Member Review

“Every man is the protagonist in the novel that is his life”

Having literally just finished reading and reviewing a previous story where the two main protagonists have both personal and business interests which overlap and have the potential to destroy them, both as a couple and individually, A Matter Of Will virtually replicates this scenario, but there the likeness ends, as this fast moving book has the potential to be adding death to the equation!

Our two main protagonists, Will and Gwen, are both vulnerable and emotional individuals, still trying to prove themselves in their respective chosen careers as investment broker and law graduate, whilst also trying to cement an emotional and physical relationship between them, which is as yet, still in its fledgling stage.

Both are being placed under enormous pressure to find outcomes to problems, which they know are not ethically good or right. When opportunities for fast track career enhancement, are handed to them both on a plate; morals, truth and a profound sense of right and wrong, seem to fly in the face of greed, desire and ‘turning a blind eye’. Both are lured into a false sense of security and seduced by the dream of success, which because of their inexperience and naivety, they fail to realise will suck them in so deep that they will be unable to escape, when the truth of the situation slowly dawns on them – which it inevitably does!

When honesty between them and a reality check finally prevails, both realise that they are opening a Pandora’s box of retribution and destruction, by continuing on their current paths, a price they might ultimately be forced to pay for with their lives.

With his seemingly effortless, skilled writing and compelling, well balanced attention to detail in the narrative and dialogue, Adam never once forgot any one of the many complex characters he introduced into the story, when it came to fleshing out all the details about them and giving them a life and personality of their own. The synergy and dynamics between each of them made for a palpable tension which lasted from the first to last page of the book.

This multi-layered storyline started off at a good pace and the suspense and intrigue never let up for a minute, only when Adam decided to ratchet things up a notch, making the adrenaline pump even faster! There were so many twists and turns in the tale, almost from the first page to the last, that I challenge any reader to have worked out the final outcome until almost the very final sentence. I thought I had it sussed several times, only to be proved wrong within seconds, as the next event unfolded.

For me personally, the only weak spot in the book were the last couple of pages. However, I seriously think that was probably me, looking for that one last twist in the tale, as if there hadn’t already been enough!

Realistically, the ending was the only plausible option I wanted for the couple, although I was in no way prepared for the way in which it happened – this was the most well kept secret of the entire story!

Very reminiscent of, and a cross between, the films The Devil’s Advocate and The Firm, this book truly deserves to be optioned for film and could definitely stand amongst them in its own right.

A Matter Of Will had just about everything going for it, so move over John Grisham, because Adam Mitzner is here to stay – and heading for my Goodreads ‘Favourites’ list!