Oh how I’ve missed the Monkeewrench gang! This book was amazing. It’s been a few years and P. J. Tracy had been focused on her Det. Nolan series and I’m sure she really misses her mom going back to Monkeewrench but I am so glad she did! There is no difference on the writing just another great book. I don’t want spoilers or just to rehash the book. Zelda and her home and Travis added so much to the story. I liked Dundas being involved in the story and of course catching up on all the Monkeewrench characters. I just might go back and reread the first ten while I wait for the next book. I highly recommend, an excellent read.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

P.J. Tracy, the pseudonym of the award winning mother-daughter writing team of P.J. and Traci Lambrecht, returns with the wonderfully eclectic gang of cyber sleuths who comprise the Monkeewrench team in "The Deepest Cut".

This time the team must capture Wolfgang Mauer, a clever sadistic serial killer who escaped to kill the people who incarcerated him. After murdering a pre-teen boy's abusive parents, Mauer kidnaps the child and unaccountably brings him along for his revenge-seeking ride.

P.J. Tracy skillfully crafts a story that blends taut suspense and psychological intricacies into a thriller that chills and resonates. True to their hallmark style, Tracy's storytelling pulsates with an emotional depth that makes this novel as much a journey through human vulnerability as it is a gripping whodunit.

From the first page, the narrative plunges readers into a world where every shadow seems imbued with secrets. Tracy’s prose is as sharp as the title suggests—surgical, incisive, and deliberate. This novel maintains an unrelenting pace while affording introspective moments that allow the characters' complexities to unfold.

The interweaving of past traumas with present dangers is executed seamlessly, creating a layered narrative that keeps the reader engaged on multiple levels.

The characters in "The Deepest Cut" are the heart of the story. Each is meticulously developed, their motivations and vulnerabilities laid bare in a way that feels achingly real. Tracy excels at exploring the grey areas of human morality, crafting individuals as compelling in their flaws as they are in their strengths.

Tracy’s ability to evoke a sense of place is unparalleled—whether it’s a claustrophobic interrogation room, a desolate crime scene, or the fragile sanctuary of a character’s home. The atmosphere enhances the tension, making every revelation and twist feel like a visceral punch.

Beneath the surface of the thriller lies a poignant exploration of trauma, resilience, and redemption. Tracy doesn’t shy away from delving into the darker recesses of the human psyche, but they also offer glimpses of hope and the potential for healing. This thematic richness elevates "The Deepest Cut" beyond a conventional crime novel, making it a work of literary merit.

"The Deepest Cut" is a masterclass in storytelling that cuts to the core of human experience. P. J. Tracy has crafted a novel as emotionally resonant as it is unputdownable. For readers who crave psychological depth alongside their suspense, this book is an absolute must-read.