The Butcher

Chief Edward Shank retired from the Seattle Police Department a local hero, having caught the notorious "Beacon Hill Butcher" serial killer in 1985. Now in his seventies, he has handed over both his home and his family's successful restaurant business to his grandson Matt, a talented chef. Tracy Watts, Matt's girlfriend and a restaurant employee, grew up fascinated by Seattle's dark history - particularly the Butcher case. As she begins researching the murders for a book project, new evidence emerges that threatens long-held beliefs about what happened during that deadly time in Seattle's past. The investigation reveals connections between past and present as secrets surface and truth becomes harder to discern. The boundaries between hunter and prey, innocent and guilty begin to blur as characters confront both personal and historical revelations. This psychological thriller explores themes of family legacy, the weight of secrets, and how the past can shape the present. The novel raises questions about identity and whether we can ever truly know those closest to us.

Readers found this to be a fast-paced thriller with unexpected twists, though some felt the plot became predictable in later chapters. The Seattle setting and atmosphere drew praise for creating tension. Liked: - Complex relationship dynamics between characters - Quick pacing and short chapters - Balance of thriller and romance elements - Clear, straightforward writing style Disliked: - Several plot points required suspension of disbelief - Character decisions described as unrealistic - Some found the ending rushed - Romance overshadowed the mystery for certain readers Specific comments: "The police procedures felt researched but not overdone" - Goodreads reviewer "Too many convenient coincidences to be believable" - Amazon review Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (11,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,900+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.1/5 (200+ ratings) The book maintains consistent 4+ star ratings across most review platforms, with readers particularly noting the author's ability to maintain suspense.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn A wife's disappearance leads to dark secrets between spouses and questions of murder that parallel The Butcher's exploration of deception within relationships.

The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson A chance meeting between strangers evolves into a murder plot that unravels with twists and revelations about past crimes.

I See You by Clare Mackintosh A woman discovers her photo in a classified ad, leading to the uncovering of a serial killer's pattern that connects to her daily routines.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides A criminal psychotherapist works to uncover why a woman murdered her husband and hasn't spoken since, revealing layers of psychological manipulation.

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney A woman lies in a coma, piecing together memories of events that led to her condition while uncovering family betrayals and murder.

🔪 Before writing thriller novels, Jennifer Hillier worked as a legal secretary in Seattle, Washington, where many of her books, including The Butcher, are set. 🏆 The Butcher was nominated for the 2015 International Thriller Writers Award for Best Hardcover Novel. 🗓️ The plot spans two generations, connecting a series of murders from the 1980s known as the "Beacon Hill Butcher" killings to present-day Seattle. 🎭 The novel explores the psychological impact of family secrets, particularly how a grandson must cope with discovering his beloved grandfather's dark past. 📚 The book's exploration of cold cases and their resolution was influenced by the increasing use of DNA technology to solve decades-old crimes in the real world.