Let me give the disclaimer right from the start of this review. There's some graphic sex in The Cutting by James Hayman and too many f-bombs. There's also a reason I decided to order it for my Kindle, but I can't remember why. I'm fairly sure it was because of a Twitter reference and not anticipating the overkill (no pun intended) of sex and language (probably stupid on my part), I invested in the story. Nevertheless, for those who can ignore bad language and explicit sexual depictions, there is a real thriller here which definitely on the merits of writing and story could have survived without the graphics and superfluous ugly language. But, because of the language and sex, I can't in good conscience recommend it to most of you who follow this blog.
The story begins with a young boy committing an atrocity. We don't know who this child is, but we know he's not going to turn out well. (I almost quit reading after it.) Skip ahead to an ugly murder and mutilation of a young female in Portland, Maine. Sergeant Detective Michael McCabe and his partner Maggie Savage take the lead on the case, but the entire PPD is needed to search for the sadistic killer. Very quickly another similar victim disappears while doing her routine run before work. Is there a connection to the victim and the missing woman? When details of the murder surface from the Medical Examiner, McCabe finds there has been another case in Florida from some time ago. The skills of the mutilation imply this isn't just any killer.
Although this is much like a police procedural once the first victim is discovered and the second woman goes missing, there are peripheral interrelationships. McCabe is a divorced father of a 14 year old girl and has an artist girlfriend he's serious about; Maggie is single, playing the field, and a loyal partner to McCabe. The character development is very well done, the writing is good (with the exceptions of overdone graphics in sexual conduct and language). There is perpetual conflict, innuendo and twists, and more murders before the truth is discovered while time is running out for the missing woman.
The Cutting by James Hayman is a solid thriller with a psycho villain partially hidden while McCabe and Savage try to figure out who, where, and why this killer is able to seize his victims and if they are somehow connected to each other. A very good story - just wish it could have eliminated the explicit sex and foul language.
Father, I pray you would remind James of who you are, that he would know you as you want to be known, that he would realize his gifts and talents are from you, generously given to him. Please bless him with your insights. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.