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The Butcher and the Wren: A Novel

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From the co-host of chart-topping true crime podcast Morbid, a thrilling debut novel told from the dueling perspectives of anotorious serial killer and the medical examiner following where his trail of victims leads


Something dark is lurking in the Louisiana bayou: a methodical killer with a penchant for medical experimentation is hard at work completing his most harrowing crime yet, taunting the authorities who desperately try to catch up.

But forensic pathologist Dr. Wren Muller is the best there is. Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of historical crimes, and years of experience working in the Medical Examiner’s office, she’s never encountered a case she couldn’t solve. Until now. Case after case is piling up on Wren’s examination table, and soon she is sucked into an all-consuming cat-and-mouse chase with a brutal murderer getting more brazen by the day.

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

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Published Jul 25, 2023

256 pages

Average rating: 7.57

584 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

kylie_fitz
May 26, 2025
8/10 stars
3.5⭐️
ljzsreadsandreviews
Oct 22, 2024
6/10 stars
Alaina Urquhart is the co-host of my favorite podcast, Morbid, so when she wrote this one I knew I had to read it! I was not disappointed. It felt a lot like one of the true crime stories that I listen to so it got me spooked with the reality of the plot. Like any good thriller there's twists in the story that are going to get you on the waiting list for book number two.
Stacerse
Oct 01, 2025
9/10 stars
Whoa, this book was good. Perfectly suspenseful and very interesting characters. I’m hooked and cannot wait to read other books by Alaina.
Waynez_World_
Sep 24, 2025
6/10 stars
Good but needed more detail and character development
Sandyjb
Jul 15, 2025
6/10 stars
Disappointed with the ending until I heard it was a trilogy

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