The Cutting Room
By Laurence Klavan

     The Cutting Room introduces us to Roy Milano, movie trivia buff. He loves to know every detail about every movie and is one of the best at finding things out. When a colleague, Alan Gilbert, invites him over for a special surprise, Roy agrees even though he finds Alan overbearing. Alan is so excited that he tells Roy what he has... a completed print of Orson Wells' Magnificent Andersen's. For a movie buff, this previously unseen version is the mother lode. Roy runs to meet Alan only to find him brutally murdered and the movie gone. Not one to give up, Roy decides to find the missing movie ... oh, and Alan's killer!

      The Cutting Room is a very witty look at the world of movie buffs. The plot was very strong with just the right amount of description and dialogue. What stood out the most was Klavan's knowledge of films. Even if you aren't interested in the trivia, the story will keep you hooked. This is a wonderful beginning to what is hopefully a new series.