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trivial_reads 's review for:
The Butcher and the Wren
by Alaina Urquhart
“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!