July 2023-Final Thoughts-**spoilers allowed**- Cutters End

[Phrynne, Mystery lover!]

Final thoughts and reviews if you like for Cutters End by Margaret Hickey

[Kerri_M]

Finished this one yesterday, new to me author, and didn't realise it was a series until I got to the end. If I had known it was a series, I might not have read it, because I am on a "no new series" deal with myself, until I finish up some of the old ones. But was a good read, enjoyed the book and will go back for the next one. ★★★★

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

Glad you enjoyed it Kerri! I'm a little the same - but it still doesn't stop me ;)

[Carolyn]

I thought it was a solid start to the series. I liked that the tie between the girl in the prologue and the burnt man wasn't easy to work out and took till late in the book to find out who she was and what had happened.

I was surprised by Mark's decision at the end on how to deal with the revelations. His career would have been in trouble if one of the other cops or someone else leaked the truth. He must have really trusted people to go along with him.

Reading other reviews, I noticed a few people thought there was too much use Aussie vernacular and cultural icons. I didn't think it was too heavy, in fact I quite like it. I guess it might be difficult for other countries to understand some of it, but they get to use vernacular speech and cultural icons in novels so why shouldn't Australian writers? Just saying - happy to discuss :)

[Carolyn]

Here's my review: 4★

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

Carolyn wrote: "Reading other reviews, I noticed a few people thought there was too much use Aussie vernacular and cultural icons. I didn't think it was too heavy, in fact I quite like it. I guess it might be difficult for other countries to understand some of it, but they get to use vernacular speech and cultural icons in novels so why shouldn't Australian writers? Just saying - happy to discuss :)..."

I agree. It saddens me to see Australian authors abandoning their country to put US spellings and sayings in their novels. They should be proud to be Aussie. And as you say, the overseas writers don't adapt for Aussies :) Or if they do, they don't research enough (Private Sydney - James Patterson) One of my pet hates ;)

[Carolyn]

I really hate it when Aussie authors Americanise their novels with words we would never use here such as Mom or cookies.

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

One Aussie author had Sydney Harbor in a book of hers - I contacted her and told her of the error. Her US publisher told her to spell it that way! I was gobsmacked as it's a name, and has to be Harbour!

[Carolyn]

That's so wrong Brenda!! It's also really demeaning to US readers to assume they can't accept a spelling of a place name which might be a little different to American English.

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

Exactly Carolyn!