DEAD CERTAIN by Adam Mitzner is a psychological thriller. Once you start reading this masterful suspense tale, you will be immediately trying to figure out WHO and WHY?

It is the story of two sisters, Ella and Charlotte Broden, living in Manhattan. Ella is an attorney working in her father's impressive criminal defense firm, after rising to become an assistant DA as a successful prosecutor. Her first love is music and she wanted music to be her career. When her mother died of cancer, Ella opted to attend law school thinking that would impress her father. Ella is a lawyer by day but every Wednesday night, completely disguised, she becomes Cassidy, a lounge singer at a seedy lounge, Lava, for open mic in the East Village. That's her secret!

Charlotte is a wanna-be writer studying for her Master of Fine Arts at NYU. She lives in the apartment her father bought her with an African American artist, Zack. He has never sold a painting, is moody and not a favorite of Ella. The sisters are close and in contact every day but each hold secrets from the other they are unwilling to share. what is hers?

When Ella receives an excited call from Charlotte promising "great news," she meets her sister at their favorite diner and immediately is told, "I sold my book. It will be published as soon as the other half is finished." She hands her manuscript to Ella. It is titled DEAD CERTAIN and dedicated to her sister. She excitedly asks her to read it. They are unable to continue their celebration as Ella receives a call demanding she return to the office to meet with a new and important client. Ella packs the manuscript into her handbag and kisses her sister goodbye. She never sees her again.

Adam Mitzner writes a skillfully crafted, who-done-it with many twists and shocks. It is actually a story within a story, the time frame is ten days and the tale is many layered. You are introduced to a bevy of characters and each time you ask, "is he the murderer?" DEAD CERTAIN is a masterful suspense filled saga that will have you turning the pages to reach the dynamic finale. It's a great read that engaged, compelled, and challenged me. Mitzner has a new fan. I loved it!