Adam Mitzner is a practicing attorney in New York who has somehow found the time to write eight legal thrillers set in New York. Just about a year ago, I reveiewed A Matter of Will, and began my review by saying “I don’t recall reading anything by Adam Mitzner, and I have no idea why!” Somehow, between then and now, I forgot about him, but thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, I recently received a copy of The Best Friend (in exchange for this honest review) and found it to be pretty much perfect as an escape for someone who’s been sheltering in place for a few months!

This is #3 in the Clint Broden series, but even though I haven’t read either Dead Certain or Never Goodbye, I found this one to be fine as a standalone. It gives a great deal of Clint’s backstory as it bounces back and forth between present day and thirty-plus years ago. When Clint was just starting his legal career in New York, he defended his BFF Nick Zamora in a case that made headlines and kickstarted Clint into his role as THE sought-after attorney for the rich and famous.

Although Clint had suspicions about the circumstances surrounding the drowning death of Nick’s wife back then, he chose to believe his friend hadn’t murdered his wife of one month. But their friendship wasn’t the same after that, and for the next few decades they went their separate ways. Nick comes back into Clint’s life, once again accused of killing his wife (this time a trophy fit to be seen on the arm of the megastar author and celebrity Nick has become). As the story unfolds, it seems possible that Clint might have a reason to agree to take the case other than wanting to prove Nick’s innocence.

It’s a fun read, well plotted with some interesting ethical dilemmas and fully developed characters. Like I said, I’ll be seeking out more of Mr. Mitzner’s work, and give this one five stars.