Matt joins me on the latest Beyond the Page to discuss the dystopian murder mystery thriller and the real world trends that helped inspire its future. In the novel, even solving a murder has become a business: detectives must raise enough money to pay for everything from forensic work to warrants.

We also spend plenty of time talking about Matt’s fascinating career as a writer.

After beginning as a playwright and writing mystery novels, Matt moved into television and spent years working on shows including Law & Order. Eventually, he found himself wanting to return to stories that came directly from his own interests and imagination, which brought him back to novels.

We discuss what writing for television taught him about accepting criticism, how he approaches thriller pacing, the challenge of moving from screenwriting back into prose, and what it’s like adapting your own novel for television.

And, as usual on Beyond the Page, the conversation eventually wanders into some unexpected territory, including horror movies, black lentil hummus, and Matt’s experience working for a traveling circus.

If you enjoy conversations about books, writing, television, and the strange paths creative careers can take, this is a fun one.

Listen to the full conversation with Matt Witten on Beyond the Page.