Tag: Sian B. Claven

Book Review: The Lady Butcher by Sian B. Claven

The Lady Butcher
Series: The Butcher #4
Author: Sian B. Claven

Published: January 15, 2021
87 Pages

Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: May 25-29, 2022
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars

Book Description:

In it, for one more kill.Just when you thought the killing was over, a new butcher arrives in town.

A young boy in an abandoned warehouse. A young man with Down Syndrome behind the arcade. A teenage boy in the woods. A homosexual girl in a motel. All these murders are familiar…but are they?

While Derick is trying to navigate his new love life with Kimberly, the copycat Butcher killer drives him to drink, especially when the killings seem tied to the sweet family that lives next door to him, and the killings just don’t stop. He feels hopeless as The Butcher eludes him and the relationship with the only family he has becomes strained.

Thank God he has Kimberly beside him to see him through this mess.

Jessica’s Review:

I have enjoyed The Butcher series and absolutely loved the final novella in the series: The Lady Butcher. It seemed like Sylvana was going to be the final Butcher novella, but Claven brought the butcher back for one last kill!  And she brought this final novella on with a kick and wrote a fast-moving novella with a lot going on in just under 90 pages.  This time we have a new butcher who is seemingly targeting different sort of individuals.  Who will be this butcher’s next target?

We have two POVs: The Butcher and Detective Derick Wyatt.  We see first-hand the new butcher’s depravity while keeping to the previous butcher’s MO. Then we see Detective Wyatt struggle to find this new killer while also seeing his home life with the neighbors.  We see the story come full circle and I was rooting for Wyatt to end the butcher once and for all.  It was an intense finale that brought several emotions.  And the ending was perfect for me! I was very satisfied with this whole series.

The only negative for me was on my part and not Claven’s: The Lady Butcher is short, and I wish I had been able to read it in one or two sittings.  Working full time with things to do afterwards and not being a superfast reader doesn’t give me a lot of free time to read at night.

There is a special edition hardback that has the complete Butcher series and The Lady Butcher has an alternative ending! I’ve added The Butchery to my Amazon Wish list! 

Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

The entire Butcher series in Hardback with the alternative ending to The Lady Butcher:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

Book Review: The Witches of Harbour by Sian B. Claven

The Witches of Harbour
Series: Hex Duology #1 (Prequel to Hex)
Author: Sian B. Claven

Published: March 15, 2020
198 Pages

Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 4.5 stars

Book Description:

Harbour is a quiet small town with a big bad secret.

Sara doesn’t understand why she is running away in the cover of darkness from her hometown, or who the baby is that her mother is giving her to care for, but she trusts her mother enough to leave and not look back.

Christine knows that there may be a time that Sara is convinced to come back so she pens a letter to her explaining Harbour’s well kept secret, so her daughter can understand why she and the baby are in danger.

It all started years ago…

A prequel to Hex.

Kim’s Review:

Another great one by Claven! This is the prequel to Hex so of course I had to read it first. And now I can’t wait to read Hex! This was a very unique story that I felt I hadn’t read before. But let’s start with that half star: the character names got a little confusing. I felt like Christine would randomly mention a name and I had no idea who she was talking about. However, I think a chart would fix this … I’m all about charts! This also became a little bit of a problem once the resolution hit, but I also can’t really talk much about that cuz I don’t wanna give it away! Thankfully, everything made sense and I didn’t notice any loose ends. The plot was quick and engaging and I spent the book trying to work it out in my head before everything worked out. I didn’t, but that’s the sign of a good mystery! The characters were interesting and dynamic and I liked watching them grow and change throughout the story. The fact that I’m so excited to read the next book in the series shows how great this one is!!

Excellent book and I recommend it to any horror/thriller fan!

Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

[Top]

Audiobook Review: Sylvana by Sian. B Claven

Sylvana
Series: The Butcher #3
Author: Sian B. Claven

Narrator: Jacq Ainsworth
Audiobook

Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: May 13, 2022
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars

Book Description:

Diana and Robbie are tired of moving their family of five around. When Robbie is offered a great job, and permanent position, they must find somewhere to stay temporarily while they house hunt. Aware of the gruesome murders that happened in the Metz family house, they move in regardless and instantly regret it. With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, Diana and Robbie must face their greatest horror. A copycat killer starts to strike around their neighbourhood, just like the Butcher once did, and Diana’s family seems to be right in the centre of it.

Where is Sylvana when her tenants need answers?

The Butcher might just strike them where it hurts most before they get the answers they seek.

Jessica’s Review:

Sylvana is the third novel in the Butcher series as the story continues.  If you thought the Butcher was gone after the end of Kallista, you were wrong! The Butcher is back!

Many people have tried to move into the Metz house and failed, and now we have a new family who is temporarily moving in until they can get settled in the area. Uh oh- there were murders in the house: But there is nothing to worry about because the killer is also dead…Or is he?  Diana and Robbie along with their three children are the focus of Sylvana while Sylvana herself is a minor character. No one living or otherwise rests easily in the Metz house. Please keep in mind that there is a paranormal take in this series, it’s not just a serial killer series! 

As with the other novellas in the series, the violence is present and parts are surprising!  It is a quick read/listen and there is seemingly a conclusion as it seemed that Claven was winding down the Butcher series. But surprise: There is one more novel out called The Lady Butcher, so it seems like our killer’s story continues yet again! This last one is not currently available on audio, but I already have it on my kindle. I will be reading this one very soon.

I also have Sylvana on kindle, but Claven was kind enough to send me the audible copy to listen to, which I started right after finishing Kallista.  As with the previous novellas Jacq Ainsworth narrated. While she has done a good job previously, her voice of Charlie rubbed my ears the wrong way.  Yes, Charlie is a small child, but her narration of this character didn’t work for me as Charlie’s voice was irritating for me.  It could be because I do have a hearing issue and the higher octave sounds can hurt my hearing. Otherwise the narration was fine!

I have enjoyed this series and look forward to The Lady Butcher and the final conclusion to the Butcher series. (Or will it be the conclusion???)

Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

[Top]