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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“The Butcher and the Wren" by Alaina Urquhart follows Wren, a forensic pathologist, on a quest to catch a serial killer known as “The Butcher.” The big question is: will she manage to stop them in time, or will she become the next victim in their deadly game?
I was hooked from the very start—there was one scene that sent chills down my spine! I found myself totally engrossed. The chapters diving into the mind of the serial killer were especially fascinating; the darkness was captivating, and I was eager to explore their psyche further. That said, I felt the supporting characters didn’t get the attention they deserved. Wren herself didn’t connect with me; her smug attitude was a bit off-putting, making it hard for me to empathize with her. Plus, some of her actions felt unrealistic, particularly regarding ethical issues. Given Alaina’s true crime background, I expected a bit more detail and realism there. Still, her expertise really did enhance the forensic aspects of the story.
The short chapters were a definite win— they kept the pace brisk and the tension high. The twist was completely unexpected and took a while for me to wrap my head around. However, after that twist, the story kind of lost some momentum for me. The ending felt a bit rushed, almost like a setup for a sequel, which left me feeling a bit unsatisfied.
That said, I really enjoyed the true crime facts sprinkled throughout the book, and I’ll definately pick up the second book when its out on paperback. For a debut novel, this is a solid start with a lot of potential. I’d recommend "The Butcher and the Wren" to anyone who loves thrillers and true crime—especially if you’re okay with a cliffhanger ending!
I was hooked from the very start—there was one scene that sent chills down my spine! I found myself totally engrossed. The chapters diving into the mind of the serial killer were especially fascinating; the darkness was captivating, and I was eager to explore their psyche further. That said, I felt the supporting characters didn’t get the attention they deserved. Wren herself didn’t connect with me; her smug attitude was a bit off-putting, making it hard for me to empathize with her. Plus, some of her actions felt unrealistic, particularly regarding ethical issues. Given Alaina’s true crime background, I expected a bit more detail and realism there. Still, her expertise really did enhance the forensic aspects of the story.
The short chapters were a definite win— they kept the pace brisk and the tension high. The twist was completely unexpected and took a while for me to wrap my head around. However, after that twist, the story kind of lost some momentum for me. The ending felt a bit rushed, almost like a setup for a sequel, which left me feeling a bit unsatisfied.
That said, I really enjoyed the true crime facts sprinkled throughout the book, and I’ll definately pick up the second book when its out on paperback. For a debut novel, this is a solid start with a lot of potential. I’d recommend "The Butcher and the Wren" to anyone who loves thrillers and true crime—especially if you’re okay with a cliffhanger ending!
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I personally am a HUGE fan of the podcast so this review may be slightly biased… But I could not stop reading this book! It gave major Hannibal vibes and I am more than excited to read the next book in the series.
This was my first thriller and let me say, it left me wanting more for sure. Definitely challenged my thinking!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Poorly written. Overhyped because the author is a podcast. She wants you to think she’s smart more than she wants to entertain you with a story. Instantly was a best seller for no reason besides the name of the author! It is set up to be the first in a series and I’m sure the cash cow will be milked for many years to come. For this reason, it ends abruptly and without any self-contained closure.
I did not give one star simply because I finished the book and it didn’t ruin my day.
I did not give one star simply because I finished the book and it didn’t ruin my day.