ISM su 1< tisSHHil z PECIAL — %.‹.4Kushi sampler CUISM€ / and Sushi Bat, The Book Of Lies Suzanne Chessler Special to the Jewish News N ovelist Brad Meltzer always seems to keep his University of Michigan experiences in the back of his mind. Each of his seven novels has referenced the state where he earned his undergraduate degree. Meltzer's latest writing project, The Book of Lies (Grand Central Publishing; $25.99), is a thriller that links biblical characters with a mod- em icon of fiction, and the author puts some of the action in Detroit. The page-turner connects Cain's murder of Abel to the murder of Mitchell Siegel, the father of Jerry Siegel, creator of Superman. "I'm a proud University of Michigan alum:' says Meltzer, 38, who will sign copies of the mystery 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at the Borders in Birmingham. "Bringing the state into the writing is a way to tip that hat and say thank you." Meltzer, fascinated by biblical narrative, also has been a longtime Superman fan. Meeting members of the Siegel family at a book sign- ing for an earlier work of fiction led to his discovery about the Siegel murder and Jerry Siegel's resulting fantasy to create someone who was bulletproof. Connecting the first murderer, Cain, to the murder of Mitchell Siegel moved on to bigger themes as Meltzer inserted fiction into fact. "I put an author's note at the end of the book that shows what's real and what's fake Meltzer says. "I believe that the things people may think are fake are the ones that are real. "When I thought about one murder that gives us the first villain in Cain and one murder that gives the world's greatest hero in Superman, I suddenly had far bigger themes than what I dealt with before. "The reason these stories persist is not because they are interesting sto- ries but because they say something about us. In this book, the stories come to be about being able to accept ourselves for who we are Meltzer, who went on to earn a law degree at Columbia University in New York after graduating with a history major and an English minor at U-M, $5 includes 3 Kushi's (skewers)!!! Open Daily Dinnok 5:301)111 — lOpin Closed Sundays tiblv YOM 113MS tittSTRALLINti AUTHOR OF 1-#114 litION rAtk Large selection of aupanese Beer & l=ull serve bar 29555 Northwestern Hwy Southfield, MI 48034 248-355-1882 I www.issa-restaurant.com Come celebrate 33 years in the metro Detroit area!!!! began his first novel while studying law. His interest in writing about legal issues quickly surpassed his interest in practicing. Meltzer, whose family is active with a Conservative congregation in Florida, dealt with a personal trag- edy while working on this book and brought those feelings into the narra- tive. "I started this book when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and it's not a coincidence that the main character was dealing with the loss of his mother," Meltzer says. "When my mom passed away, our synagogue was there for us:' Through his writing projects, Meltzer tries to be there for people in need. The author assigns some of the proceeds from each book to various charities. With The Book of Lies, he launched a Web site, www. ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com , to further his efforts. "I think the world gets changed because there's greatness in all of us:' says Meltzer, already working on his next novel. "We just have to find what we love to do and accept ourselves for who we are." ❑ Brad Meltzer signs copies of his book 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at Borders, 34300 Woodward, in Birmingham. (248) 203-0005. 444; RESTAURANT 10%Off Total Food Bill Dine-In only. Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. Expires 9/30/08 JN BEST LAMB CHOPS IN TOWN P -E RO OM. 4301 OMA N RiD 'LAKE ROAD WEST BLOOMPICROSSWINDS PLAZA 24 38-6000 FULL BAR FULL SERVICt CATERING Turn your old GOLD into CASH! 32940 Middlebelt Rd. Mile Rd. in the Broadway Plaza) We will buy ALL of your precious metals, diamonds & watches. (248) 855-1730 (At IA Farmington lulls, Michigan www.greis.com Come see us Today. IN September 4 Q 2008 Cli