Review | The Cut by Chris Brookmyre

Millie Spark is a special effects makeup artist with a talent for creating bloody scenes in horror movies. One day, she wakes up to find her boyfriend dead in her bed. She is charged with murder and sentenced to prison. Twenty-five years later, she is a free woman but plans to end her life. Then she meets her new roommate – a film student and petty thief, Jerry. They discover new information about her case and ended up running for their lives. Their journey takes them to different places while being followed by people who will do anything to stop them from finding the truth.

Millicent Spark’s life ended on the twenty-third of January, 1994. That was the way she saw it, anyway. She didn’t physically die that day, but everything thereafter was merely a prelude to internment, a succession of holding areas before final admission to the grave.

The Cut is a comedy-mystery featuring a 72-year-old formerly incarcerated woman and an 18-year-old film student with a history of petty theft. An odd but delightful pair, I had a blast getting to know Millie and Jerry! The story is a little slow to start but once it gets going, I was really invested in their chase for clues to solve the mystery of Millie’s case.

The book is presented in two timelines – from the time before Millie’s incarceration and in the present day after she is released. In 1994, Millie was a 45-year-old special effects makeup artist who worked in horror films. She was convicted of murder after her boyfriend’s death. In the present timeline, Millie has been released from prison. Jerry is a university student who comes from a troubled background. His search for a new accommodation led him to stay with Millie. He is a huge fan of horror films, particularly the infamous Mancipium, reportedly to be so horrific that it was never shown to the public. It’s also the last movie Millie worked in before her sentencing.

I love horror movies so I really enjoyed how the book goes into the details of film production and financing. It also showcased Millie’s skillful work in special effects makeup. There are other characters such as the film producer and financiers, whose lives intersected with Millie. I liked the cult horror aspect of the missing film and controversies surrounding the fate of people involved in the production. The book has tons of movie references and I thought they fit naturally into the conversations. I must mention the dialogue because it is brilliant! The Scottish wit and banter between Jerry and Millie are so fun to read. There are unexpectedly comedic moments that take place during their journey that had me laughing! The mystery is intricate, twisty, and full of surprises. It did get a little convoluted at the end but I thought the resolution was satisfying.

What I loved most is how the book does a fantastic job in making me care for both Millie and Jerry. I thought the way they slowly learn about each other to be quite affecting. The book handles themes of guilt, grief, and anger compassionately. It explores the innate self of the characters with a sympathetic understanding of the human condition. It allows us to see how they deal with their past and how they grow from their experience. The book asks what would you do if you know your life could have been different? What if you find yourself holding the truth about someone else’s life in your hands? I had a newfound appreciation for life after finishing this book. This is a dark, heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful read.

Complex and heartfelt, The Cut is an emotionally resonant mystery that will stay in your mind long after you’re done.

CW: sexual violence

I received a digital copy for review purposes from the publisher and Netgalley.

About the author: Chris Brookmyre

Photo by Caleb Minear