The Butcher

In The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier, a razor-sharp crime thriller pulls you into Seattle’s dark past, where family loyalty and a long-buried secret collide. It’s the kind of book that’s impossible to read “just one chapter” of—taut, unsettling, and deeply human.

Back in 1985, retired Seattle police chief Edward Shank became a local legend for killing the Beacon Hill Butcher. Decades later, his grandson Matt is settling into the Victorian home he’s inherited, building a high-profile life as a chef, when an unearthed crate in the backyard threatens everything he loves. Meanwhile Matt’s girlfriend, Sam—a **true crime** writer—can’t let go of her mother’s unsolved murder, convinced it links to the Butcher case.

As fresh killings echo the original pattern, Sam’s investigation turns perilously personal, and the past refuses to stay buried.

Perfect for readers who love **serial killer mysteries**, Seattle settings, and twisty, character-driven suspense. Add it to your basket and let the secrets surface.