If you like fast-paced thrillers, quirky (and troubled characters), and lots of suspense from a dual timeline, read on for more about The Rough Cut by Douglas Corleone. I’d never read any of Corleone’s work before, so I didn’t know what to expect. But the book was a rewarding story to read.
The Rough Cut by Douglas Corleone
Publication: Severn House, January 5, 2021
Riley Vasher hasn’t spoken to her friend Piper Kingsley for years . . . now she’s making a documentary about her murder.
Documentary filmmaker Riley Vasher has been living a low-key life on the island of Oahu with her long-time boyfriend Brody. This all changes when Brody overhears on his police scanner that popular TV weathergirl Piper Kingsley has been murdered.
When Piper’s boyfriend, Ethan Jakes, is arrested for the crime, a high-profile murder trial is sure to follow – and Riley and Brody sense their chance to make a name for themselves.
Riley convinces Ethan she can help him if they make a documentary about the trial, and recommends the brilliant but eccentric defense lawyer Nicholas Church. But as the trial nears and Riley becomes personally involved in the case, the lines of truth soon begin to blur and she finds herself becoming part of the story. (from Amazon)
My thoughts
If you like true crime documentaries, you might like The Rough Cut. Corleone provides a tantalizing glimpse of the inner world of film making. I felt like I was in this docudrama-in-the-making, watching Riley (and others) manipulate reality to fit their chosen narrative.
Pace
The story moves quickly. It seamlessly shifts between the past, as Riley records the trial, and the present, as she edits during the post-production process. Neither process goes well, of course. Troubles arise between Riley and her boyfriend/filmmaking partner Brody. Defense attorney Church is abrasive, brilliant, and troubled. The defendant Ethan isn’t always cooperative. Sometimes–often–okay, most of the time– he makes disastrous decisions.
Corleone is cagey about what the verdict is/will be throughout the book. He cleverly points us to the multiple possibilities (guilty, not guilty, mistrial) through characters’ words and reaction. And, since we all know that a courtroom verdict does not necessarily agree with reality, there’s suspense as to whether Ethan actually killed Piper. The did-he, didn’t-he tension continues in Riley’s mind.
I did my usual read-the-ending-first routine, so I knew the answer to both questions. All the same, Corleone kept me reading. He’s clever at hiding clues in plain sight. If I hadn’t known the answers, I wouldn’t have guessed them.
Characterization
As narrator, Riley’s voice is catchy. She doesn’t even pretend to have idealistic aspirations about changing the world; she only wants to tell a compelling story. Despite her brash attitude, she’s insecure. She denies being like those she despises (reality TV producers, for example) but there’s the definite sense that she does have distinct similarities and knows it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story through her (often unreliable) viewpoint.
The characters are quirky. Corleone does a good job making them compelling, though, and he doesn’t allow their various quirks to overwhelm their characters. While the characterization may not have been as deep as it would’ve been in, say, a literary novel, it’s perfectly satisfying and far deeper than it would be in an average thriller. He also scored some points with me with his on-the-nose observations about wannabe writers and their fragile, narcissistic egos.
This was a enjoyable crime thriller that dips into domestic noir territory. I’d recommend The Rough Cut to fans of both genres.
One favorite thing . . .
Nicholas Church has more nicknames for his teammates than a certain president has for his rivals. And clever ones, too. Ethan becomes E-male, Eazy-e, E-mo, E-trade, etc. Riley is Riles, Brody is BQ, and Ethan’s brother Nathan is Nate Dogg. There’s plenty more. As well, there is lots of play on Church’s own last name. It’s fun, inventive, and either lightens the mood or serves as a sardonic reminder that if reality can be manipulated, so can a person’s identity.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Like The Rough Cut? Read that!
There were moments when The Rough Cut reminded me of The Sunday Girl by Pip Drysdale. Her book doesn’t have the same punchy humor, but some of the relationship dynamics were similar. Check out my review of The Sunday Girl here.