Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart

74 reviews

flower_bucket's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book is phenomenal!! As a long time listener of the authors podcast (Morbid) I had high expections and I was NOT disappointed!! 

I would rate this higher if I could, and as soon as I sat down to read this book I could not put it down until I was done and the ending left me begging for more. This book is so well written, the characters are fleshed out and we see them grow, and the language and dialogue feels comfortable and realistic.

Alaina Urquhart's experience as an autopsy technician really helps to flesh out the main character without it feeling over the top or awkward - like it might if someone with little to now experience or knowledge tried to write about it. It also helps the story move along smoothly, and at least for me, really helps to understand the time line that we're working with.

You'll find yourself reading from either Wren's or Jeremy's POV as the story progresses and this is done very well as we get information from both sides of the story that's going to leave you on the edge of your seat as you learn more and more about our two main characters.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

winifred_k22's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Torture, Medical content, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Animal death

morethanmylupus's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

This one was chosen for one of my book clubs because it was getting so much hype, but it ended up being a disappointment for me. I usually like books that also give us the killer's POV. But this one reads more like a love story to a serial killer than a thriller. In the end it kind of skeeved me out and it wasn't compelling. 

So. Many. Plot holes. Plus the ending was super underwhelming.

I don't listen to Urquhart's Morbid podcast and I'm not really into true crime, so it's possible I'm simply not the target audience here. I don't think I'll be picking up any future additions to this series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Torture, and Murder

geraldine's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

he should have gotten eaten by alligators at the end. two stars.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Stalking, Gore, Death, Blood, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Murder, and Gun violence

ecandrews0's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Medical content

Minor: Cursing, Addiction, Alcohol, and Suicide attempt

jocmetpie's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Wished it was longer. Some parts could have been a few chapters. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Death, Gun violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Vomit, Violence, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Stalking, and Torture

wrensreadingroom's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Medical trauma, Violence, Vomit, Alcohol, Blood, Stalking, Torture, Cursing, Mental illness, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Animal death, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Medical content, Murder, Addiction, Death, Drug use, and Body horror

fly_away_birdy's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Stalking, Torture, and Murder

mrodawold's review against another edition

Too creeped out to keep reading

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Torture, and Stalking

chasingpages1's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Gore, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Torture, Medical trauma, Violence, Medical content, Blood, and Stalking

Moderate: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Physical abuse

Minor: Abandonment, Animal death, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Suicide