Book Title: THE CUT
Character Name: Gertie Harper
How would you describe your family or your childhood?
My, well, you’re a brave one to ask an old lady about her childhood! The stories I could tell, once I get started I have to stop myself from going on and on. People’s eyes just glaze over after a point, don’t they? No, it’s probably best I don’t get to reminiscing. My family, they’re not with me. But I know they’re out there somewhere, waiting for me, and I know I’ll see them again one day.
What was your greatest talent?
Hmm, I do fancy myself handy with the knitting needles! And if we can call it a talent, I have quite a knack for keeping up with the news. I would bet I know just about everything that goes on in this hotel.
Significant other?
Goodness, no! I guess I’m a spinster. I wouldn’t know what to do with a husband if I had one.
Biggest challenge in relationships?
Outliving them! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, at my age a touch of gallows humor does help keep the loneliness at bay, though.
Where do you live?
I’m one of only two permanent residents—well, no, actually, that nice young lady Sadie has just arrived with her little girl, didn’t she? Oh, goodness, but that’s beside the point. I’m a permanent resident here at L’Arpin Hotel. And other than Sadie’s little girl, I’m the only permanent resident who doesn’t work for the hotel. A “long-term guest” if we want to be pedestrian about it. Sadie’s the new housekeeper, you see, and there’s the cook, Jordan, but he stays downstairs.
Do you have any enemies?
Good heavens, what a silly question. Enemies! No, no, I try to be helpful, you understand? I don’t want anybody to have any ill-will for me.
How do you feel about the place where you are now? Is there something you are particularly attached to, or particularly repelled by, in this place?
Oh, goodness, I love L’Arpin Hotel! My whole life is here, I could never imagine leaving. I know the old place just about as well as anybody can, of course I’m attached to it.
Do you have children, pets, both, or neither?
Oh, no, no, I don’t have children of my own, I couldn’t, but I have such a fondness for them. I babysit Sadie’s darling little girl, Isabelle, while her mommy is working in the hotel, and she’s a joy. Their room is right next door to mine, I told Henry—oh, that’s Mr. Drye, the hotel manager, bit stuffy but he’s a dear once you get to know him—I asked Henry to put them next to my room, and everything has felt so much livelier since.
What do you do for a living?
I just live! I suppose you could say I’m retired, but it’s been so long, you know, since I’ve done anything but potter around L’Arpin like this, that the word “retired” just doesn’t seem to fit me. Mostly I just try to keep busy.
Greatest disappointment?
My, there’s been so many disappointments. A consequence of a long life, you know. I did mention that I have no children, and sometimes that does weigh on me because so much of my life now would be easier, I think, if I’d been able to make a family of my own. But it’s hard, at my age, to feel too bitter about the things that never happened, when there are so many things I have had and lost along the way. So I think that not having my siblings still with me is the greatest disappointment. There was a boating accident, you see, and only I came back and…well, it was a long time ago, but that doesn’t make it any easier to talk about. And I miss my parents, of course, but…you understand, don’t you? Parents are meant to go first, but you should still have your siblings even when you’re old.
Greatest source of joy?
I think…I think I’m still waiting on that. Someday.
What do you do to entertain yourself or have fun?
Oh, now don’t judge me, but I think I’m a bit boring. I have my knitting, and I like to keep up with the comings and goings around the hotel. And I did mention the new housekeeper next door, Sadie. I help her a lot these days, I watch her little girl for her, and young Izzy is certainly entertaining!
What is your greatest personal failing, in your view?
Now what sort of question is that to ask? That’s just plain rude. Young people these days have no couth.
What keeps you awake at night?
Oh, the same things, I think, that keep most people awake at night. Worries. The world is changing so fast and it’s not as simple as changing it to suit yourself instead, and it’s hard to keep up. And of course sometimes there are noises in the hotel, but really you get strange sounds and, oh I don’t know, a leaky pipe or two in any building this old, don’t you? It makes some people jumpy, and between the odd noise and the ruckus when people overreact, well, yes, that does keep me up at night, too, sometimes.
What is the most pressing problem you have at the moment?
Well, I don’t want to get my own hopes up too high, you see, but right now I think that my most pressing problem is close to being resolved, and really I’d rather not talk about it too much. It feels like bad luck.
Is there something that you need or want that you don’t have? For yourself or for someone important to you?
Now you’ll think I’m putting on some kind of Mother Teresa act—although come to think of it I have heard that she wasn’t actually all she was cracked up to be, but you know what I mean don’t you? Of course you do. So, you’ll think I’m putting on some kind of saintly act, is that better, dear? But really my needs are so low these days, I have everything I want here in L’Arpin Hotel, all I really want now is for everyone to be good, to be well. People come and go and they’re in such a hurry these days, and do you know I don’t think I ever see anybody who is completely happy. And it’s such a shame, isn’t it? I would wish that away for everyone, if I could.
Why don’t you have it? What is in the way?
Life, I suppose. Just plain old boring human life. I’m sorry I don’t have a more exciting answer to end on for you! But I do appreciate you indulging me with this interview, I don’t think you can understand yet how much a little attention like this can brighten a person’s day. So thank you so much for having me!
In this chilling supernatural horror novel set in a mysterious hotel, a woman fleeing her abusive ex finds herself running from more than just her past.
A historic hotel long past its prime and huddled along The Cut, a questionable Lake Erie beach, isn’t Sadie Miles’ ideal place to raise a toddler while also navigating her second pregnancy. After finally fleeing her abusive ex-fiancé, though, Sadie’s new housekeeping position and free room at L’Arpin Hotel are the best she can manage.
On her first night, Sadie runs to help a guest struggling in the hotel’s pool only to find the water calm and empty when she gets there, leaving her with a lingering unease. When a guest then goes missing and her manager insists they simply left without checking out, Sadie suspects he’s covering up darker goings-on in the hotel.
After her ex, Sadie won't let anyone convince her that what she’s experiencing isn’t real again. So, she keeps digging, quickly uncovering suspicious interactions with the staff, mysteriously vanishing security cameras, more missing guests, and things that go bump in the night...and drip in the walls, slither in the tub, and squirm in the halls. Everything isn't as it seems within the dim hallways of L’Arpin. Sadie has nowhere to go and nowhere to hide; she'll need to keep her wits about her to survive and keep her toddler and unborn child safe from whatever lurks nearby.
Paranormal | Thriller [St. Martin's Press, On Sale: April 8, 2025, Hardcover / e-Book , ISBN: 9781250335449 / eISBN: 9781250336569]
C.J. DOTSON possesses the statistically average number of body parts for a human being to have. She and her husband, stepson, and children (all of whom also appear human) share a cabin in the woods with more bugs than she would ever like to see. In her limited spare time she enjoys reading, video games, painting, baking and decorating cakes (with…questionable success), and petting her dog and two cats.
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