The main character of The Bone Cutters, Dory, finds herself in a hospital because of a series of self-inflicted injuries, and this is where she meets a group collectively known as the Dusters, and a handyman who is her only link to normality. As the story unfolds and Dory's relationship with her handyman ally grows she learns of who and what the Dusters are. She discovers a plan they have for her and a game of cat-and-mouse ensues.
The Bone Cutters is an odd little tale. It clocks in at less than a hundred pages, and as such it’s a quick – though eventful – read that goes places that many readers might find more than a little unsettling. It’s littered with dark humour and the kind of eccentric characters you would imagine populating such an establishment, as well as more than a few unpleasant ones. The writing is straightforward and soundly constructed, and it creates characters who are likeable and memorable. A great deal of the book works well because of this, what lets it down is that it doesn’t have much of a story behind the characters.
The Bone Cutters reads as though it has been extended from a shorter work without a clear understanding of where the tale is going and what its purpose was. This leaves the reader feeling a little underwhelmed at its end despite the enjoyable lead-up to it. It’s a little like going a scenic ocean route to a weekend retreat to find the cabin you’re staying in to be double booked, so you end up going back home. You may be disappointed at the result of the day, but you find yourself reminiscing on the ocean view you were treated to en route.
The Bone Cutters is certainly worth the read, and I found the journey presented an entertaining one with an unwelcome ending. It’s one of those tales I wish I could have read a draft of before it had been published as I know there’s a more satisfying story in there. It builds well on good foundations only to let itself down with a lack-lustre end.
Renee S. DeCamillis’ strength as an author sits squarely on her ability to create and maintain well-rounded characters. Even incidental characters appear real and fitting to the environment she has created. The hospital feels equally descriptively stable, and even though the story unfolds in a slightly surreal manner it never ‘jumps the shark’ in its portrayal of such a place.
I’ve read a few stories set in hospitals of this kind, and I have spent some time in such places myself. I found Renee S. DeCamillis’ portrayal to be one of the best I have read. It doesn’t bog itself down in trying to build the world but rather lets the characters do that job. Everything works wonderfully until the time comes to wrap up the tale, and it’s there that we find things go awry.
If The Bone Cutters intrigued you enough to read this review of it then I would advise picking up a copy. I enjoyed it enough, despite how I thought about its ending, that if an audio version is produced I’ll probably listen to it. With the right narrator (Kristina Rothe comes to mind) I think this story may work much better in such a format.
I’ll be keeping my eyes open for anything else from Renee S. DeCamillis as The Bone Cutters almost feels like a toe in the water for her before a long swim.