The Butcher

I just finished this book and was actually delighted with it. I read lots of books about serial killers and lots of "horror". This is the first I've read from Jennifer Hillier, but I will be looking for more. Not as "intellectual" as John Lescroart or Mo Hayder, but a good fast moving read. A great weekend read.

Keep reading this talented new writer. Having caught her first, then second book, I could not wait until The Butcher was available. Talk about binge reading! All so twisted! Too bad the next is not here now.

Just couldn't believe it. Was written well but characters were shallow. Major problem was the totally unbelievable plot. Ending was obvious but it was a relief to have it over. Excruciating waste of time.

This book was really good from beginning to end. A few noticeable grammatical errors but it didn't take away from the story. You get to know the characters well. Some you love, some you hate and some you love to hate. Definitely recommend

Another great thriller from Jennifer Hillier. I read it in three days (with interruptions). Having already read her two previous books, Creep and Freak, I expected another top notch, crazy read and I was not disappointed! Jennifer, you better get busy 'cuz I want another book right now!

In 1985, Rufus Wedge, believed to be the Beacon Hill Butcher, is gunned down by four police officers, including Captain Edward Shank of the Seattle Police. In the present day, Shank is moving to a retirement home at the age of 80. In a standard serial killer novel, we would learn at the end that Shank is the real serial killer and that he executed an innocent man to cover his tracks. In a twist on the standard plot, Jennifer Hillier tells us up front that Shank is the killer.

Shank's grandson Matt, owns a successful restaurant in Seattle and is about to get his own reality TV show. When Matt moves into Shank's house, he discovers evidence of his grandfather's hobby. Coincidentally -- and it's a huge coincidence -- Matt's girlfriend Sam is writing a book about the Butcher. She has come to believe that the Butcher killed her mother notwithstanding the fact that (1) her mother was killed two years after Wedge died, and (2) the Butcher always cut off his victim's left hand while her mother's hand was still attached. Why Sam is convinced that Wedge was not the Butcher is never adequately explained. Another coincidence, even more difficult to believe, unites Sam with a friend of Sam's mother who also believes that Sam's mother was killed by the Butcher.

All of this happens early in the novel, leaving the reader to wonder how the plot will unfold. I appreciated the unusual track the story follows. While the improbable plot fails to build suspense, it always held my interest -- at least when it didn't get sidetracked by melodramatic romance, which happened too frequently for my taste. In addition, key story elements feel contrived and Hillier didn't sell me on the characters, none of whom gave me the impression of being real people.

The oversexed octogenarian serial killer is a lively presence, but he's more a caricature than a fully drawn character. Still, he at least has a crotchety attitude that makes him sort of an endearing killer. Samantha, who spends most of her time fretting and feeling sorry for herself, has zero personality. Matt might be the most realistic character but he's a jerk. Jerks can make great characters but Matt is a dull jerk. An unbelievably sensitive ex-Seahawks quarterback who happens to be both Samantha's platonic best friend and Matt's former college roommate is too flawless to be convincing. In fact, my impression is that Hillier intended Matt to be the prototype of the "bad boyfriend" and the quarterback to the prototype of the "perfect man." Lacking the complexity of real people, prototypes rarely make interesting characters.

If you take out the bad characters and the romantic subplot and the contrivances (including the eye-rolling ending), the little that is left makes for at least part of a decent story. The swift pace makes The Butcher a quick-to-read time killer, but too much of it struck me as silly to earn a recommendation.

This book is a mystery without much mystery. There is not really any worry of spoilers because the author pretty much gives away the farm within the first few pages. After reading the plot summary, I was intrigued by this new concept in a mystery-thriller. Its not a who-done-it but rather, a book which asks the question, "what would you do if you discovered that someone in your family was a psychopath?" Would you turn them in, confront them, keep silent?

The book fell a bit flat of my expectations. Only one of the main characters of the novel was sympathetic. The others I disliked and actively rooted against. The novel was violent, featuring multiple first-person accounts of rape, mutilation, and murder. It was a bit difficult to read at times.

It was quite dark but anticlimactic. The premise was interesting but something was missing. Lacking any real mystery, the level of suspense was too low. I found myself wanting to skip ahead to what proved to be a predicable ending just to see how it all worked out.

I sort of got the impression that the author just wanted to go against the conventional mystery plot development by not waiting until the end of the novel to give away the killer. Sometimes things are traditional because they work.

I received a free copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Butcher
by Jennifer Hillier
This is a dark look into the mind of a killer. Captain Edward Shank, made a name for himself with the bust of the Butcher of Beacon Bill. The dramatic death of Rufus Wedge, gave his carrier a boost, he became Chief of Police in Seattle. His live was good, only problem was his dark secrete and the urges he could not ignore. The Butcher a notorious serial killer that unsettled the Washington area from the 70’s until Rufus Wedge’s death in April of 1985 was the fire that kept the police on their toes. Now retired and a resent widower, ‘Chief’ Edward Shank, is giving his house to his grandson and moving into the local retirement home.
Matt Shank, is a rising star in the food industry of Seattle, Washington. His restaurant Adobo is the one of the top restaurants in the area. His food trucks serving Pilipino fare is a hit. Now he is being offered a reality TV show on the Fresh Network. Armed with his Lola’s recipes, his killer drive, and his aggressive need to succeed he has everything going his way.
Samantha, is a successful writer, her books on true crime have given her a comfortable life. Her relationship with Matt could be better. Since her introduction by her best friend Jason, she has come to accept that there are things that Matt can do, and things he will not do. His work is his life. Okay by Sam, she has her own obsessions, like finding out who killed her mother.
The suspense and drama of the book left the reader on edge. There were many times I could see that this book could have turned out another way. But the ending was unexpected but fulfilling in its own way.

I wish to thank the author and the publisher, Simon & Schuster, for a free download of "The Butcher" by Jennifer Hillier via NetGalley.

In 1985 police chief Edward Shank, tracked down and killed a serial killer nicknamed as the "Beacon Hill Butcher", a psychopath, who operated out of the Seattle area. Now thirty years later, Shank is retired, living in a retirement home, and gave his grandson, Matt, his Victorian house.

Matt, a young chef and restaurateur, while making renovations to the house, comes upon a locked crate and picks the lock...and what secrets he finds he will never forget.

Matt's girlfriend, Sam, a writer, researcher has plans to write about the Butcher, and has suspected that the butcher murdered her mother, two years after the butcher was killed. Sam was determined to find the truth, and investigates her suspicions that lead right to Matt's secret.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed with this novel. I know that it was listed as a psychological thriller, but I consider it more of a psychological drama. In this novel, the author revealed the ID of the killer in the first few chapters, so the book became more of a psychological character study than thriller, although the last bit is fast paced as we approach the resolution. So right at the beginning the reader knows the Who...the How...and the Why. But I kept asking myself why would she do this? I understand that this allows the author to write in the killer's POV, and can reveal his thought processes.

Matt in particular struggles under the burden of huge secrets & faces a moral dilemma. Coming clean would ensure a psychopath could never kill again but will ruin his life. It's a test of his integrity as he tries to rationalize his decisions. Can you live with not doing the right thing?

The novel is well written, and the characters are engaging. This is the story of the Hero who was really the Monster.The reader is forced to sit back and allow the story and horror to enfold.

I received this book free from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, you would think that knowing the serial killer's identity at the beginning of a book would be a complete let down with no thrills or suspense. That was definitely not the case in The Butcher.

My pulse was racing from the very beginning and lasted through to the end.

The Chief of Police, the serial killer, has been killing for many years. He was even commended for capturing The Butcher many years ago and given the job of Chief for it. A very carefully orchestrated plan ensued for many years. The plot twists and surprises keep you wondering "what next". No one could see most of the turns that this book takes. I highly recommend it!!!! Read it in one day, it was that GOOD!!

In 1985, Rufus Wedge, believed to be the Beacon Hill Butcher, is gunned down by four police officers, including Captain Edward Shank of the Seattle Police. In the present day, Shank is moving to a retirement home at the age of 80. In a standard serial killer novel, we would learn at the end that Shank is the real serial killer and that he executed an innocent man to cover his tracks. In a twist on the standard plot, Jennifer Hillier tells us up front that Shank is the killer.

Shank's grandson Matt, owns a successful restaurant in Seattle and is about to get his own reality TV show. When Matt moves into Shank's house, he discovers evidence of his grandfather's hobby. Coincidentally -- and it's a huge coincidence -- Matt's girlfriend Sam is writing a book about the Butcher. She has come to believe that the Butcher killed her mother notwithstanding the fact that (1) her mother was killed two years after Wedge died, and (2) the Butcher always cut off his victim's left hand while her mother's hand was still attached. Why Sam is convinced that Wedge was not the Butcher is never adequately explained. Another coincidence, even more difficult to believe, unites Sam with a friend of Sam's mother who also believes that Sam's mother was killed by the Butcher.

All of this happens early in the novel, leaving the reader to wonder how the plot will unfold. I appreciated the unusual track the story follows. While the improbable plot fails to build suspense, it always held my interest -- at least when it didn't get sidetracked by melodramatic romance, which happened too frequently for my taste. In addition, key story elements feel contrived and Hillier didn't sell me on the characters, none of whom gave me the impression of being real people.

The oversexed octogenarian serial killer is a lively presence, but he's more a caricature than a fully drawn character. Still, he at least has a crotchety attitude that makes him sort of an endearing killer. Samantha, who spends most of her time fretting and feeling sorry for herself, has zero personality. Matt might be the most realistic character but he's a jerk. Jerks can make great characters but Matt is a dull jerk. An unbelievably sensitive ex-Seahawks quarterback who happens to be both Samantha's platonic best friend and Matt's former college roommate is too flawless to be convincing. In fact, my impression is that Hillier intended Matt to be the prototype of the "bad boyfriend" and the quarterback to the prototype of the "perfect man." Lacking the complexity of real people, prototypes rarely make interesting characters.

If you take out the bad characters and the romantic subplot and the contrivances (including the eye-rolling ending), the little that is left makes for at least part of a decent story. The swift pace makes The Butcher a quick-to-read time killer, but too much of it struck me as silly to earn a recommendation.

This book is a mystery without much mystery. There is not really any worry of spoilers because the author pretty much gives away the farm within the first few pages. After reading the plot summary, I was intrigued by this new concept in a mystery-thriller. Its not a who-done-it but rather, a book which asks the question, "what would you do if you discovered that someone in your family was a psychopath?" Would you turn them in, confront them, keep silent?

The book fell a bit flat of my expectations. Only one of the main characters of the novel was sympathetic. The others I disliked and actively rooted against. The novel was violent, featuring multiple first-person accounts of rape, mutilation, and murder. It was a bit difficult to read at times.

It was quite dark but anticlimactic. The premise was interesting but something was missing. Lacking any real mystery, the level of suspense was too low. I found myself wanting to skip ahead to what proved to be a predicable ending just to see how it all worked out.

I sort of got the impression that the author just wanted to go against the conventional mystery plot development by not waiting until the end of the novel to give away the killer. Sometimes things are traditional because they work.

I received a free copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Butcher
by Jennifer Hillier
This is a dark look into the mind of a killer. Captain Edward Shank, made a name for himself with the bust of the Butcher of Beacon Bill. The dramatic death of Rufus Wedge, gave his carrier a boost, he became Chief of Police in Seattle. His live was good, only problem was his dark secrete and the urges he could not ignore. The Butcher a notorious serial killer that unsettled the Washington area from the 70’s until Rufus Wedge’s death in April of 1985 was the fire that kept the police on their toes. Now retired and a resent widower, ‘Chief’ Edward Shank, is giving his house to his grandson and moving into the local retirement home.
Matt Shank, is a rising star in the food industry of Seattle, Washington. His restaurant Adobo is the one of the top restaurants in the area. His food trucks serving Pilipino fare is a hit. Now he is being offered a reality TV show on the Fresh Network. Armed with his Lola’s recipes, his killer drive, and his aggressive need to succeed he has everything going his way.
Samantha, is a successful writer, her books on true crime have given her a comfortable life. Her relationship with Matt could be better. Since her introduction by her best friend Jason, she has come to accept that there are things that Matt can do, and things he will not do. His work is his life. Okay by Sam, she has her own obsessions, like finding out who killed her mother.
The suspense and drama of the book left the reader on edge. There were many times I could see that this book could have turned out another way. But the ending was unexpected but fulfilling in its own way.

I wish to thank the author and the publisher, Simon & Schuster, for a free download of "The Butcher" by Jennifer Hillier via NetGalley.

In 1985 police chief Edward Shank, tracked down and killed a serial killer nicknamed as the "Beacon Hill Butcher", a psychopath, who operated out of the Seattle area. Now thirty years later, Shank is retired, living in a retirement home, and gave his grandson, Matt, his Victorian house.

Matt, a young chef and restaurateur, while making renovations to the house, comes upon a locked crate and picks the lock...and what secrets he finds he will never forget.

Matt's girlfriend, Sam, a writer, researcher has plans to write about the Butcher, and has suspected that the butcher murdered her mother, two years after the butcher was killed. Sam was determined to find the truth, and investigates her suspicions that lead right to Matt's secret.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed with this novel. I know that it was listed as a psychological thriller, but I consider it more of a psychological drama. In this novel, the author revealed the ID of the killer in the first few chapters, so the book became more of a psychological character study than thriller, although the last bit is fast paced as we approach the resolution. So right at the beginning the reader knows the Who...the How...and the Why. But I kept asking myself why would she do this? I understand that this allows the author to write in the killer's POV, and can reveal his thought processes.

Matt in particular struggles under the burden of huge secrets & faces a moral dilemma. Coming clean would ensure a psychopath could never kill again but will ruin his life. It's a test of his integrity as he tries to rationalize his decisions. Can you live with not doing the right thing?

The novel is well written, and the characters are engaging. This is the story of the Hero who was really the Monster.The reader is forced to sit back and allow the story and horror to enfold.

I received this book free from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, you would think that knowing the serial killer's identity at the beginning of a book would be a complete let down with no thrills or suspense. That was definitely not the case in The Butcher.

My pulse was racing from the very beginning and lasted through to the end.

The Chief of Police, the serial killer, has been killing for many years. He was even commended for capturing The Butcher many years ago and given the job of Chief for it. A very carefully orchestrated plan ensued for many years. The plot twists and surprises keep you wondering "what next". No one could see most of the turns that this book takes. I highly recommend it!!!! Read it in one day, it was that GOOD!!

The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier is thriller, a creepy how does she come up with this stuff kind of creepy. It was a good read, I always enjoy a well written serial killer story but when the killer is an octogenarian it's even better.

The Butcher terrorized Seattle in the early 80's until up and coming Edward Shank tracked him down and killed him. Edward Shank quickly raised through the ranks and became Chief of Police. Now almost thirty years later retired Edward Shank is moving out of his home and into an active seniors home. Matt Shank the grandson of the Chief moved in to the old Victorian house he was raised in. Matt is on the fast track to fame he has a successful restaurant and food truck and the possibility of a reality show on T.V. The only thing not going his way is his love life. Sam and Matt have been dating for going on four years. But when Matt doesn't invite Sam to move it Sam starts to see things for what they really are. Blowing it off for now she concentrates on her new true crime novel, this one is all about The Butcher. For her own reason she believes the real Butcher wasn't killed by Edward Shank in '85. Her own Mother was murdered in the same way the Butcher killed his victims but two years after his "death".

In Sam's research for information she discovers some unsettling truths. In Matt's renovation of the old house he also discovers some disturbing truths as well. Matt's whole world is turned upside down and to late does he realize the path he should have gone and now face the consequences. Amidst the craziness of Matt's life on top of the big secret that could ruin his career, T.V. producers seducing Matt, Matt's jealous feelings of his best friend's relationship with Sam, Matt fights with his anger management issues. Sam keeps her discovery from Matt she only tells her friend in the Seattle PD and her best friend Jason, who is also Matt's best friend. Sam is the only one connecting the recent set of murders with The Butcher. The underlining current of love between Jason and Sam is the reason Matt feels threatened, but Jason and Sam are good people and Matt doesn't deserve their friendship.

This was an edge of your seat thriller, even with the revelation of who the Butcher really is in the first chapters just makes the story more unique from all the others it adds to the story and I really liked it.

After I read Creep, Jennifer Hillier instantly become one of my favorite new authors. The sequel, Freak, sealed the deal. Now she’s back with a new stand alone novel. The question is, does it stand up to the brilliance of those first two books?

Back in the 80s, Seattle was gripped by terror as the Beacon Hill Butcher terrorized the city. That fear was put to rest when the Butcher was killed by police chief-turned hero Edward Shanks. Thirty years later, Shanks is ready to move into a retirement home. Grandson Matt, an up and coming chef and soon to be reality cooking show star, is the lucky recipient of Edward’s large Victorian home. Renovations to the family estate soon turn up family secrets that have long been buried. A side story concerns Matt’s girlfriend, Samantha. Sam is a true crime author determined to find out what happened to her mother, who she believes was one of the Butcher’s victims even though her death came after his crime spree ended. I have mixed feelings about these characters. Edward is a scary, cantankerous old man. Matt is a self-centered egomaniac with huge anger issues. And Sam is a likeable enough person although I found her to be a bit of a pushover.

I was beyond excited when I received this book. I expected a pulse-pounding, on the edge of your seat page turner, and I wasn’t disappointed. It kept me interested even though you pretty much know who the killer is and where the story is likely going from early on. Although this one doesn’t have the suspense/psychological thriller aspect that the author’s previous two books did, it’s still a great book. My only complaint is that I felt that the ending was a bit of a letdown, wrapping up in a handful of pages after building to a crescendo for the last fourth of the book. Still, this is an excellent third novel from a promising author!

In 1985, police officer Edward Shank shot down the Beacon Hill Butcher and subsequently became a hero to the city of Seattle. He was crowned Chief of Police after the take-down and gained notoriety unlike any other. Thirty years later, Samantha Marquez, a true-crime writer and the girlfriend of Edward Shank’s grandson, thinks the Chief might’ve shot the wrong man.

Samantha believes her mother, who was killed two years after the Butcher was gunned down by the Chief, was a victim of the real Butcher. The M.O. was a little different, but her mother fit the Butcher’s victimology to a “T”. Samantha throws herself into her research and vows to find out the truth, no matter who it hurts.

In the meantime, the Chief’s grandson and Samantha’s boyfriend, Matthew, just won’t make the commitment to her she wants. Samantha is upset when the Chief gives Matthew his house in affluent Sweet Bay neighborhood and Matthew doesn’t invite her to move in. The Chief’s arthritis is acting up and the house is too much for him to keep up without his beloved wife, who passed four months ago, to help out. The Chief moves into Sweet Bay Village, a swanky senior living community, and Matthew moves into the house he grew up in. But where does that leave Samantha?

To be fair, Matthew has a lot on his plate. He’s renovating his grandfather’s house, he owns a hot new restaurant in Seattle and several food trucks in the area, and he’s about to be featured on a reality TV show. Plus, shortly after renovations begin on his grandfather’s house, Matthew discovers a buried crate in the backyard that upends his entire existence. Everything he knew in life is a lie and if he tells anyone the truth, his life will go down the drain too. Matthew refuses to set his life ablaze with the truth, but begins to downward spiral from the weight of all the lies.

Amidst Matthew and Samantha’s personal and professional drama, we are treated with the killer’s back story and flashbacks of his kills. We know very early on who the killer is, which makes the story intriguing right from the start. The killer is sadistic and twisted, but he manages to build a normal life around his favorite pastime. He relishes in torturing his victims and Hillier allows only minimal peaks behind the curtain in the killer’s flashbacks. This hint of terror might be just enough to unsettle some readers, but it seemed more like a teaser trailer to me. Of course, in this day and age of desensitization, others may disagree and welcome the restraint Hillier uses with the more gory details.

Will Samantha find her theory about the Butcher is true, or will she have to face her mother was killed by a random person with similar tastes as the Butcher? Will Matthew find a way to thrive under the burden of the truth, or will he crumble beneath it? Is the Beacon Hill Butcher dead and the Butcher 2.0 is someone new, or are they one and the same?

Jennifer Hillier does an exquisite job bolting out of the gate with The Butcher. The first three chapters are non-stop twists and turns that leave the reader almost breathless and wanting for more. Then the pace begins to slow and sputter as Hillier delves into the perverse mind of a serial killer. Hillier writes in three third person points-of-view: Samantha’s, Matthew’s and the killer’s. The different perspectives are interesting, but at times all three characters come up flat and one-dimensional.

The twists and turns of The Butcher keep the pace from stalling out altogether, but the rest of the book does not live up to the thrill of the first three chapters. I found I was more interested in the perspectives of Samantha and the serial killer, as opposed to Matthew. He came across as more of a peripheral character to me, as opposed to being one of the three main characters. I think Ms. Hillier is a crafty writer with a tremendous amount of potential, but The Butcher felt at times like she took on too much for one book. It was a decent read, but based on those first few chapters it could have been a spectacular read.

In 1985 the people of Seattle could breathe easier once again as Rufus Wedge, the “Beacon Hill Butcher”, was hunted down and taken out by police chief Edward Shank and his team. Deciding it’s time to move to a retirement home, Edward gives his beloved home to his grandson, Matt, a rising star in the culinary world. Matt’s girlfriend, Samantha, had a rough childhood after her mother was murdered. Sam has always believed the Butcher killed her mother, even though there was no evidence to corroborate this gut feeling. When Matt moves into his grandfather’s home, he starts some renovations and the contractors find an old crate, discolored from being buried for so long. Giving into his curiosity, Matt opens the crate and discovers just one of the many dark family secrets which are his legacy. Will Matt continue this legacy or choose a different path? Meanwhile, as Sam digs deeper into the Butcher for her book, will she find herself in the crosshairs of a devious and dangerous killer? THE BUTCHER is a tale of serial murder, sociopathy, and family secrets. I was pleased with how the author handled the uncovering of The Butcher’s true identity, which gave the book an unusual flair. I loved Sam and her passion for the truth behind her mother’s murder. Deliciously depraved and tantalizingly twisted, THE BUTCHER will appeal to fans of dark horror.

Oh dang, this book...this book was a complete and utter mess, which was extremely disappointing for me as I have had it on my to-read list for a long while now. I love thrillers almost as much as I love bad Sci-Fi books so when I read the description I was hooked. Looking back now however I should have probably read the description a little closer as it would have informed me right then and there that one of the main characters was going to be the Butcher. Or I suppose I could have waited until chapter 2 and been fine since the author felt the need to throw that out pretty cavalierly like it wasn't going to be a big deal. First off, who does that? Seriously! If you're going to label the book as a mystery/thriller there should at least be some mystery in there. Instead all it does is inform you that <insert person> is the Butcher and that his urge to kill hasn't waned. Every bad thing that happens in the book is so pointedly obvious as to what/who caused it that it took every ounce of enjoyment out of the book.

The Butcher is one of the darkest thrillers that I have read this year by far. This book isn't for the squeamish but it is definitely one of those books that a reader will find hard to put down! Both creepy and dark are both words that I could use to describe this book that summarize it easily. Because of this, it took me awhile to really get into this book. When I did though, I was well and truly hooked.

Told from multiple viewpoints, the storyline revolves around "The Butcher", a well known serial killer that terrorized women in the Seattle area until he was killed by the police. Edward Shank (also known as The Chief) was the person responsible for bringing this horrific killer to justice. As The Chief moves into retirement, his grandson Matt is in the spotlight thanks to his restaurant and possible new television deal on the food network. Matt grew up looking up to the Chief in every way possible but now with his own fame growing, he begins to realize that there are many truths that he has never known. And when it seems like The Butcher is making a comeback from beyond the grave, it will affect everyone that Matt knows or cares for.

It is almost difficult for me to write my thoughts on this one because how can you say that you enjoyed a book that was this twisted? I really struggled with it at the beginning because of this, and also because I struggled with Matt's character. He isn't one of those characters that is easy to like and because of this I wasn't ever sure that I was going to care what happened to him. I stuck with the book though because I was just so, so curious. I gave a very brief summary that hopefully doesn't give many details away but it is those details that caused me to finally be hooked. I had to know what was going to happen. I finally started to connect to Sam (Matt's sorta girlfriend) as a character and by then I knew that I couldn't set this book down. I had to see how it was all going to end! The author does a great job with the atmosphere within this book. I constantly felt like I was waiting....almost dreading seeing what was going to happen next. It was such a creepy feeling! It is really hard to describe my overall feelings because of how dark the storyline was. While not always an easy read, it was certainly a book that kept me turning the pages. I liked the ending especially because it all went down like I hoped that it would. Is that vague enough for all of you? Ha! This is one of those books that I will not be forgetting about any time soon!

Overall, I liked this one enough to recommend it but I don't think that this is a book that everyone will enjoy. Me? I am definitely willing to read more by this author! I just will make sure that I am in the mood for a darker read in case all of her books are this creepy (and I'm guessing they are from the titles). Fans of dark thrillers will definitely want to give this one a try! So recommended but with a few warnings/hesitations.

Bottom Line: A disturbing book but one that I just could not put down!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher. Thoughts are my own!

The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier is honestly one of the best thrillers I have ever read. The plot was extremely bone-chilling, to the point that I could actually feel the killer slicing into his victims.

The pace of the story was perfect. The plot orbited around a few vital main characters, and Hillier does an amazing job of allowing for each character to shine. If you love to hate a character, the main protagonist will surely thrill and delight you.

Hillier's imageries of scenes were so intense it totally blew me away. I was able to intensely picture the blood, the gore, the guns blazing and feel the victims’ fear and anger.

Hillier has a brilliant way of writing, it but me front and centre for all the action and a pure adrenalin rush. A truly bone chilling, fascinating, slice and dice that keeps readers wanting to know more.

An Advanced Readers Copy was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

A series of murders take place in the Pacific Northwest with the same MO: the victims, mostly young girls, have been raped, tortured and their left hands chopped off. Finally, a task force headed by Captain Edward Shank (who later becomes chief of police) captures a man the call the Butcher, shooting him when he resists arrest.

Now years later, similar murders appear, setting the stage for an eerie story involving Shank, his successful restaurateur grandson, Matthew, and Matt’s girlfriend, Samantha (“Sam”), who is in the midst of writing a book on The Butcher and her theory that he killed her mother, despite the fact the her death occurred two years after the death of the supposed killer.

The novel is a thriller of the first order, fast-paced and with lots of clues to keep the reader involved. But these hints don’t give away the unforeseen conclusion. One cavil: There are some mushy love scenes which slow down the narrative and can be skipped. Nonetheless, the novel is recommended.

Listened to via Audible.
"Entirely Unique, Entirely Unbelievable"
Overall
Performance
Story
First, the good stuff... The mystery revolves around a dark family secret that is revealed in the first few chapters. It's an entirely unique twist on the serial killer angle. The characters are well developed and distinct.

The narrator, Dan John Miller, has a great voice for reading. Several of the characters were exceptionally performed. However, his take on one of the main characters, Matt, is whiny and so irritating I cringed in every scene. Ditto with his female voices. It was an extremely schizophrenic performance.

As for the story, it revolves around three key characters, the Chief, Matt (Chief's grandson), and Matt's girlfriend Samantha. The Chief, retired chief of police, is a remarkable and unforgettable character. He reminds me of Clint Eastwood's character in Gran Torino. And it must be said that the narrator nailed his voice on a 5 star level.

Matt, however, is a whiny, self serving jackass with virtually no redeeming value. The combination of his horrible character and the whiny voice all but ruined the story.

Samantha is an extremely attractive character despite the bad narration, but there is no good reason she should have been involved with a loser like Matt. Ever!

So here's my plug, listen if you want to hear a truly unique tale of a serial killer. Otherwise, stay away.
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After reading "Creep" I hastened to the local library to find more of Hillier's books. They had "The Butcher"! So I took it home with me and began to read it. I was surprised to find the serial killer identified in chapter 2, but Hillier is the writer and she writes a good yarn, so I happily read on to see what would happen. No need to synopsise the story, everybody else has done that. Suffice it to say that I was clearly entertained, cringed where appropriate, hated the psycho, loved the protagonist, and admired the way the plotting pulled everything together. I also think her writing is superior to many thriller writers I've read along the way. I'm an avid reader. and I've got "The Freak" on order - something more to look out for, even if it's out of order. Believe me, I've read many a thriller by famous writers I've not enjoyed half as much.

Not having read anything by Jennifer Hillier before I wasn't sure how I was going to like this book. I have to stay I LOVED IT!! I have had 2 of Ms. Hillier's books on my shelf for a long time and have always passed them over for some other authors I have read before.
I will never pass over her books again. The Butcher will keep you interested from the first to the last page. There is always something going on and never a dull moment in the story. I have a lot of customers who love this type of story and will read all her books based on my recommendation. I have already compiled a list of my customers who I will tell about this author. Kudos to you Ms. Hillier! Keep them coming!!