The Cutting by James Hayman

The Cutting by James Hayman (Rating 4.5)

Published by St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-53129-4
ISBN-10: 0-312-53129-X
At the request from Pump Up Your Book, a HC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis: (from the book's jacket) Early on a September evening, the mutilated body of a pretty teenaged girl, a high school soccer star, is found dumped in a scrap-metal yard. She has been viciously assaulted, her heart cut from her chest with surgical precision. The very same day a young business woman. also a blonde and an athlete, was abducted as she jogged through the streets of the city's west end.
  Thoughts: First I have some caveats to this review..due to personal issues it took me a lot longer than usual to finish this book. I wish I had been able to read this during a non-chaotic time. This review will be written as if I had read it as I have read books in the past. The length of time that it took me to finish it, by no means reflects on the author and/or his book. With that said, and having finished reading this novel, it is hard to believe that this was the debut novel by Mr. James Hayman. His writing style is amazing for a new author. He pulls you into the story and never lets go. Not only with the nail biting story line but even the relationships among the characters. The author's ability to convey his written words to allow this reader to form my own visuals were amazing for a first novel. The suspense in this book took so many different twist and turns right to the very last page made it one roller coaster read!!
  My Opinion and Rating: I gave this a 4.5 rating only due to the fact that I thought that Lucinda's character and the situation she was in should have been given more attention since she was a main character in the plot. But this is my opinion and my opinion only. But overall, if you like suspense, mystery, who done it, books then read this!! Put this author on your radar, a first novel this good, can only get better with future novels. I anxiously await knowing what and when his next novel will be published. The only thing left to say is......Mr. Hayman, KUDOS!!!!!!! WELL DONE!!!!!!

And if you would like to know more about Mr. James Hayman, check out his Guest Author Spotlight on this blog dated 03/23/10.

DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,

in exchange for my HONEST review.

No items that I receive

are ever sold...they are kept by me,

or given to family or friends.