Cutter

Rating:
Summary: Jack the Reaper
Review: From the beginning Homicide detective Jimmy Parisi and his partner Doc Gibron know that their killer is something different. The first victim, a runner was attacked, carefully eviscerated, and then mutilated with chilling efficiency. The crime screamed 'serial killer,' but there was something else there as well, something besides uncontrolled rage, something cold and calculating.

Parisi wonders if the careful removal of organs is more than just souvenir taking. Instead, he suspects that he has a killer who has found the perfect job, organ selling. Using modern hi-tech as well as good basic investigation, the theory is confirmed and the chase is on. The trail leads not only through the streets of the city but into the shadowy world of the Chicago mafia. Gradually the detective builds a picture of the killer and begins to narrow down the list of suspects.

Parisi must also come to terms with the involvement of his young wife, Natalie, a rookie police officer, who does not intend to take a back seat while he puts his own life at risk. Inevitably, the killer turns the tables, and Parisi finds the very things he holds dear put at risk.

The book starts out shakily, with a machine gun style of narration and dialogue which does not always make sense in the context of the characters. Having Parisi's partner be a Ph.D. who reads poetry in the patrol car is an interesting device. Having him speak a bit like a Chicago hood is somewhat jarring. Laird has some difficulty giving his characters individual voices (everyone sounds tough and hard-boiled). I am not sure if he improved as the book went on or whether I simply acclimatized to the peculiarities of his writing style, but every thing eventually came together and I quickly found myself enjoying a book I initially did not like.

One thing I do take exception to is long sections of the novel spent inside the killer's head. Even if these are well written they always give away too much information and steal some of the mystery from the plot. 'Cutter' is no exception. I understand the purpose of the plot device, but feel this is done better in the third person than the first. I think that the reader should be discovering the book with the investigator rather than waiting for him to catch up. Laird manages to avoid the worst crimes of this narrative style, but he still manages to give the reader too much information.

Even if this is not a five star novel, it is a very respectable effort by a new writer. Be warned that the violence is quite graphic and that there is a bit too much gratuitous sex for conservative tastes. Thomas Laird has managed to create a book both grim and upbeat with a good, driving plot. Worth looking for.

Rating:
Summary: Jack the Reaper
Review: From the beginning Homicide detective Jimmy Parisi and his partner Doc Gibron know that their killer is something different. The first victim, a runner was attacked, carefully eviscerated, and then mutilated with chilling efficiency. The crime screamed 'serial killer,' but there was something else there as well, something besides uncontrolled rage, something cold and calculating.

Parisi wonders if the careful removal of organs is more than just souvenir taking. Instead, he suspects that he has a killer who has found the perfect job, organ selling. Using modern hi-tech as well as good basic investigation, the theory is confirmed and the chase is on. The trail leads not only through the streets of the city but into the shadowy world of the Chicago mafia. Gradually the detective builds a picture of the killer and begins to narrow down the list of suspects.

Parisi must also come to terms with the involvement of his young wife, Natalie, a rookie police officer, who does not intend to take a back seat while he puts his own life at risk. Inevitably, the killer turns the tables, and Parisi finds the very things he holds dear put at risk.

The book starts out shakily, with a machine gun style of narration and dialogue which does not always make sense in the context of the characters. Having Parisi's partner be a Ph.D. who reads poetry in the patrol car is an interesting device. Having him speak a bit like a Chicago hood is somewhat jarring. Laird has some difficulty giving his characters individual voices (everyone sounds tough and hard-boiled). I am not sure if he improved as the book went on or whether I simply acclimatized to the peculiarities of his writing style, but every thing eventually came together and I quickly found myself enjoying a book I initially did not like.

One thing I do take exception to is long sections of the novel spent inside the killer's head. Even if these are well written they always give away too much information and steal some of the mystery from the plot. 'Cutter' is no exception. I understand the purpose of the plot device, but feel this is done better in the third person than the first. I think that the reader should be discovering the book with the investigator rather than waiting for him to catch up. Laird manages to avoid the worst crimes of this narrative style, but he still manages to give the reader too much information.

Even if this is not a five star novel, it is a very respectable effort by a new writer. Be warned that the violence is quite graphic and that there is a bit too much gratuitous sex for conservative tastes. Thomas Laird has managed to create a book both grim and upbeat with a good, driving plot. Worth looking for.

Rating:
Summary: From Teacher to Author
Review: Having Tom Laird as a Literature teacher only made me want to read this book even more. He came along way from his first publication Blue Collar and Other Stories, to a major publication such as this. He uses a different writing style to actually let us know what is happening inside the mind of a mentally insane person. Maybe it was too much to know, or maybe it was a way for us to actually see what happens through the eyes of a mass murderer. This book keeps you on the edge the whole time and makes you want more. I just could not put it down. Any crime or horror novel reader will love this one. Cutter makes you think how vulnerable anyone can be at the right moment. Whether victim or killer.

Rating:
Summary: From Teacher to Author
Review: Having Tom Laird as a Literature teacher only made me want to read this book even more. He came along way from his first publication Blue Collar and Other Stories, to a major publication such as this. He uses a different writing style to actually let us know what is happening inside the mind of a mentally insane person. Maybe it was too much to know, or maybe it was a way for us to actually see what happens through the eyes of a mass murderer. This book keeps you on the edge the whole time and makes you want more. I just could not put it down. Any crime or horror novel reader will love this one. Cutter makes you think how vulnerable anyone can be at the right moment. Whether victim or killer.

Rating:
Summary: Terrifying
Review: Never before has a novel scared me as much as Cutter. The plot kept me wanting to read more and more....couldn't put it down. Thomas Laird has a gift for description and a true talent in character development. I look forward to the release of Rogue in 2003. If you like Thomas Harris, you will LOVE this book.

Rating:
Summary: Scary, Funny, and Suspense....all in one. Great Book!
Review: Once I read the first page, I couldn't put it down. I loved how every few chapters it goes back and forth between the killers actions, then back to the detectives that are serious and funny at times. I read this book in only a feqw days. I couldn't put it down. This is a must read! L

Rating:
Summary: stolen ideas done poorly
Review: The author may teach writing, but does not fashion any plot that holds the readers' attention. Stock characters and rehased plot.

Rating:
Summary: Terrible
Review: This book had zero suspense, and no building action. The plot had holes big enough to drive a truck through. The dialogue was contrived, and all of the characters were the worst stereotypes of cops and bad guys I've ever read. Save yourself time and money, do not read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Twisting suspense and comical banter.
Review: This book was excellent in its' suspense and hilarious bantering between the homicide detectives. This is definitely a book worth reading! Excellent beginning and an even more excellent ending.