Kristen Conner is a detective in the Chicago Police Department, and she's followed in her father's footsteps. Unfortunately, he died in the line of duty, leaving behind a legacy that she's constantly trying to live up to. Kristen tries to do everything right, but she's always being pulled in multiple directions. Her mom wants her to date the perfect guy, her sister (whose husband is a minister) wants her to attend church regularly, her department wants her to be more like her father, and everyone wants her to attend anger management training.

The FBI comes to Chicago because a serial killer has struck. But this is no ordinary killer - this killer has struck a series of cities, and Chicago is just the latest on the list. Kirsten becomes part of the task force, as she is one of the detectives who reported to the first murder the killer commits in Chicago. Her involvement in the case dismays the people in her life, as they're convinced she's using it as an excuse to push them further out of her life.

The task force finally receives a break on the case, and it looks like the guy Kristen has been dating could be involved in the murders. Could she have been dating a serial killer for all these months? Will she be the laughing stock of the police department? Or is the task force headed in the wrong direction? When Kristen realizes who the killer actually is and who his next target is, she decides to take things into her own hands. Can she handle everything on her own without sacrificing her own life?

CUTS LIKE A KNIFE was gripping from the very beginning when Kristen and her partner capture a perp for committing a robbery and Kristen shows her tenacity and courage when she chases the perp despite her knee injury and losing her partner, and then faces off with him even after he draws a knife on her. Kristen is such a wonderfully multi-dimensional character - she has her religious beliefs but also has questions about God, she enjoys playing with her young niece and nephew, she doesn't hesitate to go toe-to-toe with some of Chicago's most dangerous criminals, and she isn't intimidated by the police brass or the FBI agents.

I was also delighted by the other characters in the book - Kristen has a great family, a fun partner, and members of the task force. Her family alternately worries about her, tries to commandeer her life, and scolds her for not being involved enough in their lives. Her partner worries that she takes too many risks, and the task force members all have varying takes on her ranging from one with a romantic interest to one who would rather not interact with her at all.

Overall, CUTS LIKE A KNIFE was an amazing read by a debut novelist. I hope there will be a follow-up.

Book Summary

Chicago has a new resident—a heartless killer on a long crime spree. Kristen Conner (think Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality) is a good cop and a good girl: she loves her mom, goes to church and coaches her niece’s soccer team. And her track record and instincts as a detective are impeccable . . . but this case and this killer expose a blind spot that ultimately endangers those closest to her. Can she catch this hauntingly familiar culprit before he strikes again?

CUTS LIKE A KNIFE is loaded with action, humor and wry introspection.

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