Cuts Like a Knife: A Novel (A Kristen Conner Mystery Book 1)

Praise for 
Cuts Like a Knife

“An intense, eerie, funny, and suspenseful thriller with a very subtle faith thread that enriches rather than suffocates the story.”

USA TODAY

“A thriller that blends all the elements of the genre: evil criminal, dedicated cop and exciting ending. Readers can’t help enjoying this new voice.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“In this debut, Gilroy introduces a witty, endearing cast of characters. The suspense is taut and moves forward at a steady pace to keep the reader firmly invested in the outcome of the story.”

RT BOOK REVIEWS (ROMANCE TIMES)

“
Cuts Like a Knife
was gripping from the very beginning. Detective Kristen Conner is such a wonderfully multi-dimensional character. This was an amazing read by a debut novelist.”

FRESH FICTION

“I loved this book! Mark is an author to watch. He’s written believably and honestly about a serial killer without dragging readers through every horrible cut of the knife. Crime scenes are described, yet leave enough to our imagination. Highly recommended.”

FAMILY FICTION

“After reading
Cuts Like a Knife
, I was shocked to learn it was a debut novel. Gilroy’s writing feels effortless, as if he had been doing this for decades. I enjoyed every minute of this intense roller coaster ride, even the parts that scared the blip out of me!”

POPCORN READS

Praise for
Every Breath You Take

“A riveting, fast-pace suspense that will keep you hooked from the opening scene. You will not want to miss this thriller!”

FRESH FICTION

“Miss Congeniality meets Castle’s Kate Beckett; a lethal, smart, and fun combo.”

USA TODAY

“A character driven, police procedural of murder, intrigue and suspense on the order of
Castle, Law and Order
or
The Mentalist.
Gilroy knows how to create authentic characters and situations and continues to be a writer to watch.”

THE SUSPENSE ZONE

“The latest Conner police procedural is a terrific undercover investigative thriller starring an engaging cop. The whodunit is top rate—
Every Breath You Take
is a fabulous urban mystery.

THE MYSTERY GAZETTE

“Gilroy ensures he is no one hit wonder with second police procedural starring the ever practical and feisty detective Kristen Conner. I love the snappy dialogue, authentic relationships, and intriguing suspense that permeate the story.

RELZ REVIEWZ

“The murder investigation makes this a good detective story, but the key to the novel is Kristen Conner herself. She can be strong, self-deprecating, sarcastic, and caring. She is easy to like. Readers will be rooting for her all the way.

CBA RETAILERS+RESOURCES

COMING APRIL 2016!

A new boss with a new set of rules. A new partner with a new set of expectations. A new murder—a notorious drug dealer with a long list of suspects—with a new set of dangers and political landmines. But nothing compares to squaring off with an old enemy.

Some things never change. Detective Kristen Conner is under pressure.

THE SERIES

A Kristen Conner Mystery

Book 1

A Kristen Conner Mystery

Book 2

A Kristen Conner Mystery

Book 3

Coming April 2016

Cuts Like a Knife

A Kristen Conner Novel—Book 1

Revised Edition

Copyright © 2012, 2015 Mark Gilroy Creative LLC

www.mkgilroy.com

Published by Sydney Lane Press

2000 Mallory Lane, Suite 130-229

Franklin, Tennessee 37067

www.sydneylanepress.com

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012931878

All
rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or by any means—electronic, mechanical,
photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

This novel is
a work of fiction. Any
references to real events, businesses, celebrities, or locales are used only for a sense of authenticity. Any resemblance to actual persons is entirely coincidental.

EDITIONS

Paperback:
978-0-9912124-4-6

eBook:
978-0-9912124-3-9

Hardcover Large-print by
Center Point Press: 978-1-61173-9305

Also available as an audio book.

Version: SLP.001.2015.01

Cover Design: Kim Russell/Wahoo Designs

Interior Design: Bart Dawson

International English Language Version

Dedicated to my three daughters—
Lindsey, Ashley & Caroline

THE END OF MARCH

It was one of those March days

when the sun shines hot

and the wind blows cold:

when it is summer in the light,

and winter in the shade.

C
HARLES
D
ICKENS

1

March 31, 9:59
p.m.

I SHOULD HAVE
stayed
in California. It was seventy degrees in
San Diego yesterday.
Almost orange on the weather map. It snowed here
last week. And then
the DePaul University kids showed up in swimsuits at Wrigley for the Cubs game today. I was stuck next to a screaming troop of baboons.
They distracted me from a good game. One yammering monkey spilled beer
on my scorecard. I hate
it when my scorecard gets smudged. I like a
neat scorecard. If I sit near that profane waste of human life again—and
he howls at drunk girls in bikinis the whole
game—I will kill him.
I wonder if he’s bright
or ever sober enough
to realize that’s not a
figure of speech when
I use it.