Cutler

by David Whish-Wilson

Paul Cutler is a former undercover operative, now working off the books for his handler, Malik Khalil. When Cutler is tasked with investigating the disappearance of an Australian marine scientist on a Taiwanese distant water fishing vessel, Cutler realises that the apparent murder he' s investigating points to a slew of much darker crimes. Onboard, Cutler discovers that the vessel' s crew members are kept as slaves, subject to brutal punishment and forced to work long hours with little rest. And when he learns of the recent massacre of the crew of an Indonesian fishing vessel in the same waters, he realises his quest for the truth will be meaningless if he cannot escape with his life.

Genres: Crime, Audiobook, Thriller

304 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2024

About the author

David Whish-Wilson is the author of eleven novels and three creative non-fiction books. He was born in Newcastle, NSW but raised in Singapore, Victoria and WA. He left Australia aged eighteen to live for a decade in Europe, Africa and Asia, where he worked as a barman, actor, streetseller, petty criminal, labourer, exterminator, factory worker, gardener, clerk, travel agent, teacher and drug trial guinea pig.

David is the author of four novels in the Frank Swann crime series and two in the Lee Southern series, two of which have been shortlisted for Ned Kelly Awards. David wrote the Perth book in the NewSouth Books city series, which was shortlisted for a WA Premier’s Book Award. His latest novel, Cutler, was shortlisted for a WA Premier's Book Award and the BAD Sydney Danger Award.

He currently lives in Fremantle, WA, with his partner and three kids, and teaches creative writing at Curtin University

Reviews

[Alex Cantone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moon had sunk to the horizon and the night sky was studded with stars, some so bright they hurt Cutler’s eyes. The generator whirred and the deck lights turned on and then the stars were gone, replaced by a milky halo around the ship that gave the deck a fairground atmosphere, reflecting off the inky ocean that slapped against the hull. There was a choppiness to the waves that was different to the usual open-ocean swells. Cutler crawled to his knees and looked over the rail. In the distance, against the dark horizon there were a few lights, belonging to other fishing vessels.

Paul Cutler is a shadowy man, working as an investigator for the Australian Government’s criminal intelligence. After escaping a bunch of bikies who had left him for dead, he is reassigned to a Taiwanese fishing vessel, whose observer under the rules of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement – (and son of the owner of one of Australia’s deep sea fishing fleets) – has disappeared.

If bikies were tough, Cutler soon discovers the ocean is lawless beyond that of unscrupulous sea captains answerable to their owners. Transponders are “routinely” switched off to hide from other ships/the authorities. Massive trawlers plunder the depths, sending fish resources and by-catch crashing, the crews little more than slaves, often refugees tricked by people smugglers, never to step foot ashore – their only release the depths.

Raw, gripping: I had read and enjoyed other works by West Australian author David Whish-Wilson, but with Cutler, he raises the bar.

[Guy Salvidge · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Whish-Wilson's latest outing drops us into the barbaric world of the deep-sea fishing industry. Most of the action takes place aboard two ships, the Monterey and Shuen Ching 666, and what follows is a series of close, claustrophobic encounters between the eponymous Cutler and the men he meets in the course of his investigation into the death of his predecessor. Whish-Wilson's prose is as lean and mean as the mind of his protagonist, giving the narrative a surgical precision and realism often lacking in works in this genre. By the time Cutler is ready to strike at his adversaries, primarily the odious, shabu-addicted First Officer Li, we are ready for the sparks to fly. Whish-Wilson manages to tell a ripping tale about a subject matter most readers won't have much familiarity with while also shining a light on the dark world of modern industrial fishing. Highly recommended.

[Renee Hermansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutler
By Dave Whish-Wilson

I found this book educational on the fishing industry as well as being an excellent thriller.
Paul Cutler boards a fishing vessel in search of uncovering the truth of what happened to a missing marine scientist.

I was saddened at some of the imagery as I absolutely love dolphins and marine creatures. To think this is what happens to both the animals and the people who work this industry is disturbing.

This book kept me interested throughout as it twisted in many different directions. Never knowing who could be trusted and who was honest

Cutler is a strong character, who seems to put himself in dangerous positions for his work. I look forward to following where he ends up next.

Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Fremantle Press for my copy to read and review.

[Helen O'Toole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me awhile to get genuinely hooked into this novel; pardon the pun. By page 90, I was dreading Paul Cutler leaving the safety of the Monterey and going on board the Taiwanese fishing vessel, the Shuen Ching 66.
We should thank the author for writing such a grim & relentless story of the slavery aboard these fleets. All the time I was reading it, I kept thinking of the tens of thousands of men trapped into service throughout the world. I used to have some romantic notion of “line caught” tuna. After reading about the way fish are caught along with birds, sharks, dolphins etc, I honestly think I should become vegetarian!

Plus how can countries not know how grim are the conditions under which these people are trapped?
Some had not set foot on land for 5 years.

It probably helps if you read pages 292 to 297, the author note, before you read this novel. This novel is written in the most beautiful prose especially his descriptions of the sea in every weather condition. The characters even the ones with the most evil of natures are very well written. I think we may be lucky enough to see Cutler in future novels. There is certainly scope within his line of work for further stories.
I do hope that Cutler is widely read. There are passages in it that have haunted my dreams since I read the descriptions. Powerful, necessary and heartfelt writing.

[John Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thrum of a diesel engine and the hammering of ocean swells on a steel hull is the mental soundtrack that keeps beat with this whip-cracking 'ocean noir' crime thriller set on the deep sea fishing grounds of the Pacific.

Cutler explores the treachery and ruthlessness of the international fishing industry, exposing the scaley underbelly of environmental devestation built on the blood, sweat and tears of human trafficking.

Whish-Wilson combines his great talent for subject matter research, with his incisive use of language to bring this novel to life.

Be warned, take a handful of sea sick tablets before you dive in and ride out the storm. You'll be hooked from page one.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preview Copy received from Good Reading with thanks.

My rating was 4 stars.

This book was somewhat out of my usual genre but I was attracted to the fact that
a) the author was living in Western Australia and
b) the subject matter was based on the state of play with the global fishing industry in our oceans.

The book delivered on many levels- I was intrigued for the most part by the adventure undercover operative story and the authors ability to build suspense. His descriptions of the characters, while pretty typecast, allowed the reader to visualise them very clearly. Some good suspense was built particularly towards the end of the novel.

I really enjoyed the facts woven into the tale, I had no idea about the huge numbers of seabirds killed in the fishing industry. Even the descriptions of the way the lines were set and harvested were fascinating.

Sobering was the authors note at the end, I think it really value added to the experience of the book.

I would be keen to read more by Whish-Wilson

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did struggle at the beginning but then kept going as the main character was so well constructed. This is a dark book, but so well written. The atmosphere is heavy and pulls you into the drama of being out to sea.

[Jimmymac · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an extraordinary novel. Part thriller part expose of the fishing industry.

[Chris Klitzing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a great story
Even if it is half believable then our Oceans are in trouble ie empty Oceans
And I don’t doubt there are in existence the poor labour in existence and actual slave conditions
Also for all seas outside Country boundaries to be lawless is mind blowing
Terrific story

[Stef O'connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve just finished Cutler by David Whish-Wilson, the first book in his Undercover series. I’ll admit, at the beginning I found it a bit of a slog – there’s a lot of detail about commercial fishing, illegal practices, and forced labour. But the further I got, the more interesting that side of things became, especially as the main story of intrigue, murder, and violence started to unfold.

By the last quarter, I couldn’t put it down – it’s tense, fast-paced, and everything comes together really well. The real reason Cutler is on the fishing vessel isn’t revealed until near the end, and it makes the payoff worth the slow start.

It’s gritty, atmospheric, and definitely makes me want to keep going with the series.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a real penchant for fiction set on the high seas. From Forrester's Hornblower series when I was a kid all the way through to Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey Maturin novels. There is a fantastic Alan Furst novel called Dark Voyage set on a Dutch tramp steamer during World War 2 and I love it. Cutler satisfied that craving for me here and I enjoyed the book quite a lot. Admittedly the insights into long line fishing were depressing and the death and waste is not easy to read about, But the plot was pretty good. Having said that, the next novel in the series (O'Keefe) set in Perth is actually better written, or perhaps better edited. Nevertheless, I didn't waste my time reading this one. I read both the eBook and audio versions. The narrator was excellent.

PS 3.5 stars

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into this novel, but it was worth persisting. Some strong characters, particularly Cutler, and an expose terrible crimes being committed against humanity and our environment.

[Tim Bolland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different to David's other books, enjoyed a different, unsettling setting.

[Ad Sa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Strikes a good balance between tense thriller at its core to informative about fishing practices but without being preachy

[Nick Fowler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it for the most part although I felt the story plateaued towards the end

[Richard Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seemed to be positioned as a thriller and it was definitely tense. The main character, Cutler is someone who goes undercover with assumed identities in order to infiltrate various groups which is apparently his special talent. I was expecting a spy-type thriller with tense situations as he attempted to hide who he really was and quick thinking lies to preserve his cover. Instead, Cutler seemed to play it pretty straight and answer everyone's questions honestly.It's quite impressive how well the tension is made when Cutler takes half the book to get to the fishing vessel where he's secretly investigating a suspected murder. There was tons of information about the fishing industry in here and these details definitely made the scenes on the boat engaging but the whole way through I was wondering why Cutler was investigating one man's presumed death at sea. I was always keen to hear more about Cutler's past and all the very many exciting missions he'd been on and how he used his special skills. On this mission, he seemed to just hang around until the bad guys made a mistake which wasn't too thrilling. Still, I was very drawn in to the story!

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Australian author David Whish-Wilson latest standalone crime novel is Cutler (2024). Paul Cutler is a former Australian soldier and undercover operative, who is hired by wealthy businessman to discover how his son, a marine scientist, disappeared (suspected murder). Assuming the identity of an observer for the PNA (Parties to Forum Fisheries Agency), Culter’s job is to monitor adherence to the regulation of fishing catch limits aboard the ‘Shuen’, the trawler the scientist was working on. The harsh life of the fisherman, working eighteen stretchers as they bring in the drumline-netting and process the captured fish is graphically captured. With increasing tension and danger, culminating is an explosive finale makes for a three and a half star enjoyable crime mystery. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.

[Madelaine Dickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd never thought about where our tinned tuna comes from. I'd never considered that my own penchant for tinned tuna and brown rice might be fuelled by modern slavery. Cutler really opened my eyes. It's original, and it's a book in which all the elements are in balance: the plot is fast, the ideas are big, Cutler's a great character, flawed and hard and human. I think it would appeal to anyone who eats fish, anyone who loves the sea, anyone who is interested in the politics of the Asia Pacific region, and anyone who fears for our collective future. ***** FIVE STARS! *****

[Diannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling, informative read on fishing practices. I was taken in with Whish Wilson's new protagonist; Paul Cutler a young gun for hire, righting the wrongs (or exposing them) of life at sea. Most enjoyed the cast of culturally diverse characters that make up the crew. This book introduced me to new worlds and I just love that. As we head to the beach and feast on seafood this summer this is the book to read.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am always thrilled to read local authors, so I was excited to read Cutler, especially after meeting David Whish-Wilson at a book event in October 2024. This book is not just a fiction novel; it's a look at the dangers and devastation of commercial fishing. I am gutted to give up canned tuna; I love that stuff. The storyline was a tad slow until three-quarters through.

[Mike Taverner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating to begin to understand the horrific details of commercial fishing. A great story

[Robert Connelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great adventure story.
Made more poignant by reading the author's note at the end.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful look at the global industrial fishing complex in the guise of a slow burn thriller.

[Rob Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very, very slow to get going. But worth ploughing through to get to the main story.

[Carmie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real page turner, gripping story full of tension, and educational as well. Recommend.