The Butcher’s Hook – Janet Ellis

I’ve actually recommended this book before, by accident. When I was in the bookshop (yes, a real bricks and mortar shop filled with books – can’t beat ’em) and I saw it, I said, “Oh look at this! It looks like a bodice ripper but with murders” and the sixty-something-year-old man beside me picked a copy up too, and said, “I’ll have one of those.”

And I am very happy to report that it was well worth it. Very entertaining, darkly comic and completely gripping. Just a wonderful tale, told with wit. After I had got over the fact that our romantic hero is called ‘Fub’, of course.

Anne, our heroine, is a young lady who knows what she wants, surrounded by people in her way. She’s a wonderfully engaging narrator, and you’re (or I was) completely on her side as she goes from wilful to psychotic (but in a good way).

You’ll love this book if:
– You like interesting characters
– You want to read a bodice ripper, but with murders

You might want to avoid this book if:
– You want to avoid stories that contain sexual abuse

Longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize 2016.

Love Lavinia xoxo
Find this book on Amazon!