The Butcher and The Wren
- Downloads：7690
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-09-15 21:21:42
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Alaina Urquhart
- ISBN：B09X6BWK8F
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Karen
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I had high hopes for this one but it just wasn’t to be。 I don’t know where the good reviews came from because this is pretty bad。 Take a pass。
Jennifer
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As a big fan of her Morbid podcast， I was super excited to see how Alaina would fare as an author。 She did not disappoint with her debut thriller。 I was sucked into the world she created。 It was dark， brutal， and compelling with her forensic expertise and true crime obsession guiding the story。 Being a fellow weirdo， I can't wait to see what she creates next！ As a big fan of her Morbid podcast， I was super excited to see how Alaina would fare as an author。 She did not disappoint with her debut thriller。 I was sucked into the world she created。 It was dark， brutal， and compelling with her forensic expertise and true crime obsession guiding the story。 Being a fellow weirdo， I can't wait to see what she creates next！ 。。。more
Emma
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4。5 - I love Alaina & Ash and the Morbid podcast so I had to get this book。 This was filled with twists， a lot of medical details， and still had their signature banter/jokes sprinkled throughout。 I could not put this down & had to figure out what happened - hopefully Alaina releases a second one 🤞🏻
Jessica Dooley
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I preordered in March when I first found out about the book。 Received it on time and began reading it immediately。 The first chapter in I was already disappointed。 It is poorly written with minimal detail and short chapters。 It is a quick read， which is ok for some， but I prefer more of an in depth storyline。 It was hard to picture the characters， much less what was going on， due to lack of detail。 It is apparent there was no editor involved and if there was， that person should choose a differen I preordered in March when I first found out about the book。 Received it on time and began reading it immediately。 The first chapter in I was already disappointed。 It is poorly written with minimal detail and short chapters。 It is a quick read， which is ok for some， but I prefer more of an in depth storyline。 It was hard to picture the characters， much less what was going on， due to lack of detail。 It is apparent there was no editor involved and if there was， that person should choose a different career。 Grammatical errors are littered throughout。 I am a huge fan of her podcast， not a fan of her authoring style。 She is an amateur writer and it shows heavily here。 Disappointed。 。。。more
Saylar Epperson
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what is this ending！！ also the creepiest mystery book i’ve read in a while， and i love alaina and morbid 🫶🏻
Lia
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Although I thought the overall story and especially the characters lacked depth， I couldn't put this down。 It's super fast paced and has a great twist， and I loved the back and forth between the killer and the mc。 However， I really disliked how the ending played out。 It felt like in highschool when I desperately wanted to finish an essay and so slapped on a quick conclusion and called it a day。 It was too fast and unexplained。 I would absolutely pick up a sequel if we get one though， I think the Although I thought the overall story and especially the characters lacked depth， I couldn't put this down。 It's super fast paced and has a great twist， and I loved the back and forth between the killer and the mc。 However， I really disliked how the ending played out。 It felt like in highschool when I desperately wanted to finish an essay and so slapped on a quick conclusion and called it a day。 It was too fast and unexplained。 I would absolutely pick up a sequel if we get one though， I think there's a lot of potential with a little flushing out and reworking。 。。。more
Niamh Seren
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This debut book is incredibly well written。 The twists and turns had me unable to put it down。 I get the distinct impression that the author has FELT or SEEN such fear herself。 Thankfully， not in a life threatening way， but the way she writes about fear， how consuming it is displays her deep empathy with the vicitkms。 I am excited to read more of her books in the future。
Jack ♡
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*3。5*Yeah okay… okay Alaina。 This was a solid start to a hopefully fruitful writing career。 There was a lot of thought and research poured into this book and it was a joy to read。 I wish the plot was a little more fleshed out and more happened。 I think Alaina did a great job creating these characters， but I wish she had been more descriptive about their lives and I got to read more about their interactions with each other。 I think I just needed a bit more from the characters overall。 Obviously I *3。5*Yeah okay… okay Alaina。 This was a solid start to a hopefully fruitful writing career。 There was a lot of thought and research poured into this book and it was a joy to read。 I wish the plot was a little more fleshed out and more happened。 I think Alaina did a great job creating these characters， but I wish she had been more descriptive about their lives and I got to read more about their interactions with each other。 I think I just needed a bit more from the characters overall。 Obviously I’m biased because I really like the Morbid Podcast， but this was a terrific book！ Can’t wait for the second one 。。。more
Amara Otterson
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I am a huge fan of Morbid。 I listen weekly， and was excitedly awaiting this book。 I wanted to love it， but there were some important points that fell short for me。 While I loved the story idea， the lack of character development and the infuriating ending lost some major points for this novel。 I really enjoyed the description during the hunting and autopsy scenes。 The autopsy scenes were very interesting， and most of Jeremy’s scenes I flew through like a madwoman because they were so crazy and mo I am a huge fan of Morbid。 I listen weekly， and was excitedly awaiting this book。 I wanted to love it， but there were some important points that fell short for me。 While I loved the story idea， the lack of character development and the infuriating ending lost some major points for this novel。 I really enjoyed the description during the hunting and autopsy scenes。 The autopsy scenes were very interesting， and most of Jeremy’s scenes I flew through like a madwoman because they were so crazy and morbid （ha ha ha）。 The book’s shining glory was hands down the hunting scenes。 My heart was racing and they were jam packed with details and descriptive settings。 The home invasion scene where Jeremy takes the ring was so intense I held my breath at times。 Terrifying！！！ Bravo！ The thing I felt was missing the most from Alaina’s debut work however was unfortunately the characters。 I struggled to form any attachment to any of them at all due to there being little to no character development for the supporting characters， but most of all Jeremy and Wren。 The only thing that was described for any of them was basically hair color and occupation。 If wren had been made to feel like more a complete person rather than just a Headstrong Medical Examiner， this book would probably be worthy of 4 stars。 The twist of the story caught me by surprise for sure， but it was a little hard to believe/follow， as there were never any signs in the beginning that she had gone through such a horrific ordeal。 I would expect there to be at least a little mention of anxiety or memories when dealing with decedents of varying pathological demises。 It wasn’t all the murdered women she worked for hours on， it was a bracelet that cracked her apparent steel vault of control in her mind that warranted not even a mention of her past。 Leroux had SUCH potential to be a fan favorite， however I think he fell short。 The only thing mentioned about him was that he was gay and was a long time coworker of Wren’s。 He had the potential to be a really funny and supportive character， and while that was achieved in some parts， it did fall short in others。 Wren’s husband Richard was more of a passing mention than an actual character。 It would have been nice to have been able to get more from their relationship other than him just being understanding of her work schedule and telling her to relax every now and then。 It was never even mentioned if Richard was aware of Wren’s identity or what she had gone through。 That ending really pissed me off for lack of a better phrase。 It felt more like a shitty blockbuster ending in theatrics and had little to no probability。 The stand off between Wren and Jeremy was nice， but everything else seemed completely far fetched。 The body double that just so happened to be wearing the same clothes and was at the exact location he would need to be in order to fool the police？ Was it just a captive man he had waiting in the brush to shoot in the head at the perfect time at the perfect place？ If everyone rushed the brush as quickly as it was described， there’s no way an entire police force would not 1） catch up to him before he had the time to execute said man and place him in the needed spot， and 2） not be able to catch up with a man on foot crashing through the swamp。 I understand wanting to set up the ending so sequels can be written， but that was terrible in my opinion。 There were so many other directions this could have gone。 My last gripe about this story is it’s so SHORT。 I finished it in one sitting in about 2。5 hours without even needing to get up for a bathroom break。 Length could have aided and encouraged more explanation， character development， or a decent ending。 Due to my love for Alaina， the fact that it did get my heart pumping in a few spots， the overall idea for the story， and the stellar hunting scenes， I do think it’s worthy of 3 stars though。 I hoped for better， but it was entertaining at least！ 。。。more
Jennifer
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4。5 stars。 I'm hoping for more from this author。 I wish it had been longer。 I love the cat and mouse game between killer and detective/official。 4。5 stars。 I'm hoping for more from this author。 I wish it had been longer。 I love the cat and mouse game between killer and detective/official。 。。。more
Tara
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I pre-ordered this book after hearing Ash rave about it on the Morbid podcast。 Alaina is not only a talented podcast co-host but an exceptional writer。 I was a little nervous with the short length of the book， wondering if I would be able to learn enough about the characters and story to connect before the ending。 Although I do hope for a longer next book， I felt this length was great for the debut。 Just as I started to feel like I was understanding the plot， she throws a huge twist in and I'm s I pre-ordered this book after hearing Ash rave about it on the Morbid podcast。 Alaina is not only a talented podcast co-host but an exceptional writer。 I was a little nervous with the short length of the book， wondering if I would be able to learn enough about the characters and story to connect before the ending。 Although I do hope for a longer next book， I felt this length was great for the debut。 Just as I started to feel like I was understanding the plot， she throws a huge twist in and I'm stuck reeling and trying to catch up with the realization and implications of the details。 I want to read the whole book again so I can follow the events with a new perspective。 Really enjoyed the uniqueness of the format。 Alaina did a respectful job in detailing the gruesome events paired with the impact of the senseless loss of victims。 There isn't a worship of the monster， as you might see in other book。 Can't wait to see what comes next。 Congratulations on your debut。 。。。more
Jessica Christian
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Im a Morbid fan and really wanted to love this book。 It started off really well but then felt over written and rushed。 I wish it was more meaty。 The ending was abrupt and didn’t feel fleshed out。
Kaitlyn Kennedy
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Overall a good book and an easy read。 I love the podcast so I had to read this book and I genuinely enjoyed it， but was slightly disappointed in the ending。
Jordan Glenn
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I love the idea of the book。 I can’t put my finger on where， but I feel like I’ve seen this storyline before… maybe in a Crime show idk。 As someone also in the medical field I caught something not anatomically right， unless the narrator misspoke。 （Which can happen）。 I felt like the “twist” could have been executed better， for example， Wren talks as if she was the M。E for the earlier cases even though she couldn’t have been。 Also they found a decomposing male victim （at the end） with a bullet wou I love the idea of the book。 I can’t put my finger on where， but I feel like I’ve seen this storyline before… maybe in a Crime show idk。 As someone also in the medical field I caught something not anatomically right， unless the narrator misspoke。 （Which can happen）。 I felt like the “twist” could have been executed better， for example， Wren talks as if she was the M。E for the earlier cases even though she couldn’t have been。 Also they found a decomposing male victim （at the end） with a bullet wound to the temple the same way Matt（？） died early on… but Matt（？） died when Wren （Emily） was being tortured， thus for it couldn’t be Matt（？） but the book doesn’t talk about Jeremy shooting another male in the temple and Matt（？） would be skeletonized in 7 years。 It is likely it’s a different victim， it’s just it’s not elaborated on。 I realize she’s writing another book so I will not complain about the ending。 I gave it a 4 because I caught myself wanting to know what happened next， even though I guessed the twist。 。。。more
Katie Farnham
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Couldn’t put it down！ Loved the suspense in it and I thought it was really well written。 4/5 stars because the ending was not my favorite 😭😫
River Hemans
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I'm a long time fan of the Morbid podcast， but I'm also a writer and finding out that Alaina was writing her first ever book struck cords with me。 I have eagerly waited to read this book and finally got it on Audible-- I highly recommend listening to this book。First， I want to congratulate Alaina for publishing a mother-ducking book。 Like wow。 You did that。 A whole ass book。Secondly， I wish people wouldn't be so harsh to critique。 I know they tell writers to take reviews as a learning moment， bu I'm a long time fan of the Morbid podcast， but I'm also a writer and finding out that Alaina was writing her first ever book struck cords with me。 I have eagerly waited to read this book and finally got it on Audible-- I highly recommend listening to this book。First， I want to congratulate Alaina for publishing a mother-ducking book。 Like wow。 You did that。 A whole ass book。Secondly， I wish people wouldn't be so harsh to critique。 I know they tell writers to take reviews as a learning moment， but sometimes people are just rude。 This book is a fictional story， not a real life event。 Calm down。 Anyway， I genuinely loved Jeremy's character。 I love his interest in sound and the way he usually meticulously plans his murders。 I think I specifically loved some of his internal monologue and how his spin knowledge lol。 Wren was a little harder for me to get into， but once you figure out how she's connected， I was like whoa。 The writing style was fun， I thought！ And there were some particularly poetic moments that I wish I had written down。 Alaina has a way with sentences that really paint a masterpiece of moments。 I can't wait for the second book！ And please keep on being so weird that you write many a true crime book in duel POV with a psychopath who thinks he's God's gift to end mankind and a badass corner who wants to take him down！ 。。。more
KAY
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Fastest DNF ever。 If I had to hear the word lividity one more time…。
Ashleigh Wheildon
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I'm a fan of the podcast but I'll be honest this missed the mark。 Especially since Alaina has mentioned this has taken her years。 The characters are so shallow， there's so much exposition and not much action or personality。 And the time jumps？ He waited 7 years to what？ Freak her out a little？ Not great but。 I'd give 2。5 if I could， it's not a 2 but not quite a 3 I'm a fan of the podcast but I'll be honest this missed the mark。 Especially since Alaina has mentioned this has taken her years。 The characters are so shallow， there's so much exposition and not much action or personality。 And the time jumps？ He waited 7 years to what？ Freak her out a little？ Not great but。 I'd give 2。5 if I could， it's not a 2 but not quite a 3 。。。more
Brittany Ann
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The end！ 🤯
Molly
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（。。。。。really a 2。5 but rounding up because 2 feels harsh）it's，， unfortunately just not very well written at all （。。。。。really a 2。5 but rounding up because 2 feels harsh）it's，， unfortunately just not very well written at all 。。。more
Kristen Mody
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It was a quick read。 This read like it was made with the young adult reader in mind。 One that is just dipping their toes into a suspense thriller。 It was well written， kept my attention but I will admit I wanted more。 I did love the little winks to pop culture and murderabilia。 I was hoping for more “gross” but I know that isn’t Alaina’s style。 She isn’t a person that is gross just to be gross。 I have been a huge fan of her Morbid podcast for years。 I do adore the author as a human and I’m so ha It was a quick read。 This read like it was made with the young adult reader in mind。 One that is just dipping their toes into a suspense thriller。 It was well written， kept my attention but I will admit I wanted more。 I did love the little winks to pop culture and murderabilia。 I was hoping for more “gross” but I know that isn’t Alaina’s style。 She isn’t a person that is gross just to be gross。 I have been a huge fan of her Morbid podcast for years。 I do adore the author as a human and I’m so happy this book will bring her success！ I am happy to support her and will buy every book she writes。 Alaina if you happen to read this review - congratulations and I can wait to see what you do from here！ And as a pug mama， that little mention of Bailey on the back fold of the cover made me smile and my heart happy。 Xoxo 。。。more
Grace Ritchie
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Really wanted to like this book， but it’s clearly poorly written by a novice。 It reminds me of something from a college creative writing course。 Good for her though。
Suzzan Heisler
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Man。 I wanted to love this book SO MUCH。 I preordered， and made sure my kids were occupied so I could devout my full attention to it。 And it just fell so short。 But literally。 The story went by so fast I felt like I missed something。 The characters were so rushed with barely any true characterization。 Alaina made it a point to incorporate so many complex words it felt like I was flipping through the thesaurus。 The book had and HAS potential。 I can only assume there is a sequel coming because the Man。 I wanted to love this book SO MUCH。 I preordered， and made sure my kids were occupied so I could devout my full attention to it。 And it just fell so short。 But literally。 The story went by so fast I felt like I missed something。 The characters were so rushed with barely any true characterization。 Alaina made it a point to incorporate so many complex words it felt like I was flipping through the thesaurus。 The book had and HAS potential。 I can only assume there is a sequel coming because the ending can’t just be what it was。 If that’s the case then the book is a 1 star。 Ultimately I hate that I hated it but I did。 I love Morbid （or I did until they joined Wondery and just…changed） but this isn’t what I was hoping for or was led ti believe was coming。 That said， I am hopeful there is a sequel because I’d love to see Alaina fulfill what I know she can for her readers and fans。 。。。more
Kaitlyn Robison
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Great debut！ :）
Shantelly :）
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This was such a good book！ There were times I worried that the book would be too predictable， but I never would have guessed the ending in a million years！
Caitlin
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Terrifying and beautifulThank you。 This was worth the wait。 I was spooked out of my mind！ Spooky ooky with a vicious killer that no one could even consider feeling sorry for。 Good work。
Celine
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4，5 Stars for this book ⭐I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down。 It was THIS good。 I'm not a Thriller/Suspense person when it comes to books even though I love True Crime stuff。 （Can I say love or is this to morbid ？ 😱）Anyway I really enjoyed this book。 It kept me on my toes and it was so twisted that I had to re-read certain things because I didn't catch it at first and it didn't make sense but after going back to certain parts the missing piece clicked into the right place。Oh 4，5 Stars for this book ⭐I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down。 It was THIS good。 I'm not a Thriller/Suspense person when it comes to books even though I love True Crime stuff。 （Can I say love or is this to morbid ？ 😱）Anyway I really enjoyed this book。 It kept me on my toes and it was so twisted that I had to re-read certain things because I didn't catch it at first and it didn't make sense but after going back to certain parts the missing piece clicked into the right place。Oh and the style of writing was *chef's kiss* 。。。more
Lauren O'Keefe
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Y’all， Alaina CRUSHED this book！ I could not stop reading， I literally finished in less than 6 hours。 Using her background as an autopsy technician， you can feel how knowledgeable Alaina is and it reflects in her writing。 I am admittedly a huge fan of @morbidpodcast and I’ve been fascinated by true crime for a long time。 Alaina definitely kept up the suspense and tension， while allowing for small moments of humor to slip in seamlessly。 If you need a new mystery/suspense， please do yourself a fav Y’all， Alaina CRUSHED this book！ I could not stop reading， I literally finished in less than 6 hours。 Using her background as an autopsy technician， you can feel how knowledgeable Alaina is and it reflects in her writing。 I am admittedly a huge fan of @morbidpodcast and I’ve been fascinated by true crime for a long time。 Alaina definitely kept up the suspense and tension， while allowing for small moments of humor to slip in seamlessly。 If you need a new mystery/suspense， please do yourself a favor and add this to your shelf immediately。 5/5 ⭐️ 。。。more
hellloo_darling
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😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 Alaina！！！！！ This book！！！ Since it was first mentioned on Morbid I have been waiting for this book。 Once it came in I put all other books on hold。 I am 1000% not disappointed！ I didn't expect the 2 povs or twist。 I also pulled the Spotify play list up while reading。 I will be waiting on the edge of my seat for the next one。 A million/10 would recommend。 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 Alaina！！！！！ This book！！！ Since it was first mentioned on Morbid I have been waiting for this book。 Once it came in I put all other books on hold。 I am 1000% not disappointed！ I didn't expect the 2 povs or twist。 I also pulled the Spotify play list up while reading。 I will be waiting on the edge of my seat for the next one。 A million/10 would recommend。 。。。more
Daphne
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