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?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: May 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063041943

L. R. Dorn

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.

Reviews for The Anatomy of Desire

[beamis12 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've only ever listened to one podcast, not seen any of those true crime documentaries that have become so popular, so I totally surprised myself by how much I liked listening to this on audio. It starts as an investigation of a social media influencer accused of the murder of her girlfriend. There are many narrators in the cast but one soon becomes easily able to discern who is talking. A documentary filmaker soon enters the picture, and he follows this story to its conclusion. There is a trial, we hear from different witnesses and see exactly how the case is presented, prosecution and defense. I was completely gobsmacked by the ending. Yet, it made sense and completely brought everything full circle. Secrets, consequences and details of a life that was anything but easy brought to an ugly conclusion.I don't think I would have liked this as much had I read instead of listened. The heard voices made it seem real.ARC from Netgalley.

[rmarcin-630843 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Anatomy of Desire by L R Dorn is a reimagined telling of An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser. It has been given a fresh, contemporary feel. Told in a “docuseries” format via a series of interviews, it is a psychological thriller and peek into the mind of a young woman and her Desire to be successful. Cleo Ray, a social media influencer, is accused of murdering her girlfriend, Rebecca/Beck Alden by drowning her while on a canoe trip. Cleo claims innocence, and as you read the interviews, you wonder, did Cleo do it, or was it an accident? The trial testimony is well-done with perspectives from both the defense and the prosecution. I look forward to reading more from the writing team known as L R Dorn. Thanks to William Morris, Harper Collins, Scene of the Crime, and NetGalley for this ARC. My opinions are freely given.

[dianekeenoy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was the perfect audiobook to listen to as I drove between houses as we moved. It was narrated by a full cast which really added to the enjoyment of this book. I really think this book might be better as an audio. It's the story of a young fitness influencer, Cleo Ray and her complicated life. She and her girlfriend, Beck go out in a remote lake. Beck ends up dead and Cleo is no where to be found. This story is done in a podcast form which makes it feel very realistic. Just very well done, very enjoyable and easy to get lost in...on other words, the perfect book for me during this time for me. Highly recommended!