I love all the different narrators and I loved the gore. I was not as immersed in this as I should have been but I think it is a personal issue and definitely not the narrator or the story itself.
Definitely give this one a listen.

An interesting tale of Mrs Lovett - this isn't a retelling of Sweeney Todd but rather showcasing Mrs Lovett's life through a collection of diary entries, letters and more.
it's an interesting book that outlines the awful life of women in these times.

the audio narration was great and really delivered on telling this story.

The full cast narration of the audiobook was exceptional, bringing the characters to life in a way that truly enhanced the storytelling experience. Each voice added depth and emotion, making it easy to immerse in the narrative. I found the epistolary format particularly compelling; letters and journal entries provided an intimate glimpse into the characters’ thoughts and experiences, creating a rich and engaging storyline.

I highly recommend the audiobook for its captivating performances, but I also want to highlight how much I enjoyed the physical book. The writing was beautifully crafted and drew me in, allowing me to savor the nuances of the prose. Whether listening or reading, I was thoroughly captivated by this story from start to finish.

The Butcher’s Daughter by David Demchuk, Corrine Leigh Clark (Audiobook)
Narrated by Jill Tanner, Steven Crossley, Amy Scanlon

Margery Evans, a monster, or simply a product of her environment? A gothically charged tale by David Demchuk and Corrine Leigh Clark takes the reader through old London. Painting a masterful picture of bone-crunching imagery, Miss Evans takes up correspondence with Miss Evans, a local journalist, as part of a tell-all lamenting of her life story.

Wide-eyed as a newborn fawn, Margaret Evans lends a helping hand to her father in the family butcher’s shop. Strangely, Margery has no repulsion from the blood and sacrifice of the animals soon put out for the community to devour. Wielding a butcher’s knife seems natural, as if an extension of her limbs hangs from their sockets. Unfortunately, two significant fortuitous events alter Margery’s life forever: a horse accident involving a small child and a self-inflicted knife wound that punctured her father’s skin. Consequently, Evans's only option is to take a job with an inquisitive, well-off doctor. This is where the meat and potatoes of the story begin….

Sweeney Todd, oh my! A small caveat is that I have never viewed the movie and know nothing of the backstory. To go one step further, I harken back to a trip with my oldest son a decade ago. We went on a Sweeney Todd “ride” in London, which I was assured was not scary. Fast forward to the first five minutes in the pitch-dark room, slowly reclining in a barber’s chair, and, to my chagrin, my son bolting for the exits. Scary moments.

This novel is wicked, delightfully so. My palate salivated in thirst for redemption. The wrongdoings by a private society, well-accustomed to nefarious activities, wrought on the weak simply as normality was blasphemous. To say that Miss Evans changed is an understatement. She became savvy to manipulation, for she was a target in her younger years. Revenge is sweet, or as savory as her famous meat pies. Lingering on the Sweeney Todd inclusion towards the end, Evans' morphed identity shows through, as if looking through a hanging corpse’s eye socket after butchering. Morbid!

In Miss Evans’s constant search for a stolen child, we are provided a glimpse into the complexity of her character. At her core, she is as tender as a beef tenderloin and filled with compassion, which is also on display in an interesting romantic love interest. Hardened like steel over time, she brazenly morphs into a shell of her former self.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? Coming to the stage is the absolute star of this endeavor, the number one reason I highly suggest this novel be consumed in audio format, our narrator, Jill Tanner. The incredible narration brought so much depth and emotion from her interpretation of Margery Evans. An incredibly rich British accent that brought forth memories of Maggie Smith’s roles in Downton Abbey and Harry Potter. Her voice inflections invoke a plethora of emotions and, interestingly enough, change throughout the novel as Margery’s personality sees a metamorphosis. Starting from a small, almost timid voice and growing to that of the Wicked Witch of the West is quite startling, but oh so befitting.

Up until this year, I had not dabbled much in the audiobook arena. Even so, if you love gothic horror, I can’t recommend this title enough as a place to start. Simply captivating and certain to entertain. It brings you to the streets of Victorian London, drops you off, and invites you to behold the craziness as it unfolds. I am giving you 5 out of 5 stars, a small courtesy to the authors, and especially to Jill Tanner! Must read or listen!

Many thanks to the publisher, RBmedia, through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

Have you ever wondered what made Mrs. Lovett totally fine with serving pies composed of her neighbors? This epistolary tale provides one answer. This was such a unique take on the story of Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney Todd. I really enjoyed the mystery and trying to deduce what had actually happened. The book is told through letters supposedly recovered in an investigation. I wasn’t sure how that would work in audiobook format but it did surprisingly well. The narrator was great, and there were no distracting sound effects. It’s an interesting story which leaves one guessing throughout the book given the unreliable narrator. If you enjoyed the musical or other iterations of Sweeney Todd I think you would enjoy this story!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an audio ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed the back story of Mrs. Lovett and the nuance added to a character that seems so one note in the original story of Sweeney Todd. Her voice is that of so many women of the era, pushed into situations by circumstance and lack of agency and its beautiful to see the places in which she still finds power and purpose.

Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for this ARC

The multiple narrators this audio book offers makes this feel less like a book and more like a radio drama.

For me it worked.

Each of the narrators does impressive character work and each speaker feels distinct.

The production value is clearly high. Each section flows into the next and the pace is compelling. It’s quite immersive.

As for the book?

Is it horror? It’s certainly crime. Sorta the same vibe as silence of the lamb but like … only very occasionally. The rest is just rather slow.

Also there’s a sexual assault about 40% in and resulted in a forced pregnancy that I really could have done without.At 48% there’s another sexual assault and neither one of them is like…. Considered much at all.

There’s also this aspect where the text itself drags but at the same time somethings like relationships are sped through. Very Ann Rice-y

The most disappointing part for me about this book is how little many of the breadcrumbs might interest. The evil Doctor, if he always intends her to be only a victim why bother teaching her any medicine at all? The coin she finds that endears her to the head maid? Why does she suddenly despise her? The whole time in the brothel why spend so much time learning about the actual business while exploring the relationships, many of them are the highlights of the book. Why do they matter so little ?

All in all it’s fine and the audio book format is probably why I’m rating this as high as I am.

Needed more cannibalism

4.5 stars
Book- The Butcher’s Daughter
Author- Corinne Leigh Clark and David Demchuk
Release Date- May 6th, 2026!

Wow, this is my second ARC, and I’ve been lucky to have another high rated book! This ARC I got as an audio book, so I’m going to start with rating the narrators and then tie into the book.

The narrators of the audio book have done a great job. I always find Audio books with multiple narrators to be way more interesting. I find it easier to follow when they switch up the voices for the proper roles. Sometimes I find accents are hard to fall because I miss things but the narrator for Mrs.Lovett sounded exactly as I pictured her, I was very impressed!

Now, onto the book! When I was just about 50% through, I was finding it a bit slow. (The reason I gave it 4.5 stars instead of 5). I feel like there had been a lot of significant stuff that had happened but also didn’t quite get me that engaged. There had been multiple traumatic experiences that she had gone through and I kept wondering where the story was going to go. Then when we got to the action…. wow I did not expect it to go that way. I read a few reviews where it said it was gory and was wondering if we were reading the same book but it definitely amps up. I can absolutely say that I wasn’t expecting the plot twist (which I find thrillers/horror books can be quite predictable) but I didn’t expect multiple plot twists in this book, which is the BEST. I love being genuinely shocked that my mouth opens from reading it.

I’ve never seen the musical or the movie for Sweeney Todd so it was all a surprise to me, and can absolutely say that you can read this book without knowing about Sweeney Todd (it’s actually more fun for me not knowing what was going to happen so I could have that shock value).

I normally don’t like the audiobook as much as the regular book but this one had me wanting more once the action started. I was listening to it every chance I got! I can’t wait for it to come out so I can read the book as well! I highly recommend this book if you like horror books. If you have a queasy stomach then this book is not for you. If you like all of that? It’s a MUST ADD to your TBR!

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own

I gave up on this on one about 45% in. I had to give up during the part with the unexpected pregnancy and potential rape/ unsolicited insemination which I found unbelievably awful. I didn't know that I had this content issue until this book.

I was enjoying the epistolary style of the book. I usually like novels told in a non traditional or non linear style. I thought the story and narration up to that point was spot on. Maybe I'll give this one another try in the future, but its not for me at this time.

This is Mrs Lovett's story like I've never heard it before. We all know her as Sweeney Todd's accomplice, but I've never seen her portrayed as (more or less) unwilling. I loved the reimagining of this story and even the letter format. I'm a big fan of uncommon formatting in books, though it's a little more challenging for me in audiobook form (because of dates and names, etc. though the shift in character was easy to note due to different narrators). Given the print version, I probably would've loved it, too.

I've always been really into the story of Sweeney Todd, so I was excited to see this book. Getting the story from Mrs. Lovett's point of view offered a whole new story. It was a bit of a surprise to see how late Mr. Todd comes into the story, but it makes sense because this story isn't about him. We can see from the start that something isn't quite right with her, but we still come to sympathize her because of what she goes through (her father's death, her new job with the creepy doctor, her pregnancy, and on and on until the end).

People may not love this version of Mrs. Lovett or the formatting, but it was exactly what I wanted. It sucked me in. I have a weird interest in the cannibalism trope I guess.

And the ending? Perfect. It has me overanalyzing everything. I'm gonna go give those last couple letters another listen.

Thank you Netgalley,Titan Books and David Demchuk & Corinne Leigh Clark for the eArc of The Butcher's Daughter.
Narrated by Jill Tanner, Steven Crossley, Amy Scanlon

I really enjoyed this slow burn insight to Mrs Lovett, the partner of the infamous Sweeney Todd, A Barber who liked to slash the throats of his victims. Then Mrs Lovett used the meat! Even though the story of Sweeney Todd started out as a Penny Dreadful back in the 19th century victorian era, It really does make you think whether these famous fictitious characters were based on real events!

The narrative is told from a women's POV in the form of letters and dossiers to Miss Emily Gibson, an inquisitive journalist who thinks she is Mrs Lovett. The storyline starts right back from when this unknown women was a Butcher's daughter who ran a shop down Butcher's Row. It's both intriguing and informative. It grabs you and pulls you right in! We also get snippets of the inspectors POV as he's gathering these letters and also some replies from Miss Gibson. The whole narrative gathers pace, building the background of this women who is said to be the infamous Mrs Lovett. The character building of both Mrs Lovett and the host of people she comes across within her lifetime are well built. I felt like I was actually living within these very hard times of these victorians and we often forget how deprived living conditions were for some people. the finale was well executed with a satisfactory ending.

I loved the narrators, Jill Tanner, Steven Crossley, Amy Scanlon who brought more life into this incredibly grim story

4 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Hell's Hundred | Recorded Books for this ARC Copy! 4.5 Stars rounded up.

I was so excited when I saw this book and received an ARC Copy. I have always loved Sweeny Todds story so hearing the story of the baker was so intriguing. I was so invested in this story, this poor girl just went through one horrible thing after the other, but she was so strong and resilient through everything that was thrown at her and managed to create a place for herself out of nothing. I was also pleasantly surprised that this was Sapphic.

The Butcher’s Daughter by Corinne Leigh Clark and David Demchuk is a chilling, beautifully layered novel that seamlessly combines gothic horror with emotionally resonant storytelling. From the first page, this book immerses you in a world of secrets, legacy, and haunting transformations—one that lingers in the mind long after the final chapter.

One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is its inventive structure. The use of letters, newspaper clippings, and fragmented documents is not only stylistically engaging but also serves as a powerful engine for the story. These elements give the narrative a vivid sense of realism and immediacy, allowing the mystery to unfold organically and from multiple perspectives. It feels as though the reader is piecing together a long-buried history alongside the characters, heightening both suspense and emotional impact.

Clark and Demchuk have created a story that is at once intimate and epic, weaving personal trauma with ancestral lore. The titular character—The Butcher’s Daughter—is unforgettable: a symbol of pain, power, and survival in a world that seeks to silence her. The writing is poetic and precise, with just the right amount of darkness, and the pacing is deliberate yet gripping.

This is a novel that rewards patient, thoughtful reading. It’s perfect for fans of gothic fiction, epistolary storytelling, and feminist narratives that challenge conventional boundaries. The Butcher’s Daughter is not just a story—it’s an experience, and one that I highly recommend.

Holy Moley! This audiobook was an absolute funbomb of a thrill ride! The audio is an excellent production of three narrators in this retelling of Sweeney Todd. The three POVs are Mrs. Lovett, Sister Catherine and the gentlemen who respond to the faceless Mrs. Gibson, whose journalistic investigation prompts correspondence that opens this story. It is an epistolary novel, using diary entries, articles, letters and official documents as Peg reveals her story of trauma, love, betrayal and bloody murder in a meat pie.

I loved it! Well paced, historical horror with great characters and immersive drama. Clark and Demchuk create a sympathetic yet monstrous character in Mrs. Lovett, who struggles against the powerlessness of being a poor woman in Victorian England. Her life gets continuously turned upside down by people who pretend to be helping her but who are monstrous in their own rights. But Lovett keeps landing on her feet, motivated by rage and desperation.

And my goodness. The ending. Very clever. A fun and bloody read, reminiscent of Victorian Psycho.

I liked this one but didn't love it. It's called The Butcher's Daughter and on the cover is a woman holding a meat pie. I wanted more of her story once she took over the business. I don't want to give anything away I just felt like the first half of the story could have been shorter and giving us more murder and mayhem would have been even better.

Thank you RBmedia and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to The Butcher's Daughter on audio.

I really enjoyed my time with this book. The narrators is so good and they are a great fit for this story. They brought the story alive.

You get sucked into this lovely, dark Victorian setting and follow a delicious Sweeny Todd atmospheric horror and the book are written in the format of letters and diary entries which made it more interesting.

If you love the dark, grim world of Sweeny Todd then I can highly recommend you to read The Butcher's Daughter and follow Mrs. Lovett and enjoy a dark, delicious Victorian horror story 🖤

This was an engaging novel. This book is written (or read since this is audio) in the epistolary style. This felt more engaging and immersive but I love this style of writing so the letters worked for me. The characters are engaging and the social commentary was intriguing. The narrator really brought this story to life!

I had a hard time with this one. I found some parts confusing. Many parts were redundant. I just didn't have a good time. 3 stars

Many thanks to Net Galley and RB Media for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-audio ARC of this title in exchange for my review.

I didn't know I needed to read this book, but I'm so glad I did! I heard about it from a book reviewer I follow and was so excited to be able to get a copy and dived right in! I have read the Sweeney Todd story and seen the movie, but it's been a few years. After finishing this one, I want to go back and re-watch the movie!

The format for the book was quite interesting, and I would love to see the printed book. The writer did a wonderful job writing in a dated way to fit the setting. The characters were well written, though morally questionable in fact.

This is certainly a horror novel! Lots of trigger warnings.

4 stars.

I had really high hopes for this audio. The narrators did a good job but I felt that the story dragged out a bit. While there were some twists and shocks, it just didnt pack that punch for me.