LF resident publishes third book based on the North Shore

Many people, as they hurtle into middle age or plod toward retirement, take stock of their careers, reflect back on dreams deferred, and ask themselves, “if not now, when?”

In college, Lake Forest resident Mitch Engel dreamed of being a TV writer but “sold out to the world of commerce” after stints at Miami of Ohio and Northwestern University and joined the advertising world. By age 37, he headed the Chicago office of Foote, Cone & Belding, one of the world’s largest ad agencies, and later took a senior executive role for a Fortune 500 company.

Still, the “writing bug” never left. 

“It was always there, festering,” he said.

And so, in 2007, “after flunking retirement twice,” he hung up his briefcase for good and embarked on a writing career that has now produced three published novels. His latest, “Crimes of Arrogance,” was published in September and is available at the Lake Forest Book Store, The Book Stall in Winnetka and on Amazon.

“I am scratching an itch I have had for all these years, and I’m having a ball,” Engel said. “I wake up in the morning and can hardly wait to get to my keyboard.”

Notably, Engel’s books are actually creating a unique genre. On their face, they are mysteries with compelling story lines and well developed characters. But they also serve as “satirical commentaries that interweave contemporary lifestyle themes with more timeless human values,” he said.

“Crimes of Arrogance,” for example, takes on the human shortcomings of intellectual, financial and social arrogance.

Though no specific landmarks are named, the book is also set in Lake Forest and Highwood. The main character’s billionaire father lives on an eight acre lake front estate in Lake Forest, and there is an entire section on the history of Highwood, his girlfriend’s hometown. 

“I think we picked up on the fabric of the towns,” Engel said.

Engel’s first two books have sold roughly 2,000 copies each, “which for an independent book is a lot,” he said.

One reason for that success might be that Engel writes with a seasoned, mature voice. 

“I have some gray hair. I have observed people. I’ve seen things,” he said.

For example, his first novel, “Deadly Virtues,” takes on the theme of personal accountability, or the lack of it. 

“I just saw so many people in my business career who just didn’t own it,” he said.

His second book, “Noble Windmills,” deals with ambition and the trade-offs one makes to get ahead. 

“I think I probably took that one personally with all the trade-offs I made; the things you do for ambition and what you give up.”

Engel’s next book, which he plans to finish next year, addresses legacy. 

“It’s about the impact we all want to leave or think we want to leave. At our stage in life you see a lot of people start to think about that. It’s a very meaty subject.”

Engel views his work as a “contract with readers,” he said. “I think about the readers as I am editing a book. You are asking them to devote about 20 hours to reading it. That’s a lot of ask of somebody, and you owe them something.”

Which leads to the subject of how he defines success.

“I like reading to be both entertaining and evocative.  I hope the hours spent with one of my books will provide readers with that experience.  If they find themselves wondering where the characters and story line are taking them, then I’ve been partially successful.  Along the way, if they’re smiling at how certain passages hit them, or even nodding their head on occasion, then I’ve made their investment of time worthwhile.  Either way, they have my gratitude.”