I enjoyed this modern, up-to-date thriller. The characters all felt real - both the various personalities in the investigating team and the frustrating suspects! The plot twists and turns and I did not see the end coming. Yes, it is a tiny bit rough around the edges: some clunky sentences or awkward dialogue, but the overall story plus the background/subplots to Kate and Zain was interesting. There was a lot of tech-speak but I think it was explained well. The final conclusion was thrilling. I would be very happy to read more of Kate's team and from Alex Caan.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Publishing for the ARC of Cut to the Bone.

Ruby Day is an entrepreneurial product of her generation; a vlogger who has built up an online business using her own sparkling social media presence to comment on the issues and rampant commercialism of her generation. Many of her followers may think they know her, but of course few really do. When Ruby goes missing it is unusual to get such a quick response from the higher ups in the Metropolitan Police and with Ruby’s fanbase aware and watching, the pressure is on for the investigating detectives to get a quick result.

Detective Inspector Kate Riley now lives and works in the UK after circumstances made it necessary for her to have left her home country. Shocked as everyone when the first video of a bound and gagged Ruby is posted online, she acknowledges that the skills of her tech savvy young colleague DS Zain Harris are vital to the progress of the investigation. The two officers are doing their best to fit in with their new work colleagues but it’s a minefield of both political pressures plus the cast of suspects in the online world is enormous.

The strengths of this first novel are many. There is a good framework here for ongoing police procedurals with a strong cast of diverse characters that are solidly and quickly established in the first chapters of CUT TO THE BONE. It is not what you call a “tech crime” novel; the vlogging aspect of it is not dissected to great depth. There is a little more technical prowess involved when a cat and mouse chase ensues between our villain and the investigating detectives.

The backstory of Zain and Kate gives weight to CUT TO THE BONE; they are not operating in a natural state as both officers of the have experienced severe trauma. As it would, their backstories continue to control their current behaviours. The plot operates on two levels; the immediacy of Ruby’s crime and the shadowy corporate figures who puppet master their young online clients to turn a profit. CUT TO THE BONE scoots along with short punchy chapters and lots of insight into potential crimes of the new age.

A very exciting thriller that really explores the dangers of our technological world, where nothing is really private if you know what you're doing. The characters are well written, and the plot keeps you guessing.

A story about a missing vlogger and the perils of the internet. Some very horrible characters in this who aren't redeemable in any way, shape or form and how nothing is as it seems.

Well written and quick read. Highly recommended.

Actual rating 4.5*
I picked Cut To The Bone because the lady of good crime book taste Noelle Holten of the CrimeBookJunkie Book Blog raved about it just before Christmas. I knew it was on the pile to be read so what better reason to pick it up than the #CrimeBookJunkie recommending it!

It's a fast paced crime thriller with relatively short, snappy chapters. The story jumps between different characters within the police team investigating the disappearance of Ruby, a young up and coming vlogger.

The story is packed with intrigue - I could tell throughout the investigation that everyone is hiding something. What I didn't know was whether the secrets related to Ruby's disappearance or were people just hiding information to save face being in the public eye. There are plenty of avenues for suspects. Everyone has a reason to want to make Ruby disappear, some more sinister than others.

There were a couple of characters I didn't like; Harris to start with but then as his character developed and I learnt more about him, I softened towards him and liked the relationship he had with Kate. But then there was Dan, he was everything I dislike in a man; smarmy, thinking he's god's gift and a less than honourable opinions about women.

Kate's story really drew me in - I want to know more, I want to see whether her past will catch up with her. But I get the impression she can handle herself when she needs to.

I do hope that Alex Caan has more to come for this team, I can see this team going far! I am very impressed with this debut and will definitely be waiting eagerly for the follow up - say there is one Mr Caan sir!

Many thanks to Bonnier Publishing, Twenty7 and Netgalley for my ecopy of Cut To The Bone.