Very fun story with great little connections of how Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd came together and even a cameo by Jack the Ripper. The London setting felt fleshed out as Margaret aka Mrs. Lovett tells her story. The 3 narrators kept the shifting pieces in order but there was fair amount of dubbing during Jill Tanner's narration.

The Butcher’s Daughter: The Hitherto Untold Story of Mrs. Lovett is a darkly enthralling reimagining of a familiar tale, breathing vivid life into the shadowy corners of Victorian London through the eyes of a woman long dismissed as a footnote in the Sweeney Todd legend. The authors craft a richly layered portrait of Mrs. Lovett—not just as a pie-maker with a macabre secret, but as a deeply human, complex figure shaped by hardship, ambition, and survival.

The novel is gripping from the first page, blending historical fiction with gothic suspense in a voice that is both lyrical and razor-sharp. Lasley deftly explores the power dynamics of class, gender, and violence, allowing readers to sympathize with Lovett without excusing her choices. The pacing is impeccable, and the atmosphere—fog-laced alleys, greasy kitchens, and shadowed cellars—is as immersive as it is haunting.

What makes this book so engaging is its ability to transform a well-known villain into a compelling protagonist whose story demands to be heard. The Butcher’s Daughter is as deliciously dark as one of Mrs. Lovett’s infamous pies—and just as impossible to resist. A must-read for fans of historical fiction with a gothic twist.

I experienced this as an audiobook and truly recommend checking it out in this format as it made the story and characters come to life, all the narrators were very brilliant.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley & Hell’s Hundred for the audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Butcher's Daughter is a novel that I find difficult to rate. I'll give it 3 stars, simply because I did not love it, but I also did not hate it. The high points were very high, I'd give the authors that. Mrs. Lovett was very intriguing. However, the same way the high parts were high, the low parts were very low. They were slow and dragged on and felt like pure filler. At the same time, there were many informative moments throughout these slower points, which I could appreciate. Being that a lot of these themes and concepts did actually occur throughout history, it is very easy to be intrigued by them. Does that compensate for the pacing and fullness of those specific sections? I'm not sure.
Overall, it is a very interesting read! I would recommend it.
Thank you NetGalley, RBmedia, David Demchuk, and Corinne Leigh Clark for this ARC.

when i was younger, my mother won a radio station's sweepstakes for two tickets to see the sweeney todd opera. i was absolutely enamored by the haunting story, but was curious about mrs. lovett: what happened to her during her upbringing that made her this way? "the butcher's daughter: the hitherto untold story of mrs. lovett" dives headfirst into lovett's backstory in the form of correspondence letters and newspaper clippings.

i quite liked this spin on mrs. lovett's story! it was so well-written that it felt canon to the original tale. there definitely are some slower points in the novel, but the journey is well worth it. "the butcher's daughter" gives you empathy for a character you may not have felt much for originally. we see a young, poverty-stricken girl be transformed into a monstress simply by her upbringing.

what i really enjoyed was the dynamic between our main narrator and afra. i just wanted them to be happy <//3 they were seriously my favorite aspect of this story--i was so invested in them.

thank you to netgalley and hell's hundred for the ARC!

This was a really original and interesting concept.

The first two thirds did feel pretty slow and plodding so at times I found my mind wandering. Elements were intriguing but overall it all felt a bit bland and character development that had been seen many times before.

However once the last third kicked in things got really interesting. The pacing was fast, the characters came into their element and the fear garnered by Sweeny Todd really helped build the tension.

Overall a really mixed bag but one I'm glad I read as it added a whole new spin to The Sweeny Todd lore.

I nearly put this one down and I'm so happy I didn't. I had forgotten that Sweeney Todd was originally created for a penny dreadful; any lovers of the musical need to put that aside while reading this and let the lore build. The last few sentences left my jaw on the FLOOR. Let yourself have fun with this.

Reading this took me back to my English literature courses in the best way with its dark, dramatic, and gruesome writing. Everything is falling apart, nothing is going well, and everyone will end--at best--severely maimed.

The Butcher’s Daughter is a dark, atmospheric reimagining of the Sweeney Todd tale with the mysterious (and fascinating) Mrs. Lovett in the starring role. And honestly? She deserves it. Told through a clever documentary format, the novel unspools as a series of letters and documents that slowly unravel the truth (or at least a truth) behind the infamous pie shop murders on Fleet Street.

I loved the gothic, fog-drenched streets, secret identities, and all the delicious horror of Victorian penny dreadfuls. The correspondence between Miss Emily Gibson and the woman she suspects is Mrs. Lovett is gripping, and I found myself flying through it to piece together the mystery. It’s macabre, theatrical, and unexpectedly emotional at times.

Absolutely fantastic. The narration was perfect, as well.

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.