A review by minimicropup
The Butcher's Daughter: The Hitherto Untold Story of Mrs. Lovett by Corinne Leigh Clark, David Demchuk

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I loved this! In that reading-slower-so-it-doesn’t-end way. Loved the letter format, it felt like I was going through a bunch of documents, figuring out what happened. It was super atmospheric, sometimes tragic, and so darkly fascinating. This is 100% epistolary with the memoir parts reading like a novel.
 
Energy: Mysterious. Sinister. Visceral.
 
🐕 Howls: That final reveal may disappoint
I grew attached to the main character so I didn’t wanna find out what I did. But upon reflection, it was perfect. Like, what was I thinking? She’s gonna process people into pie-filling and just move on?
 
🐩 Tail Wags: The historical fiction and macabre mystery combo. Immersive, cinematic experience. The slice-of-life autobiographical layers. The curious tidbits and period-accurate references (I learned so much looking things up…anatomical venus 🫢). Atmospheric transitions from cozy to darkly grotesque. The narrator’s unsettling evolution. Mix of horror, intrigue, and hint of grim humour.
 
Scene: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 London, England
Perspective: Reading documents sent to a journalist, including: letters from a member of the local Priory who is writing their biography/memoir, letters in response to the journalist following up on leads, fact-checking, and requesting information.
Timeline: April to July. 1887. 1820s. Then & Now.
🔥 Fuel: What happened in Evans’ life? Who is standing outside the gates of the Priory? Who is trying to stop Evans from sharing her story and why? Is the journalist at risk for investigating further? Can someone commit atrocious acts and go on to lead a moral, normal life?
📖 Cred: Historical fiction speculative
 
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Peppery gravy and onions. Paris green paper. Meat pies. Pearls. Columns of black smoke. Beef tea. Oil of camphor.
  • Sifting through autobiographical letters, news articles, book excerpts, and journalist communications.
  • Epistolary character study
  • Mix of morally ambiguous, morally grey, and villainous characters
  • 1800s medical house of horrors
  • Victorian slice of life
  • Hints of good-for-her justice
  • ‘Meat is meat’ food horror
  • Grotesque tales of flesh, blood, and bone
  • Gothic, atmospheric slow burn
  • Books to read by candlelight
  • Desperate measures, desperate times, dark historical fiction
  • Sweeny Todd adjacent serial killings
  • Perpetrator-or-victim psychological suspense
 
Content Heads-Up: Abortion (complications). Adoption (forced). Animal death (livestock, meat). Blood. Cannibalism. Child abuse (physical, violence; very brief recall). Class and wealth divisions. Death. Dismemberment. Domestic abuse, violence. Drugging (narcotics). Elder abuse. Gun violence. Infertility (brief mention). Loss of child (at birth). Loss of friend. Loss of parent (as teen). Loss of romantic partner. Matriarchy. Medical (infection, wounds, surgery). Misogyny. Murder, body gore. Patriarchy. Pregnancy (forced). Sexual assault, rape (brief; on page). Sexual content (sex work). Suicide (suspected). Trafficking (bodies, parts).
 
Rep: British. Cis. Hetero. Gay. Pale, freckled, and dark skin tones. Deaf.
 
📚 Format: Advance Reader’s Copy from Soho Press and NetGalley
 
💖 Musings powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
 
🤩 Potential Fav of 2025

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