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Illegal
Levine, Paul
367 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2009
1352 people are currently reading
1332 people want to read
About the author
Paul Levine
82 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
July 9, 2015
One of the free and low-cost book services to which I belong offered this one free back in March. The description sounded interesting, the reviews were decent, and it was a Best Book of the Month and a No. 1 Best Seller in the Legal Thriller category at Amazon. Besides that, the author has some serious writing chops (including several other books and more than 20 episodes of the JAG TV show on CBS (that alone upped him a few notches on my admiration scale - I really enjoyed that show).
Besides that, this book is subtitled "Jimmy ("Royal") Payne Legal Thriller Book 1, and I'm always looking for new, solid series to fall back on when nothing much else on my to-read list turns me on.
When I finally got around to starting it, I learned that it features a down-but-not-out semi-sleazy lawyer who defends low-life, has an ex-wife he still loves, judges and other law enforcement folks who hate his guts and a vendetta against the man who killed his son in a hit-and-run...stop me if you've heard this one before. Shortly thereafter, I came across this tidbit:
"The Jack Daniels swirled between the ice cubes like molten lava through porous rocks."
Uh-oh, I said to myself - this could be a huge mistake.
Thankfully, that wasn't the case; in fact, the writing is excellent and the story turned out to be interesting (if a titch on the predictable side). It begins as Jimmy is coerced into bribing a crooked judge; he's successful, but the fallout puts Jimmy in the cross hairs of his peers on just about every side of the desk. Meanwhile, his ex-wife, a police officer, is engaged to a talk-circuit blowhard who blasts Mexican illegals every chance he gets (the setting is California, where large numbers cross the border every day).
Shift gears to the other side of the line, where a beautiful Mexican mother and her 12-year-old son who are trying to get into the United States become separated. Jimmy, who's on the warpath to find the Mexican man who was responsible for his son's death, bumps into the boy and ultimately promises to help find the missing mother. Now, with the boy in tow, Jimmy is running not only from the U.S. cops - a warrant has been issued for his arrest - but also some rather nasty Mexicans intent on putting him six feet under (maybe less depending on how much time they have). The chase leads to a powerful ranch owner who has his hands in everyone's pocket - and who may not be the upstanding businessman he makes himself out to be. Will Jimmy find the boy's mother and the man who killed his son before he gets himself thrown in jail (or worse)?
The only real complaint I have is that the transitions need some serious work - switcheroos from setting to setting happen with little warning (one, in fact, occurred in the same paragraph). And while I know the boy had a tough life and gained street smarts, he seems wise way beyond his years when it comes to knowledge of all things American (heck, even at my advanced age I have no clue how to find porn channels on TV or work someone else's iPod with zero instruction).
All in all, though, it's an enjoyable adventure, and everything gets wrapped up by the end. At that point, however, I was left with a bit of a puzzle. The book is listed under the "Stand-alone" section of the author's writings, which suggests it's not, in fact, the first of a series. So why does the subtitle call it "Book 1?" Hmm - inquiring minds want to know.
Besides that, this book is subtitled "Jimmy ("Royal") Payne Legal Thriller Book 1, and I'm always looking for new, solid series to fall back on when nothing much else on my to-read list turns me on.
When I finally got around to starting it, I learned that it features a down-but-not-out semi-sleazy lawyer who defends low-life, has an ex-wife he still loves, judges and other law enforcement folks who hate his guts and a vendetta against the man who killed his son in a hit-and-run...stop me if you've heard this one before. Shortly thereafter, I came across this tidbit:
"The Jack Daniels swirled between the ice cubes like molten lava through porous rocks."
Uh-oh, I said to myself - this could be a huge mistake.
Thankfully, that wasn't the case; in fact, the writing is excellent and the story turned out to be interesting (if a titch on the predictable side). It begins as Jimmy is coerced into bribing a crooked judge; he's successful, but the fallout puts Jimmy in the cross hairs of his peers on just about every side of the desk. Meanwhile, his ex-wife, a police officer, is engaged to a talk-circuit blowhard who blasts Mexican illegals every chance he gets (the setting is California, where large numbers cross the border every day).
Shift gears to the other side of the line, where a beautiful Mexican mother and her 12-year-old son who are trying to get into the United States become separated. Jimmy, who's on the warpath to find the Mexican man who was responsible for his son's death, bumps into the boy and ultimately promises to help find the missing mother. Now, with the boy in tow, Jimmy is running not only from the U.S. cops - a warrant has been issued for his arrest - but also some rather nasty Mexicans intent on putting him six feet under (maybe less depending on how much time they have). The chase leads to a powerful ranch owner who has his hands in everyone's pocket - and who may not be the upstanding businessman he makes himself out to be. Will Jimmy find the boy's mother and the man who killed his son before he gets himself thrown in jail (or worse)?
The only real complaint I have is that the transitions need some serious work - switcheroos from setting to setting happen with little warning (one, in fact, occurred in the same paragraph). And while I know the boy had a tough life and gained street smarts, he seems wise way beyond his years when it comes to knowledge of all things American (heck, even at my advanced age I have no clue how to find porn channels on TV or work someone else's iPod with zero instruction).
All in all, though, it's an enjoyable adventure, and everything gets wrapped up by the end. At that point, however, I was left with a bit of a puzzle. The book is listed under the "Stand-alone" section of the author's writings, which suggests it's not, in fact, the first of a series. So why does the subtitle call it "Book 1?" Hmm - inquiring minds want to know.
February 16, 2009
L.A. defense attorney Jimmy Payne, overwhelmed by guilt and grief at his son’s death, also loses his wife,
Sharon, to divorce, and morphs into “Royal” Payne to both cops and judges. It’s just a matter of time
before he’s in deep trouble with both. Along with the trouble comes 12-year-old Agustino Perez, an illegal
alien who is searching for his mother. Initially, Tino robs Payne, but Payne admires the boy’s toughness
and determination and promises to help him find his mother. The trail takes them—dodging cops and
assorted bad guys—from L.A. to Mexico and then back into the U.S. to confront a willful agri-tycoon who
uses illegal aliens the way most people use Kleenex. Illegal is a riveting read, filled with action, pathos,
and even humor. The portrait of the dangers and predations that Latinos face crossing the border is chilling
and rings with authenticity. But the book’s best quality is the way Levine invests his characters with
believable humanity. A compulsively readable yet character-driven thriller.
BOOKLIST, FEBRUARY 15, 2009
Sharon, to divorce, and morphs into “Royal” Payne to both cops and judges. It’s just a matter of time
before he’s in deep trouble with both. Along with the trouble comes 12-year-old Agustino Perez, an illegal
alien who is searching for his mother. Initially, Tino robs Payne, but Payne admires the boy’s toughness
and determination and promises to help him find his mother. The trail takes them—dodging cops and
assorted bad guys—from L.A. to Mexico and then back into the U.S. to confront a willful agri-tycoon who
uses illegal aliens the way most people use Kleenex. Illegal is a riveting read, filled with action, pathos,
and even humor. The portrait of the dangers and predations that Latinos face crossing the border is chilling
and rings with authenticity. But the book’s best quality is the way Levine invests his characters with
believable humanity. A compulsively readable yet character-driven thriller.
BOOKLIST, FEBRUARY 15, 2009
August 2, 2019
Excellent story with plenty of twists and turns. Thoroughly enjoyable bringing the lawyer and an illegal immigrant. Excellent read
February 4, 2020
I’m a big fan of Paul Levine’s Jake Lassiter series, so I thought I’d try this novel featuring a different protagonist. I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, I thought this book was excellent.
Illegal introduces Jimmy Payne, a Los Angeles defense lawyer who’s known as “Royal” Payne to cops and judges. Jimmy’s life has fallen apart in the aftermath of a car accident in which his young son has been killed. Jimmy was driving and blames himself for the accident. He can’t get past the guilt. It’s cost him his marriage to Sharon, an LAPD detective, and his career is a mess.
An unlikely savior appears in the person of Tino Perez, a 12-year-old Mexican boy. Drug smugglers have brought Tino into the U.S. and dumped him in L.A., and Jimmy finds him burgling his office. When Jimmy learns that Tino has been separated from his mother, he agrees to help him find her. The two head off on a dangerous journey to Mexico and back that takes them into the violent world of human trafficking, exploitation, and political corruption.
The book, like the other books by Levine that I’ve read, is very well written. The plot is exciting, the settings are authentic, and I found myself caring about what happens to Jimmy and to Tino and his mother. The book also has its share of Levine’s trademark humorous dialogue, primarily in the interactions between Jimmy and Tino.
But Levine has a serious message too. The exciting story puts a very human face on the issue of illegal Mexican immigration to the U.S. Tino and his mother are fleeing very real and personal danger in Mexico, and they’re willing to take a great risk and endure more danger to cross the border, where they hope to find a better, safer life. But the life they envision may not be the life that awaits them, as there are always powerful people who are eager to prey on the powerless.
Illegal was published in 2012, but it offers a perspective on illegal immigration that is very thought-provoking in the context of all the current debate about the issue. And it’s a great thriller too!
Illegal introduces Jimmy Payne, a Los Angeles defense lawyer who’s known as “Royal” Payne to cops and judges. Jimmy’s life has fallen apart in the aftermath of a car accident in which his young son has been killed. Jimmy was driving and blames himself for the accident. He can’t get past the guilt. It’s cost him his marriage to Sharon, an LAPD detective, and his career is a mess.
An unlikely savior appears in the person of Tino Perez, a 12-year-old Mexican boy. Drug smugglers have brought Tino into the U.S. and dumped him in L.A., and Jimmy finds him burgling his office. When Jimmy learns that Tino has been separated from his mother, he agrees to help him find her. The two head off on a dangerous journey to Mexico and back that takes them into the violent world of human trafficking, exploitation, and political corruption.
The book, like the other books by Levine that I’ve read, is very well written. The plot is exciting, the settings are authentic, and I found myself caring about what happens to Jimmy and to Tino and his mother. The book also has its share of Levine’s trademark humorous dialogue, primarily in the interactions between Jimmy and Tino.
But Levine has a serious message too. The exciting story puts a very human face on the issue of illegal Mexican immigration to the U.S. Tino and his mother are fleeing very real and personal danger in Mexico, and they’re willing to take a great risk and endure more danger to cross the border, where they hope to find a better, safer life. But the life they envision may not be the life that awaits them, as there are always powerful people who are eager to prey on the powerless.
Illegal was published in 2012, but it offers a perspective on illegal immigration that is very thought-provoking in the context of all the current debate about the issue. And it’s a great thriller too!
August 24, 2012
I half heartedly started to read this book, the opening scene at a bowling alley and decided there were other books awaiting my attention. However, U was watching the TV and dipped into it during the ad breaks. How glad am I that I did continue. I don't think I've read any other Paul Levine books, or indeed anything about him. I can say that (and I'm assuming he hasn't a huge back catalogue of books to his name) this writer is clearly the successor to the crown so long worn by John Grisham. A brilliant adventure through California and Mexico, people smugglers, bent cops and drugs. The characters, whether bit part or mainstream, stand out head and shoulders among the shady characters we are so used to hearing of in our chase for thrills. If you're partial to a thrill, a hero that'll go against all the odds and a little heartbreak thrown in, then this is a MUST for you. Go buy it now.
September 30, 2013
Well written with unexpected turns in the plot. Lots of foul language - beware. Also the Spanish that was interspersed contained many, many errors - a sure sign that this was not professionally edited. (Hey, Levine, next time let me review the Spanish.)
The characters are well developed and relatable. The story focuses on the plight of two illegal aliens, mom and son, who are split apart. Our hero, Jimmy Payne, is caught up in helping the boy (who reminds him of his own deceased son) locate his mom. The kid is a funny yet irascible side kick. Jimmy must penetrate an underworld with a rich and politically untouchable villain at its center. Though he is a lawyer (or maybe because he is a lawyer) Jimmy risks some illegal activity of his own since the villain can produce the drunk driver who killed Jimmy's son. Jimmy wants revenge ...
The characters are well developed and relatable. The story focuses on the plight of two illegal aliens, mom and son, who are split apart. Our hero, Jimmy Payne, is caught up in helping the boy (who reminds him of his own deceased son) locate his mom. The kid is a funny yet irascible side kick. Jimmy must penetrate an underworld with a rich and politically untouchable villain at its center. Though he is a lawyer (or maybe because he is a lawyer) Jimmy risks some illegal activity of his own since the villain can produce the drunk driver who killed Jimmy's son. Jimmy wants revenge ...
March 26, 2018
I got this book from Goodreads.com as part of their early release giveaways. I had read other books by this author and this one sounded really good so I put my name in to hopefully win a copy.
This book started out with a judge holding Payne at gun point and then goes on from there…a lot going on all of the time…one minute Payne is defending himself from the coyote and the next he is running like hell to get himself and the boy out of another fix they have gotten themselves into. I found myself glued to this book and not being able to put it down…I read it in two days.
This book started out with a judge holding Payne at gun point and then goes on from there…a lot going on all of the time…one minute Payne is defending himself from the coyote and the next he is running like hell to get himself and the boy out of another fix they have gotten themselves into. I found myself glued to this book and not being able to put it down…I read it in two days.
November 23, 2019
I love that the book features a lawyer who appears to be extremely flawed. He mouths off to the judge and the police. He has conflict with his ex-wife. He feels he wasn't fully attentive when driving and his son was killed when another driver ran a red light. A while back he had represented some folks who were brought into the country from Mexico illegally and kept in the worst possible conditions (some of their group died as a result) and is now helping a young boy who was also brought here illegally and was separated from his mother. The two go off in search of the mom. I loved everything about this book - the story, the characters (minus one), the dialogue, the sweetness, the life lessons - but am now going to avoid this author because the book includes a character who is such a caricature that I wanted to lose my mind and the punch line of how this character's life was about to play out infuriated me. I have "un-followed" many people on Facebook because their political view is either that all Democrats are leftist loons who are going to tax every working person 95% or their view is that all Republicans hate everything and everybody to the extreme. I would have loved this book if this one character was toned down by 50% to have his anti-immigration views but without such inflammatory comments and without the final portrayal of his life (can't say more without spoiling the ending). I just can't stand these characterizations of either political party as such extremists. Sorry, but this touched a nerve.
August 29, 2019
During a stint job to bring down a dirty judge, Jimmy Payne, a washed-out attorney makes away with part of the sting money given to him by Detective Eugene Rigney. Rigney works with the Public Integrity Unit, a division in the L.A.P.D. Now Internal Affairs is after Rigney and he has to track Payne down and recover the money.
Meanwhile, Marisol Perez and her twelve-year-old son Augustino are on the run in Mexico after Tino attacked her boss, Rafael Obeso for assaulting her at her workplace. Rafael is a notorious drug smuggler and has threatened to rip Tino’s heart out if he finds him
Marisol pays a coyote named El Tigre some money to help her cross the Mexican border into the States with the promise to pay the rest when she makes it across. Before they embark on their journey, Marisol hands Tino a business card belonging to a Mr. Jimmy Payne who represented a truck case involving Mexican immigrants and won. She instructs Tino to look for Mr. Payne in case the unexpected happens.
Enroute to the stash house in Calexico, El Tiger’s plans to get the refugees over are foiled when they run into border police. Marisol and her son become separated. Using the business card his money gave him, Tino manages to track Jimmy Payne in Los Angeles and asks for his help in tracking his mother in Mexico.
At first, Payne hesitates but seeing as he’s wanted for contempt in court, not to mention Rigney who’s looking for him, and with much persuasion from his ex-wife Sharon, he agrees to help Tino. Payne has been looking for a truck driver who’s was involved in the car crash that killed his son. He hopes to find him while in Mexico.
Their search for Tino’s mother Marisol lead Payne and Tino through the rough terrains in Mexico, the surrounding desert 🌵 and become ensnared in the world of human trafficking, sex slavery and lots of dangerous people.
Other noteworthy characters featured are:
– Cullen Quinn, a broadcaster who thinks it’s life’s mission to exterminate all the Mexicans living in the United States and build walls to shut them out. He’s also Payne’s ex-wife’s fiancé. And a thorn in Payne’s side. Payne dubs him the “Satan of the Airwaves”.
– Simeon Rutledge, owner of Rutledge Ranch and Farms whom Quinn calls out on his show for harboring “illegals”. Simeon’s farmland has been in his family for generations and he employs hundreds of Mexicans, sometimes without proper documentation. But Simon justifies his actions, claiming he’s doing good to the country by creating jobs for the immigrants. Though he has motives of his own and they are anything but good.
Illegal is a fast-paced legal thriller interspersed with humor. I enjoyed the witty conversations between Payne and Tino and the kid is way too smart for his own good😅. The ending was bittersweet but tied up nicely.
This is the second book I’ve read by this author, the first being Kill all the lawyers which I enjoyed immensely. If you love legal thrillers, give this a try.
Meanwhile, Marisol Perez and her twelve-year-old son Augustino are on the run in Mexico after Tino attacked her boss, Rafael Obeso for assaulting her at her workplace. Rafael is a notorious drug smuggler and has threatened to rip Tino’s heart out if he finds him
Marisol pays a coyote named El Tigre some money to help her cross the Mexican border into the States with the promise to pay the rest when she makes it across. Before they embark on their journey, Marisol hands Tino a business card belonging to a Mr. Jimmy Payne who represented a truck case involving Mexican immigrants and won. She instructs Tino to look for Mr. Payne in case the unexpected happens.
Enroute to the stash house in Calexico, El Tiger’s plans to get the refugees over are foiled when they run into border police. Marisol and her son become separated. Using the business card his money gave him, Tino manages to track Jimmy Payne in Los Angeles and asks for his help in tracking his mother in Mexico.
At first, Payne hesitates but seeing as he’s wanted for contempt in court, not to mention Rigney who’s looking for him, and with much persuasion from his ex-wife Sharon, he agrees to help Tino. Payne has been looking for a truck driver who’s was involved in the car crash that killed his son. He hopes to find him while in Mexico.
Their search for Tino’s mother Marisol lead Payne and Tino through the rough terrains in Mexico, the surrounding desert 🌵 and become ensnared in the world of human trafficking, sex slavery and lots of dangerous people.
Other noteworthy characters featured are:
– Cullen Quinn, a broadcaster who thinks it’s life’s mission to exterminate all the Mexicans living in the United States and build walls to shut them out. He’s also Payne’s ex-wife’s fiancé. And a thorn in Payne’s side. Payne dubs him the “Satan of the Airwaves”.
– Simeon Rutledge, owner of Rutledge Ranch and Farms whom Quinn calls out on his show for harboring “illegals”. Simeon’s farmland has been in his family for generations and he employs hundreds of Mexicans, sometimes without proper documentation. But Simon justifies his actions, claiming he’s doing good to the country by creating jobs for the immigrants. Though he has motives of his own and they are anything but good.
Illegal is a fast-paced legal thriller interspersed with humor. I enjoyed the witty conversations between Payne and Tino and the kid is way too smart for his own good😅. The ending was bittersweet but tied up nicely.
This is the second book I’ve read by this author, the first being Kill all the lawyers which I enjoyed immensely. If you love legal thrillers, give this a try.
September 19, 2019
The lawyer in this series isn't quite as lovable as Jake Lassiter in another of the author's series, but engaging reading nonetheless. The book title is doubly apt, as Jimmy Payne both represents illegals and does illegal stuff himself (including hatching plans to murder the guy who while DUI was responsible for his son's death). Payne helps a young boy who was separated from his mother during the crossing into the US to find her again. Levine writes about the travails of the immigrants with great sensitivity.
February 3, 2020
This was an exciting read. I love the complicated good people as well as the villains. My favorite besides our hero Payne is 12 year old Augustino who finds himself in search of his beautiful mother Marisol.
February 24, 2019
Paul Levin’s Novels usually are in the legal thriller genre, with a criminal defense lawyer trying to keep a client out of jail. I have read and enjoyed many of them. In “ Illegal” written in 2012, Mr. Levine’s novel presents readers with a family shattered by tragedy and another family facingthe dangers faced by those who want to flee Mexico and find a better life in el Norte. It is a stark, compelling narrative true then as now. But it is not a downer of a book. It is the story of a man who finds his way back from the edge.
“illegal” is a different, but still quite enjoyable. The setting is Southern California and Mexico, the hero is not in court ( court scenes are very brief and incidental to the plot in large part, and the hero less like a Grisham character or Atticus Finch than Saul Goodman of the great tv series, “ Better Call. Saul.” ( Recommended, btw)
His name is James Payne, or as he is better known to police and court personnel, Jimmy the Payne. His reputation is that of a sleazy shyster who works every dodge possible to get the verdict he wants. At the beginning of the story, he has just incurred yet another contempt citation, even though the judge has sympathy for a man whose son was killed in a recent traffic accident, one for which Jimmy blames himself. It does not matter that the other driver who was drinking and ran the stop sign, t- boning the car Jimmy was driving., severely injuring Jimmy and killing his son. Payne feels that it was his fault. Was he unattentive or going too fast. No, but guilt is destroying him.
At this point , Jimmy’s law practice has tanked; his marriage ended. Could anything get worse? Of course.
Here comes the worse. Marisol and her pre-teen son Tino are on their way north, led by a nasty “coyote” to a border crossing into the US. A long dangerous journey ahead of them gets worse when they are separated. The boy Tino vows to find his mother and the talisman he has is the business card given to him by his mother, a card Payne distributed to other illegals already across the border and in trouble. “If anything happens , “she told him, “ find this man. He is a big lawyer in LA.”
The author main character is sympathetic, credible and interesting. He is flawed, but not evil, smart but often too smart for his own good., and definitely does not know when to quit. That is what saves him. The settings, Mexico with its poverty, pollution, murderous cartels and hopeful migrants streaming north is pititable. The vast ,prosperous farmlands of California , land worked by migrants and owned by big corporate farms are a reality, as is the exploitation of workers, and corruption of some officials. I think Mr. Levine does and even handed job of describing this world
“illegal” is a very good , entertaining story, that moved swiftly and kept my attention. I recommend it.
Contents warning: a violent climax . Crooked cops on both sides of the border. Sexual aggression and rape scenes- brief and not graphic . And you will learn a lot of an apparent multitude of Mexican strong language. Oh, yes, and with all this humor now and then.
“illegal” is a different, but still quite enjoyable. The setting is Southern California and Mexico, the hero is not in court ( court scenes are very brief and incidental to the plot in large part, and the hero less like a Grisham character or Atticus Finch than Saul Goodman of the great tv series, “ Better Call. Saul.” ( Recommended, btw)
His name is James Payne, or as he is better known to police and court personnel, Jimmy the Payne. His reputation is that of a sleazy shyster who works every dodge possible to get the verdict he wants. At the beginning of the story, he has just incurred yet another contempt citation, even though the judge has sympathy for a man whose son was killed in a recent traffic accident, one for which Jimmy blames himself. It does not matter that the other driver who was drinking and ran the stop sign, t- boning the car Jimmy was driving., severely injuring Jimmy and killing his son. Payne feels that it was his fault. Was he unattentive or going too fast. No, but guilt is destroying him.
At this point , Jimmy’s law practice has tanked; his marriage ended. Could anything get worse? Of course.
Here comes the worse. Marisol and her pre-teen son Tino are on their way north, led by a nasty “coyote” to a border crossing into the US. A long dangerous journey ahead of them gets worse when they are separated. The boy Tino vows to find his mother and the talisman he has is the business card given to him by his mother, a card Payne distributed to other illegals already across the border and in trouble. “If anything happens , “she told him, “ find this man. He is a big lawyer in LA.”
The author main character is sympathetic, credible and interesting. He is flawed, but not evil, smart but often too smart for his own good., and definitely does not know when to quit. That is what saves him. The settings, Mexico with its poverty, pollution, murderous cartels and hopeful migrants streaming north is pititable. The vast ,prosperous farmlands of California , land worked by migrants and owned by big corporate farms are a reality, as is the exploitation of workers, and corruption of some officials. I think Mr. Levine does and even handed job of describing this world
“illegal” is a very good , entertaining story, that moved swiftly and kept my attention. I recommend it.
Contents warning: a violent climax . Crooked cops on both sides of the border. Sexual aggression and rape scenes- brief and not graphic . And you will learn a lot of an apparent multitude of Mexican strong language. Oh, yes, and with all this humor now and then.
August 4, 2019
I almost never read books twice, but for Illegal I made an exception.
The story rings truer today than ever before. I'm writing this review after two tragedies unfolded in one day, the shootings in Texas and Ohio, the hatred motivating them can show up anywhere in this nation. No place is exempt.
Illegal gives you some insight into the cause. The arrogance, the dehumanization, the exploitation of undocumented immigrants that is basically "rent a slave," and the "justification" for doing so.
There is also an admiration and understanding for those who come here, their bravery, and their reasons. There is no reason for dehumanization of others, but it's here in many of our nation.
I loved the characters, flawed but wonderful, I loved the plot, fast paced and believable enough, I loved the writing. It makes the point as a great story, not a morality lesson. It stands on its own without context, but the background is on all our minds.
No spoiler alerts here, read it for yourself.
The story rings truer today than ever before. I'm writing this review after two tragedies unfolded in one day, the shootings in Texas and Ohio, the hatred motivating them can show up anywhere in this nation. No place is exempt.
Illegal gives you some insight into the cause. The arrogance, the dehumanization, the exploitation of undocumented immigrants that is basically "rent a slave," and the "justification" for doing so.
There is also an admiration and understanding for those who come here, their bravery, and their reasons. There is no reason for dehumanization of others, but it's here in many of our nation.
I loved the characters, flawed but wonderful, I loved the plot, fast paced and believable enough, I loved the writing. It makes the point as a great story, not a morality lesson. It stands on its own without context, but the background is on all our minds.
No spoiler alerts here, read it for yourself.
July 27, 2009
this well researched book delves into the "problems, horrors, and economic consequences" of the Mexican/US Border illegal crossings.
It is replete with greed, corruption, and horror beyond your comprehension
The human coyotes are of the worst kind--human trafficking.
Am reading it a second time as well as doing my own research. I am somewhat familiar with the setting as I am native to the area.
I feel like the setting is as impotant as the plot and the characters in this novel.
Kudos to the author, Paul Levine . Looking forward to next Jimmy Payne novel. I hope he tackles another controversial topic with interesting supporting characters.
Liz Sanders
It is replete with greed, corruption, and horror beyond your comprehension
The human coyotes are of the worst kind--human trafficking.
Am reading it a second time as well as doing my own research. I am somewhat familiar with the setting as I am native to the area.
I feel like the setting is as impotant as the plot and the characters in this novel.
Kudos to the author, Paul Levine . Looking forward to next Jimmy Payne novel. I hope he tackles another controversial topic with interesting supporting characters.
Liz Sanders
July 1, 2011
I like the flawed protagonist in this book, and how the author worked the ending. This was a quick read, but the story wasn't lacking in any way. There were fewer leaps in logic than required for some suspense/thriller novels, and those that were, were very minor. Overall, a very enjoyable story and, though it seems at this time to be a stand-alone novel, I may give some of his other books/series a chance. It helps as well that he wrote 20+ episodes of the television show, JAG.
July 21, 2014
Picked this book out of a stack and I was so happy I did. The book has a great story line intertwining Mexican immigrants, crime, mystery and family. I enjoyed reading about the passage from Mexico to USA especially with th current border crisis going on today. Levine has a nice writing style that leaves you wanting more after each chapter and a full-circle/complete feeling at the end. Good book ans I'm looking to read more of his.
April 11, 2011
I won this book through Goodreads some time ago, but after starting it a couple of times, I found that I did not enjoy it. The style of writing in this novel is unattractive to me and certainly not stimulating. The best way that I can describe it is that it seemed very male-oriented, both in language and subject matter.
April 3, 2014
This is a brutal tale of human trafficking told in a straightforward, if unbelievable way.
The cover of the ARC I just read said "A thriller". It certainly was. Jimmy Payne needs meds to calm him down.
I wonder why we do not get as excited by the undocumented from Poland, Ireland, Russia, etc?
The cover of the ARC I just read said "A thriller". It certainly was. Jimmy Payne needs meds to calm him down.
I wonder why we do not get as excited by the undocumented from Poland, Ireland, Russia, etc?
August 20, 2021
Figured after the adventures I had reading Levine's other books (the Jake Lassiter & Solomon vs Lord series), why not dabble in another one by him?
Enter Illegal. A lawyer bent on revenge finds himself being sucked into the world of the drug and sex trade at a time where he feels the most hopeless. For the most part, it was entertaining enough. It took a long time for it to find its momentum, but once it did, it held my interest more than it lost it. And yes, there were times my interest was very lost. The premise was rather depressing and I found difficulty enjoying, especially considering that there's not much lawyering going on in this thing, even despite the main character being a lawyer.
But what hurt this book the most, at least for me, was the constant changing of perspectives. This is written in third-person, with the chapters majorly singling out one character. That's of course fine, and it's mostly the case for the entire book. But there are several occasions that the perspective of one character, which dominates a chapter, suddenly changes to another character's. And it does it so often where I'm caught off-guard, wondering why the first character is thinking something that the second character is offering. It's not some unheard of thing; it's not even a bad thing. It's just felt like an inconsistent thing. It also didn't help that Levine periodically changed his label for his characters, often interchanging the first and last name for the main character.
The writing style is very good, up to Levine's usual standards. Dialogue was plentiful, some of it fantastic and some of it not so much. But all of it had a sense of realism to it, so I guess it worked for the most part. I didn't really like how too many characters sounded too much the same though, using the same lingo or foul language to express themselves. This is usually the best way to strip them of having a unique identity to them, and is usually caused by the presence of too many characters with too similar interests. The "villains" were too often over-the-top and all wanted the same thing, which lessened the believability. There's also a bit of predictability to this story; you can see how it will end a mile away. But, it is what is.
Not much else to say. Glad to have read it, though likely won't ever again.
Enter Illegal. A lawyer bent on revenge finds himself being sucked into the world of the drug and sex trade at a time where he feels the most hopeless. For the most part, it was entertaining enough. It took a long time for it to find its momentum, but once it did, it held my interest more than it lost it. And yes, there were times my interest was very lost. The premise was rather depressing and I found difficulty enjoying, especially considering that there's not much lawyering going on in this thing, even despite the main character being a lawyer.
But what hurt this book the most, at least for me, was the constant changing of perspectives. This is written in third-person, with the chapters majorly singling out one character. That's of course fine, and it's mostly the case for the entire book. But there are several occasions that the perspective of one character, which dominates a chapter, suddenly changes to another character's. And it does it so often where I'm caught off-guard, wondering why the first character is thinking something that the second character is offering. It's not some unheard of thing; it's not even a bad thing. It's just felt like an inconsistent thing. It also didn't help that Levine periodically changed his label for his characters, often interchanging the first and last name for the main character.
The writing style is very good, up to Levine's usual standards. Dialogue was plentiful, some of it fantastic and some of it not so much. But all of it had a sense of realism to it, so I guess it worked for the most part. I didn't really like how too many characters sounded too much the same though, using the same lingo or foul language to express themselves. This is usually the best way to strip them of having a unique identity to them, and is usually caused by the presence of too many characters with too similar interests. The "villains" were too often over-the-top and all wanted the same thing, which lessened the believability. There's also a bit of predictability to this story; you can see how it will end a mile away. But, it is what is.
Not much else to say. Glad to have read it, though likely won't ever again.
February 10, 2024
This one is hard for me. I really enjoyed the writing style, and the characters for the most part, are treated as three-dimensional and complex individuals. There's plenty of action and the plot unfolds in a compelling way. But I just can't with the ending, which is more a me thing than anything else, which is when the narrative asks you to empathize and invest in a character or plot point, only to find at the end it doesn't matter and you pretty much wasted that investment. So, for me, that disappointment kept it from being an amazing book, and now I don't feel like I can trust this author to take me on a satisfying ride, but you might like it fine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2017
I am now a one hundred percent Paul Levine fan. This book was amazing from start to finish. This book really reached my heart - and the 12 year old Hispanic boy who, with his mother, cross the border into the US via murderous Coyotes - this is a thrilling and suspenseful legal thriller. This book is book 1 in the Jimmy Payne legal series. You can bet I will be reading this entire series.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
January 7, 2018
Paul Levine has a winner in Jimmy (Royal) Payne!
Fans of thriller/mystery novels will find a treasure trove in this novel. Levine's vivid descriptions of people, places, and action will pull a reader into the story as if he were an invisible observer in the middle of the drama. Only a few authors make me anxious to get back to their stories like Paul Levine. Do yourself a favor. Read this book!
Fans of thriller/mystery novels will find a treasure trove in this novel. Levine's vivid descriptions of people, places, and action will pull a reader into the story as if he were an invisible observer in the middle of the drama. Only a few authors make me anxious to get back to their stories like Paul Levine. Do yourself a favor. Read this book!
November 10, 2018
A good read. The loser/hero Jimmy is likeable, the 12 year old character is entertaining and endearing. Without preaching, the story does offer a perspective on migrant labor, and the plight of border crossers. The plot is interesting, but a bit overcooked in the way things neatly keep falling together. Not, however to the point of being annoying, nor relying on unbelievable devices. All in all, an above average read amid the Unlimited fare.
October 15, 2019
Gripping and will make you turn each page till the last
We have several movies on the subject of immigrants especially Mexicans..but I felt Paul touches deep down of how it is a ruthless industry of corruption even in those cases; this might be a work of fiction, but, it did make me as a reader cringe on the treatment met out to the illegal immigrants once they cross the border
Please read and lastly a big thumbs up to Paul
We have several movies on the subject of immigrants especially Mexicans..but I felt Paul touches deep down of how it is a ruthless industry of corruption even in those cases; this might be a work of fiction, but, it did make me as a reader cringe on the treatment met out to the illegal immigrants once they cross the border
Please read and lastly a big thumbs up to Paul
June 14, 2020
A mother and son escape the wrath of the local drug lord.
They pay a coyote to cross them to the US.
He separates them into two runs.
He abandons her in the US and makes the boy a mule for cocaine smuggling.
He is also abandoned but finds is way through LA to Van Nuys and a messed up lawyer who is persuaded to help him find his mother.
Incredible and violent acts follow.
Superhuman efforts.
Fast read.
They pay a coyote to cross them to the US.
He separates them into two runs.
He abandons her in the US and makes the boy a mule for cocaine smuggling.
He is also abandoned but finds is way through LA to Van Nuys and a messed up lawyer who is persuaded to help him find his mother.
Incredible and violent acts follow.
Superhuman efforts.
Fast read.
September 10, 2020
Something about this book just touched me. I’m not sure why to be honest. I thought that the author pointing out the points of view from all of those affected by immigration and illegal aliens was pretty powerful. The racism, the fear, and the exploitation is very relevant to the world we are living in. I liked the plot and all the twists that I didn’t expect. And the characters were completely idealized. I just think that perhaps Sharons reigniting love for Payne was a little cliche
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2023
I'm a big fan of Paul Levine, who has written some outstanding lawyer thrillers. The "hero" here is an attorney who is a total wreck. He tries to help a boy separated from his mother coming across the Mexican border, by finding the mother. The hero violates many laws with no consequences, but somehow this is going to end up happily ever after. Bad. Crazy action sequences, wholly implausible at every turn.
May 9, 2017
Enjoyed this book
I really got into this book, a lot of action taken place. Great description of the scenery, in which pictured. Creative scene and lawyer takes. Emotional at the end. Boy needs a new family and which the Paynes will step up to the,plate!! I would ready again and have my friends read it as well.
I really got into this book, a lot of action taken place. Great description of the scenery, in which pictured. Creative scene and lawyer takes. Emotional at the end. Boy needs a new family and which the Paynes will step up to the,plate!! I would ready again and have my friends read it as well.
April 26, 2018
Fascinating
At first I thought the storyline just a little slow but after getting into the book a little further I could barely put it down. Illegal held my interest keeping me on the edge of my seat having me routing for the good guys and conjuring up all sorts of nasty things for the bad guys. I found the characters to be believable and really liked them.
At first I thought the storyline just a little slow but after getting into the book a little further I could barely put it down. Illegal held my interest keeping me on the edge of my seat having me routing for the good guys and conjuring up all sorts of nasty things for the bad guys. I found the characters to be believable and really liked them.
May 16, 2018
It should be illegal to miss reading Illegal!
There's no better way to identify with those attempting to escape a hopeless existence than to walk in their shoes. Relatable, ordinary folks get drawn together in extraordinary circumstances and bring the reader into their lives. Couldn't put the book down.
There's no better way to identify with those attempting to escape a hopeless existence than to walk in their shoes. Relatable, ordinary folks get drawn together in extraordinary circumstances and bring the reader into their lives. Couldn't put the book down.
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