So Butcher & Blackbird was right up my quirky alley. It’s definitely a book that needs to find its target audience, but once it does this one feels unique, fun, and spicy. Keep reading this book review of Butcher & Blackbird for my full thoughts.
Summary
Every serial killer needs a friend.
Every game must have a winner.
When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive—the friendship of a like-minded, pitch-black soul. From small town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country. But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love. Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves? Or have they finally met their match?
Review
Okay, not going to lie, I saw all the hype and honestly thought, “is this going to be worth it?” And 100% I’m on board now. I think this book, if you’re its target audience, is an instant favorite. It’s very much for fans of this sort of Dexter serial killer homage dark romantic comedy. Think the film “Mr. Right” and this is along those same vibes. As someone who has watched that film obsessively since I first saw it, Butcher & Blackbird was a winner. This is for everyone who thought maybe they were a bit too weird.
It manages to be gory – read the content warnings – and pays homage to famous serial murderers. So if that’s your thing, this is definitely for you especially if you love the idea of Dexter like characters – those who need to kill, but only use their powers for good. At the same time, there’s this core of character, of characters who are learning to be vulnerable. It’s the “deer in the headlights” meets “I’m in this for life” dynamic we love to see. To find someone who sees the messy, the dark, and loves us for it.
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I devoured this book on a plane ride. I read it while waiting to board, obsessively in the air, and even on the walk out of the plane. I couldn’t put it down and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Being dual POV is a beautiful choice to see the insides of the characters, their slower burn chemistry, and their own cat and mouse game. Find Butcher & Blackbird on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.