The Butcher 1

by Ashley Marie

Halloween night. An abandoned house. A group of college students looking for a thrill. They laugh and drink, unaware of what waits in the shadows. The music pulses through the dusty rooms, but soon another rhythm will take over—the frantic beating of their hearts as they realize they're not alone. The party has just begun, but for someone else.

140 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Noemi Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The gore in this book was absolute perfection! Ashley knocked it out of the park with this! If you’re looking for something with insane gore and beyond creepy to read for spooky season this is where you should start!

[Jaz Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
Holy freaking shit 😂🫣🫣this book was insanely good very dark and bloody and gorey and so detailed and descriptive I loved the storyline and the POV was very good and unique too. There were a couple phrases that were repetitive and made it a bit annoying towards the middle like my tone comes out harsher then intended is said too much and the way he stalks his prey or something about how he is a predator it’s too repetitive about how he follows her it’s the same phrase each time. I love that this is perfect for spooky season and it’s a very like Jason vorhees meats Texas chainsaw vibe but the killer actually speaks occasionally and the killing methods are different and unique it’s not just stab this and stab that or the same technique for each person and the final 2 chapters are truly amazing very unique I’ve never read another book like it. The POV from the FMC while it’s happening is so good and then the final chapter you never get a POV that’s from beyond the grave that type of view I loved it. I will definitely recommend this everywhere!

[Roseya_TTV · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just…..wow…

I almost couldn’t finish this book because it was so gory and graphic, but I stuck it out.

This story gave me escape room gone wrong vibes. It also gives me cat and mouse vibes.

You have a creepy abandoned house and college kids. What could go wrong, right?? Then insert a creepy lurking shadow. What is the creepy shadow?? What does the creepy shadow want?? What do the college kids do?? All great questions.

Ashley did such a great job with this story. It is very well written and gives a great build up to the end.

If you like gory horror vibes, then give this book a read.

* I would like to thank Ashley Marie for the opportunity to ARC ‘The Butcher.’ As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised and compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.*

[My_Books_In_Nooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review of ‘The Butcher’ by Ashley Marie.

Holy smokes! This author really keeps the horror in a disturbingly good way.
Like playing a movie in your mind while reading.
If this would be a movie, I for sure would peek through my fingers to the screen, music suggesting what is about to happen. But since you are reading, that movie in your head continues along what you normally would have skipped🤣
In short, you are not missing a thing while the people are systematically 💀this is so cool!

This book is for those that enjoy a good horror story with a happily ever after…… for the butcher🫣🤣

5/5⭐️

[Ariana Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Butcher. The story was intense and kept me interested from start to finish. One of my favorite parts was how Alice was playing the group. It added a lot of suspense and made the story unpredictable. I also really liked the scenes involving the meat market, which added a disturbing and memorable element to the plot.

The Halloween setting and abandoned house created a creepy atmosphere that fit the story perfectly. The ending of Butcher 2 was especially cool and wrapped things up in a way that felt satisfying. Overall, The Butcher is a solid horror read with strong tension, dark twists, and an ending that makes the story stick with you.

[Melissa Keifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy fricken Gore lovin Sauce Balls... Y'all if you get queasy from on page blood and Gore torture scenes I absolutely DO NOT recommend you read this. BUT IF YOU LOVE ALL THE BLOOD AND GUTS AND GORE AND EYE BALLS HANGING OUT OF YOUR HEAD YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!!!! Ashley fricken out did herself on this 1 I truly loved this story and y'all seriously if you have a weak stomach do not read this she did not hold back in this bad boy you get ALL the warm bloody gorey meaty details

[Micki-D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of college students looking for a thrill on Halloween night break into an abandoned house what could possibly go wrong?

If you like your books dark bloody, gory and unhinged this is your sign to read this book. If you have a weak stomach you may not want to read this one but you’ll be missing out on a bloody good time.

The details in this book are very vivid it’s like watching a movie take place before your eyes think of Texas chainsaw massacre vibes.

[Ashley Bundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a fun and wild ride!

When a group breaks into a home to celebrate Halloween, they get more than theu bargained for.

Ashley Marie does a brilliant job of twisting a terrifying tale that will keep your pulse racing.

Just be sure to check your trigger warnings! This isn't for weak stomachs.

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was such a great story. Definitly one of my favorites. This book will grab you and keep you reading till the end. The pace is perfect for the flow of the story, speeding up and slowing down as needed. These characters will surprise you and you dont know what to expect. This is a must read book, you will not be disappointed.

[Read, Run and Rescue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow one of the most disturbing books I have ever read read it was beautifully written and the story as gory and horrifying as it was, is so eloquently done that you don’t mind all the intestines and eyeballs and arterial spray. I will never look at a potato peeler the same again. The story was fast paced and gripping I couldn’t put it down!

[Liora Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pacing is perfect: what starts as innocent fun quickly spirals into heart-pounding terror. The sense of dread builds with every chapter, and when “The Butcher” finally steps out of the shadows, it’s both horrifying and exhilarating. Ashley Marie’s attention to sensory detail makes you feel the chill in the air and hear the creak of the old floorboards.

[Amber Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, man. Where to start...

A group of friends break into an abandoned home for Halloween, and things start happening. Life takes a nosedive, and a party suddenly becomes a fight to survive.

Twists and unexpected turns, surprises, violence, murder, gore, and a great plot. Everything a good horror needs. Plenty of "wtf" moments.

Book two will be even better.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did I just read!? Omg this book was horrifyingly amazing! I never look at a potato peeler the same way ever again. This book was so horrific, scary good. I like my books dark, and this delivered and then some.
This is a true page turner. Gore, and fear envelope you. I couldn’t get enough of this. If you want scary, gory, horrifying, then this is a must read for sure.

[Breanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Butcher 1 by Ashley Marie is a fast-paced, brutal read. What starts as teens just wanting to party quickly turns into a nightmare when they’re trapped by a man who takes pleasure in the art of butchering his prey. The tension is nonstop, keeping you on the edge of your seat the entire time. I found myself fully invested and desperately rooting for Alice’s survival.

[Alison Birks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will have you hooked it flowed, a group of college students go to an abandoned house to party when they find something hiding in the shadows and one by one they get picked off, it has twists and turns and a didn’t see that coming moment well worth the read

[Kymmie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story!! This book will grab your attention and keep you reading. The pace is perfect for the flow of the story. The characters will surprise you and keep you on your toes. This is a must read book. Highly recommend. Its gorey, scary, all the above!!

[Gabriela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay but why was this just the perfect time of the year to ready this book?!! Haha it had me putting it down at times , taking a deep breath and then picking it right up!! It’s dark, creepy, freaking gruesome and I enjoyed reading every single minute of it …..

[Amanda Elizabeth Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The gore in this book was phenomenal and the descriptions on what the killer did to the bodies was WOW!!! My only complaint was the MC! She made me so mad throughout this book! I literally screamed at her while reading.

[Jennifer Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like dark, scary, gorey, but also kinda funny, then this book is for you! Fabulous book, perfect for fans of the dark side of Halloween.

[Annika Pendergraph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me full body chills and definitely was quite horrific in a good way and I loved how suspenseful it was overall the perfect book to read for Halloween!!!

[Jenny Coyne · Rating 2 out of 5]

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There was no plot or backstory. Somehow Alice knew the identity of the killer. This was one big gory chase scene ending in the demise of all involved.

[Rebekah Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok. Let me start by saying this is gruesome and dark! There were parts that I laughed at, and also questioned my sanity. This book is not for people with weak stomachs, so proceed with caution.