The Cut is a book I tried to start before bed and couldn’t. I loved the psychological component even if it meant I had to wait till morning. Keep reading this book review of The Cut for my full thoughts.
Summary
A historic hotel long past its prime and huddled along The Cut, a questionable Lake Erie beach, isn’t Sadie Miles’ ideal place to raise a toddler while also navigating her second pregnancy. After finally fleeing her abusive ex-fiancé, though, Sadie’s new housekeeping position and free room at L’Arpin Hotel are the best she can manage.
On her first night, Sadie runs to help a guest struggling in the hotel’s pool only to find the water calm and empty when she gets there, leaving her with a lingering unease. When a guest then goes missing and her manager insists they simply left without checking out, Sadie suspects he’s covering up darker goings-on in the hotel.
After her ex, Sadie won’t let anyone convince her that what she’s experiencing isn’t real again. So, she keeps digging, quickly uncovering suspicious interactions with the staff, mysteriously vanishing security cameras, more missing guests, and things that go bump in the night…and drip in the walls, slither in the tub, and squirm in the halls. Everything isn’t as it seems within the dim hallways of L’Arpin. Sadie has nowhere to go and nowhere to hide; she’ll need to keep her wits about her to survive and keep her toddler and unborn child safe from whatever lurks nearby.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Cut is a horror book that balances terror and self-discovery. It’s about the gaslighting, the self-doubt that people instill in her. At the same time, the internal and external journey Sadie goes on allows her to find her voice and her strength. To see the ways she’s been manipulated to not believe herself while also fighting for her children and herself. It’s eerie immediately and full of questions which don’t add up. With flashbacks, The Cut expertly maintains a level of tension in the pit of your stomach.
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I fell into The Cut and crawled my way out again. It’s a book that had me on my toes from start to finish. If you’re looking for a horror book that is multi-faceted and delivers fear while also showcasing a story about identity and strength, this is for you! A theme I also liked, but can’t talk about more, is the power of pure belief and what people will do when they believe so thoroughly in themselves and what they think. Find The Cut on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop. org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.