Garry Disher is a leading Australian author, best known for works such as Divine Wind, and The Bamboo Flute.  His latest offering is Two-way cut, a story of two young women on the run from their troubled pasts.  

Leah, an ex-cop, is being chased by some of her old colleagues eager to settle a grudge. She broke ranks and reported what was usually covered up – her sexual assault by a colleague. For that she is forced to leave her home and family to save her life. Tess escaped from her snobbish boarding school and her dysfunctional family, only to find that life on the road is hardly a better alternative.  

The pair met when Tess and her boyfriend Mitch, on the run from drug deals gone wrong, give Leah a lift in a stolen car. After Mitch's death, Leah is forced to take Tess with her, vainly trying to protect the teenager from the dangers that arise. They are hunted by hired thugs, private investigators, angry cops and a ruthless killer. Leah thinks they are after her, while Tess is convinced they are there to kill her.  Both could be right.

While many of the characters are believable, they are somewhat limited in depth. Tess is the spoiled rich kid with Leah as the hardened ex-cop reluctant to trust. Despite this Disher leads you on an exciting and, at times, unpredictable journey of two friends progressing through a continually twisting adventure, reminiscent of the movie Thelma and Louise.

Review by Hayley Stakelum

© 2004 Hayley Stakelum