cover image The Cutting Crew

The Cutting Crew

Steve Mosby, . . Orion, $15.95 (375pp) ISBN 978-0-7528-7768-6

Mosby (The 50/50 Killer ) takes readers into the most sinister neighborhoods of a crowded British city in this dark thriller. Former police officer Martin is seeking the murderer of Alison Sheldon. A horrific video turns up with details of the brutal killing, but Martin's partner, Sean, has disappeared, hampering the investigation. Soon Martin finds himself hunting the associates of criminal Timothy Hartley, murdered by Martin and his fellow officers. The clues evolve in a slow and sinister manner as Martin discovers why Sean is missing and how Sheldon and other victims are connected to Hartley. Personal interactions set this tale apart from other thrillers, as Martin's fractured relationship with his estranged wife and his continued obsession with a female cop run throughout the novel and play a major part in the surprising conclusion. (Jan.)