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Jake Lassiter #4
Mortal Sin
Jake Lassiter has a dangerous conflict of interest. He's sleeping with Nicky Florio's wife...and defending the mob-connected millionaire in court. Florio has hatched a scheme deep in the Florida Everglades that oozes corruption, blood, and money. One false move, and Jake will be gator bait.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1994
2991 people are currently reading
771 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 105 reviews
July 28, 2024
Very good installment in the Jake Lassiter series. It's one of the better ones of those I have read thus far.
August 23, 2018
The fourth in Paul Levine‘s Jake Lassiter series is a decent enough book if one suspends credulity and goes along for the ride.
This was my first book by this author and he obviously has a following with this series featuring ex-football player turned lawyer, Jake Lassiter. The story begins well and the first half of the book is mostly a courtroom drama. It is the second half of the book that poses a problem for me. Credulity stretched to its limit, Lassiter becomes less a lawyer and more a hapless protagonist embroiled in a series of increasingly unbelievable and dangerous situations, yet somehow manages to stay alive.
The main bad guy, Nikki Florio, whom Lassiter has represented in court, has a master plan that is uncovered by the otherwise unwitting Lassiter. Florio, along with the other characters, is unidimensional and intent on setting up Lassiter as his fall guy, while he nears the finale of his big scheme. He’s as crooked as Bernie Madoff and has most everyone in his pocket, but we can rest assured that Lassiter will prevail against enormous odds.
The second half of the book is mostly a thriller styled story with a rather clumsy hero in Lassiter. Levine makes him a bit too wise- cracking and nonchalant in the face of his troubles— as if he is trying just a tad too hard to make this character seem cool. It just fell flat for me and I had trouble caring about him, particularly as he continues his on & off again affair with the beautiful but completely self-serving Gina, Florio’s wife. Yep, the lawyer is having sex with his client’s wife, whom he used to date before she became Mrs. Florio. Oh my, how daring.
Anyway, the various scenes involving Jake and Gina, or Jake and any number of bad guys, become fairly predictable. The writing is done well and the pace picks up the further you read into the book. It’s an entertaining story, but for me anyway, one that failed to entice into reading any more of this series.
This was my first book by this author and he obviously has a following with this series featuring ex-football player turned lawyer, Jake Lassiter. The story begins well and the first half of the book is mostly a courtroom drama. It is the second half of the book that poses a problem for me. Credulity stretched to its limit, Lassiter becomes less a lawyer and more a hapless protagonist embroiled in a series of increasingly unbelievable and dangerous situations, yet somehow manages to stay alive.
The main bad guy, Nikki Florio, whom Lassiter has represented in court, has a master plan that is uncovered by the otherwise unwitting Lassiter. Florio, along with the other characters, is unidimensional and intent on setting up Lassiter as his fall guy, while he nears the finale of his big scheme. He’s as crooked as Bernie Madoff and has most everyone in his pocket, but we can rest assured that Lassiter will prevail against enormous odds.
The second half of the book is mostly a thriller styled story with a rather clumsy hero in Lassiter. Levine makes him a bit too wise- cracking and nonchalant in the face of his troubles— as if he is trying just a tad too hard to make this character seem cool. It just fell flat for me and I had trouble caring about him, particularly as he continues his on & off again affair with the beautiful but completely self-serving Gina, Florio’s wife. Yep, the lawyer is having sex with his client’s wife, whom he used to date before she became Mrs. Florio. Oh my, how daring.
Anyway, the various scenes involving Jake and Gina, or Jake and any number of bad guys, become fairly predictable. The writing is done well and the pace picks up the further you read into the book. It’s an entertaining story, but for me anyway, one that failed to entice into reading any more of this series.
March 5, 2019
Jake, Jake, Jake. How does he get himself into these scrapes in the first place. His choice in women is questionable at best and if I was him I would swear off them FOREVER! His hapless luck in the relationship department only continues as Jake crosses one of his own lines.
Lassiter represents "the bad guy" in this book as a favour to the one woman he has ever loved, Nikki Florio's wife. Nikki Florio however has his own agenda and as the book progresses has his sights set firmly on Jake. Nikki Florio's reach is far reaching and it looks extremely bad for our man, Jake.
The plot was decently paced and his relationship with Florio's wife was cringy at best and the love-sick look on Jake was not endearing. However, the thriller side was engaging, the murder scenes seem to be getting gorier, but none the less, I still enjoyed it.
Lassiter represents "the bad guy" in this book as a favour to the one woman he has ever loved, Nikki Florio's wife. Nikki Florio however has his own agenda and as the book progresses has his sights set firmly on Jake. Nikki Florio's reach is far reaching and it looks extremely bad for our man, Jake.
The plot was decently paced and his relationship with Florio's wife was cringy at best and the love-sick look on Jake was not endearing. However, the thriller side was engaging, the murder scenes seem to be getting gorier, but none the less, I still enjoyed it.
April 2, 2015
I don't think anyone could get into as much trouble as this guy did by trying to do the right thing. It was one thing after another.
July 8, 2018
Dumb luck?
Pretty good book. I shook my head a lot. He's really smart, or really lucky. Impulsive, brash, and semi upstanding guy ( he's a lawyer ). He's determined to right the wrongs he encounters, while skirting the law himself. Dangerous characters and a fickle flighty female, round out the main cast.
Pretty good book. I shook my head a lot. He's really smart, or really lucky. Impulsive, brash, and semi upstanding guy ( he's a lawyer ). He's determined to right the wrongs he encounters, while skirting the law himself. Dangerous characters and a fickle flighty female, round out the main cast.
April 4, 2019
Jake Takes the Heat
Jake continues his on and off relationship with Gina, but now she is married to a mobster. He represents the mobster in a wrongful death lawsuit and wins. This leads him into a relationship with the guy that quickly results in him becoming a running felon. The characters are very well-defined, and add to the value of the story. After unbelievable danger, Jake manages to land on his feet. Exciting, humorous and suspenseful, everything I enjoy in a story.
Jake continues his on and off relationship with Gina, but now she is married to a mobster. He represents the mobster in a wrongful death lawsuit and wins. This leads him into a relationship with the guy that quickly results in him becoming a running felon. The characters are very well-defined, and add to the value of the story. After unbelievable danger, Jake manages to land on his feet. Exciting, humorous and suspenseful, everything I enjoy in a story.
March 22, 2020
A legal thriller which gets dangerous for Jake Lassiter and goes well beyond a courtroom narrative. Lassiter and his group of friends and ex-clients provide a great support group.
January 14, 2017
The fourth book in author Paul Levine's Jake Lassiter series, "Mortal Sin", was a solidly built thriller with a plot that turns the tables of justice on it's protagonist. Jake is forced to represent gangster Nicky Florio in a wrongful death case. Jake doesn't get much choice since he's sleeping with his client's wife Gina. Florio is being sued by the wife of Peter Tupton, an environmental activist and agitator. Tupton was found dead after several hours from exposure in Florio's wine cellar with a BAC of .31. Tupton had been invited to this huge party at Florio;'s house so that Nicky could bribe him. Nicky made sure Tupton stayed well boozed up as party went on. Tupton was going after Florio to try and stop him from building a housing project, and golf course in the Everglades. The Everglades is under assault from developers who with their construction projects are harming the environment at an alarming rate. After winning the suit, Jake ends up being suspended because in a previous case he had secretly taped his client without knowledge or disclosure to the client. Thinking he has a free 90 days to bum around Jake doesn't realize the minefield of catastrophes he's walking through maintaining a relationship with Gina Florio. In an excellent fast paced read, "Mortal Sin", Lassiter becomes the client as he must deal with the ruthless Nicky Florio. For Jake he's trapped inside a twisting and turning plot that deals with Native American land rights, cold blooded killers, prosecutors on the take, and an evil woman who does what she must to get what she wants. Coming in at a very compact 306 pages, this yarn cooks from page one on. Author Paul Levine's Jake Lassiter series is top notch. I've read four of his Lassiter's so far and really enjoyed them all. Some of Levine's supporting characters are crazy unique,(Jim Tiger, Rick Gondolier, Guillermo Diaz, and of course retired M.E. Charlie Riggs). Giving, "Mortal Sin", four stars out of a possible five stars. It did throw me for a loop when the conclusion just came up like a brick wall just over 300 pages. So grab a cold Grolsch if you got 'em, and sit back and really enjoy a really good book.
October 24, 2012
A fun and funky Florida thrill-ride, with a plot that will keep you guessing until the end.
The sheepish anti-hero of this and other Paul Levine novels is ex-NFL player turned Miami lawyer Jake Lassiter. As the book opens, he's defending slick real estate developer Nicky Florio in a civil suit over the highly unusual death of the environmentalist who was opposing his latest project on Indian land in the Everglades.
Lassiter is no Boy Scout -- he's sleeping with Florio's wife, an old bed-mate of his from back when he played for the Dolphins, and he's facing discipline from the Florida Bar for an ethically tricky stunt he pulled to stop another client from killing a witness. Despite his doubts about Florio's innocence, he wins the case -- but then finds himself getting pulled into a far deeper morass than he expected.
That's how Levine fools the readers. You start off thinking it's going to be a courtroom thriller but halfway through he shifts gears and turns it into a noir story worthy of James M. Cain.
Levine is a witty and graceful writer, and his depiction of South Florida corruption and Everglades issues are all dead on. I'd give this book five stars if it weren't for a bizarre manatee-related incident that stretches the bounds of believability beyond the breaking point.
This is the second Lassiter book I've read and both have been full of great lines and funny gags as well as nice depictions of Florida's natural and epicurean glories. I'm definitely going to track down the rest of them now.
The sheepish anti-hero of this and other Paul Levine novels is ex-NFL player turned Miami lawyer Jake Lassiter. As the book opens, he's defending slick real estate developer Nicky Florio in a civil suit over the highly unusual death of the environmentalist who was opposing his latest project on Indian land in the Everglades.
Lassiter is no Boy Scout -- he's sleeping with Florio's wife, an old bed-mate of his from back when he played for the Dolphins, and he's facing discipline from the Florida Bar for an ethically tricky stunt he pulled to stop another client from killing a witness. Despite his doubts about Florio's innocence, he wins the case -- but then finds himself getting pulled into a far deeper morass than he expected.
That's how Levine fools the readers. You start off thinking it's going to be a courtroom thriller but halfway through he shifts gears and turns it into a noir story worthy of James M. Cain.
Levine is a witty and graceful writer, and his depiction of South Florida corruption and Everglades issues are all dead on. I'd give this book five stars if it weren't for a bizarre manatee-related incident that stretches the bounds of believability beyond the breaking point.
This is the second Lassiter book I've read and both have been full of great lines and funny gags as well as nice depictions of Florida's natural and epicurean glories. I'm definitely going to track down the rest of them now.
June 14, 2011
I haven't read the previous books in the series but there was no need for me to read them before reading this book. It is good, the characters are likeable and the story does get a little intense at times but I would not stop working through the stack of books I have to go back and read more in this series. I am thinking I may read them in the future but there are no concrete plans as of yet. I would recommend this book to those who like Harlan Coben but know this: going from Coben's Myron Bolitar novels to Levine's novels is like switching from regular coffee to decaf. You still have something to drink (read) but in the end you are not twitching from the caffeine (story).
September 19, 2015
Caution (Someone Should Have Warned Jake)
Lassiter misbehaves himself into a lot of very dangerous trouble this time. An old flame reappears and Jake leaves caution and good sense behind. It leads him into a nightmare of murders and even more dangerous lies. This story is a bloody mess. But there is more at stake than a couple (or five) human lives. The future of the Everglades hangs in the balance of a County Water Commission decision...and they don't even know it. Be careful what you wish for, you may have to die for it,... or kill someone for it,...or live to see someone (or a few people) trying to kill you for it. Be careful.
K Agle
Lassiter misbehaves himself into a lot of very dangerous trouble this time. An old flame reappears and Jake leaves caution and good sense behind. It leads him into a nightmare of murders and even more dangerous lies. This story is a bloody mess. But there is more at stake than a couple (or five) human lives. The future of the Everglades hangs in the balance of a County Water Commission decision...and they don't even know it. Be careful what you wish for, you may have to die for it,... or kill someone for it,...or live to see someone (or a few people) trying to kill you for it. Be careful.
K Agle
February 15, 2016
I feel as if this book was a faster read than others in the series, but maybe it was just me. You can't help but feel badly for Jake, our protagonist, but you also want to hit him upside the head. I'm sure Charlie Riggs would agree. Entertaining for sure and I will keep reading the series.
For those readers who are giving low ratings, I want to remind people this is FICTION. It's for entertainment purposes. We're talking about legal and police procedure as well as Florida history that not a lot of people know about - there's always something interesting to learn in Levine's books. So sit back and enjoy some fiction and stop kvetching.
For those readers who are giving low ratings, I want to remind people this is FICTION. It's for entertainment purposes. We're talking about legal and police procedure as well as Florida history that not a lot of people know about - there's always something interesting to learn in Levine's books. So sit back and enjoy some fiction and stop kvetching.
September 9, 2016
Cashing In
This is a story in the style of Dashill Hammett. The imperfect hero. The beautiful dame with her own tragic flaws. An immoral villain with no redeeming attributes. A cast of self serving nefarious characters in the crazy South Florida setting. Throw in some lovable eccentric faithful to the hero characters, and you have the makings of a modern day potboiler. Not a bad read, but I doubt I will read his other stories. It was a bit too formulaic for my taste
This is a story in the style of Dashill Hammett. The imperfect hero. The beautiful dame with her own tragic flaws. An immoral villain with no redeeming attributes. A cast of self serving nefarious characters in the crazy South Florida setting. Throw in some lovable eccentric faithful to the hero characters, and you have the makings of a modern day potboiler. Not a bad read, but I doubt I will read his other stories. It was a bit too formulaic for my taste
August 23, 2022
I'm now quite into Jake Lassiter, so thoroughly enjoyed this. Yes, it's a fairly preposterous plot but it's fast and furious. Levine occasionally overdoes the eco message, almost as if he's in direct competition with Carl Hiaasen, but it's a minor quibble and doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment. A good, undemanding light read.
July 12, 2015
Another Good Lassiter Book
I seem to never tire of the exploits of Jake Lassiter, Esq. Some stories are better than others but they're all good reading. MORTAL SIN has lots of action and intrigue. It will keep you guessing about the final outcome.
I seem to never tire of the exploits of Jake Lassiter, Esq. Some stories are better than others but they're all good reading. MORTAL SIN has lots of action and intrigue. It will keep you guessing about the final outcome.
July 21, 2020
Fantastic read. Great insight to south Florida. A twisty mystery.
July 19, 2020
This adventure story features Jake Lassiter, lawyer and amateur sleuth, who represents a shifty businessman in a wrongful death lawsuit. After the trial concludes, Lassiter decides to investigate the death more closely, leading to other murders and chases through the Everglades. This is the third or fourth Paul Levine book I've read, and none get me particularly excited. The narrative drags as the dramatic tension oscillates between second and third gear, never reaching higher. Jake is an adequate hero, but there is little depth or quirkiness to his character, and the supporting cast adds little. The humor is cutesy, with multiple references to t-shirts bearing somewhat naughty slogans (apparently, a common theme in Levine books). One thing I hated is that Lassiter is held at gunpoint several times but never killed - the bad guys talk and talk, revealing all, until Jake is able to escape. The dialogue is ok, there isn't really any mystery to solve, and the legal scenes are undramatic.
July 14, 2018
Jake Lassiter and Mickey Haller should become law partners. Their personalities would suit each other. I read #9 in the Lassiter series first, but they don't have to be read in order to appreciate them, so why not follow #9 with #4? In this one, our ex-jock, night-school-educated lawyer who operates at the edge of the law, sleeps with his client's wife, watches as his client directs his minions to machete his partner to death and feed the parts to alligators, gets framed for the murder, is running from the police, nearly gets killed on multiple occasions, and saves the Everglades and Miconapy Indians from oil exploitation. Fun stuff and high adventure.
August 14, 2018
Recycled Characters and Plot
This book can't decide if it wants to be noir ala Philip Marlowe or an environmental treatise. Initially the plot was interesting but it just went awry with long rambling pages of Everglades flora and fauna descriptions. Eventually my interest waned along with my tolerance The characters lack any originality. You've seen all of them in films of the past: the tough, failed athlete detective, the Italian gangster, the beautiful unfaithful wife etc etc.
Total lack of originality.
In its favor is the idea of environmental protection and preservation of the Everglades, including Indian rights. That's the best I can say.
Total bore.
This book can't decide if it wants to be noir ala Philip Marlowe or an environmental treatise. Initially the plot was interesting but it just went awry with long rambling pages of Everglades flora and fauna descriptions. Eventually my interest waned along with my tolerance The characters lack any originality. You've seen all of them in films of the past: the tough, failed athlete detective, the Italian gangster, the beautiful unfaithful wife etc etc.
Total lack of originality.
In its favor is the idea of environmental protection and preservation of the Everglades, including Indian rights. That's the best I can say.
Total bore.
July 8, 2017
Ex NFL Football player turned Lawyer, Jake Lassiter, is back in the courtroom and in the Florida swamps for another case with trouble. This is the 4th in the Lassiter series. He is smart and funny. He uses a lot of self-depreciating humor which I personally love. One of my favorite Lawyer series.
Sample:
“Do you do so freely, knowingly, and voluntarily?” Faircloth asked in the typical Lawyer’s fashion of using three words when one will suffice.
“Affirmative, yessir, and friggin’ A” I answered. One of these days my sarcasm was going to get me in trouble. Maybe this was the day.
Sample:
“Do you do so freely, knowingly, and voluntarily?” Faircloth asked in the typical Lawyer’s fashion of using three words when one will suffice.
“Affirmative, yessir, and friggin’ A” I answered. One of these days my sarcasm was going to get me in trouble. Maybe this was the day.
June 29, 2018
MORTAL SIN was,an AWESOME READ!!
Love reading Jake Lassiter books!! As a born and raised, South Floridian, pretty much most of the locations are familiar!
Jake is the lawyer for a man, accused of letting a guest overdrink at his party, and the man winds up dead. Also, Jake sleeps with the Client's wife. She's an Ex of Jake's that he can't stay away from. A definate non-stop read! Murder abounds amid numerous South Florida!!
Love reading Jake Lassiter books!! As a born and raised, South Floridian, pretty much most of the locations are familiar!
Jake is the lawyer for a man, accused of letting a guest overdrink at his party, and the man winds up dead. Also, Jake sleeps with the Client's wife. She's an Ex of Jake's that he can't stay away from. A definate non-stop read! Murder abounds amid numerous South Florida!!
July 4, 2018
Good Read
Not a typical lawyer book. There were many twists and turns which compelled me to not put the book down for fear I would miss something important. It was loaded with suspense. Good character development and a story that flowed seamlessly. It wasn't until the second half of the book that the case went to trial. I thought the book was over until I saw how much time was left. Well Worth reading!I
Not a typical lawyer book. There were many twists and turns which compelled me to not put the book down for fear I would miss something important. It was loaded with suspense. Good character development and a story that flowed seamlessly. It wasn't until the second half of the book that the case went to trial. I thought the book was over until I saw how much time was left. Well Worth reading!I
August 8, 2018
Surreal
Some of the story is over the top but for the most part the story is a typical Jake Lassiter plot. The mystery is still in the story buried with Jake's never ending sarcasm. If you can ignore Jake's wit I believe you'll enjoy the story. I don't think I could read back-to-back Jake Lassiter narratives though. Still a five star to me for a Paul Levine novel. Mr. Levine has a good emagination. Enjoy.
Some of the story is over the top but for the most part the story is a typical Jake Lassiter plot. The mystery is still in the story buried with Jake's never ending sarcasm. If you can ignore Jake's wit I believe you'll enjoy the story. I don't think I could read back-to-back Jake Lassiter narratives though. Still a five star to me for a Paul Levine novel. Mr. Levine has a good emagination. Enjoy.
July 1, 2021
Little too much action for me
I like the character of Jake Lassiter, and of course the support characters of Charlie and Granny. And I do like the puzzles to figure out. But there is a bit more action than I care for. Jake riding the manatee was a bit much for me. I like more of the investigative side of legal thrillers. If you want movie-script-action like stories, this is for you. I will continue with the series though.
I like the character of Jake Lassiter, and of course the support characters of Charlie and Granny. And I do like the puzzles to figure out. But there is a bit more action than I care for. Jake riding the manatee was a bit much for me. I like more of the investigative side of legal thrillers. If you want movie-script-action like stories, this is for you. I will continue with the series though.
November 3, 2025
I own
This book, Jake Lassiter moves from being a so so lawyer to crime fighter. Although he does this at his own peril. This was the second half of the book and seemed more like a crime gangster book and less like a lawyer book. Maybe the author is trying to change the main character's role in life? It seemed far fetched.
I probably said this last time, but one more try with this author to get back to basics else I'm going to stop reading these.
This book, Jake Lassiter moves from being a so so lawyer to crime fighter. Although he does this at his own peril. This was the second half of the book and seemed more like a crime gangster book and less like a lawyer book. Maybe the author is trying to change the main character's role in life? It seemed far fetched.
I probably said this last time, but one more try with this author to get back to basics else I'm going to stop reading these.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2018
Fast paced, humorous and overall a fun read once your have suspended reality from your thinking!
No one person could be so lucky and unlucky at the same time; nor could they be so very clever and dumb as dirt the next!
All the characters were well drawn, the action exciting so overall a good read though I doubt I’ll read more in the series.
No one person could be so lucky and unlucky at the same time; nor could they be so very clever and dumb as dirt the next!
All the characters were well drawn, the action exciting so overall a good read though I doubt I’ll read more in the series.
September 25, 2018
Involved
This ebook kind of went from had to worse for the main character. Had a slow start, but after a bit got her and better. The last quarter of the book was hard to put down. I feel the ending was a tad focus abrupt. Over all it was a good book. Hard to believe one person could have that much bad luck. 👍
This ebook kind of went from had to worse for the main character. Had a slow start, but after a bit got her and better. The last quarter of the book was hard to put down. I feel the ending was a tad focus abrupt. Over all it was a good book. Hard to believe one person could have that much bad luck. 👍
September 28, 2018
Some good laughs with some clever writing. Makes good fun of the legal profession. The story was a bit far fetched and the thriller ending not very believable but most of the book was cleverly presented.
Some of the violence was over-the-top and would be too much for many readers. Lots of good laugh comments about the living and "goings-on" in Florida!
Some of the violence was over-the-top and would be too much for many readers. Lots of good laugh comments about the living and "goings-on" in Florida!
November 15, 2018
After reading several books in this series, it was wonderful to read the first book. The author fleshed out the main character in detail and made him a believably flawed lawyer. The plot had several twists that kept the reader hooked throughout. Set in the Everglades and including courtroom scenes, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
April 9, 2020
As usual, humor mixed with a good deal of thrills. A superb read. I would recommend it to anyone who asks. An enjoyable read in this period or retirement coupled with the advice for the elderly to stay at home due to this Pandemic of Covid-19. However irrespective of this I truly enjoy reading Paul Levine's novels. Keep them coming, Paul.
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