A Thousand Cuts: A Novel

I began this book with great hopes, having just read and enjoyed the author's "The Child Who," which also uses shifting narrative voices to tell a story of crime and psychological detection. However, my level of enjoyment declined with each chapter until halfway through, when I decided to stop punishing myself and just flip to the ending. Not a fair test? Without giving too much away, the breaking point was when the sexual harassment at Lucia's workplace escalated to a real criminal offense - and she still did nothing. There is no plausible explanation for her utter inability to take notes, wear a wire or act like a professional 21st century police officer and not a cringing neurotic. But it was really just the last straw. I had already lost all interest in the school narrative, as the details of bullying became more and more over the top.

The author does have a good ear for dialogue, and I do regret not enjoying his first novel as I did his second.

A Thousand Cuts by Simon Lelic is a riveting mystery that is also quite poignant.

Detective Inspector Lucia May’s latest case is supposed to be an open and shut investigation of a London school shooting. There is no doubt that history teacher Samuel Szajkowski walked into an assembly then shot and killed three students, a fellow teacher and turned the gun on himself. But as Lucia interviews the students and staff at the school, she knows there is more to this incident than a cursory look reveals. But will her boss, Detective Chief Inspector Cole, permit her to continue her investigation?

Lucia is troubled by the picture that is beginning to emerge as she investigates Samuel and the months leading up to the shooting. There is no disagreement that Samuel was a bit of a loner who kept himself to himself after his relationship with a fellow teacher ended. He also had an antagonistic relationship with a fellow teacher that continued to deteriorate. Samuel failed to gain control over some of his students right from the start and his complaints to headmaster Mr. Travis fell on deaf ears. His situation at school grew worse in the new year but Samuel seemed to be coping despite the pressure he must have been under. So Lucia is determined to unearth exactly what precipitated his unfathomable decision to fire upon the students and co-workers.

Lucia’s chapters are written in third person and alternate between her interviews with Samuel’s fellow staff members and students. The investigation begins to hit a little close to home as Lucia realizes there are a few parallels between her life and Samuel’s. She struggles with confronting a co-worker on his repugnant behavior that is worsening by the day. Lucia is also very frustrated with her boss as he pressures her into writing her report to support his viewpoint instead of reflecting the facts. When the case is taken out of her hands, what, if any, action will Lucia take to ensure the truth emerges about the school shooting?

A Thousand Cuts is a very compelling mystery with an innovative storyline and an appealing lead protagonist. Lucia remains true to herself no matter the consequences as she endeavors to uncover the truth about what drove Samuel to kill. The witness chapters are written with an authentic voice for each character and some easier to read than others. With an unexpected plot twist, Simon Lelic brings this incredible story to an unpredictable, yet completely satisfying, conclusion. An absolutely outstanding mystery that packs an incredible punch.

i loved this book!
a school shooting that is told in numerous, present tense voices - the story trickles out and the reader is hooked. the 'bad guy' is identified early on, but the backstory of his systematic bullying causes emotions of pity, anger, and even a moment of wanting retribution.
in fact, the whole book is about bullying - in schools and in the office. through sexual harrassment, and in positions of power. bystanders as adults as well as students.
it addresses physical bullying as in beatings, emotional bullying through humilations, and even touches on cyberbullying. the book was published in 2010 - so i imagine the author penned it in 2008 - and it feels like it's lifted off of today's newspapers.

What a great novel!

No other novel that I am aware of, deals
so masterfully with the pain of bullying as does "A Thousand Cuts."

The book not only exposes the tradegy wrought by bullying,
but also explores how the system itself perpetrates emotional and physical violence.

Bullying is not just a problem with students victimizing other
students, but also how the workplace is ripe with bullying of
employees by bosses and authority.

This book would be a wonderful adjunct to any reading list
for teachers, parents, pupils, police, and social agencies.

Highly recommended!