A Case of Redemption

by Adam Mitzner

This riveting follow-up to A Conflict of Interest is a gritty, sophisticated thriller that will draw fans of Scott Turow and John Grisham into a world of relentless suspense.Dan Sorenson was once a high-powered New York defense attorney but that was before a horrifying accident killed the two most important people in his life. As he approaches rock bottom, Dan is unexpectedly offered the opportunity of a defend an up-and-coming rapper who swears he’s innocent of the brutal slaying of his pop star girlfriend. Dan realizes that this may be his only hope to put his own life back on track, but as he delves deeper into the case, he learns that atonement comes at a very steep price.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Legal Thriller, Thriller, Audiobook, Legal, Mystery Thriller

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2013

About the author

I grew up in East Brunswick, New Jersey, which is about an hour outside of New York City. I graduated from Brandeis University with a B.A. and M.A. in politics, and from there went directly on to law school at the University of Virginia.

After law school, I joined the litigation department of a large New York City law firm, and after a few more stops, am currently the head of the litigation department of Pavia & Harcourt LLP, which is located in midtown Manhattan. Pavia & Harcourt.

I have written 8 novels -- A Conflict of Interest (2011); A Case of Redemption (2013); Losing Faith (2015); The Girl From Home (2016); Dead Certain (2017); Never Goodbye (2018); A Matter of Will (2019); and The Best Friend (2020).

Nothing pleases me more than hearing from readers, so please email me at adam@adammitzner.com

Reviews

[Tracy P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtroom drama and betrayal with a poignant plot revolving around racism and the justice system. Well written with lots of drama as well as educational. The ending was a a real one-two punch of which I did not see coming to save my life. Several jaw-droppers with lots of twists and turns. Recommend.

[Eric_W · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the 21,699,749th minute of his life, Dan Sorenson’s life fell apart when his wife and child were killed by a drunk driver. Having been a thousand dollar an hour lawyer. he’s now basically a drunk, when Nina, a friend of his wife’s best friend insists that he meet with Legally Dead, a black rapper being held at Riker’s. L.D. as he is known has been charged with the murder of his reputed girlfriend, Roxanne. Nina and Ben join forces to defend L.D. who insists he is innocent and there is reason to believe he may be right, even though the evidence appears overwhelming.

My measure of how much I enjoy a legal drama is legal repartee in the courtroom, the dialogue and interaction between lawyers and judges. By any measure this book succeeds well in that category.

A very surprising ending. Excellent page-turner.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

As those of you who regularly read the blog know, I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Adam Mitzner's debut novel, A Conflict of Interest, last year.  It was a great read, and I eagerly awaited his sophomore follow-up, A Case of Redemption.  Although we are leaving the law firm of Cromwell and Altman behind (apparently we revisit it in his third novel), we get to follow an equally interesting lawyer named Dan Sorensen as he tries the greatest case of his life.

Dan Sorensen thought that he had it all: the perfect wife, a beautiful young daughter, and a prestigious job as a partner at the law firm of Taylor Beckett.  All that stopped, however, when he learned that both his wife and daughter were killed by a drunk driver.  Having devoted most of his adult life to the pursuit of his profession, Dan is wracked by guilt over not having spent enough time with his family and begins a downward spiral of self-loathing and drinking.  He is abruptly and reluctantly pulled from this timeline by a woman named Nina Harrington, whom he met at a Christmas party and drunkenly promised to help handle a murder case against a rapper known as Legally Dead.  L.D., as he is known to his friends, is charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Roxanne.  Roxanne is famous in her own right as a pop superstar, and the case has made headlines for months as one of L.D.'s songs specifically references killing someone with a baseball bat, which is precisely the way in which Roxanne was killed.  Now, not only does Dan need to convince the jury that L.D. is innocent despite all the circumstantial evidence, he must also embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing.  The trial is much more than just a job, it's as if Dan's very sanity hangs on the outcome.  Will he and Nina (who is acting as co-counsel) be able to pull off the impossible?  What will happen to Dan now that he has a purpose?

As I stated in my review of Mitzner's earlier work, I loved how he was able to make a court proceeding so exciting.  This also rang true for this work, although there was a lot more that went on "behind the scenes" so to speak that the reader became privy to.  We got to see much of the pretrial motions and meetings that Dan and Nina had to work on, as well as the scenes in which they built their defense.  This work had a similar plot structure as A Conflict of Interest, and it seems as if it works well for Mitzner, as it kept me coming back for sure!  His character development is quite good, as Dan's grief seems palpable and his rebound is not quick or unbelievable.  His interactions with Nina seemed genuine, and I became fully invested in his character.  Of course, this made the plot twist at the end all that much more of a surprise!  I won't tell you what happens, but suffice it to say that Mitzner has twice now blindsided me with great plot twists that I never see coming!  Additionally, Mitzner made it more than easy to hate the book's antagonist, Matt Brooks, but then again all good books have a character that you love to hate.  So, when putting everything together, from the plot twist, character development, and exciting legal drama, you have a great recipe for a suspenseful and engaging book that is impossible to put down.  I can't wait until Mitzner's third book (tentatively called A Fall From Grace) is released!

Todd (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-1Oz

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Legal thriller. Sorrowful lawyer having lost wife and daughter in auto accident is on the verge of complete despair and a wasted life when is-in-law of friends -- beautiful young female lawyer -- convinces sad guy to take case of rap star accused of murdering his girlfriend.

Dan and Nina form a firm. Dan stops drinking. Dan and Nina work out of Dan's apartment and thisis all you need to know to envision the next step.

Legally Dead, the rapper, isin prison except for court dates, Dead girlfriend musician Roxanne is major player, pun intended.

Think strategy, investigation, betrayal, twists, lies, and a judge who thinks she is next up for SNL appearance as host.

Ending was a complete surprise. I think the breadcrumbs were carefully placed but I wasn't paying attention. Upon reflection, it was all jut a bit "too neat" which is a dead give away ( another pun intended) that something is surely rotten in Denmark. No, wait, it's a NYC apartment, relatives from the south, and a place they call stultifying sorrow. No Denmark, but rotten still the same

Artful author left door open for next installment of Dan Sorenson, attorney of record.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Legal thrillers are a kind of literary comfort food, I guess. They usually don't offer dazzling prose or characters (at least I've not yet encountered a writer of legal thrillers who can do that) and even the plots, while twisty and interesting, ultimately boil down to base human motives and police and legal procedurals, with some drama happening in the courtroom, some out.

But I thoroughly enjoy them, if written well. Back when I watched network TV, I was a fan of Law & Order too.

This is my second book by Adam Mitzner, another lawyer-turned-author, and while I see he has a tendency to reuse stock characters (the up-and-coming partner in a big NYC law firm who ends up leaving because of a personal crisis; the beautiful junior associate who admires his brilliant legal mind which of course means she's going to jump on his dick halfway through the trial) he has so far executed two very different stories which were more satisfying than a one-hour L&O episode.

In A Case of Redemption, the protagonist represents "Legally Dead," the street name of a hip-hop artist who is being accused of beating his white girlfriend to death with a baseball bat. Inconveniently, his just-released single is about beating someone to death with a baseball bat.

As the protagonist and his junior associate cutie girlfriend try to unravel what really happened, they uncover one secret after another. The motto of the defense attorneys in this book should be "Clients lie." Having a client who keeps lying to you can make it very hard to defend him, but does make it easier to keep springing twists on the reader.

Not very deep in characterization - honestly, I think the main characters in the two Mitzner books I've read are mostly indistinguishable - but still a good read if you like legal thrillers.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Sorenson used to be an attorney. Now he is just trying to figure out what he is going to do with his life after a drunk driver killed his wife and daughter. Dan is contacted by Nina. Nina’s company does work for Capital Punishment Records. Capital Punishment represents rapper, Legally Dead or L.D.

L.D. has been convicted of murdering his girlfriend. L.D. claims that he is innocent. Dan decides to take on the case as this just might be the fresh start that Dan needs. As Dan investigates the case, he wonders is L.D. guilty or innocent?

Another good book from Mr. Mitzner. I liked this book better then the first. I hope that the next one I like just the same as this one or better. Mr. Mitzner has found his niche in the criminal suspense genre and book world.

I liked Dan’s gruffness and take charge attitude. He did have a softer side as well when he remembers his dead wife and daughter. Also when he is around Nina. She balances him out and brings the best out of him again. The trial scenes were when Dan was at his best. Just when I thought it was all over, Mr. Mitzner adds one last twist to end this book. A Case of Redemption is a worthy read!

[Bennett Gavrish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review will appear on BookDigits.com, Bennett's new book rating website, which is launching next week.

Grade: B–

L/C Ratio: 30% Literary / 70% Commercial

Thematic Breakdown:
35% - Legal thriller
25% - Love
15% - Celebrities
15% - Tragedy
10% - Mystery

Addictiveness: Medium
Movie Potential: 1 Thumb Up
Re-readability: Low


Mitzner constructs a smart, fast-moving plot around a first-person narrator with a solid backstory and an engaging voice. Unfortunately, the author nearly spoils the book's successes by throwing in some wild, illogical twists in the final chapters.

[Amy Lignor · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who’s mouth waters at the mere mention of an awesome legal thriller, this is one novel that will have you running to the library and demanding a copy.

Our main character is Attorney Dan Sorensen, who was once known as a real go-getter in his New York City law firm. Sadly, when tragedy struck and Dan lost his wife and daughter to a car accident, the law took a backseat. Turning more and more to drinking and isolation, Dan found a way to numb himself and try to forget his loss.

On his way to the bottom of the barrel, Dan looks to be goner. But another lawyer, Nina Harrington, steps in at the right time to halt his demise, asking him if he would be interested in defending a new and talented rapper who has been accused of killing his girlfriend. The rapper, of course, is claiming complete innocence.

Feeling the small spark still left inside him for the law, Dan wants to get back on track. And even though he’s not sure that this type of case will get him there, he and Nina forge ahead and go meet their new client.

Going by the stage name of Legally Dead, L.D., as he wants to be known, is adamant about his innocence. Although the two lawyers are more than a little skeptical of his story, they do begin creating a defense. Most all the evidence against their client is circumstantial, so they attempt to jump odd roadblocks that are put in their way in order to establish an alibi for the night L.D.’s girlfriend was killed.

The writing in this mystery is first class; the pace is extremely quick, and all characters - main and supporting - have been well thought out by the author. There are even some special events at the end that will really surprise you. If you’re a Law and Order fan this is one book where the ‘Order’ is absolutely unforgettable. Head to the library and demand it!

[Court · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this is a tough one for me to rate. I almost want to give it four stars because I actually really did enjoy the book, but I can't for one reason and one reason alone: I figured it out at the 50% mark. I even wrote about it in my update on goodreads while I was reading the book, because I really knew that I had it figured out. The problem is that I spent most of the remainder of the book proving my theory and feeling like I was being played. That said, I really would like to give it 3.5 stars, so consider that my informal rating.

I don't want to have to hide this review because of a spoiler, so I won't confess anything too specific other than when things look too good to be true, they often are.

One other complaint- I felt early on that the author used some racial stereotyping in the language choices of his characters who were African-American, and I initially thought I would put the book down because of it. It was better explained by the story mid-way through and I now believe the choices of words/language to be intentional..... but I still don't like it.

Lastly, the end wrapped up too quickly for me. The apex/major conclusion happened quickly and I felt a little let down, especially because (as I mentioned earlier)I already knew it was coming and at least wanted the satisfaction of it being as slowly drawn out as the blackjack and football scenes depicted in the book were (which, for my taste, were WAY too long and WAY too specific. Yes, I needed capital letters there).

That said, I really did enjoy the book, and I will definitely read the others the author writes/has written. I just hope they will be less predictable than this one!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy, enjoyable read. The mystery of this book isn't so much "who-dunnit" because there's really not a whole lot of "who's" to choose from. But even if you might find yourself predicting the "who", the circumstances surrounding it -- and the way the events unfold -- may surprise you yet. That's good.

Some thoughts concerning title: Sometimes I sort-of forget the title of the book while I'm reading it, thinking of it more as "my book" or "the (author) book" while reading it. Sometimes book titles are directly indicative of content (I mean, one doesn't really wonder what Murder on the Orient Express is about, right?) But sometimes not. Sometimes they're random or purposefully vague. Sometimes they seem to mean one thing and then reveal themselves to mean something completely different. (See Gone Girl , as awesomely titled as it is written) But sometimes titles are insightful and part of the art of the book itself. Anyhow, often upon finishing a book I often re-consider its title. When I did that with this book, it meant something. I said to myself yeah, I think I get what he was going for.

That's art, and that's good.

So, those who are fans of multiple deep character studies, this may fall a little short for you. There is in fact a fairly short cast of characters. But fans of linear plot lines, steady pacing, interesting developments, endings that pay off, great "last lines", and an overarching theme that resonates with new depth in the final pages, will be very pleased. As was I. Four stars.

[Kali · Rating 2 out of 5]

from kalireads.com:

It did not bode well for my experience listening to A Case of Redemption by Adam Mitzner, narrated by Kevin T. Collins, that I was reading a hard copy of Broken Harbor at generally the same time. It really amplified for me the difference in the quality of writing. Where everything about Broken Harbor had been fresh and bizarre, everything about A Case of Redemption, a legal thriller, was stereotyped so heavily I almost laughed in a few placed. Even the title was so blatantly unoriginal (A Case of Need, A Case of Conscience, A Case of Exploding Mangoes, A Case of Identity, A Case of Curiosities) it really let me know right what I was getting into. In a sort of “ripped from the headlines with a twist” manner, a black rapper is on trial for murdering a white pop star he was dating. I listened to this as an audiobook, and when poor writing is read aloud it starts to sound like bad acting. The dialogue is strained, the sex scenes could use some lessons from Fifty Shades as they were more awkward than the imaginings of a 15 year old boy, and even the twists near the end couldn’t save what I felt had been a waste of a story. What it feels like to me happens with Mitzner’s stories is he doesn’t have any sort of original voice. I hear a story which isn’t quite as full of striking characters as a Grisham or Connelly novel, which doesn’t have that unique page-turning property of a Harlan Coben book. Nothing special here.

[Wendy Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Law & Order. The police half is always interesting, but it's the courtroom scenes that intrigue me. Dan Sorensen used to spend most of his adult life living his job. Until his wife and child are killed in a horrific auto accident. Then the law didn't matter and only the booze did. It made him forget.

Then he happens into a case that could help him find a way back to the living again, and the law. A rapper has been accused of killing his girlfriend and he claims he is innocent. Dan knows the media is covering this one is a splashy way so it's all or nothing.

With a quick pace and memorable characters, A Case of Redemption is what I would term a legal thriller.
Even though the evidence against his client is circumstantial at best, Dan knows that coming back from a big break, he'll need to be on the top of his game. That's not to mention any of the other little dirties climbing out of the woodwork. The judicial system kept me riveted but the capable writing and slowly building plot will keep me coming back for more from this talented writer. Highly recommend!

[Judy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, I devoured this one!

Loved Adam Mitzner's Losing Faith (2015) Top Books of 2015; dying to catch up with Mitzner's two earlier books, Case of Redemption and A Conflict of Interest, choosing audio, due to travel.

A CASE OF REDEMPTION exceeded all my expectations-- both page-turners. Loved, loved the author, the characters, and the suspense - so my style--a huge Grisham fan, and lover of legal thrillers and courtroom dramas. A Case of Redemption, has it all, and the twist at the end, I did not see coming-brilliant!

And as an added bonus, the narrator, Kevin T. Collins, was a perfect fit- highly recommend the audio version. Mega excited to discover this author- one to follow and watch.

Check out Mitzner's upcoming, The Girl From Home , Coming April 5, 2016-- Explosive!

[Malia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book by Adam Mitzner that I have read and was again pleasantly surprised(mayble that's the wrong way to put it, because I already liked the first one...)
The story is again centered around a legal case. But as it moves forward, new developments and clues constantly pop up and intermingle with what is already known. Mitzner has a wonderful ability to create a fast-paced legal thriller with interesting and engaging characters. In my experience with the genre, that is not the norm, unfortunately.
I hope to read more by this author in the near future!

Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good courtroom drama and this one kept me reading and guessing until the end

[Lindsay Nixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like legal thrillers, check out this author.

This book will keep you on your toes and has the right balance of procedure, case, and character development (although there was one graphic sex scene I could do without)

Normally I can’t read legal thrillers without throwing the book but Mitzner manages to write thrillers that are authentic enough that anyone with an understanding of the law won’t scream in frustration.

I was able to guess the twists in this case but knowing them didn’t distract from the story.

Summary: lawyer that was a workaholic got a celebrity off on a rape charge and a month later his wife and baby girl were killed by a drunk driver which he feels is his punishment for defending the rapist. He becomes an alcoholic, and hadn’t practiced, until an event where he is approached by a young, pretty attorney who wants him to represent a rapper who is on trial for murder. The bulk of the book is about the case and whether or not the rapper did it, as well as a budding romance between the two lawyers. It’s also a story of putting your life back together after tragedy and shows the shady side of the music business.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa! Not only didn’t see that coming, it never even crossed my mind that it could! If you like a good twist, this book is for you.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Case of Redemption is legal thriller. There is a tenative release date of early May 2013. This is a Simon & Schuster/Gallery Books publication.

Daniel has spent the last eighteen months grieving for the wife and daughter he lost in a car crash. He left the high powered law firm he devoted so much time and energy to and spends his days in an alcohol haze.
Then at a Christmas party he meets Nina. Although he doesn't remember most of the conversation they had, she had convinced him to look into the case of "Legally Dead" a rap artist accused of murdering Roxanne, a popular pop star.
Nina is convinced the rap star is innocent and Daniel really needs this to be true. He cleans up his act, stops drinking as much, and begins to feel alive again.
The case however, has many problems. He must deal with the less than forthcoming rap star, a publicity hound judge, and various shady characters from the music business.

This is the true definition of a legal thriller. It's obvious the author is a lawyer. He just knows too much about courtroom politics. This adds an element of reality to the novel. I loved the plot twist, the angst, the drama, and the courtroom scenes.
This is mystery, a courtroom drama, with a little romance involved. But as the title suggest, Daniel has demons he is trying to make peace with. He is trying to get his footing back after the blow of losing his family and the guilt he feels for putting his career first. He also is dealing with former law cases he tried that pricks at his conscience. He is hoping that now he will be able to prevent an innocent man from going to prison. But, is "Legally Dead" really innocent? Will he found guility?
Overall this is a good solid mystery/legal thriller. I understand that this is the author's second novel. I will be looking for his first novel which also got really good reviews. I am also looking forward to future novels by this author. I give this one an A. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publishers for the ARC copy of this book.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Sorenson was a high profile attorney at a big New York firm spending 12-16 hours a day working. Then the unthinkable happened. His wife and daughter were killed in a horrifying auto accident. He quits the law firm and spends 18 months wallowing in his grief. Drinking so much that he blacks out and forgets hours of time.

At a party he meets someone who can give him the opportunity of a lifetime, a way to start over, but first he has to have them explain the whole idea again as he barely remembers the meeting.

An up and coming rapper has been accused of killing his pop star 1Cgirlfriend 1D. He swears he is innocent but the press has the story on every front page so defending him will be an upward climb. He is not sure he is ready just a huge case. He also realizes this could be his last chance to get his life back on track. In a way he needs this client as much as his client needs him.

Dollycas 19s Thoughts
Oh this story is like a ride on a tilt-o-whirl. Full of twists and spins and plenty of excitement.

I love the way Mitzner creates characters readers will love even the ones we love to hate. Defending L.D. takes over Sorenson 19s life. Nina was the calming influence he needed. J. D. has a past that has to be clarified and clarified again. The prosecuting attorney was a strong woman just doing her job. The trial judge adds a little humor to the story.

Told from Sorenson 19s point of view readers have the 1Cyou are there 1D feeling. The story builds and builds at a perfect pace leading up to the trial but I can 19t tell you more you have to read it for yourself. Just know the pages will be flying.

Fans of Grisham and Turow will love Mitzner. With just two books out he is definitely an author to watch. I can 19t wait until his next book. Will Dan Sorenson pop up again? I sure hope so!!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Sorenson, NYC lawyer, has had a rough 18 months. He won a high-publicity case, his wife and daughter are killed in an auto accident, he quits his job with a prestigious firm, and then sinks himself into the bottle. Until he meets Nina. Nina has a high-profile case and she needs an experienced defense lawyer. The accused is Legally Dead, a rap artist, who is accused of killing his girlfriend Roxanne, another singing star. L.D. says he’s not guilty. After some persuasion, Dan agrees to take the case. He and Nina form their own firm and the battle lines are drawn. Together they have to sift through the lives of L.D. and Roxanne and build a defense. With a rising star ADA as the prosecutor and a camera hungry judge this trial is going to be a bumpy ride.

I was intrigued by Dan Sorenson from the first page. His story is tragic but I couldn’t help cheering him on. Nina is a beautiful young woman who just wants to pull him up out of his despair, while at the same time save a man she believes to be innocent from a life in prison. The dynamic between the two was very engaging. The courtroom drama was really well written and I liked how the author took the reader through Dan’s thought processes throughout the trial. He is constantly analyzing to determine his next move and how every word spoken will affect the jury’s opinion. I think this really helped me to feel a part of the action and kept the story moving forward at a good clip. This is the second book I’ve read from this author and it’s another winner for me.

[Lynne Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan had it all, a wife, a child and a very successful career at a major Law firm. Tragedy takes all of this away leading to a downward spiral that leads to what may be the end of all Dan held dear. Will he rise or will he fall farther into the depths of despair in which he finds himself?!
Adam Mitzner's debut novel, "A Conflict of Interest", was a 5 star read and I hoped for more of the same in this, his second standalone novel, " A Case Of Redemption". I was not disappointed, this was a very good Legal Mystery. "A Case of Redemption", was well written, the plot was well thought out and the characters well developed. The only thing that kept this novel from also being a 5 star, was the improbable ending.
Adam Mitzner, has become one of the new voices in literature that should be read. Though 70% of his novels are great Trial Lawyer reads, he also builds into his books family relations, social issues and questions of WEID (what would I do). I highly recommend this author to anyone interested in fresh, new voices in the legal thriller genre.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent legal novel with exciting courtroom action.
A down-and-out lawyer whose wife and child were killed in an accident joins forces with a female lawyer he met at a friend's party. Together they represent LD, a defendant accused of murdering a pop singer girl friend. The intrigue begins with the defendant's background, his friend, Nuts, and the judge in the trial and the successful head of a recording company....all intriguing characters. A quasi-love story, an emotional lawyer attempting to get his life back, super courtroom drama, and some dark characters make for a fine read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little skeptical. I like Adam Mitzner, but I don't like love stories taking over legal mysteries. if I wanted to read a romance novel I would but I don't. However I knew there must be a purpose and so tolerated the romance. It was a great plot. Had good twists. I would have just preferred it to be written with less romance.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely captivating. I thought I knew where the book was headed but boy was I wrong. I had previously slogged through Inferno by Dan Browne and this was such a breath of fresh air. Crisp story, like-able characters, easy to follow. Great purchase!

[Marlon Weems · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a Grisham wanna-be. Ok read but somewhat predictable.

[Jen Ostrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't want to give anything away, but any book that can make me audibly gasp and say "no way," more than once, is a good book.

[Beverly Bua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of twists

Easy summer beach read. It begins to become clear three quarters the way through , sorta easy to figure out before the author nearly ties it up for the end

[Casey DeeAnn Gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprising

I like the way the story grabs you from the beginning. The way it's written keeps you wanting to read more, even though some of it is predictable. I still recommend it.

[Jennifer Gatto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always like a good legal thriller. This one did not disappoint.

[Phillip III · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I finished reading Adam Mitzner's A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, I thought I'd never read a better, more well-written legal thriller by the author. Figured he'd peaked with his debut. And then I read A CASE OF REDEMPTION, and I am not sad to say --not sad at all-- I was wrong. If you are me, and love courtroom dramas, legal thrillers that hinge on the law, and lawyers, and judges, and conspiracies, and witnesses, and juries . . . Give Adam Mitzner a shot!

In A CASE OF REDEMPTION we meet Dan Sorensen. He was once a pretty high-powered attorney, well-positioned in a infamous law firm. A rising star. When tragedy strikes, Sorensen's life is shattered. The millions of shards are nearly impossible to fit back together. Unable to adapt, move forward, Sorensen leaves the firm, quits practicing law, and instead decides wallowing in his pain and loss is the best bet.

That is until everything changes. Nina is a girl he met at a party. Although he was intoxicated, he can't recall most of the encounter. Apparently he'd promised to hear her out on a legal matter. She's a third year associate at a small firm --a firm she'd just walked out on. She has a case. An up-and-coming rap star is behind bars. He has been charged with murdering a famous pop singer.

The prosecution has no evidence linking the rapper to the crime, other than the two had been romantically involved.

Meeting with his new client, Sorensen realizes two very important things. The rapper, Legally Dead, is innocent, and that maybe, just maybe Nina is the one responsible for saving his life before he hit rock-bottom.

The two, Sorensen and Nina, work day and night on the case, determined to get to the heart of the matter. Unfortunately, the more they seek out the truth, the more lies they uncover. Time is running out. The trial begins soon, and they have little by way evidence to prove Legally Dead did not kill the world-loved popstar!

I hate, hate comparing one author to another. I did it when I reviewed Mitzner's A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, because it was his debut. I said it was as good as when Grisham and Turrow released their first novels (A TIME TO KILL, and PRESUMED INNOCENT). And I stand by that. This time, though, I want to point out that Mitzner is clearly his own writer. A talented storyteller, Mitzner creates characters that readers will care about. More than once I was brought to tears. A CASE OF REDEMPTION is one of those tug-at-the-heartstrings stories. It got to me.

I love the courtroom stuff. The Objections, both sustained and overruled. Discovery is intense. What will they find? What's been left out? Who is hiding what? Mitzner makes me feel as if I am a paralegal working the case beside Sorensen and Nina the entire time! It's like watching a movie. Loved it!

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series,
and The Vaccination Trilogy