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The Cut
An unmissable thriller written by Richard Armitage, author of #1 bestseller Geneva, narrated by the author and by Jacob Dudman.
You can’t escape your past. The cut always reopens.
In the sleepy village of Barton Mallet, the old ruins of Blackstone Mill watch over the residents as they go about their quiet lives. Ben Knot and his friends are looking forward to a summer of fun and freedom once their last year of school is over. The class of 1994 have been through a lot together, good and bad, but teasing turns to bullying when the Knot gang target younger boy Mark Cherry. As tensions rise and violence escalates, the group fractures and tragedy strikes. Before the summer is over, one of them will be killed. Murdered by someone they called a friend.
Thirty years on, Ben is an award-winning architect who has moved his family back to the village where he grew up. His girlfriend Dani is a hands-on step mum to his kids, budding actor Nate and star footballer Lily, but even though the family seem happy, Ben has never been able to forget the tragedy of the past. And it’s a past that is coming back to haunt him with the murderer’s imminent release from prison. Ben’s glittering career is also starting tarnish as some shady business deals have put him on the path to bankruptcy. With the killer’s parole date approaching and the banks calling in their loans, Ben struggles to keep a grip on the perfect life he has built.
When Nate lands the leading role in a new horror movie, Dani jumps at the chance to propel him towards stardom, despite Ben’s concerns that it will complicate their lives. Ben is persuaded to support his son’s dreams, but when the film crew descend on the village to start shooting, the dream starts to turn into a nightmare. The film is not quite what it seems. His kids are being pushed to the limit and Ben’s paranoia makes him question the film makers’ motives. Ben is desperate for answers and will stop at nothing to keep his family safe.
If the first cut is the deepest, then the last cut is going to end it all.
You can’t escape your past. The cut always reopens.
In the sleepy village of Barton Mallet, the old ruins of Blackstone Mill watch over the residents as they go about their quiet lives. Ben Knot and his friends are looking forward to a summer of fun and freedom once their last year of school is over. The class of 1994 have been through a lot together, good and bad, but teasing turns to bullying when the Knot gang target younger boy Mark Cherry. As tensions rise and violence escalates, the group fractures and tragedy strikes. Before the summer is over, one of them will be killed. Murdered by someone they called a friend.
Thirty years on, Ben is an award-winning architect who has moved his family back to the village where he grew up. His girlfriend Dani is a hands-on step mum to his kids, budding actor Nate and star footballer Lily, but even though the family seem happy, Ben has never been able to forget the tragedy of the past. And it’s a past that is coming back to haunt him with the murderer’s imminent release from prison. Ben’s glittering career is also starting tarnish as some shady business deals have put him on the path to bankruptcy. With the killer’s parole date approaching and the banks calling in their loans, Ben struggles to keep a grip on the perfect life he has built.
When Nate lands the leading role in a new horror movie, Dani jumps at the chance to propel him towards stardom, despite Ben’s concerns that it will complicate their lives. Ben is persuaded to support his son’s dreams, but when the film crew descend on the village to start shooting, the dream starts to turn into a nightmare. The film is not quite what it seems. His kids are being pushed to the limit and Ben’s paranoia makes him question the film makers’ motives. Ben is desperate for answers and will stop at nothing to keep his family safe.
If the first cut is the deepest, then the last cut is going to end it all.
Audible Audio
First published August 22, 2024
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About the author
Richard Armitage
92 books744 followersBritish actor and audio-book narrator.
Richard Armitage was born in 1971, the second son of Margaret, a secretary, and John, an engineer. He grew up in a village outside the city. Some of his favourite childhood stories included The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
At the age of fourteen he transferred from a local state middle school, Brockington College, to Pattison’s Dancing Academy in Coventry (now Pattison College), an independent boarding school specialising in Performing Arts. The school arranged regular theatre visits, and it was here, watching a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, that he discovered an interest in acting: “I remember having that moment of finally understanding what was going on. They were having such a good time and the audience was having such a good time and I just thought that was where I wanted to be. I remember thinking they were doing something they loved and they were getting paid for it”. [2]
Pattison’s introduced him to the demands and obligations of an acting career: "It... instilled me with a discipline that has stood me in good stead - never to be late, to know your lines and to be professional." It gave its pupils opportunities to appear in local amateur and professional productions, and by the time Richard left school at 17, he had already appeared in Showboat, Half a Sixpence, as Bacchus in Orpheus and the Underworld and in The Hobbit at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. [3]
After leaving school, Richard joined The Second Generation, a physical theatre group, working for eight weeks in a show called Allow London at the Nachtcircus in Budapest. Here he “threw hoola hoops to a skateboarding Russian and held ladders for [a] juggling act…did guide roping for the trapeze, and…a weird kind of UV glow-in-the-dark mime illusion thing”. [4] Though he later described “sleeping next to the elephants” as “a low point in show business”, it was sufficient to gain him his Equity card, a pre-requisite at the time for entry to the profession. [1]
Returning to the UK, he embarked on a career in musical theatre, working as assistant choreographer to Kenn Oldfield and appearing in the West End and on tour in a series of musicals including 42nd Street, My One and Only, Nine, Mr Wonderful, Annie Get your Gun and Cats.
By 1995, inspired in part by seeing Adrian Noble’s classic 1994 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Stratford, he was laying the foundations of an acting career, appearing at the Actors’ Centre’s Tristram Bates Theatre as Macliesh in Willis Hall’s The Long and the Short and the Tall, and at the Old School Manchester as Henry in Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing, Flan in John Guare’s Six Degrees of Separation and Biff in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. He was also studying for a Society of British Fight Directors qualification.
This was the year that Richard enrolled on a three-year Acting course at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). Here he appeared in student productions including Pericles as Antiochus the Great, David Copperfield as Uriah Heep, Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart as Felix, and as Buscher in Manfred Karge’s metaphorical drama of unemployment The Conquest of the South Pole.
In his final year at LAMDA, an advert on the college notice board for film extras led to his first experience of acting in a feature film: a one-line role in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. It was a humble, though interesting, entry into film: “I felt very nervous saying my line - I had practised it for three weeks… I actually ended up as a computer graphic in the film, I think”. [4] Despite being unidentifiable on screen, he found himself besieged by Star Wars fans when touring Japan with the RSC two years later.
Graduating in the summer of 1998, he immediately joined the cast of Hamlet at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, having already appeared at the Edinburgh Festival
Richard Armitage was born in 1971, the second son of Margaret, a secretary, and John, an engineer. He grew up in a village outside the city. Some of his favourite childhood stories included The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
At the age of fourteen he transferred from a local state middle school, Brockington College, to Pattison’s Dancing Academy in Coventry (now Pattison College), an independent boarding school specialising in Performing Arts. The school arranged regular theatre visits, and it was here, watching a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, that he discovered an interest in acting: “I remember having that moment of finally understanding what was going on. They were having such a good time and the audience was having such a good time and I just thought that was where I wanted to be. I remember thinking they were doing something they loved and they were getting paid for it”. [2]
Pattison’s introduced him to the demands and obligations of an acting career: "It... instilled me with a discipline that has stood me in good stead - never to be late, to know your lines and to be professional." It gave its pupils opportunities to appear in local amateur and professional productions, and by the time Richard left school at 17, he had already appeared in Showboat, Half a Sixpence, as Bacchus in Orpheus and the Underworld and in The Hobbit at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. [3]
After leaving school, Richard joined The Second Generation, a physical theatre group, working for eight weeks in a show called Allow London at the Nachtcircus in Budapest. Here he “threw hoola hoops to a skateboarding Russian and held ladders for [a] juggling act…did guide roping for the trapeze, and…a weird kind of UV glow-in-the-dark mime illusion thing”. [4] Though he later described “sleeping next to the elephants” as “a low point in show business”, it was sufficient to gain him his Equity card, a pre-requisite at the time for entry to the profession. [1]
Returning to the UK, he embarked on a career in musical theatre, working as assistant choreographer to Kenn Oldfield and appearing in the West End and on tour in a series of musicals including 42nd Street, My One and Only, Nine, Mr Wonderful, Annie Get your Gun and Cats.
By 1995, inspired in part by seeing Adrian Noble’s classic 1994 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Stratford, he was laying the foundations of an acting career, appearing at the Actors’ Centre’s Tristram Bates Theatre as Macliesh in Willis Hall’s The Long and the Short and the Tall, and at the Old School Manchester as Henry in Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing, Flan in John Guare’s Six Degrees of Separation and Biff in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. He was also studying for a Society of British Fight Directors qualification.
This was the year that Richard enrolled on a three-year Acting course at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). Here he appeared in student productions including Pericles as Antiochus the Great, David Copperfield as Uriah Heep, Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart as Felix, and as Buscher in Manfred Karge’s metaphorical drama of unemployment The Conquest of the South Pole.
In his final year at LAMDA, an advert on the college notice board for film extras led to his first experience of acting in a feature film: a one-line role in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. It was a humble, though interesting, entry into film: “I felt very nervous saying my line - I had practised it for three weeks… I actually ended up as a computer graphic in the film, I think”. [4] Despite being unidentifiable on screen, he found himself besieged by Star Wars fans when touring Japan with the RSC two years later.
Graduating in the summer of 1998, he immediately joined the cast of Hamlet at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, having already appeared at the Edinburgh Festival
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
August 27, 2024
Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 3 Stars
I loved the idea of the story, but the execution left me confused most of the time. It wasn't the writing. On top of being an amazing voice performer, Richard Armitage's writing is wonderful. It was the back and forth between past and present with multiple povs in the 3rd person that had me confused.
Story - 3 Stars
I loved the idea of the story, but the execution left me confused most of the time. It wasn't the writing. On top of being an amazing voice performer, Richard Armitage's writing is wonderful. It was the back and forth between past and present with multiple povs in the 3rd person that had me confused.
August 29, 2024
This was a captivating book, I chose to list this as a horror and mystery novel, at times while listening to this that is how I felt. I thought it was a worthwhile read and kept me on the edge of my seat at times. I admit I am biased as the author is also one of the narrators and I am a fangirl...could listen to him read anything.
August 21, 2025
The Cut is a dual timeline crime thriller. Annie and Ben are the power couple at school. Annie is smart, ambitious and beautiful. Ben is Top Dog. However, on the night of the Leaver's dance things go terribly wrong and Annie ends up dead.
Thirty years later her killer, Dave Patel, is being released from prison after finally admitting his guilt. But it coincides with professional problems for a now successful Ben and now his kids have got themselves involved in a movie project that is totally beyond his control. But who is pulling the strings and what will it reveal about the killer of Annie Maddock?
Sounds good right? And it might have been had I a) not worked out the end in about 5 seconds and b) been full of the most preposterous inter-generational and school relationships I've read in quite a while.
The adults seemed utterly insensible as to what the children were doing ALL the time. The kids didn't seem to have one braincell to rub against another. I thought they were supposed to be internet-savvy or, at least, have parental controls. But no, none of that. As for the boy with the cello - did noone remind him that he could easily leave it at the school?
There is a lot of bullying in this book. Apparently noone cares - not teachers, not parents. It's quite unbelievable.
In fact the whole story is utterly ridiculous.
I also listened to the audio version (which is free with Audible), and whilst one narrator - Jacob Dudman - was excellent, surprisingly Richard Armitage got a bit too melodramatic all the way through. His over-acting was awful.
Hence I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. It was a ridiculous plot, easily worked out; none of the characters are likeable; the interplay between characters is laughable.
I've not read Geneva but based on this novel I'd say Mr Armitage needs to stick to acting.
Thanks to Netgalley and Faber &Faber for the advance review copy.
Thirty years later her killer, Dave Patel, is being released from prison after finally admitting his guilt. But it coincides with professional problems for a now successful Ben and now his kids have got themselves involved in a movie project that is totally beyond his control. But who is pulling the strings and what will it reveal about the killer of Annie Maddock?
Sounds good right? And it might have been had I a) not worked out the end in about 5 seconds and b) been full of the most preposterous inter-generational and school relationships I've read in quite a while.
The adults seemed utterly insensible as to what the children were doing ALL the time. The kids didn't seem to have one braincell to rub against another. I thought they were supposed to be internet-savvy or, at least, have parental controls. But no, none of that. As for the boy with the cello - did noone remind him that he could easily leave it at the school?
There is a lot of bullying in this book. Apparently noone cares - not teachers, not parents. It's quite unbelievable.
In fact the whole story is utterly ridiculous.
I also listened to the audio version (which is free with Audible), and whilst one narrator - Jacob Dudman - was excellent, surprisingly Richard Armitage got a bit too melodramatic all the way through. His over-acting was awful.
Hence I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. It was a ridiculous plot, easily worked out; none of the characters are likeable; the interplay between characters is laughable.
I've not read Geneva but based on this novel I'd say Mr Armitage needs to stick to acting.
Thanks to Netgalley and Faber &Faber for the advance review copy.
October 27, 2025
This book has a past and present timeline. Past being 1994 and present being 2024. They are told in alternate chapters. The characters are all unlikeable, I was hoping to find at least one likeable. But the plot doesn't call for it as that's not what it is about. Its definitely more character driven rather than the action. It's all about the "who" in this book.
The main theme is revenge. I loved the second part of the book. Its intense and I couldn't stop reading. What I loved about this book was the timeline and the plot. It is always refreshing to come across a different plot when we read so many books.
The main theme is revenge. I loved the second part of the book. Its intense and I couldn't stop reading. What I loved about this book was the timeline and the plot. It is always refreshing to come across a different plot when we read so many books.
September 19, 2024
Richard Armitage’s second novel is so atmospheric you feel as if you’re there at the Mill watching the events unfold in the pouring rain.
I love that all the characters were well developed, the dual timeline, teasing us with only a smidge more of what happened at The Cut in 1994.
The audiobook was intense. Both narrators did an excellent job and bringing the story to life & I hope one day it lands in film.
RA is my favorite narrator and he’s clearly becoming a favorite author.
I love that all the characters were well developed, the dual timeline, teasing us with only a smidge more of what happened at The Cut in 1994.
The audiobook was intense. Both narrators did an excellent job and bringing the story to life & I hope one day it lands in film.
RA is my favorite narrator and he’s clearly becoming a favorite author.
October 3, 2024
Dark, mysterious and narrated by Richard Armitage.. what's not to like
September 15, 2024
Brilliant, tightly plotted thriller that will have you gripped!
I thoroughly enjoyed Armitage’s debut novel, GENEVA, so when I spotted THE CUT on Audible I immediately downloaded it for a listen. I’m so glad that I did, as I was totally hooked! It’s very different from GENEVA, but equally well plotted and accomplished in its narrative. It’s immediately unsettling, incredibly atmospheric, and very evocative. I felt transported to Barton Mallet, with its creepy abandoned mill, imposing countryside, grand houses, and sleepy streets. As you possibly might expect from an audio specific release - or, indeed, from the author’s other profession - there’s something incredibly cinematic about this book. The landscape is imposing and feels just as much of a character as the people, building atmosphere and tension alongside the twists and turns in the narrative. I particularly enjoyed how the book moves between chapters set in the past and chapters set in the present. I was really hooked on trying to figure out exactly how the past had impacted the present and was equally invested in both timelines. This also allowed Armitage to explore lots of different themes within the book. Some that really stuck out for me were elements of identity and living authentically, bullying (particularly homophobia), a sense of reclaiming the past, grudges and revenge, guilt, male privilege, and retribution. There were lots of layers to this story, which really gave it depth and kept me glued to my headphones!
Armitage narrates the present day chapters and really breathes life into the characters, particularly Ben. Armitage is my favourite male audiobook narrator, as he brings authenticity to each character, making them unique and easily identifiable. He can convincingly perform both male and female characters, which I’ve found is a skill set not all male narrators can achieve. When I listen to his narration I am completely transported to the world of the story, which was exactly the case with The Cut. The writing is quite beautiful and poetic in places, but also punchy and pacy when required. It is perfectly written for performing, as I often felt like I was listening to a film or television series (indeed, it’s begging to be adapted!). Jacob Dudman narrates the historical chapters and I felt like this was a great decision for the book, allowing me to immediately know which timeline I was in. Dudman is an equally accomplished narrator, building tension and atmosphere in these chapters. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to discover exactly what the truth was and as the novel built to its explosive crescendo, the unnerving past events were vividly brought to life. Both narrators complement each other perfectly to build a world in which listeners can lose themselves. It’s a dark and unsettling world, but one that is evocatively and grippingly brought to vivification.
If you are a fan of audio, or someone who would like to give an audiobook a go, THE CUT should be at the top of your TBR!
I thoroughly enjoyed Armitage’s debut novel, GENEVA, so when I spotted THE CUT on Audible I immediately downloaded it for a listen. I’m so glad that I did, as I was totally hooked! It’s very different from GENEVA, but equally well plotted and accomplished in its narrative. It’s immediately unsettling, incredibly atmospheric, and very evocative. I felt transported to Barton Mallet, with its creepy abandoned mill, imposing countryside, grand houses, and sleepy streets. As you possibly might expect from an audio specific release - or, indeed, from the author’s other profession - there’s something incredibly cinematic about this book. The landscape is imposing and feels just as much of a character as the people, building atmosphere and tension alongside the twists and turns in the narrative. I particularly enjoyed how the book moves between chapters set in the past and chapters set in the present. I was really hooked on trying to figure out exactly how the past had impacted the present and was equally invested in both timelines. This also allowed Armitage to explore lots of different themes within the book. Some that really stuck out for me were elements of identity and living authentically, bullying (particularly homophobia), a sense of reclaiming the past, grudges and revenge, guilt, male privilege, and retribution. There were lots of layers to this story, which really gave it depth and kept me glued to my headphones!
Armitage narrates the present day chapters and really breathes life into the characters, particularly Ben. Armitage is my favourite male audiobook narrator, as he brings authenticity to each character, making them unique and easily identifiable. He can convincingly perform both male and female characters, which I’ve found is a skill set not all male narrators can achieve. When I listen to his narration I am completely transported to the world of the story, which was exactly the case with The Cut. The writing is quite beautiful and poetic in places, but also punchy and pacy when required. It is perfectly written for performing, as I often felt like I was listening to a film or television series (indeed, it’s begging to be adapted!). Jacob Dudman narrates the historical chapters and I felt like this was a great decision for the book, allowing me to immediately know which timeline I was in. Dudman is an equally accomplished narrator, building tension and atmosphere in these chapters. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to discover exactly what the truth was and as the novel built to its explosive crescendo, the unnerving past events were vividly brought to life. Both narrators complement each other perfectly to build a world in which listeners can lose themselves. It’s a dark and unsettling world, but one that is evocatively and grippingly brought to vivification.
If you are a fan of audio, or someone who would like to give an audiobook a go, THE CUT should be at the top of your TBR!
August 28, 2024
I found the story to be okay. The characters were not likable at all, which made it difficult to care about what happened to any of them. However, the audiobook narration was fantastic, which is why I'm giving it 3 stars.
September 21, 2024
DNF. Love Armitage, but this was a bore!
November 10, 2024
Terrible, predictable and desperate need of an editor or researcher. The narration was good and it was for the most part a fun popcorn thriller. But ending is highly predictable and just nothing special. My biggest gripe goes back to the editor/researcher need - someone messed up the dates completely in this book and it's actually embarrassing it managed to make it to audiobook stage without anyone picking up on it. First example - the prologue begins by opening up to the murder that the entire book is based around. Except in the prologue it says it's August 1993. However by the end of the book it's magically changed to around July/August 1994. Later in the book, one of the teenagers quotes exact quotes from the Lord of the Rings MOVIES (not from the books), but the scene takes place in 1993. Almost a decade before the famous Gollum quote was ever on screen. It shouldn't be a big deal but honestly it bugs me that someone couldn't get a second ear/eye to look at this before release and make some corrections.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2025
The Cut by Richard Armitage is a gripping thriller about a group of people who were friends as schoolchildren until one of them was murdered and one found guilty of her murder. Thirty years later, a movie named 'The Cut' is in production and Ben's son and daughter have roles in the movie.
This is an intricate plot and it's occasionally confusing as the story jumps between 1994 and the present day, plus there are a lot of characters.
Regardless, it is excellent and the author pulls you in with great descriptions and dialogue, and once you figure out who's who in 2024 you won't be able to stop reading until the end.
I loved it.
This is an intricate plot and it's occasionally confusing as the story jumps between 1994 and the present day, plus there are a lot of characters.
Regardless, it is excellent and the author pulls you in with great descriptions and dialogue, and once you figure out who's who in 2024 you won't be able to stop reading until the end.
I loved it.
October 20, 2024
*Buried Secrets*
I really wanted to love this book, I absolutely love Richard Armitage’s narration which he shared with Jacob Dudman.
The story did not work for me and as much as I enjoyed both narrators, I could not connect with the characters or the story. My favourite way of reading is with a physical book or my kindle and the narration together. In this case there is only the audiobook at the moment.
I suspect this would play out better on television or film. I have only just noticed that the physical book to this audiobook is due out next year August.
The story is set in two timeframes. In the past in 1994 and in the present time.
There are buried secrets, bullying, murder and a film being made in the present time that is not what it seems and injustice. This is disturbing in the present for someone who is struggling to hide their paranoia and trying to appear calm. The film is being made in their town but, things are happening that threaten to push that person over the edge.
I loved the premise but Richard’s performance along with Jacob’s made it a much better experience than the story itself.
I really wanted to love this book, I absolutely love Richard Armitage’s narration which he shared with Jacob Dudman.
The story did not work for me and as much as I enjoyed both narrators, I could not connect with the characters or the story. My favourite way of reading is with a physical book or my kindle and the narration together. In this case there is only the audiobook at the moment.
I suspect this would play out better on television or film. I have only just noticed that the physical book to this audiobook is due out next year August.
The story is set in two timeframes. In the past in 1994 and in the present time.
There are buried secrets, bullying, murder and a film being made in the present time that is not what it seems and injustice. This is disturbing in the present for someone who is struggling to hide their paranoia and trying to appear calm. The film is being made in their town but, things are happening that threaten to push that person over the edge.
I loved the premise but Richard’s performance along with Jacob’s made it a much better experience than the story itself.
September 10, 2025
Oh man….
I cannot begin to tell you guys how disappointed I am in this book.
I preordered a first dedication edition and everything.
If you’re looking for another Geneva-esque thriller?? This ain’t it.
I wouldn’t even call this a thriller. I guess mystery is more like it? But even then THATS very generous.
I sincerely think everyone giving this four or five stars are just Armitage fans, which like, me too! But that’s why I’m so disappointed!
Okay, to summarize what I don’t like:
1. It’s so slow and horribly repetitive. The book’s first half is just backstory and context, and even then not in depth backstory of the characters. I don’t care about Ben or his family. His new wife is so stupid and annoying, his kids are just dumb and also annoying. Ben is a shit dad. The stuff from the past is okay? I guess? But even then that’s generous for me to say. You’ll be SO CONFUSED the first like 5 chapters.
I’m okay with the back and forth time travel, I can keep up with that well enough! But it’s…
Richard is very good at describing locations and things, but also at the same time he’s really not. He gets too lost in his own vision, and whilst in Geneva his movie-esque descriptions were great, here it gets far too muddy and unnecessary.
About the repetitive part, this book has a massive problem of doing this:
Chapter 1993: Event happens and is explained in third person about some characters in a situation.
2023 chapter will either be:
A: The kids recording the scene for the movie part by part,
B: Max editing the scene and going through the exact same motions of “Hmmm yes perfect hmm yes of course yes.”
It’s… like it’s so boring. We’re just being repeated the same scene again with nothing new.
If nothing in your book starts to make sense until like chapter 25??? THATS A PROBLEM.
2. Richard needs to stick with first person POV’s. He’s NOT good with juggling so many characters and also having to go in descriptions of all these characters and places. I was lost so often. He was so good in Geneva getting into the minds of both protagonists, and even in the few chapters he was in third POV, they were still enjoyable because they only focused on like 2 characters not like 5. I was hoping for a like multi character POV story and we just… didn’t get that.
3. He got too lost in his own emotions and upbringing in this book. For anyone who doesn’t know, this book is heavily based on his own experiences growing up. Mark (and Nathan to an extent) are sort of his personas/self inserts :/. He was the kid who was severely bullied growing up, and that’s what he discusses here. And like… I don’t mean to sound mean, but honey just write an autobiography… He got too absorbed in discussing his childhood (the locations, the different kids he went to school with, the bullying-) that he forgot he was supposed to be writing a thriller novel. Some chapters just didn’t need to exist.
4. Ben should’ve been the main character and it should’ve been in first person. Keep him a shitty asshole but like… idk make him the main focus to figure out this mystery unfolding before him. Also, speaking of Ben: how did a high school kid, popular or not, who didn’t care about his grades or school, become a highly successful ARCHITECT? Like hello??? That’s never explained! He didn’t have a lot of money or connections??? So what happened?? Becoming an architect takes SO MUCH hard work and intelligence man! Did Richard even try to do research the same way he did in Geneva…? This is another situation of “Honey you forgot you were writing a novel and not an autobiography with a mystery mixed in.” (Also like: the financial shit part of his life goes nowhere lol. I guess it was put him to keep him stressed and ignoring his own kids?? But it doesn’t GO ANYWHERE!)
ALSO REALLY QUICK: WHERES THE KIDS MOM?? Why does she like NEVER see them??? She’s not dead she just never sees them nor cares about them. Like that would have such a big effect on them and it’s just NOT talked about.
Like if my parents got divorced and my dad married a bimbo 15 years younger who acted like a worse teenager than me and tried to act like an annoying Karin of a mom who has no job and doesn’t even ever cook or clean or nothing??? I’d be the most rebellious hateful little shit ever. This entire family sucks. I can sort of forgive the kids but we get NO PERSONAL INFO ABOUT THEM other than: Nathan likes movies and he’s very introvertive and shy. Lily does soccer and she’s extrovertive. That’s it.
5. We get. No info on Korinne. Why is she involved. What’s her piece of the pie. Why’s she like that. We’re never told. She’s just there to record and give the scenes. She should’ve been an old school friend or something. Connect HER to the movie somehow. If not that, then idk!! Make her weird!!! She likes seeing kids get beaten up! Idk!!!
6. Doesn’t bother me too much but like why is it never talked about how Max groomed Nathan by pretending to be a young teenage girl online to talk to him…
Richard honey that’s weird.
And especially when Max is a gay man???
RICHARD HONEY THAT DOESNT LOOK GOOD. “But it’s a thriller novel not everything will be good-“ yes but Max is like.
A ‘good guy’ in the end. So um.
… Yeah. Just a bit questionable…
(SPOILERS!)
7. … I hate that we learn that Max is Mark halfway through the book. This to me felt like it should’ve had a lot more weight to it and be put towards the end. Learning so casually in like chapter 21 or something felt so flat and boring. I wasn’t like OMG WHAT?! I was like
“… What?” I don’t care about his personal issues with his ex? Husband and shit with his son. That’s so unnecessary to the story. I don’t care.
8. Annie has… no presence for someone who’s killed. She’s barely ever spoken of in 2024. She has no autonomy over her own character… it would’ve been nice to get a POV from her at least :/. That would’ve been very interesting from the 1993 chapters but nope… all about Mark and his abuse, Dave and his obsession and Ben just… surviving I guess.
He wrote Sarah in Geneva so well! Honey what happeeeeenned-
9. Is… are we supposed to like… be on Max’s side in the end?? “I was the one who was bullied but in the end I saved a man’s life” brother you endangered KIDS… like I actually really don’t like Max/Mark. I hope we’re not supposed to. I feel awful for him being bullied so horribly as I can relate, I was also bullied a ton growing up… But I kind of hate how he didn’t get any… idk, he wasn’t punished for all this movie shit. Like dude you say you ended up okay but you really didn’t LOL Like yeah you got the real killer but YOU ENDANGERED INNOCENT KIDS IN THE PROCESS. You manipulated CHILDREN. Sorry but his happy ending kind of pissed me off you deserve to be alone bro. Hope your husband leaves you again and takes the kid.
————————————————————————————-
So yeah long story short I am VERY disappointed in this novel. I have so much more to say but just ugh… UGH!! I’m so sad!!! I don’t regret getting a signed copy or having the chance to see him on his book tour as I am a big fan of R.C.A, BUT LIKE honey you dropped the ball here. Again I think it’s because he got too caught up in his own memories he forgot he was writing a mystery thriller :/.
Compared to Geneva??? Just read Geneva. That one was actually good.
I hope this one never becomes a show or something. It really is too… Convoluted with a ton of plot holes. (Like??? 1993 murder??? It happened in 1994!!!)
Idk.
I’m sad.
I cannot begin to tell you guys how disappointed I am in this book.
I preordered a first dedication edition and everything.
If you’re looking for another Geneva-esque thriller?? This ain’t it.
I wouldn’t even call this a thriller. I guess mystery is more like it? But even then THATS very generous.
I sincerely think everyone giving this four or five stars are just Armitage fans, which like, me too! But that’s why I’m so disappointed!
Okay, to summarize what I don’t like:
1. It’s so slow and horribly repetitive. The book’s first half is just backstory and context, and even then not in depth backstory of the characters. I don’t care about Ben or his family. His new wife is so stupid and annoying, his kids are just dumb and also annoying. Ben is a shit dad. The stuff from the past is okay? I guess? But even then that’s generous for me to say. You’ll be SO CONFUSED the first like 5 chapters.
I’m okay with the back and forth time travel, I can keep up with that well enough! But it’s…
Richard is very good at describing locations and things, but also at the same time he’s really not. He gets too lost in his own vision, and whilst in Geneva his movie-esque descriptions were great, here it gets far too muddy and unnecessary.
About the repetitive part, this book has a massive problem of doing this:
Chapter 1993: Event happens and is explained in third person about some characters in a situation.
2023 chapter will either be:
A: The kids recording the scene for the movie part by part,
B: Max editing the scene and going through the exact same motions of “Hmmm yes perfect hmm yes of course yes.”
It’s… like it’s so boring. We’re just being repeated the same scene again with nothing new.
If nothing in your book starts to make sense until like chapter 25??? THATS A PROBLEM.
2. Richard needs to stick with first person POV’s. He’s NOT good with juggling so many characters and also having to go in descriptions of all these characters and places. I was lost so often. He was so good in Geneva getting into the minds of both protagonists, and even in the few chapters he was in third POV, they were still enjoyable because they only focused on like 2 characters not like 5. I was hoping for a like multi character POV story and we just… didn’t get that.
3. He got too lost in his own emotions and upbringing in this book. For anyone who doesn’t know, this book is heavily based on his own experiences growing up. Mark (and Nathan to an extent) are sort of his personas/self inserts :/. He was the kid who was severely bullied growing up, and that’s what he discusses here. And like… I don’t mean to sound mean, but honey just write an autobiography… He got too absorbed in discussing his childhood (the locations, the different kids he went to school with, the bullying-) that he forgot he was supposed to be writing a thriller novel. Some chapters just didn’t need to exist.
4. Ben should’ve been the main character and it should’ve been in first person. Keep him a shitty asshole but like… idk make him the main focus to figure out this mystery unfolding before him. Also, speaking of Ben: how did a high school kid, popular or not, who didn’t care about his grades or school, become a highly successful ARCHITECT? Like hello??? That’s never explained! He didn’t have a lot of money or connections??? So what happened?? Becoming an architect takes SO MUCH hard work and intelligence man! Did Richard even try to do research the same way he did in Geneva…? This is another situation of “Honey you forgot you were writing a novel and not an autobiography with a mystery mixed in.” (Also like: the financial shit part of his life goes nowhere lol. I guess it was put him to keep him stressed and ignoring his own kids?? But it doesn’t GO ANYWHERE!)
ALSO REALLY QUICK: WHERES THE KIDS MOM?? Why does she like NEVER see them??? She’s not dead she just never sees them nor cares about them. Like that would have such a big effect on them and it’s just NOT talked about.
Like if my parents got divorced and my dad married a bimbo 15 years younger who acted like a worse teenager than me and tried to act like an annoying Karin of a mom who has no job and doesn’t even ever cook or clean or nothing??? I’d be the most rebellious hateful little shit ever. This entire family sucks. I can sort of forgive the kids but we get NO PERSONAL INFO ABOUT THEM other than: Nathan likes movies and he’s very introvertive and shy. Lily does soccer and she’s extrovertive. That’s it.
5. We get. No info on Korinne. Why is she involved. What’s her piece of the pie. Why’s she like that. We’re never told. She’s just there to record and give the scenes. She should’ve been an old school friend or something. Connect HER to the movie somehow. If not that, then idk!! Make her weird!!! She likes seeing kids get beaten up! Idk!!!
6. Doesn’t bother me too much but like why is it never talked about how Max groomed Nathan by pretending to be a young teenage girl online to talk to him…
Richard honey that’s weird.
And especially when Max is a gay man???
RICHARD HONEY THAT DOESNT LOOK GOOD. “But it’s a thriller novel not everything will be good-“ yes but Max is like.
A ‘good guy’ in the end. So um.
… Yeah. Just a bit questionable…
(SPOILERS!)
7. … I hate that we learn that Max is Mark halfway through the book. This to me felt like it should’ve had a lot more weight to it and be put towards the end. Learning so casually in like chapter 21 or something felt so flat and boring. I wasn’t like OMG WHAT?! I was like
“… What?” I don’t care about his personal issues with his ex? Husband and shit with his son. That’s so unnecessary to the story. I don’t care.
8. Annie has… no presence for someone who’s killed. She’s barely ever spoken of in 2024. She has no autonomy over her own character… it would’ve been nice to get a POV from her at least :/. That would’ve been very interesting from the 1993 chapters but nope… all about Mark and his abuse, Dave and his obsession and Ben just… surviving I guess.
He wrote Sarah in Geneva so well! Honey what happeeeeenned-
9. Is… are we supposed to like… be on Max’s side in the end?? “I was the one who was bullied but in the end I saved a man’s life” brother you endangered KIDS… like I actually really don’t like Max/Mark. I hope we’re not supposed to. I feel awful for him being bullied so horribly as I can relate, I was also bullied a ton growing up… But I kind of hate how he didn’t get any… idk, he wasn’t punished for all this movie shit. Like dude you say you ended up okay but you really didn’t LOL Like yeah you got the real killer but YOU ENDANGERED INNOCENT KIDS IN THE PROCESS. You manipulated CHILDREN. Sorry but his happy ending kind of pissed me off you deserve to be alone bro. Hope your husband leaves you again and takes the kid.
————————————————————————————-
So yeah long story short I am VERY disappointed in this novel. I have so much more to say but just ugh… UGH!! I’m so sad!!! I don’t regret getting a signed copy or having the chance to see him on his book tour as I am a big fan of R.C.A, BUT LIKE honey you dropped the ball here. Again I think it’s because he got too caught up in his own memories he forgot he was writing a mystery thriller :/.
Compared to Geneva??? Just read Geneva. That one was actually good.
I hope this one never becomes a show or something. It really is too… Convoluted with a ton of plot holes. (Like??? 1993 murder??? It happened in 1994!!!)
Idk.
I’m sad.
September 24, 2024
Too much suspension of disbelief required. So many questions! Why would (spoilers) a lad take the blame for a death that was an accident? No one tried to frame him for murder so why did he go down for 20 years?? The characters were thin and clichéd. And who was 'Freckles' - was that the film director grooming the kid?? Annoying.
December 28, 2024
I was looking forward to this book after having enjoyed Geneva so much but was quite disappointed because the outcome was so predictable. The story moved at a good pace however I found most of the characters really annoying, but maybe that was the point? I did enjoy the narration.
August 31, 2024
2.5 rounded up
Too many characters, got confusing sometimes with who was who. Felt pretty slow paced and wasn't keeping me truly invested in the story.
As always the narration was impeccable but I enjoyed Richard Armitage's previous book, Geneva, a lot more than this.
Too many characters, got confusing sometimes with who was who. Felt pretty slow paced and wasn't keeping me truly invested in the story.
As always the narration was impeccable but I enjoyed Richard Armitage's previous book, Geneva, a lot more than this.
Read
September 8, 2024DNF- lost interest
September 10, 2024
More like 3.5 (narration 5 stars!), but I definitely enjoyed Geneva more.
August 26, 2025
The Cut by Richard Armitage had an intriguing premise, a past crime resurfacing through a film production, but unfortunately, the execution felt boring and slow. The pacing dragged, and I wish I would have liked it more as the author is a very gifted actor. I received a copy from Faber and Faber Ltd via Netgalley.
The characters felt too distant, and the plot often relied on turns that took me out of the story. Even the emotional themes around trauma and memory were undercut by the slow narrative flow. It took me a long time to finish.
I wanted to like it more, but, unfortunately, it's one of these thrillers that just didn't grab me at all.
2,5/5 ⭐️
The characters felt too distant, and the plot often relied on turns that took me out of the story. Even the emotional themes around trauma and memory were undercut by the slow narrative flow. It took me a long time to finish.
I wanted to like it more, but, unfortunately, it's one of these thrillers that just didn't grab me at all.
2,5/5 ⭐️
September 15, 2024
Tekstam kā tādam 3 zvaigznes, bet audio - 5 (ne jau tikai pašam Ričardam Armitidžam, bet arī Džeikobam Dudmanam un skaņu efektiem), tātad vidējais ir 4.
Trillera daļa ir diezgan paredzama, tāds žanra cienītāju ātrās izklaides gabals. Lasīt interesanti, vai paliks ilgtermiņa atmiņā - apšaubu.
Trillera daļa ir diezgan paredzama, tāds žanra cienītāju ātrās izklaides gabals. Lasīt interesanti, vai paliks ilgtermiņa atmiņā - apšaubu.
August 31, 2025
(⭐️⭐️ – Generous 2 stars)
I wanted to love this, because I do admire Richard Armitage, but sadly The Cut fell flat for me.
It’s a dual timeline crime thriller: in the 1990s, Annie Maddock and Ben Knott are the golden couple at school—until the Leaver’s Dance ends in tragedy and Annie is killed. Thirty years later, her convicted murderer is released just as Ben’s family become entangled in a film project that seems to mirror the past a little too closely. Secrets resurface, dangers creep in, and Ben must face truths long buried.
On paper, it sounds gripping. In practice, though, I found the twists highly predictable—I worked out the ending almost immediately—and I struggled with a cast of largely unlikable characters. The adults felt implausibly oblivious, the teenagers lacked depth, and the repeated bullying throughout was brushed aside in ways that didn’t ring true.
While the premise held promise, the execution didn’t land for me. The plot felt implausible, the character dynamics unconvincing, and ultimately I couldn’t care what happened to any of them.
Not one I’d recommend, unfortunately.
I wanted to love this, because I do admire Richard Armitage, but sadly The Cut fell flat for me.
It’s a dual timeline crime thriller: in the 1990s, Annie Maddock and Ben Knott are the golden couple at school—until the Leaver’s Dance ends in tragedy and Annie is killed. Thirty years later, her convicted murderer is released just as Ben’s family become entangled in a film project that seems to mirror the past a little too closely. Secrets resurface, dangers creep in, and Ben must face truths long buried.
On paper, it sounds gripping. In practice, though, I found the twists highly predictable—I worked out the ending almost immediately—and I struggled with a cast of largely unlikable characters. The adults felt implausibly oblivious, the teenagers lacked depth, and the repeated bullying throughout was brushed aside in ways that didn’t ring true.
While the premise held promise, the execution didn’t land for me. The plot felt implausible, the character dynamics unconvincing, and ultimately I couldn’t care what happened to any of them.
Not one I’d recommend, unfortunately.
March 21, 2025
I thought this was a decent story that had some suspense and thrills but I did find that it dragged st times.
September 6, 2024
Readable but ultimately lack lustre thriller that could have done with a dark twist or two. Two interwoven stories plotting the death of a young girl and a film makers desire to recreate something similar 30 years later. A little pedestrian and with pencil thin and generally unlikable characters it is just instantly forgettable.
September 2, 2024
Hard to follow and in need to editing to tighten up the plot.
September 4, 2024
DNF about a 1/4 of the way through, too much switching backwards and forwards between time periods, characters introduced without any explanation and very difficult to keep up with who was who.
October 13, 2025
I wasn't a fan of this authors previous book Geneva, but wanted to give him another chance, so I tried to go into this with an open mind.
I wish I hadn't bothered, as I didn't like this book AT ALL.
I knew right from the start that I wasn't going to like this and the more I read the clearer that became. So much so after only 15% I nearly DNF'd this book, but because I got this as an ARC I thought I had better try to finish it.
First off this is written from the third perspective, which I always find distances me from the characters and the plot.
The story also never drew me in. I never once was invested or cared about any of the characters or what would happen in the story.
I also didn't like the writing style. It all felt very dry, dull, basic and boring to me.
There are multiple timelines in this so I hoped that I would enjoy at least one of them, but that wasn't to be either. I have to admit because I lacked any interest in most of it I skim read most of them.
It also felt like there was a lot of filler in this and not too much plot. There is no tension or thrills.
I figured what the reveal was going to be right from the start as it was blindingly obvious and not original.
I won't read from this author again and I can't recommend this book.
Thanks to Faber and Faber for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
I wish I hadn't bothered, as I didn't like this book AT ALL.
I knew right from the start that I wasn't going to like this and the more I read the clearer that became. So much so after only 15% I nearly DNF'd this book, but because I got this as an ARC I thought I had better try to finish it.
First off this is written from the third perspective, which I always find distances me from the characters and the plot.
The story also never drew me in. I never once was invested or cared about any of the characters or what would happen in the story.
I also didn't like the writing style. It all felt very dry, dull, basic and boring to me.
There are multiple timelines in this so I hoped that I would enjoy at least one of them, but that wasn't to be either. I have to admit because I lacked any interest in most of it I skim read most of them.
It also felt like there was a lot of filler in this and not too much plot. There is no tension or thrills.
I figured what the reveal was going to be right from the start as it was blindingly obvious and not original.
I won't read from this author again and I can't recommend this book.
Thanks to Faber and Faber for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
July 22, 2025
Chilling.
In 1994, a group of village kids navigate their last months of school. The summer was supposed to be perfect, but somehow, one of them ends up murdered.
In 2004, the murderer is about to be released from prison. As tension in the village rises, a director charges in to make a horror movie about what happened all those years ago. And it soon becomes clear that she will use anyone to finally reveal the truth about the murder.
Past and present collide as secrets are revealed at breakneck speed and inevitably culminate in the final reveal of the truth...
This second book of Richard Armitage's was even more claustrophobic than the first. It was incredibly hard to put down, even at the most disgusting behavior of some of the main characters. Seldom have I needed to watch people get their comeuppance more...
I am so excited to see what Armitage does next, this was just terrific!
Content warning: the characters from the 90s are openly and horribly homophobic and racist, and torture the gay and the Asian character relentlessly.
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
In 1994, a group of village kids navigate their last months of school. The summer was supposed to be perfect, but somehow, one of them ends up murdered.
In 2004, the murderer is about to be released from prison. As tension in the village rises, a director charges in to make a horror movie about what happened all those years ago. And it soon becomes clear that she will use anyone to finally reveal the truth about the murder.
Past and present collide as secrets are revealed at breakneck speed and inevitably culminate in the final reveal of the truth...
This second book of Richard Armitage's was even more claustrophobic than the first. It was incredibly hard to put down, even at the most disgusting behavior of some of the main characters. Seldom have I needed to watch people get their comeuppance more...
I am so excited to see what Armitage does next, this was just terrific!
Content warning: the characters from the 90s are openly and horribly homophobic and racist, and torture the gay and the Asian character relentlessly.
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
November 15, 2025
Ben is divorced with two children. He is not having a good day when the convicted person who killed his friend is going to be released.
The story goes back and forth between the two timelines. Reading about the past and the human relations that led up to the fatal killing.
In the present time, the current girlfriend is a filmmaker. She is doing a documentary about the event.
The reader has a glimpse of what the evil girlfriend has in mind.
The good thing is that the reader probably suspected that Ben has a heavier involvement with the killing than he has admitted to the police.
What is not good is that the reader doesn't understand the motive of the evil girlfriend, and why she has to involve his two children in the filming.
The ending is logical yet not satisfying. The people have different motives to do things. Once they think it would involve threatening Ben's children, they have become the bad guys.
There is not enough tension and action in the book. Much of what's happening is already in the past.
3.5 stars read.
The story goes back and forth between the two timelines. Reading about the past and the human relations that led up to the fatal killing.
In the present time, the current girlfriend is a filmmaker. She is doing a documentary about the event.
The reader has a glimpse of what the evil girlfriend has in mind.
The good thing is that the reader probably suspected that Ben has a heavier involvement with the killing than he has admitted to the police.
What is not good is that the reader doesn't understand the motive of the evil girlfriend, and why she has to involve his two children in the filming.
The ending is logical yet not satisfying. The people have different motives to do things. Once they think it would involve threatening Ben's children, they have become the bad guys.
There is not enough tension and action in the book. Much of what's happening is already in the past.
3.5 stars read.
August 27, 2024
I did not know that Richard Armitage, an actor, was also a writer. I became a fan when he played John Thornton in "North and South" in 2004. His voice!
He has narrated several books, including some classics and some children's books, that I have "read".
I bought this book to check out his writing. This read more like a screenplay. There was no development of any of the characters, or the scenes. I struggled to get a feel for who anyone was or when things were happening. The story plays out in 1994 and in 2024. A girl dies in 1994 and one of the characters investigates it via movie-making in 2024.
Even though the writing wasn't great, the story was gripping and I didn't want to stop listening.
He has narrated several books, including some classics and some children's books, that I have "read".
I bought this book to check out his writing. This read more like a screenplay. There was no development of any of the characters, or the scenes. I struggled to get a feel for who anyone was or when things were happening. The story plays out in 1994 and in 2024. A girl dies in 1994 and one of the characters investigates it via movie-making in 2024.
Even though the writing wasn't great, the story was gripping and I didn't want to stop listening.
January 17, 2025
I really wanted to like this book. I really enjoyed "Geneva," but this one was harder for me. Like many others have said, there were some continuity issues, but those didn't bother me as much as they bothered some others. I struggled because I felt like there were too many threads in the tapestry. The story jumps between 1993/4 and 2024. On top of that, the story is being told through the eyes of multiple characters. It was incredibly difficult for me to keep it all straight.
For the most part, I really enjoyed the narration. In general, I love it when fiction authors narrate their own work. Since they know the characters better than anyone, they know what words or ideas to subtly emphasize, and that's fun. Many of the characters, however, sounded the same, and at times it was difficult to determine who was speaking.
So, yeah, this was a good read, but not a great read.
For the most part, I really enjoyed the narration. In general, I love it when fiction authors narrate their own work. Since they know the characters better than anyone, they know what words or ideas to subtly emphasize, and that's fun. Many of the characters, however, sounded the same, and at times it was difficult to determine who was speaking.
So, yeah, this was a good read, but not a great read.
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