The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart

 

The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart - 242 pages

A thrilling debut novel told from the dueling perspectives of a notorious 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.

This was a wonderful book!  The author has degrees in criminal justice, psychology, and biology, and works as a mortician tech by day so she offers great insight to those worlds in this book.  Such a great read, I hope there will be a sequel.

A Private Cathedral by James Lee Burke

 Detective Dave Robicheaux gets caught up in a New Iberia family feud when two wealthy families just can't seem to work out their differences.  An added hint of supernatural sightings makes this southern mystery too good to pass up.  Book 23 in the Robicheaux series, Burke continues to pleases his readers with his descriptive writing that takes you along for the ride.

Robicheaux by James Lee Burke

Robicheaux by James Lee Burke - 464 pages
Book 21 in the series

Dave Robicheaux is an iconic character brought to life by an amazing writer.  Even though this is book 21 in the series the characters are still fresh and Burke's lyrical writing is astounding.

Dave's struggles with alcoholism and reconciling his past with the present are at the forefront in this book.  An antique sword from the Civil War becomes a linchpin for violence that tears relationships apart  The story was beautifully told but at times it feels heavy just from all the weight Dave is carrying around with him.  He's just so very tired...

The plot centers around crime bosses, a famous writer, and the filming of a Hollywood movie in Dave's town.  It can be read at two levels since James Lee Burke in real life has been somewhat reticent to have his books adapted into movies and hasn't always seemed pleased with the results. 

The Cutting Season by Attica Locke

The Cutting Season by Attica Locke - 384 pages

In this standalone Locke explores the issues of race and guilt through the lens of time.  Caren Gray finds herself as an adult back on Belle Vie plantation where she was raised as a child.  She manages the popular historic venue for weddings and other parties.  The slave quarters on the property serve as a source of menace in her mind which is only increased after a murder occurs on the property.  This is a very atmospheric book that reads very visually.  I enjoyed the blend of the present and the past and how it shapes the characters.  A good suspenseful read. 

After Dead by Charlaine Harris

After Dead by Charlaine Harris - 208 pages

For those who have been lost since the release of the last book in the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series, this book may help ease your loss. It is compiled as an encyclopedic list of many of the characters from the series with a brief entry of what has happened to them since the series ended.  I have to admit that I did not remember several of the characters as they had such short entries in the story.  But it was fun to catch up with my favorite characters.

Be sure to watch for a spoiler alert! Harris mentions that we may hear more from one of the characters...new series, perhaps???