suspected of murdering his missing wife. When the case goes to trial, Lassiter's adversaries turn out to be his good friends Victoria Lord and Steve Solomon. It's fun to watch Jake build his case in the courtroom, even as Victoria knocks down his carefully constructed arguments.
50-year-old Jake Lassiter, a former football player turned lawyer, is suffering from the early symptoms of CTE, a neurodegenerative disease found in people who have had multiple head injuries. Coming to terms with his own mortality doesn't stop Jake from agreeing (being coerced) by the Florida DA to prosecute Clark Calvert, an orthopedic surgeon suspected of murdering his missing wife. When the case goes to trial, Lassiter's adversaries turn out to be his good friends Victoria Lord and Steve Solomon. It's fun to watch Jake build his case in the courtroom, even as Victoria knocks down his carefully constructed arguments.
December 23, 2021
I was ready to give up on the series after the last book. I was so mad at the direction the author took with Jake’s character and revenge.
Since I am a fan of the chemistry between Jake, Solomon, and Victoria I couldn’t past up this book. I am glad I did.
For me it’s the author’s best work. There is intrigue,very unlikable cast members, serious health concerns, love and an expected path. I guessed one of the twist, but the other turn was a total surprise. It was a legal drama at its best.
Since I am a fan of the chemistry between Jake, Solomon, and Victoria I couldn’t past up this book. I am glad I did.
For me it’s the author’s best work. There is intrigue,very unlikable cast members, serious health concerns, love and an expected path. I guessed one of the twist, but the other turn was a total surprise. It was a legal drama at its best.
Want to read
May 2, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/2/2022)! 🎁
August 14, 2018
At this point, I’m only reading these books not because they are so good but because I like the character Jake Lassiter and the books are set in Florida! Not just major cities either. They have mentioned Sopchoppy, Miccosukee, and FrostProof!!
December 21, 2021
More realistically, this was a 4-star, mmmmaybe a 4.5 star read, but given that it gave me what I desperately missed from the previous two Lassiter/Solomon/Lord crossovers, I felt it deserved that 5th and final star. It heavily kept and held my interest and I really appreciated the fairly linear way it moved too. Chapters tended to begin at exactly when the previous chapter ended and it made it that much more easy to keep up. Dialogue is heavy throughout, and since I'm a dialogue fan that was a win for me. I also appreciated that this book provided me an actual ending, as compared to so many of the past Lassiter books in which the endings were open to interpretation. It's nice to have something properly closed up for once. Thank goodness, the best truly was saved for last with "Bum Deal."
This book had exactly what I felt the previous two entries lacked, which was a lot more Solomon & Lord presence, namely in the courtroom. Nice chunks of the story are told from each of their perspectives, which was appreciated. This book not only grants me their lawyerly antics, but it does so by putting them against Jake Lassiter. Yep. You read that right. Against. I got to see my favorite trio of lawyers in the court all together and yet apart, not on the same side. When an ex of Victoria Lord is being tried for the murder of his wife, it is Lassiter who is summoned to prosecute him, while Victoria and her fiancée Steve Solomon (albeit begrudgingly) are set to defend him. Victoria tries to talk Jake out of it, but to no avail. We all know Lassiter marches to the beat of his own drum more often than not. Not even the charming Victoria Lord and her splendidly snarky fiancée have the power to stop him.
It was very, very jarring to see Lassiter on the other side of the courtroom warring for the state when we Lassiter fans have grown so accustomed to him defending the accused. But it wasn't a bad thing in the least. The fact that it felt so different made it feel very fresh and new and unpredictable. Not that Lassiter books are predictable. They just follow a rhythm that this one didn't follow. It actually made for a much more interesting read, because it puts me in the head of a headache-prone Lassiter trying to wrap his mind around how to navigate such a change of pace and scenery. So the fact that he was just as taken aback by the newness of it all just like me as a reader made it the read a compelling one. Uncharted territory. Often I just felt badly for the big lug.
As I've come to expect from Lassiter books, the writing is grand and Lassiter is wonderfully well-written. I enjoyed watching his growth as a character in this books, but especially this one because finally, finally, finallyyyyyyyyy he makes strong headway with a woman who not only sees his worth, but who helps HIM see his worth. If anyone has read my past Lassiter reviews they'll see my sighs of disappointment about Lassiter's choices of females. I'll not spoil anything, but let's just say that's it's a massive breath of blessedly fresh air when a woman is considerate of our dear Lassiter, who isn't selfish around him and who has his best interests at heart. As I said before, FINALLY.
This was a great final book to the cross-over series and I'm glad to have finally read them. I've got one more Lassiter book to go and I must say, it's kinda sad to say that. Are there more to come? I dunno and can only hope. I've enjoyed the journey so far and hope it can end well regardless.
This book had exactly what I felt the previous two entries lacked, which was a lot more Solomon & Lord presence, namely in the courtroom. Nice chunks of the story are told from each of their perspectives, which was appreciated. This book not only grants me their lawyerly antics, but it does so by putting them against Jake Lassiter. Yep. You read that right. Against. I got to see my favorite trio of lawyers in the court all together and yet apart, not on the same side. When an ex of Victoria Lord is being tried for the murder of his wife, it is Lassiter who is summoned to prosecute him, while Victoria and her fiancée Steve Solomon (albeit begrudgingly) are set to defend him. Victoria tries to talk Jake out of it, but to no avail. We all know Lassiter marches to the beat of his own drum more often than not. Not even the charming Victoria Lord and her splendidly snarky fiancée have the power to stop him.
It was very, very jarring to see Lassiter on the other side of the courtroom warring for the state when we Lassiter fans have grown so accustomed to him defending the accused. But it wasn't a bad thing in the least. The fact that it felt so different made it feel very fresh and new and unpredictable. Not that Lassiter books are predictable. They just follow a rhythm that this one didn't follow. It actually made for a much more interesting read, because it puts me in the head of a headache-prone Lassiter trying to wrap his mind around how to navigate such a change of pace and scenery. So the fact that he was just as taken aback by the newness of it all just like me as a reader made it the read a compelling one. Uncharted territory. Often I just felt badly for the big lug.
As I've come to expect from Lassiter books, the writing is grand and Lassiter is wonderfully well-written. I enjoyed watching his growth as a character in this books, but especially this one because finally, finally, finallyyyyyyyyy he makes strong headway with a woman who not only sees his worth, but who helps HIM see his worth. If anyone has read my past Lassiter reviews they'll see my sighs of disappointment about Lassiter's choices of females. I'll not spoil anything, but let's just say that's it's a massive breath of blessedly fresh air when a woman is considerate of our dear Lassiter, who isn't selfish around him and who has his best interests at heart. As I said before, FINALLY.
This was a great final book to the cross-over series and I'm glad to have finally read them. I've got one more Lassiter book to go and I must say, it's kinda sad to say that. Are there more to come? I dunno and can only hope. I've enjoyed the journey so far and hope it can end well regardless.
August 26, 2020
I read Paul Levine’s thirteenth novel featuring Jake Lassiter, Cheater’s Game, and wanted to know how Jake met Melissa, so I went back a book and read this. So glad I did! I really enjoy Levine’s humor and plotting. And I really like Lassiter’s first-person perspective! I thought the author’s choice to pop out of Lassiter’s head and into the heads of two others was a little disjointed, but he quickly brought the perspective back to Lassiter, where it belonged. Well done!
February 16, 2020
This one was a little harder to read; Lassiter dealing with the brain disease CTE made it as much about his health as the case he's working on. Compelling story and hard to put down - this is a 5 star book.
August 15, 2018
Loved it. Love the entire series. If you haven't yet met Jake Lassiter you're missing a fun ride. Laugh out loud funny.
DP Lyle, award-winning author of the Jake Longly thriller series
DP Lyle, award-winning author of the Jake Longly thriller series
November 12, 2018
It is a surprise to find that BUM DEAL may be Paul Levine’s best book to date. Levine displays his considerable chops in this latest installment of his Lassiter, Solomon and Lord series, which once again unites the protagonists of his two most successful series.
Hold it. Actually, that isn’t quite accurate. Jake Lassiter, Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord aren’t exactly together in BUM DEAL. Levine throws an extremely interesting curveball into the proceedings when he puts them on opposite sides of a murder trial. Readers who are familiar with these stalwart and competent defense attorneys know that they are...well, defense attorneys. Levine changes things up here by placing Lassiter, who has functioned as a friend and mentor to Solomon and Lord, on the other side of the aisle as the prosecutor in a high-profile murder case.
The circumstances arise as the result of the Florida State Attorney recusing himself in the criminal trial of Dr. Clark Calvert, who is accused of murdering his wife, Sofia. With great reluctance, Lassiter accepts the assignment, even as he is faced with plenty of complications. The first is his health. Lassiter’s experience with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has been playing out over the course of these books, and his symptoms have gotten progressively worse, notwithstanding the experimental treatment he has been receiving. Another is that there is really no evidence that Calvert killed Sofia, or that she is even dead, given that she has only gone missing. However, for reasons made clear in BUM DEAL, the arrest and the trial proceed, and it appears that Lassiter is really going to turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse, whether Calvert is guilty or not.
Meanwhile, the defense team of Solomon and Lord is not without its own problems. The two are engaged, with the wedding to take place in just a few months. Solomon is somewhat aghast to learn that Lord and Calvert had been lovers at some point in the distant past. Lord knows a few things that could interfere with their defense of Calvert, but she does not want to share that information with Solomon, who kind-of sort-of wishes that Lassiter will be successful in his prosecution of Calvert. Lassiter thinks he has enough evidence to convince a jury that there has been a crime and that Calvert is guilty, but he soon finds that he has obstacles to overcome that may be insurmountable.
There are enough twists and turns in the final third of the book to entrance even the most jaded reader. And the last paragraph contains what may be called a storybook ending, particularly for those of us with dirty minds of a certain sort.
BUM DEAL is full to the brim with the humor, courtroom brilliance and subtle pathos that have made Levine’s other novels winners. You can pick up and enjoy it without having read any of the previous installments in any of these three series, but you won’t want to stop with this one.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
Hold it. Actually, that isn’t quite accurate. Jake Lassiter, Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord aren’t exactly together in BUM DEAL. Levine throws an extremely interesting curveball into the proceedings when he puts them on opposite sides of a murder trial. Readers who are familiar with these stalwart and competent defense attorneys know that they are...well, defense attorneys. Levine changes things up here by placing Lassiter, who has functioned as a friend and mentor to Solomon and Lord, on the other side of the aisle as the prosecutor in a high-profile murder case.
The circumstances arise as the result of the Florida State Attorney recusing himself in the criminal trial of Dr. Clark Calvert, who is accused of murdering his wife, Sofia. With great reluctance, Lassiter accepts the assignment, even as he is faced with plenty of complications. The first is his health. Lassiter’s experience with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has been playing out over the course of these books, and his symptoms have gotten progressively worse, notwithstanding the experimental treatment he has been receiving. Another is that there is really no evidence that Calvert killed Sofia, or that she is even dead, given that she has only gone missing. However, for reasons made clear in BUM DEAL, the arrest and the trial proceed, and it appears that Lassiter is really going to turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse, whether Calvert is guilty or not.
Meanwhile, the defense team of Solomon and Lord is not without its own problems. The two are engaged, with the wedding to take place in just a few months. Solomon is somewhat aghast to learn that Lord and Calvert had been lovers at some point in the distant past. Lord knows a few things that could interfere with their defense of Calvert, but she does not want to share that information with Solomon, who kind-of sort-of wishes that Lassiter will be successful in his prosecution of Calvert. Lassiter thinks he has enough evidence to convince a jury that there has been a crime and that Calvert is guilty, but he soon finds that he has obstacles to overcome that may be insurmountable.
There are enough twists and turns in the final third of the book to entrance even the most jaded reader. And the last paragraph contains what may be called a storybook ending, particularly for those of us with dirty minds of a certain sort.
BUM DEAL is full to the brim with the humor, courtroom brilliance and subtle pathos that have made Levine’s other novels winners. You can pick up and enjoy it without having read any of the previous installments in any of these three series, but you won’t want to stop with this one.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
July 24, 2018
Princess Fuzzypants here: I am not sure what it is about Florida that seems to set the scene for quirky and interesting mysteries. Some of my favourite authors write about the Sunshine State. It obviously lends itself to tales with more twists and angles than pretzels. This latest Jake Lassiter falls into the same category. In fact, although this is the first time I have read his series, I can guarantee you it will not be the last.
Jake is a former football hero who, like so many athletes of contact sports, has taken too many hits on the head. He is in the incipient stages of a very nasty condition. As bad as what he is going through now, it is only going to get worse- much worse. Understandably, Jakes wants to make the most out of whatever time he has left, which begs the question of why he takes on the role of Prosecutor in a case he knows he is likely to lose. Moreover, his rivals in this case are his best friends and protégées, Salomon and Lord.
As he tries to build the case against a socio- psychopathic surgeon who is accused of murdering his wife, the case seems to coalesce before his eyes. It seems too good to be true. He has no idea how true this will be until the entire mess explodes. This is one case where Jake wishes he had stayed on the defence side of the table.
The story will keep you guessing as to what really happened even if, like me, you suspect and then dismiss part of the truth. There are enough surprises and turnarounds that it will delight even the hardened reader. It was a jolly good romp that kept me riveted to the very end.
I give it five purrs and two paws up.
Jake is a former football hero who, like so many athletes of contact sports, has taken too many hits on the head. He is in the incipient stages of a very nasty condition. As bad as what he is going through now, it is only going to get worse- much worse. Understandably, Jakes wants to make the most out of whatever time he has left, which begs the question of why he takes on the role of Prosecutor in a case he knows he is likely to lose. Moreover, his rivals in this case are his best friends and protégées, Salomon and Lord.
As he tries to build the case against a socio- psychopathic surgeon who is accused of murdering his wife, the case seems to coalesce before his eyes. It seems too good to be true. He has no idea how true this will be until the entire mess explodes. This is one case where Jake wishes he had stayed on the defence side of the table.
The story will keep you guessing as to what really happened even if, like me, you suspect and then dismiss part of the truth. There are enough surprises and turnarounds that it will delight even the hardened reader. It was a jolly good romp that kept me riveted to the very end.
I give it five purrs and two paws up.
May 17, 2018
Book Review: Bum Deal (Jake Lassiter #12) by Paul Levine
"No way would I whine about my condition and get buried by two tons of sympathy like sand from a dump truck."
"You suits are so out-of-date, they're practically back in style."
That's him, Jake Lassiter, witty, tough, a good, loyal friend of two other protagonists, themselves main protagonists within the master storyteller's realm.
"This was our usual pattern. I'm the third wheel of the tricycle."
If reading this book would be your first of the Lassiter series, you'd be presented with the slightly broken doll, brain-damaged version of the guy.
"We're all defense lawyers, or at least I was, until ten minutes ago when I was offered a job as a specially appointed prosecutor for one case."
That's the main plot in a nutshell - a somewhat disillusioned defense attorney with health issues named special prosecutor for a murder case with nothing going for it - no body, no evidence, no witness. Great career move, or could he smell a set-up?
The author takes the reader skillfully through twists and turns, now quirky, now incredulously, now creatively. You're in the last 10th of the book, you say, there's gotta be a twist - and yes, there it is. Unexpected. Does it end well?
Response: Hmm, what's not to enjoy?!
Review based on an advance reading copy presented by NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.
"No way would I whine about my condition and get buried by two tons of sympathy like sand from a dump truck."
"You suits are so out-of-date, they're practically back in style."
That's him, Jake Lassiter, witty, tough, a good, loyal friend of two other protagonists, themselves main protagonists within the master storyteller's realm.
"This was our usual pattern. I'm the third wheel of the tricycle."
If reading this book would be your first of the Lassiter series, you'd be presented with the slightly broken doll, brain-damaged version of the guy.
"We're all defense lawyers, or at least I was, until ten minutes ago when I was offered a job as a specially appointed prosecutor for one case."
That's the main plot in a nutshell - a somewhat disillusioned defense attorney with health issues named special prosecutor for a murder case with nothing going for it - no body, no evidence, no witness. Great career move, or could he smell a set-up?
The author takes the reader skillfully through twists and turns, now quirky, now incredulously, now creatively. You're in the last 10th of the book, you say, there's gotta be a twist - and yes, there it is. Unexpected. Does it end well?
Response: Hmm, what's not to enjoy?!
Review based on an advance reading copy presented by NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.
May 26, 2018
The twelfth novel in Paul Levine's Lassiter mysteries, Bum Deal, hasn't been released yet. I'm reviewing an ARC that I received through the good graces of publicist Wiley Saichek via Net Galley.
Lassiter has been a defense attorney throughout his legal career, so his prosecution role in this novel is a radical change. State Attorney Pincher told Lassiter that he and his entire office of prosecutors were recused from the case. "Recused" is a legal term that I and many other Americans learned when the U.S. Attorney General recused himself last year. It means that a lawyer can't be involved in a case because of a conflict.
If you really like plot twists in the mysteries that you read, there are a great number of them in Bum Deal. I wondered if this case could come to a satisfying resolution given all the obstacles that were thrown at Lassiter. So the biggest surprise for me was that things turned out as well as they did. I felt that justice was served in the end which is what I expect from a mystery.
For the blog version see http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...
Lassiter has been a defense attorney throughout his legal career, so his prosecution role in this novel is a radical change. State Attorney Pincher told Lassiter that he and his entire office of prosecutors were recused from the case. "Recused" is a legal term that I and many other Americans learned when the U.S. Attorney General recused himself last year. It means that a lawyer can't be involved in a case because of a conflict.
If you really like plot twists in the mysteries that you read, there are a great number of them in Bum Deal. I wondered if this case could come to a satisfying resolution given all the obstacles that were thrown at Lassiter. So the biggest surprise for me was that things turned out as well as they did. I felt that justice was served in the end which is what I expect from a mystery.
For the blog version see http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...
June 25, 2020
A decent legal thriller with an underwhelming trial and a surprise ending that falls flat. The best part of this book is the main character Jake Lassiter, attorney and ex-NFL third stringer, who is suffering from severe CTE as a result of his playing days. Jake's medical issues are written so that they add interesting depth to his character. The dialogue is very good and I chuckled out loud a couple of times (which I rarely do). The story concerns a brilliant doctor accused of killing his wife, though there is no body and no witness and no forensic evidence. Jake is recruited to be the prosecutor, which gets him involved in some political shenanigans. At the same time, Jake is taking experimental therapies for his CTE which cause memory loss and strange behavior, but no loss of libido. The book's weakness is the trial part which takes the last quarter of the novel. There's nothing particularly interesting about this part from a legal sense and, without giving anything away, all of the cards are stacked against Jake. Last, their is a surprise ending that felt uninspired and came up empty for me.
September 14, 2022
Another Good Read from Paul Levine
Jake Lasseter who we met in Levine's first book, To Speak for the Dead, and Steve Solomon and his partner Victoria Lord, are good friends and colleagues in the practice of criminal defense law. ain Bum Deal they end up on opposite sides of a case against Victoria's old boyfriend Dr Clark Calvert, an arrogant narsissistic orthopedic surgeon. Jake gets named as Special prosecutor when Calvert he wife Sofia goes missing, presumed dead. Solomon & Lord are defending the doctor. Jake is battling more than his close friends. He's suffering from.debilitating headaches probably caused by his.brain's repeated trauma during the years he played college and pro football..he's being treated with experimental protocols by his beautiful neurological specialist/girlfriend Melissa. The case proves to be jinxed as witnesses disappear, surprises occur and Jake is disappointed during trial. All's well that ends well and this nook ends well.
Jake Lasseter who we met in Levine's first book, To Speak for the Dead, and Steve Solomon and his partner Victoria Lord, are good friends and colleagues in the practice of criminal defense law. ain Bum Deal they end up on opposite sides of a case against Victoria's old boyfriend Dr Clark Calvert, an arrogant narsissistic orthopedic surgeon. Jake gets named as Special prosecutor when Calvert he wife Sofia goes missing, presumed dead. Solomon & Lord are defending the doctor. Jake is battling more than his close friends. He's suffering from.debilitating headaches probably caused by his.brain's repeated trauma during the years he played college and pro football..he's being treated with experimental protocols by his beautiful neurological specialist/girlfriend Melissa. The case proves to be jinxed as witnesses disappear, surprises occur and Jake is disappointed during trial. All's well that ends well and this nook ends well.
June 4, 2018
Jake Lassiter is a practicing defense attorney who has suffered too many concussions due to his pro football career many years ago. He is under treatment for the brain damage due to the concussions. The State Attorney has asked him to function as a special state attorney (prosecutor) in a case against a surgeon whose wife has mysteriously disappeared and is presumed dead.
There are a great number of plot twists in this book and there were moments that I wondered if Lassiter would be able to win his case. Health problems, perjury, violence; there seemed to be too many problems complicating the prosecution. There is a surprise ending that will shock and satisfy the reader.
Although I hadn’t read any of Paul Levine’s books before, I will definitely start reading this series. Great book!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.
There are a great number of plot twists in this book and there were moments that I wondered if Lassiter would be able to win his case. Health problems, perjury, violence; there seemed to be too many problems complicating the prosecution. There is a surprise ending that will shock and satisfy the reader.
Although I hadn’t read any of Paul Levine’s books before, I will definitely start reading this series. Great book!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.
May 8, 2018
This was part of the Jake Lassiter series but it could stand alone. Jake has gone over to the dark side. He has been appointed special prosecutor in a murder case. A case that basically has no evidence, no body and no witnesses. Jake is suffering from symptoms of CTE from his football days which create some problems for him.
This is a good legal thriller that will catch your attention from the beginning. Jake is a smart alec and his humorous comments were very entertaining. The defendant in the case was not a sympathetic character and at times I wished I could reach in and slap him. There are quite a few twists in the plot, some I saw coming, a couple that blindsided me. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
May 30, 2018
This book was requested by me and provided by NetGalley.
I have to admit that I went into the reading of this book knowing that I would love it. I have a crush on Jake Lassiter that won't quit. From the first one I read, I knew I had to read them all. I believe there may still be one out there I haven't read, and I know there are more than one that I've read more than once. These are my go-to books when I want well-written characters, good plot, and writing that carries you along with humor and wit.
This one has some sadness as well, but I'm waiting for Jake's next adventure to form an opinion.
I would recommend this and any other book written by Paul Levine to everyone. Read it.
I have to admit that I went into the reading of this book knowing that I would love it. I have a crush on Jake Lassiter that won't quit. From the first one I read, I knew I had to read them all. I believe there may still be one out there I haven't read, and I know there are more than one that I've read more than once. These are my go-to books when I want well-written characters, good plot, and writing that carries you along with humor and wit.
This one has some sadness as well, but I'm waiting for Jake's next adventure to form an opinion.
I would recommend this and any other book written by Paul Levine to everyone. Read it.
June 23, 2018
It's great having Jake Solomon together with Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord. In the pantheon of books, this probably isn't a five star, but I rated it as that because that's how much I enjoyed it. I'm glad that Mr. Levine is addressing the issues of pro athletes who have suffered successive concussions; leading to early dementia and death. It's hard to see such a wonderful guy as Jake Lassiter suffering from this, but his life is still moving in a positive direction. The story is a good one, and the outcome is surprising. As with all of Mr. Levine's books this one was engaging from page one to the the last page. I recomment starting at the beginning of the Jake Lassiter books; sequeing to the Solomon and Lord books and then reading the successive ones seriatim.
July 14, 2019
This was another good book by Paul Levine. I have read all the Jake Lassiter books. Not sure why the different numbering though. Goodreads has this one as #12 while Amazon has it #13. When looking at all the Lassiter books in publication order, there is a gap from 1997 to 2011 and some of the titles seemed to change order.
I'm not sure if I read them in order, or not, but there wasn't a problem with flow if I didn't.
This one dealt with the issue of traumatic brain injury, which I, as a nurse, found interesting. Not sure how much is fiction but the issue of traumatic brain injury from sports is an important one.
Other than that, the missing body in a murder trial, and potentially being set up by Sugar Ray made for an interesting ride.
I'm not sure if I read them in order, or not, but there wasn't a problem with flow if I didn't.
This one dealt with the issue of traumatic brain injury, which I, as a nurse, found interesting. Not sure how much is fiction but the issue of traumatic brain injury from sports is an important one.
Other than that, the missing body in a murder trial, and potentially being set up by Sugar Ray made for an interesting ride.
June 27, 2020
As with Bum Luck, Bum Deal is more serious than previous Jake Lassiter books. The friendship between Jake, Solomon and Lord is front and center but now their friendship faces being on opposite sides of the courtroom. The reason they are is a fascinating train wreck of a case. Both Lassiter and Solomon are suffering angst because of it, albeit for different reasons.
Mixed in the courtcase and the friendships are Jakes existential worries about his own mortality.
Bum Deal is sad in a smart alec way that is vintage Jake Lassiter.
I repeat what I said before: Please write faster, Paul Levine. These three are some of my favorite characters, although there are others that need to return for a visit, as well. Try for a happy ending.
5 stars
Mixed in the courtcase and the friendships are Jakes existential worries about his own mortality.
Bum Deal is sad in a smart alec way that is vintage Jake Lassiter.
I repeat what I said before: Please write faster, Paul Levine. These three are some of my favorite characters, although there are others that need to return for a visit, as well. Try for a happy ending.
5 stars
June 30, 2018
Wish it hadn’t ended!! 😩😩
I’m not sure if I wanted to laugh or just say, “omg I didn’t see that coming!!” It’s another Paul Levine crazy legal psycho cast of characters. Jake is a prosecutor instead of defense attorney and the dialogue between him and the crazy ‘Dr who may or may not’ have killed his wife is a psychopath...in a nutshell! So I’m not going to spoil your reading pleasure with laugh out events in the courtroom. What I will say is...I did NOT see this ending..at all!! I just wish I knew what was gonna happen next..but as with every Jake Lassiter books..I won’t..😄😄
I was generous..it’s really a 4.6 rating, but 5 stars ⭐️ was appropriate 👊👊👊
I’m not sure if I wanted to laugh or just say, “omg I didn’t see that coming!!” It’s another Paul Levine crazy legal psycho cast of characters. Jake is a prosecutor instead of defense attorney and the dialogue between him and the crazy ‘Dr who may or may not’ have killed his wife is a psychopath...in a nutshell! So I’m not going to spoil your reading pleasure with laugh out events in the courtroom. What I will say is...I did NOT see this ending..at all!! I just wish I knew what was gonna happen next..but as with every Jake Lassiter books..I won’t..😄😄
I was generous..it’s really a 4.6 rating, but 5 stars ⭐️ was appropriate 👊👊👊
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