The Butcher and The Wren

Jessica’s 1st Epilogue: Insight into the first book in the Dr. Wren Muller series by Alaina Urquhart

I was excited to check out this book as I am an avid listener of Morbid, a true-crime podcast where author, Alaina Urquhart, is a co-host. I’ve followed this podcast for years and finally made my way to read Urquhart’s debut novel. I found myself struggling to rate this book and feel like the nostalgia and my long-standing support of the author’s podcast, left me leaving more stars than its worth. I teetered on this but ended up giving a good solid 3-stars on my Goodreads review.

The Butcher and the Wren is a crime thriller that follows a forensic pathologist, employed by the local medical examiner’s office in New Orleans. We come soon to learn that a string of murders occurs at the hands of a serial killer, prompting an investigation that spans across several unexpecting victims.

The story alternates between the viewpoints of a forensic pathologist (Dr. Wren Muller) and a serial killer known as the Bayou Butcher. The alternating viewpoints offered me a quick and easy read. It kept me engaged and wanting to read more.

A major missing component for me was the lack of character building, I hope we get more character depth within the subsequent novels. We gain insight into Dr. Wren specifically, but I struggled to see some of the relationships between other characters in the book and found myself wanting to learn more, this no doubt, would help me understand a little more into each character and their relationships.

I found the setting intriguing, set in New Orleans, Louisiana, especially the bayou scenes and iconic cemetery but was completely baffled to discover that the author has not visited the area. I was disappointed in the loss of potential; the setting was under-utilized and I had the sense of just skimming the surface of what could have been.

A standout element that I really enjoyed was how Urquhart used her real-life background in forensics and her experience from the Morbid podcast to lend authenticity to the story. However, the way some of the investigative responsibilities were managed felt unclear and occasionally confusing. I found some of the situations to be wild and impossible based on the scope or chain of command that would exist in an actual investigation… but, hey, I am just a true crime junkie and enthusiast, not an actual detective or medical examiner.

Symbolism, particularly around the wren, impressed me, it helped me to connect to Dr. Wren as a character. One of my favorite passages from the book was: “WRENS ARE TRULY MAGNIFICENT LITTLE creatures. They signify rebirth and protection, immortality, and strength. Because of the wren’s small stature, most larger birds and predators underestimate its incredible ingenuity and intelligence. But while technically fragile, the wren outwits its underprepared predator to come out on top when threatened. “The symbolism, I hope, will continue to shine through on the subsequent books to come.

Quick Thoughts:

• Writing Style: I was concerned in the first chapter on the overuse of descriptions and adjectives; I worried that the entire book would read this way and was thankful to have seen the author move away from that writing style. It transitioned into a simple style that was easy to follow.
• Characters: I am half-in here. I hope characters become more developed as the author gains experience in writing. The characters embodied straightforward characteristics that you can find in any thriller or crime book.
• Plot Structure: I felt engaged but found it typical of a debut novel/author.
• Pacing: Loved the pacing, this was a quick read!

Overall, The Butcher and The Wren is what I would have expected for a debut novel. It’s a fast-paced thriller that blends story lines of serial murders using the points of view of the murderer and the one trying to solve the case. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy true crime and are looking for a quick read to fill their TBR.

Alaina Urquhart currently has two published novels, The Butcher and The Wren and The Butcher Game. Her third novel, The Butcher Legacy, is set to release later this summer, on August 11, 2026. I plan to read the others and am hoping that I can extend redemption by rating the books higher than a 3-star read.