Papercut

by M. Novak

A dysfunctional family, each harbouring their own secrets, is obliged to move to a tiny village, far removed from the urban metropolis they are accustomed to.
Before long the village, dominated by an over-bearing pastor and his family, begins to cast its own unnerving spell.
This dark, contemporary drama follows Bernice, Peter, Simon and Poppy as they try to navigate through their own complex issues and avoid almost inevitable disaster.

180 pages, Paperback

Published December 28, 2025

About the author

London-based writer of dark mysteries with an over-sensitive edge.

Reviews

[Emily Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Papercut was a very interesting and engaging read overall, and I found genuine enjoyment in it. The storyline managed to keep my attention especially once it found a rhythm in the middle of the book, after the initial set up. However, the pace of the story felt uneven in places as the opening was quite a slow build and then the final chapters felt rushed in comparison. I think a lot of the later events could have benefitted from being fleshed out more to give them more of an emotional impact.

Poppy's storyline was by far the most interesting throughout, her and her friends (and stalkers) were well written. I do feel like after her having what seemed to be the most intense storyline throughout it left the conclusion of her first term at university to be less dramatised than it could have been

Bernice and Peter’s relationship, while fairly samey throughout, felt refreshingly realistic. Their connection wasn’t portrayed as intensely romantic or lust-driven towards each other, but instead as a partnership rooted in shared responsibility for thier children. While this lack of drama might feel flat to some readers, I appreciated how it mirrored many real-life relationships and avoided unnecessary conflict for the sake of tension.

Overall, Papercut is a solid read with an intriguing premise and strong character work, though uneven pacing and a rushed resolution stop it from fully reaching its potential.

[Kevin A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and emotionally resonant from start to finish

[Dylan Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing, original, and completely captivating

5/5

[Andelka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great atmosphere