THE BUTCHER AND THE WREN is completely bonkers in the best way. I should've known that true crime podcaster Alaina Urquhart would be the mastermind foTHE BUTCHER AND THE WREN is completely bonkers in the best way. I should've known that true crime podcaster Alaina Urquhart would be the mastermind for this graphic, fast-paced procedural. At around 250 pages, we are given a a very fast glimpse into the world of a serial killer lurking in the shadows in the Louisiana bayou. The killer is methodical, intelligence, and completely twisted. Emotionally manipulative and sinister in every way, this serial killer has been able to avoid police apprehensive for a long time. That is, until forensic pathologist Dr. Wren Miller begins to investigate the similarities between the cases she's been assigned. Wren starts piecing together the puzzle between the killer's victims and decides she's the best candidate to help find this killer.
Like I mentioned previously, the book isn't that long, so I won't go further. Just know that this book really showcases body horror in ways that are captivating and cringeworthy. This book is a complete whirlwind of emotions, so just prepare before diving in! We don't get a lot of "meat" in this book, so you're right in the action from the first chapter. I finished this book in one sitting and just know that I'll be in a book slump because nothing will be as fast-paced as this book. If you want a shorter horror procedural that is similar to Meg Gardiner's UNSUB (book 1 of the series), I would highly recommend picking this book up. If you really just want crime and chaos, this is your book for sure....more
Gretchen Felker-Martin's upcoming dystopian, science fiction novel, Manhunt is quite literally the most bizarre, yet ultimately gratifying journey Gretchen Felker-Martin's upcoming dystopian, science fiction novel, Manhunt is quite literally the most bizarre, yet ultimately gratifying journey I've ever taken with a book. Without giving too much away, the story focuses on a world in which men are turned feral. Beth and Fran are the two main characters and they work together to hunt feral men and harvest their organs. In doing so, this helps the duo survive. In this world, not only are feral men a danger to those who have survived this apocalypse so far, but there's also a group of murderous TERFs coming after them. Beth and Fran have a lot of hope, but they will need to organize and establish ways in which they can defeat the growing number of adversaries.
Manhunt is not sci-fi lite, aka the science fiction novels I like. It touches on the ridiculousness at times with some of the world building, but at the same time, doesn't most dystopian/apocalyptic novels do that? This book; however, touches on many types of societal issues that trans women and men face in today's current political and social climate through symbolism and metaphorical writing. While reading this book, although we aren't going through an apocalyptic world, I could understand and appreciate how the author was conveying this story. If you pick up this story, I urge you to also note that on Goodreads, many transphobic readers are giving this book 1-star with zero review. I urge you to all keep that in consideration while reviewing to combat hate. This book probably was a 3 star read for me, but I am bumping it up to 4 to try and combat the hate shown in the feed. If you enjoy heavily sciencecy science fiction novels (wow, I'm such a way with words), definitely pick this one up!...more