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Arliss Cutter #1
Open Carry
From the New York Times bestselling author of Tom Clancy: Code of Honor (The Jack Ryan Universe) comes the first in the acclaimed Arliss Cutter series set in the beautiful and deadly wilds of Alaska.
"A double-barreled blast of action."
--C.J. Box
"Cameron's books are riveting page turners."
--Mark Greaney
U.S. Marshal Arliss Cutter is a born tracker. After enlisting in the military, fighting in the Middle East, and working three field positions for Marshal Services, Cutter is sent to the icy wastelands of southeast Alaska. Three people have disappeared on Prince of Wales Island.
Two are crew members of the reality TV show, Alaska Adventure Jobs. The other is a Tlingit Indian girl who had the misfortune of witnessing their murders. Cutter's job is to find the bodies, examine the crew's footage for clues, and track down the men who killed them. Easier said than done. Especially when the whole town is hiding secrets, the trail leads to a dead end--and the hunter becomes the prey . . .
"A double-barreled blast of action."
--C.J. Box
"Cameron's books are riveting page turners."
--Mark Greaney
U.S. Marshal Arliss Cutter is a born tracker. After enlisting in the military, fighting in the Middle East, and working three field positions for Marshal Services, Cutter is sent to the icy wastelands of southeast Alaska. Three people have disappeared on Prince of Wales Island.
Two are crew members of the reality TV show, Alaska Adventure Jobs. The other is a Tlingit Indian girl who had the misfortune of witnessing their murders. Cutter's job is to find the bodies, examine the crew's footage for clues, and track down the men who killed them. Easier said than done. Especially when the whole town is hiding secrets, the trail leads to a dead end--and the hunter becomes the prey . . .
403 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 26, 2019
4864 people are currently reading
10184 people want to read
About the author
Marc Cameron
47 books2,015 followersA native of Texas, Marc Cameron is a retired Chief Deputy US Marshal who spent nearly thirty years in law enforcement. His assignments have taken him from rural Alaska to Manhattan, from Canada to Mexico and points in between. A second degree black belt in jujitsu, he often teaches defensive tactics to other law enforcement agencies and civilian groups. Cameron lives in Alaska with his wife and BMW motorcycle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 732 reviews
March 8, 2020
Open Carry, the first in a series is a great book. It’s a cross between Lee Child and CJ Box. You don’t see many these out there. Great protagonist without being over the top. Cutter, (the main character) comes alive on the page because of the backstory that is so skillfully layered in and gives pause to the forward motion of the story—just enough for a breather. His grandfather Grumpy, never appears in the story but I came to know him, vivid and real because Cutter so often reverts to Grump's past advise.
The bad guys border on caricature but the other secondary characters are wonderfully drawn and more than make up for it. I worked in law enforcement for 31 years and this author has the procedure down perfect. I will be picking up the next one in this series and I say without reservation, move over Jack Reacher.
If you like this genre, I highly recommend it.
David Putnam Author of The Bruno Johnson series.
The bad guys border on caricature but the other secondary characters are wonderfully drawn and more than make up for it. I worked in law enforcement for 31 years and this author has the procedure down perfect. I will be picking up the next one in this series and I say without reservation, move over Jack Reacher.
If you like this genre, I highly recommend it.
David Putnam Author of The Bruno Johnson series.
August 26, 2022
3.5⭐
I've seen Marc Cameron's name often and for the longest time, I want to check out his novel. At first, I planned on reading a book he wrote for Tom Clancy, Jack Ryan series but decided on Open Carry, a first in Arliss Cutter series instead The main character is a Deputy US Marshal, the setting is in Alaska (my fav!), and also I'm a fan of the narrator, David Chandler.
Although I didn't love it, I enjoy the characters and the mysteries. Perhaps a part of the fun when starting a new series is getting to know new characters like Cutter, his inner circle including his late grandfather "Grumpy" through his "Man Rules" that Cutter lives by.
Reality show "FISHWIVES!", cartels, and missing people on Prince of Wales Island have Cutter, Anchorage PD, and DEA busy.
🎧Once again, love David Chandler, but the audio production wasn't so great. The extra unwanted noise like paper turning, bumping into the mic, and mouth noises were very distracting.
I've seen Marc Cameron's name often and for the longest time, I want to check out his novel. At first, I planned on reading a book he wrote for Tom Clancy, Jack Ryan series but decided on Open Carry, a first in Arliss Cutter series instead The main character is a Deputy US Marshal, the setting is in Alaska (my fav!), and also I'm a fan of the narrator, David Chandler.
Although I didn't love it, I enjoy the characters and the mysteries. Perhaps a part of the fun when starting a new series is getting to know new characters like Cutter, his inner circle including his late grandfather "Grumpy" through his "Man Rules" that Cutter lives by.
Reality show "FISHWIVES!", cartels, and missing people on Prince of Wales Island have Cutter, Anchorage PD, and DEA busy.
🎧Once again, love David Chandler, but the audio production wasn't so great. The extra unwanted noise like paper turning, bumping into the mic, and mouth noises were very distracting.
March 12, 2021
This story goes bad to worse with few redeeming qualities. 2 of 10 stars
January 18, 2019
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Marc Cameron, and Kensington Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Established author Marc Cameron has branched out to create a new series, full of all the excitement his fans have come to expect, but with a few new twists to lure in more followers. Arliss Cutter is proud to work for the US Marshals, though being assigned to Alaska has come to be less exciting than he’d hoped. Spending days with his team hunting down fugitives makes for interesting, though not always enthralling, work. When Cutter is contacted to help a small local police detachment on a rural island in the state, he jumps at the opportunity. A teenage girl has gone missing and the list of suspects is quite long, owning to the fact that a reality television program is in the middle of production. When two members of the crew also go missing, Cutter must try to determine if this is all connected or just a matter of overly curious folks in a rural setting. As Cutter connects with some of the locals, he learns a little more about the indigenous population and their deep roots in the area. Meanwhile, someone has arrived with a vendetta to settle, one that Cutter had better diffuse before things get out of hand. In a story that takes readers on many twists and turns, Marc Cameron shows why he is top of his genre with this fast-paced novel. Recommended to those who have enjoyed Cameron’s work in the past, as well as the reader who enjoys a thriller set outside the major metropolitan areas.
When I heard that Cameron was beginning a new series, I had mixed sentiments. I have read authors who seek to expand their writing base, but their core series tends to fade and fans lose out on strong writing. However, it would seem that Cameron has a wonderful collection of ideas in this novel, which could be a standalone or the start to a new and successful series. Arliss Cutter is a great character whose grit and ‘bad cop’ mentality is balanced with his love of his extended family and roots in the state. Cutter shows his affinity for those in his inner circle, even as he chases the scum of the earth around on a daily basis. His tunnel vision works well in this story, as he gets to the heart of the matter in short order. Others around him add interesting flavouring to the narrative and could, given the chance, show more depth in future pieces. The story may not be completely unique, but Cameron’s use of the Alaska setting and some of the locals adds a certain individuality that will keep the reader wanting to know more. Short chapters and an ever moving narrative keeps things clipping along and allows the reader to discover just how talented Marc Cameron is at the art of writing. I would hope to see more Arliss Cutter in the future, but am not worried if Cameron returns to his core series for a time. Either way, the reader is in for a treat!
Kudos, Mr. Cameron, for a wonderful piece. I am eager to see where you take us next.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Established author Marc Cameron has branched out to create a new series, full of all the excitement his fans have come to expect, but with a few new twists to lure in more followers. Arliss Cutter is proud to work for the US Marshals, though being assigned to Alaska has come to be less exciting than he’d hoped. Spending days with his team hunting down fugitives makes for interesting, though not always enthralling, work. When Cutter is contacted to help a small local police detachment on a rural island in the state, he jumps at the opportunity. A teenage girl has gone missing and the list of suspects is quite long, owning to the fact that a reality television program is in the middle of production. When two members of the crew also go missing, Cutter must try to determine if this is all connected or just a matter of overly curious folks in a rural setting. As Cutter connects with some of the locals, he learns a little more about the indigenous population and their deep roots in the area. Meanwhile, someone has arrived with a vendetta to settle, one that Cutter had better diffuse before things get out of hand. In a story that takes readers on many twists and turns, Marc Cameron shows why he is top of his genre with this fast-paced novel. Recommended to those who have enjoyed Cameron’s work in the past, as well as the reader who enjoys a thriller set outside the major metropolitan areas.
When I heard that Cameron was beginning a new series, I had mixed sentiments. I have read authors who seek to expand their writing base, but their core series tends to fade and fans lose out on strong writing. However, it would seem that Cameron has a wonderful collection of ideas in this novel, which could be a standalone or the start to a new and successful series. Arliss Cutter is a great character whose grit and ‘bad cop’ mentality is balanced with his love of his extended family and roots in the state. Cutter shows his affinity for those in his inner circle, even as he chases the scum of the earth around on a daily basis. His tunnel vision works well in this story, as he gets to the heart of the matter in short order. Others around him add interesting flavouring to the narrative and could, given the chance, show more depth in future pieces. The story may not be completely unique, but Cameron’s use of the Alaska setting and some of the locals adds a certain individuality that will keep the reader wanting to know more. Short chapters and an ever moving narrative keeps things clipping along and allows the reader to discover just how talented Marc Cameron is at the art of writing. I would hope to see more Arliss Cutter in the future, but am not worried if Cameron returns to his core series for a time. Either way, the reader is in for a treat!
Kudos, Mr. Cameron, for a wonderful piece. I am eager to see where you take us next.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
May 21, 2023
Open Carry (Arliss Cutter, #1) by Marc Cameron
Synopsis /
U.S. Marshal Arliss Cutter is a born tracker. Raised in the swamplands of Florida, he honed his skills in the military, fought in the Middle East, and worked three field positions for Marshal Services. When it comes to tracking someone down—or taking someone out—Cutter’s the best. But his newest assignment is taking him out of his comfort zone to southeast Alaska. Cold, dark, uninhabited forests that are often shrouded in fog. And it’s the kind of case that makes his blood run cold . . . the shocking murder of a Tlingit Indian girl.
Three people have disappeared on Prince of Wales Island. Two are crew members of the reality TV show, Fishwives. Cutter’s job is to find the bodies, examine the crew’s footage for clues, and track down the men who killed them. Easier said than done. Especially when the whole town is hiding secrets, every trail is a dead end—and the hunter becomes the hunted.
My Thoughts /
A couple of things took my eye that motivated me to put this one on my tbr.
- It's a series about a U.S. Marshal;
- He was raised in the swamplands of Florida (cue the Gator Boys); and
- The scene setting for this one is Alaska.
I have since read that the author, Marc Cameron, is a retired Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal who spent nearly thirty years in law enforcement, as a result, I'm hoping his research and descriptions will be on point.
The story begins on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska - which is in fact an actual place. The Island is the homeland of the indigenous Tlingit people. It is called home to approximately 6,000 people and the largest community on the Island is called Craig.
In Open Carry (and I'm still wondering about that title by the way: I can only assume it's to do with firearms and the fact that the law in Alaska does not prohibit anyone person twenty-one-years of age or older who may legally possess a firearm from carrying it concealed or openly) Cameron introduces the reader to Supervisory Deputy US Marshal Arliss Cutter - whose resting face (mean mug) was inherited from his grandfather, whom everyone called Grumpy, but his dimples were a genetic gift from his mother. Cutter laments that flashing his killer dimples sent him crashing head-long into an ill-advised (and short-lived) marriage, while his mean mug is perfectly suited to his day job.
From the very beginning this book screams action. In the prologue, local girl, Millie Burkett, is running for her life, away from something, or someone. And by the end of the chapter, she had screamed her last breath. Her body is discovered by a couple of young boys skipping school to fish. A hunt for the murderer begins. Next, two members of a film crew working on the Alaska-based reality show called Fishwives go missing. Are they 'missing'? Or have they met the same fate as poor Millie Burkett? As if that's not enough plot for you, next Cameron adds in Manuel Alvarez-Garza and his 'boss' Ernesto Camacho - leader of the Los Leones cartel - experts in disposing of their (*cough) enemies in drums of acid.
Short punchy chapters keep the storyline moving. There are quite a few characters in this one, with multiple POVs, it has the recipe to become a little confusing if you don't keep up with who's who. But the main characters have been well fleshed out well and have tons of 'likeability'. I loved the Alaskan setting and Cameron's descriptive writing regarding the landscape kept me wanting to read more about it. Coming from the "Sunburnt Country" (Australia), where in a lot of places you can fry an egg on your car's bonnet it's so hot, all that cold and snow and ice is very appealing.
A definite solid start to the series.
Synopsis /
U.S. Marshal Arliss Cutter is a born tracker. Raised in the swamplands of Florida, he honed his skills in the military, fought in the Middle East, and worked three field positions for Marshal Services. When it comes to tracking someone down—or taking someone out—Cutter’s the best. But his newest assignment is taking him out of his comfort zone to southeast Alaska. Cold, dark, uninhabited forests that are often shrouded in fog. And it’s the kind of case that makes his blood run cold . . . the shocking murder of a Tlingit Indian girl.
Three people have disappeared on Prince of Wales Island. Two are crew members of the reality TV show, Fishwives. Cutter’s job is to find the bodies, examine the crew’s footage for clues, and track down the men who killed them. Easier said than done. Especially when the whole town is hiding secrets, every trail is a dead end—and the hunter becomes the hunted.
My Thoughts /
A couple of things took my eye that motivated me to put this one on my tbr.
- It's a series about a U.S. Marshal;
- He was raised in the swamplands of Florida (cue the Gator Boys); and
- The scene setting for this one is Alaska.
I have since read that the author, Marc Cameron, is a retired Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal who spent nearly thirty years in law enforcement, as a result, I'm hoping his research and descriptions will be on point.
The story begins on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska - which is in fact an actual place. The Island is the homeland of the indigenous Tlingit people. It is called home to approximately 6,000 people and the largest community on the Island is called Craig.
In Open Carry (and I'm still wondering about that title by the way: I can only assume it's to do with firearms and the fact that the law in Alaska does not prohibit anyone person twenty-one-years of age or older who may legally possess a firearm from carrying it concealed or openly) Cameron introduces the reader to Supervisory Deputy US Marshal Arliss Cutter - whose resting face (mean mug) was inherited from his grandfather, whom everyone called Grumpy, but his dimples were a genetic gift from his mother. Cutter laments that flashing his killer dimples sent him crashing head-long into an ill-advised (and short-lived) marriage, while his mean mug is perfectly suited to his day job.
From the very beginning this book screams action. In the prologue, local girl, Millie Burkett, is running for her life, away from something, or someone. And by the end of the chapter, she had screamed her last breath. Her body is discovered by a couple of young boys skipping school to fish. A hunt for the murderer begins. Next, two members of a film crew working on the Alaska-based reality show called Fishwives go missing. Are they 'missing'? Or have they met the same fate as poor Millie Burkett? As if that's not enough plot for you, next Cameron adds in Manuel Alvarez-Garza and his 'boss' Ernesto Camacho - leader of the Los Leones cartel - experts in disposing of their (*cough) enemies in drums of acid.
Short punchy chapters keep the storyline moving. There are quite a few characters in this one, with multiple POVs, it has the recipe to become a little confusing if you don't keep up with who's who. But the main characters have been well fleshed out well and have tons of 'likeability'. I loved the Alaskan setting and Cameron's descriptive writing regarding the landscape kept me wanting to read more about it. Coming from the "Sunburnt Country" (Australia), where in a lot of places you can fry an egg on your car's bonnet it's so hot, all that cold and snow and ice is very appealing.
A definite solid start to the series.
September 10, 2023
New to me genre: Adventure Thriller
Book 1: Arliss Cutter series
New to me author: Alaskan Author, Marc Cameron
Every once in a while I stretch my comfort zone with a new author or a genre that I don’t often read - this time the payback was HUGE!
I loved this book. ✔️
I am now going to binge this author’s backlist, particularly this series.
Spare me a few moments while I step on my soap box with a megaphone….
In short:
Follow a U.S. Marshall on his assignment to bring in a fugitive, find a missing teenager, sidestep a crew filming a reality show about local fisherman, and hunt down a sadistic Mexican cartel boss.
💜 Things I loved:
✔️”Chihuahua courage, I Shih Tzu not” - one of the Grampyisms!
✔️ “Tryactin helped” - sage advice from Grampy!
✔️ being completely immersed in wild Alaska
✔️ fast-paced adventure
✔️ fantastic murder mystery
✔️ indigenous people included
✔️ twisty and tense but not gruesome
✔️ authentically developed love interest
✔️ clean read
✔️ great balance of good guys and bad guys
✔️ superb US Marshal, Arliss Cutter (going to carry the series really well)
This is a 5-star read.
If you love adventure thrillers, you’ll enjoy Arliss Cutter and his patrol in wild Alaska.
I got this free read with Amazon Prime Reading program.
***Pssttt…I even contacted the owner of a bookstore in Ketchikan, Alaska late at night on messenger after finishing this to see if she had any signed copies available! Thank you for indulging my gushing, Charlotte! The author lives in Alaska and had popped in to sign some copies. Sadly, they were all gone quickly. The owner promptly replied and was so helpful. If you are in the area, stop in and see Charlotte at Parnassus Books right by Creek Street.
Book 1: Arliss Cutter series
New to me author: Alaskan Author, Marc Cameron
Every once in a while I stretch my comfort zone with a new author or a genre that I don’t often read - this time the payback was HUGE!
I loved this book. ✔️
I am now going to binge this author’s backlist, particularly this series.
Spare me a few moments while I step on my soap box with a megaphone….
In short:
Follow a U.S. Marshall on his assignment to bring in a fugitive, find a missing teenager, sidestep a crew filming a reality show about local fisherman, and hunt down a sadistic Mexican cartel boss.
💜 Things I loved:
✔️”Chihuahua courage, I Shih Tzu not” - one of the Grampyisms!
✔️ “Tryactin helped” - sage advice from Grampy!
✔️ being completely immersed in wild Alaska
✔️ fast-paced adventure
✔️ fantastic murder mystery
✔️ indigenous people included
✔️ twisty and tense but not gruesome
✔️ authentically developed love interest
✔️ clean read
✔️ great balance of good guys and bad guys
✔️ superb US Marshal, Arliss Cutter (going to carry the series really well)
This is a 5-star read.
If you love adventure thrillers, you’ll enjoy Arliss Cutter and his patrol in wild Alaska.
I got this free read with Amazon Prime Reading program.
***Pssttt…I even contacted the owner of a bookstore in Ketchikan, Alaska late at night on messenger after finishing this to see if she had any signed copies available! Thank you for indulging my gushing, Charlotte! The author lives in Alaska and had popped in to sign some copies. Sadly, they were all gone quickly. The owner promptly replied and was so helpful. If you are in the area, stop in and see Charlotte at Parnassus Books right by Creek Street.
April 27, 2023
I liked this book. I will happily read more in this series. I thought about giving it four stars ~ but the characters just did not seem “real” enough for me. Maybe I just need to get a few books in. Most times writers who write a series like this get better as the books progress.
Hey though ~ it had tons of action and who is going to argue with Alaska as a setting? Extra fun for me because my sister and her family lived in Anchorage for a decade, and it is one of the few places that I have actually visited.
Hey though ~ it had tons of action and who is going to argue with Alaska as a setting? Extra fun for me because my sister and her family lived in Anchorage for a decade, and it is one of the few places that I have actually visited.
September 18, 2020
Whoa and wonderful. A new favourite author for me. Featuring Arlis Cutter US Marshall. I loved the writing: providing a mental visual of the action and the beautiful Alaskan scenery. Realistic characters, deft plotting and a strong sense of authenticity.
Unputdownable
Unputdownable
February 10, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this arc.
I really enjoyed this one. Non-stop action, multiple story lines, lots of interesting characters and a badass superman leading the way! Wonderful escapist reading, but now I'm too tired to make dinner. I do hope to see more of Arliss in the future.
I really enjoyed this one. Non-stop action, multiple story lines, lots of interesting characters and a badass superman leading the way! Wonderful escapist reading, but now I'm too tired to make dinner. I do hope to see more of Arliss in the future.
July 21, 2025
3 Stars for Open Carry: Arliss Cutter, Book 1 (audiobook) by Marc Cameron read by David Chandler.
I loved the setting for this book but the story seemed to get kind of complicated for what it was. The main characters are interesting and I’m going to give the next book a try but for some strange reason I kept expecting Joe Pickett to come and save the day. Maybe the story would have been a little better if he had.
I loved the setting for this book but the story seemed to get kind of complicated for what it was. The main characters are interesting and I’m going to give the next book a try but for some strange reason I kept expecting Joe Pickett to come and save the day. Maybe the story would have been a little better if he had.
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June 24, 2025
I am DONE! Boring, boring... and tedious! DNF @ 30%!
March 12, 2021
New series with a great leading character, Arliss Cutter. Enjoyed the setting, coastal Alaska, the secondary characters will be fun to follow and I enjoyed the plot. Can’t wait for the next in this series.
April 2, 2019
I love Arliss Cutter and hope to love him for many more books. This was a great mystery/thriller, which I could NOT put down for more than 10 minutes. I love reading about Alaska and even though there was some stuff I could have done without, I still loved it. OK -- could have done without the diving stuff. Again -- claustrophobia. Also, there was too much torture to suit me. Getting beaten up is one form of cruelty -- burning someone with a cigar is beyond my understanding. And yes, I know it happens, but that doesn't mean I have to read about it in graphic detail. Otherwise it was a great book and I hope there are many to follow.
February 16, 2019
Marc Cameron has done it again. This is a great story told by someone who knows his stuff. The only thing missing is a motorcycle. This is the first book in a new series and it will be interesting to see where it will lead. Without telling to much I really liked the mystery of the person who tried on the druglords mistress wardrobe. Marc is great at descibing scenery and you can tell he's been there and done that. I must thank #netgalley and #kensington for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book.
February 6, 2021
Unreadable. So much violence against women. Characters were paper thin and really uninteresting. Had hoped to have stumbled on a new series, but this was DOA. A color by numbers action book.
August 15, 2024
If this wasn't a selection of my face-to-face book discussion group, I would not have read this book.
U.S. Marshall Arlis Cutter, accompanied by a Deputy Lola Fontaine, have travelled from Florida to Alaska in pursuit of a fugitive. After capturing him, the two assists local law enforcement to investigate several missing persons, all employed by a local reality show. Their investigations place them in the focus of a Mexican cartel.
Although entertaining at times, overall I found the plot not well crafted, especially the ending. With the exception of the Cutter and Fontaine, the other characters appear to be loosely drawn. The solution for he initial murder seemed to be only a red herring against the other disappearances. Being a red herring is okay, but it seemed that there should have been more misinformation leading the reader down the wrong trail. The mystery was resolved but only in a couple of the last two pages. I don't believe I will be reading any additional books in this series.
U.S. Marshall Arlis Cutter, accompanied by a Deputy Lola Fontaine, have travelled from Florida to Alaska in pursuit of a fugitive. After capturing him, the two assists local law enforcement to investigate several missing persons, all employed by a local reality show. Their investigations place them in the focus of a Mexican cartel.
Although entertaining at times, overall I found the plot not well crafted, especially the ending. With the exception of the Cutter and Fontaine, the other characters appear to be loosely drawn. The solution for he initial murder seemed to be only a red herring against the other disappearances. Being a red herring is okay, but it seemed that there should have been more misinformation leading the reader down the wrong trail. The mystery was resolved but only in a couple of the last two pages. I don't believe I will be reading any additional books in this series.
March 18, 2022
Superbly Written!!
March 22, 2020
I have had this on my virtual shelf for over a year. I finally read it when I saw that it had a second book releasing in March. This may seem an odd thing to do when I did not actually manage to sit and read the first one quickly. The fact of the matter was that I did like the writing and the story I just was not in the right headspace for it. Of late, most of the good police procedurals/Thrillers that I work my way through happen to be on audio, and that makes it easier to get more of them under my belt. This is a habit I might have to break because it is turning me lazy. Now, moving on to the first book:
The setting is cold, harsh Alaska and the living is hard. Our leading man is Arliss Cutter, U.S Marshall. He is a good guy who has lived (you might have guessed it) a hard life. He is back home to take up multiple roles. The emotions he works through, and the fact that his gruff exterior does not mask a soft person is a different take on such a protagonist ( instead of him being soft on the inside). He is a gruff man, but not a bad one, has a lot of rules that he lives by that his grandfather taught him " The grumpy man rules".This last part is a lighter aspect of the narrative. In the bleak, unforgiving landscape, multiple plots are unravelling simultaneously, and this packs a lot into one book. It took me a while to get into the swing of it and be invested because the narrative was dragging my attention to various smaller stories simultaneously. Towards the end, however, they came together well for an action-packed ending.
I liked the characters introduced to us, all of them quite different from people I am used to encountering my regular reading and I jumped into the second book with a bit of enthusiasm.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
The setting is cold, harsh Alaska and the living is hard. Our leading man is Arliss Cutter, U.S Marshall. He is a good guy who has lived (you might have guessed it) a hard life. He is back home to take up multiple roles. The emotions he works through, and the fact that his gruff exterior does not mask a soft person is a different take on such a protagonist ( instead of him being soft on the inside). He is a gruff man, but not a bad one, has a lot of rules that he lives by that his grandfather taught him " The grumpy man rules".This last part is a lighter aspect of the narrative. In the bleak, unforgiving landscape, multiple plots are unravelling simultaneously, and this packs a lot into one book. It took me a while to get into the swing of it and be invested because the narrative was dragging my attention to various smaller stories simultaneously. Towards the end, however, they came together well for an action-packed ending.
I liked the characters introduced to us, all of them quite different from people I am used to encountering my regular reading and I jumped into the second book with a bit of enthusiasm.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
April 10, 2019
I'm going with a 4, though if based on the middle of the book, it'd be a 3.
This is a series with promise. I like the main character Arliss Cutter, I look forward to more about him. But in this book, there were maybe too many strong characters and plot lines.
I did enjoy Cutter's "Grumpy's rules" which he shares with his nephews. Grumpy was Cutter's grandpa who raised him. Interesting also that Cutter ended up in Alaska after spending time in the miitary in Afghanistan, then as a lawman in Florida where he was raised. His brother stole his gal when they were young, and Cutter still has a sweet spot for his SIL, Mim. His brother Ethan moved his family to Alaska, and then was killed - I hope there's more of that backstory in a future book. There's also mention of Cutter's three failed marriages, and losing a fourth wife to cancer - another backstory which might be interesting.
This is a series with promise. I like the main character Arliss Cutter, I look forward to more about him. But in this book, there were maybe too many strong characters and plot lines.
I did enjoy Cutter's "Grumpy's rules" which he shares with his nephews. Grumpy was Cutter's grandpa who raised him. Interesting also that Cutter ended up in Alaska after spending time in the miitary in Afghanistan, then as a lawman in Florida where he was raised. His brother stole his gal when they were young, and Cutter still has a sweet spot for his SIL, Mim. His brother Ethan moved his family to Alaska, and then was killed - I hope there's more of that backstory in a future book. There's also mention of Cutter's three failed marriages, and losing a fourth wife to cancer - another backstory which might be interesting.
April 24, 2019
The first half of the book was very slow. The issue with the drug dealers was a real stretch for a plot and very unpleasant reading. The Alaskan portion (Prince of Wales Island) shows the artist knowledge of the state, impact of reality television, and interaction of federal and state. Once the characters and mystery (shows some of the author's propensity for thriller writing) the book moved steadily forward. The author should decide what type of author he wants to be, the mystery had few well-developed clues. Overall, the book was written well, but the plot was fluid at best.
March 26, 2021
Solid if somewhat lackadaisical open to this new series. I have loved the Quinn books so this was going to have to be pretty special following that act. Cutter is a different character, one that will probably grow on me. I hope Fontaine stays around as she is a good foil for him.
This mystery was the weak part. Actually, the mystery was practically nonexistent. With a better story, hopefully the characters will come alive. We’ll see if Cameron’s next try is better. I’m thinking it will be.
This mystery was the weak part. Actually, the mystery was practically nonexistent. With a better story, hopefully the characters will come alive. We’ll see if Cameron’s next try is better. I’m thinking it will be.
September 27, 2020
4.5 stars. My thanks to Adrienne for her review that made me want to read this book. The setting is Prince of Wales Island, Alaska.
Supervisory Deputy US Marshall Arliss Cutter hunts men for a living. Hailing from Florida, Alaska is far from home but he transferred here to help out his widowed sister-in-law and her three children. Arliss is 6 ft, 3 inches and 240 lbs. He's done several tours in Afghanistan, been married 4 times, and he's not afraid of anything. He's a true leader.
A reality show is filming the hit show Fishwives in Alaska. The producer and her photographer make the mistake of inadvertently filming a cartel leader in a boat on the lake. They suddenly go missing as well as a native teen.
As the book begins, there's a takedown of a wanted criminal that turns violent. This makes the story start fast and gives an enlightening first look at Arliss. He's exactly the type of hero I love in a book. He's intensely loyal and will always help the underdog. He may have some underlying anger issues which I'm sure will be explored in future books, as well as his feelings for his sister-in-law. Hopefully, we'll learn more about his grandfather Grumpy and his sayings.
The descriptions of the Alaskan landscape are marvelous. With cartel members involved, you can be sure there are many violent scenes of killings in this story.
Supervisory Deputy US Marshall Arliss Cutter hunts men for a living. Hailing from Florida, Alaska is far from home but he transferred here to help out his widowed sister-in-law and her three children. Arliss is 6 ft, 3 inches and 240 lbs. He's done several tours in Afghanistan, been married 4 times, and he's not afraid of anything. He's a true leader.
A reality show is filming the hit show Fishwives in Alaska. The producer and her photographer make the mistake of inadvertently filming a cartel leader in a boat on the lake. They suddenly go missing as well as a native teen.
As the book begins, there's a takedown of a wanted criminal that turns violent. This makes the story start fast and gives an enlightening first look at Arliss. He's exactly the type of hero I love in a book. He's intensely loyal and will always help the underdog. He may have some underlying anger issues which I'm sure will be explored in future books, as well as his feelings for his sister-in-law. Hopefully, we'll learn more about his grandfather Grumpy and his sayings.
The descriptions of the Alaskan landscape are marvelous. With cartel members involved, you can be sure there are many violent scenes of killings in this story.
October 8, 2020
The book took awhile to get into with all the different tales coming together to meet in Alaska. I had some issues with "auntie" and I don't like reality TV so the FISHWIVES irked me the wrong way. I'll have to read another Arliss book and see if I like him better. I have to remind myself I did not become a Joe Pickett fan after one book! I loved have the story take place in Alaska. Too bad he had to go home.
June 1, 2022
The opening scene of the girl being chased had some potential, although it wasn't well written. It went down hill from there very fast. The main characters are introduced in a massive exposition dump of your standard clichéd and uninteresting characters and ridiculous dialogue. It also read like wish fulfillment of the author. The early action scenes were dull and suffered from poor pacing. Pure trash
July 23, 2025
Part of Arliss Cutter's gear is labeled as belonging to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. However, his new role is as a Supervisory Deputy with the U.S. Marshal Service, specifically with the Alaska Fugitive Task Force. His team members include Deputy U.S. Marshals Sean Blodgett and Lola Fontaine. Cutter's life off duty centers around his family. He lives with his widowed sister-in-law, Mim (short for Miriam), who is an ER nurse, along with her 3 children: a daughter named Constance and the 7-year-old twins, Michael and Matthew. They are the reason he is in Alaska, and their importance in his life is undeniable. The incidents requiring investigation initially appear to be unrelated, but as the leads begin to unravel, a surprising twist emerges at the heart of the complex web.
The complexities of the thriller are expressed through atmospheric writing that captures the authenticity of the author's experiences. As a retired Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal and a certified scuba diver, he brings a unique perspective to his storytelling. Furthermore, his love and respect for Alaska shine through, shaped by both his professional experiences in the region and his life as a resident.
Arliss's character development is rich and layered. He earns respect through his hands-on leadership at work and by guiding his young nephews, lovingly passing on his grandfather's life skills—known as Grumpy's Man Rules—with a sense of humor. It's hard to resist the man who has already captured your attention, especially when you learn he can cook and is passing that skill on to the twins.
When I noticed that one of this author's titles was featured as a July Staff Favorite for the BTC Reading Challenge, I instantly decided to select it. Having previously enjoyed "National Security" by the same author, I was excited to read more of their work. This selection is excellent for readers who enjoy thrillers, particularly those set in Alaska.
The complexities of the thriller are expressed through atmospheric writing that captures the authenticity of the author's experiences. As a retired Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal and a certified scuba diver, he brings a unique perspective to his storytelling. Furthermore, his love and respect for Alaska shine through, shaped by both his professional experiences in the region and his life as a resident.
Arliss's character development is rich and layered. He earns respect through his hands-on leadership at work and by guiding his young nephews, lovingly passing on his grandfather's life skills—known as Grumpy's Man Rules—with a sense of humor. It's hard to resist the man who has already captured your attention, especially when you learn he can cook and is passing that skill on to the twins.
When I noticed that one of this author's titles was featured as a July Staff Favorite for the BTC Reading Challenge, I instantly decided to select it. Having previously enjoyed "National Security" by the same author, I was excited to read more of their work. This selection is excellent for readers who enjoy thrillers, particularly those set in Alaska.
March 28, 2021
*A good solid 4 stars. When I was approved for an arc of the third book in this series, Bone Rattle, publishing in April, I figured I'd better go back and read the previous two books first. I'm so glad I did because this one is an exciting, action-packed adventure story. The protagonist, Arliss Cutter, is a US Marshall who has taken a position in Alaska to be close to his recently-deceased brother's wife and her two young sons. It seems to be a complicated relationship with some not so deeply buried feelings and a past history. Arliss also seems to be filled with barely-controlled rage. He gets the job done well but maybe his actions are just a little over the top.
In this first outing, a local girl has disappeared. A reality tv show called FISHWIVES!! is being filmed nearby and she has done some background filming for them so one might guess her disappearance has something to do with the crew. But things get even more complicated when the show's executive producer and a cameraman disappear.
There's lot of violence and danger so be forewarned, but Cameron does a great job with describing the setting and creating characters. As they say, 'The odds are good, but the goods are odd.' I'm looking forward to reading book two now: Stone Cross.
In this first outing, a local girl has disappeared. A reality tv show called FISHWIVES!! is being filmed nearby and she has done some background filming for them so one might guess her disappearance has something to do with the crew. But things get even more complicated when the show's executive producer and a cameraman disappear.
There's lot of violence and danger so be forewarned, but Cameron does a great job with describing the setting and creating characters. As they say, 'The odds are good, but the goods are odd.' I'm looking forward to reading book two now: Stone Cross.
June 14, 2023
A good storyline written by a well respected author, but for me, there were too many ancillary characters to keep track of. This makes it difficult to go deep on development which translates into no vested interest as a reader/listener.
The main characters were enjoyable and I could understand if you have the physical book to slow down, reread and make notes then the rating might be higher. As an audio book those options are limited to a drawn out, slow playback speed if you’re listening on the go.
The main characters were enjoyable and I could understand if you have the physical book to slow down, reread and make notes then the rating might be higher. As an audio book those options are limited to a drawn out, slow playback speed if you’re listening on the go.
July 14, 2019
New author for me. Saw the book on the new arrivals shelf at the library and after reading the description of the story line decided to give it a try. The author introduces a lot of characters into the story in the first 100 pages or so which made me wonder if I could keep them straight or not but things seemed to start making more sense after I continued reading further. The story flowed well after the 100 page mark and I didn't want to put it down. My favorite characters were Arliss Cutter and January Cross. Will be looking for more of this author's books.
For those who might be interested: very small amount of curse words and sexual content.
For those who might be interested: very small amount of curse words and sexual content.
May 10, 2020
Open Carry is my second Marc Cameron novel and it was an excellent read.
Written in solid third-person limited and past-tense, while the story had nothing at all to do with the title, that I could see, that didn’t much matter. It was still a good story.
The characters were interesting as well as the location, and the plot was full of interesting twists and turns. The bad guys, which was only one particular sub-plot, were a bit over the top, but otherwise, there was nothing much to complain about. I had a great time and was able to close the book with a smile on my face. Highly recommended.
Written in solid third-person limited and past-tense, while the story had nothing at all to do with the title, that I could see, that didn’t much matter. It was still a good story.
The characters were interesting as well as the location, and the plot was full of interesting twists and turns. The bad guys, which was only one particular sub-plot, were a bit over the top, but otherwise, there was nothing much to complain about. I had a great time and was able to close the book with a smile on my face. Highly recommended.
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November 12, 2022DNF, maybe it was just the audiobook but man this book was boring and very hard to jump into. I had heard great things about this series but I felt a bit let down. Maybe in the future I’ll try reading the physical copy.
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