Rave reviews for The First Cut, the debut Nan Vining thriller
“An edge-of-your-seat plot… Propulsive thriller. Nicely developed characters and genuine suspense… Impressive.”
--Kirkus
“Dianne Emley takes many risks… but makes each gamble pay off in the expertly plotted The First Cut. Redolent with suspense and action. Emley should have many stories to tell as Nan comes to terms with her fears. Impressive.”
-- Detroit Free Press
“Readers… are warned to hang on tight and prepare themselves for one of the wildest literary rides of the summer. The graphic story, intriguing characters, and unexpected plot twists provide a tale that is guaranteed to keep readers on the edge of their seats until the final page. This novel is a knockout, and Emley is a writer to watch.”
-- Tucson Citizen
“A year after surviving a brutal attack, Pasadena, Calif., police officer Nan Vining
returns to duty in Emley's sizzling debut, a hard-edged police procedural with a psychic twist. Readers will cheer as the fast-paced, high-stakes investigation empowers Nan to triumph over a repugnant criminal and her fears.”
-- Publisher’s Weekly
“This gripping page-turner examines the shadier side of humanity while providing readers with a first-rate story.”
-- Library Journal
“The First Cut announces Dianne Emley as a crime writer to be reckoned with. This book has everything you could want: breakneck pace, earthiness, and a willingness to get down and dirty.”
-- The Sunday Times (Australia)
“Pulls readers into the action from the first page, and the thrill and chills don’t let up. Pasadena homicide detective Nan Vining, her colleagues, and her family are well-defined. Emley’s descriptions of a cop’s day ring so true that it’s hard to believe she’s not one herself.”
-- Romantic Times
“It’s hard to believe Dianne Emley isn’t a cop herself. Her police characters are true-to-life people with faults and failings often rivaling their dedication and bravery. Nan Vining is a hardened, somewhat jaded cop, but also a vulnerable woman and loving mother. Emley’s murder investigation is also realistic… Should command respect from fans of police procedurals.”
-- Mystery Scene
“A gritty glimpse into law enforcement… The book is fast-paced and the characters well-developed. You’ll stay up way past your bedtime to see what happens next.”
-- Pasadena Now
“Has all the makings of what promises to be a captivating and enduring series.”
-- newmysteryreader. com
“This urban noir police procedural with paranormal elements will grip readers… The action-packed story-line turns into a cat-and-mouse game. Gripping.”
-- Harriet Klausner, booknbytes.com
“If you like Tami Hoag, Tess Gerritsen, or Michael Connelly, you will love Dianne Emley. This is a compelling page-turner, and I’m adding Emley’s name to the list of crime writers who are not to be missed.”
-- The Kingston Observer
“Fast-paced, graphic… You won’t want to put it down. Lovers of mysteries will be anxiously waiting to see what happens to the compelling characters Emley has created. And looking forward to that next cringe.”
-- Free-Lance Star Publishing
“Dianne Emley’s The First Cut is breathtaking. From the first page, she lures the reader into the story and holds her hostage until the end. Expect the sequel to be equally breathtaking."
-- Armchair Interviews