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The Cut

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The Cut

By: Richard Armitage
Narrated by: Richard Armitage, Jacob Dudman
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About this listen

An unmissable thriller written by Richard Armitage, author of #1 bestseller Geneva, narrated by the author and by Jacob Dudman.

You can’t escape your past. The cut always reopens.

In the sleepy village of Barton Mallet, the old ruins of Blackstone Mill watch over the residents as they go about their quiet lives. Ben Knot and his friends are looking forward to a summer of fun and freedom once their last year of school is over. The class of 1994 have been through a lot together, good and bad, but teasing turns to bullying when the Knot gang target younger boy Mark Cherry. As tensions rise and violence escalates, the group fractures and tragedy strikes. Before the summer is over, one of them will be killed. Murdered by someone they called a friend.

Thirty years on, Ben is an award-winning architect who has moved his family back to the village where he grew up. His girlfriend Dani is a hands-on step mum to his kids, budding actor Nate and star footballer Lily, but even though the family seem happy, Ben has never been able to forget the tragedy of the past. And it’s a past that is coming back to haunt him with the murderer’s imminent release from prison. Ben’s glittering career is also starting tarnish as some shady business deals have put him on the path to bankruptcy. With the killer’s parole date approaching and the banks calling in their loans, Ben struggles to keep a grip on the perfect life he has built.

When Nate lands the leading role in a new horror movie, Dani jumps at the chance to propel him towards stardom, despite Ben’s concerns that it will complicate their lives. Ben is persuaded to support his son’s dreams, but when the film crew descend on the village to start shooting, the dream starts to turn into a nightmare. The film is not quite what it seems. His kids are being pushed to the limit and Ben’s paranoia makes him question the film makers’ motives. Ben is desperate for answers and will stop at nothing to keep his family safe.

If the first cut is the deepest, then the last cut is going to end it all.

©2024 Richard Armitage (P)2024 Audible Ltd. Cosy Crime Thrillers Editors Select Mystery Thriller & Suspense Scary Feel-Good

Editorial Review

A new meant-to-be-heard psychological thriller from Richard Armitage
Richard Armitage is Audible royalty. Countless essential listens have been elevated by his smooth-as-silk voice and amazing performances. From classics to romance to thrillers – he’s done it all. And as his fans know, Armitage is a talented screen actor as well. But more recently, he’s also become a published author. Like his first novel, Geneva, The Cut is being introduced to the world as an Audible Original – meaning he wrote it especially to be listened to. And who better to do that? No one. In his own words, “ The Cut is a story of misplaced adolescent obsession and the damaged roots that reach from the past into the present. It’s my new passion project.” This is enough to make it my next passion listen. Add to Library! — Tricia F., Audible Editor

Critic Reviews

"Armitage has done it again... THE CUT is a chilling, atmospheric thriller with characters you'll never forget." - Harlan Coben

What listeners say about The Cut

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Profile Image for Ann

Confusing

Was really looking forward to this book after the brilliant Geneva, however, I actually found this confusing & tedious at times. Disappointing.

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Intriguing

Loved the layback approach and clever unfolding of the plot - enjoyed the relationship between the detective and his wife too - always enough tension to keep it going

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Entertaining

Entertaining however I disengaged with the story once or twice, but persevered to be rewarded at the end.

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Profile Image for Annie

Suspense

I liked all the Characters to bring the story to life
Worth a read
The narrative kept the plot interesting

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Too slow for me

It took til halfway through before I figured out the story. If I were reading and not listening I would have put it down by the first chapter

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Profile Image for J Goodwin

Dramatically read

A gripping story bouncing between present and a terrible teenager past. Characters trying to get through the horror of that past, but continues hound them through the their lives.

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Profile Image for NealB

great double story

enjoyed the intertwining stories. could totally imagine this as a movie.
wished the bad guy didn't just die but gone to prison.

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Total mish-mash

So much potential, and the best narrator! But the delivery of the plot was total rubbish. Sorry Richard.

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The story

Excellent, clever, gripping, keeps you guessing until the end. Highly recommend this book and the previous book by the same author.

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the intreded

it keeps you on the edge of your chare not knowing what's going to happen then and now

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