Guest Review: A Case of Redemption

Summary: An electrifying thriller from the “gifted writer” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) and author of A Conflict of Interest about a high-profile attorney recovering from a personal tragedy who’s thrust into a media firestorm during the biggest murder trial in a decade.

Dan Sorenson was once a high-powered New York City defense attorney…but that was before a horrifying accident killed the two people in his life who meant the most, plunging him into a downward spiral. As he approaches rock bottom, Dan is unexpectedly offered the opportunity of a lifetime: defend an up-and-coming rapper in a murder trial on the front page of every newspaper. Although his client swears he’s innocent of the brutal slaying of his pop star girlfriend, proving it will not be easy, especially because he’s suspected of bragging about the crime in one of the hottest songs in the country.

Unsure that he’s ready to handle such a high-stakes case, Dan realizes that this chance to save a man he believes has been falsely accused of murder just may be his last and only hope to put his own life back on track and achieve redemption for his past sins. But as Dan delves deeper into the case, he learns that atonement comes at a very steep price.

A powerful and riveting new voice in fiction, Adam Mitzner pulls out all the stops in his follow-up to the highly acclaimed A Conflict of Interest. A Case of Redemption is a gritty, sophisticated thriller that will satisfy fans of Scott Turow and John Grisham. -- Gallery

I am just getting back into the swing of things after a few days at BEA, but more on that later this week! In the meantime, I am so grateful that my dad had a review ready for Mystery Mondays. The book is called A CASE OF REDEMPTION by Adam Mitzner, and I think he enjoyed it quite a bit. Here are his thoughts:

I reviewed Adam Mitzner’s first novel A Conflict of Interest in 2011 and looked forward to reading his next novel, A CASE OF REDEMPTION.

Main character, Dan Sorenson, is a high-profile lawyer who is recovering from the accidental death of his wife and daughter nearly two years ago. Dan has not handled this personal tragedy very well. Liquor had become his best friend and his life was at a new low.

Dan is drawn back into the court room when he meets young attorney Nina Harrington who convinces him to take the case to defend rap artist Legally Dead on a murder charge. After some initial hesitation Dan enthusiastically puts together a plan to defend his client. Nina becomes both a partner in the defense and his lover. It becomes clear that Dan sees this case as a way to turn his life around.

A CASE OF REDEMPTION is much more than a story about a murder case. It is a story about how Dan will deal with this opportunity to turn his life around. How he deals with the loss of his family, his relationship with Nina and his legal career is the real story.

One of Mitzner’s strength in the novel is character development. Mitzner puts life into all the characters from Dan and Nina to Dan’s prior law partner and the tough prosecuting attorney. His colorful descriptions force the reader to form opinions of characters like Legally Dead and his manager. Mitzner’s characterization of the trial judge as focused but with a great sense of humor adds a nice touch to already great court room scenes.

The storyline is nicely developed and includes many twists and turns that lead to a surprise ending. At the same time the conclusion is sufficiently open ended to allow Mitzner the opportunity to bring back the character of Dan Sorenson in future novels.

A CASE OF REDEMPTION is an easy to read page turner that shows Mitzner’s talent as an author. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good legal suspense thriller.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel and thanks to Booking Pap Pap for his great review.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.