Early Grave

Early Grave

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  • Create Date：2023-01-17 11:21:29
  • Update Date：2025-09-07
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Paul Levine
  • ISBN：B0BGSBNN31
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Summary

FROM THE AMAZON #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR

JAKE LASSITER TACKLES HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
AND BECOMES THE MOST HATED MAN IN MIAMI

"The ending courtroom battle sears with intense and realistic turns。。。and builds to an unforgettable closing scene。 An extraordinary hero stars in a legal tale as believable as it is riveting。"—Kirkus Reviews

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。 With his personal life in tatters， 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。

"With its singular characters， clever plotting， and focused storytelling， Levine's punchy， well-written contemporary legal thriller will please John Grisham fans。"—Library Journal

"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

THE LAST LASSITER: Early Grave is the final novel of the series that began with the international bestseller To Speak for the Dead in 1990。 All the "Lassiters" are stand-alones that may be enjoyed in any order。

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Reviews

Melanie Conte ，

ohhh noRiveting ， don’t let it be the end of Jake Lassiter…。。 this is by far the best in the series

Hobart ，

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader along with a Q&A with the author about the book。---WHAT'S EARLY GRAVE ABOUT？ Jake and his former teammate Tank are at a High School Football game—Tank's son， Rod （also Jake's godson）， is making his debut and the two older men are beyond excited。 On the opening play， Rod takes a hard hit， and Jake （who suffers from CTE） is concerned that the concussion protocol isn't being followed， but before they can do anything， play resumes and Rod takes an This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader along with a Q&A with the author about the book。---WHAT'S EARLY GRAVE ABOUT？ Jake and his former teammate Tank are at a High School Football game—Tank's son， Rod （also Jake's godson）， is making his debut and the two older men are beyond excited。 On the opening play， Rod takes a hard hit， and Jake （who suffers from CTE） is concerned that the concussion protocol isn't being followed， but before they can do anything， play resumes and Rod takes another hit—one he does not get up from。The two men rush to the field and help the medical professionals until Rod can be taken to a hospital。 Rod's moment of glory has been turned into the worst day of their lives—and it'll be worse when Tank's wife/Rod's mother is informed （no one had told her that Rod was playing football）。 He's going to live， but it's impossible to say whether he'll walk again—or be able to do much at all。Jake wants blood—so he sues the school， certain he can get around the waiver Tank signed， and seeks an injunction from the court to suspend High School contact football games until it can be proven that all schools have taken steps to ensure the game is safer。TACKLING FOOTBALL No one can blame Jake for the first part of his suit—although many doubt he'll be able to get around the waiver （Victoria Lord gives him some help on that）。 But the second part feels like career suicide—he becomes a laughing stock in town， on local radio， in the legal community， and on social media。I need to stop for a minute and talk about the social media parts—throughout the book， there'll be news updates on the case which triggers Twitter responses （possibly other sites， but they feel like tweets to me）。 They are hilarious， in a funny-'cuz-it's-true way。 This is precisely how the Internet would respond to a lawyer doing this。 Levine did a great job on this front。On a more serious front—if Jake pulls off a miracle here， that will suggest there's something wrong with the game。 If people aren't being careful enough at the local level， what about college？ What about the NFL？ Powerful groups and people don't want this to come anywhere near a courthouse， there's just too much to lose。 Jake finds himself， his associates， and his clients the target of many less-than-ethical endeavors to keep the case from progressing。The legal aspects of this case are hard enough， but when you throw in the threats， intimidation， and money flying around to stop it？ Things get even uglier。COUNSELING Jake and Melissa are in counseling—she's discovered he's been hiding medical issues， and who knows what else， from her。 The trust is broken and she's concerned about their future。 Their engagement may be on the rocks。 Melissa doesn't have much to do in the primary story， so this is the main interaction we get with her。 Through their counseling sessions， we get to see a lot of introspection and some flashbacks to Jake's childhood。I don't know that they add a lot to the story， but these scenes do a great job of exploring parts of Jake's character we probably wouldn't be able to see otherwise—once he stops joking around defensively， that is。IS THIS THE END？Given Lassiter's health， readers had to expect that he couldn't keep going forever—I even asked about that back in 2020 when Levine participated in a Q&A， he said，Lassiter told me he retired after “Bum Deal” in 2018。 But when his beloved nephew Kip gets indicted for taking other kids’ SAT exams as an imposter， well， what choice did he have but to get back in the courtroom？ [that'd be Cheater's Game] I suspect Jake has one more case in him。 This might be that one more case—it's being marketed as the last book in the series， anyway。 Early Grave certainly feels like it's the end—in several ways。Still， since at least the days of Holmes and The Reichenbach Falls， we all know that authors have a tendency to change their minds about ending things。 I'm not sure I'd close the book on this series， you never know what Levine might do。 If nothing else， there's room for books between the previously published adventures。SO， WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT EARLY GRAVE？ It's probably just as dangerous for an author like Levine to mess around with something like Football as it is for an author to mess with a character's pet dog or cat。 There are some things you just don't threaten。 But Levine （and Lassiter） dance along that nasty third rail with aplomb and panache—throw in some good personal plot lines and some ominous actions from the other side and you've got yourself the makings of a solid thriller。Like with most legal thrillers， the best parts of this novel happen in the courtroom—the reader is treated to great tension， some genuine comedy， and some clever reveals。 The lawyers， legal assistants （for the defense）， and the judge are just what's needed for Levine to make this aspect of the novel really sing。Jake's a long-established maverick—and he acts like one with witnesses， his opposition， even his clients， and the law。 All while dealing with his own ongoing medical issues—you have to wonder at times if Jake should've had a second chair just in case he doesn't survive until the verdict is pronounced。 But it's that maverick nature that's got him this far in life—and this far in the series， so you know that's exactly what the readers want。The conclusion to the case is satisfying—maybe a little credulity-stretching， but at that point， who cares？ What happens after that shows Levine's intentions for the character in pretty definite terms （with a little wiggle room， all that someone like Jake Lassiter needs）。 The whole thing is about as satisfying as you could want。My only regret is that I haven't managed to go back to the beginning so that I can feel the cumulative weight of this series coming to an end。 That said， these books are designed to be read as stand-alones， and there's no reason this couldn't be the first installment that someone picks up。Disclaimer: I received this novel from Saichek Publicity in exchange for this post and my honest opinion。 。。。more

Kent Winward ，

Lassiter has long been one of my guilty pleasures。 I guess it remains to be seen if Lassiter is really gone or if he returns。 I hope for the later。 （And to show how times have changed， Lassiter breaks ankles instead of skulls。）

Thomas Begley ，

Poignant End to a Wonderful Series Early grave is appointed to a wonderful series。 The Jake Lassiter books initially started as lighthearted tales about a washed up football player， turned lawyer。 Over the years， the stories of taking on a bit more serious tone， but increasingly heartfelt。 It is sad to see this series end， but Paul Levine did a great job in doing so。 I recommend anyone read this series and this book in particular。

David Morgan ，

Nothing like being late to the party。。。This is the stated last of the Jake Lassiter series but it's the first one I've read。 Now I know what all the praise is about。 Dang， this was a great courtroom drama story and so much more。 The story revolves around a critical injury Jake's godson acquired while playing high school football。 So， using his years of experience and some good humor thrown in along the way， Jake files a lawsuit that will hopefully restrict the use of some plays used in a game or Nothing like being late to the party。。。This is the stated last of the Jake Lassiter series but it's the first one I've read。 Now I know what all the praise is about。 Dang， this was a great courtroom drama story and so much more。 The story revolves around a critical injury Jake's godson acquired while playing high school football。 So， using his years of experience and some good humor thrown in along the way， Jake files a lawsuit that will hopefully restrict the use of some plays used in a game or at the very least create the situation in which football programs be put on hold until safer rules and equipment be implemented。 （I'm writing this with the NFL's playoff game on the TV in the background， the irony is not lost on me） The intrigue， action and suspense gradually intensifies as the story builds leading to the final， explosive courtroom battle and a highly gratifying conclusion。With its timely， topical themes of the inherent dangers of playing football as well as the lengths those who financially benefit from the game will go to to ensure its continued success， this story has everything I look for in a legal thriller。 Well drawn villains as well as characters I can emotionally connect with are essential to draw me in and this story has that and more。 I also love a book that is part of a series but doesn't require you to have read all the previous books to be able to identify with and understand the protagonist and this one does just fine as a stand-alone。 It's my understanding that all the books in this series are similar in that way and I now look forward to reading them but not necessarily in order。Thank you to the author and Saichek Publicity for the gifted copy and introducing me to this series。 。。。more

Millie ，

One of this author's best books！This book was a great read， I've always enjoyed these characters and this one was no different。 Took us on an emotional roller coaster ride and the legal aspect of it was way fun。 One of this author's best books！This book was a great read， I've always enjoyed these characters and this one was no different。 Took us on an emotional roller coaster ride and the legal aspect of it was way fun。 。。。more

Lisa Green ，

As with all the previous books in this series I really enjoyed reading about the newest exploits of Jake Lassiter。 I was， however， taken aback by the ending of the book。 I would have preferred a different， more uplifting ending to the last book in the series。

Annie ，

Wow！I've waited 3 years to find out what happened to Jake and now I know--I think。 Obviously this book reflects a serious subject but it made me laugh in many spots。 Thank you for a great read。 Wow！I've waited 3 years to find out what happened to Jake and now I know--I think。 Obviously this book reflects a serious subject but it made me laugh in many spots。 Thank you for a great read。 。。。more

Linda ，

A bittersweet reunion with the wonderful Jake LassiterI had no idea there would be another Lassiter book。 The dude is still to this day one of my favorite lawyers to read， so imagine my delight when I saw this latest entry available on my Kindle。 That is， until I saw the title。 And then that's when I remembered。 Given the circumstances of the last few books in the series， I'd be lying if I said that this latest book's title didn't immediately worry me。 Early Grave？ WHOSE early grave？ "Is Paul Le A bittersweet reunion with the wonderful Jake LassiterI had no idea there would be another Lassiter book。 The dude is still to this day one of my favorite lawyers to read， so imagine my delight when I saw this latest entry available on my Kindle。 That is， until I saw the title。 And then that's when I remembered。 Given the circumstances of the last few books in the series， I'd be lying if I said that this latest book's title didn't immediately worry me。 Early Grave？ WHOSE early grave？ "Is Paul Levine really gonna kill off Jake Lassiter？" I remember asking myself。 Do I even wanna know？ Should I even bother reading？ Can there possibly be a way he can survive his rather grave condition？ Will this truly be his last hurrah？ This being a non-spoiler review， I will not answer such pressing questions。 One will just have to read the story themselves or dive into other reviews to find that out， 'cause you ain't getting it from me。At any rate， I said this was a bittersweet reunion and I meant it。 On the one hand， I was totally floored to be in Lassiter territory again （along with brief cameos by Solomon and Lord）。 I loved being back and catching up with his personal life。 The high points。 The low points。 And everything in between。 I found it mildly disappointing that Kip was barely mentioned （though I'm glad he wasn't completely ignored）。 The characters， writing， and pace are still top-notch Levine territory， and I was glad for it。 It felt like old times， made me want to dive into this series all over again。 But on the other hand， OUTSIDE of Jake's personal life， I didn't find the story too spectacular。 The legal plot was certainly interesting， emotional， dramatic， and often comical in the areas where they counted; I'm not saying they weren't well-executed。 But overall， I found it all to be a little on the bland side。 I love courtroom brawls as Lassiter has certainly provided me in past books， but this case was simply too ineffective in providing me that。 While sure， it revealed the dirty side of lawyering， even in its fanciful presentation， but I was hoping for far more courtroom OOMPH than what I got。 All in all， though， I mostly enjoyed myself as I usually do with Lassiter books。 The case itself may not have been my cup of tea， but like I said before， it was still very smartly written and still managed to keep my attention the whole way through， especially since Jake's personal life was well-mixed into the entire thing。 Am I crazy about the book's finale？ Nah。 There's so much left up in the air and loose ends to boot （much like how many previous Lassiter books have been）。 But I guess if Paul Levine wants to call this the final Jake Lassiter book， then I have no choice but to deal with it。 Oh well。 Ain't like I haven't done it before。 Click here for my random thoughts and highlights。 。。。more

Steve ，

It has been my pleasure to read all of Paul Levine's novels， especially his Jake Lassiter books， of which there have been many。 And unlike some writers， every Lassiter mystery is enthralling， witty， and raucous。 Paul Levine started this fantastic series with To Speak For The Dead and has now concluded it with Early Grave。Jake Lassiter， formerly of the Miami Dolphins， became a rough-and-tumble everyman's lawyer after his career petered out in the N。F。L。 Killers， drug dealers， extortionists， you n It has been my pleasure to read all of Paul Levine's novels， especially his Jake Lassiter books， of which there have been many。 And unlike some writers， every Lassiter mystery is enthralling， witty， and raucous。 Paul Levine started this fantastic series with To Speak For The Dead and has now concluded it with Early Grave。Jake Lassiter， formerly of the Miami Dolphins， became a rough-and-tumble everyman's lawyer after his career petered out in the N。F。L。 Killers， drug dealers， extortionists， you name it， and Jake defended them。 All the while having a romantic time with the ladies and even taking over guardianship of his nephew， Kip。 Now Jake is old and in mediocre health。 One night he watches his friend's son playing high school football and takes a vicious hit。 The coach sends him back in， and therein lies the problem。 The player seems paralyzed and grievously injured。 Jake sees this and decides that high school football is too dangerous and contributes to Chronic Traumatic encephalopathy， the illness that can lead to severe diseases and strokes。 Jake decides to file suit to stop football from playing in Florida until safety reforms are integrated。 What follows is a topical and necessary examination of America's most popular sport， centered around realistic， sympathetic， and greedy people who stand to lose financially if Jake and his legal team pull off a miracle。Paul Levine provides a well-written， logical and entertaining novel that shines a bright light on Jake and all that has been endearing to his readers over the past 32 years。 。。。more

Toni Stoll ，

Another great Jake Lassiter book。 If this is the last of the series， I am truly sad。 I so enjoyed these books。

nicholas m。 lacetera ，

Great readI have read all the Jake Lasseter novels and I highly recommend them ！ he always finds a way to have you want more。 Please don't make this the last one！！！ Great readI have read all the Jake Lasseter novels and I highly recommend them ！ he always finds a way to have you want more。 Please don't make this the last one！！！ 。。。more

Nick Stika ，

The end。 I'm always sad when a series ends and even sadder when it's a sad ending。 I rode with Jake from the beginning。 Thanks for the ride Paul。 The end。 I'm always sad when a series ends and even sadder when it's a sad ending。 I rode with Jake from the beginning。 Thanks for the ride Paul。 。。。more

Valerie ，

I had to downgrade my rating， due to one-sided mention of Joe PaternoOverall a good story， good characters， funny。But I found the oft repeated praise of the late head football Coach Joe Paterno of Penn State University a big turn off。 Less would’ve been more， in my opinion。I’m not questioning Paterno’s coaching ability — his win record is unimpeachable。 However， he didn’t do enough to protect children that were entering / accessing the football facilities from a serious sexual predator for the l I had to downgrade my rating， due to one-sided mention of Joe PaternoOverall a good story， good characters， funny。But I found the oft repeated praise of the late head football Coach Joe Paterno of Penn State University a big turn off。 Less would’ve been more， in my opinion。I’m not questioning Paterno’s coaching ability — his win record is unimpeachable。 However， he didn’t do enough to protect children that were entering / accessing the football facilities from a serious sexual predator for the later part of his career。 。。。more

Bella ，

The final book in Paul Levine’s Jake Lassiter series finds the defense attorney engaging in a battle that is decidedly personal。 Long before Jake’s law career， he was a star linebacker for the Miami Dolphins， where he was part of “the perfect season” – an undefeated record punctuated by a Super Bowl win。 But with six of his teammates dead from CTE， and Jake himself struggling with the fatal disease， his time as a player now seems far from perfect。 When his godson， Rod， suffers a critical footbal The final book in Paul Levine’s Jake Lassiter series finds the defense attorney engaging in a battle that is decidedly personal。 Long before Jake’s law career， he was a star linebacker for the Miami Dolphins， where he was part of “the perfect season” – an undefeated record punctuated by a Super Bowl win。 But with six of his teammates dead from CTE， and Jake himself struggling with the fatal disease， his time as a player now seems far from perfect。 When his godson， Rod， suffers a critical football injury， Jake decides to go on the offensive。 He files an ambitious lawsuit to abolish tackle football in high schools – or at least make them drastically safer。 The initial result is a media storm in which Jake is publicly villainized。 In the following days and weeks， uninvited visitors to Jake’s home and Rod’s hospital room make clear that this is just the start of a very dangerous game。 As usual， Levine infuses Early Grave with plenty of dark humor。 The jokes – which often exist only in Jake’s head – land early and often。 But it’s all part of a sophisticated vehicle through which Levine explores whether parents， players， coaches， schools or others should be held accountable for crippling injuries。 Given such sobering subject matter， it’s a miracle that the book is such a joy to read。 Part of the reason is the crackling， zinger-laden dialogue that references everything from British royal history to case law。 This is juxtaposed throughout with excerpts from contracts， statistics and waivers that hold an unflattering mirror to youth sports。 On top of all that， readers can look forward to a brilliant literary headfake regarding Jake's future that would be the envy of Dolphins great Larry Csonka。Early Grave may be the last planned installment in the Jake Lassiter series， but thanks to just enough backstory， the book can easily be devoured by first-time fans as a gateway to Levine’s other work。 。。。more

Shomeret ，

Lassiter went to a high school football game because his godson， Rod， was on the team。 Rod was seriously injured and ended up in the hospital。 Lassiter was bothered by the lack of a physician on the field when Rod was injured。 So he filed a lawsuit to temporarily enjoin high school football games until it could be determined that they were safe。 The definition of enjoin that I am using in this context is "to prohibit by judicial order" which is a quote from Merriam-Webster。The resolution wasn't Lassiter went to a high school football game because his godson， Rod， was on the team。 Rod was seriously injured and ended up in the hospital。 Lassiter was bothered by the lack of a physician on the field when Rod was injured。 So he filed a lawsuit to temporarily enjoin high school football games until it could be determined that they were safe。 The definition of enjoin that I am using in this context is "to prohibit by judicial order" which is a quote from Merriam-Webster。The resolution wasn't surprising to me， but I still found it moving。 I will give Early Grave four stars on Goodreads。 For my complete review see https://shomeretmasked。blogspot。com/2。。。 。。。more

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Early Grave

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Early Grave&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Early Grave&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0