The Butcher Game is the second book in the Dr. Wren Muller Series. Despite the first book ending on a massive cliffhanger, which I usually find irritating, I was invested enough to continue with the second book.

It took a bit for me to become absorbed in the story. The start was somewhat slow in the beginning, but it eventually reeled me. The alternating perspectives of Jeremy (the Bayou Butcher) and Wren, detailing their cat-and-mouse pursuit, made the narrative attention holding and gripping.

In summary, the writing quality is good. Once again, the story ends leaving it wide open for a third book. The storyline itself may not be suitable for those with triggers or are faint-hearted, but for those seeking a fast-paced thriller with explicit gore, this one's for you.

The Butcher Game by Alaina Urquhart

My rating:
3.5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This is the second book in the Dr Wren Muller series and I enjoyed it more than the first! I will say it has been a while since I read the first book so I think that some of the details were most likely missed on my end due to the time between reading them. I loved the Butcher’s POV and the overall storyline. I think that while I enjoyed this one, I felt bored at times and felt like it was a bit wordy and it took away from the story.

I would definitely give this one a read if you enjoyed the first book!
Thank you netgalley and Zando publishing for the ARC! You can read this one now!

I want to start out by saying that I did like the story overall. I think the characters are great and Wren is pretty easy to root for. But I did have some issues with the book. The first is that during the story, I often felt like I was being told how to feel instead of letting me feel it for myself. There was a lot of description, but not a lot of use of sensory details to SHOW me how to feel instead of telling me. Sometimes I felt myself being pulled out of the story because I thought I was experiencing the story differently than the author was telling me to. Another thing I wasn’t stoked on was Jeremy’s perspective. I generally don’t mind dual perspective stories involving the protagonist. But it seemed to me like his perspective was added only for shock value. And this is coming from someone who is a fan of gory stories. It just didn’t fit this one. It felt more like it was stuffed in as an afterthought. Like I said, I did like the story overall. I think it could have used some more developmental editing though. With that being said, I will read the next book (it was definitely left for a third), but I’m going into it expecting the same style of writing.

Huge thanks to Zando and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

Man, this one was truly surprising and delivered one heckuva gut punch!

In The Butcher Game by Alaina Urquhart, forensic pathologist Dr. Wren Muller is up against the "Bayou Butcher," Jeremy Rose, once again.

This twisted serial killer has been obsessed with making Wren his final victim ever since she escaped him—twice. He has no plans of leaving her alone and enlists someone to help him out.

Leaving a trail of gruesome clues across Massachusetts, Wren is forced to follow him before anyone else gets hurt.

But as Wren tracks him, she’s forced to face her own fears and trauma, knowing that Jeremy isn't too far away.

This intense story dives into their chilling cat-and-mouse game, testing how far she’s willing to go to stop him once and for all​.

This one literally made my jaw drop!

I enjoyed The Butcher and the Wren so I was really excited to get an ARC of The Butcher Game. This book did not disappoint. I am also a huge fan of Morbid so as I read the book, I always hear it read in Alaina's voice.

The Dr. Wren Muller is very creepy. I really enjoyed book 1 and book 2 did not disappoint. Alaina’s writing has grown and so has her story telling.

This was okay, it definitely wasn’t as good as the first book. A bit slow paced and I think it would have been good to end the series on the first and not continue.

The first book was gripping and this one followed suit. Dark, disturbing and twisty as only the best serial killer stories can be.
‌
The Butcher and the Wren left me needing more of Wren’s story. Was glad to see her working on recovery buy back at it. The Salem setting was delightfully creepy and getting Jeremy’s POV added to the story!
‌
Thanks to NetGalley, Zando for an eARC and Dreamscape Media for an ALC. The audio was well done and eerie.

Thanks for the advanced reader copy!
Second book in the series and I enjoyed it! I like the author and storyline.

Alaina Urquhart is quickly becoming one of my favorites! She does the cat and mouse serial killer dance like no other!

The second book in the Dr. Wren Muller is just as dark and twisty as the first! The Butcher Game is not a stand-alone and you will definitely want to pick up and read the first in this series (The Butcher and the Wren) in order to truly understand the storyline, characters, and how creepy things really are. Released just in time for spooky season, this one sure is spooky!

Wren and Detective John Leroux are on their way to Mass to investigate a murder that looks like it could be the Bayou Butcher, a serial killer from their home in Louisiana and whom they've been investigating. As they follow the trail of destruction north, they are certain that this is the same guy - a guy who has been in hiding and who others had thought was dead.

This book is really dark and a lot of the descriptions are violent and gruesome. But the story is so good. There is a lot of depth to Wren and we can feel her pain and fear throughout the book.

If you love Alaina and Ash when they tell their creepy stories on their podcast, you'll love this series - but as I said before, do yourself a favor and pick up the first book before reading this one. And then you'll be anxiously awaiting the next installment just like me.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This is the thrilling second installment in the Dr. Wren Muller series! Initially, I was hesitant to dive into the first book, as lately it seems that I often podcasters are getting book deals based more on their fame than their writing skills. However, the first book was so highly recommended that I decided to give it a shot—and I’m so glad I did! It exceeded my expectations.
Warning: Spoilers from the first book ahead! (But seriously, read it before diving into this one.) Recap: Seven years ago, Wren was one of Jeremy's victims and the only one to escape. They were in med school together, and he leaves clues for her during his ongoing killing spree. Wren and the police eventually track him down, but he fakes his death and goes on the run.
The new book picks up right where the last left off, with Jeremy evading capture in a sprawling multistate manhunt. Some believe he might have succumbed to his injuries, but Wren and Detective Leroux are not so easily convinced. We also delve deeper into Jeremy’s dark past, exploring the chilling details of his very first murder.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

Sadly this was not my fave! A lot of it felt like filler just to get to the next installment of the series. Wren didn't do enough badass science gworl-ing, and the writing felt *very* melodramatic. But would I read another one? Probably yes!! Alaina Urquhart plays with time and perception in really fun ways in her thriller books, and the cliff-hangers somehow always seem to get me. At this point I'm invested enough to see where it goes lol.

Thanks to Netgalley and Zando Projects for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review! The Butcher Game (Dr. Wren Muller #2) is out now!

a creepy heart pounding continuation of the Butcher and the Wren. Wren is still dealing with the aftermath of her second encounter of the Butcher, Jeremy. He is obsessed with finding her . The bodies start piling up in between their next meeting.

I love Wren and her husband is so real with how supportive he is. This was honestly such a satisfying and well done sequel and I can't wait for a third book. Please, please, please!

Wren still isn’t quite over her way to close brush with death at the hands of The Butcher, Jeremy Rose. When Jeremy goes on the prowl again, Wren is pulled right back into his deadly game. She is forced to follow him to his old stomping grounds as he kills for sport and she does all she can to try and help police stop him.

This is the second book in this series and while I enjoyed it, the hanging at the end of both about do me in. I know the door is being left open for another book but….ahhhhhh!!!!! I always enjoy a good serial killer book and this one doesn’t disappoint, but knowing it will be a long time to get more of the story can drive a person crazy!

A great follow up to The Butcher and the Wren. Left you on the edge of your seat. Hope that this series continues.

The Butcher Game picks up after the events of book 1 and both Jeremy and Wren are dealing with the fallout of their showdown. After a daring escape, Jeremy is headed to Massachusetts to seek out an old friend (new character unlocked) and finally finish things with Wren. Meanwhile, Wren has been placed on leave and is trying to heal from her trauma. Her rocky journey to peace quickly gets interrupted as she is thrusted back into Jeremy’s sick world and must race against the clock to find him and bring him to justice.

🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪

Overall, I really enjoyed this but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t soooooo frustrated at times. Many of the unalivings were COMPLETELY PREVENTABLE and it irked the crap out of me to read how easy it was for Jeremy to snatch up his victims. And listen…..I get it…..the whole point is to show how charismatic he was (sort of like a certain real serial unaliver) but I was just like come on y’all…….seriously?? Where are the critical thinkers? Maybe I just don’t trust anyone, ever, but I would have hit Jeremy’s behind with a 🖕 the second he even approached me. 🫠

And that ending?!? I’m gutted but I know I’m going to eat book 3 right up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zando for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Please check the content warnings before diving in, there are some brutal scenes in this one!

I was holding my breath during the last few chapters!
I couldn't believe the way it all wrapped up in Boston. I was anxious and sad with what happened on the one hand and happy to see Jeremy caught on the other. When we learned more about Philip, I just knew that this wouldn't be the end of the story. I can't wait to see what happens next!
This is a series and you should read the first book before jumping into this one.

Jeremy Rose is on the run.
He's heading north to seek refuge with a former friend. However, he still has unfinished business with forensic pathologist Dr. Wren Muller, the only person who has managed to escape him twice. He's dead set on making Wren suffer.

Following her recent encounter with Jeremy, Wren is on a forced medical leave. But with a fresh trail of bodies showing up in Massachusetts, Wren knows that the best way to heal is to pursue the vicious killer once again.

But is she walking into a trap?

Thank you so much to the author, Zando and NetGalley for this ARC to review.

This is the follow up to The Butcher and the Wren. Following the events in that book we start with Wren trying to recover, and get back to work. Bodies start popping up that make law enforcement believe that Jeremy has come back on the radar, and is trying to get Wren's attention. Told from duel points of view, with great twists, another dangerous game of cat and mouse will ensue! I hope the series will continue, and I can't wait for the next installment.