I missed the first book and I think if I'd read it I would have appreciated this more, That said it's an interesting and gruesome at times tale of a cat and mouse sort of chase between Dr. Wren Muller and Jeremy Rose, the Butcher serial killer. There's some hopscotching around as these two circle one another. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. While it wasn't for me, I think Urquhart's fans will enjoy it.

I was excited to read this after having read The Butcher and the Wren. This is just as excellent as book one with another intense plot and intriguing characters. The main POVs being the killer and the ME makes this series unique and the sarcastic humor is a perfect way to lighten the macabre subject. I flew through it in just a few hours! Looking forward to this series continuing with Wren and John. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

WOWZA!!!!! Dark, gripping, tense, pulse pounding and hard to put down, The Butcher Game is a bloody fantastic page turner! It is also the second book in the Dr. Wren Muller series and I highly recommend reading, The Butcher and the Wren prior to reading this book. Would this book work as a stand-alone? Perhaps, but you would be missing so much backstory, the events that led the characters to this book, and fabulous writing. Plus, Alaina Urquhart gives readers a real treat- POV's from both Wren and the Butcher! I was so excited when I saw that Alaina Urquhart had another book coming in this series. She did not disappoint with this dark, deadly, and thrilling book. Whew! This has some gruesome scenes people so be warned. It also has some brilliant cat-and-mouse scenes that kept me on my toes and with a grin on my face. Wren is an intelligent, diligent, and courageous medical examiner who is traumatized by events in the first book. The Butcher (Jeremy) is a twisted, clever, diabolical and vicious serial killer. Wren wants justice, but will she get it? You will have to read to find out! Whew! This book kept me on my toes, and I could not stop turning the pages. I was fully invested in this book from the very beginning. It was hard to put this book down when life got in the way. I loved the plot, the cat-and-mouse, and the introduction of another character with ties to the butcher, who plays an 'interesting' part in this book. This book is oozing with atmosphere, tension, dread, danger, vivid descriptions, and suspense. It's chilling, graphic, dark, and oh-so-good! Plus, the ending! Man, this book put me through the ringer and left me wanting more. Thankfully, with that ending, there must be another book in the series!!!! I for one, can't wait! I highly recommended this book series.

This is the second book in the Dr. Wren Muller series. I was kind of leery on reading the first book because sometimes celebrities/podcasters get book deals on their popularity instead of writing talent. Their name alone will sale books and ratings can be skewed due to super fans giving them undeserved high ratings. Also the last podcaster's fiction book I read was just okay. But one of my best friends suggested the first book to me and I'm happy I listened because I really enjoyed it. Since it has been 2 years since I read the first and unfortunately didn't take notes, I ended up listening to the audiobook for a refresh on the minuscule details. ***Spoilers ahead from first book (probably unnecessary since you should read the first before the second). Recap: Seven years ago, Wren was one of Jeremy's victims and the only one to escape. They were in med school together. He leaves clues for her during his current killing spree. Wren & the cops eventually find his house but he fakes his death and is now on the run.*** The new book picks up where the last ended, Jeremy is on the run from the police. There is a multistate manhunt. Some believe he may have died due to his injuries but Wren and Leroux can't be convinced. We learn more about Jeremy's past and how his very first murder went down. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own. Thank you Netgalley & the publisher.

A few thoughts that stick out.. -I liked book one better -book one was better but the writing has definitely improved -I was holding out for a bigger twist -after waiting for this sequel for two years I expected more bones to the plot This book picks up shortly after book one and I’ve seen some people say they didn’t read book one but you absolutely need to. It sets the entire stage for these characters. I had extremely high hopes for this so I’m honestly not surprised I’m a little disappointed. It’s definitely gory and even a little creepy. The friends tactics were predictable and unoriginal. I also couldn’t stand any of the helping police department officers. None of them would act the way they acted the entire book on such a dangerously high profile case. Will I read the next book? I feel like yes, because this one ended on a cliffy like the first one I would like to wrap up the answers! With where the characters are now, maybe she can take this another direction and save how I feel about it.

I had been eagerly waiting this book. It was auto delivered to my KU this morning, I rolled out of bed to start my day and binge read the whole book today. I won't spoil it for anyone, but I really love the small parts of the author that splash across the pages in parts, because if you're a Morbid listener you'll know what I'm talking about. She has built a world with so much detail that my tism was right at home with this book playing like a picture show in my brain pan. The rapidly acceleration of where it started with Jeremy to where it takes you and leaves you stunned, absolute perfection!!!! 100/100 recommend! I can't wait to reread over a few night in the dark.