Earlier this month I read the first couple of instalments of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series namely “Die Trying” and “The Killing Floor”.  Both wonderful fast paced novels they whetted my appetite for all things Reacher, but with a small backlog of reviews waiting to be read I put that thought on hold.

On the 19^th August, Matt Hilton’s new novel “Cut and Run” will be published, the fourth instalment of his hero Joe Hunter. Hunter has been compared to Jack Reacher by the media due to the non-stop action and with that in mind I was keen to see what all the fuss was about.

“Cut and Run” begins at a frenetic pace and doesn’t let up until its conclusion, Joe Hunter it appears is more than a match for Child’s Jack Reacher! I couldn’t put the book down; the writing is so fluid that I finished the book in two sittings over one day!

A killer has stolen Joe Hunter’s identity and killed in his name. His aim? To make life as complicated as possible for Hunter and those he holds dear. Hunter, armed with a small arsenal and two close friends, sets about proving his innocence after Rickard’s numerous attempts to frame him. Apart from hunting Rickard, Hunter uses all his experience to track down the mastermind behind the attacks.

I gave up on the body count after the first few chapters; I knew early on this would be no picnic in the park; indeed this book is at times rather violent! The story takes us from Maine to Florida and on to Columbia where the powerful drug cartels rule. Buy Now

The story is written from two perspectives; Joe Hunter in the first person narrative and Luke Rickard, the ruthless killer hell-bent on leaving a trail of bodies behind. I found Hilton’s style engaging and with each chapter came a different vantage. The chapters blended well and when Hunter finished describing a scene, Rickard took over immediately at the beginning of the next.

Joe Hunter is a likeable hero, not entirely perfect, he is fallible but more than makes up for his mistakes with clear and precise solutions.

Rickard is a misogynist, a rapist, and a cold blooded killer. He hates women with a passion and loves nothing better than to kill or maim at any given time. His anger stemmed from his mother’s abandonment when he was a child and with only his sexually deviant stepfather to raise him it is no wonder he grew up the monster he was.

Hilton provides numerous twists and turns throughout the book, I failed to see the major twist, Hilton guiding me one way and then another. Such was the mastery of his sleight of hand David Copperfield would have been proud of the subterfuge.

As I mentioned at the top of the review, Joe Hunter is more than a match for Jack Reacher – what would happen if they both ended up on opposite sides, the mind boggles – let’s hope that never happens. One thing is for sure I am looking forward to reading the first three books in the Joe Hunter series – I suggest you do the same, highly recommended. If it’s action you want, Cut and Run will not disappoint.

The Book is published by Hodder and is released on the 19th August, 2010