Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver Narrator: Joe Arden, Lucy Rivers
Series: Ruinous Love Trilogy #1
on October 10, 2023
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Length: 8 hours, 43 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Every serial killer needs a friend. Every game must have a winner.
When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusiveâthe friendship of a like-minded, pitch-black soul. From small-town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country.
But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love.
Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves?
Or have they finally met their match?
Butcher & Blackbird is the first book in the Ruinous Love dark romance trilogy of interconnected stand-alone dark romantic comedies. This dual POV novel ends on an HEA.
Iâve not yet developed the ability to self-regulate on social media. How can I be expected to exercise self restraint when the Dodo has so many adorable animal stories or the renovation on my high school friendâs kitchen is nearly done! My solution is to normally avoid social media and all of its temptations and stick to a few essential blogs I trust when looking for a new read (shout out to Books of My Heart and the many bloggers who contribute and post reviews/comments). And because FOMO is a real thing, I also have a couple of book friends that keep me up to date on trending authors or book titles.
It was a text from my BBF to check out an amazing dark romantic comedy by Brynne Weaver that had me picking up Butcher & Blackbird. Dark. Romantic. Comedy. That is really the best way to describe Butcher & Blackbird, the first novel in The Ruinous Love Trilogy. I loved it. I was hooked from the authorâs trigger warning (which I strongly encourage one NOT to skip) and didnât look back despite the craziness that ensued.
Butcher & Blackbird is a fresh take on romantic suspense. The story begins when two main characters meet and their lives become intertwined in unexpected ways. While that might sound tame, it is really nothing of the sort. First of all, the meet cute is the sweltering Louisiana Bayou home of a recently deceased and putrefying serial-killer. And it is the lives of Sloane, aka âThe Orb Weaverâ and Rowan aka âThe Butcherâ (also serial-killers, but the good kind!) whose meeting sparks off an annual competition of vigilant justice.
Sloane is an artist whose elaborate crime-scene art has garnered her the name âThe Orb Weaver.â Sheâs kind of a loaner, with trust issues that make her appear aloof at times. She is smart and capable and driven by the need to deliver justice. Rowan, âThe Butcherâ is a successful big city chef, loyal and playful; and after meeting Sloane, completely devoted to her. There are plenty of swoon-worthy examples of how Rowan demonstrates his love for Sloane, both with and without gore. While Sloane and Rowan fit the Black Cat/Golden Retriever archetype, there is an added layer of complexity to the characters. How they grapple with their flaws and vulnerabilities and their attempts to reconcile their dark urges with the desire for connection make them relatable and intriguing.
Butcher & Blackbird, while hilarious and dark, also tackles the complexities of human relationships and the impact of trauma. The narrative unfolds with a sense of mystery and tension. Bits of Sloane and Rowanâs pasts are revealed throughout the story, and we gain greater understanding of their personalities and motivations.   The often heavy revelations are buffered by humor, but not to the point it overshadows the emotion of the shared discoveries. As the plot progresses, readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster that elicits empathy and introspection.  The moral complexity of their vigilante justice is thought-provoking and unsettling. Thankfully, it is fiction and we donât have to make a choice between right and wrong to enjoy reading.
There is an assortment of interesting supporting characters, each with their own arcs and complexities that contribute to the overarching narrative. Rowanâs two brothers are the heroes of the subsequent books in this trilogy, and I loved getting to know them through Rowanâs eyes before diving into their own stories. It is also clear that Sloaneâs best friend, Lark, has her own darkness to exorcize.
Butcher & Blackbird is a fast-paced, rollicking read that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned. This book is perfect if you enjoy the ethical dilemmas in dark comedies, like Dexter, Breaking Bad, or Barry. While there is some depth and darkness in the book I donât want to understate how much I laughed. The dialogue is sharp and filled with snappy banter. The situations are, at times, hilarious and I can guarantee you will not look at Orzo past the same way ever again.
Narration:
I loved the narration for Butcher & Blackbird. Joe Arden did a great job on the Rowanâs swoony Irish accent and Lucy Rivers managed to sound both strong and vulnerable in her interpretation of Sloane. Their shared performance made listening to the story more enjoyable than I anticipated. Iâm not a fan of Full Cast audio books, but this took the best elements of a Full Cast production without the changes to the text or goofy side-effects. I would really recommend listening to the audio over simply reading the story, because I think it really enhanced my enjoyment of the novel.
Listen to a clip:Â HERE
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I've developed a preference for audiobooks over the last few years, which allow me to complete chores, run carpool, or work on my many building and craft projects while 'reading.
My all time favorite selections include Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, Karen Marie Moning's Fever series, and all of Robin Hobb's books set in the Farseer world. Â Honorable mentions to Elle Kennedy, Penny Reid, Meljean Brook, Ann Aguirre, Krista and Becca Ritchie, Jeaniene Frost, and Kristen Callihan.
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- đ§ Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver @brynneweaver.bsky.social #JoeArden #LucyRivers #BlueNosePublishing #LoveAudiobooks @4saintjude - February 7, 2025
- đ§ Conviction by Denise Mina @DameDeniseMina #CathleenMcCarron @HachetteAudio #LoveAudiobooks @4saintjude - January 3, 2025
Fantastic review! You highlighted all the reasons I loved Butcher & Blackbird. đ
I’ve been hearing good things about these. I might need to try the audiobooks! Great review!
This is still on my TBR list. I need to just dust it off and read it!