Say You’re Sorry by Melinda Leigh

After the devastating loss of her husband in Iraq, Morgan Dane returns to Scarlet Falls, seeking the comfort of her hometown. Now, surrounded by family, she’s finally found peace and a promising career opportunity—until her babysitter is killed and her neighbor asks her to defend his son, Nick, who stands accused of the murder.

Tessa was the ultimate girl next door, and the community is outraged by her death. But Morgan has known Nick for years and can’t believe he’s guilty, despite the damning evidence stacked against him. She asks her friend Lance Kruger, an ex-cop turned private eye, for help. Taking on the town, the police, and a zealous DA, Morgan and Lance plunge into the investigation, determined to find the real killer. But as they uncover secrets that rock the community, they become targets for the madman hiding in plain sight.

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh spent some time with The Big Thrill discussing her most recent novel, SAY YOU’RE SORRY:

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

I write twisted fiction that is rooted in reality. I want readers to be challenged to think outside of the box and perhaps see a perspective they never considered before.

How does this book make a contribution to the genre?

SAY YOU’RE SORRY shows a man’s struggle to contain his inner demons and examines the repercussion of his decisions on a small community. The multifaceted approach challenges readers to see the fallout on a very personal level.

Was there anything new you discovered, or surprised you, as you wrote this book?

The legal process is quite different from the defendant’s perspective. In a society that assumes innocence until guilt it proven, I was surprised by the number of people who sit in jail for months awaiting trial.

No spoilers, but what can you tell us about your book that we won’t find in the jacket copy or the PR material?

Most of the previous books have featured either ordinary citizen characters or law enforcement officers as main characters. SAY YOU’RE SORRY is my first attempt to examine the defendant’s side of a criminal case. The amount of research was daunting but also fascinating.

What authors or books have influenced your career as a writer, and why?

Some of my favorite authors are Stephen King, Harlan Coben, Jim Butcher, and Lisa Gardner because their books are always full of surprises.

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Melinda Leigh is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her books have sold over 2.5 million copies, and she has garnered numerous publishing awards, including nominations for an International Thriller Award and a RITA. A martial artist and animal lover, Melinda lives in NJ with her husband, children and a small herd of rescue pets.

To learn more about Melinda and her books, please visit her website.