Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

In the shadowy world of serial killers, where monsters lurk beneath human skin and death is an art form, Brynne Weaver’s “Butcher & Blackbird” emerges as a dark jewel, glittering with razor-sharp wit and dripping with delicious depravity. This isn’t just another thriller—it’s a love letter to the macabre, a twisted rom-com that’ll have you laughing one moment and squirming the next.

A Match Made in Murder

Sloane Sutherland, the elusive Orb Weaver, and Rowan Kane, the Boston Butcher, are two sides of the same blood-stained coin. When these rival killers cross paths, it’s not just sparks that fly—it’s a whole damn inferno. Weaver crafts their initial encounter with the finesse of a surgeon, precise and wickedly entertaining:

“Being a serial killer who kills serial killers is a great hobby…

Until you find yourself locked in a cage.

For three days.

With a dead body.

In the Louisiana summer.

With no air conditioning.”

From this grotesque meet-cute, we’re plunged headfirst into a world where murder is foreplay and banter is as sharp as the knives our antiheroes wield. The chemistry between Sloane and Rowan crackles off the page, their dialogue a delightful dance of flirtation and threats that’ll leave you grinning like a maniac.

A Game of Graves

At the heart of “Butcher & Blackbird” is the annual game that brings our deadly duo together. Weaver ingeniously uses this structure to ratchet up the tension, each round a new opportunity for Sloane and Rowan to outdo each other—and grow closer in the process. It’s like “The Most Dangerous Game” meets “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” with a hefty dose of gallows humor thrown in for good measure.

The author’s attention to detail in crafting each kill is both impressive and unsettling. Sloane’s intricate webs of fishing line and eyeball ornaments are described with such vivid clarity that you can almost smell the copper tang of blood in the air. Meanwhile, Rowan’s more hands-on approach is visceral and raw, a perfect counterpoint to Sloane’s artistry.

Character Depth That Cuts to the Bone

What sets “Butcher & Blackbird” apart from run-of-the-mill thrillers is the depth Weaver brings to her characters. Sloane and Rowan aren’t just cold-blooded killers—they’re fully realized individuals with traumas, quirks, and vulnerabilities that make them startlingly relatable.

Sloane’s backstory, revealed in tantalizing snippets throughout the novel, is a heartbreaking tale of betrayal and vengeance that explains her obsession with plucking out eyes. Rowan’s relationship with his brothers, particularly the enigmatic Lachlan, adds layers of complexity to his character that go beyond the charming psychopath archetype.

Even secondary characters like Lark, Sloane’s best friend, and Fionn, Rowan’s younger brother, are given enough nuance to make them feel like real people caught in the orbit of our murderous protagonists.

A Romance to Die For

Let’s be clear—this isn’t your grandma’s romance novel (unless your grandma has a very dark sense of humor). The relationship between Sloane and Rowan is as twisted as it is tender, a slow-burn affair that simmers with tension before exploding in a conflagration of passion and violence.

Weaver navigates the tricky waters of making two serial killers sympathetic love interests with surprising deftness. Their connection feels genuine, born out of a shared understanding of the darkness within each other. It’s oddly sweet to watch these two damaged souls find solace in one another, even as they’re plotting their next gruesome murder.

The steamy scenes, when they finally arrive, are as intense and well-crafted as the kill scenes. Weaver doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of desire, matching the passion with a hint of danger that keeps readers on their toes.

Laughter in the Dark

One of the most unexpected delights of “Butcher & Blackbird” is its wicked sense of humor. Weaver has a knack for finding the absurd in the grotesque, peppering the narrative with one-liners and situational comedy that provide much-needed levity amidst the carnage.

Take, for instance, this exchange between Sloane and Rowan:

“I’m counting this as a win.”
“That’s fair.”
“That’s three for me. Best of five.”
“Deserved. Totally.”
“And I’m still very angry with you.”
“I get it, love.”
“I want to stab you.”
“Yeah, that makes sense. Please not my dick though. Or my balls. Or my pretty face.”

It’s this blend of horror and humor that makes “Butcher & Blackbird” such a uniquely entertaining read. You’ll find yourself chuckling even as you’re cringing, a combination that’s as addictive as it is unsettling.

A Feast for the Senses

Weaver’s prose is a sensory experience, rich with vivid descriptions that bring her dark world to life. From the sticky heat of a Louisiana summer to the metallic taste of fear, every scene is imbued with details that immerse the reader in the moment.

The author has a particular talent for describing the act of killing, turning each murder into a macabre work of art. Sloane’s elaborate crime scenes are described with the reverence of a museum curator discussing a masterpiece, while Rowan’s more brutal approach is rendered with visceral intensity that’ll have your heart racing.

A Minor Quibble in the Quicksand

If there’s one criticism to be leveled at “Butcher & Blackbird,” it’s that the pacing occasionally falters in the middle section. As Sloane and Rowan’s relationship develops, there are moments where the tension slacks, the urgency of their deadly game taking a backseat to their burgeoning romance.

However, this is a minor issue in an otherwise tightly plotted novel. Weaver quickly rights the ship, ramping up the stakes in the final third of the book to deliver a climax that’s both satisfying and leaves you hungry for the next installment in the trilogy.

A Bloody Good Time

“Butcher & Blackbird” is a triumph of dark romance, a novel that pushes the boundaries of the genre while delivering a story that’s both thrilling and emotionally resonant. Brynne Weaver has crafted a world that’s as seductive as it is dangerous, populated by characters you can’t help but root for, even as they’re committing unspeakable acts.

This isn’t a book for the faint of heart. The violence is graphic, the themes are dark, and the moral compass is decidedly skewed. But for readers who like their romance with a heavy dose of horror, “Butcher & Blackbird” is an absolute must-read.

Weaver’s previous works, including the Shadow Realm series and standalone novels like “Marrow” and “Black Sheep,” have established her as a voice to be reckoned with in the world of dark fantasy and thriller. With “Butcher & Blackbird,” she cements her place as a master of the macabre, crafting a tale that’s equal parts love story and nightmare.

Fans of authors like Colleen Hoover and Penelope Douglas, who aren’t afraid to explore the darker side of romance, will find much to love here. Weaver’s unique blend of horror and humor also brings to mind the works of Grady Hendrix, albeit with a decidedly more romantic bent.

Final Verdict

“Butcher & Blackbird” is a rollercoaster ride through the darkest recesses of the human psyche, a story that’ll make you question your own moral boundaries even as you’re cheering for its antiheroes. It’s a book that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page, leaving you both disturbed and desperately eager for more.

Brynne Weaver has delivered a knockout punch with this first installment of the Ruinous Love trilogy. If the rest of the series maintains this level of quality, we’re in for one hell of a bloody good time. So grab a copy, lock your doors, and prepare to fall in love with murder. Just remember—sleep with one eye open. You never know when the Orb Weaver or the Boston Butcher might come calling.