the alternating view points: yes, I just said that I liked that but I also disliked it. Because we learn about him as we go along, there was no real character surprise at the end like other books.

True-crime podcast co-host Alaina Urquhart showcases her propensity for the macabre in chilling cat-and-mouse thriller." —Sabienna Bowman, PopsugarOn a more personal level, she differs from me in her ability to let herself feel her emotions and feel them hard. I tend to push emotions away immediately while in work-mode, and it was important to me that she be strong, but real as well. I love how she can both experience her emotions authentically and focus on her bigger picture of speaking for the dead. The Butcher and the Wren is already one of the buzziest titles of the Fall. If you somehow haven’t already heard about what the big twists of the story are already, do your best not to find out until you get the chance to experience Alaina Urquhart’s debut for yourself.” —Lacy Baugher Milas, Paste Magazine I don't want to discredit Alaina entirely because obviously this was a passion project for her - but I hope for her sake IF she chooses to write another novel to A) HIRE A GOOD EDITOR and B) DO YOUR RESEARCH. She didn't this time around and it shows. The downfalls for me were the ending and flaws in the writing that probably should have been patched up during the editing stage. The case was interesting, Jeremy’s perspective was dark and Wren had room for character growth. There was a lot of potential here, I just wish there was more.

The only non-spoilery thing I have to say about this novel was that is was BADDDDDD, so let's get onto the spoilery bits so I can rant properly: A serial killer novel like none you have ever read, The Butcher and the Wren takes a cat-and-mouse chase between two instantly memorable antagonists and turns all the conventions of the genre upside down. Dark, twisty, full of authentic detail, it’ll have you listening to the night in an entirely different way.” —Neil Nyren, Booktrib This book was not very well-written. Just because I like the author doesn’t mean I enjoyed the story.With the help of police detectives and others in her office, Wren tries to stay one step of Jeremy, but can she stop him before she becomes the next victim? I'm sorry, but this was very, very poor writing. A true, good publisher would never have let this happen without numerous edits.

Urquhart paints a tense and dangerous world for us right from the start and delivers it all with a skilled and evocative hand.” - Aaron Mahnke, creator of the Lore podcast and author of The World of Lore series From the popular true-crime podcast MORBID, co-host and creator Alaina Urquhart comes an edgy killer thriller debut, THE BUTCHER AND THE WREN —bloody good! Lobotomies were mentioned so many times as Jeremy's interest but the potential to build up on this was lost. IMO if his whole MO was attempting a successful lobotomy, this whole book would make much more sense. That would be why he was going to medical school, why he tried to paralyze Emily and other victim and why there was a body with a botched lobotomy in his freezer. Try and tell me that isn't a stronger plot?!

Before writing her first psychological horror novel, she received degrees in criminal justice, psychology, and biology. When she isn't hosting Morbid, she hosts the Parcast original show Crime Countdown, and a horror movie podcast called Scream! Her days are usually spent either recording or eviscerating. The wa Alaina Urquhart is the science-loving co-host of the chart-topping show Morbid: A True Crime Podcast. As an autopsy technician by trade, she offers a unique perspective from deep inside the morgue. Alaina hails from Boston, where she lives with her wonderful husband, John, their three amazing daughters, and a ghost puggle named Bailey. She is about 75 percent coffee, and truly believes she and Agent Clarice Starling could be friends. Set in the alluring and sultry Louisiana, New Orleans, surrounded by the swamps and bayous, historic landmarks, jazz, music, food, heat and humidity, tarot card readings, and of course, ghosts, the dead, the cemetery, and a serial killer, all set the mood. CAPTIVATING. The reader might want to shut their eyes, but the joust between the killer and the pathologist makes that impossible' DAILY MAIL Dr. Wren Muller is the best forensic pathologist around. She's armed with the knowledge of historical crimes and plenty of years working for the Medical Examiner. Solving cases came easy until this recent string of murders. The killer is escalating and all she can do is wait for him to slip up.

As an autopsy technician by trade, the author offers a unique perspective from deep inside the morgue with expertise. THE BUTCHER AND THE WREN is the perfect addition to the author's portfolio with her Morbid Podcast — an author to watch. I cannot wait to see what comes next and my fingers are crossed for a series. #CoverCrush Reasons to read: If you're a big Morbid fan, you'll love to see one of your fav hosts writing a book. Ok this was definitely not a bad book at allll. I did enjoy it, however I couldn't shake the feeling that *something* was missing throughout. With her encyclopaedic knowledge of humanity's darkest minds, and years of experience examining their victims, forensic pathologist Dr Wren Muller is the best there is. The longer the Butcher's killing spree continues, the more determined she is to bring him to justice. I know some people have issues with her descriptions of Louisiana. Having family there and being very familiar with the state, I do see these points. BUT it's really hard to write in a climate that's not your own, so I do give her props to writing in a setting she is not familiar with). Moving on...The only thing that defines Wren is that she’s a medical examiner and a workaholic. I wasn’t particularly rooting for her. As a proud Weirdo, I was so excited to have the chance to read this novel from one of my favorite podcasters, and it did not disappoint. I cannot wait to read what happens to Wren and the gang. WRENS ARE TRULY MAGNIFICENT LITTLE creatures. They signify rebirth and protection, immortality, and strength. Because of the wren’s small stature, most larger birds and predators underestimate its incredible ingenuity and intelligence. But while technically fragile, the wren outwits its underprepared predator to come out on top when threatened.” Wren: I didn't necessarily like her but I did like that she was a strong woman and a forensic pathologist, not a police detective. True-crime podcast cohost Alaina Urquhart showcases her propensity for the macabre in chilling cat-and-mouse thriller.” - Sabienna Bowman, Popsugar