Cut and Run is the first novel I've read by this author, and a huge departure from the romance and romantic suspense novels I usually read, but it held my interest, kept me guessing, and although Cut and Run is a far cry from romance (but the author does try to interject some), it certainly held my interest enough to give it a 4-star rating.

Faith McIntyre is a medical examiner/forensic pathologist, and when scrap yard owner, Jack Crow, is found brutally tortured and murdered, and brought to Faith for autopsy, the search for Crow's son, Dirk, fails to turn him up, so she contacts the victim's daughter, Macy Crow, an FBI agent, and no sooner does Macy get there when she's the victim of a deliberate hit and run, ending up comatose and near death in the hospital. When Macy's ID is found, Faith is shocked by her appearance--Macy looks just like Faith's twin, and Faith, who knows she was adopted, is staggered by the possibility that she might have a twin sister. When the few clues Macy left behind before the accident lead Faith to discover what appears to be 3 graves behind an abandoned ranch in the hills, all of this appears to tie into the disappearances of 3 missing teenagers dating back almost 30 years, and the possibility that Faith's birth mother might have been one of them. The fact that there's another pregnant and missing teenager makes finding her a priority, and so the race is on.

Enter Mitchell Hayden, a Texas Ranger, who lost his wife to cancer several years earlier. He and Faith have met before (probably in an earlier novel), and the two are prone to perfunctory, non-romantic, non-verbal, non-committed and basically faceless sex with one another simply to let off steam, and I found that part of their relationship more than a little troublesome, especially later in the novel when their relationship goes from cold and perfunctory sex to declarations of love without them ever really having more than occasional sex and virtually little else.

But Faith isn't as cold -hearted as she appears, having become a friend and supporter of another runaway teen, Kat, whom she is trying to befriend and mentor. The intelligent and pregnant teenager is an ace computer hacker and Faith can see her potential--all she needs to do is gain her trust, get her to finish high school and go on to college to turn her life around. Additionally, Faith is hoping to discover whether or not Macy is her twin, and how the attempt to kill her ties in with Faith's own adoption, and the abduction and murder of other blonde, blue-eyed, teenage girls--which will soon include Kat.

There are more than a few brutal torture deaths in this story, as Faith and Mitchel Hayden try to untangle a decades-old mystery, and as this novel unfolds, we also hear from the abducted girls, both past and present, when the most recent abductee finds notes written by previous abductees inside magazine margins she discovers when she's looking at an air vent as a possible means of escape. As any good suspense novel does, the tension ramps up, and Faith and Hayden both are desperately trying to follow elusive clues and connections to find the person or persons responsible.

My main issue with this novel is that, in my opinion, any good mystery/suspense novel should, at least, give the reader a hint of a clue as to the identity of the guilty party, so that the reader can attempt to guess at who the nameless villain really is. Ms. Burton never gives us that vital piece of information, not a name, not a connection we ever see, nada, and when we finally discover who the evildoer is and who is behind these crimes, it left me wondering why and how we got all the way through this novel without even hearing his name mentioned, or understanding his involvement in this case, or who put him up to these crimes. Not having a chance to even guess the identity of the culprit was somewhat disappointing to this reader.

While I liked the complexity of the story line, the alternating narration, the inter-relationships of the many characters, the rush to save the two current abductees, and the fascinating search for genetic connections between the characters, the romance part of this novel seemed like too little to late for this reader, but despite that, as far as suspense novels go, this was still quite a page-turner and it certainly held my interest enough so that I can recommend it as a solid and suspenseful read.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

I can’t tell you how much I love reading Mary Burton. I look forward to her books each time I hear of a new one being released. I was not disappointed with this one! Can not wait to continue reading more of her work! She is a true artist!!

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

Mary Burton has done it again. I have really enjoyed Burton’s books and this was no exception.

This story is a romantic suspense and a stand alone. I enjoyed that there was a bit of romance in this one. But the suspense is what keeps the book going. The characters are interesting and the background characters are really a major part of the story.

Faith and Macy have so much going on and keep the pages turning. I love any book by Burton and this is another one high on my list.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book for free in return for my review based upon my honest opinion.

Mary Burton has done it again, a great suspenseful, thrilling read that will make you want to stay up late to finish it. Faith McIntyre, medical examiner, knows she is adopted and had been searching on and off for her birthmother, but when she is called upon to contact murder victim, Jack Crow's family, she reaches out to Macy Crow and inevitably discovers that she is looking at a mirror image of herself. This is only one of the mysteries that abound in this book, as the body count rises, Texas Ranger, Mitchell Hayden needs to step it up in time to catch a killer and find out who has hired him in time to save not only the latest victims, but Faith herself, whom he finds himself starting to care for more than he planned on. There were so many twists and turns and I enjoyed not being able to easily guess the who and why of our killer.

As always, Mary Burton's books are great reads, they have suspense, and just enough romance to make you smile. Cannot wait for the next book!

A teenage girl who is pregnant goes missing near Austin and a local salvage yard owner is tortured and killed on his front porch. Ranger Hayden and the medical examiner, Faith McIntyre get involved in the mystery (and in each other's pants) and try to find the missing girl before it's too late. A little bit of romance, but it's not too much to turn you off if you're not into that sorta thing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Copy!

Really liked this book. The suspense was good and kept my interest . The inter personal relationships were well developed. The romance was at the right level for a romantic suspense book.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
M/F Thriller
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

This is a great thriller. It's fast paced and there is a lot to this storyline.

Faith and Mitchell Hayden (Hayden) have a secret thing going, but when it becomes apparent that Faith might be in danger, Hayden will do everything in his power to make sure that she remains safe.

Macy Crow is an FBI agent who has come home to identify her father. With the distance in their relationship, Macy hasn't been home in quite a while, but as soon as she steps foot back near her dad's junk yard, she knows that he has left clues for her to follow.

This is a story with a twisted trail of clues and everyone is racing the clock to figure them out. Without revealing too much of the story, let me just say that while you'll guess for a lot of the story, once it's revealed, there is still a lot to the story. I enjoyed the twists and turns, and the dialogue was well developed too.

I loved this story and really liked how the relationship didn't take over. It was a thriller that stayed a thriller. Can't wait to read more of Burton's stuff!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
When I started this book, I didn't know what to think. The story starts out going in one direction and then does a 180-degree turn.

The story only gets better from there.

Faith McIntyre is a medical examiner and just started something with Mitchell Hayden, a Texas Ranger. Both are not looking for a relationship and what happened was just something that happened. Until it keeps happening.

The romance is the side story in this book, finding out who is Faith's biological parents quickly becomes the focus as the people who have information about her birth are quickly dying around her.

Hayden isn't really ready for a new relationship after having lost his wife four years ago to cancer. But there's something about Faith that calls to him. When her life is in danger, his protectiveness overwhelms him and he starts thinking "What if?" and more importantly "Can there be more?"

Be prepared to stay up all night reading because it’s not a book you will want to put down once you start.


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
The murder of 60-something junkyard owner Jack Crow leads to the discovery of graves, missing girls, and crimes that go back to the 80s. It felt like something out of an episode of Criminal Minds, which is one of my favourite shows.

Dr. Faith McIntyre, medical examiner, and Texas Ranger Mitchell Hayden, who are investigating this case, also provide the romance which is subtly woven into the story. We are also given the point of view of Macy Crow, Jack Crow’s daughter and FBI agent, the killer, and a girl currently being held captive.

Cut and Run is an excellent crime thriller. There is a good, steady pace to this story and even though I was getting excited wanting to rush to the end so that I knew what was going on, the story kept the same steady rhythm, slowly revealing each clue and twist to the story, making it last which made it even better. Cut and Run gets a solid four stars from me.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
I love the suspense in this book. The story starts with seemingly unrelated characters, histories, and fragments of the present. Slowly, the investigators start to discover the connections between the characters and past and present crimes. I love that there are enough clues for readers to solve this alongside Faith, Mitchell, and Macy.

This is a chilling and often gory thriller. The book is marketed as romantic suspense but it’s light on romance and heavy on gruesome details and grisly murders. I loved the story, but pure romance readers might want to look elsewhere. The characters are brilliant. Medical examiner Faith is a wonderfully strong female lead and FBI agent Macy is fearless. Texas Ranger Mitchell Hayden is as swoon worthy as he is clever and committed.

This is an entertaining read but I’m not sure it wins points for realism. Medical ethics boards would certainly frown on Faith’s continued involvement in the case once it becomes personal and I’m not sure the FBI would allow an agent to investigate her own father’s death. Roles are a bit blurred in this story and while the mix of personal and professional is exciting, it isn’t terribly realistic.

Mary Burton is becoming an auto-request author for me. I really enjoy her stories and I love her characters. The Texas setting of this book is brilliant and I love the author’s observations and reflections.

This book follows medical examiner Faith McIntyre and Texas Ranger Mitchell Hayden as they try to find out who tortured and killed FBI agent Macy Crow's father and then attacked Macy, who happens to be Faith's twin. She was not aware that she had a twin since they were both adopted. Faith and Mitchell must dig into her past and what this has to do with murders that took place around that same time. Can they uncover the secrets that have been buried in the past before something happens to Faith? Will Faith have a chance to get to know her sister?

This is a stand alone book, but Mitchell makes and appearance in The Last Move, about his sister, FBI Agent Kate Hayden. You will not be lost if you have not read that book, but you will probably want to read it after you have read this one.

This book moves in a good pace and you will not want to put it down once you start. I always enjoy this author's book and look forward to the next one.

I hope this isn't the last of these characters!

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I have never read any book by this author but shall certainly be doing so in the future. This book is more of a thriller than anything else and I really enjoyed it

Lots of twists and turns that keep a reader turning those pages! This story is creative and unique in a genre where that is hard to achieve nowadays. It is both mystery and suspense (bordering on thriller) in equal amounts. The “romantic” aspect in this romantic suspense is a bit weak but the suspense is exceptionally done. This is the first book I’ve read from this author and it most definitely won’t be my last!

Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 321 pages Published October 9th 2018
Montlake Romance Rating: 5*

Never fear if you are looking for a great “who done it” with unspeakable and brutal crimes by psychopaths – Mary Burton is sure to fulfill all those needs. Not only that but you’ll have terrific characters who are fleshed out admirably and in some instances with their motivation built right into the dynamics of the story. However, you probably will not figure out the bad guy until very close to the end.

What sets this one apart is the mystery of the twin sisters who were separated at birth. As a medical examiner Faith is reunited only to realize that her identical twin sister might never live to know who she is. Faith McIntyre knew she had been adopted but her sister, FBI Agent Macy Crow, the victim of a hit and run, might not live to be introduced. Macy had stumbled into a discovery that put her into the cross hairs of someone who wasn’t ready for the world to know of their crimes.

Fabulous twist ending!

Marilyn Rondeau

I absolutely loved this book it was intriguing and suspenseful and a fabulous read and I recommend giving it a try it was so good won’t be disappointed

A great book with lots of twist and turn suspense. Long lost twin sisters, kidnapped pregnant women. You would think that so many things happening in the book won't make sense, but it does!

Cut and Run is a thriller with twist ans turns in every chapter that kept me nail biting and nonstop reading through the night. I just had to know who's related and who is going 'round killing people And it seemed money can buy anything and make you blind to others pain and suffering. You have to be cold hearted and made of stone if you come up with a plan like the one described. And in the end maybe you'll get away with it.... Highly recommended!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance!

2.5*

I have to admit I was rather underwhelmed by Mary Burton’s latest romantic thriller, CUT AND RUN. It was extremely slow to get going and I nearly DNF’d it a few times until the action finally picked up approximately halfway through the book… but though the premise had great promise, the novel just felt unsatisfying.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

Macy Burton is truly a unique romantic-suspense author. Her plots are never cliché and her heroes and heroines are not what you would expect. She pushes the boundaries and I like that in an author. I sincerely hope that "Cut and Run" is the first in a new series because I love the supporting characters.

Faith McIntyre is the medical examiner and she keeps her life strictly compartmentalized. She has her work, her charity work and her lover and there is very little overlap in those areas. Until. An unconscious woman, a hit and run victim, is found and while she is still alive, Faith is called because this woman has Faith's face. Faith knew she was adopted, she didn't know she was a twin.

Macy Crow is an FBI agent. She received a call that her father was brutally murdered and immediately headed to Texas and began her own investigation which landed her clinging to life after a hit and run. When the investigating Texas Ranger, Mitchell Hayden, sees her and sees that Macy is Faith's mirror image, he is relieved that it isn't his lover, Faith, but is at a loss as to what is going on.

Texas Ranger Mitchell Hayden lost his wife to cancer and only has the most physical of relationships. His current lover is Faith McIntyre and she is making him think about more than the purely physical. When he starts investigating the brutal murder of Jack Crow he never envisioned where this case would lead. Thirty years is a long time, but secrets have a way of not staying buried, no matter how long the secret has been buried, especially when the secrets have been murdered. Hayden must now solve thirty year old murders and keep both Faith and Macy safe. 4 1/2-Stars

This book kept me engrossed in the story from start to finish! Mary Burton knows how to tell a story and keep you guessing!
The owner of a junkyard Jack Crow was murdered bringing his daughter Macy back to town. While there she being a FBI agent she starts to dig and her digging causes some problems for the bad guys who is worried that they will be found out. Macy ends up in the hospital after being run down by a unknown person! This was a murder/mystery love story all rolled up in one! I give it 5 stars! Mary burton told a fantastic story and I’m and sure it won’t be the last book I pick up of her!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a copy of this book.

What can I say? It was ok. Not the best I've ever read by Mary Burton - I do prefer her earlier works - and not the best romantic suspense book I've ever read either. That said, I read it in over a couple of sittings so it wasn't all that bad! The characters were likable and the plot fastpaced,

As ever, I''d always read Mary Burton and would read her future books too

I think I read this author's books several years ago. I was impressed then and I'm impressed now! Mary Burton writes romantic suspense (emphasis on suspense) very well! I was hooked on this book as soon as I started it

I know that twins separated at birth is not a new plot twist, but this one was completely different to what I've read before. I had no idea where the plot was going! Ms. Burton writes a great story with amazing characters. I was spellbound throughout and couldn't put this book down. I'm definitely adding this author to my favorites.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Cut and Run is another solid hit from Mary Burton. I read a lot of romantic suspense, mysteries and thrillers so it's hard for me to find a story that I cannot figure out "who did it". Well every time I thought that I knew the answer, Cut and Run threw me another twist. This story is about many things, a FBI agent named Macy Crow's father has been murdered and he sent her a message. A Texas ranger named Mitchell Hayden is on the case and he's looking for answers as well. The problem is that every time he thinks that he as an answer, another question pops up. Our final main character is Faith McIntyre. She's the medical examiner and gets drawn into this case because she's the mirror image of Macy Crow. Faith knew that she was adopted as a baby but doesn't know who her birth parents were or if she has any relatives. This is a gritty, raw and intriguing mystery that is told from multiple points of view and will keep you reading late into the night until you get the answers to all your questions. I really enjoyed it and it's a 4 1/2 star rating for me.