Book Review: The Cutaway (Christina Kovac) @37INKBOOKS @christina_kovac

I find myself struggling with police procedurals lately; I am easily distracted and find that they all fit the same mould. Enter, The Cutaway, the debut by Christina Kovac. This one reads like a police procedural but with a twist, instead of following the internal investigations of the police force, we are thrown into the folds of an investigative journalist.

What a breath of fresh air.

Filled with considerable twists and turns, I was pulled into the world of journalism and I loved every second.   I read this novel easily in the course of a couple of sittings. It was fast paced, dynamic and easily digested.

After receiving a “MISSING” notice on her desk, Virginia Knightly finds herself hot on the trail of a murder investigation. I loved this character; she was smart, resourceful and ambitious. She was the type of character that I felt I could have been friends with. I loved when Kovac really began to develop her character within the second half of the novel. I would love to see Virginia Knightly developed into a series.   (Ms. Kovac, if you are reading this, please take this suggestion seriously.)

I also loved the insider scoop into the cutthroat world of broadcast journalism; I have always been fascinated by this world.   I was impressed with the way Kovac was able to delve in and deliver information without it becoming too heavy or complex.  Instead, we go along with Virginia for the ride as she gathers facts, looks for sources and works alongside the police and prominent members of society to find this missing woman.

I did find that the novel lagged a little in the middle, enjoyable still, just not as fast paced, as I would have enjoyed. However, this is short-lived. By the end of the novel, the pace picks up and the end delivers!

Overall, I’d have to say that this would appeal to crime fans who enjoy police procedurals but long for a new perspective, or for anyone who likes a plain, old, entertaining novel. Mark your calendars!  This one releases on March 21, 2017!

I gave this one 4/5 stars.

 

 Thanks to 37 Ink, Christina Kovac and Netgalley for a digital copy of this novel; it was my pleasure to provide an honest review.