Frontlist Feature: State Vs. Lassiter by Paul Levine

Top Suspense member Paul Levine was one step ahead of Shakespeare when the bard suggested we should “First, Kill All The Lawyers.” An attorney himself, Paul wisely stopped practicing—except in his writing. In fact, that’s one of the titles in his as-funny-as-Carl Hiassen legal thrillers, the Solomon and Lord series.

Now, though, Paul has released a new entry in his other award-winning series featuring lawyer Jake Lassiter. In this thriller, life is great for Jake at the start. His law practice is booming...He’s crazy about the new woman in his life... His one-time delinquent nephew Kip is getting A’s in school...What can go wrong?

How about a charge of first degree murder?

When money goes missing from client trust accounts, Jake confronts his banker, Pamela Baylins, who also happens to be his lover. She accuses Jake of skimming client funds; he accuses her of dipping into the till. She threatens to report him to the Florida Bar and the State Attorney and within hours is killed. All the evidence points to Jake, who is charged with murder.

The premise, Paul says, was simple. “I wanted to put Jake Lassiter in his tightest spot yet.  And what could be more precarious than being charged with first degree murder?  For a lawyer who’s used to representing other people, sitting in the defendant’s chair is a new and frightening experience.”

And, according to readers, Paul has another winner. Following is praise for the book and the series.

PRAISE FOR “STATE vs. LASSITER”

Blend the wit of Carl Hiaasen with the dialogue of Elmore Leonard and throw in John Grisham’s courtroom skills, and you have ‘State vs. Lassiter.’” – Amazon.com

Lassiter stands tall like Jack Reacher, Travis McGee or Spenser.  Levine’s only problem he isn’t prolific enough.  I want more Lassiter!” –Amazon Vine Voice review

PRAISE FOR THE JAKE LASSITER SERIES

“Mystery writing at its very, very best.”–Larry King, USA TODAY

“Irreverent, genuinely clever, great fun.” – New York Times Book Review

“Twice as good as Turow and Grisham and four times the fun.” – Armchair Detective

“Jake Lassiter has a lot more charisma than Perry Mason ever did.” – Miami Herald

Btw, Paul has won the John D. MacDonald fiction award and has been nominated for the Edgar, Macavity, International Thriller, and James Thurber prizes. He also wrote more than 20 episodes of the CBS military drama “JAG.”

Don’t miss State vs. Lassiter.