Marylou invites Emma and Sophie to lunch to meet a friend of hers, Paula Trowbridge, who is married to Avery Trowbridge, the most outstanding bridge teacher and player in the known universe. Emma and Sophie aren't too smitten with Paula but agree to attend a bridge retreat in the Texas Hill Country (well, because they do love bridge).

The retreat is being held at The Waldheim Hotel and Conference Center. Emma gets some very peculiar vibes from the staff while checking into the hotel. Then Avery Trowbridge is found murdered with a knife protruding from his chest and holding the queen of diamonds in his hand. With so many with a motive to stiff Avery, including his wife, his ex-wife, his lover, and his other lover the assistant he fired, Emma stumbles across the clues needed to help the sheriff's department solve the case.

The Unkindest Cut is an Ace! Honor Hartman knows how to write a mystery that keeps one guessing to the bitter end. I enjoyed meeting up with Emma, Sophie, and Marylou again from On The Slam (also reviewed at Myshelf in 2007) and can't wait for Honor Hartman's next Bridge Club Mystery. I absolutely love the characters in the Bridge Club Mysteries and Honor Hartman writes one very entertaining book!