The First Cut: The Jane Renwick Thrillers: Book 1 Paperback – 4 May 2023

This book opens with a tragic scene of neglect in 1990 as three small children are removed from a squalid home and drug addled parents by police and a social worker. There’s an older brother Donny, a younger brother Craig and a sister - Jane. Lots of familiar faces who have first appeared in the Hunter series are back. The year is now 2014 and based at Fettes Station in Edinburgh are DI Hunter Wilson, DC Tim Myerscough, DC Rachael Anderson, Bear and DS Jane Renwick who has been working for Police Scotland’s Murder Investigation Team. The killer himself narrates how he goes after his third victim and kills a university professor. So the MIT team in Gartcosh near Glasgow, lead by Supt Miller and DCI Allan Mackay, together with DI Regina Jallow and DCs Angus McKenzie and Amar Patel now have three victims by the same killer. Two older high profile ladies and a younger man. DNA left at the third scene shows the killer to be a close relative of DS Renwick and there is no option but to remove her from the case. She knows of her two brothers and another baby that was on the way, but there could be more siblings she doesn’t even know about. Of course, that’s not going to stop her digging into her family background with help from her wife Rachel, especially since she seems to be being followed. The tattooed man seems to show up everywhere. As Jane unknowingly hurtles towards danger a fourth victim is found and suddenly the stakes become even higher as both teams of detectives work desperately to find a serial killer in time to save more lives.What a fantastic start to this new series! I love the way the characters from the Hunter series are intertwined with this new and very likeable set of detectives at MIT, I think my favourites being the very impressive DI Regina Jallow, small of stature and loud of voice, and always the good guys, Bear and Tim. It was incredibly easy to dive in and immediately become engrossed in this clever story as I watched it unfold from various angles. Some parts are told by the killer himself as he works his way through his list while most of the chapters follow the MIT investigation together with the involvement of the Edinburgh team. The plot itself follows lots of unexpected turns, and some surprising suspects and sad histories are revealed as it reaches a conclusion where justice is served very nicely all round. I am definitely looking forward to more in this series. 5*

Fast paced police procedural.Whether you recognise characters from Val Penny's previous novels or not, it doesn't matter.Good to see a detective novel where the whole team plays a part.Recommended.

The First Cut is a pacey police procedural set in Edinburgh and Glasgow and brings a new character to centre stage, DS Jane Renwick to kick off a brand new series. Author Val Penny is well-known for her Edinburgh crime series featuring DI Hunter Wilson and her new central character, Jane has been a member of Hunter's team in earlier books. It's a clever idea to choose one of the supporting cast to carry a new series forward. There will be a ready made audience of fans who are invested in the characters and a new detective will bring a different perspective..The First Cut features a diverse mix of characters and plenty of local colour. A vicious killer is on the loose and victims include an academic and members of Edinburgh's high society. Enter DS Jane Renwick. But there's a catch - early in the story Jane is banished to the sidelines and forced to look on impotently as the hunt for the killer ramps up because the Murder Investigation Team believe the killer could be close to home. Has someone from Jane's estranged birth family returned to haunt her? Could one of her relatives be involved? Where will the killer strike next?Of course, DS Renwick isn't about to be stood down from the investigation. She keeps calm and carries on, covertly, with a little help from her friends inside and outside the force. Until she finds herself in danger.I enjoyed this fast-moving story and read it in a few days. When I had to leave it for any reason I was always happy to get back to it.

A fast paced crime story with lovely detail about the city of Edinburgh. Val Penny is a master of dialogue, using it throughout to further her characterisation and develop the plot without letting the story drag. The premise of the book is intriguing, with a family connection between a series of murders and a police officer. Humour breaks up the darker elements, making this engaging and enjoyable throughout, without losing any of the tension you’d expect from this genre. A great read- highly recommend!

Having read all three novels in the DI Hunter Wilson Edinburgh Crime Mysteries, I was looking forward to a new thriller featuring DS Jane Renwick, who we have already met many times. We don't see Hunter in this book, but we do see Jane's wife Rachael, Tim Myerscough (my favourite character) and his now girlfriend Gillian, Bear and Mel and lots of the others from the force.There's still a lot of banter in this one, a bit more swearing and constant tea and coffee, cakes and donuts. In fact the amount of hot drinks they partake in is enough to flood the police station and it did make me laugh.But on to the story itself. Edinburgh has a serial killer on the loose. He or she (though apparently we are told that it is most likely a 'he' as there have only been four female serial killers in the UK and none of them in Scotland) has so far targeted 'an academic and members of Edinburgh's high society'. The victims appear to have nothing in common, except the women used the same fashionable hairdresser, an expensive cleaning firm, and a dog grooming parlour. All the victims had also registered with an online dating society called Alone in a Crowd. But why would that get them killed? There had to be more.In the meantime, we have learnt a lot about Jane's traumatic past. Having been removed by a social worker from her neglectful, abusive, drug-addled parents, she was separated from her siblings, but there is something in her DNA that might link her to the killer.Another fast-paced, exciting read from this author, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the Jane Renwick series called A Fighting Chance.Many thanks to @zooloo2008 for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.

It took me a little time to get into the book, but it is really an awesome read. Characters and storyline is fantastic. A family split up after taken from their parents. But after all goes on things turn out good. Definite must read

This story was one that kept me interested from page 1 to the last page. We are introduced to the main characters in the first chapters, then we are introduced to one of those characters later on in their life. This person has completely left their childhood behind and has become a police officer. We learn that there is a serial killer operating in Edinburgh and the police are hard at work trying to determine who the culprit is.

Jane Renwick, born Smith, experienced a troubled childhood but pulled herself out of trouble and achieved self-respect. Her life is fulfilling, with friends and colleagues, including her wife Rachel Anderson, at her job as DC in Edinburgh.A series of murders occur in Edinburgh, and it is up to the combined forces of local police and MIT Glasgow to catch the murderer. The hunt is urgent, especially because of the grisly aspect of the killer’s MO and possibly psychopathic traits.Ms Penny brings her usual storytelling skills to the fore with twists and turns, notably the genetic complications that keep Jane from taking part in the chase. All in all, Ms Penny leaves it up to the readers’ perception to figure out, who’d done it. Her characters are fleshed-out, believable humans that appeal to any bookworm’s emotions.The story is fast-paced, and its point of view fluctuates between Jane Renwick’s and the murderer’s heads.

I like to characters and the story line I would read more from this author I'm glad that there's another book

Action packed. Great characters. Loved it.Recommend highly. Good writing good puzzle.Cannot wait for the next book in the series.