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NUMBER 1 BESTSELLER FROM EDGAR NOMINEE PAUL LEVINE

"One part John Grisham, two parts Carl Hiaasen." - Tulsa World

"A thriller as fast as the wind." - Tampa Tribune

Jake Lassiter chases a beautiful woman and stolen bonds from Miami to Maui, where in an explosive finale, he learns lessons never taught on the football field or in the courtroom.  If you enjoy John Grisham, Harlan Coben, Carl Hiaasen, and James Patterson, you'll love "Riptide" from Paul Levine, winner of the John D. MacDonald fiction award.  Levine has also been nominated for the Edgar, Macavity, International Thriller, and James Thurber prizes. A former trial lawyer, he wrote more than 20 episodes of the CBS military drama "JAG."

WHAT'S THE VERDICT ON THE JAKE LASSITER THRILLERS?

"Genuinely clever, great fun." - New York Times Book Review

"Mystery writing at its very, very best." - Larry King, USA TODAY

"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

"Cracking good action-mystery...funny, sardonic, and fast-paced." - Detroit Free Press

MORE JAKE LASSITER THRILLERS

TO SPEAK FOR THE DEAD: Jake begins to believe that his surgeon client is innocent of malpractice...but guilty of murder.

NIGHT VISION: Someone is murdering women on an Internet sex chat site, and Jake becomes a special prosecutor to hunt down the serial killer.

FALSE DAWN: After his client confesses to a murder he didn't commit, Jake follows a bloody trail from Miami to Havana to discover the truth.

MORTAL SIN: Talk about conflicts of interest. Jake is sleeping with Gina Florio and defending her mob-connected husband in court.

FOOL ME TWICE: To clear his name in a murder investigation, Jake follows a trail of evidence that leads from Miami to buried treasure in the abandoned silver mines of Aspen, Colorado.

FLESH AND BONES: Jake falls for his beautiful client even though he doubts her story. She claims to have recovered "repressed memories" of abuse...just before gunning down her father.

LASSITER: Jake retraces the steps of a model who went missing 18 years earlier...after his one-night stand with her.

More info at paul-levine.com

361 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 1995

1546 people are currently reading
461 people want to read

About the author

Paul Levine

86 books556 followers
The 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

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5 stars
611 (33%)
4 stars
716 (39%)
3 stars
367 (20%)
2 stars
89 (4%)
1 star
32 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for Henry.
850 reviews70 followers
August 14, 2024
One of the better Jake Lassiter books. A lot of action, good plotting and very interesting characters.
Profile Image for Craig Pittman.
Author 12 books213 followers
October 3, 2013
I raced through this book -- not because I was eager to see what happens next, the way I usually am with a Paul Levine book. No, I was eager to finish this stinker and move on to another book. What a disappointment!

I've read several of Levine's other books -- both the ones about Miami linebacker-turned-lawyer Jake Lassiter and the ones about bickering legal eagles turned lovers Solomon & Lord -- and they all have been delightfully wacky and wild, with plots that are hard to predict. Levine, a former reporter turned South Florida attorney, had apparently stockpiled a huge collection of hilarious anecdotes and observations about his old professions and trotted them all out in the course of telling the other stories.

But not in this book. "Slashback" lacks the fun and sly wit of the other novels. Lassiter seems dull and disengaged through most of the book, and there's little interaction with his usual gang of sharp-tongued supporters (Doc Riggs, Grandma Lassiter etc.)

Part of the problem, too, is that Levine abandons the first-person narration that has served him well in the other books in favor of a third-person voice that puts the reader at more of a distance from the action and emotions. Part of the problem too is that about halfway through the book, the action moves to Bimini and then to Hawaii, so there's no chance for the usual Levine witticisms about South Florida life. And while Levine includes a number of nice action sequences, there's only one courtroom scene and it's over within a couple of pages. The worst part, though, is that there's not much of a mystery at the heart of his plot. Anyone who has read other thrillers can predict what's going to happen next, and figure out who the bad guys are.

Levine has a new Lassiter novel out now. I sure do hope it's more like the other books of his that I've read, and not at all like this one.

Profile Image for Mike French.
430 reviews109 followers
September 10, 2014
Very enjoyable read! Paul Levine has done it again writing a fast-paced Lassiter novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!
Profile Image for Dee.
2,654 reviews18 followers
February 3, 2018
Two-haiku review:

Client's bonds stolen
Jake running sailboading race
Two plots connected

Lots of violence
Jake's idealism shows
People aren't worth it
Profile Image for David Highton.
3,694 reviews30 followers
May 1, 2020
Not as good as some of the earlier Lassiter books, a lot of violence and not much legal action
Profile Image for Linda.
746 reviews18 followers
June 5, 2021
Kind of an average-ish Lassiter story this time around. There wasn't much legal, in-courthouse like I like, but it had plenty to keep me occupied. What was jarring, and what preventing me from really embracing it, was reading perspectives from other characters. I don't remember that ever being a thing in the previous entries, but if they were, they were more tastefully done. I don't like NOT reading from Lassiter's perspective, so reading from other character angles was somewhat a hindrance this go around. Fortunately, Lassiter is still the dominant storyteller.

Honestly, it was mostly just a whole bunch of Lassiter running around trying to get to the bottom of stolen bonds that belonged to his friend. Of course along the way, he gets caught up in multiple pickles and unfortunate situations. There's plenty of thrilling moments and drama and violence, most of which were super exciting and total page-turners. There's some shocking bits, some character losses that were quite tragic and sad. The story is of course as well-written as the others with snarky Jake being my favorite, as well as Charlie.

But, I simply am obligated to mention that on top of Jake's usual troubling antics, he's also running around after yet another woman, who--as is pattern in these Lassiter books--is seemingly there to muck things up. I'm convinced he will never catch a break with the females he meets in these stories. Each lady somehow always seems worse than the previous one in some type of capacity, and Lassiter usually is none the wiser because, you know..."Sex. Good." He has such a caveman mentality in response to women, it's just so meh. I mean, the one shining point in this particular entry is that he is seemingly starting to recognize his desire for permanent companionship in his life, but that's still only half the battle in his world. He's just gotta stop, stop, STOP with getting carried away with these obviously shady, flippant women and make smarter choices. *groan*

But no matter. I'm still carrying on in these books. I can't get enough of them...
Profile Image for Donna ~ The Romance Cover.
2,907 reviews323 followers
February 27, 2019
I have absolutely loved this series but I really struggled with this book. For some reason Paul Levine switches from first person to third person in this book and it just didn't work. Having had four books in first person you become connected to the characters, Jake Lassiter and the secondaries. Having them now talk about themselves in the third person totally disconnected them.

There was hardly any courtroom drama in this one. Jake's continual crap luck with his choice of women continues but to be honest, I wouldn't have him any other way. It sure makes for some good reading.
Profile Image for Tulay.
1,202 reviews2 followers
January 19, 2015
Good thriller series.

Jack Lassiter didn't use his head, mistakes beauty for purity, he didn't use his head. Killings, money, but learned about a plant and read about it. This was the third book in these series, enjoyed the others more.
Profile Image for Sandy Schmidt.
1,401 reviews11 followers
October 17, 2025
Jake is a lawyer in Miami. He is also managing a wind surfing event which has brought in the Hawaiian star Keaka Kealia. A second theme his is asked by his friend, an 86-year-old friend, Sam Kozdoy, to find who stole over a million dollars in bearer bonds. A third involves his former law partner and friend, Berto Zaldivar, who became a drug dealer, then an informant, then dead. As filler we have his standing and interactions with clients. The seemingly unrelated three events come together in an exciting story that takes Jake to Hawaii, an affair of the heart, and deadly events.
Profile Image for Zak.
131 reviews2 followers
June 20, 2018
I read 5 of Jake Lassiter series or shoulders I say tried to read because I like legal thriller ever since John Grisham made me a fan of his but this is the crappiest series I have ever read, i mean it's okay when it stays within courtroom or around the case but all that macho crap, chasing skirts,screwing friends and clients' wives and also all of the books should have been a lot shorter...not even deserve that one star I gave it..
285 reviews
June 25, 2020
This thriller is action packed with many different settings

Jake appears to be going through a major career crisis while attempting to help a client turned grandfatherly friend. Jake's life is spinning out of control and he just cannot seem to pull it together. Will he ever get it back on track or was it ever on track?
8 reviews
February 20, 2023
not the best of Levine’s Jake Lassiter series. I’m totally hooked on both Lassiter and Solomon and Lotd bbut this book as I said was not the best of the ones I’ve read so far. too much detail about board sailing in it.

Not the best of the Jake Lassiter series. Too much detail about board sailing. But I’m totally hooked on Lassiter, Solomon And Lord.
390 reviews2 followers
October 12, 2019
This novel was more action/adventure than legal thriller, as Jake chased after "the bonds and the blonde." The characters were developed nicely and the plot moved quickly, making this an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Jim.
1,108 reviews17 followers
September 30, 2020
2015 Edition. Originally published in 1995, this tale is very dated. Ridiculous plot has protagonist running around jungle of Hawaii amidst murder and mayhem. Just plain silly at times. Fifth book in series gives me serious pause to go read sixth.
Profile Image for Karen Devine.
683 reviews2 followers
February 16, 2022
Death?!?!

Poor Jake, when you think he finds love, it can't exist with Lila. I loved the characters and their stories and interactions. The writing was outstanding and kept me intrigued from the beginning. On to the next book!
258 reviews2 followers
March 6, 2022
Riptide

Bonds are stolen and Jake is tasked with finding them. There is a windsurfing race that Jake is in charge of. Windsurfers from Hawaii are also participating. And suddenly the two events merge with Jake in the middle.
200 reviews
February 3, 2023
Incredible Unbelievable story

Paul deviates from his normal routine. He writes a book about how people relate to each other. Then goes to fantasy land to create a story of unbelievable people. Frankly I didn’t like the far fetched people who betrayed him
119 reviews1 follower
September 7, 2023
Windsurfing, theft and murder

This book packs a lot into it. Theft of millions in municipal bonds, beach bunnies, windsurfing contests, beautiful women, love, moral decisions, crooked cops, and, of course, Jake Lassiter.
259 reviews
July 9, 2017
Disappointing book. However, on Amazon in one review it says this was his first book and was "fitted in" as a fifth book. Not up to the first four.
259 reviews
September 3, 2017
Not nearly as good as the others. I think I read somewhere this was a first book of his.
Profile Image for Sandy.
1,394 reviews6 followers
June 24, 2020
A different format. No trials, just lots of detecting and lots of death.
394 reviews
April 2, 2021
Lassiter on steroids

He finds the loot, finds the girl and loses her and the loot! An everyday hero like Ben porter in three books, the latest being subversive addiction.
120 reviews
September 11, 2021
My first Paul Levine book. Are you kidding me? So freaking unbelievable. And kept getting more so at the end. Maybe I just picked the wrong book to start the Lassiter series.
105 reviews
July 25, 2022
Lila

Not his best but still was an enjoyable read. Paul does a great job with Lassiter. The stories always hold your interest.
6 reviews
December 31, 2022
Worth the wait.

Slow to start but an ending that is "Worth the wait". I hope the next offering is half as good...
Profile Image for Bette Hansen.
5,073 reviews40 followers
May 26, 2023
Disappointing

This book is all over the place. Characters hard to get to know, storyline difficult to follow. Not the usual type of story in this series.
Profile Image for Robin.
1,386 reviews7 followers
January 3, 2012
This may be a strange thing to take away from this book, but as I was reading, I was repeatedly struck with the breadth of knowledge that the author displays. He knows about lawyering and football, sure, but he also knows about windboarding and weather and geologic history, and you can tell from the words that he uses that he understand how things are built and how they come apart -- structures and people. And his Latin doesn't suck.

It's a smart guy writing these books, about another smart guy who lets his heart drag him down into being a dumb guy because Jake Lassiter has seriously terrible taste in women. It's too bad, because he's almost exactly the guy I would pick for my sister to marry if I were queen of the world for a day. He would be a great catch, because he is loyal to the uttermost; you can try to pitch him off a cliff, and he'll try to see the good side of that, bless his heart.

And he makes for a good read because you can sit there hoping he will figure it out, hoping that maybe you got it wrong, and she didn't really do that horrible thing that is breaking his heart. And you get all this without the book getting all touchy feely; I hate that! It's a plainly told story of a guy with a heart of gold that makes the girls want to rip it out of his chest.
Profile Image for Nancy Silk.
Author 5 books83 followers
October 27, 2015
"A Rip Roaring Thriller"

This is a fantastic, fast-paced thriller. It's a well-written story about Samuel Kazdoy, who once owned Corrugated Container Corp., founded in the 1920s. He's old but he still a workaholic. Violet Belfrey, a busty woman of undetermined age poses nude for Samuel as he has now a new camera. She had once been a stripper in Jacksonville, Florida. For her little performance, the old man gifts her the contents of one locked drawer of a file cabinet. It consists of bundles of legal papers and 'coupons,' redeemable the first of every month at any bank. Violet wonders what the heck she stuffed into her bag. It's a lot of money and she guesses there are more coupons in the other cabinet drawers. She and a friend plan to find out. Jake Lassiter is Sam Kazdoy's attorney, and he suspects Violet is up to some tricks involving Sam. He's right, and soon Lassiter will be tracking a killer from Miami to Bimini, then on to Maui. This is another thriller which is gripping and captivating. No one can entertain you better than Paul Levine's famous ... no, infamous character, Jake Lassiter. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

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