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Jake Lassiter #1
To Speak for the Dead
A doctor in love with his patient's wife...
A fatal mistake during surgery...
Accident? Malpractice? Or murder?
Defending a surgeon in a malpractice case, Jake Lassiter begins to suspect that his client is innocent of negligence...but guilty of murder. Add a sexy widow, a deadly drug, and a grave robbery to the stew, and you have the recipe for Miami's trial of the century.
"To Speak for the Dead" introduced the world to Jake Lassiter, the linebacker-turned-lawyer with a hard bark and a tender heart. An international bestseller, Paul Levine's debut novel was named by the Los Angeles Times as one of the best mysteries of the year.
If you enjoy the suspense and thrills of John Grisham, Harlan Coben, Carl Hiaasen, and James Patterson, you'll love "To Speak for the Dead" from Paul Levine.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 1990
4334 people are currently reading
2102 people want to read
About the author
Paul Levine
86 books556 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 268 reviews
January 27, 2025
This was a very easy & enjoyable read, which was just what I needed for the moment. A 1990 debut by a Miami trial lawyer and teacher at the University of Miami Law School. I appreciate some humor in suspense novels and there definitely was humor, along with some interesting characters that I suspect will be regulars in this series. I wasn't sure where this was going after the first chapter that was set in a strip club, and the second in the courtroom during a malpractice case. But it comes together in a web of sex, greed, deceit, and murder. There is one scene towards the end, that I thought "now where did the author come up with that way of killing someone?"
Jake Lassiter takes on the malpractice suit against orthopedic surgeon Roger Salisbury filed by the widow of one of his patients. As the case is coming to a close, Jake is contacted by the decedent's adult daughter who claims that Dr. Salisbury & the widow were in cahoots together to kill her father. And she says she has evidence to support her claim. After to speaking to his friend Charlie Riggs, a retired coroner, they decide to look further into her claim. To start, they need to exhume the body.
Jake "you want to exhume Corrigan's body?" (Charlie) "You'd be surprised at how well embalming preserves tissues. Might be hard to find needle tracks, though. The skin will be moldy, and if he's buried in damp ground, it's probably turned to adipocere, a sort of waxy gunk. And he isn't going to smell like Chanel No. 5." ...." Well how about it, Jake. You ready to rob graves? ....
"Good boy, let's get to it. The grave is silent, magus, mutus quam piscis, but you and I, Jake, we can speak for the dead.
And from there it becomes quite a ride to the end of the story.
It was hard to pick out just a few quotes to give one a flavor of the story, but I did think the following struck me as descriptive of Jake, a reluctant hero.
My move, but what do I do? If your life is circumscribed by the four walls of a courthouse, your conduct is regulated by a myriad of rules. You become in a word, civilized. You are not accustomed to dealing with those whose rules are only their own. In the swamp there is no court of appeal, no petition for rehearing. You depend only on the mercy of the one wielding the biggest stick, or by your own wits and strength. Of course, if I had any brains, I'd have a gun and not a product liability video, stashed in the briefcase
Jake Lassiter takes on the malpractice suit against orthopedic surgeon Roger Salisbury filed by the widow of one of his patients. As the case is coming to a close, Jake is contacted by the decedent's adult daughter who claims that Dr. Salisbury & the widow were in cahoots together to kill her father. And she says she has evidence to support her claim. After to speaking to his friend Charlie Riggs, a retired coroner, they decide to look further into her claim. To start, they need to exhume the body.
Jake "you want to exhume Corrigan's body?" (Charlie) "You'd be surprised at how well embalming preserves tissues. Might be hard to find needle tracks, though. The skin will be moldy, and if he's buried in damp ground, it's probably turned to adipocere, a sort of waxy gunk. And he isn't going to smell like Chanel No. 5." ...." Well how about it, Jake. You ready to rob graves? ....
"Good boy, let's get to it. The grave is silent, magus, mutus quam piscis, but you and I, Jake, we can speak for the dead.
And from there it becomes quite a ride to the end of the story.
It was hard to pick out just a few quotes to give one a flavor of the story, but I did think the following struck me as descriptive of Jake, a reluctant hero.
My move, but what do I do? If your life is circumscribed by the four walls of a courthouse, your conduct is regulated by a myriad of rules. You become in a word, civilized. You are not accustomed to dealing with those whose rules are only their own. In the swamp there is no court of appeal, no petition for rehearing. You depend only on the mercy of the one wielding the biggest stick, or by your own wits and strength. Of course, if I had any brains, I'd have a gun and not a product liability video, stashed in the briefcase
April 16, 2017
A pretty good start for the first in this series. For book number 1 - published in 1990 and from what I see , the series is still going strong.
The MC is Jake Lassiter- an ex-second string line backer and now a lawyer in the Miami, Florida area. He is a fun character and I absolutely loved him from the beginning. The other characters are wonderfully quirky-like Charlie Riggs, the former Medical Examiner, who spouts Latin and knows the most surprising things- you just can't help but laugh every time he makes an appearance in this book!
A murder mystery with lots of humor is the best I can explain this book. A very fast, fun read- especially those who enjoy sum summer beach, pool reads.
A series that I will continue to read when I'm in the mood for a fun, light, witty, lawyer type read!
The MC is Jake Lassiter- an ex-second string line backer and now a lawyer in the Miami, Florida area. He is a fun character and I absolutely loved him from the beginning. The other characters are wonderfully quirky-like Charlie Riggs, the former Medical Examiner, who spouts Latin and knows the most surprising things- you just can't help but laugh every time he makes an appearance in this book!
A murder mystery with lots of humor is the best I can explain this book. A very fast, fun read- especially those who enjoy sum summer beach, pool reads.
A series that I will continue to read when I'm in the mood for a fun, light, witty, lawyer type read!
Currently reading
August 11, 2011My first novel. Chosen as one of the best mysteries of the year by the Los Angeles Times.
TO SPEAK FOR THE DEAD on Amazon Kindle here.
TO SPEAK FOR THE DEAD on Barnes & Noble Nook here.
“Move over Scott Turow. ‘To Speak for the Dead’ is courtroom drama at its 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
"Irreverent...genuinely clever...great fun." – The New York Times Book Review
“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
Product Description
TO SPEAK FOR THE DEAD on Amazon Kindle here.
TO SPEAK FOR THE DEAD on Barnes & Noble Nook here.
“Move over Scott Turow. ‘To Speak for the Dead’ is courtroom drama at its 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
"Irreverent...genuinely clever...great fun." – The New York Times Book Review
“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
Product Description
November 5, 2015
Legal thriller with humor.
Paul Levine makes you laugh while describing gruesome screen. Read all the Jack Lassiter books and love it. You'll fall in love with the some characters. Judge that fills racing forms during the trial, buzzards on the roof of the court house. Love to spend a day in that court room with Jack Lassiter.
Paul Levine makes you laugh while describing gruesome screen. Read all the Jack Lassiter books and love it. You'll fall in love with the some characters. Judge that fills racing forms during the trial, buzzards on the roof of the court house. Love to spend a day in that court room with Jack Lassiter.
July 11, 2011
Was a decent book with pretty good suspense but I had a hard time with mainly the love interest of the main character. The book didn't link these two well enough to make them as much of a pair as the storyline tries to imply. The ending really left me hanging and not in a good way. When I realized that was really the last page I sat there wondering, "what in the world?"
May 20, 2024
This book was a lot of fun to read and as far as I am concerned that is high praise. Sometimes I just want to sit back and enjoy a book and this one did it. Good writing, terrific characters and a riveting plot. I'll move on to the next in the Lassiter series.
May 11, 2015
I'm always looking for good series to read, since I can read much faster than my favorite authors can write, even as a collective group. :D Don't remember how I found out about this one, but I enjoyed the first novel. It's set in S. Florida, where I grew up, and I always enjoy books more when I can picture the setting from firsthand experience. Lassiter was a flawed but sympathetic character. I thought the romance was a little overblown (like, who falls THAT much in love with someone they've just met??) but other than that, a good start. I've already requested the next one in the series from the library.
November 15, 2013
This is my second novel from this guy. It is the second time I was impressed. Really a good bunch of characters, a fun courtroom drama, and just the right amount of "who done it". I am currently reading the second Jake Lassiter thriller.
October 18, 2018
Enjoyable courtroom drama with a slightly convoluted mystery, a very likeable protagonist and some very quirky, fun side characters (loved the retired medical examiner), plenty of humor, excellent audio narration by Luke Daniels. First book in a series of 12 so far. 3.75 stars.
January 31, 2021
TO SPEAK FOR THE DEAD - VG
Levine, Paul - 1st in Jake Lassiter series
Miami trail lawyer Jake Lassiter, "ex-football player, ex-public defender, ex-a-lot-of-things," is defending Dr. Roger Stanton, a surgeon and womanizer charged with malpractice in the death of wealth Philip Corrigan. But the dead man's daughter insists that the doctor and her sexy stepmother conspired to kill her father-and wants Lassiter to prove it.
Can Lassiter really defend his client for malpractice and builds a case against him for murder? Turning for help to the wisdom of his old friend, retired county coroner Charlie Riggs, Lassiter hopes to get the evidence he needs from the dead man himself. But outside the courtroom, he soon finds more trouble that he ever imagined possible-murder, missing persons, grave robbery, kinky sex, and deadly drugs-as he searched Florida's steamy streets and tropical swamps for a cold-blooded killer.
Interesting characters, very good read.
Levine, Paul - 1st in Jake Lassiter series
Miami trail lawyer Jake Lassiter, "ex-football player, ex-public defender, ex-a-lot-of-things," is defending Dr. Roger Stanton, a surgeon and womanizer charged with malpractice in the death of wealth Philip Corrigan. But the dead man's daughter insists that the doctor and her sexy stepmother conspired to kill her father-and wants Lassiter to prove it.
Can Lassiter really defend his client for malpractice and builds a case against him for murder? Turning for help to the wisdom of his old friend, retired county coroner Charlie Riggs, Lassiter hopes to get the evidence he needs from the dead man himself. But outside the courtroom, he soon finds more trouble that he ever imagined possible-murder, missing persons, grave robbery, kinky sex, and deadly drugs-as he searched Florida's steamy streets and tropical swamps for a cold-blooded killer.
Interesting characters, very good read.
September 13, 2010
This is another banal crime fiction offering disguised as a legal thriller by having a lawyer as the protagonist.
The plot is simple. Lawyer defends doctor in malpractice case. Victim turns out to have been murdered. The rest of the story has to do with the lawyer trying to catch the killer or killers, who are already known to anyone who has ever read a mystery story.
The characters are pure cardboard. The writing is infantile. I skipped large numbers of paragraphs as I plowed through the last half of the book without losing track of anything.
The only saving graces are the descriptions of the courtroom scenes and a crazy ex-Medical Examiner, who spouts Latin on almost any occasion and has an encyclopedic memory for almost everything.
No more Paul Levine titles for me.
The plot is simple. Lawyer defends doctor in malpractice case. Victim turns out to have been murdered. The rest of the story has to do with the lawyer trying to catch the killer or killers, who are already known to anyone who has ever read a mystery story.
The characters are pure cardboard. The writing is infantile. I skipped large numbers of paragraphs as I plowed through the last half of the book without losing track of anything.
The only saving graces are the descriptions of the courtroom scenes and a crazy ex-Medical Examiner, who spouts Latin on almost any occasion and has an encyclopedic memory for almost everything.
No more Paul Levine titles for me.
June 11, 2021
2 1/2 stars
This book was okay, but not great. I might have given it a full 3 stars, but I felt the narrator detracted from the story.
This book was okay, but not great. I might have given it a full 3 stars, but I felt the narrator detracted from the story.
July 8, 2022
My first book by Paul Levine and won't be my last. This legal thriller was fun to read. Don't expect logic and the characters abiding by the law, even in the courtroom.
The chapter titles were equally interesting.
The chapter titles were equally interesting.
September 9, 2015
"An Awesome Novel of Courtroom Games and Crime Solving"
In this highly suspenseful novel, Jake Lassiter is again in court to defend Doctor Roger Stanton, Chief Orthopedic Physician. Jake had been once a football player, an ex-public defender, now an attorney waiting for an answer from the person on the stand. It's a malpractice trial of Corrigan vs. Stanton. The man who died after the surgical procedure was Philip Corrigan, a very rich man. The lawsuit was filed by the wife of Philip Corrigan... a woman of strength to control men. This is a very interesting novel which helps one understand the courtroom procedures, as well as the tactics lawyers must practice warily. This novel moves quickly into twists and turns which engulf Jake into a new relationship with the daughter of the deceased man. It's action packed and scary....read to the end. Highly recommend.
In this highly suspenseful novel, Jake Lassiter is again in court to defend Doctor Roger Stanton, Chief Orthopedic Physician. Jake had been once a football player, an ex-public defender, now an attorney waiting for an answer from the person on the stand. It's a malpractice trial of Corrigan vs. Stanton. The man who died after the surgical procedure was Philip Corrigan, a very rich man. The lawsuit was filed by the wife of Philip Corrigan... a woman of strength to control men. This is a very interesting novel which helps one understand the courtroom procedures, as well as the tactics lawyers must practice warily. This novel moves quickly into twists and turns which engulf Jake into a new relationship with the daughter of the deceased man. It's action packed and scary....read to the end. Highly recommend.
February 11, 2014
Love this book and it kept my interest. Mr. Levine has created the character Jake Lassiter and each book in this series is about Jake, ex-pro football star now lawyer and all the things Jake gets himself involved in. The books keep me interested and I have found when reading I could picture the places described. I loved reading the series from beginning to current. I recommend this for those who like reading this type of book.
September 14, 2016
This book had its moments, but it seemed so old boys stuck in the 60s though it was written much later. Women aren't real...I'm doing a bad job explaining. The court room scenes were interesting, but some of what happens in the story makes me wonder how the protag hasn't been disbarred. The ending was over the top for me. I'm still angry about what happens to the girlfriend. In other words, I won't be reading more.
March 17, 2022
Couldn't really buy into this excuse for a story
This book read like someone was trying to write a catchy, funny crime thriller, rather than something written by a true pro. The characters were generally two dimensional, rather than 3D. Then, (Spoiler Alert!) at the end, the supposed good guy just stands by and essentially allows a woman to be murdered in front of his eyes. Disappointingly lame ending.
This book read like someone was trying to write a catchy, funny crime thriller, rather than something written by a true pro. The characters were generally two dimensional, rather than 3D. Then, (Spoiler Alert!) at the end, the supposed good guy just stands by and essentially allows a woman to be murdered in front of his eyes. Disappointingly lame ending.
July 5, 2015
To Speak For The Dead (Jake Lassiter book 1)
Meet Jake Lassiter, defence attorney, who is the best for another great way to get out of trouble with the law. How he does that is a story that will have you turning pages to follow the plot. Thanks for letting us get to know Jake. Thanks for another great read.
Meet Jake Lassiter, defence attorney, who is the best for another great way to get out of trouble with the law. How he does that is a story that will have you turning pages to follow the plot. Thanks for letting us get to know Jake. Thanks for another great read.
February 13, 2019
A great first book in a series from Paul Levine. The narrator was fantastic in bringing these characters to life and giving each their own identifiable voice. Jake Lassiter was a lovable character, failed to make it as a pro baller and so studied law to become a defense attorney.
What I loved about this book though was the smattering of humour that had me laughing out loud at times. With some fantastic side characters, especially the retired ME who cannot help but spout latin and has an encyclopedic knowledge about EVERYTHING and Jake's nanna who has no filter whatsoever, this was the perfect blend of courtroom drama and investigative work.
I did find that the methods were a little unbelievable, especially grave robbing, but that only gave way to even more hilarious scenes so I didn't really care anyway. I have already downloaded the second book and cannot wait to spend more time in the presence of Jake Lassiter and hopefully Charlie Riggs ME (retired).
What I loved about this book though was the smattering of humour that had me laughing out loud at times. With some fantastic side characters, especially the retired ME who cannot help but spout latin and has an encyclopedic knowledge about EVERYTHING and Jake's nanna who has no filter whatsoever, this was the perfect blend of courtroom drama and investigative work.
I did find that the methods were a little unbelievable, especially grave robbing, but that only gave way to even more hilarious scenes so I didn't really care anyway. I have already downloaded the second book and cannot wait to spend more time in the presence of Jake Lassiter and hopefully Charlie Riggs ME (retired).
January 29, 2021
Let's call it a 3.5. I have been burned by courtroom dramas often enough that I tend to avoid them now in favor of direct interactions with the case (i.e., police procedurals, detectives, those more directly involved), but this one sounded intriguing (and was free as a Kindle download last week), so I tried it. I liked it pretty well. The main character is well developed and fun, some of the side character "regulars" are likewise engaging (Granny Lassiter, Dr. Charles Riggs), and there is some leavening humor, which always helps. In this one, at least, the women were a bit one-dimensional, but I forgave that to a certain extent, because A. it's the first book in the series, so we are meant to be focused on Jake Lassiter, and B. Levine wrote this in 1990, so the standards weren't quite as high (although much more forgiveable had it been, say, the '70s!). This also had among the weirdest endings I've ever experienced in a so-called mystery novel, but on reflection I decided to go with it. I don't normally like open-ended stuff, but this was weird enough to work. I'll try the second one in the series before saying stop.
January 26, 2018
Two-haiku review:
Lawyer defends doc
First malpractice then murder
Did the doc do it?
Real convoluted
The bad guys were really bad
Very abrupt end
Lawyer defends doc
First malpractice then murder
Did the doc do it?
Real convoluted
The bad guys were really bad
Very abrupt end
December 30, 2019
A decent legal thriller - the full length Lassiter novel
October 2, 2020
Ridiculous plot, legal high jinx in court that would never happen, and drawn out finale, but still completely entertaining with sharply drawn characters. Perfect Covid 19 read.
April 4, 2019
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; JUNE 13, 2017
Narrator: Luke Daniels
The Narration: the best thing about the book, though I did tweak Daniels' voice a little to make him sound a little richer and sexier.
The Ending: I am not fond of such "huh?", "leave-them-wondering" type of endings. I find them annoying and want to bitch-slap those authors who think they're being oh-so-sophisticated by giving me such endings.
The Rest of the Book: I was conflicted through much of the story. I liked the plot but found the sex parts intrusive, except for the scene playing out the menage a trois. That was needed because of the plot but the others with Lassiter being the object of the seduction was a yawn. Speaking of the video that was made of the menage scene,
Overall, I can't say I cared for the writing. It took too long to tell the story and I'm one who's used to, and enjoy, audiobooks that are at least 10 hours long. This book had me impatient to move on to the next scene and while I enjoy 1st Person telling, I did not find myself getting invested in Lassiter's character. However, I enjoyed the courtroom scenes and for that reason alone, will listen to the next book. I hope I like it because I'd bought the entire list of eleven - yes, freakin' eleven! - audiobooks. But I'm not crazy - they were free under Kindle Unlimited and only 1.99 for each audiobook.
Conclusion: 2 stars for meh writing.
Narrator: Luke Daniels
The Narration: the best thing about the book, though I did tweak Daniels' voice a little to make him sound a little richer and sexier.
The Ending: I am not fond of such "huh?", "leave-them-wondering" type of endings. I find them annoying and want to bitch-slap those authors who think they're being oh-so-sophisticated by giving me such endings.
The Rest of the Book: I was conflicted through much of the story. I liked the plot but found the sex parts intrusive, except for the scene playing out the menage a trois. That was needed because of the plot but the others with Lassiter being the object of the seduction was a yawn. Speaking of the video that was made of the menage scene,
Overall, I can't say I cared for the writing. It took too long to tell the story and I'm one who's used to, and enjoy, audiobooks that are at least 10 hours long. This book had me impatient to move on to the next scene and while I enjoy 1st Person telling, I did not find myself getting invested in Lassiter's character. However, I enjoyed the courtroom scenes and for that reason alone, will listen to the next book. I hope I like it because I'd bought the entire list of eleven - yes, freakin' eleven! - audiobooks. But I'm not crazy - they were free under Kindle Unlimited and only 1.99 for each audiobook.
Conclusion: 2 stars for meh writing.
December 1, 2014
Although I don't read much nonfiction, this was an exception. I really enjoy the major character in this book, Jake Lassiter. I probably do much of my own legal work, as a result of reading so many books about underdogs who come out on top. Can't they overcome adversity? How will they do it? All literature has "learning lessons" in them, things we can take from the book and apply to our every day lives. Sometimes, if I'm in a "crisis" part of a book, I think to myself, "How's this guy going to get out of this mess?" Certainly, fictional novels are for entertainment but more than that, if you really open your eyes, you can learn from them, taking away precious nuggets to apply to your life. Sometimes, I think, "Gosh, I never would've thought of that! I'll have to remember that the next time I get in a situation like that." Paul Levine is an excellent author. I know I have more of his books in a box but this is the one in my bookcase.....WORTHWHILE.
February 16, 2012
I'm not sure what to say about this book. I really like Levine's writing style I've read his series Solomon vs. Lord and the books are of my all time favorites, I was very happy when I found out that the author had another series.
To Speak for the Dead is the first book the author wrote and it's pretty good, but not as good as the last one.
I didn't know what to think and what to expect after I finished it. The end was very open. But as soon as I find the rest of the books I'm going to read them.
I hope Paul Levine will start a new book very soon, because he is one of my favorite authors.
To Speak for the Dead is the first book the author wrote and it's pretty good, but not as good as the last one.
I didn't know what to think and what to expect after I finished it. The end was very open. But as soon as I find the rest of the books I'm going to read them.
I hope Paul Levine will start a new book very soon, because he is one of my favorite authors.
December 5, 2012
A sterling beginning to a great series. You can sense the author, South Florida lawyer Paul Levine, feeling his way through his first novel but you can also see themes that he'll polish repeatedly for better results in later volumes: the wackiness of South Florida life, the contrast between the thuggish city and the colorful natural areas, the wild fights involving wildlife, the strange twists and turns that the law can take. The only real misstep here is the bizarre ending, which seems made for a movie adaptation that never came. Can't wait to work my way through the other books that followed (so far I've read two of them).
June 17, 2015
Two For One
Finish one good story and go right into a great sequel to the first one. Wow a mystery that wasn't difficult to figure out but an ending twist that I never would have figured out but thoroughly enjoyed. A novel I enjoyed with the bad guys getting their just desserts. The loss of a character I enjoyed due to her characteristics of a bull dog in never giving. Great writing Mr. Levine
Finish one good story and go right into a great sequel to the first one. Wow a mystery that wasn't difficult to figure out but an ending twist that I never would have figured out but thoroughly enjoyed. A novel I enjoyed with the bad guys getting their just desserts. The loss of a character I enjoyed due to her characteristics of a bull dog in never giving. Great writing Mr. Levine
December 18, 2017
My first Paul Levine read. The good points of this book: wiseacre Jake Lassiter (reminded me of Chevy Chase in his Fletch films) and his humor; and the first 90 percent of the book. The not-so-good points of the book: the last 10 percent. I didn't feel satisfied that the story was wrapped up very well, but maybe that is only because of my expectations. This being Levine's first novel, I would, however read more.
July 8, 2022
This is a courtroom drama, not a police procedural. I like these types of books just as much as police procedurals if they are done right. This one was done well. Jake is a renegade, over the top character who grew on me as the story went on.
Just when you think you know exactly what happened, the story changed again. It was twisty but not hard to follow. I am looking forward to more in the series.
Just when you think you know exactly what happened, the story changed again. It was twisty but not hard to follow. I am looking forward to more in the series.
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