The Ambulance Chaser

by Brian Cuban

Winner, Legal Thriller of the Year – The BestThrillers.com Book AwardsKiller Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist – Best Thriller and Suspense NovelAfter being accused of the murder of a high school classmate thirty years prior, lawyer Jason Feldman becomes a fugitive from justice to find the one person who can prove his innocence and save the life of his son.Pittsburgh personal injury lawyer and part-time drug dealer Jason Feldman’s life goals are date hot women, earn enough cash to score cocaine on a regular basis, and care for his dementia-ravaged father. That all changes when a long-lost childhood friend contacts him about the discovery of buried remains belonging to a high school classmate who went missing thirty years prior, and the fragile life Jason’s built over his troubled past is about to come crashing down. Soon, he’s on the run across Pittsburgh and beyond to find his old friend, while trying to figure out whom to trust among Ukrainian mobsters, vegan drug dealers, washed-up sports stars, an Israeli James Bond, and an ex-wife who happens to be the district attorney. The only way he’ll survive is if he overcomes his addictions so he can face his childhood demons.

Genres: Fiction, Legal Thriller, Thriller, Mystery Thriller

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 7, 2021

About the author

Brian Cuban, the younger brother of Dallas Mavericks owner and entrepreneur Mark Cuban, is a Dallas-based attorney, author, and person in long-term recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. He is a graduate of Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Brian's debut thriller, The Ambulance Chaser, will be released December 7th 2021. Lawyer Jason Feldman is accused of the murder of a high school classmate thirty years prior. He becomes a fugitive from justice to find the one person who prove his innocence and save the life of his abducted son.

His previous, best selling book, The Addicted Lawyer: Tales of the Bar, Booze, Blow, and Redemption is an unflinching look at how addiction and other mental health issues destroyed his career as a once successful lawyer, and how he and others in the profession redefined their lives in recovery and found redemption.

Brian has spoken at colleges, universities, conferences, non-profits, and legal events across the United States and in Canada. His columns have appeared—and he has been quoted on these topics—online and in print newspapers around the world. He currently resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife and two cats.

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This type of fiction is usually an automatic (and non-negotiable) three stars. This was an amazing debut novel. I loved the Pittsburg setting and the characters. It was well paced and I read the entire book in a day. If you like a good legal thriller or are looking for something with a bit more bite than the usual "cozy" this is an excellent choice!

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

FULL OF LIES, HONESTY, DECEIT, and REGRETS

A little slow at first, but then the action began picking up. It kept going until the end. This is the second book I’ve read by Brian Cuban and I think he has a promising career as a thriller author. Now, to see if he has any others out.

[Lynn Smyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific read! If you re anything like me - you will pick it up once and not put it down til the final page. I appreciated the observations and emotional discourse related to the journey from addiction to recovery. I found myself totally invested in Jason Feldman’s plight! I found him to be a fabulous character - I truly hope I meet him again someday.

[Dan Cotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Brian’s first novel, and it is a fun read. The main character is Jason Feldman, a plaintiff’s lawyer who has a cocaine problem and handles personal injury matters. The book opens with the remains of a young lady from Feldman’s high school days being found. Feldman faces back to that time and interacts with some people from his past who know the answer to the young lady’s demise. Feldman becomes a fugitive as he tracks down the one person who can save his estranged son.
Set in Pittsburgh, I am looking forward to the next book in the Feldman series, and will be chasing it down. Great plot and narrative and dialogue with a great group of characters n this debut legal thriller.

[KT · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one felt like eating fast food to me; gratifying in the moment but left me unsatisfied and shaking my head at myself for not picking up something different.

I may not be the target audience for this one, but I found Jason Feldman to be craven, almost contemptibly so. While we were allowed to see some of his positive qualities, I didn't feel that they were redeeming enough to balance his character out, and because of this I found myself unable to sympathize with his situation throughout the book. And can we just talk about how a lawyer couldn't keep his own damned mouth shut in front of feds and cops?? Holy Moly.

I thought it was fast-paced and written well enough. I did enjoy the exposure to the Jewish diaspora in Pittsburgh, which I was previously unaware of. Jason's dry and sarcastic wit may appeal to some readers.

[Sam Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last time I read a book this fast it was a David Baldacci book. Brian Cuban’s first novel is a winner. It grabs you and won’t let go. Surprise ending. Not what I expected. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I can’t wait for the next one.

[Susan Atherly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a great beach read. There are plot holes the size of Montana but if you don't think too hard, it's a fun ride.

[Jennifer Landry (on Storygraph Exclusively Now!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This was a fast-paced thriller and the author's first foray into fiction. I've always heard "write what you know" when you write your first fiction, and I think that is exactly what he did. Brian is a former attorney who speaks publicly about his battles with addiction and you see all those things shine through in this story. There were some editing issues that were overlooked which is probably what keeps this from being a true 4-star read for me. That being said, I will read more fiction by him because he definitely did a good job with the tension and the overall plot. It's not so much a legal thriller as it is a crime thriller with a lawyer at the center.

[Dr. DAOM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I bought this book as an airplane read and I was thrilled with it from start to finish. Right out of the gate, I had to know more about Jason Feldman, the book's main character. He was an excellent bad guy. The author, Brian Cuban, has a gift for imagery and character development, giving the reader remarkable detail into each person's life, appearance, and persona. Awesome work. I really thought I knew how the book would end! But no, the story line really surprised me in the end. Well done!

[Lawrence Jaffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing the Ambulance Chaser

I read the Ambulance Chaser and kept on reading it word after word, sentence after sentence, page after page Well, you get the idea! I was entranced with the writing style and the characters who I somehow identified with. As a writer myself I tend to be very picky before I say someone is a good at the craft and Brian is damn good at it. I look forward to more.

[K-BRC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, well-paced legal thriller that will hold your attention throughout. This is my first Cuban book, but it won’t be my last; I’m an avid fan now. This debut legal thriller has won my loyalty. His characters were flawed and realistic; the storyline involving addiction was itself addictive and fascinating. 5-star must read.

[Julia Alberino · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced, quick read with lots of plot twists. The ending felt a little rushed to me, but not enough so to change my rating. I hope to see more from Mr. Cuban with some of these same characters.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent first novel. This is an exciting and tense legal thriller about characters who are well-developed and who feel very real. I enjoyed the read very much!

[Jon Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done Brian Cuban. An amazing first work of fiction. Very entertaining. I agree with one other comment that the end seemed a little rushed, but aside from that, I loved the characters, the Pittsburgh scene, and the Jewish/Yiddish references. I look forward to more Brian Cuban works.

[Laura Gaspar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book in one sitting. It’s a page turner and the author did a great job of building suspense. It was fun reading about all the Pittsburgh landmarks.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was his first novel. It was OK. I finished it. Connelly, Baldacci, Grisham, et al won't be checking over their shoulder in fear any time soon.

[michelle markovitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the Pittsburgh background. Dragged out at times. Predictable ending

[Jean Domanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all of Mr. Cuban's books, this one is well written. He writes in a style that flows and draws you into the story. Thumbs up!

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ambulance Chaser is one heck of a fun read. Told entirely from the 1st person POV of Jason Feldman, a personal injury lawyer (also known as an "ambulance chaser"), when the 30-years-dead body of a girl from Jason's past turns up, his long-lost best friend, David, appears to warn him they've become the targets of a powerful man. But Jason isn't an innocent victim; he's hiding a secret that ties all four of them together--a secret that may destroy him as he finds himself accused of murder. And Jason has more than secrets to bear; he's a cocaine addict running drugs for another high school friend in order to pay for his father's care at an expensive mental health facility.

Drawing on personal experience and smattering Jewish cultural references throughout, Brian Cuban creates a compelling tragic character in Jason Feldman, enough that despite Jason's character flaws and missteps, the reader wants to see him succeed. Even though it's a legal thriller (and not just because Jason is a lawyer; he needs to navigate the legal system in order to survive), there's not a single scene inside a courtroom, a refreshing change from a trend of showing long, drawn-out trials. The audiobook was expertly narrated by Graham Rowat, whose voice reminds me of Jimmy Stewart, making Jason an even more sympathetic character. Cuban is writing a sequel; I'm not sure what it will be about since everything is neatly tied up at the end of this book, but I look forward to reading more about Jason Feldman.

[Carla Garber · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read a thriller, I want it to move at a pace that is clean, fast and unadorned. Brian Cuban's recent novel "The Ambulance Chaser" fit this bill! Similar to Johnathon Kellerman, one of my favorite authors- who writes with the benefit of actually being in the profession about which he writes, Brian Cuban's novel shines with authenticity, as he has lived the life of a practicing attorney, struggling to balance personal and professional challenges. Cuban's dialogue is clean, frank and unpretentious. His plot is anything but predictable. And his descriptions are gritty without being grisly. An added bonus of "The Ambulance Chaser" is the complexity of an added protagonist - addiction and it's "cunning, baffling and powerful" hold on its victims. Anyone of us touched by our own or someone else's struggle with addiction and recovery will appreciate Cuban's treatment of themes like the destructive nature of our secrets, the complexity of loving, but tarnished relationships and the truth that addiction is not a moral failure. The compassion and humanity of Cuban's main character, Jason Feldman, can be seen in encounters with those closest to him and even incidental characters that he pauses to attend to and affirm. For the sake of full dis closure, I must admit I am a huge fan of Brian Cuban whom I met many years ago, when he wrote his first work of non-fiction, "Shattered Image: My Triumph Over Body Dysmorphic Disorder". I met him at a small book signing and was delighted to hear of his willingness to share his "experience, strength and hope" in Recovery from a devastating disorders that I treated in my practice as a psychotherapist. It was quickly apparent that Brian was the real deal in sharing his story so openly and bravely. He graciously agreed to share his story in person at a local University where so many in the audience suffered silently with the demons he had learned to confront. I know many in attendance found hope and inspiration that day. Despite being very biased toward Brian as an authentic and generous human being, I kept an open mind while reading his novel. I am happy to report I was blown away by his skills as a fiction writer. I can't wait for the richness of "The Ambulance Chaser" to hit the big screen! Bradley Cooper perhaps...?

[James Rosenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Homerun

Brian Cuban knocks the ball out of the park in his debut novel, The Ambulance Chaser. His protagonist, Brian Feldman, is the main suspect in a 30 year old murder that he claims he did not commit. In a page turning, whirlwind of drugs, sex, and brutal henchmen, Feldman must find his former best friend to provide him with an alibi for mistakes made while they were adolescents.

Exploring the underbelly of the legal system, Cuban creates a world of intrigue as Feldman rushes across the country desperately seeking clues to his past while trying to avoid a panoply of bad guys whose sole mission is to kill him.

Despite his drug dependence and sexual escapades, Feldman comes across as sympathetic as he reconnects with a son who had lost respect for him after his divorce.

A great book for anyone with any connection to Pittsburgh as the familiar landmarks of the Steel City serve as a backdrop for the nonstop action.

This is an awesome legal thriller on par with anything Grisham or Pratt have written. The pages fly by as Cuban creates three dimensional characters, though flawed, I rooted for. Shocking twists will keep you on the edge of your seat. I’m reserving box seats for his next book.

[Ron Hekier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has just what you hope to find in all great works of fiction and non fiction.

What is the purpose of reading if it is not to place our minds into places which we cannot visit? Whether far away exotic locales, historical eras long since passed, or futuristic visions which only exist in ideas.

Visiting that which cannot be visited is a longing as old as the Call of the Sirens, or biting the Forbidden Fruit of Knowledge.

The Ambulance Chaser, a novel by Brian Cuban, brings you to many such forbidden locales. Voyaging through scenes in a courtroom, jailhouse, mobsters, drug runners, and more, the reader is pulled into many forbidden worlds.

But as the protagonist is just a regular guy, we wonder if this cautionary tale is more memoir than fiction and how many of us are just a decision away from tragically altering the course of events of our lives. Is this a cautionary tale, a tale of redemption, or a tale of success vs. selling out? It is all these and more.

An excellent novel with hopefully more to come from Brian Cuban, Ambulance Chaser leaves us not only wondering about the progression of the life of the protagonist, but also, about the progression of our own lives and our our own decisions in the past and in the future.

[Marcy R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Brian Cuban’s first foray into fiction is The Ambulance Chaser, a riveting thriller peppered with heart, humor and a bissel Yiddish as crisp, picturesque writing convincingly unravels the mystery. The plot unfolds at the pace of a cocaine heartbeat, as a decades-old cold case of a murdered teenage girl is warmed up when her bones are unearthed. With metaphoric and potentially literal blood on his hands, all signs point to protagonist Jason Feldman—negligence lawyer, part-time blow deliveryman and user struggling to break free of his demons. What—or whom—does Jason know that has drug kingpins and Ukraine mobsters on his tail?

Emotional undercurrents involving Jason’s desire for his DA ex-wife—who may be taken down along with him—his commitment to his frail father who suffers from dementia, his efforts to forge a reconciliation with his estranged son, and a fierce dedication to his tabby cat Willie make this character someone you’ll want to root for, rage at and rescue all at once.

[Ryan Madland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started following Brian on Facebook after a friend reposted something he had posted, not knowing he was Mark Cuban's brother, not that it matters.

Brian came out with this novel last year (2021) and I finally got around to reading it.

For a first time novelist, I thought Brian did a pretty good job. He intertwined some of his own past relationships with drugs and alcohol into the main character which gives a glimpse of some of the real life things Brian went through in his past.

This book deals with the main character Jason Feldman running into an old friend and then from there, every turn provides a new issue for Jason. His friend can't be found after Jason is a witness to something and if Jason can't find him, his life and those around him are at danger.

The book moves at a good pace and I liked the ending and the explanation behind it. I hope Brian continues to write as I'd like to see more of his stuff in the future.

[Robert Hilliard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Storytelling

I grabbed The Ambulance Chaser because I’d read Cuban’s previous non-fiction book. This was a departure from that story, but an enjoyable one.

The Ambulance Chaser of the title is Jason Feldman. A Pittsburgh lawyer, Feldman is torn between worrying about his broken family life, maintaining his marginal career, and managing his drug habit. When an old friend turns up only to immediately tumble out of one of the city’s tallest buildings, a mysterious trauma from his past is suddenly front and center again.

The story is an enjoyable one. Cuban captures Feldman’s frustration and drive as he tries to unravel the mystery that has haunted him for decades. The Pittsburgh setting is authentic and different from so many novels set in NY or LA. Throw in some whacky Ukrainian mobsters and it’s a recipe for a fun read!

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Cuban does a fantastic job of creating characters, plot twists and a page turning suspense filled thriller in this book. The characters and the descriptions of the culture in Pittsburgh, PA are so well developed you can see everything happening as you are engrossed in the continuing story. The plot follows a lawyer accused of murdering someone 30 years prior and his journey to prove his innocence. You won’t want to stop reading and if you are start at night, be ready to stay up until you finish the book. While this book is not this author’s first book, it is his first suspense thriller and I can’t wait to read the next one!

[Joan Early Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled across this writer when his newest book, the Body Brokers, was touted by his more famous brother on Bluesky social. Had I read this one first, it might have gotten five stars, but the next one is better. The depth of the characters makes me want to know more about what happens to them next. All flawed humans, but with a touch of the divine—they care. Even the more nefarious creeps…the shady drug distributor, his Ukrainian henchmen…I grew to like them all. Lots of meat here to chew on. I will not describe the twisted plot except to say that it is like a map of the Mississippi drainage…tendrils coming in from all directions and merging to make a hell of a story. Enjoy!

[Kressa Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm honestly not one of those people who reads a book at one sitting as I get too distracted but this book held me and I literally could not stop. This never happens! It is riveting. Only problem is once you are done, you are done. You know how you see a movie and then wish you had not seen it, so you could watch it again? That is what the Ambulance Chaser was for me. So freaking good. I have it packed for my beach trip next week to read again sitting on the beach and I'm already looking forward to it.

[David Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold your breath

Much like the work of David Baldachi and Don Winslow, Brian Cuban takes you on a wild ride with unexpected twists and turns, leading to an unexpected conclusion. The characters jump off the page and into your mind as they develop deep back stories and complex personalities. I read the last half of the book in one sitting because I just had to know what happened.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I have read Brian’s nonfiction books and really appreciated how easily they read and the flow of the language. This book is no different. It’s a quick read that I finished in a day and a half. The storyline keeps you invested, and I loved all of the Pittsburgh”ese” and the nods to the great city! I hope Brian continues to write more fiction!