This had some of those juicy, satisfying legal moments you look for, but I found the plot to be overwrought and sometimes tedious. You go through the sequence of events with the characters, then rehash it all again and again as we move from law firm/HR meetings to a trial. And for the real kick-in-the-crotch, everything exciting and dark in the plot takes place off-page.

And that ending? Come on.

This was an interesting police procedural! I loved the drama and the twist at the end was perfect. Vanessa wasn’t my favorite female lead but I think the fact that she was a bit of a pushover was intentional. The me too movement was subtly present too and I think these relationships happen in the workplace more often than are reported. Bradley and Matt Brooks couldn’t be any more different and I liked hearing from different perspectives. I alternated between ebook and audio and it was well done!

The title, Love, Betrayal, Murder, pretty much says it all. It involves two attorneys (one whom is married) who work together, fall in love, and then one is betrayed by the other. In the end a murder occurs and the ensuing trial uncovers their relationship and how it affected both their personal lives as well as their careers.

This book is a decent legal thriller and the courtroom scenes are well-drawn, detailed, and easy to follow and understand. But, there is also quite a bit of repetition of the plot, as the trial unfolds. As a result, the story seemed to drag on a little more than it could have or should have.

I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters and they failed to elicit much sympathy from me. That made it harder for me to enjoy the book or even really care what would happen in the end.

I will give Love, Betrayal, Murder just barely three stars because it is well-written but I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I would have liked to. NetGalley provided an advance copy.

This was a fast paced ready full of juicy tidbits and legal case to boot. I enjoyed the dynamics of the characters and found the legal case thrilling to follow. I applaud that Mitzner was able to revisit many of the scenes and provide new perspectives to examine it - felt like the real deal of a legal case. I thought it was well done with the trio dynamics and the ending was satifactory.
I recommend this book!

This was such a phenomenal read! It was beyond enticing to say the least. The title is spot on with the entire twists and turns that is this novel. The writing style was great, Adam is able to really convey what a true thriller read should be, you never see what is coming and if you have an idea you as the reader are wrong. It was fantastic!

Do you love a detailed legal thriller? Well, this is the book for you.

We have Matt and Vanessa, both lawyers in different years at the same law firm. Matt and Vanessa start an affair, Vanessa is married, while they are both associates. Matt becomes partner and the next year Vanessa is up for partner. The firm finds out about the affair and drama ensues. Of course the firm sides with the already partner and decides to not nominate Vanessa for partner, and the first court case in the book occurs.

The story was told in present and flashback scenes. The start of the book is in the second trial, and that can be confusing as you go through the book. We are in the sexual harassment trial and flashing back and forth through Vanessa and Matt's affair and history. Her interactions with her husband and lawyer. Once that trial is over we immediately go into the murder trial. Most of that trial is straight forward but there are a few flashback scenes.

I looked up the author after I read this book because I knew it had to be written by a real lawyer, and it was. There was so much legal speak and explaining of legal speak that sometimes you feel like you're being talked down to. Especially from the judge. Which maybe that is how things happen in the courtroom. I have never been in one so I am unsure how that goes. That being said, the whole legal speak made the story feel more authentic, like you're reading a true crime novel instead of fiction. The whole story is pretty intriguing, literally everyone is lying. Just lies, lies everywhere and they even tell you, oh I'm about to lie now. As we see their inner dialogue. Over all the story was entertaining. Until we got to the end, which made no sense and felt rushed.

A gripping, engaging legal thriller with multiple POVs. It was fast-paced and I did not predict how everything unfolded, especially compared to the predictions I had in the beginning. I just wish it had been a little bit more developed and explained. It kind of felt like the ending came out of nowhere and you’re just left to speculate on the motives behind it. 3.5⭐️

This was a fun legal thriller, it kept me interested and intrigued. Although for me it did become tedious in some parts, it was still a fun listen. I loved the knowledge of the author in the legal system since he's an attorney and it truly shows, made everything feel real.

The characters were just meh for me. Vanessa was just very one dimensional, a hard working lawyer and a mom. We don't really get to know her, so it's hard to truly feel and understand her actions.

There were a lot of repetitions between the two courtroom performances. So sometimes I did just tune out. There were lots of twists and turns, which kept you asking yourself who's telling the truth ?

The ending was truly unbelievable in my opinion. I didn't understand the motive unless I'm missing something. I would've needed more to understand it.

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @blackstonepublishing & @librofm for my ARC & ALC in exchange for an honest review

Matt is in love with another lawyer at his law firm. Vanessa loves Matt. Sounds perfect, doesn't it? There's a few small problems. Matt just made partner and Vanessa is up for partner next year. Matt is not allowed to fraternize with Vanessa. Plus Vanessa is married.
The two can't keep their hands off each other once they are thrown in to a huge case that requires tons of late night hours away from their home. So they begin an affair. What happens next will blow your mind.
This novel was edge of your seat, yell at the characters entertainment. I could NOT look away! Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, something else would slap me in the face. This was a thriller romance that so many should pick up.

Love, Betrayal, Murder
Author Adam Mitzner
Available now!

Thank you, @getredprbooks, #adammitzner, @blackstonepublishing, and @netgalley for my e- copy of this twisty legal thriller!

This is my first read by author and practicing attorney, Adam Mitzner, and I am curious to read more! I was also lucky enough to have the opportunity to participate in an author chat with @k2readers, @getredprbooks, and friends last night to discuss all things legal, the fine line between truth and lies, and yes, also about his latest novel, Love, Betrayal, Murder.

I think it's an extra bonus to read a novel written by an author who also happens to be an expert on the type of novel that they write! One of my favorite things about this legal thriller was the back and forth between the timelines and the court cases. This allowed the reader to bridge everything together, as events were detailed and told from the point of view of multiple narrators. It made for such an engaging and page- turning reading experience.

Love, Betrayal, Murder, is about - you guessed it - all of the above!

Vanessa and Matt are both attorneys at a hotshot NYC law firm. They're young, in love, and support each other's goals within the firm - Matt just made partner, and Vanessa is a "lock- in" for next year to make partner as well. Except - Vanessa is having an affair with Matt, and her husband, Bradley, who's home with their daughter, might be getting suspicious.

When the two begin working on a major case together, their affair is in strict violation of the firm's policy. They've told no one, but now are being questioned, and after nine years, Vanessa has been denied her partnership.

Who betrayed her? How will she handle it? And where does the murder tie in? It's a twisty, edgy, and unpredictable thriller that was fast- paced, smart- and thought- provoking! And it made for an excellent discussion last night!

It’s been a while since I have read a legal thriller and this one was a fun ride! Great for a night in.

I really enjoyed this book! A solid legal thriller that had a good pace that kept me intrigued the entire time. I felt the ending wrapped up a little fast but overall the whole book was great. The characters had a lot of depth and I really enjoyed the court cases throughout. I highly recommend this book!

Love Betrayal Murder is a legal thriller and was one of my top reads for the month of May. Vanessa Lyons and Matthew Brooks are lawyers in love - if only Vanessa wasn’t married with a daughter at home. Matthew is up for partner, and Vanessa is on track to be there next year. Their futures seem twined together and meant to be - but love is only one-third of the title, isn’t it? There’s betrayal - and murder - to come.

I love a thriller that keeps me guessing and surprised during the story (especially when I think I have it allllllll figured out) and Love Betrayal Murder was a good one! The audiobook in particular kept me engaged and out of my head while driving to downtown Chicago a few weeks back (sometimes anxiety gets to be a LOT when I’m in traffic!) and honestly, that’s a pretty big deal.

Book Review: Love, Betrayal, or Murder 🔪

⁉️: Do you think women, and people from other marginalized communities still face discrimination at places of work?

I had been drawn to Adam Mitzner’s upcoming legal thriller after reading its blurb a few months ago. The novel releases on May 16, and is one that I couldn’t put down.

The story begins innocently enough as Matthew Brooks and Vanessa Lyons who are both attorneys in a New York City law firm. Matt has just been made partner, and Vanessa is also groomed to be a partner next year. Unbeknownst to her husband (who is suspicious), Vanessa gets involved romantically with Matt. However, things change when Vanessa is assigned the biggest case at the firm causing rift between Matt and her. Having worked on this headliner case for years, things change and work against Vanessa’s favor.

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.

One of the strengths I enjoyed of this novel was the fact that this is a story of women in the workplace, and how much power they can ascertain to have a partnership and have a meaningful role in their careers. Although a thriller, Mitzner calls attention to gender politics that happen at the workplace. If you love legal thrillers, this one should not be missed!

Thank you @adammitzner @blackstonepublishing @getredprbooks @letstalkbookspromo for the gifted copy!

#lovebetrayalmurd#letstalkbookspromo #AdamMitzner #Getredprbooks #blackstonepublishing

Ohh this one had me pulled in right away! I didn't see the twist coming at all. The first part was more like a love story and the second half was when the mystery/thriller started up. I loved it.

This legal thriller had me on my toes from beginning to end. Sexual harassment, murder, infidelity, all the juicy details. I loved how the legality of everything during the trial was explained and I loved seeing how it all unfolded.

Matt and Vanessa work together in a law firm, and they’re having an affair. When Matt gets promoted to partner he should take Vanessa off the case, but doesn’t. They keep their relationship secret, but when Vanessa doesn’t make partner the next year she blames Matt.

This was an interesting legal thriller. The first half of the book is a court case between Matt and Vanessa as she is suing him for sexual harassment after not getting promoted to partner. After the trial ends, Vanessa is murdered, so the second half the book is another trial where Matt is accused of the murder.

The book is told from both Vanessa and Matt’s perspectives with a narrator filling in other parts. Along with Matt and Vanessa other main characters are Vanessa’s husband who knows about the affair and her lawyer. I enjoyed the multiple POVs, and how you couldn’t trust any of these characters while reading this.

Legal thrillers aren’t always my favorite, but I thought the way the author wrote this story was done so well. I really enjoyed both court cases and how the book ended was great. I had an idea of who murdered Vanessa, but there was a bit more too it at the end that I didn’t see coming.

Read this book if you like:
- Legal thrillers
- Unreliable narrators
- Unlikeable characters
- Mystery
- Dual points of view

This is a twisty murder mystery, part back story and part courtroom procedural. It is just as the title states: Love Betrayal Murder, and in that order.

Vanessa Lyons and Matt Brooks work in the same high level law firm and they are having an affair. Vanessa is married and has a four year old daughter. She is unhappy in her marriage but has not gotten enough courage to leave her husband. Vanessa and Matt are in love but, since Matt made partner, it is against the firm's regulations for him to have an intimate relationship with an associate who has not yet made partner.

Vanessa has been assured by the firm the she is a shoe-in for partner. However, they are asked by HR and head legal counsel if they are having an affair as there is suspicion. An anonymous source has reported their affair. Both lie and say they are not involved. Then the day comes for Vanessa to be reviewed for partner and she does not make it. She is devastated and feels betrayed. She blames her affair with Matt for not making partner.

Vanessa's husband talks her into a lawsuit against her company for sexual harassment. She goes along with him and the lawsuit is filed, Despite winning the case, Vanessa is stabbed to death on a busy Manhattan street in broad daylight. Who wanted Vanessa dead?

Her husband is now a rich man from the settlement. If Vanessa had lived, and then left him, he wouldn't be entitled to the money. Did Vanessa's murder give him what he wanted: a lot of money and full custody of their daughter. Part of the lawsuit required that Matt be dismissed from the firm where he made over a million dollars a year. Did he want revenge?

As the courtroom procedural moves forward, the reader isn't sure who the murderer is despite Matt being the accused.

I was very unhappy with the outcome. It felt forced and I could not suspend belief. Despite this, I loved the book. It is very well written, highly suspenseful and a true page-turner.

Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishers, and Adam Mitzner for allowing me to read an early review copy of this book.

I love a good legal thriller with court room drama. This was a fun and short audio, which kept me captivated.
Vanessa Lyons and Matthew Brooks are in love and seeing each other. They both work for a firm but when Matthew makes partner their affair goes against the firm’s policy. Adding to the complications are Vanessa is married with a child.
Their affair is illicit, and is unknown, but it gets out as they both get called into HR as someone has seen them. They both say they will never admit to the affair because they do not want Matthew to lose his job, and Vanessa is due to make partner soon.
When Vanessa comes up dead the trial begins…..Who is guilty? Is the husband at fault or is Matthew the guilty party? I recommend this novel if you like a good legal thriller. What an ENDING!!!

Thank you, Blackstone publishing, for this advanced copy, due out May 16, 2023.

Wow...this had everything for me. A thriller with many elements. Legal jargon, a variety of relationships, and murder.

I have read a few from Adam Mitzner but I enjoy when a crafted writer fine tunes the package and this is what this was. A fined tuned on the act of the ultimate betrayal.

Matthew Brooks and Vanessa Lyons were lawyers in a large firm in New York. Before Matt made partner, they had begun their affair. Vanessa was married with a young daughter and realized her marriage was a big mistake. Their relationship was not just an affair but they had fallen in love. However, relationships in the work force must be handled with care and when Vanessa came up for partnership, everything changed.

The narrative was done very well. You got a deep sense of how the relationship started, why and what it meant between Matthew and Vanessa. Because of the Vanessa's partnership, there was a betrayal that was deep and complicated. In the format of the "me too" movement and a lawsuit, there were no clear winners and nothing was resolved. My personal feelings was that they both lost. And as the title suggests, a murder comes into play which makes it more complicated and another trial that brings more to light. However, the question becomes who is the killer. Is it Matt or another. A narration on two trials was genius if you love thrillers in light of a trial. One trial was a wrongful suit and the other was murder. It is delightfully complicated. That's how I am going to end. Plus a favorite for me for this year!

A special thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.