Newton Thornburg
1976
Around 320 pages
It is a rare treat on this List to get something as light hearted as a thriller. I guess light-hearted isn't quite the right description for a novel about a Vietnam vet's obsessive murder investigation, but I'm comparing it to all our Auschwitz stories. And most of our authors aren't concerned with being "fast-paced" or "thrilling."
Richard Bone's car breaks down and he sees somebody dispose of something that might be a body. His friend Alex Cutter, a veteran from 'Nam, certainly thinks so, and concocts a conspiracy theory about the murder that involves local tycoon J.J. Cord.
I feel like this novel was born simply because Thornburg wanted to use the names Cutter and Bone, which are admittedly, awesome. It's pretty standard thriller fare, and reminds me of something Dashiell Hammett would write, with our hero taking on powerful enemies that represent the worst of capitalism. Cutter's war background was an added layer, giving the entire story Rambo vibes.
A fun diversion from some of the clunkier entries on the List.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
Interesting Facts:
Adapted to film by director Ivan Passer as Cutter's Way, which starred John Heard as Cutter and Jeff Bridges as Bone.
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