If you like true crime documentaries, you might like The Rough Cut. Corleone provides a tantalizing glimpse of the inner world of film making. I felt like I was in this docudrama-in-the-making, watching Riley (and others) manipulate reality to fit their chosen narrative.

The story moves quickly. It seamlessly shifts between the past, as Riley records the trial, and the present, as she edits during the post-production process. Neither process goes well, of course. Troubles arise between Riley and her boyfriend/filmmaking partner Brody. Defense attorney Church is abrasive, brilliant, and troubled. The defendant Ethan isn’t always cooperative. Sometimes–often–okay, most of the time– he makes disastrous decisions.

Corleone is cagey about what the verdict is/will be throughout the book. He cleverly points us to the multiple possibilities (guilty, not guilty, mistrial) through characters’ words and reaction. And, since we all know that a courtroom verdict does not necessarily agree with reality, there’s suspense as to whether Ethan actually killed Piper. The did-he, didn’t-he tension continues in Riley’s mind.

I did my usual read-the-ending-first routine, so I knew the answer to both questions. All the same, Corleone kept me reading. He’s clever at hiding clues in plain sight. If I hadn’t known the answers, I wouldn’t have guessed them.

As narrator, Riley’s voice is catchy. She doesn’t even pretend to have idealistic aspirations about changing the world; she only wants to tell a compelling story. Despite her brash attitude, she’s insecure. She denies being like those she despises (reality TV producers, for example) but there’s the definite sense that she does have distinct similarities and knows it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story through her (often unreliable) viewpoint.

The characters are quirky. Corleone does a good job making them compelling, though, and he doesn’t allow their various quirks to overwhelm their characters. While the characterization may not have been as deep as it would’ve been in, say, a literary novel, it’s perfectly satisfying and far deeper than it would be in an average thriller. He also scored some points with me with his on-the-nose observations about wannabe writers and their fragile, narcissistic egos.

This was a enjoyable crime thriller that dips into domestic noir territory. I’d recommend The Rough Cut to fans of both genres.

One favorite thing . . .
Nicholas Church has more nicknames for his teammates than a certain president has for his rivals. And clever ones, too. Ethan becomes E-male, Eazy-e, E-mo, E-trade, etc. Riley is Riles, Brody is BQ, and Ethan’s brother Nathan is Nate Dogg. There’s plenty more. As well, there is lots of play on Church’s own last name. It’s fun, inventive, and either lightens the mood or serves as a sardonic reminder that if reality can be manipulated, so can a person’s identity.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )