First Cut

By: Judy Melinek, T.J. Mitchell

Narrated by: Amanda Dolan

A Bustle Most Anticipated Book of January 2020

"Scalpel sharp." (Kathy Reichs)

A young rookie medical examiner. A suspicious case. An underworld plot only she saw coming.

From the New York Times best-selling authors of Working Stiff

For San Francisco’s newest medical examiner, Dr. Jessie Teska, it was supposed to be a fresh start. A new job in a new city. A way to escape her own dark past.

Instead, she faces a chilling discovery when an opioid-overdose case contains hints of something more sinister. Jessie’s superiors urge her to close the case, but as more bodies land on her autopsy table, she uncovers a constellation of deaths that point to an elaborate plot involving drug dealers and Bitcoin brokers.

Drawing on her real-life experiences as a forensics expert, Judy Melinek teams up with husband T.J. Mitchell to deliver the most exhilarating mystery of the year. Autopsy means "see for yourself", and Jessie Teska won’t stop until she has seen it all - even if it means that the next corpse on the table could be her own.

©2020 Judy Melinek, T.J. Mitchell (P)2020 Harlequin Audio

Can’t even get through Chapter 1

The narrators voice is so grating and annoying that I simply can’t continue it. Bummer. I had heard the story was good, but I can’t find a way to sink into the story. Sorry.

A great twist on noir detective novel

It’s essentially a noir detective novel, but with interesting twists since the protagonist is a medical examiner. Well worth the listen!

Story didn’t grab me

I didn’t find this book that interesting. In the future, I may give the author another try.

not what expected

This novel started out really great however somewhere just past the halfway mark it began to diminish, disappoint and become monotonous. It is more of a boring crime novel than a novel focused on a medical examiner and pertinent issues. The "fights" were long and redundant.

Awesome, I love the it.

I love the level of detal. the story and plotline are great. It's a must read/ listen.

Great book!

I Enjoyed it, listened to its in two days! Looking forward to the next one

Slow to start but got much better.

At first, I was not sure I was going to like it, but it started to pick up so I was glad I stuck with it. The narrator was very good!
I enjoyed it very much

Great storytelling and left me wanting MORE!

The story grabbed me from the beginning! I especially loved all the detail about being in the "trenches" of a Medical Examiner's office and morgue. Having worked in a Pathology Lab previously, Judy Melinek and T.J. Mitchell brought me right back with their descriptive narrative of the sights (and smells) of working in this field. The blend of detective work meets M.E. was truly refreshing and was integrated flawlessly.
I really enjoyed Amanda Dolan's performance/reading of First Cut. She brought life to Jessie's character and, although I don't know any Polish, was quite convincing with her inflections and delivery.
I finished the book wanting more - so, when is "Second Cut" coming out? ;)

Wow!!!

Judy and T.J. have done it again!!! I couldn’t stop listening!!!! Can’t wait for the next book.

Enjoyed, hope it becomes a series.

While this wasn't the best, it was very good and it was one that held my attention. I'd like to hear more about the characters and where the future takes them. The story itself could have been better and I hope it is in the next one!