First Cut: A Detective vs. Serial Killer Mystery Thriller

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About the Book

A serial killer returns to torment the woman once determined to catch him. This time, she’s not backing down.
Former detective Jill Jacobs is forced to confront the Makeup Artist, an elusive psychopath whose trail of terror left seven dead and whose obsession with her almost destroyed her.

When the Artist strikes again in a new city, Detectives Gordon Daniels and Aaron Remalla seek out Jill, whose strange telepathic connection to the killer is their best hope to catch him.

Desperate and plagued by guilt, Jill’s only chance to find closure is to confront the man who stalked her and his grisly crimes. But there’s a catch. She must return to the mindset that bound her to him. The mindset the killer still seeks from her.

But choosing to help Daniels and Remalla will not only risk her life but also her heart, when she falls for one of them, drawing the attention of the man she’s driven to capture.

After losing everything, can she find the courage to face the murderer who took it all away, and is eager to do it again?

First Cut is book one in the Family or Foe Saga, a four-part crime thriller with a paranormal edge which introduces the charismatic Detectives Daniels and Remalla. It is followed by Second Slice, Third Blow and Fourth Strike, or enjoy all four books in the Family or Foe Saga Boxed Set.

Details

Series: The Family or Foe Saga with Detectives Daniels and Remalla, Book 1
ASIN: B081FBTHRD

Endorsements

With a premise that will easily attract fans of the genre, J. T. Bishop's First Cut is a mixture of crime, horror, and romance, including a paranormal element that adds an excellent layer of intrigue to the plot. It's fast-paced and the tension is always there to give the story its constant nail-biting moments. Despite the gruesome murder scenes and the detrimental psychological hazards to cops, I had fun trying to draw my own conclusion on the killer's identity. The brotherly bond between Remalla and Daniels made them perfect partners for each other despite their opposite personalities, and Jill Jacobs has excellent character depth, making her easily relatable. As the protagonists try to catch the perpetrator, a number of clever red herrings will challenge even the most seasoned mystery crime enthusiasts. Simply put, this is a compelling read from Bishop and I look forward to the story's continuation.

– Lit Amri from Readers' Favorite

J.T. Bishop, the author of First Cut, knows how to construct an engaging, suspenseful plot, filled with realistic and likable characters, and uses well-written dialogue to move everything along quickly and bring it all to an exciting finish. One of the best things about Bishop's novel is not just the sheer malevolence of the perp...and what's a good psychological thriller without a dastardly villain...but the author's ability to show, in the midst of the horror, warm friendships like that enjoyed by Daniels and Remalla. As much as these two detectives jokingly belittle each other, they really have each other's back. That relationship, coupled with a romantic angle developing, keeps the story very real. First Cut is enjoyable reading in so many ways. If you like this book, keep your eyes open for Second Slice, book two in the series.

– Viga Boland from Readers' Favorite

Reading First Cut by J. T. Bishop was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. This is a book that has been cleverly structured, with just the right mix of possible suspects and at times evidence that does not always point in the right direction, which creates a genuinely intriguing atmosphere of danger and uncertainty. I totally failed to solve the mystery, having taken the cleverly laid path to a wrong suspect, and was shocked when the climax unfolded. To me this is reality; what a true criminal investigation would entail. This story arc has been married to characters that are rich in emotions and very true to life, allowing the reader to become fully immersed in the world which Rem, Daniels and Jacobs inhabit.

– Steven Robson from Readers' Favorite

Author J. T. Bishop has created a wonderful combination of different characters and shared, tangled pasts that come together to form a truly suspenseful and enjoyable crime mystery tale. Daniels and Remalla make a great duo for investigation, action, and adventure, and the chemistry with Jill when she falls for one of them (no spoilers!) really sets an emotional journey in motion that is wonderful to see. Amongst these layers of emotional intrigue is the sinister presentation of the Makeup Artist killer himself, who is exceedingly well developed and enticing to read as a fan of deep psychological mysteries. All of these ingredients together produce a rich novel with plenty of detail, drama, chills, and thrills which are sure to satisfy any mystery fan. Overall, First Cut is a highly addictive and recommended suspense read.

– K.C. Finn from Reader's Favorite

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Other books in "The Family or Foe Saga with Detectives Daniels and Remalla"

Second Slice: A Murder Mystery Suspense Thriller

Third Blow: A Murder Mystery Paranormal Thriller

Fourth Strike: A Murder Mystery Paranormal Thriller

The Family or Foe Saga Boxed Set

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