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The Butcher and the Wren

By: Alaina Urquhart
Narrated by: Joe Knezevich, Sophie Amoss
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Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The chilling serial killer thriller from the co-host of chart-topping podcast Morbid.

Wren was never afraid of the dark.

Until she learnt that some monsters are real...

In deep Louisiana, a serial killer with a taste for medical experimentation is completing his most ambitious project yet. The media call him 'The Butcher'—and, so far, he's proved impossible to catch.

With her encyclopedic 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. And yet, he continues to elude her.

As body after body pile up on Wren's examination table, her obsession grows. Pressure to put an end to the slaughter mounts. And her enemy becomes more brazen.

How far is Wren willing to go to draw the Butcher into the light?

An addictive listen with straight-from-the-morgue details only an autopsy technician could provide, The Butcher and the Wren promises to ensnare all who enter.

©2022 Alaina Urquhart (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"Can a medical examiner outsmart a serial killer? The Butcher and the Wren will keep you waiting for an answer until the last bloody page. Prepare to be disturbed. A deliciously dark debut." (Rea Frey, bestselling author for Not Her Daughter and Secrets of Our House)

What listeners say about The Butcher and the Wren

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Great and easy listen.

Great and easy listen.
Highly recommended.
Detailed crime, some parts gruesome. Told by 2 different people

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Captivating read

Fellow morbid listener here, this book delivered on everything I expected from Alaina (being an autopsy tech and detail oriented person). It was a great read finished in a day without pausing. I thought I knew the twist when it turned out to be something else entirely. Can’t wait for the encore!

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Wow

What else is there to say?! Read this book! It will not disappoint. Incredible story line, well developed characters, loved this read

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Couldn't stop listening!

As a Morbid listener, I had high hopes - and I was not disappointed! Absolutely loved it & listened to it all within a day!

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  • Overall
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Like a boss!

I was not surprised with the way Alaina has written this fantabulous crime novel! I felt like I just started my Scarpetta fascination all over again

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brilliant!

i truley love morbid podcast so when i heard a book was created i deginately navigated towards it. I LOVE THIS BOOK ❤️❤️ visually creative, solid story, amazing work 😁 I cant wait for the next one!!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Good for Weirdos

This is the first ever audiobook I’ve experienced as I’m temporarily vision impaired so I thought I’d give this one a go being a fan of the Morbid girls. I’ll admit, the voice acting with the different characters and their dialogue threw me and I found it cringe but the story itself was a lot of fun.

I also felt like there were Easter Eggs dotted around when she would mention Bowie, blowflies and BTK which I really enjoyed. I would have liked a bit more genuine banter between the main characters but am keen for part two.

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  • N
  • 20-04-2024

Twisty and turny

As a huge Morbid fan, this was unsurprisingly nothing short of what I expected from Alaina. Huge twist in the middle which made me want to not stop listening until the very end. Loved the interview and the inclusion of a deleted scene. Can’t wait for the next book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Riveting!

Great story. I listened to it in one sitting.
Alaina sets the scene so well, allowing the reader/listener to truly feel the story.
Looking forward to book 2!

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The butcher and the Wren

loved this book so much, can't wait for the sequel, keep keeping it weird 😉

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