The Cutting Edge

Jul 19, 2010 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Pleather-wearing dog lovers who fantasize about murder

Shelves: e-books, goodreads-authors, mystery-horror-thriller

A dog-loving, vegetarian hairstylist, Lilly Skye Destiny Summers, starts fantasizing about killing her annoying clients, and that would include most of them. Hairstyling implements are usually involved, as are jugular veins. At the same time, a serial killer is abducting women in her state, Massachusetts, and he has named himself the Mass Avenger. Skye starts imagining that the killer is one of her clients.

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I found it very entertaining for the...more A dog-loving, vegetarian hairstylist, Lilly Skye Destiny Summers, starts fantasizing about killing her annoying clients, and that would include most of them. Hairstyling implements are usually involved, as are jugular veins. At the same time, a serial killer is abducting women in her state, Massachusetts, and he has named himself the Mass Avenger. Skye starts imagining that the killer is one of her clients.

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I found it very entertaining for the genre. The murders are gruesome, and there are some details, but they don't overwhelm the story. I loved some of the characters. Really, who hasn't fantasized about killing, or at least mildly torturing, that person who cut you off in traffic or made derogatory comments about your dog? Oh, you haven't? Never mind.

Skye's parents are mellow, vegan, old hippies who probably never want to kill anyone, amazing considering some of their family members, and certainly never want to harm any of the dogs they foster and care for.

I lift the pillow and Shiloh nudges me again. It's hard to stay irritated when a three-legged dog smiles at you.
~~~~~~~
“The girls are afraid of your dogs,” Victoria announces.
“None of them bite,” my mother says.
“Must you allow all of them inside?”
“Well, no, but I don't have to allow you inside, either.”

It is refreshing to read a book where the protagonist is in love with her husband, and he with her, no other entanglements. It is also refreshing to read about vegans who are perhaps a little quirky but not “lunatic fringe” as they are sometimes called. And of course, I'm a sucker for any book that has rescued dogs living happily ever after.

I have a couple of minor quibbles. For me, there was a little too much repetition about wanting to kill clients, although I understand the impulse. The plot could have used a little more complexity, and there were no big surprises at the end. Still, it kept me interested and entertained throughout, and I will read more by this author.

By the way, the last line is terrific, but I can't tell you what it is.

This e-book was given to me by the author.(less)

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Jan 19, 2013 Geoffrey West rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Cutting Edge brings us into the world of hairdresser Skye, a kindly but harassed animal lover who finds her ever increasing frustration with dealing with her public is driving her to ever-more murderous thoughts: she wields scissors that would love to cut carotid arteries and slice away ears. Cleverly, Darcia Helle leads us to think initially that Sky’s homicidal fantasies about her dreadful clients – who variously behave selfishly, abuse her good nature and even have hygiene issues – is goi...more The Cutting Edge brings us into the world of hairdresser Skye, a kindly but harassed animal lover who finds her ever increasing frustration with dealing with her public is driving her to ever-more murderous thoughts: she wields scissors that would love to cut carotid arteries and slice away ears. Cleverly, Darcia Helle leads us to think initially that Sky’s homicidal fantasies about her dreadful clients – who variously behave selfishly, abuse her good nature and even have hygiene issues – is going to lead her to actually commit murder.

However, the Mass Avenger is the one who’s really killing women in the small provincial town. And the reader is made aware of his ever-increasing interest in Sky that she has no knowledge of: thus creating an almost like a Hitchcockian build-up of tension that escalates higher and higher until it almost reaches breaking point. We see Skye from the monster’s point of view, and she’s totally unaware of it.

One murder after another is interspersed with lighter moments, with Skye’s nice husband and lovable parents re-homing dogs and seeing the best in people. The book culminates in a thrilling climax, which I won’t reveal – read the book and find out!

The interest in the book for me was the contrast of Skye’s nice normal agreeable family life with that of the vicious lonely sociopath who preys on women: a heroine you can like and a murderer you can hate. Also I enjoyed the insight into a hairdresser’s world, where seemingly balanced, likeable people can behave with such appalling self regard and tactlessness without even realising that their selfishness and cruel words can cause such harm.

You can expect plenty of thrills, lots of warmth and humour and some very scary moments, with an interplay of viewpoints that works well, ratcheting up the tension right up to the end.

You’ll like Sky and her family and you’ll love her dogs, and you’ll enjoy her company until the very end: a really good read. Wish I hadn’t read it so I could read it all over again.
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Feb 12, 2011 Zhôngguó Jane rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Are you that client who bores your hair stylist with the mundane details of your personal life? Are you that lady who steals other people's parking spots? Are you that person in the 20-items-or-less-line with 21 items? Do you let your spoiled children run around annoying strangers? Then guess what? Someone is fantasizing about watching you bleed. Despite her out-of-character hippy name, Lilly Skye Destiny Summers is your typical middle-American gal: she gets along with her parents, she adores he...more Are you that client who bores your hair stylist with the mundane details of your personal life? Are you that lady who steals other people's parking spots? Are you that person in the 20-items-or-less-line with 21 items? Do you let your spoiled children run around annoying strangers? Then guess what? Someone is fantasizing about watching you bleed. Despite her out-of-character hippy name, Lilly Skye Destiny Summers is your typical middle-American gal: she gets along with her parents, she adores her pets, and she looks forward to date-night with her husband. Also like the average American, she despises her career path. "Today is Friday and I have been on my feet since 8 a.m. The clock above the desk tells me it is now 2:10. I have not eaten lunch. Have not even gone to the bathroom all day. The woman in my chair is speaking nonstop and I am thinking about killing her." This quote could have come from a mechanic, a WalMart clerk, a dentist or any other customer-service profession that requires the employee to wear an artificial smile all day while putting up with the shallow superficiality that has come to define America. Weekends are our only respite. As the author writes, "Then I'll have two entire days away from clients and my facial muscles can finally relax from the constant phony smile and clenched jaw." But what makes Lilly Skye Destiny Summers more dangerous than all of them is that she is a hair stylist, and in her small hands are a big pair of scissors. Make her angry and, oops! There goes your ear-tip...or worse! "Her tone is snippy; I can't resist a little snippiness in return." Maiming or killing her clients has become a fantasy Lilly Skye Destiny Summers indulges in with disturbing frequency. This should probably concern her, but it doesn't. And herein lies the genius of The Cutting Edge, for no ingredient is more prominent in sociopathy than being pedestrian. It is this sort of every-day bile that so often leads us Americans to snap. Take a look at any mass-murderer's case file for proof that banality leads to bloodshed. They are just like the rest of us: they blend in, shop with us, work with us. And slice us to pieces. Darcia Helle, author of The Cutting Edge, does a superb job of capturing these dangerously repressed, middle-class emotions in words we all think but never would have the audacity to actual admit in writing. "A lady in a Volvo swings around from the opposite lane and zips in front of me. She almost takes off my bumper. I want to take off her head." This book is a startlingly-honest work of transgressive fiction that will leave you either in hysterics or recoiling with guilt at having once thought these same evil fantasies. "Karen drones on, sounding like a buzz saw in my ear. If I slice her lips off, would she still be able to speak? I wonder about the importance of lips and contemplate the razor edge of my scissors." Indeed, Darcia Helle uses her wit like surgically-sharpened shears. Think: American Psycho meets an Ellen Byerrum novel. A subplot involving a serial killer named The Mass Avenger occurs in between Lilly Skye Destiny Summers' violent fantasies. Schizophrenic alter ego, perhaps? An infatuated client carrying out her beckoning? Or is our violent protagonist in danger of becoming his next victim. You'll have to read to find out. If there is any criticism, it is that this book seems to be written for the same homogenous, middle-class consumers whom the protagonist fantasizes about harming, which makes the actual murder scenes that do occur short on the brutal, Bret Easton Ellis-style details I was looking forward to indulging in vicariously. A hasty ending also leaves the reader feeling discarded after having come to relate so closely with the two main characters. Overall, Helle's novel is an amusing, thought-provoking meditation on the disassociated nature of America. Chuck Palahniuk would be proud. It is an entertainingly-quick read that one can ostensibly finish in a beauty-parlor waiting room in the time it takes for your perm to set. But be warned: the uninitiated of transgressional fiction are going to need a side order of Prozac to go with your chamomile after reading The Cutting Edge. (less)

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Jan 16, 2011 Patricia Rockwell rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is an unusual thriller--sort of "Dexter"esque. Although Skye, the beautician narrator, fantasizes about killing her clients in the most imaginative and grotesque ways possible--it's the local serial killer the Mass Avenger who's actually doing the crimes. When Skye's imagination and the killer's actual behavior become entangled--the story kicks into high gear. In the mean time, we are entertained with a parade of fascinating local clients at the beauty salon, along with Skye's relatives and...more

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Nov 28, 2010 Celia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: celia-can-read

Storyline: Darcia Helle’s The Cutting Edge kept me right on the edge the entire time with her razor sharp wit and even sharper critiques of the main character’s agonizingly annoying hair salon clients.
We meet Skye at the peak (or would it be low point?) of her career as a small town hairstylist who has just about had it up to her eyeballs with the daily complaints, snarky comments and just general absurdity of her clientele. Skye begins to have morbid and detailed fantasies about giving her cus...more Storyline: Darcia Helle’s The Cutting Edge kept me right on the edge the entire time with her razor sharp wit and even sharper critiques of the main character’s agonizingly annoying hair salon clients.
We meet Skye at the peak (or would it be low point?) of her career as a small town hairstylist who has just about had it up to her eyeballs with the daily complaints, snarky comments and just general absurdity of her clientele. Skye begins to have morbid and detailed fantasies about giving her customers something to actually complain about.
And that’s when the murders begin. Someone is killing women and calling themselves The Mass Avenger. The killer claims to be righting the injustices of those who feel they’re entitled in this world.
The Cutting Edge is a quick, hard to put down and delicious read that’s absolutely hilarious and keeps the reader guessing until very nearly the end.
Grammar/Spelling: I noticed some very minor grammar/formatting discrepancies. Perhaps one more read-through from a beta reader would clear that up.
Character Development Poor Lilly Skye Destiny Summers. All she wants to do is her job: cut, color and style hair and all she seems to get are women (and even men) who do nothing but complain about this, that and bacon fat. Now all Skye wants to do is commit hairstyle homicide with her surgically sharpened shears. Skye is very relatable because everyone has been there: the fake plastic smile; the underappreciated work; the selfish people that we must put up with in our daily lives… How great would it be if we could really give some of those people a good what-for?! Ms. Helle makes it possible to live vicariously, somewhat, through Skye’s daily grin and bear it grind.
Diane is Scott’s (Skye’s husband) vindictive ex-girlfriend and mother of their now 18 year old daughter. Her goal in life is to make Skye and Scott miserable by demanding them to fork over money for her selfish daughter’s life. She is the epitome of a heinous hag and, needless to say, Skye has several fantasies of causing grievous harm to her as well. I’m not sure if Ms. Helle could have made her anymore perfectly terrible. Nearly anyone with a terrible ex can understand and truly feel this situation.
Writing Style: The Cutting Edge is told through the eyes of both Skye and an anonymous serial killer. This aspect helps push the story along without being bogged down too many details that can often happen in a first person narrative.
The story does have some graphic scenes (one of the main characters is a serial killer, you know!), but it has enough laughter throughout to more than make up for the dreadfulness of the killings.
Continuity: I noticed no issues with the continuity.
Overall Rating: 4+
I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who has just about had it with their service industry based job. Or just about anyone who has ever been underappreciated in their line of work. I would warn that this novel does have some adult themes, language and contains depictions of violence. The violence isn’t overwhelming nor is the imagery extremely detailed, it is there and it is realistic. I did have a few “Ohhh! *inward hiss*” moments as Ms. Helle described certain aspects of the serial killer’s choice of torture.
As I said before: for every horrendous act of the killer, there are multiple moments of genuine laughs. Ms. Helle did an excellent job and I look forward to reading more books in the future from her!

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Oct 21, 2010 Grace Krispy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"I fantasize about my scissors slipping and slicing into her jugular vein."

Anyone who’s ever been in a job that involved personal service will relate to some of Skye Summers’ thoughts about her hairdressing clients. While annoying clients are in her chair, Skye finds herself fantasizing about killing them in the most grotesque ways. From the teenage boy who wants to use a knife on her to the woman who shows up at the crack of dawn and accuses Skye of being late, she's got quite the rude set of c...more "I fantasize about my scissors slipping and slicing into her jugular vein."

Anyone who’s ever been in a job that involved personal service will relate to some of Skye Summers’ thoughts about her hairdressing clients. While annoying clients are in her chair, Skye finds herself fantasizing about killing them in the most grotesque ways. From the teenage boy who wants to use a knife on her to the woman who shows up at the crack of dawn and accuses Skye of being late, she's got quite the rude set of clients and she knows she'd be happier if she could just kill them off, one by one. Skye's obsession with her gruesome killing fantasies grows by the day, until even she is no longer disturbed by them. Meanwhile, there really is a serial killer out there, a control freak on a mission to teach women they really don't hold all the control. As he picks up speed, Skye finds herself alternately fascinated and disgusted by this serial killer, never knowing that their lives are soon to cross and neither will ever be the same again.

In "The Cutting Edge," Darcia Helle has created some of the most absurd and aggravating hairdressing clients you can imagine. The care she takes with some of the details makes the characters richer and easier to picture, and some of them are laugh-out-loud funny with their ridiculous antics. The author uses the serial killer, "The Mass Avenger," as a live-action backdrop to mirror some of Skye's own thoughts until the time comes for the two stories to meet. It's an intriguing and unique concept, with a neat little twist at the end.

"The Cutting Edge" is a quick read, and initially had a fun, quirky sense to it. As I read further, however, I began feeling like the story was going nowhere. The descriptions of the characters began feeling more like journal entries, designed to share all the wacky characters the author had created, and less like a vehicle to move the plot along to the climax. I felt like we meandered along for a time in the middle before the story really picked up again at the end. Adding to the journal feel of the book, the story is written in the first person, present tense, with occasional third person interludes from the serial killer's perspective. With the feeling I was reading someone else's journal entries, I found it difficult to fully engage in the story.

Although very predictable (it was immediately obvious to me who the killer was, although I think the author attempted to lead us off track by giving us several options), it was definitely a fun read, and an enjoyable way to spend some time. I can see where this book wants to be, and I think a little more finishing will help move this story from a fun, quirky read to a bonafide thriller with a dark, comedic edge. (less)

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Aug 15, 2010 Stacy Juba rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book! Skye was a likable, real character and her honest voice drew me into this novel, a unique blend of dark comedy, suspense, mystery and romance. Skye feels trapped in her job as a hairdresser and fantasizes about “getting rid” of her annoying clients. Anyone who has felt burned out from a job will relate to how Skye’s frustration starts to intrude on an otherwise healthy and happy life.

Meanwhile, in a parallel storyline, a serial killer takes out his own personal frustrations o...more

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Jul 20, 2010 Christopher Payne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"The Cutting Edge" is the latest endeavor by Darcia Helle in her vast array of growing novels offered up for her avid fans consumption. I must admit that this is the first of her books which I have read, and for the most part found myself wonderfully entertained. With the focus of "The Cutting Edge" centering on a serial killer and a common hairdresser's obsession with blood, the content falls in line with my book, Duncan's Diary. Maybe all of us crazy people flock to the same party, who knows....more "The Cutting Edge" is the latest endeavor by Darcia Helle in her vast array of growing novels offered up for her avid fans consumption. I must admit that this is the first of her books which I have read, and for the most part found myself wonderfully entertained. With the focus of "The Cutting Edge" centering on a serial killer and a common hairdresser's obsession with blood, the content falls in line with my book, Duncan's Diary. Maybe all of us crazy people flock to the same party, who knows.

I have to admit I did find it hard to emotionally relate to the characters though. Darcia's writing style, at least in this novel, reminded me of a newspaper article stating the details without giving me the connection I needed to find myself lost in her words. I kept thinking of the old version of "Dragnet" where the main line "Just the facts" rings true over and over again. I think she would be better served tying her readers to the storyline by caging us in, much in the same way her crazy characters fantasize about death. That being said, she is obviously very talented and the book kept me engaged throughout the roller coaster ride of insanity.

Skye Summers is a common hairstylist, working in a local salon in a small town. She knows most of her clientele, and can't even escape to the park without running into people she has some form of connection with through her occupation. She is married to a hunk of a man, who spends an ample amount of time pleasing her, and deals with the ups and downs of a child he had before they became a couple. I can relate to the insanity of ex-wives and had no problems understanding the issues they bring to the table.

All of the stress begins to wear on Skye and she finds herself fantasizing about chopping up her customers as she is cutting their hair. Lopping off an ear lobe, or slicing and dicing their skulls, all while she is meticulously coloring some poor middle aged woman's flowing mop. The ins and outs of the customers gives us an intriguing view of how crazy it is for a hairdresser to keep all of the multiple personalities straight. I have no idea if Darcia Helle was a stylist in a previous life, but she easily paints a realistic picture of what the life might actually be like.

As Skye falls deeper into her fantasy of murder, the reality of death opens up as a real life serial killer begins stalking their small community. Instead of finding herself appalled, Skye on some level commiserates with the murderer as she also harbors feelings of butchering many of the women she deals with every single day. When fantasy and reality come together Skye finds herself confronted with her imagination, and the real life serial killer hits home in her personal life in ways she never imagined. The real question is how Skye will react when given the opportunity to live out her wildest dreams.

I don't want to give away too much of the books climactic ending, but I again have to emphasize how much I enjoyed the parallel of fiction versus fantasy. We all have dark thoughts but when it comes down to the final minute, how many of us are really capable of living out the insanity that flitters through our minds. Most of us will never know the answer to that question, but for better or worse, Skye will have to make her choice.(less)

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Aug 11, 2010 Alisha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: lt-win, books-i-own-that-i-ve-read, humor, mystery

So, we've all fantasized about killing people. Now before you go off thinking "She's nuts. I would never hurt anyone". I wouldn't either. We're only talking about fantasizing. Now before you go off and think "I would never think about hurting someone", let me save us both the time by saying that we've all had the thought of "I'd just like to strangle that person" or "I really just want to stab that pen in her eye". Even, "God, if she doesn't put a sock in it, I'm going to do it for her." All act...more So, we've all fantasized about killing people. Now before you go off thinking "She's nuts. I would never hurt anyone". I wouldn't either. We're only talking about fantasizing. Now before you go off and think "I would never think about hurting someone", let me save us both the time by saying that we've all had the thought of "I'd just like to strangle that person" or "I really just want to stab that pen in her eye". Even, "God, if she doesn't put a sock in it, I'm going to do it for her." All actions which would inevitably lead to death. So, yeah, we all think about it. However, the protagonist of The Cutting Edge thinks about it a little bit way too much in very much gory detail.

The Cutting Edge just sounds like a terribly disturbing book, right? And it is. However, it's also extremely hilarious and endlessly entertaining. I guess this is because I could sort of see where Skye was coming from. Her clients were just a complete and total nightmare. You'd think that they would be cautious of being complete and total pricks considering that the person doing their hair is also wielding sharp objects, but nope, they continue being really terrible people. Due to this, Skye goes on wondering how much a person would bleed if she shoves the sharp part of the scissors in their jugular or how quickly a person would die if she shoves a blow-dryer in their mouth with it blaring on high... So, she was more than a little disturbing. But I'd be lying (or at least withholding crucial information) if I didn't say that Skye was just extremely amusing, murderous thoughts and all.

Not only is Skye dealing with annoying clients that make her harbour murderous thoughts, she also has to deal with her husband's evil spawn aka her stepdaughter and said evil spawn's mother. Add an actual serial killer who is on the loose and murdering women whom he feels wield a little too much power over men and enjoy manipulating them, and you basically have a book that's not only downright hilarious, but also immensely creepy. It makes you think twice about the people who are living next door to you, or shopping at the same grocery store you go to, or hanging out at the same coffee shop, etc., etc. However, I did have to subtract a star for the very predictable whodunit aspect of the serial killer. I figured out who it was going to be the minute that whole idea appeared and I never guess (right anyway).

Anyway, I have to say that I really loved The Cutting Edge. It was dark and creepy, yet fun and amusing, but most importantly, captivating. I also loved Skye, her parents, her dogs, and her porn-star look-alike husband (their relationship was all sorts of awesome). I also agree with one reviewer who said that the last sentence of the story was amazing. I agree; it rocked! Seriously, who would've thought that a story involving a woman who frequently has murderous fantasies would be heartwarming? I really see myself picking this back up in the near future when I need a laugh (that's right, I said it). So, The Cutting Edge is highly recommended.(less)

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Dec 15, 2010 Linda B rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Skye Summers is not your ordinary hairstylist. What is so different? This hairstylist fantasizes about killing her clients. Skye takes the reader through her day with her regular clients and their problems, confessions and families.

The Cutting Edge is written with a combination of styles. There is a little of everything in this book - a serial killer mystery, humor, thriller and more. As the book starts, it is written in a sarcastic and humorous tone with the main character describing her regul...more

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Jan 21, 2012 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Overall I liked this book.It will keep you guessing as to who the serial killer is the writer would hint but never let you in on who it was till the end as it should be in a good murder mystery book. The hairdresser that the killer becomes facinated by was quite a scarcastic woman she has alot of spunk and I liked her alot.The writer let you hear all the evil things she wanted to do to her customers that were a pain.Some of my favorite parts of the book made me laugh by the thoughts she was havi...more

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Jan 06, 2011 Janette rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. From the very beginning of The Cutting Edge, Darcia Helle does a great job of making Skye a very real, likeable character. I could relate to her on many levels: frustration at work, feelings she had about her family and her all around attitude about life. I enjoyed reading about a strong female character whose troubles do not stem from her relationship with her husband but from other realistic sources. Our heroine is juggling not only her job and family, but a tense relationship with her husband...more

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Feb 01, 2011 R.J. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Who among us hasn’t fanaticized about evening a score or seeking retribution against someone who has hurt or offended us? It’s human nature. Clinical psychologists might argue that the fantasies serve as a pressure relief valve.

The protagonist in The Cutting Edge, Skye Summers, frequently fantasizes about killing her hair salon clients. Their constant gossip and self-centered perspectives have Skye on the verge of burnout. As domestic obstacles add to Skye’s stressors, her fantasies darken.

When...more

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Nov 29, 2010 April rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dark-comedy-mystery-suspense-thrill

CUTTING EDGE by Darcia Helle is an exciting mystery thriller. It is set in modern day America. It is well written with depth,details, twists and turns. It has romance, suspense, dark comedy, sex, and shows how fate, upbringing,circumstances and personal values can effect how we view life. It also has two storyline going that intertwine together nicely. Skye, the main character is funny, smart, likable and imagines killing one of her clients. She is a beautician. The other storyline is a serial k...more

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Feb 15, 2011 Cheryl Gardner rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Well, it's no wonder Skye wants to kill people. Her name is Skye for one; her parents are hippies; her husband's ex is a monster of a greedy selfish bitch and his daughter has also found fashion in that as well; and all Skye's clients at the hair-salon have rubbed every single nerve in her body raw. If you've ever worked in the service industry, you will be able to relate to Skye's woes, and if you haven't, Skye's darkly humorous way of dealing with the self-absorbed should be taken as lesson le...more
Well, it's no wonder Skye wants to kill people. Her name is Skye for one; her parents are hippies; her husband's ex is a monster of a greedy selfish bitch and his daughter has also found fashion in that as well; and all Skye's clients at the hair-salon have rubbed every single nerve in her body raw. If you've ever worked in the service industry, you will be able to relate to Skye's woes, and if you haven't, Skye's darkly humorous way of dealing with the self-absorbed should be taken as lesson learned. Sometimes we forget that the voice across the lunch counter, or the salesman at the shoe store, or the waiter/waitress bringing us our food are actually people with lives and emotions, etc. They are there to do their job, not be subservient to us. That's the first part of the story, the second, the serial killer part, has to do with another sort of person, which we shall call the abusive manipulator. Both stories converge to paint a rather unflattering portrait of the "selfish woman.” Actions speak louder than words, and this story is chock-full of some of the most loathsome people I could ever care not to meet.

However, Skye doesn't have it all bad. Her should-be-a-porn-star husband is a charmer, and her parents are stereotypical peace, love, and understanding, but a day job that drains you and then subsequently fills you up with negative energy can take its toll on even the most make-the-best-of-it people. Skye is no exception. Most of the book is done in a first person, present tense, daily journal styled narrative where Skye complains about her day, worries over her homicidal thoughts, and berates the ignorance and rudeness of her clientele while fantasizing about killing and maiming them in various gruesome ways. This is interwoven with the third person narrative of the serial killer. Some readers will not like the constant head hopping from first to third person narrative styles. It is a bit choppy and disorienting but the author, for effect, might have intended that. Other than that, the book was well proofed. I only found two or three instances of missing words/grammatical issues. The biggest problem with the book was the presentation. The cover image is absolutely striking, but I thought the sideways title in such a plain font with the black bar void under the picture really didn't do justice to the graphic or the story. The other major issues were with the interior formatting. You won't notice these issues as much in eBook format, of course, but I was reviewing from a print copy, so I had to take everything into account.

As for the plotting of the story, it's a quick predictably fun read. Skye's got an uber amount of personality, so if you like sarcastic all up in your face attitude, then you will just love the book because of the connection you'll feel to Skye. The serial killer thriller part is pretty much standard fare: the abused child vicariously seeks revenge against his dead monster of a mother, and eventually he and Skye cross paths using kismet as a plot device. What I really loved was that Skye kept her head about her and didn't become the cliché "damsel in distress turns unto a sobbing begging wet noodle" type of heroine in the end, so the book has a predictable yet strong finish. The last line is a knock out! Readers who are on the sensitive side might have trouble with some of the violence, detailed and implied, so be warned.

Overall, I really just loved Skye, and I loved the story, and those who love sarcastic heroines, pitch-black comedy, and misogynistic serial killer plotlines will too.
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Sep 30, 2010 Crystal rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

I just finished this book last night. It was a quick read and was exciting to receive the book after winning it on Goodreads. I hate to be the party pooper but it just didn't do it for me. Listening to Skye talk about wanting to kill her clients for 20-something odd chapters got a bit redundant. There just didn't feel like there was enough variation and the plot didn't feel strong enough. I often felt like I was reading the journal ramblings of a 15 yr old with pent-up angst. I mean who hasn't f...more

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Jul 23, 2010 Sheri rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-by-good-read-authors, favorites

The Cutting Edge (Darcia Helle)

Skye Summers is a hairstylist living in a small town in Massachusetts. She has the perfect husband and her dogs are her babies. Daughter of aging hippies, she grew up in a commune, a vegetarian who would not even consider eating an animal and she would never even consider killing a spider.

So why does she fantasize about killing her clients? These thoughts cross her mind as she cuts their hair. It is beginning to consume her working thoughts. One of the people on he...more

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Sep 26, 2010 VLynch rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller

“I picture myself cutting Jason’s eyeballs out and making him eat them.” Is one of the lines in of this book. Sounds awful, but honestly, haven’t we all fantasized about killing someone? An ex husband, a stupid co- worker, or someone who has hurt our child, etc.? While in reality we all know everyone has had fantasies like that and most of us would never think to follow through with the thoughts. This book has made me want to check myself into a 72 hour psych ward just for thinking about droppin...more

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Oct 13, 2010 Jamie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: goodreads-win

I won this book in the Goodreads giveaway, so obviously I was interested in it, or I wouldn't have entered the contest! Luckily for me my instincts were right on!

This is a dark, chick-lit, funny book. Helle's main character Skye Summers, is a trip! Maybe that's because her real name is Lilly Skye Destiny or LSD! I loved that way she talked about her clients. We've all been in situations where we want to "kill" someone. Skye just fantasizes about it a little too frequently.

With her imagination ru...more

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Oct 05, 2010 Timothy Dean rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

DO YOU WANT IT IN THE NECK OR THE EYEBALL?

"The Cutting Edge" features Lilly Skye Destiny Summers, a hair stylist. L.S.D. (yes, she's the child of hippies), better know as "Skye," tells her story in the first person. She feels like someone you know. It no doubt helped that author Darcia Helle was once a hair stylist herself. The descriptions of the salon and clients are uncanny.

Skye is a vegetarian - but you would not know it from her Dexter-like daydreams. While she calmly cuts hair, her fever...more

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Apr 21, 2012 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, reviewed

What an entertaining and clever novel. I absolutely loved Skye. I guess after cutting hair for 14 years the clients are bound to get on your nerves. Lately all Skye can think about is killing all her clients that aggravate her to no end (such an assortment). I found it incredible that Skye never lost it on her clients - talk about restraint. Regardless, we are privy to her sarcastic and dark thoughts which at times made me laugh and think "I don't blame you." Meanwhile, as Skye thinks of murderi...more

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Dec 04, 2011 Marty Beaudet rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: crime-thriller lovers

Recommended to Marty by: Maria Savva, Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick

I'll admit, I chose to read this book because of an online acquaintance with the author, along with the many rave reviews of her work from other authors in my network. Although I write thrillers myself, I'm not big on gore, guts, and cruelty. So a plot with a serial killer wouldn't normally attract me. [End disclaimer]

I have to say I was pleased with the first half of the book, where protagonist Skye, a hair stylist with murderous thoughts about her overly-demanding clientele, gave voice to some...more I'll admit, I chose to read this book because of an online acquaintance with the author, along with the many rave reviews of her work from other authors in my network. Although I write thrillers myself, I'm not big on gore, guts, and cruelty. So a plot with a serial killer wouldn't normally attract me. [End disclaimer]

I have to say I was pleased with the first half of the book, where protagonist Skye, a hair stylist with murderous thoughts about her overly-demanding clientele, gave voice to some very astute observations about the selfishness that seems rampant in our me-me-me society. What made her rants so enjoyable was the humor with which she infused them. It was easy to relate to her frustrations, and fun to laugh at her characterizations.

A problem, perhaps, is that so much of the book is filled with these humorous characterizations (Skye describes at least 50 of her clients through the first 24 of 36 chapters), that it feels at times more like a stand-up routine than a crime thriller. Now, for me, that wasn't all bad—it spared me having to close my eyes too often (I'll admit to skipping a page or two during the killer's activities, which are meticulously described), but it detracted from the suspense that should have been building as the story interspersed the killer's machinations with Skye's day job and personal life.

But the plot overall was entertaining. I knew that that the two story threads would eventually intersect, but I didn't know just how, and by the time they did I was anxious to find out. The resolution was satisfying; I'm glad I read the book.

The ease with which the author paints her characters made them colorful, relatable, and humorous in their all-too-human foibles. It also made it a joy to read such tight, evocative prose. Knowing that the author was once a stylist leads me to conclude that these portraits of strangle-worthy fussbudgets were drawn from actual clients. After all, what author dreams up fifty or more incidental characters for a novel!

I may still have to skip the most grisly pages, but I'll be reading more of Darcia Helle's books.(less)

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Oct 14, 2011 Jess Scott rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I know "Psychological Mystery" doesn't quite sound as sexy as "Psychological Thriller", but marketing labels aside...I enjoyed the strong emphasis on "the inner psyche" in this story. Both that element and the mystery/murder component components went extremely well together.

I've entertained the idea of being a hairstylist in the past (during my late teens), so that aspect of the book piqued my interest easily ;). This is a book/story which starts with the opening line of "My name is...", without...more

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Sep 20, 2010 Praj rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lilly Skye Destiny Summers is the misplaced child of Patrick Bateman (American Psycho) and Catherine Tramell(Basic Instinct).A vegan,hippie hairstylist persistently fantasizing on mutilating her infuriating clients discovers her wild reveries come true when she faces a bona fide serial killer- the Mass Avenger. Sinister, schizophrenic and devilishly wacky; this transgressional narrative is a rhythmic trance crafting hell a perfect haven to reside in. I certainly perceive Chuck Palahniuk beaming...more

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Feb 16, 2011 Vanessa rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: didn-t-finish

This could have been great. I was really looking forward to it so I went ahead and bought it on my ereader. Disappointing is not a strong enough word. I feel like I'm missing something since I was the only one who didn't give it at least two stars. *Sigh* Oh well.

The writing was ok, there was nothing special about it. I sort of liked her characters, the hippie parents and the dogs were the best part. I did not really like the main character, though I felt she should have been liked, because who...more

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Jan 19, 2011 Kate L rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book took a while for me to get into. At first, all it really seemed like was a hair dresser whining and whining and whining about how much she hates whiners! After a while, you get used to her complaining and the mystery aspect of the book picks up and the whole thing becomes quite engrossing. Speaking of engrossing, more specifically the "gross" in engrossing, the serial killer in this book really grossed me out. It honestly wasn't too gory, but icky. I don't really have an iron stomach f...more

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Feb 23, 2011 Maria rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bestsellerbound

From page 1, where Darcia Helle's protagonist introduces herself as Lilly Skye Destiny Summers (LSD Summers -- named by her hippie parents), and then goes on to explain that she is known as Skye, and her husband's surname is Skyler, so she kept her maiden name, I knew that I was going to enjoy this book!
Anyone who has worked in a job where they have to deal with the general public on a daily basis will appreciate the humour in this book.
Skye is a hairdresser and begins to have fantasies about ki...more

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May 22, 2011 Skip rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller, e-books

Recommended by RJ. Skye Summers is a hair stylist, harboring thoughts of killing her annoying clients, who feel compelled to share all of their inner secrets with her. Meanwhile, a serial killer is loose in southern Massachusetts is killing women, who use their wily charms to take advantage of men. Needed to say, the killer ends up as a client and there is a showdown. Helle's writing reminds me of Janet Evanovich's, which is praise indeed.

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Mar 24, 2011 Michael Miller rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Let me begin by saying that this book is totally outside of my normal reading genres. I’m generally not a big fan of suspense stories, whether books or movies. That said, I found The Cutting Edge to be a great read. Darcia Helle has a remarkable ability to breathe life into her characters, whether it’s the endless stream of annoying clients in her hair salon, Skye Summers and her family, or most notably, the serial killer stalking the town. Much of the story is told in the first person through S...more

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Oct 09, 2011 Jenn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Despite the editing errors and occassional spelling flubs (the "er" was completely left off of the word "killer"), I enjoyed this book. The present tense narrative was awkward and felt a bit like it was narrated by a robot. "It is Monday. I am at work. I look at my schedule. I am already getting angry." There was no natural flow to the narration.

That said, I think the author did a good job of terrifying anyone who visits a salon! Next time I need a trim, I will bring food, caffiene, and keep my...more

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