Award-winning alumni author embraces mix of history, fiction for his latest book

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — After two dozen books during an award-winning career, a Penn State alumnus has penned his first effort that’s a work of historical fiction.

Inspired by a true story, author Paul Levine’s “Midnight Burning,” envisions 1930s Hollywood as actor Charlie Chaplin and scientist Albert Einstein partner with Sgt. Georgia Ann Robinson, the first Black female officer in the Los Angeles Police Department in both real life and in the novel, to foil a plot to assassinate 20 celebrities and spark and insurrection.

Chaplin and Einstein were friends, and a fascist militia did plot to kill Chaplin and other Hollywood figures to somehow overthrow the U.S. government 90 years ago.

With that foundation, along with some valuable research, Levine then deftly crafted “Midnight Burning” with the kind of entertaining, dialogue-driven effort that helped him win the John D. MacDonald Award and earn nominations for the Edgar, Macavity, International Thriller, Shamus and James Thurber prizes during his career

Levine’s books have always benefitted a bit from real-life inspiration. That includes a dozen books featuring Jake Lassiter, a fictional Penn State linebacker turned Miami street lawyer — inspired by Levine’s undergraduate years in Happy Valley and his 17-year career as trial lawyer as a partner in the Miami office of Philadelphia law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. Levine is also the author of the critically acclaimed Solomon vs. Lord series of legal thrillers. His books have been translated into 23 languages.

Early praise for “Midnight Burning” has been strong — including from other writers.

“Paul Levine brings the snappy humor of his terrific Jake Lassiter series to the ingenious pairing of real-life friends Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein on a roller coaster ride to save America from a fascist threat within its borders,” said Jacqueline Winspear, the New York Times bestselling author of the Maisie Dobbs series.

“Despite the fun, the story is eerily and frighteningly relevant today,” said fellow New York Times No. 1 bestselling author Lee Goldberg. “This may be Levine’s masterpiece.”

Levine earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State in 1969. The Penn State Alumni Association honored him as an Alumni Fellow in 1993 and he received a Distinguished Alumni Award, the University’s highest honor presented to alumni, in 2003. He earned his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law after initially working as a journalist for the Miami Herald.