Adam is an author of nine thrillers, including the bestselling Dead Certain. His books have been critically acclaimed for their realistic portrayal of the law as well as for their twists and turns. His work has been named best suspense book of the year (A Conflict of Interest) and a finalist for the ABA’s Silver Gavel Award (A Case of Redemption). Publishers Weekly says of Adam: “This gifted writer should have a long and successful career ahead of him.”
We recently sat down with Adam to talk about his newest thriller, Love Betrayal Murder, now available in your favorite format.
TFx: Where did you come up with the idea for this book, and what can you tell us about the plot?
Mitzner: I met my wife while we were both working at a law firm and while our story ended happily ever after, I wanted to write about an office romance that had a different outcome, which led me to the love, betrayal and subsequent murder that characterizes the relationship between Matthew Brooks and Vanessa Lyons. Most importantly, I wanted to tell a story about sexual harassment that was more nuanced than what we often read about in the news, and I wanted to tell a story about a murder that was equally nuanced. Spoiler alert: Complex characters, shades of gray morality, no easy decisions for anyone.
TFx: What perspectives or beliefs have you challenged with this work?
Mitzner:
The opening quote – The truth will set you free – was the template. The question that hangs over every character’s conduct is: how far are you willing to stretch the truth to achieve yourends?
I think that’s a fair question for all of us. Most people believe they’re honest. And yet, we all (or at least most) recognize that there are situations in which the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth does more harm than good. And that sometimes only a lie can protect the ones we love or ourselves. Do we justify lies (or half-truths) in any of those situations? All of them?
TFx: Which actor can you imagine playing the main character in the movie version of your book?
Mitzner: I am very fortunate to have two long-time best friends. I used one of their names as the protagonist for a series of books (Dead Certain, Never Goodbye, The Best Friend). This caused the other one to say, “When do I get my book?” I granted his wish and used his name – Matthew Brooks – for the main character in Love Betrayal Murder. As a result, I think of him when I think of the character, although, obviously, my creation is nothing like my friend.
And while I’m sure my friend would like nothing more than to play Matt Brooks in the movie version of Love Betrayal Murder, I assume the movie studio would prefer to go with an actual actor. I’d like to see someone regular looking, but who can be charmingand has a bit of an edge that you might not see at first blush. Joseph Gordon Levitt? Jason Segal? Vanessa Lyons is a complicated character too, requiring an actor who exudes intelligence and is beautiful – Alexandra Daddario? Brie Larson? Nina Dobrev?
TFx: How did you choose the setting(s) and time frame?
Mitzner: All of my previous books were set in the present day. However, for Love Betrayal Murder, there was a specific historical event I wanted to reference (no spoilers), which required me to have the book begin on January 1, 2016. As for place, I modeled the law firm where Matt and Vanessa work – Rawls Ryan and Gold – on the various law firms I’ve worked for and have worked with, which meant that the book had to be set in New York City because that’s where I work.
TFx: Tell us something fun about you that readers might be surprised to know?
Mitzner: I’m a full-time practicing lawyer in New York City, but I don’t consider that to be something fun about me. On the other hand, I’m an avid collector of Batman bobbleheads and Pez dispensers, although my wife doesn’t consider that to be that fun because I display them in our house as if they’re priceless works of art, which to me they are.
Get Adam Mitzner’s latest release, Love Betrayal Murder, out now on Amazon
From the bestselling author of Dead Certain and The Perfect Marriage comes a smart and twisty legal thriller about love, life, and truth, that careens to a shocking conclusion you won’t soon forget …
Matthew Brooks and Vanessa Lyons are a perfect love match, both attorneys at a powerful New York City law firm. But there’s a hitch: Matt just made partner, and Vanessa is coming up for partner next year. And Vanessa’s husband, the profligate Bradley Lyons, has his suspicions.
Vanessa is assigned to the biggest case at the firm, the one that will determine her future. Unfortunately, Matt has been working the case for years, leaving him no choice but to supervise his lover in violation of firm policy. When Vanessa is denied her partnership, despite assurances to the contrary, she can only assume that her affair with Matt was the reason.
Then, on a crowded Manhattan street corner, a knife flashes in the midday sun, leaving behind a scene of horror. But with so many having been betrayed, will the murderer be brought to justice? A gripping criminal trial will leave readers unsure of who, if anyone, is telling the truth, all culminating in a jaw-dropping reveal.
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