In episode 135, author William Landay discusses his latest novel, All That Is Mine I Carry With Me, while also sharing his background as a prosecutor and how he incorporates family drama into his crime novels. William shares a couple elements of his book that changed throughout the writing process (including how it was almost meta fiction!). We also chat about how the court of public opinion shapes the idea of doubt in his book and how the different perspectives play a role in creating suspense.  Plus, William gives us his book recommendations!

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Highlights

• William Landay discusses what he’s been up to between the publication of Defending Jacob and his newest book.
• He gives a spoiler-free overview of his latest novel, All That Is Mine I Carry With Me.
• How his work differs from typical crime or detective fiction.
• William’s approach to creating a sense of realism in his writing without spoon-feeding the reader all the details.
• How the court of public opinion shapes the way doubt evolves in the story.
• Why readers naturally wonder about the truth hidden in crime fiction.
• William’s background as a prosecutor and pulling in the family drama side of his legal novels.
• The idea of the “murder gene” and the science behind it.
• The family dynamics and different perspectives in the book.
• The original name of a character in the book and why it was changed, as well as other changes made to the book and ending.

William’s Book Recommendations [36:06]

Two OLD Books He Loves

• Mrs. Fletcher by Tom Perrotta | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:49]
• Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:41]

Two NEW Books He Loves

• The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:08]
• Liberty Is Sweet by Woody Holton | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:10]

William’s Take on UPCOMING RELEASES [46:32]

Last 5-Star Book William Read

• The Mirror & the Light (Wolf Hall Trilogy, 3) by Hilary Mantel | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:35]

Other Books Mentioned

• Defending Jacob by William Landay [1:30]
• The Strangler by William Landay [1:37]
• Mission Flats by William Landay [1:44]
• Atonement by Ian McEwan [26:04]
• Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar [30:11]
• The Witches: Salem, 1692 by Stacy Schiff [43:59]

About William Landay

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William Landay is the author of All That Is Mine I Carry With Me and three previous novels: Defending Jacob, which won the Strand Critics Award for best mystery novel; The Strangler, listed as a best crime novel of the year by the L.A. Times, Daily Telegraph and others; and Mission Flats, winner of the Dagger Award for best first crime novel.  A former assistant district attorney, he lives in Boston.