This is the fourth book in the Raymond Donne Mystery series. (I somehow managed to miss this fact, when I requested the book, but it wasn't a problem and I still enjoyed this one.)

NASTY CUTTER is an interesting, well-written crime novel. Raymond Donne is a former cop, now working as a teacher, but his cop-instincts and fate conspire to get him involved in a murder investigation. Well-written, populated by interesting characters, and with a real sense of place,* this is a very good read. Recommended.


* It's interesting, to me, how many NY-based crime/thriller series evoke the city so well.

Nasty Cutter is a crime novel from author Tim O’Mara and the fourth in the Raymond Donne Mystery series. I first encountered Tim O’Mara thanks to a collection of three short crime novellas by three different authors. I enjoyed his writing then, so when the opportunity to read a full length novel came up I was interested to give it a go.

When a lawyer known for his voluntary work with underprivileged children is murdered at his own benefit dinner, Raymond Donne does all he can to leave his cop instincts behind him. The questions surrounding who might want to kill this philanthropist capture him early on, leading Raymond and his reporter girlfriend on a race to find the culprit. A decades-old crime from the lawyer’s past rears its head as a factor in the mysterious murder.

Many crime novels ratchet up the tension and the action as the story progresses. Clues are uncovered, suspects put in the frame and the pace progresses. Tim O’Mara brings something different to the genre with Nasty Cutter. Following Raymond Donne, an ex-cop turned school dean, makes for a slower pace. Rather than following the almost scripted police procedural tropes, Nasty Cutter moves at a calmer pace. Research is the name of the game, and uncovering clues is sometimes accidental.

There are numerous moments where tension is built through implied or actual threat, but overall O’Mara keeps things calm and evenly-paced throughout with a likeable, real cast of lead and supporting characters that all help to lend an interesting and engaging dynamic to what is a good, fun crime novel.

Mediocre at best. Too much emphasis on the relationship of Allison and Raymond for my liking. Glad to be done with this one.

I found the description of this book interesting, and this is my favorite genre. But I had a little difficulty getting through this book (although I did finish it). It was well written; just moved too slow for me.

I love it when I stumble across a writer who is new to me and whose work I instantly like. Such is the case with Tim O'Mara. I wasn't crazy about the title of this book, Nasty Cutter, but the story sounded intriguing in the description. It took me no time at all to get into the book - I liked the easy-going writing style immediately. I also really liked the characters. Raymond, Allison, Edgar - all unique, interesting, and likeable characters.

The story had several lines of mystery to keep the suspense up. I never post spoilers in reviews - suffice it to say they that were all tied together in the end.

A very enjoyable read.