The First Cut

by Mary Birk

**RMFW COLORADO 2014 GOLD WINNER – MYSTERY ** Scottish Police Superintendent Terrence Reid’s race to derail the money pipeline fueling a string of deadly terrorist attacks suffers a devastating setback when his informant is brutally murdered. Reid’s chief suspect, a ruthless financier, always seems to be one step ahead of him. After one of his men is murdered, Reid suspects he’s got a traitor in own camp. When Reid’s beautiful young wife becomes deeply embroiled in the investigation, things get dangerously personal.

468 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2015

Reviews

[Nancy Stanton]

First Cut is First Rate

I rated First Cut five stars because of the seamless way it segued from "Mermaids" continuing the story of Terrance and Anne's precarious marriage. The plot involving terrorists bombing colleges was particularly believable. Two thumbs up to Mary Birk! Kept me up reading late at night!

[JoAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh, a good mystery ruined by sappy love story.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found myself dreading to read this, so I finally just quit half-way through. I found the love a bit nauseating and the angry sister exhausting.

[Cyndy Calkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the first in this series, I couldn't put down this book. The author did a good job of giving more body to the characters of Terrence and Anne (series main characters). I enjoyed the characters in the work force of Superintendent Reid, and hope to see more of them.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anne and Reid just can’t seem to get their collective acts together when it comes to love and marriage, but they do have a lot of sex and fight. Gruesome murders and intrigue keepyou reading to the last page

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two of the terrance reid series. Another murder this time in Scotland, Terrance's home turf. His marriage with Ann is still dysfunctional and infuriating in their lack of communication.

[PJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting premise, but just too long and predictable for me

[Donna Stuedeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining follow up to her first book.

[Jessica Lerbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much mystery, the characters for the most part weren't sympathic, and the relationships were all too romance-novel-y/soap-opera-y for me.

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the characters to be very one-dimensional and the plot very predictable. Not my type of book. :-(

[Margie A Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

The story had a slow start but in keeping with Birks excellent way of capturing her audience it finished the reader wanting more.
Thank you Mary