COLD CUTS

COLD CUTS

By Douglas Lindsay

DI Pereira and DS Bain are on the trail of a killer – but not just any killer. This one actually slices up the victims, packages up their body parts, and distributes them for public consumption. To describe this scenario as disgusting is hardly necessary, but I’ve read other horror stories that were more graphic, so this wasn’t the worst problem for me in the book, although I found it rather tasteless (pun intended).

The book is short, a bit more than novella length, and I count this as a blessing. There was very little in which to engage the reader, aside from the gory basis of the story. None of the characters were developed; we know very little about the detectives on the case, and less about the suspects. However, I get the feeling that this was intentional on the part of the author, Douglas Lindsay, and although I didn’t care for this aspect, I believe there are others who like this type of storytelling. I would have enjoyed knowing more about DI Pereira, particularly, including her background as a detective, and more about her personal life, about which the author drops tantalizing hints, but never follows up on. I suspect these facts will be fleshed out (sorry, punning again!) in future sequels, but I wanted more info up front.

The ending was just that: an ending. I said aloud, “Really? This is it?” as I read the last paragraph. Then I realized that this book would be a perfect TV show. In fact, it reads exactly like a crime show. Little time to develop characters, the case is presented, the detectives find a few clues and close the case. And the dialogue (which, by the way, was my favorite part of the book), was quick and witty at times. The ending was a perfect ending to a crime TV show. Boom. Case closed with a bit of creepiness hanging on there at the end.

I won’t be reading any more of this series, but I have no doubt others will enjoy it. For those of you who choose to read it, dig in with relish. And maybe some salt and pepper.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bastei Entertainment for an ARC for my honest review.

Reviewed October 2017