Adam Mitzner dedicates THE PERFECT MARRIAGE to his wife Susan, his partner in the perfect marriage. In his latest novel, we will have the opportunity to analyze what appears to be an ideal marriage --- until a traumatic series of events will test the boundaries of that union, as well as the motives of all the characters.

Death seems to follow Owen, a teenager who already has survived cancer, when another threat emerges. His mother and stepfather, Jessica and James Sommers, are preparing to celebrate their first year of wedded bliss with a private party at their expensive Manhattan loft with only their closest friends and family invited. News about Owen’s health taking another downturn has yet to be revealed.

"Mitzner channels his inner Agatha Christie by deftly weaving the plot from a story about perfect marriages and fidelity to a murder mystery where almost anyone could be the culprit."

Jessica’s ex-husband, Wayne, is a guest as he shares custody of Owen and maintains a somewhat amicable relationship with Jessica. The same cannot be said for James’ ex-wife, Haley, who crashes their party even though she has been slapped with a restraining order. She delivers an expletive-filled toast to the couple prior to exiting in a flourish.

Also in attendance is James’ business partner, Reid, who works with him in the world of fine art sales. They have had a slow sales period, and each could use a big deal --- Reid because he is untrustworthy and extremely greedy, and James because, once they receive word about Owen’s leukemia returning, he recognizes that the only solution is a costly experimental stem cell procedure that is not covered by traditional health insurance. So they know they must land a wealthy client in the market for expensive artwork as soon as possible.

James and Reid sell a rare, unfinished Jackson Pollock painting to an old contact, and he arrives with a beautiful young woman who appears to be an art broker. She asks if they have more Pollocks as she might have other clients willing to pay top dollar. For whatever reason, it seems that she only wants to deal with James. An unhappy Reid helps foster rumors that James might be having an affair with her. Haley, who still stalks James on an almost daily basis, takes notice.

One day, James informs Jessica that he needs to go to Washington, D.C. to meet with the art broker and her client to sell more Pollocks. He never arrives there, and the police notify Jessica that he was found murdered with a severe blow to the head. The list of suspects is a lengthy one and could be pretty much any character to whom we already have been introduced. Mitzner channels his inner Agatha Christie by deftly weaving the plot from a story about perfect marriages and fidelity to a murder mystery where almost anyone could be the culprit.

THE PERFECT MARRIAGE finishes up with a denouement that includes a murder trial where more than a few revelations come to light, and readers will be on edge until the guilty party is revealed. Does the concept of a perfect marriage actually exist? We may never know, but Mitzner certainly lays claim to the perfect murder being realized.