Thank you to Netgalley and Zando for the opportunity to read and review The Butcher Game by Alaina Urquhart. All opinions are my own.

I read The Butcher and Wren and loved it. Was then thrilled to find out there would be another in the series, and quickly signed up to review it. I was not disappointed at all. I love the character of Dr. Wren Muller and without giving any spoilers away my hope is there will be a book three in the near future.

Just like the first book in the series Wren is fighting to take down the serial killer, Jeremy Rose. Only this time she is reluctant to get involved again after the ending of the first book. Book two takes us to new locations where Rose exhibits his depravity with no slowing down. Some parts are gross and very depictive. All our favorite characters from the first book return. This was an incredibly quick read for me, and I couldn't wait to find out how it would end. Definitely look out for the twist near the end. I highly recommend this one to just about everyone. Can't wait to find out if there will be more in the series, which I will then devour. The Butcher Game is now available at all major book retailers. Happy Reading!!

I just finished The Butcher Game by Alaina Urquhart in 24 hours by switching between the audiobook and physical book. It is such a creepy sequel to The Butcher And The Wren. The setting has changed from New Orleans to the Berkshires, but Dr. Wren Muller is still on the hunt to take down The Bayou Butcher serial killer, Jeremy Rose. Like the first book, this story is full of twists and you will not want to put it down.

The audiobook is well narrated and I loved how there is a discussion about the book at the end between the two Morbid cohosts.

I highly recommend this book and series if you love reading crime fiction from a forensic pathologist point of view.

(This same review was shared on the Barnes & Noble website)

If you like gory dual pov thrillers that one pov is the mind of a killer and the other is the mind of the person trying to catch them this series is for you!

I would recommend reading the first one before this one as you really do need it as this one continues from that first book and wouldn’t make sense without reading the prior book.

This is also a great thriller for cat and mouse if you really love that vibe!

Thank you so much to the publisher for my ARC and gifted audiobook in exchange for my review!

This is the second book in the Dr. Wren Muller series. I was kind of leery on reading the first book because sometimes celebrities/podcasters get book deals on their popularity instead of writing talent. Their name alone will sale books and ratings can be skewed due to super fans giving them undeserved high ratings. Also the last podcaster's fiction book I read was just okay. But one of my best friends suggested the first book to me and I'm happy I listened because I really enjoyed it.

Since it has been 2 years since I read the first and unfortunately didn't take notes, I ended up listening to the audiobook for a refresh on the minuscule details. ***Spoilers ahead from first book (probably unnecessary since you should read the first before the second). Recap: Seven years ago, Wren was one of Jeremy's victims and the only one to escape. They were in med school together. He leaves clues for her during his current killing spree. Wren & the cops eventually find his house but he fakes his death and is now on the run.***

The new book picks up where the last ended, Jeremy is on the run from the police. There is a multistate manhunt. Some believe he may have died due to his injuries but Wren and Leroux can't be convinced. We learn more about Jeremy's past and how his very first murder went down.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own. Thank you Netgalley & the publisher.

The Butcher Game describes how Jeremy's mind works when he realizes he is mad and needs to kill someone to feel better. It also details how he finds pleasure in watching people suffer, he has a deeply troubled and sadistic mind. Wren and Leroux will follow every crumb and lead to find Jeremy, they'll have to face a Police force that does not want them there to help but they'll not stop. What I did not expect was the end of The Butcher Game which leaves an open door for the next book (which I hope will be released soon!).
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

***Thank you Netgalley and Zando for an ARC copy of the second book in the Dr. Wren series.***

First absolutely need to preface that you HAVE to read the first book in the series before reading this one. Heck, I did a year ago and I had to go back to the first book and use the search feature to remember certain things.

The book grabbed me from the beginning but after about 60% through it started slowing down for me and the details became drawn out. I loved the 2 POV’s between Wren and the killer but disliked certain outcomes near the last 20%. I was wanting more to the storyline and expecting different conclusions or drama that never happened which I felt would have made the book more intense. All and all a great addition to the series and will absolutely read the next or honestly anything Alaina writes!

Warning there is a cliffhanger ending!

After the way the first book of the series ended, I was thrilled to see a sequel. In my opinion, this one was even better than the first book. I was glued to the page from start to finish. I love Wren Muller as a character, and her determination to keep hunting Jeremy Rose despite being on medical leave is awesome. If you like scary thrillers then this is definitely the book for you.

I have a confession. I only read the first book in this series (The Butcher and the Wren) because it was set in New Orleans as I was planning a trip there and I like to read about places I’m going. Well… I got this one thinking it would be set in the same place, but the series isn’t in New Orleans anymore!

But guess what? I went to Salem just two years ago! So, this was PERFECT. 😁 I loved how I could see places (like the cemetery) as it was in the book. And the history? Well, I teach about the witch trials, so this was extra fun!

The setting definitely adds to the suspense here. I love the cat and mouse thing that Wren and Jeremy have going. I think my favorite thing about it is that we get both of their perspectives throughout the story.

This is a page-turner and a winner, for sure! 4.5 stars.

What a great second book. Picked up right where the first left off! I was very impressed with this book as much as I was with the first one! I can not wait to see what she comes up with next!!

4.25 stars

Such a great follow up to book 1! I highly anticipated this one as the first book had me captivated. I love Wren Muller's character. Her job, her knowledge, her GRIT - she is so fun to follow through these action-packed dilemmas she finds herself in.
As with the first book I do wish it was written in 1st person - or at least chapter headings to distinguish who's side of the story the reader is getting in that chapter.
Overall it was a great read that had me turning pages rapidly to find out what happened next

I was so disappointed by the first book in this series that I almost skipped this but I am glad I didn't because the sequel delivers!

ME Wren Muller and serial killer Jeremy Rose are back in a deadly game of cat and mouse -- he is on the run and she is reeling from the damage their last encounter brought. Many have written Jeremy Rose off as dead but Wren knows he is alive and will be back to his lethal ways soon. The chase brings them to Massachusetts, where Jeremy is trying to lure her into one final trap. Wren will have to locate him and convince the local PD to let her help with their investigation before she and those she cares about are put in danger yet again.

Their dual POVs are shocking as they are gruesome and really bring something unique to this storyline. The character development that was missing in the short first book came through strong in this one and left me wanting more!

Loved. It.

Reading notes 📝

• Killer POV 🔪
• Good pacing
• Hateable antagonist
• The right amounts of light and dark
• Cat & Mouse 🐁
• Victims to care about
• Protagonist to root for
• Packed Toothbrush 🪥 (this serial killer is special like that)
• Charlie 💔

Fantastic.

Wow!!! Another great one by Alaina Urquhart. Now, this is how you do a sequel.

The Butcher Game picks up right where The Butcher and the Wren left off and takes you on another crazy cat-and-mouse game with Wren and Jeremy. With this book set in Salem, you get a dark, creepy, and twisted vibe, which makes it the perfect setting for this story.

It's a great series that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. I can't wait to read the 3rd book!

This was everything I had hoped for and more in the sequel to The Butcher and then Wren. While reading I could not put this down it was a page turner that kept me wanting more! This picked up right where they left off in the first book, which was nice! This is in dual POV from Wren and the Butcher and there is so much detail that really paints the story for you! This was an excellent thriller and I cannot wait to see what Alaina will come up with in her next book!!

Wren and Jeremy’s game of cat and mouse continues in The Butcher Game and Jeremy is just as twisted and evil as ever before. A new character comes into play and I was pretty shocked at the plot twist. Some chapters got a bit wordy for me, but I was very entertained anyway. The ending has a perfect lead in to (hopefully) book three. I can’t wait for more!

Thank you to Alaina Urquhart, Zando, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange of my honest review.

As a direct continuation of the first book, The Butcher Game picks up where its predecessor left off, diving right back into the story. While I enjoyed revisiting the characters and world, I couldn’t help but feel that this could have been merged into one longer book, rather than being split into two.

Some of the suspenseful moments felt predictable, and I found myself guessing the twists before they unfolded. That being said, the pacing was steady enough to keep me reading, and I still enjoyed the ride overall. If you loved the first book, I’d say give this one a try—you’ll find familiar elements and a satisfying continuation, even if it doesn’t quite reach the same heights.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was excellent! Dark, graphic, gruesome and sooo good. It was nearly impossible to put down. I highly recommend reading the first book in this series and then this one. I’ve seen people mention the second as a standalone and it coooould work but in order to fully understand the events and Wren’s PTSD, you really need to read the first one.

I truly hope there’s another book by Alaina, she knows how to write that’s for sure!

Dr. Wren Muller returns in The Butcher Game, the sequel to the Butcher and the Wren. This book should be read after the first and not as a standalone.
Like the first, the book follows the pursuit of serial killer Jeremy and is told from both him and Wren's perspective. It's a quick and tense read, with some very gory murder scenes. The murder and torture descriptions certainly paint a picture of who Jeremy is as a killer, but did seem to be repetitive after a while. The story ends on a cliffhanger and sets up for the third book. I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first book but will still definitely read the third.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I didn’t realize there was a book before this so I haven’t read it yet BUT HOLY CRAP

I am in no way shape or form a crime or thriller reader normally but lately I’ve been getting more into them and this one was just nothing but a heart pounding cat and mouse chase. I will be reading the first one because I feel like I missed quite a bit but I was still able to read this one just fine with context clues and my good friend Google.

This is shocking, graphic, and disturbing. But I could not put it down! The story is very well written and kept my attention.  Like the first book, this is from Jeremy and Wren's POV'S. I love Wren. She's a strong woman, but she's only human like the rest of us. Jeremy is every bit of the word "monster" and then some. If you think Jeremy was horrible in the first book, we'll buckle your seat belts because it's going to be a wild ride. If you love a good serial killer story like I do, this is definitely one to get your hands on asap.

If I could give this a 6⭐️ I would. But for the sake of the rating system, it's a solid 5⭐️

Thank you, NetGalley and Zando, for the opportunity to read this book.

The Butcher Game will be available on September 17, 2024