The Anatomy of Desire

A Novel

By L. R. Dorn

A Publishers Weekly Best Mystery/Thriller of 2021

Audie Award finalist for Multi-Voice Performance

For fans of riveting true crime docuseries a la Serial and Making a Murderer, The Anatomy of Desire is a modern tale of crime and punishment exploring unbridled ambition, blinding passion, and the dark side of desire

Ambition. Passion. Betrayal. Murder?

Claire Griffith has it all, a thriving career, a gorgeous boyfriend, glamorous friends. She always knew she was destined for more than the life her conservative parents preached to her. Arriving in Los Angeles flat broke, she has risen to become a popular fitness coach and social media influencer. Having rebranded herself as Cleo Ray, she stands at the threshold of realizing her biggest dreams.

One summer day, Cleo and a woman named Beck Alden set off in a canoe on a serene mountain lake. An hour later, Beck is found dead in the water and Cleo is missing. Authorities suspect foul play, and news of Cleo’s involvement goes viral. Who was Beck? An infatuated follower? Were she and Cleo friends or lovers? Was Beck’s death an accident . . . or murder?

Told in the form of an immersive investigative docuseries, L. R. Dorn’s brilliant reimagining of Theodore Dreiser’s classic crime drama, An American Tragedy, captures the urgency and poignance of the original and rekindles it as a very contemporary and utterly mesmerizing page-turner that will keep you guessing… Did she or didn’t she?

ISBN: 9780063041929
Imprint: William Morrow
On Sale: May 11, 2021
List price: $34.99
No of pages: 320
Trim Size: 6.200 in (w) x 9.300 in (h) x 1.160 in (d)
BISAC 1: FICTION / Thrillers / Crime
BISAC 2: FICTION / Adaptations & Pastiche
BISAC 3: FICTION / Literary
BISAC 4:
BISAC 5:
BISAC 6:

L. R. Dorn

Biography

L. R. Dorn is the pen name for Matt Dorff and Suzanne Dunn. Matt is a Southern California native and graduate of the USC School of Cinema who has written, produced, and/or directed more than sixty hours of dramatic television (CBS, NBC, ABC, Showtime, HBO, Lifetime). He is a member of the Writers Guild of America West. Suzanne is a two-time Emmy Award winner for interactive programming who has written two movies for television. She grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and earned degrees from Penn State and the University of Chicago. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America and Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Santino Fontana

Oliver Wyman

Jonathan Davis

Hillary Huber

Lisa Flanagan

Sharahn LaRue

Shelby Young

Marin Ireland

JD Jackson

Dan Bittner

Vikas Adam

Gabra Zackman

Fred Berman

Darrell Dennis

A Publishers Weekly Best Mystery/Thriller of 2021

Audie Award finalist for Multi-Voice Performance

For fans of riveting true crime docuseries a la Serial and Making a Murderer, The Anatomy of Desire is a modern tale of crime and punishment exploring unbridled ambition, blinding passion, and the dark side of desire

Ambition. Passion. Betrayal. Murder?

Claire Griffith has it all, a thriving career, a gorgeous boyfriend, glamorous friends. She always knew she was destined for more than the life her conservative parents preached to her. Arriving in Los Angeles flat broke, she has risen to become a popular fitness coach and social media influencer. Having rebranded herself as Cleo Ray, she stands at the threshold of realizing her biggest dreams.

One summer day, Cleo and a woman named Beck Alden set off in a canoe on a serene mountain lake. An hour later, Beck is found dead in the water and Cleo is missing. Authorities suspect foul play, and news of Cleo’s involvement goes viral. Who was Beck? An infatuated follower? Were she and Cleo friends or lovers? Was Beck’s death an accident . . . or murder?

Told in the form of an immersive investigative docuseries, L. R. Dorn’s brilliant reimagining of Theodore Dreiser’s classic crime drama, An American Tragedy, captures the urgency and poignance of the original and rekindles it as a very contemporary and utterly mesmerizing page-turner that will keep you guessing… Did she or didn’t she?

ISBN: 9780063041929
Imprint: William Morrow
On Sale: May 11, 2021
List price: $34.99
No of pages: 320
Trim Size: 6.200 in (w) x 9.300 in (h) x 1.160 in (d)
BISAC 1: FICTION / Thrillers / Crime
BISAC 2: FICTION / Adaptations & Pastiche
BISAC 3: FICTION / Literary
BISAC 4:
BISAC 5:
BISAC 6:

L. R. Dorn

Biography

L. R. Dorn is the pen name for Matt Dorff and Suzanne Dunn. Matt is a Southern California native and graduate of the USC School of Cinema who has written, produced, and/or directed more than sixty hours of dramatic television (CBS, NBC, ABC, Showtime, HBO, Lifetime). He is a member of the Writers Guild of America West. Suzanne is a two-time Emmy Award winner for interactive programming who has written two movies for television. She grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and earned degrees from Penn State and the University of Chicago. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America and Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Santino Fontana

Oliver Wyman

Jonathan Davis

Hillary Huber

Lisa Flanagan

Sharahn LaRue

Shelby Young

Marin Ireland

JD Jackson

Dan Bittner

Vikas Adam

Gabra Zackman

Fred Berman

Darrell Dennis