I’m Mr. Media—not Mr. Know-It-All. So I hope I can be excused for not realizing what a clever, entertaining writer Paul Levine is, at least not before I read his latest novel, Illegal. It’s a fast-paced, often funny, often frightening story that personalizes the case of illegal immigration, reducing it from faceless masses crossing the U.S.-Mexico border to just two frightened human beings, a mother and her teenage son. And, of course, the down on his luck American attorney, Jimmy Payne, who comes to their rescue in ways the legal system cannot. I don’t hesitate to recommend that you read this book. Not surprisingly, Levine is a former trial attorney. He seems to have found his calling in writing nonfiction: he is also the author of Solomon vs. Lord, The Deep Blue Alibi and Kill All the Lawyers. He also wrote for the CBS drama “Jag.” You can learn more about Levine at his personal website, . Paul Levine • • •  • • • •