The Cuts that Cure

by Arthur Herbert

"A tale of intrigue and suspense, with a villain that will keep you awake. A page-turner you don't want to miss!" -NYT Bestselling Author Nick Russell

Alex Brantley is a burned-out surgeon whose desperation to start a new life outside of medicine leads him to settle in a sleepy Texas town close to the Mexican border, a town that has a dark side. Its secrets and his own past catch up with him as traits he thought he’d buried in the deserts on the frontiers of the border rise up again to haunt him.

To the citizens of Three Rivers, Henry Wallis appears to be a normal Texas teenager: a lean, quiet kid from a good family whose life seems to center around running cross-country, his first girlfriend, and Friday night football. That Henry is a cultivated illusion, however, a disguise he wears to conceal his demons. Both meticulous and brutally cruel, he manages to hide his sadistic indulgences from the world, but with that success, his impulses grow stronger until one day when a vagrant is found murdered.

When Alex and Henry’s paths cross, it starts a domino effect which leads to mangled lives and chilling choices made in the shadows along la frontera, where everything is negotiable.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Horror

298 pages, Paperback

First published May 11, 2021

About the author

Be sure to follow Arthur on Bookbub for the latest on his releases and deals at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/arthu...

Arthur Herbert was born and raised in small town Texas. He worked on offshore oil rigs, as a bartender, a landscaper at a trailer park, and as a social worker before going to medical school. For the last eighteen years, he’s worked as a trauma and burn surgeon, operating on all ages of injured patients. He continues to run a thriving practice.

After the success of his debut novel, "The Cuts that Cure", his second novel, "The Bones of Amoret", will be published by Stitched Smile Publications on April 1, 2022.

Arthur currently lives in New Orleans, with his wife Amy and their dogs. He loves hearing from his readers, so don’t hesitate to email him at arthur@arthurherbertwriter.com.

Reviews

[Goblin Reaper · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late.”
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Huge thanks to @blackthorntours for including us in the book tour and sending the e-copy of this wonderful book for an honest review!
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[🚧 Disclaimer: This book is a dark fiction, it contains violence and gore. Please do not read this book if you're sensitive to such content. Trigger warnings are given below the review🚧]
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       Cold fury, masked fear, and desperation. I was not expecting such intensity in this story. Maybe except the fear (it's dark fiction after all), I just wanted to sound poetic… 
All of these emotions come together in The Cuts That Cure, a dark thriller fiction by Arthur Herbert, and somehow forms a unique combination of The Godfather (movies), Doctor Strange, and Buzzfeed Unsolved Crime videos. Strange, I know (no pun intended, I am not that lame, honest) but what isn't, nowadays? 

The story begins with the entrance of Alex Brantley, a trauma surgeon, and his medical career face-diving into a bottomless pit, taking Alex's happiness along with it. With tremendous students loans on his hands and a possible law suit in his future, he moves to Three Rivers, Texas to hold down a teaching job with no other option. 
On the other side of the river (pun intended… okay maybe, I am lame) is Henry Wallis, a high school student— smart, untreated and uncontrolled. Following a disturbing incident in Henry's childhood, he and his mother, Rebecca, move to Three Rivers, Texas. 
             Alex Brantley, Henry Wallis. Both of their lives are worlds apart but of course, fate (coughAuthorcough) brings them together in… not so spectacular fashion. Really. Their meeting was completely normal— no dramatic entrances (or exits *wink wink*) or fancy car chases. But it is what comes much, much later that brings chaos into their worlds. 

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The humor, captivating dialogues, and a bunch or very fascinating characters— a mixture and balance of these and it felt like little bursts of life beneath my fingers and eyes. It was all so very delicious. 

One thing I loved about this book were the conversation between the adults. It was all cleverly woven words and witty banter; lively enough to make me feel I was with the characters without ever crossing the boundary of "cheesiness". The only conversation where I felt a little drowsy was between Alex and his lawyer, Gabriella. Maybe because it was kept strictly professional or because law just bores me, I don't know why I felt a little restless at those parts. 

Another interesting thing I liked in this story was how the author used any/all his prior knowledge and research without seeming to have just dumped the information. Often times, I read books where, even though the author has good or passable knowledge on some things, the information feels stiff or stuck. That is not the case in this story as the author perfectly fits the information with his storyline and characters. 

Mostly, the characters are what makes this story worth reading. I loved how each and very character, background or not, was able to leave an imprint behind them. Father Bob, Principal Cunningham (she was a tough cookie, I loved her!), Gabriella, Detective Lozano, Stu, Luis, Marco, Roko, Simun, Rebecca Sullivan and Patrick Sullivan (Sully). Such different characters yet I felt compelled to remember each of them. 

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And what can I say about the Sullivan family, huh? Rebecca Sullivan and her second husband, Patrick Sullivan. One who knew too much and one who didn't know enough. And Henry Wallis, their son. One with the questionable choices, skewed morals, athletic appearance and dimples. The story on his side was short but definitely not sweet. I would gave loved to explore more about Henry and his life. His family dynamics and the way the characters interacted with each other left me hungry for more. I was really not expecting to read about how Henry ultimately dealt with his situation. Completely in contrast with Alex's ending on the surface but with more similarities underneath. 


I really do not judge the choices Alex made. Because really, what else a person to do, stuck between a rock and a hard place? 

It did get a bit boring to read about Alex acting on his decisions and the lead building up to it. The lake, the church, the young gangster, Luis, and Alex's actions did remind me of The Godfather saga, so I guess there is a plus side to it. 

I was more surprised at the path the story took after the few twists and turns. It was very interesting, to say the least. Especially considering the fact that I wasn't counting on the story to end in a somewhat peaceful note. Though it did give me time to settle any troubled water brewing inside me after, uh, well, everything. An unforgettable read in the end overall! 


Trigger Warnings : Significant and fatal violent, horror components, blood and gore.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Nearly a 5 star read!!

PROS
-- Fantastic writing.
-- Fast paced.
-- Extremely engaging plot.
-- Twists and turns.
-- Intriguing and well-developed characters.
-- Satisfying ending.

CONS
-- This was nearly a 5 star read for me. What ultimately knocked it down to four was the Henry arc. I just don't feel like the resolution fit with how Henry had been portrayed up to that point. The Henry the author gives us from page one would never have even considered that as an option. It just seemed to be a convenient way to move Alex's story forward. Which kind of made everything Henry did kind of pointless in a way. If that makes sense? 🤷🏻‍♀️

**ARC Via NetGalley**

[Jodie | GeauxGetLit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alex is a burnt out surgeon who has mega student debt…however, after some misdemeanor he has a career change to become a HS science teacher and a track coach. Henry is a student that he comes across that has psychological issues.

Alex thinking he was going to get an easy life by being a teacher it isn’t anything like that. At some point the characters tended to blend together and I wasn’t sure where it was going. I do recommend this book if you enjoy complex thrillers.

[Angel (Bookn.All.Night) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex was a surgeon, a very good one, but difficulties with his mental health and the fact that...well he hates being a doctor...bring his world crashing down. Disgraced and disbarred he ends up as a science teacher in a small town in Texas called Three Rivers.

Meanwhile, a sadistic killer has been coming into his own. After Henry's mother finds him, at the age of ten, in an unspeakable sort of ritual she decides a new town would be best. New start...buried secrets. Three Rivers will be that new start for them.

When a homeless person is found dead Detective Lozano realizes this isn't a natural occurrence and foul play is suspected. When the clues point him in Henry's direction the Detective has to wonder how this high school kid is involved.

When this case, and a subsequent tragedy collide, Alex finds himself at the heart of it. Why does his name come up when people speak of Henry? Has his past come back to haunt him?

I am amazed that this is a debut. There is a lot going on here as we are reading about two lives, with different circles, that eventually slam together. The writing is well-done and I had a very hard time putting this one down. Alex and Henry are complete opposites which make for interesting chapters as you read from their individual perspectives. You love Alex and accordingly deeply dislike Henry.

I wasn't expecting the outcome that this one had and while I've seen some reviews that say this somewhat ruined the ending for them, I felt it brought Alex's story full circle. I really enjoyed the way it finished. I am excited to see what this author comes up with next.

I sincerely appreciate the publisher and Blackthorn Book Tours for providing me with a review copy.  All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cuts That Cure by Arthur Herbert is quite a thrill ride. I was not expecting to be so absorbed and the twists and turns were shocking. I didn’t put this down for a single second once I started reading.

I kind of just want to read this book again instead of reviewing it, because it was so good. I’m obsessed, if you couldn’t tell. I’ll review though, because I want whoever is reading this to read the book!

Arthur Herbert handles these characters so well. The talent it takes to create characters that feel so real, you’d think you’re reading a true story, is pretty awesome.

If you couldn’t tell, I loved The Cuts That Cure. If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would. I highly recommend giving this a read. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!!

Thank you to R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to honestly review this book on the blog tour. All opinions are my own.

[Joey Madia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Intriguing Inevitability”: A Review of The Cuts that Cure by Arthur Herbert (White Bird Publications, 2021). ISBN: 978-1-63363-512-8
Authors, publishers, story analysts, reviewers, and readers often speak about a book being a “real page-turner.” Rarely do we elaborate on what that means. To me, having decades of experience in these areas, it’s about two things: (1) posing and answering Big Questions (without doing so too quickly), and immediately posing (and answering) new ones and (2) taking full advantage of the human mind’s tendency to think in terms of inevitability.
In the case of Arthur Herbert’s page-turner (I got up early or stayed up late most days while reading it), The Cuts that Cure, the inevitabilities lie in the trajectories of the individual characters (based on their considerable flaws) and on how masterfully Herbert keeps storylines separate and motivations secret for so long. That’s precisely how the posing and answering of Big Questions also serve to keep the reader engaged.
The opening scene finds the protagonist, Dr. Alex Brantley, “deep in the weeds,” in writer’s parlance. A highly skilled surgeon, he works exhausting hours, is up to his eyeballs in college loans, and is navigating the destruction of his marriage. After saving a life that a less skilled surgeon might have lost, Alex wants nothing more than to go home and hang up his doctor’s coat. Fate, however, intervenes. He is summoned to attend to a child who is the victim of obvious and brutal parental abuse. Understandably (and our understanding of how good people can do less than good things is key in this novel), Alex loses control, which serves as the inciting incident, leading him to the position of “stranger in a strange land” or taking the first step in the Hero’s Journey—Separation.
I’m more technical in this review because the author is a master craftsman. All of the reasons why these writing techniques are standard—and have been for hundreds if not thousands of years—is because, in the right hands, applied correctly, they work.
Alex, finished with medicine, takes a job teaching science at a small-town high school in Texas after an aborted suicide attempt in a dingy motel. His move and new life are step two of the Hero’s Journey—Initiation.
Through the impressive detail of his initial surgery, the encounter with the abused child, and the suicide attempt, it is clear that the author has considerable knowledge about medicine. Reading on, Herbert also demonstrates deep knowledge in other crucial areas as well.
Parallel to Alex’s story is that of a troubled high schooler named Henry, given to darkness and violence. It’s through these two stories that Herbert creates the Inevitability I mentioned earlier. Not only does he take his time to build tension—the outcomes weren’t what I thought they’d be.
As Alex builds a new life in the small town—which, like Stephen King’s Castle Rock and other literary small towns—offers up rich characters and intrigues—he becomes friends with a well-to-do and perhaps overly friendly lawyer whose hidden intentions are another aspect of the Inevitability and Big Questions that drive this accomplished thriller. In terms of authors paying IOUs, the hints about the lawyer’s and other characters’ true motivations are implanted all throughout the novel, expertly hidden by action.
Alex, despite best efforts—and he tries extremely hard—finds himself, in the Age of the Internet, the target of false assumptions, thin facts, and ample gossip that keep him ever the Outsider, the Stranger in a Strange Land, ever on edge.
Trips across the border into small, dangerous towns in Mexico and the presence of powerful criminals add to the action and the drama. A night at a strip club in Nuevo Laredo has a tone and tension reminiscent of Tarantino’s From Dusk till Dawn.
Speaking of tone, The Cuts that Cure opens with a quote from Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove, and this Texas/Mexico border–based novel does read at times like a dark western, calling to mind the almost Gothic overtones of Cormac McCarthy.
It’s always a win when an author can make a morally questionable character into, if not a hero, than at least someone with whom we empathize and at times root for. Alex’s crushing debt is the catalyst for those feelings, as he meets periodically with his bankruptcy attorney and faces the dire prospect of a forced return to medicine in order to pay his college loans.
Henry’s descent, in parallel with Alex’s resistance of his own dark impulses, opens the door to police procedural elements, when a tenacious detective uses modern technology and old-fashioned, tried and true bloodhound investigation techniques to expose Henry’s evil deeds. Their confrontation in the woods is a standout scene in a book with many memorable ones.
Not to give short shrift to female characters, Henry’s mother Rebecca takes the lead amongst a group of women from a wide array of socioeconomic statuses, from strippers to white-collar professionals. Rebecca is the Act Three catalyst, serving to raise important questions about parental culpability in their children’s violent acts and what extremes some will go to when faced with the choice between Responsibility and Denial.
As I navigated the high stakes of Act Three, where all the storylines came together, Alex was faced with his own versions of every question posed for each of the supporting characters. I’d come to know him well. If I was not fully cheering for him to overcome his obstacles—several of which he clearly created—I was outraged enough by what was happening to him and intrigued enough by a proposition posed to him that would solve all of his mounting problems in a single action that, no matter how dark and grim it got, I was hoping he’d get the win.
I mentioned that the ending was a surprise. The third step on the Hero’s Journey—Return—was not what I had anticipated. Kudos to Herbert for taking a road less traveled. A road that takes us back to pre-Prologue Alex—an idea or more accurately, echo, of why he first became a doctor, and the stuff of which this complex anti-hero is made.
I hope this is not the last we have heard from Arthur Herbert. There is true talent here.

[lacy white · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find this review and others like it at https://aravenclawlibraryx.wordpress.com

tw: medical procedures, child abuse, parental death, animal torture, suicide, murder

A special thank you goes out to the author, Arthur Herbert, for sending me a copy of this book. Another thank you goes out to Blackthorn Book Tours for hosting this book tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have been trying to get more into horror books and just the horror genre itself. It’s been an ongoing goal for me all year. As an avid lover of the horror genre, I surprisingly don’t read a lot of horror books. It’s not that I don’t want to read horror books, I simply just read other genres such as historical fiction. Luckily, since I joined up with Blackthorn Book Tours, they have been offering me a lot of horror options, which I have gladly taken advantage of.

I am so happy with this book, which is weird to say when it comes to a horror book. I stayed up way past my bedtime reading this book because I was that hooked on it. I had to know what was going on and I had to get to the bottom of the mystery that was Henry. The minute I read the first sentence, I had this absolute feeling of dread. I felt like something was going to happen, something bad, the whole time I read this book. Eventually, that feeling wasn’t as strong but it was ever present. I love books that have that feeling of dread. It’s a fun feeling, weirdly.

If you truly want to experience this book fully, I recommend listening to the song “Daywalker” by Machine Gun Kelly and Corpse Husband. That was the first thing I thought of while reading this book. It gives you an idea of being in Henry’s mind, one of the main characters. There was something just so very off about him but I still found myself rooting for him, in a strange way. My only complaint is that he didn’t get a lot of page time and I found his story ended quickly. I wanted more of Henry and I wanted to see more of what he was capable of.

Alex was another main character and was more of the focus of the book. I enjoyed his point of view as he led quite an interesting life. I found myself rooting for him even though he made some pretty questionable choices and ultimately made his life harder than it needed to be. But that aside, he was a great and complex character.

Overall, this is such a creepy book. It reminded me of Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky, with the way the atmosphere was built. The main characters were complex and fun to read about. There was a plot but this book is definitely more character driven, which I think worked better. Overall, if you enjoy the horror genre with complex characters, then this is the book for you.

[Selena | Beauty's Library · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating; 2.5/5
Triggers: Suicide, Graphic Scenes

I received a free copy through Blackthorn Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for this opportunity!

It looks like my good streak has yet to start back up again. Which honestly, I’m really bummed about. I was expecting a much more thrilling read than we got.

The premise and summary seem so simple, but it felt a bit like a bait and switch. What I expected to get from this read and what I got was the opposite. It felt like we didn’t truly go past the events of what we’re told in the summary. I had hoped to see more of Henry’s sadistic side. I wanted to see a young serial killer. But after we learn the details of the events laid out in the summary that was basically it. That was the end of Henry’s role in the storyline. It just left me going “What? That’s it?”

And then we’re supposedly supposed to see Alex and Henry’s paths cross after Henry murders the vagrant. To me, it felt like we were reading two separate stories within the same book. And this didn’t even occur until 70% into the story.

I was captivated by Henry’s storyline. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. So much so that I couldn’t help but be bored from Alex’s point of view. I just didn’t find Alex’s story that interesting compared to Henry’s. Every time we got to Alex’s point of view, I just wanted to move along to get back to Henry. As well as, I found myself struggling to follow Alex’s storyline. It was such a different vibe than Henry’s.

I will say, though this book touches heavily on the theme of suicide. This was unexpected for me as the scenes around this theme are intense and graphic. This could be a trigger for some readers. So please keep this in mind.

Overall, I was disappointed with this. The storyline went in an entirely different direction than I expected. And the direction it went just wasn’t one I appreciated based on the premise we’re given in the summary. However, I think if you enjoy dark thrillers that touch on serious topics such as suicide, then ignore my rating and give this a try for yourself!

[Tabitha Tomala · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: The Cuts that Cure

A big thank you to Blackthorn Book Tours for providing me a copy of The Cuts that Cure for an honest review.

Alex Brantley slogged through medical school, working long hours until he reached the point of burnout. But still, he persisted thinking everyone in his chosen profession felt the same way. Until he reached his breaking point and walked away from being a surgeon. Now loaded with college debt, Alex decides to start life over in Three Rivers as a science teacher. But his past isn’t ready to let go of him. And one of his new students, Henry Wallis, is hiding a dark secret. One that may pull Alex down if he isn’t careful.

The Cuts that Cure is a book unafraid to explore the dark sides of humanity. Readers will meet a cast of characters who harbor darkness within, and unleash it in various ways. This is not a book for those easily disturbed. Arthur Herbert is adept at balancing between multiple viewpoints and crafting a story that is as disturbing as it is compelling.

There were some points where characters had large bouts of exposition through dialog. Not all of the information seemed relevant to the story and slowed the progression down a bit. But once the characters finished talking they generally ended up in high-intensity moments that propelled the story forward once again.

And just when I thought I knew the main plot for The Cuts that Cure, Arthur Herbert threw a twist I never saw coming. It was like pulling the rug out from beneath my feet, and I stared at the pages wondering where the story could possibly go. But of course, I had to keep going, I had to know what else was in store for the characters. And the surprises kept coming, the story constantly shifting in new directions making it an unpredictable, but enjoyable read.

The Cuts that Cure is a book full of surprising twists, suspense, and some quite disturbing situations. If you enjoy psychological and medical thrillers, give it a try.

[Dana K · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cuts that Cure is one of those novels where as each domino falls, you assume you know where things are going but you're wrong every time. I haven't read a more suspenseful read in a long time. The story builds slowly as we get to know each of the characters and the circumstances that lead them to the choices they make. There were a couple of fabulous jaw drop moments that I'm not sure I'll ever get out of my head.

Alex is a doctor who has reached the end of his rope as a surgeon and has decided to quit. A case comes in that final fateful day and he leaves in a manner that will have you cheering for him but it leads to his license being revoked and his future looking dimmer than ever. When he finds his feet again it's as a small town science teacher realizing that starting fresh may be an illusion. Enter Henry, a student in that small town with a serious dark side. The way things pan out from there will twist your melon for sure.

There are definitely some graphic scenes of very dark violence here. Be aware going in that you may have a few stomach turning moments ahead. There are also some moments where you begin to question good versus evil and when crossing a line may be morally grey. The tone and great character arcs where folks are driven to lengths you never imagined on one page and even further on the next reminded me of Breaking Bad.

Thanks to Blackthorn Book Tours for a copy of this novel. All opinions above are my own.

[Matthew Condello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I went back and forth between 3.5 and 4 stars on this one. It’s very well written. Great characters, tightly paced. And it starts off incredibly intriguing and you can’t help, but to get hooked in. What it became though was entirely unexpected and while I enjoy being surprised I found a lot of the last half of the book to be ridiculous. At times I cringed and rolled my eyes. So much of this book is fantastic, but it isn’t able to stick the landing and in many ways a fascinating, moving, well written narrative unravels to become something so outlandish it makes you go “how the hell did we get here”. Still I feel many will enjoy and just go along for the ride because the writing is so strong. I would be interested in reading more from this author, but this one just jumped the shark for me near the end and couldn’t recover.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written psychological suspense/thriller that explores the length a good person could go to in an untenable situation. There is also the exploration of the concept of people
preying on others weaknesses to get what they want. Interesting characters with multifaceted personalities. There were times I felt it got a bit bogged down but this is definitely a book I recommend.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Samfreene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cuts that Cure
Dr. Alex Brantley is about to enter what some might consider his own nightmare and face consequences of his own actions that would haunt him for the rest of his life. Dr. Brantley was an ER doctor until he was not. Deciding that medicine was not his true calling, and he goes down a path that will take him through many doors and an elaborate maze of choices, highlights and disappointments that will end in a strange and unusual way.
Deciding to escape reality he reverts to escaping using a certain amount of helium to start his journey into oblivion. The scene is vividly described, and you experience the hallucinations and the temporary euphoria he seems to have experienced but in the end things do not turn out exactly the way he expected. Winding up in psychiatric hospital and having to be evaluated was the stop in his life. The author moves us from December to March where we meet Rebecca, Sully and Henry their son. Henry was fine until he was not and what we learn about him is more than frightening. Three Rivers is where both Alex and Henry wind up. The change in the geography of Three Rivers, had one nothing to slow down what Henry was going to become, sadomasochistic, enjoying pornography and then his digital savvy grew, and he found what many others do the entrance to the dark we. With his parents limited technical abilities limited to checking his email, he managed to create Facebook pages that they would never enter or view. He knew there was not change they would be able to or even check on his internet activities. Getting his license was his road to freedom and entering worlds that would take him to places that he never thought he would be. But, his actions one night would change the dynamics of his life, his parents and one other.
Henry is deranged and disturbed and enjoys hurting animals and does not hesitate to take out his aggressions on some poor rabbits. The torture is unspeakable and when his mother realizes his deed she takes him for help, but it is basically too late. Meanwhile Alex has his medical license suspended get the state board cause of a criminal charge of vandalism brought by the parent s of a patient somewhere through that time, late withdrawal when the parents were criminally charge for child abuse and the prosecuted did him solid. Impatient treatment for thirty days country and now he decided since being discharged from the psychiatric center to pursue getting at teaching license and working with students. He even gets a good evaluation from his proctors and passed the Education Preparatory Program, and the state application was approved. Why was he hired by his principal?
Alex is hired as the new science teacher but that is only part of his job as he is enlisted to coach several after school sporting teams and that’s where things get interesting. Added in his classes are well mannered and he seems to have it under control. One parent of one of his students seems to want to enlist his friendship for more than just being the teacher of this young teen and here is where is destiny changes and the decisions he makes will forever impact on his life forever.
Henry is smart, cunning and has emotional problems and is failing in school and Alex offers to help him after school. However, his mother is not thrilled about this after all she learned about him on the net. Things get dicey and then Alex meets with his lawyer and learns the destiny of his financial fate as he must pay off over 300 thousand dollars in student loans of try and have the loans attached to his claiming bankruptcy. But nothing goes right, and he is responsible for the debt but first he goes on several trips with Stu the parent he meets who has connections to people that most would not want to associate with but in this case Alex makes the decision go along on several trips and one would take him to places he wishes he did not enter. The man behind this trip is Luis a powerful businessman with connections that most people would avoid. But Alex in time learns more about him and his brother-in-law, Marcus who is more than dangerous and unstable and will be the probable cause of more than one downfall.
Henry decides to act and finds a homeless man in a park and what he does is unspeakable and thinks he will get away with murder. But first Alex must undergo the first parent meetings hoping that he will be accepted by the parents, students and staff. When Alex wants to tutor Henry after school his mother hesitates and the next scene is where he goes to the park, sees the homeless man and the author describes the event and what he does in Henry’s voice. Not realizing that even though he powered down his cell phone that the police can trace where you are and when he learns just how you the reader might think twice before you think that your phone cannot be your downfall if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Author Arthur Herbert did research into what happens when your phone is hacked, and you do not know it and just how not private your whereabouts are and how your phone really has your entire history for anyone to find. Henry planned it out but what he does not know and learns will shock him as Detective Rodrigo Lozano is on the case and his smart, does not give up and after assessing the scene he is not sure if the man just died or if it was murder. But the astute ME calls him in and what he learns takes him back to the park, questions the vagrants to no avail until something happens and he reaches out to one young man and his father brings a piece of evidence that might change it all. But, in the meantime Henry is questioned, smug and thinks he got one over the detective but in the end he and you the reader will be shocked.
Added in Alex becomes close to Stu Perry the lawyer who wants him to go hunting for doves and then to a special place in Mexico to honor the dead and it is at this meeting that he meets Marco an unstable relative of Luis and things from this point on go downhill.
After being questioned by the Detective and learning about how they traced his phone, someone comes forward and with this piece of evidence even Henry realizes the road might have ended and he decides on his fate which changes the dynamics for the detective and will come back and take aim at Alex. With the death of his young teen, and the evidence that Alex tutored him and two parents that were basically negligent the mother goes after the school the board, the district and Alex who gets served. Placed on leave and then the threat of termination added in the lawyers from the school and the board are they really on his side. Plus, Stu wants him to continue with their friendship and what happens at in Mexico would cause anyone to break away from this group and Marco is more than dangerous. But debts are piling up and the threat of more lawsuits and the ending and outcome will shock readers as Alex take a path you would never think, and the result will change it for him forever.
Just how do his debts get wiped clean? What is the mission and organization he is now going to have to be part of as a medical advisor? What is the final decision about the lawsuit against him and the school? An ending that is filled with tension, suspense and the truth behind the title of this novel as Alex is forced to use his skills one more time to teach a final lesson to someone who would never expect retribution enacted as the doctor in him proves the secret behind what THE CUTS THAT CURE but you the reader will have to decide exactly which ones.
Fran Lewis: Just reviews

[Ed Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one book that drove me to keep reading. The detailed depth of the characters pushed my mind toward possible outcomes and fed my desire to see if I could foretell their actions. I am eagerly awaiting the next book.

[Zelda FeatzReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before you pick up this book you need to know that it contains animal cruelty, teen sexuality, suicide and murder. If you are sensitive to any of these, maybe give it a miss. However, if you are open-minded you are in for a treat. Despite the warning making it sound like a harsh read – it is not that bad. This is a brilliant story that will keep you up at night.
Arthur Herbert tells his story not skipping any details, allowing the reader the opportunity to clearly visualise every setting in full detail. This is the first time I have read anything by this author, and I loved how beautifully he created each scene. I felt like I could see every picture he painted.
Dr Alex Brantley is a successful surgeon, he is good at what he does, but he does not like his job. Faced with an unhappy career and student loans of more than $300 000 he realises that he cannot continue down the same path. When an attempt at suicide fails, Alex decides to leave medicine and starts a teaching job at a high school in Three Rivers, a small town in Texas.
Teaching does not pay much and while he is hoping for legal help the pressure of his debt does not abate. Focussing on teaching he meets a troubled sixteen-year-old, Henry Wallis, who faces a much bigger problem than Alex’s finances. As Henry struggles to deals with his problems, things turn upside down in his world.
At his lowest point imaginable, Alex is made an offer that can solve all his problems and give him a chance at a new beginning – an illegal solution that goes against everything he believes in, but an opportunity to finally live the life he wants to.
This book is graphic and filled with loads of unpleasant details, but it’s never gross or crude. The author managed to take the ugly in this story and tell it acceptably. While there are a lot of ugly details here, The Cuts That Cure is a creative, well-told story that draws you deep into an unthinkable world and makes it impossible for the reader to skip any of the gory details. I could not put this book down and read much later into the night than I normally would.
The characters are brilliant. Dr Alex Brantley is struggling with a career that is not good for him. Every day is a battle for him to find his way to a life where he can be happy. You see him crawl from a dark place to something much better only to be knocked straight back down again. As you experience his struggles you feel sorry for him and end up liking him.
Henry Wallis is trouble. This sixteen-year-old boy is evil. The more time the author allows you to spend in this young mind the more amazed you are at how his mind works. However, I could not help but be angry with his mother. She saw the early signs of trouble and instead of acting, she chose to turn a blind eye. She was more concerned with what the neighbours would think. She could probably not have done anything to change Henry, but early action could have prevented some of the bad in the future. Mrs Rebecca Sullivan was my least favourite character. As a mother, I wanted to understand her choices, but I hated how she did nothing. Her pretending the problem did not exist gave Henry the chance to become a better liar and getting away with terrible behaviour.
Stu was the mystery character. When he befriends Alex, you are waiting for the other shoe to drop. Stu is just too good to be true. Only right at the end of the book is his motives revealed. He plays a big role in keeping the reader intrigued, eager to see how he fits into the bigger picture.
The Cuts That Cure covers harsh subject matter but WOW, if you are not a sensitive reader this book is brilliant. The ugly is not as ugly as it could be as the author dressed every disgusting scene just enough to make it acceptable. This book is dark, digging deep into the darker side, but I loved it.
The Cuts That Cure will appeal to readers who are open-minded and not sensitive. If you approach this book being aware of the trigger warnings psychological thriller fans will find everything they enjoy between these covers. It is not as harsh as it sounds at all. If you are open-minded, I will gladly recommend that you get your hands on a copy of this one, it is a gripping, descriptive read that will keep you intrigued from start to finish.

[Julie Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoilers: Arthur Herbert's The Cuts That Cure does not stop with one despicable violent character. He gives us two. One is a teenager and the other a disgraced doctor, both of which who develop a lust for crime and violence.


Alex Brantley, an ER doctor, was fired for committing an act of violence against an abusive parent. After an unsuccessful suicide attempt, Alex moves to a small Texas town and attempts to rebuild his life as a science teacher.

One of the students at the school is Henry Wallis, a young lad with a history of unusual behavior. After exhibiting troubling behavior as a youngster, Henry becomes filled with the compulsive urge to hurt others. He drives to a park outside San Antonio and sees several homeless people and an opportunity. As Henry develops into a potential serial killer, Alex becomes involved with some shady characters who entice him to travel with them to Mexico for illegal means.


By themselves, both Henry's and Alex's plots are decent. Henry's plot is fascinating as we read about his methodical approach to commit the perfect crime. He scouts the area, looks for someone whose death may not be noticed, and covers all traces. Even though he is still a teenager, this is clearly something that he has thought about for a long time. There is something cold blooded almost alien in his approach that is meant to send chills down the Reader's spine.

Henry's plot sounds like Hitchcock by way of Hannibal Lector.


Alex's plots however is more of dark comedy almost Tarentinoesque set to book form. He is accosted (during a football game no less) by these dubious guys inviting him to Mexico. They are so obvious in their attempts at illegal activity, that they might as well carry a sign that says "Illegal Doings 'R' Us". Alex is oblivious or arrogant to their intentions and the potential dangers that this trip to Mexico would result. That puts the Reader one step ahead of him. When he does encounter the criminal underworld, it's less of a surprise and more results in the Reader raising their hand and saying "Who called it?"


The contrasting tone of the psychological terror of Henry's story and the dark comedy of Alex's story is jarring to say the least. In fact, both of these plots could have worked just as well if not better as stories in their own right. More time would have been focused on each character and his descent into villainy.


However, there is a point where the transition actually works. As Henry's burgeoning career comes to an end, Alex's darker nature begins to take over. He's not a bumbling arrogant fool stumbling into trouble. He becomes the real actor in villainy. Almost like despite his youth, Henry had to be removed so Alex could be reborn. The final passage where Alex visits someone just to torture them shows how far Alex has gone from the man who assaulted a parent that had abused his child. In fact it's more chilling than anything that Henry has done throughout the entire book.


The Cuts That Cure at first makes you think that the two stories are separate and incomplete. Towards the end we learn that they explore the darker nature that could exist with anyone whether it's in a high school student or a pillar of the community.

[Hannah May Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Cuts That Cure
Author: Arthur Herbert
Publisher: White Bird Publishing
Pages: 298
Rating: 4/5

A huge thank you to the author, White Bird Publishing and Blackthorn Book Tours for allowing me to be part of the blog tour!

Synopsis:

Alex Bentley is a surgeon who is ready to start a new life, he is burned out and desperate to be free from stress and debt. He takes up a teaching role in a Texas town close to the Mexican border. But this town has its own secrets and Alex’s past continues to haunt him.
To the residents of Three Rivers, Henry Wallis is a normal, athletic teenager, his life evolving around cross country running. However, Henry hides behind this façade because deep down he has his demons and he is brutally cruel. After hiding his sadistic indulgences for years, he can no longer control his impulses, resulting in the death of an innocent.
A domino effect begins when the paths of Henry and Alex’s cross, resulting in mangled lives and chilling decisions been made.

Review:
The front cover of this read lured me in, especially as the review on the front hinted that the villain of this book would pack a punch. As some of you may know, psychological thrillers are on of my favourites so this was a welcome read after just finish two tamer reads. The intriguing description definitely had me hoping that this would be a dark read.
The first chapter definitely kicked off with a bang, it really had me feeling all kinds of feelings and this is what instantly hooked me into this read but I could feel myself becoming more absorbed as I read on.

The jumps in perspective were easy to follow and clear and I think really worked for this book as we could get into both the main character’s heads which actually was quite a dark place to be at times. Henry really did make my skin crawl, but yet I couldn’t help but being excited when the book jumps back to his perspective, he really did make this story interesting for me to the point I weirdly wanted more from this sadistic character. As for Alex, I really did find it hard to connect with him, I had no warmth towards him but I did feel very sorry for him at times.

The author is a very descriptive writer, you can really picture his writing, including gruesome parts which made this book quite an intense read at times. I found the story line to be very intriguing, however at one point I did have a little struggle. I wasn’t sure in which direction the story was going and how it would all come together, I was unsure who was the main focus, but I continued to stick with it and everything fell into place for me.

There was plenty of dark elements which I hoped for, but this read is definitely not for the faint hearted. The place was suited to the read and the book was very well written. I especially liked how unpredictable it was, you never knew what was coming and at times a few moments did genuinely have me feeling stunned.

I was literally hit with surprises right up to the end. This really was a thriller that chilled and the descriptive writing definitely made it chilling and haunting for me.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, before I get into my review, I'd like to thank Blackthorn Book Tours and the author for sending me a signed physical copy to read and review. Thank you so much! I appreciate it!

The Cuts That Cure is a dark thriller that follows Alex Brantley, a surgeon who is seriously done with practicing medicine. It's making him depressed, and he just can't do it anymore. And after he loses control with a family who brings in their burned 8 month old (that they are abusing, of course), Alex tries to kill himself. He's saved at the last minute, and after being cleared after evaluation, Alex moves to Three Rivers, Texas, and starts over as a science teacher. But his new life is about to come crashing down around him.
Enter Henry Wallis. Henry seems like a normal teenager, but Henry is hiding a dark secret. Henry has urges. Dark, sick urges. But he's gotten really good at hiding them. Until one day he messes up.
When Henry's story collides with Alex's, things take a turn, and how it all ends... well, I won't spoil anything. You'll just have to read it and find out.
This was a really strong debut novel. Like, really strong. I was immediately hooked by the first couple of chapters. They start off with quite a bang, and while things kinda slow down a bit after that (not in a bad way, but more to ease the reader into the story), they only end up causing some serious anticipation for what's to come. I know I was on the edge of my seat, eagerly awaiting the ending.
And while I will admit to not expecting that ending, and kind of wishing it had been a little different, I felt it was really good overall, and I rather enjoyed how it all tied together there at the end.
I felt for Alex. He was a really relatable character. Sometimes you just have to move on from a job when it feels like it's sucking your soul right out of your body. Although, I guess I can't say suicide over a job is really the right answer, for Alex at the time, it definitely seemed like it was. I was glad when he was given a second chance, because he honestly came across as a decent guy. Plus, what he did at the beginning... I can't say I blame him. He was a lot nicer with his actions than I would have been had I come across a family abusing their child.
If you're a fan of dark psychological thrillers with some elements of horror, definitely check out The Cuts That Cure. You won't be disappointed.
4.5 stars.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗲
𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁
🔪🔪🔪🔪

A huge thank you to @blackthorntours my #gifted book.

▪︎SYNOPSIS▪︎
Alex Brantley is a surgeon whose desperation to start a new life outside of medicine leads him to settle in a sleepy Texas town close to the Mexican border, a town that has a dark side. Its secrets and his own past catch up with him as traits he thought he'd buried in the deserts on the frontiers of the border rise up again to haunt him.
To the citizens of Three Rivers, Henry Wallis appears to be a normal Texas teenager: a lean, quiet kid from a good family whose life seems to center around running cross-country, his first girlfriend, and Friday night football. That Henry is a cultivated illusion, however, a disguise he wears to conceal his demons. Both meticulous and brutally cruel, he manages to hide his sadistic indulgences from the world, but with that success, his impulses grow stronger until one day when a vagrant is found murdered.
When Alex and Henry's paths cross, it starts a domino effect which leads to mangled lives and chilling choices made in the shadows along la frontera, where everything is negotiable.

▪︎MY REVIEW▪︎
Oh I do love me a psychological thriller! And this book nails it on the head. From get go you are shoved straight into the nitty-gritty of this story. The story is fast-paced, straight to the point and full of twists and turns. Just as you think you know how everything ends, you end up completely surprised!
Both Alex and Henry's characters are so well portrayed and thought out. I couldn't help but indulge in both of these characters and invest in how they're lives will play out.
The surgical procedures in this story is absolutely exceptional, and you certainly can see that Arthur has used his surgical experience in this story. I just really appreciated the extreme detail that was put into those parts and you can tell it's a career Arthur enjoys.

This book has quite a slasher, creepy vibe to it. I can see The Cuts that Cure as a movie and one that will be extremely popular. This book does have triggers so do note them, it is a dark end of a thriller and has some graphic scenes so please be warned.

I thought this book was absolutely smashing for a debut, my only slight problem was a few times I was a little confused. But with it being very psychological it kind of makes sense on the confusion. A really brilliant start of a debut and I can see Arthur going places in his writing career.

[Jess | dapper.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a clear villain in this story - but who is it? Spoiler - it’s not the murderer.

Seriously this story has an insane amount of layers. I went into this with very little knowledge about the book itself. I did not read the synopsis, but dove straight in. Because of this, I did not realize we would be following the stories of more than one person. Once I realized this, I was intrigued by how these stories would come together.

They came together in an unexpected way if I’m being honest. I don’t want to say too much because I feel like it’s a huge spoiler - and I feel like my opening line spoiled enough. There’s absolutely a murderer in this story. But is the murderer the villain? Sure, but there’s an even bigger villain than the murderer, leaving the murderer behind in the villain department.

This story took some weird turns. It’s also bilingual- not enough that I struggled with it as a solely English speaking individual -but definitely enough that I found myself rereading some pages to make sure nothing got lost in “translation” (or lack of there of - the context clues were on point here!)

Coming from a small town myself, the atmosphere is incredibly accurate and I didn’t like it. The accuracy - great - the feeling it left me with - awful. Small town living and gossip is not for everyone. It just felt too real to me. I felt for all of the characters considering I know there is no escape from the small town gossip hotline - and the more people hear the story, the crazier it gets. That’s exactly what happens a few times in this story. The gossip gets out of control and really leads to many of the decisions that are made.

The ending didn’t feel forced at all, which in stories like this sometimes it does. Considering this is essentially a story about what can happen when someone has no options, the way this wrapped up was fantastic.

Overall I really enjoyed this book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

[Amisha Bahl Chawla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life has its ups and downs.

During this journey we often come across crossroads. It is the choices we make at this juncture that sometimes make or break us. They end up defining us.

The Cuts That Cure by Arthur Herbert is a psychological thriller so visceral in nature that it literally leaves you gasping for breath.

The book is a glorious blend of medical thriller, murder, horror and a deep analysis of what makes the mind (and us) tick.

Herbert’s sinuous narrative effortlessly takes you into a journey into the lives of the two main protagonists Alex Brantley and Henry Wallis, inter-cutting, merging and then unwinding into an unpredictable end. A story that also leaves you questioning how the world looks at and handles mental health.

The story revolves around a burnt out surgeon Alex Brantley, disgraced form his profession and saddled with debts. With the thought of bankruptcy looming over his head he needs to get his act together. Relocating to a small town in Texas he applies and ultimately becomes the new high school science teacher.

It is here that his life intersects with that of Henry Wallis, a high school track star, who has everything going for him including a division 2 scholarship. Behind Henry however lies a deep dark secret, one that both he and his mother have hidden from the world.

Will Henry’s secret come out?
Will it cut everything around him?
Or will it be a cut that cures?

A riveting book that is so visually rich that you become part of the story. A must read for fans of Robin Cook and medical thrillers. A book that while fiction really analyses the way our society is ailing.

*Do be careful though, some scenes are so descriptive that they can rattle you.

So glad I got this RC, it was an enthralling read. Hope you liked my fair and honest review.
Happy Reading:)

[Marilyn Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a dark thriller and, while the author avoids going into detail, seriously disturbing things happen. For me, this book was a look at evil - the fine line between being evil and doing evil, and how it affects two very different individuals - a sadist and a regular person.

The story opens with a look at Alex Brantley the day he closed the door on being a surgeon. Despite the fact it was something he excelled at, he found it soul-destroying. The problem - a HUGE student loan debt that he cannot pay off in his new profession of teaching high school. Then we learn the back story of Henry Wallis. Did an accident in his childhood damage his brain, or was he born this way? We don't know. We only become aware of the evil that lurks in his brain, trying to find a way out.

Alex thrives in his new roll as a teacher, while worrying about his efforts to be released from the massive burden of his debt - efforts that are failing. His budding friendship with a local businessman connects him with a Mexican crime boss who offers him a shot at starting over, but by doing something against all he believes in. Something evil. Can he as a moral man set that aside to guarantee a better future? Henry finally acts out on his impulses, taking the life of a vagrant. Sure he has done everything right, he feels untouchable. Then a policeman starts to zero in. What will he do?

The book ends on an interesting note that looks at the idea of whether, after doing evil, can redemption be found? No answer is offered. Well written, I have only one reservation. I'm not sure the story of Henry actually needed to be there other than as a comparison between the two men. Just my opinion.

[Susan Walt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Alex Brantley is disillusioned after ten years of surgical residency. The long hours, endless fatigue, and a mountain of student debt have driven him to the brink. After a failed suicide attempt, he re-educates himself and applies for a job as a science teacher in a small Texas town.

Slowly he finds his feet and starts making friends. He becomes more involved with his students and coaches the long-distance running team. The star of the group is Harry Wallis. A child with a dark secret that he hides from the world.

But the denial of his bankruptcy claim and an unexpected lawsuit forces him on a path he would prefer not to take. So finally, with his back against the wall and seeing no way out, he accepted the solution offered to him. But will the price be too high for him to pay?

I’ve enjoyed reading this book. There are two parallel storylines, only touching occasionally, telling us the stories of Alex Brantley and Harry Wallis. But they merge unexpectedly, forcing Alex down a path he prefers not to take.

The author uses dialogue in Spanish throughout the book. I would have preferred it if a translation was available in the book itself - maybe with the use of brackets.

Overall, a great read. What Alex is forced to do will take you by surprise, and his atonement at the end is also something we never expect to happen.

I recommended this book to readers who like medical thrillers and psychological thrillers with a twist.

Trigger Warnings: Violence | Death | Profanity | Deity Swears | Depression | Suicide

[PhilipJMac · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cuts That Cure by Arthur Herbert is a fantastic debut novel, full of interesting characters who lives intertwine and keep the story racing along like a rollercoaster ride.
The story follows Alex, a burned out surgeon, who is straddled with student debt and a failed marriage. The situation comes to a head when Alex losses control on a long overnight shift. In his desperation, he takes extreme measures that ultimately lead to him starting down another path.
The story moves to a few months later, as he’s reinvented himself as a small town science teacher and assistant track coach. One of his students, Henry, also harbors some secrets that threaten the small town life. Then, when a vagrant dies under mysterious circumstances in a park, detective Lozano has to try to uncover those hidden secrets.
This book is filled with interesting characters. The author takes on the ambitious task of interweaving their stories to all come together at various points in the novel. He also successfully pulls off an interesting twist halfway through the book, and was able to keep the action rolling along until the end. The conclusion is satisfying, and full of cleaver and believable loose ends being tied up. And as fun and thrilling as the novel is, there are also deeper themes layered in the story. Guilt, rage, secrets, deviant natures, and what someone would do when they’re caught in an impossible situation.
I look forward to reading more from Arthur Herbert. He’s a fantastic storyteller who excels at creating fascinating characters and crafting an exciting plot.
I highly recommend The Cuts That Cure.

[Stanley McShane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read his full review on Rosepoint Publishing.

Being a doctor, especially a surgeon in the United States, usually means a prosperous life for the graduate. The problem is that the work is not always glamorous.

Alex Brantley has discovered that his chosen profession is a continuous grind. Working in the emergency room of a major metropolitan hospital means working with anyone who comes in. Gunshot wounds and children with broken bones who apparently are “accident prone,” begin to take a heavy toll on ones’ mental stability.

The tipping point comes when a particularly battered boy comes into the emergency room and Dr. Brantley is faced with sewing him up. X-rays show old healed fractures and broken bones. One particular bruise is of a steel toed cowboy boot. Alex is furious, but vandalizing the fathers’ car gets him arrested and his license is suspended.

He has had all he can take as a surgeon. He applies for a job as a science teacher in a small Texas town. His duties will also include assisting with the cross-country track team. His best runner is a young man named Harvey Wallis. Harvey is a loner but an excellent runner.

Sociopaths take many forms and sometimes start at a very young age, but Harvey has no moral compass and simply revels in watching others in pain.

This well written tale is a roadmap for life’s trials and obstacles. Enjoy the narrative and experience the twists. 5 stars - CE Williams

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and these are my unbiased opinions.

[Eduardo Navarro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una lástima. Porque la idea es buena, pero la ejecución muy muy flojita. Vamos allá.
LA TRAMA: no sabría definirla, porque la novela empieza siendo una cosa y termina siendo otra. Alex Brantley es un joven médico que, al principio del libro, atiende a un niño al que los padres han maltratado (justo el día que ha decidio dejar el ejercicio de la medicina). Decide cambiar de vida y se pone a dar clase en un instituto, en el que conoce a Henry Wallis, un chavalín que está como un cencerro y que tiene comportamientos de asesino en serie.
Wallis, sádico adolescente, se carga a un vagabundo por el simple hecho de matarlo. Pese a que pensaba que no lo pillaría nadie, es descubierto y se suicida.
Entretanto, Alex el médico empieza a relacionarse con Stu, padre de una alumna y de perfil mafiosillo. Hacen un viaje a México en el que conocen a un tal Marcos Correa, otro tarado. A la vuelta, Alex descubre que la madre de Wallis lo ha demandado porque le acusa del suicidio del niño.
Alex tiene un problema financiero importante (de su préstamo de estudiante), y le faltaba la demandita. Pero entonces Stu se ofrece a resolverlo si él, a cambio, como es médico, le hace una cosita al tal Marcos...
En fin, demasiadas historias que empiezan pero no terminan. Lo de Wallis. La tal Wendy que se hace pareja de Alex en el penúltimo capítulo. El viaje a México que es aburrido a lo más.
Vamos, que no.

[TJS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the surprises that popped up at various points. Lots of suspense and intrigue.

I will say that Detective Lozano had probable cause to arrest Henry Wallace immediately on Wallace’s subterfuge with the teeth, and overwhelming probable cause after Wallace basically confessed on the spot. Wallace was present at the time of the murder, was behaving first strangely and then culpably, and then tacitly acknowledged the murder. In real life, he’d be in handcuffs and on his way to jail as soon as he sprinted for the teeth he’d planted. Inexplicably, later on in the plot, after drone footage showed Wallace exiting the tent where he’d murdered its occupant, Lozano still let him go home, telling him to report to the police station the next day. A real detective would have been fired for gross incompetence.

I realize that the author isn’t a lawyer at all, let alone one versed in criminal procedure, so I suspended disbelief and it wasn’t a big problem. I don’t know anything about bone saws, so why should the author know about the legal standard for a lawful arrest?

I do have one complaint, and it’s about the audio version. The narrator, while skilled at rendering a number of different character voices in English, mangled the Spanish passages, and there’s a fair amount of Spanish in the book. It was at times incomprehensible and at other times understandable but excruciating.

[Michelle Bibliovino · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll just say: that took a turn.

Alex is in a high pressure job that has cost him his marriage and his will to live. Making a comeback from that should have been the highlight of his life, but his last, as it is wont to do, catches up. Faced with an impossible choice, where can he go from here?

Henry is a troubled teen with penchant for violence. His infatuations lead him down the darkest path and he may not be able to come back from it.

Their lives intersect and each take a turn into darkness.

I was really sympathetic to Alex’s situation, up to a point. His character arc does not seem to follow the same path as his actions. His choices seem abrupt and out of pace with his place in life.

Henry’s character is understandably dark and flat, with his psychopathic urges leading him down a predictable path. His role as a character is interesting, but ultimately unnecessary to the story.

The detective in the story isn’t even their one common thread. And his character is flat and uninspired, even if he’s given much of the plot.

Not a great novel. More of a mix of moderately interesting stories. We’ll written but lacks the plot to bring the great writing to the next level.

Thank you to Blackthorn Book Tours for my free copy. These opinions are my own.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting story with tense action and a main character you want to root for!

The Cuts That Cure was an intense, action-packed mystery/thriller that I read in one sitting, cover to cover. Alex was such a sympathetic character, and I had to find out how things would end up for him. His story had some shocking moments as the plot took a couple of massive twists that I never saw coming. I literally gasped out loud as I read – and kept reading.

The characters of the small west Texas town felt authentic and familiar. The personable, neighborly, and welcoming people were balanced with those with dangerous secrets and hidden lives. You never know what's going on in someone else's life, do you? The spread and escalation of gossip, including the wild speculations that became "fact," were all too true.

The plot is a rollercoaster ride. It slowly cranks up each lift, the tension mounting, and then suddenly plunges into the drop. I loved how the author entwined student Henry Wallis's plotline with Alex Brantley's: its parallel progression building a palpable foreboding as it inched its way toward involving Alex in a most unfortunate way.

With an engaging main character, an evocative setting, and adrenaline-rich action, I recommend THE CUTS THAT CURE to mystery and thriller readers who have the stamina to take a gut punch or two along with the blood and gore.

[Ivory Castle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alter suffering a work related meltdown Alex makes a career change from surgeon to school teacher. Although enjoying his new life he is faced with a huge financial debt and forced to make a decision on an unimaginable and illegal solution to his problems.
Lozano has been in the job for a long time and is looking forward to retirement. Being tasked with investigating the murder of a homeless man reignites his police instincts and he works tirelessly to find the killer and obtain justice.
Henry Wallis is an athletic student who does his best not to stand out. A psychopath in the making he has managed to keep his dark side hidden from most. He enjoys leading the police on a cat and mouse chase.
The scene where the paramedics enter the warehouse containing mannequins created shocking imagery but I loved it. Definitely an attention grabber I didn’t see coming.
Just when I thought this was going to wind up it took off in another direction. It was almost like two stories in one. A good read for those who enjoy crime//thrillers/suspense reads.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of the book in return for an honest review.