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Jake Lassiter #3
False Dawn
Bestselling Legal Thriller from Edgar Nominee Paul Levine
The client admits he killed a man...
His lawyer doesn't believe him...
The truth is buried beneath a conspiracy of theft and murder.
Linebacker-turned-lawyer Jake Lassiter heads to Havana and untangles a deadly plot involving the CIA, Fidel Castro, and the Russian government.
"Realistic, gritty, fun."-- New York Times Book Review
The client admits he killed a man...
His lawyer doesn't believe him...
The truth is buried beneath a conspiracy of theft and murder.
Linebacker-turned-lawyer Jake Lassiter heads to Havana and untangles a deadly plot involving the CIA, Fidel Castro, and the Russian government.
"Realistic, gritty, fun."-- New York Times Book Review
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1993
2868 people are currently reading
658 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
January 22, 2015
You can't figure out who's the good guy, or who's the bad guy.
Pages full of fights and murders. Just as you figure out who is telling the truth, you'll find out you're wrong. Like the Charlie character and his knowledge of art amongst other things. Learned what kind of beer to drink with what food. Longest day celebration in Helsinki-June 20, Russian car Lada. Russian art and jewelry. What is in the news about Cuba, is in this book. Also some light hearted funny lines.
Pages full of fights and murders. Just as you figure out who is telling the truth, you'll find out you're wrong. Like the Charlie character and his knowledge of art amongst other things. Learned what kind of beer to drink with what food. Longest day celebration in Helsinki-June 20, Russian car Lada. Russian art and jewelry. What is in the news about Cuba, is in this book. Also some light hearted funny lines.
June 20, 2024
The third very entertaining novel in Levine's Jake Lassiter series. Good fun.
December 14, 2010
Some background from the author: This is the new ebook version of my Jake Lassiter thriller, "False Dawn." The book was published in hardcover in 1993 and has been out of print for some time. Because of readers' requests, I've re-published the novel as an ebook. Below are quotes form some of the hardcover reviews. Thanks for the opportunity to present the book to you.
Paul Levine
my link text
“Realistic, gritty, fun.” – New York Times Book Review
“A highly entertaining yarn filled with wry humor.” – Detroit Free Press
“Mystery writing at its very, very best.” – Larry King, USA TODAY
WHAT’S THE VERDICT ON JAKE LASSITER?
"Irreverent...genuinely clever...great fun." – The New York Times Book Review
"Just the remedy for those who can't get enough Spenser and miss Travis McGee terribly." – St. Petersburg Times
"Jake Lassiter is attractive, funny, savvy, and brave." – Chicago Tribune
“Genuinely chilling.” Washington Post Book World
“Wildly entertaining.” – “St. Louis Post Dispatch
“Take one part John Grisham, two parts Carl Hiaasen, throw in a dash of John D. MacDonald, and voila! You’ve got Jake Lassiter.” – Tulsa Sun
Paul Levine
my link text
“Realistic, gritty, fun.” – New York Times Book Review
“A highly entertaining yarn filled with wry humor.” – Detroit Free Press
“Mystery writing at its very, very best.” – Larry King, USA TODAY
WHAT’S THE VERDICT ON JAKE LASSITER?
"Irreverent...genuinely clever...great fun." – The New York Times Book Review
"Just the remedy for those who can't get enough Spenser and miss Travis McGee terribly." – St. Petersburg Times
"Jake Lassiter is attractive, funny, savvy, and brave." – Chicago Tribune
“Genuinely chilling.” Washington Post Book World
“Wildly entertaining.” – “St. Louis Post Dispatch
“Take one part John Grisham, two parts Carl Hiaasen, throw in a dash of John D. MacDonald, and voila! You’ve got Jake Lassiter.” – Tulsa Sun
May 28, 2021
A solid 2.5stars from me. I never read the books that came before False Dawn in this series, so I did not have any preset expectation when I picked this book up. What compelled me though was the description of this book as a 'legal thriller', which I found interesting and hoped for some intelligent courtroom action.
But with the exception of few legal terms scattered here and there, this book has nothing to do with legality (of anything). The main character is despicable ( I am having such strong feeling towards him because I wasted so many hours on him), the storyline does not have any head or tail whatsoever, the other characters are also bogus and the book lacks conviction.
I will not lie, the first few pages had me hooked. But then a turn of event made everything that was interesting, into a moot point.
Oh...now I want to give only 2stars🤦🏻♀️
But with the exception of few legal terms scattered here and there, this book has nothing to do with legality (of anything). The main character is despicable ( I am having such strong feeling towards him because I wasted so many hours on him), the storyline does not have any head or tail whatsoever, the other characters are also bogus and the book lacks conviction.
I will not lie, the first few pages had me hooked. But then a turn of event made everything that was interesting, into a moot point.
Oh...now I want to give only 2stars🤦🏻♀️
October 20, 2014
More of a thriller than the others I have read in this series. To me it was like one of his stand alone thrillers that I have read. This is not a bad thing,but didn't have as much humor that I have grown to love in this series.
February 10, 2021
Good GAWD this one was rough. So rough. I wanted to give it one star for being the disappointment that it was, but given how much I enjoy the writing style of these books, as well as Lassiter and Charlie as characters, I provided a second star out of the goodness of my heart. I almost hate how much I love those two characters as I feel like I'm being held hostage against my will.
This entry into the Lassiter series was just DREADFUL. So dreadful that around the 60% mark, (after falling asleep half a dozen times), I had to give myself a break from it and dove into another book to wake myself back up. The trick worked, and I finished the other book in about a day, then went back to finish this one after my mental boost. Thank goodness it's over. I'm hoping this is the worst one because while I still intend to keep going in this series, I don't want to go through any books like this one ever again.
While the writing was fine and still a win, (I sense that writing style will never be a complaint from me), it was the damn PLOT this time around that did me in. It started out fine and intriguing. Lassiter has a client confessing to a murder that he didn't commit, and naturally, he'd like to know why. Me too, for that matter. So things get going and I'm along for the ride. Lassiter does his lawyerly duties, trying to get to the bottom of things. Wasn't too fond of him YET AGAIN meeting someone who wants to jump his bones within one day of knowing him. Gotta tell ya, I really am not liking how easily he falls into that same rhythm with the women he meets. This is the 3rd book of the series for crying out loud. Can the guy not have a bit more self-respect with these women? He comes across as an easy lay and I hate thinking of him that way. Not even the excuse of "men will be men" is good enough. I just want him to think of himself of more worth than simply being a women's boy toy.
But I digress.
The plot chugs along all fine. But then, something significant happens. Something BIG. And when this big unexpected event happens, I was gobsmacked. I remember thinking, "REALLY?" I had no idea how the story was supposed to progress on after this event, since it essentially changed the entire pace already achieved. Worse yet, the story taking this particular turn had drastically obliterated my reason to care about what happens. I stuck it out of course, hoping that the pieces can be arranged into something new to hold my interest, but while something new did come, my interest didn't. Getting me to care again was never achieved. Because of this, I had to just drag, drag, DRAG myself through this book to get to the end. There was simply no more motivation.
The plot that it eventually became as the story clunked along was just garbage. Come on, art being stolen and countries feuding over said art? It was overly complicated and absolutely uncompelling to me. Sure there were some thrilling and suspenseful bits, but even those scenes felt completely awkward. They moved along sloppily and felt unimportant given how people respond to them. It's like running over a dog on the road and wanting to be moved or stirred by the carnage, but you instead drive on because you're late for an appointment. Suddenly, that moment doesn't feel significant like it should have. There was too much of that in this book, moments meant to be shocking and/or disturbing that just don't hold that power because characters have other things to do. I hated that.
At the end of the day, this was a Lassiter story that did NOT work for me. Despite the few entertaining moments, there was too much of stuff I didn't buy nor cared for at all. I hated the subject matter of the plot. Hated the path it took. Hated some character moments that reeked of predictability. This was a book that I was so happy had ended.
This entry into the Lassiter series was just DREADFUL. So dreadful that around the 60% mark, (after falling asleep half a dozen times), I had to give myself a break from it and dove into another book to wake myself back up. The trick worked, and I finished the other book in about a day, then went back to finish this one after my mental boost. Thank goodness it's over. I'm hoping this is the worst one because while I still intend to keep going in this series, I don't want to go through any books like this one ever again.
While the writing was fine and still a win, (I sense that writing style will never be a complaint from me), it was the damn PLOT this time around that did me in. It started out fine and intriguing. Lassiter has a client confessing to a murder that he didn't commit, and naturally, he'd like to know why. Me too, for that matter. So things get going and I'm along for the ride. Lassiter does his lawyerly duties, trying to get to the bottom of things. Wasn't too fond of him YET AGAIN meeting someone who wants to jump his bones within one day of knowing him. Gotta tell ya, I really am not liking how easily he falls into that same rhythm with the women he meets. This is the 3rd book of the series for crying out loud. Can the guy not have a bit more self-respect with these women? He comes across as an easy lay and I hate thinking of him that way. Not even the excuse of "men will be men" is good enough. I just want him to think of himself of more worth than simply being a women's boy toy.
But I digress.
The plot chugs along all fine. But then, something significant happens. Something BIG. And when this big unexpected event happens, I was gobsmacked. I remember thinking, "REALLY?" I had no idea how the story was supposed to progress on after this event, since it essentially changed the entire pace already achieved. Worse yet, the story taking this particular turn had drastically obliterated my reason to care about what happens. I stuck it out of course, hoping that the pieces can be arranged into something new to hold my interest, but while something new did come, my interest didn't. Getting me to care again was never achieved. Because of this, I had to just drag, drag, DRAG myself through this book to get to the end. There was simply no more motivation.
The plot that it eventually became as the story clunked along was just garbage. Come on, art being stolen and countries feuding over said art? It was overly complicated and absolutely uncompelling to me. Sure there were some thrilling and suspenseful bits, but even those scenes felt completely awkward. They moved along sloppily and felt unimportant given how people respond to them. It's like running over a dog on the road and wanting to be moved or stirred by the carnage, but you instead drive on because you're late for an appointment. Suddenly, that moment doesn't feel significant like it should have. There was too much of that in this book, moments meant to be shocking and/or disturbing that just don't hold that power because characters have other things to do. I hated that.
At the end of the day, this was a Lassiter story that did NOT work for me. Despite the few entertaining moments, there was too much of stuff I didn't buy nor cared for at all. I hated the subject matter of the plot. Hated the path it took. Hated some character moments that reeked of predictability. This was a book that I was so happy had ended.
December 28, 2016
The third book in author Paul Levine's excellent series starring Jake Lassiter, "False Dawn", is a high octane read out of the gate. Lawyer Jake Lassiter's client Francisco Crespo is charged with the murder of fellow warehouse worker Vladimir Smorodinsky. Vlad had been impaled with a fork lift during an altercation with Crespo. However, Crespo is cleared in a fluky set of circumstances, then himself is murdered. Before long Lassiter is taking a crash course in fine art from retired M.E. Dr. Charlie Riggs. Lassiter must deal with a ruthless C.I.A. agent, Robert Foley who has it in for Jake. Jake also has local P.I Lourdes Soto continuing trying to lead him into dangerous predicaments. Everywhere Lassiter turns he's dealing with former KGB agents, or Cuban gangsters, and some really odd characters in general. Just when Jake thinks he's working for the good guys he's actually working for the bad guys. When Jake meets up with Jillian from Minnesota it turns out she's a Suppo agent (Finland Intelligence). Coming in at just over 360 pages this Lassiter tale has it's share of ups and downs. At times the story just couldn't get out of it's own way. The world of stealing fine art just doesn't work very well for a Lassiter tale. I read this book in just over 24 hours. At about the 60 % mark I decided I needed to get this one finished and out of my hair. It was a shame because the book came out of the blocks really well and looked like a winner. This Lassiter book being somewhat of a let down makes me hopeful the next book in series will rebound nicely. I gave, "False Dawn", three stars out of a possible five stars. Really it's a 2.50-2.75 book at best. If you're into reading this series give this one a go. Otherwise just move onto something else.
April 17, 2023
I was a little disappointed in the story line which was convoluted at times and unnecessarily drawn out. The author's penchant for colorful desciptions of mundane details became tedious after the first few chapters and made for a story that actually became boring from time to time. On the plus side, Levine did his homework on Russian and French art history, which play an important role in the plot. So for those individuals interested in the art history genre you might want to read this book. For all others however, I recommend you skip this book.
April 30, 2013
I'm a huge Paul Levine fan...never read one of his books that I didn't love. So...I'm not sure what was wrong but I just never could get into this one. Seems as thought the lighthearted nature and humour that he usually injects was just missing in this one. Sorry Paul, I just didn't care for this one.
February 15, 2023
The Jake Lassiter series has been a disappointment for me.
I voraciously read his other two series and want to scream for more.
I guess Jake and I didn't have that magic spark.
I voraciously read his other two series and want to scream for more.
I guess Jake and I didn't have that magic spark.
August 9, 2023
I couldn't get into this book. The 333 pages seemed like 533. I usually find this author's works to be entertaining. This one was confusing and dated.
March 7, 2017
The first half of this entry in Paul Levine's clever and often hilarious serious of novels about Miami lawyer Jake Lassiter is classic. Lassiter is defending a client charged with murder, a crime the client says he committed but Lassiter doesn't believe his story. In trying to get at the truth, he steps on the toes of a rich and powerful man who's paying his legal fees. He also winds up in bed with a beautiful private eye he doesn't quite trust (and rightfully so). There's even a great backstory about why Lassiter would defend this client for free if he had to, and plenty of nice old Florida touches to his descriptions.
But about halfway through the book, Levine switches gears, and suddenly the book isn't about a murder trial anymore. It's about a coalition of sticky-fingered spies and smugglers stealing valuable art from the former USSR and trying to get away with it. Lots of people make long, boring speeches about politics and art, Lassiter gets duped more than once, a major character has a major change of heart and somehow in the end the person who really committed the murder that got this all started gets away with it.
If the rest of the book had stayed to the high level of the first half, I would have found a way to give this book SIX stars. It was that good. Too bad the author couldn't maintain that level for the whole book.
But about halfway through the book, Levine switches gears, and suddenly the book isn't about a murder trial anymore. It's about a coalition of sticky-fingered spies and smugglers stealing valuable art from the former USSR and trying to get away with it. Lots of people make long, boring speeches about politics and art, Lassiter gets duped more than once, a major character has a major change of heart and somehow in the end the person who really committed the murder that got this all started gets away with it.
If the rest of the book had stayed to the high level of the first half, I would have found a way to give this book SIX stars. It was that good. Too bad the author couldn't maintain that level for the whole book.
July 1, 2020
Well, I thought I'd like Levine's Lassiter #3, but alas, nope. First of all, I really couldn't care less about the storyline (Russian art thieves, Japanese millionaires, Cuban expats, CIA jerks). And Lassiter himself getting into so many fights with people page after page (puhleeze!), well, I kind of wish someone would cancel his show for good and let me go onto something else. I quit halfway through this junk and won't go back to a Lassiter novel again. I'll miss his self-effacing humor and his cohorts, but that's about all. They're not enough to carry me forth with another of his exploits. Sorry, Paul Levine.
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July 13, 2021Reality of Miami
While this bulkhead by our throughout it is a rescue mission for the author who relies on confusion in the detail to recreate interest other written word. While there is readers unfamiliar with Florida and Miami i personally found the book at times had irrelevant recounting of details irrelevant to theauthor xpertise to pen a interesting novel which torpedoes 'my interest in any reality of the story Otherwise die desperate inconsiderate partial thesublime to the ridiculous to interrupt to interrupt unnecessary i was however compelled to read the read the booksellers
While this bulkhead by our throughout it is a rescue mission for the author who relies on confusion in the detail to recreate interest other written word. While there is readers unfamiliar with Florida and Miami i personally found the book at times had irrelevant recounting of details irrelevant to theauthor xpertise to pen a interesting novel which torpedoes 'my interest in any reality of the story Otherwise die desperate inconsiderate partial thesublime to the ridiculous to interrupt to interrupt unnecessary i was however compelled to read the read the booksellers
November 11, 2022
This author has his street creds as TV scriptwriter, but I think he writes these novels just for the fun! This is my third Lassiter book and each are a romp! I'm sorry to see such critical reviews but perhaps the satire of Levine's writing is not for everyone.
I cringe, laugh out loud, and sometimes have to reread paragraphs to fully capture the Lassiter chaos. And Lassiter's BFF, a medical examiner, no less, is equal parts fun and intellect.
Where does Levine come up with the "interesting" and totally useless info contained in each of these books. Yet, I eat them up along with the rest of the craziness of the Lassiter series.
For me these are fun, fun, fun books. Remember fun before the world got so serious? If you miss fun, read Lassiter.
Book #4 is calling me.
I cringe, laugh out loud, and sometimes have to reread paragraphs to fully capture the Lassiter chaos. And Lassiter's BFF, a medical examiner, no less, is equal parts fun and intellect.
Where does Levine come up with the "interesting" and totally useless info contained in each of these books. Yet, I eat them up along with the rest of the craziness of the Lassiter series.
For me these are fun, fun, fun books. Remember fun before the world got so serious? If you miss fun, read Lassiter.
Book #4 is calling me.
January 15, 2023
Nothing fun here on this gobbley gook train wreck.. Every other page he starts rambling on and on about an off topic that has nothing to do with the characters or plot .
And the constant blatering about beer types made my brain bleed... I think one third of ghe ook is about everything but the book topic.
And it drags and drags
Jake is also quite stupid.. hehas no intuition and keeps getting caugh/stupidly believing whatever people tell him
Only thing he might be good a is fisticuffs.
I wont ever try another book in this series.. such a boring/uninteresting main character with none of the charm needed.
And the constant blatering about beer types made my brain bleed... I think one third of ghe ook is about everything but the book topic.
And it drags and drags
Jake is also quite stupid.. hehas no intuition and keeps getting caugh/stupidly believing whatever people tell him
Only thing he might be good a is fisticuffs.
I wont ever try another book in this series.. such a boring/uninteresting main character with none of the charm needed.
May 15, 2025
I thought I was done with Paul Levine after reading Bum Rap, but his latest release (Midnight Burning- though it is a completely different genre) revived my interest. So I resumed the Jake Lassiter series, but feel let down again.
The plot of smuggling of Russian Art, Finnish and Cuban politics, CAI, etc, etc and Lassiter in the middle of everything didn't make any sense. Lassiter was so stupid that he doesn't even realize when he is taken for a ride.
For a legal thriller, this had too little courtroom drama. I didnt like this book.
The plot of smuggling of Russian Art, Finnish and Cuban politics, CAI, etc, etc and Lassiter in the middle of everything didn't make any sense. Lassiter was so stupid that he doesn't even realize when he is taken for a ride.
For a legal thriller, this had too little courtroom drama. I didnt like this book.
February 19, 2018
This was an AWESOME read!!
As a South Florida girl, it's always fun to read a book that takes place, anywhere in South Florida.
Jake is an ex-Dolphin football player, turned Lawyer. Jake seems to manage to get himself tangled up in the weirdest cases, with equally weird clients. The descriptions, are so amazing that you feel like you are there with Jake.
Murder and mayhem revolve around stolen artwork. Follow the story from Miami all the way to Cuba and back!
As a South Florida girl, it's always fun to read a book that takes place, anywhere in South Florida.
Jake is an ex-Dolphin football player, turned Lawyer. Jake seems to manage to get himself tangled up in the weirdest cases, with equally weird clients. The descriptions, are so amazing that you feel like you are there with Jake.
Murder and mayhem revolve around stolen artwork. Follow the story from Miami all the way to Cuba and back!
March 4, 2018
Skim milk masquerades as cream.
This is so much bigger than a normal fight between two workers leading to one's death and other behind bars. It was a political thriller and my first of those kind, and I LOVED it! "Just when you think that you know who's the good guy and who's the bad one, they change the players or the rules." Or something like that.
Loved it!
- Mirella
p.s. not for the weak hearted or ones who can't bear with loooong books ;)
This is so much bigger than a normal fight between two workers leading to one's death and other behind bars. It was a political thriller and my first of those kind, and I LOVED it! "Just when you think that you know who's the good guy and who's the bad one, they change the players or the rules." Or something like that.
Loved it!
- Mirella
p.s. not for the weak hearted or ones who can't bear with loooong books ;)
May 22, 2018
Another good one
I have a tough time putting down a Lassiter character story when I start one. The story is always complex but easy to follow. The characters are numerous but all interesting and have a vital role to the story. The best part is the end which with other writers is never much of a surprise but with LeVine , you better not think you know the ending , until the last page!
I have a tough time putting down a Lassiter character story when I start one. The story is always complex but easy to follow. The characters are numerous but all interesting and have a vital role to the story. The best part is the end which with other writers is never much of a surprise but with LeVine , you better not think you know the ending , until the last page!
March 5, 2019
The tales of Jake Lassiter continue with KGB, Cuban mobsters and a great insight into the world of fine art. This was definitely more of a mystery compared to the others as just when you think you have the murderer sussed out the rug is whipped from under you.
I did feel that this was a bit long-winded with some unnecessary padding which made the book drag at times. However, I did finish and enjoyed it by the end.
I did feel that this was a bit long-winded with some unnecessary padding which made the book drag at times. However, I did finish and enjoyed it by the end.
March 7, 2020
Great thriller filled with lots of action and mystery. Jake Lassiter is a wonderfully written character with spunk and sarcasm. Jake is in the case to finding out who killed his friend and client.
Soon he discovers priceless art is being stolen from Russia and sold to the highest bidders.
Jake is able to uncover some of the secrets but he can never tell who the good guys and bad guys are. This is just part of the problem when dealing with the Russians, CIA, and Castro.
Soon he discovers priceless art is being stolen from Russia and sold to the highest bidders.
Jake is able to uncover some of the secrets but he can never tell who the good guys and bad guys are. This is just part of the problem when dealing with the Russians, CIA, and Castro.
September 1, 2025
good book, just wasn’t for me
This book wasn’t for me. This author penmanship loses me. There’s too many foreign words that I can’t pronounce or know the meaning of. I lost the storyline. It took me forever to finally read this book and I was still lost. It seems like me and this book was fighting and the book won. I’m trying to decide should I continue to book 4 or call it a quit. I like Jake character. He’s hilarious and very loyal.
This book wasn’t for me. This author penmanship loses me. There’s too many foreign words that I can’t pronounce or know the meaning of. I lost the storyline. It took me forever to finally read this book and I was still lost. It seems like me and this book was fighting and the book won. I’m trying to decide should I continue to book 4 or call it a quit. I like Jake character. He’s hilarious and very loyal.
April 15, 2018
I enjoyed most of the book, debated between 3 and 4 stars, but it was bogged down with too many irrelevant details. I found the constant wise-cracking distracted me from the plot development and character relationships. The story is set mostly in Miami which made it familiar and real for me. Interesting display of relationships among the super-powers and Cuba.
August 22, 2018
Larry's Take
I thought Lassiter was suppose to be a lawyer. No court room drama in this one. Also the main character, Jake, gets beat up etc etc at every turn. Not good. I stopped reading another series for the same reason. The protagonist should not be taking a beating all the time.
I thought Lassiter was suppose to be a lawyer. No court room drama in this one. Also the main character, Jake, gets beat up etc etc at every turn. Not good. I stopped reading another series for the same reason. The protagonist should not be taking a beating all the time.
April 5, 2019
Actually, 3 3/4 stars
This was a good story about smuggling valuable artifacts out of Russia & a somewhat convoluted plot of numerous international parties involved for their own reasons & the Miami based lawyer who gets drawn in. Sometimes, it was hard to keep track of all the characters & twists & turns.
This was a good story about smuggling valuable artifacts out of Russia & a somewhat convoluted plot of numerous international parties involved for their own reasons & the Miami based lawyer who gets drawn in. Sometimes, it was hard to keep track of all the characters & twists & turns.
June 9, 2020
Not my favorite but some exciting parts that earned it a 3. So many twists and turns I got dizzy. I think even Lassiter said once that he was confused so that made me feel better. The good guys were bad guys then turned back into good...oops, bad again. Too political, Japanese, Russians, Cubans oh my. Taking a break. Lassiter still had some good lines tho that made me chuckle a little.
May 25, 2021
Started out good... then.
This started out to be an interesting murder mystery. Got a ways through it. Be interesting to find out why Crespo is claiming what he is claiming. Sadly, Mr. Levine apparently feels the need to include porn in his mysteries. That was it for me. If I wanted to read pirn, I would do so. I prefer good mysteries. This isn't one.
This started out to be an interesting murder mystery. Got a ways through it. Be interesting to find out why Crespo is claiming what he is claiming. Sadly, Mr. Levine apparently feels the need to include porn in his mysteries. That was it for me. If I wanted to read pirn, I would do so. I prefer good mysteries. This isn't one.
July 29, 2021
Too political for my taste. Also, to borrow from Abbott and Costello , it was hard to figure “who was on First”as it related to the plot and the characters. I found that this constant reversal of who was the good or bad guy made the story confusing and dragged out the plot. I had planned to read the next book in this series, but decided to move on to another author after this read.
Read
August 22, 2021Kind of silly with all the ultra bad guys and gals, but also kind of fun. I really enjoy reading Paul Levine's novels. They're great escapist reading and don't take forever to finish. Highly recommended. You really develop a certain camaraderie with Jake Lassiter, who's kind of a born loser who means really well. I'd sure like to see him win a big one!
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