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The Butcher of Aberdeen
The Butcher of Aberdeen explores the chilling true crime story of Katherine Knight, delving into a life shaped by childhood trauma, violent relationships, and a relentless descent into madness.
A mother living in a small country town stabs her partner to death thirty-seven times before decapitating him, skinning him, and serving up slices of his cooked flesh at a table set for his children.
The Butcher of A Story of Sex, Madness, and Murder is a shocking tale of childhood trauma, volatile relationships, and a descent into madness. Born into a dysfunctional family in rural Australia, Katherine Knight was raised in an environment of neglect, violence, sexual abuse, and emotional turmoil, setting the stage for a life marked by intense instability. As an adult, she would become notorious for her sexual manipulations, violent outbursts, her inability to maintain healthy relationships, and the brutal nature of her crimes.
This gripping account, based on true events, explores the terrifying devolution of Knight’s character, from her tumultuous early years to her “dream job” at the local abattoir, where she became skilled in the deadly act of slaughtering animals. Katherine’s turbulent relationships with men paint the portrait of a woman tormented by a fear of abandonment and driven by a desperate need for control.
At the heart of this story lies Katherine’s profound inner a constant battle between the need for love and a tendency to violence, between a desire for connection and an overwhelming urge for revenge. This conflict led to increasingly dysfunctional relationships and caused her violent tendencies to spiral out of control, culminating in a shocking act of murder that would forever mark her as one of Australia’s most infamous killers.
With a careful balance of psychological insight and chilling detail, The Butcher of Aberdeen takes readers on a journey through the dark and twisted psyche of a woman whose central driving question “Will she ever learn to take responsibility for her actions and find peace?” Katherine Knight’s story is a tragic exploration of the consequences of childhood trauma, the complexities of human nature, and the unthinkable path that some lives can take if left unexamined.
A mother living in a small country town stabs her partner to death thirty-seven times before decapitating him, skinning him, and serving up slices of his cooked flesh at a table set for his children.
The Butcher of A Story of Sex, Madness, and Murder is a shocking tale of childhood trauma, volatile relationships, and a descent into madness. Born into a dysfunctional family in rural Australia, Katherine Knight was raised in an environment of neglect, violence, sexual abuse, and emotional turmoil, setting the stage for a life marked by intense instability. As an adult, she would become notorious for her sexual manipulations, violent outbursts, her inability to maintain healthy relationships, and the brutal nature of her crimes.
This gripping account, based on true events, explores the terrifying devolution of Knight’s character, from her tumultuous early years to her “dream job” at the local abattoir, where she became skilled in the deadly act of slaughtering animals. Katherine’s turbulent relationships with men paint the portrait of a woman tormented by a fear of abandonment and driven by a desperate need for control.
At the heart of this story lies Katherine’s profound inner a constant battle between the need for love and a tendency to violence, between a desire for connection and an overwhelming urge for revenge. This conflict led to increasingly dysfunctional relationships and caused her violent tendencies to spiral out of control, culminating in a shocking act of murder that would forever mark her as one of Australia’s most infamous killers.
With a careful balance of psychological insight and chilling detail, The Butcher of Aberdeen takes readers on a journey through the dark and twisted psyche of a woman whose central driving question “Will she ever learn to take responsibility for her actions and find peace?” Katherine Knight’s story is a tragic exploration of the consequences of childhood trauma, the complexities of human nature, and the unthinkable path that some lives can take if left unexamined.
256 pages, Paperback
Published June 30, 2026
About the author
Roje Augustin
3 books13 followersRojé Augustin is a writer, producer, and content creator. She began her career at the New York Daily News, as an editor for BET Weekend Magazine. She then moved to television, first at CBS News Productions, working in cable documentary features, then to ABC News ’20/20' with Barbara Walters and John Stossel, ‘Primetime’ with Diane Sawyer, and ‘Good Morning America Weekend Edition,’ as a journalist and producer. In 2007, while living in London, Rojé began work on her debut novel, The Unraveling of Bebe Jones, which was self-published and won the 2013 U.S. National Indie Excellence Award in African American fiction. It was also a finalist in the National Black Book Festival. She was featured as a "writer to keep your eyes on" in Essence Magazine's News & Culture Column, 'Patrik's Pics' (August 2013), as well as on NY1's morning books television segment.
In 2013 Rojé's script, The Weekly, was selected for the AWG’s Pathways Program for emerging screenwriters. Over the next several years, Rojé continued to write and produce, building a slate of projects for development. An early project was The Right Space, a podcast and visual web series called which explored the relationship between creatives and their workspaces. Rojé co-produced and co-hosted 23 episodes of the series in collaboration with Filthy Look Films. In May 2020 she published her debut poetry collection, Out of No Way, Madam C.J. Walker and A'Lelia Walker: A Poetic Drama, (Boukman Press) which tells the story of Madam Walker's phenomenal life story through various poetic forms and which she hopes to adapt into a stage production. That same year, Rojé was awarded funding from Screen NSW to develop her teen drama series, The Park. In August 2022, Rojé was one of four shortlisted for the national SBS Emerging Writers Incubator Program. In 2023 The Park was selected as a finalist in the U.S. based Diverse Voices Script Lab.
Rojé is a native New Yorker based in Sydney where she works as a writer, news editorial producer, and journalist. She is also an Australian citizen. She has studied in Paris and London and is a graduate of Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from the Literature & Writing Program.
In 2013 Rojé's script, The Weekly, was selected for the AWG’s Pathways Program for emerging screenwriters. Over the next several years, Rojé continued to write and produce, building a slate of projects for development. An early project was The Right Space, a podcast and visual web series called which explored the relationship between creatives and their workspaces. Rojé co-produced and co-hosted 23 episodes of the series in collaboration with Filthy Look Films. In May 2020 she published her debut poetry collection, Out of No Way, Madam C.J. Walker and A'Lelia Walker: A Poetic Drama, (Boukman Press) which tells the story of Madam Walker's phenomenal life story through various poetic forms and which she hopes to adapt into a stage production. That same year, Rojé was awarded funding from Screen NSW to develop her teen drama series, The Park. In August 2022, Rojé was one of four shortlisted for the national SBS Emerging Writers Incubator Program. In 2023 The Park was selected as a finalist in the U.S. based Diverse Voices Script Lab.
Rojé is a native New Yorker based in Sydney where she works as a writer, news editorial producer, and journalist. She is also an Australian citizen. She has studied in Paris and London and is a graduate of Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from the Literature & Writing Program.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
July 6, 2026
What a wild ride! Being from the US, I had never heard the story of Katherine Knight, aka The Butcher of Aberdeen. When I saw this book, the true crimer in me knew I had to learn more. And learn I did.
Though the revelations bounce around in Katherine's life, the puzzle of how and why she became who she is becomes clearer with every chapter. I expected to develop some sympathy as Katherine's developmental years are laid out, because surely some tragedy skewed her world view and "aww, the poor thing never had a chance to become a decent and contributing human being". We all want to make sense of it, and give people the benefit of the doubt.
Oddly, I never felt like the choices she made were understandable, regardless of her plight. I don't believe in evil, but I do believe there are bad seeds, people whose wiring makes them choose to do evil things because it will benefit them, and them alone. This is the Katherine Knight we come to know in this book.
If you're a true crime fan, then I believe you'll find this story of The Butcher of Aberdeen intriguing. It will frustrate you and fascinate you, and make you realize just how normal you really are.
Though the revelations bounce around in Katherine's life, the puzzle of how and why she became who she is becomes clearer with every chapter. I expected to develop some sympathy as Katherine's developmental years are laid out, because surely some tragedy skewed her world view and "aww, the poor thing never had a chance to become a decent and contributing human being". We all want to make sense of it, and give people the benefit of the doubt.
Oddly, I never felt like the choices she made were understandable, regardless of her plight. I don't believe in evil, but I do believe there are bad seeds, people whose wiring makes them choose to do evil things because it will benefit them, and them alone. This is the Katherine Knight we come to know in this book.
If you're a true crime fan, then I believe you'll find this story of The Butcher of Aberdeen intriguing. It will frustrate you and fascinate you, and make you realize just how normal you really are.
July 5, 2026
The Butcher of Aberdeen is a chilling and compelling non-fiction account of the notorious killer Katherine Knight. I had never heard of her before picking up this book, but the story immediately pulled me in and left me wanting to dig deeper into who she was and what drove her to commit such a horrific crime against her husband.
The narrative is both disturbing and fascinating, unfolding in a way that keeps you hooked while also making you reflect on the psychological complexity behind the case. It reads almost like a real-life version of Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl—except far more unsettling because it actually happened.
While not an easy read due to the subject matter, it is undeniably gripping and well-told. A solid four-star read for true crime fans who are interested in the darker side of human nature.
The narrative is both disturbing and fascinating, unfolding in a way that keeps you hooked while also making you reflect on the psychological complexity behind the case. It reads almost like a real-life version of Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl—except far more unsettling because it actually happened.
While not an easy read due to the subject matter, it is undeniably gripping and well-told. A solid four-star read for true crime fans who are interested in the darker side of human nature.
April 29, 2026
Read as an ARC from NetGalley
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time reading this. It was deeply disturbing and includes some of the most extreme acts of violence and manipulation I’ve ever read.
If you’re a fan of true crime, this is a must-read. It follows events from Katherine Knight’s early life through to her trial.
Fantastically written, with it all woven together in a way that almost reads like fiction.
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time reading this. It was deeply disturbing and includes some of the most extreme acts of violence and manipulation I’ve ever read.
If you’re a fan of true crime, this is a must-read. It follows events from Katherine Knight’s early life through to her trial.
Fantastically written, with it all woven together in a way that almost reads like fiction.
July 1, 2026
Got to love women who snap. The Butcher of Aberdeen tells the story of Katherine Knight, who stabs her partner 37 times and mutilates his body before serving slices of his body to his children for dinner.
I loved it. By telling the story of Knights childhood trauma and how desperate she was to be loved, it humanized her before the telling of her crime. The fact that she spends years learning the art of butchering, sexually manipulating those around her, and exhibiting emotional turmoil all makes the reader focus on every little detail trying to figure out when she’s going to snap. Every person seems to have a “well, maybe she’ll change and it won’t be so bad THIS TIME” attitude when it comes to her and then finally it was.
I know this is a well known story for some people but not knowing any of this previously was exhilarating. The whole thing is deeply disturbing and does contain quite a large number of trigger warnings so please be mindful of those.
The Butcher of Aberdeen was published June 30, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley and the publisher.
I loved it. By telling the story of Knights childhood trauma and how desperate she was to be loved, it humanized her before the telling of her crime. The fact that she spends years learning the art of butchering, sexually manipulating those around her, and exhibiting emotional turmoil all makes the reader focus on every little detail trying to figure out when she’s going to snap. Every person seems to have a “well, maybe she’ll change and it won’t be so bad THIS TIME” attitude when it comes to her and then finally it was.
I know this is a well known story for some people but not knowing any of this previously was exhilarating. The whole thing is deeply disturbing and does contain quite a large number of trigger warnings so please be mindful of those.
The Butcher of Aberdeen was published June 30, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley and the publisher.
July 6, 2026
I went into this one thinking I knew the Katherine Knight case. I didn’t.
This book doesn’t just rehash the headlines. It walks you through how someone gets to that level of violence, and honestly, that’s the part that got under my skin the most. It’s disturbing because you can see the escalation happening over years, even though the ending is almost beyond comprehension.
It’s definitely graphic, so if you’re squeamish, skip this one. But if you’re like me and you’re fascinated by the psychology behind true crime more than the gore itself, it’s worth the read. I found myself thinking less about the crime and more about how many chances there were for things to go differently.
One thing I will say is that I wish the writing had been a little tighter in places, but the story itself is so unbelievable that it kept me turning the pages anyway.
This is one of those books that leaves you staring at the wall for a minute after you finish. Australia has had some infamous killers, but Katherine Knight’s case is in a league of its own.
This book doesn’t just rehash the headlines. It walks you through how someone gets to that level of violence, and honestly, that’s the part that got under my skin the most. It’s disturbing because you can see the escalation happening over years, even though the ending is almost beyond comprehension.
It’s definitely graphic, so if you’re squeamish, skip this one. But if you’re like me and you’re fascinated by the psychology behind true crime more than the gore itself, it’s worth the read. I found myself thinking less about the crime and more about how many chances there were for things to go differently.
One thing I will say is that I wish the writing had been a little tighter in places, but the story itself is so unbelievable that it kept me turning the pages anyway.
This is one of those books that leaves you staring at the wall for a minute after you finish. Australia has had some infamous killers, but Katherine Knight’s case is in a league of its own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I knew this case was infamous, but absolutely nothing prepared me for hearing it narrated while I was innocently folding laundry. One minute I'm matching socks, the next I'm standing perfectly still thinking... "I'm sorry, she did WHAT?" Laundry never recovered. Neither did I.
What kept pulling me in wasn't even the crime itself. It was how every single person around Katherine seemed to look at the latest horrifying thing she'd done and collectively decide, "Well... maybe this time it'll be different." Ma'am had enough warning signs to open her own highway department. Violent outbursts. Threats. Assaults. Relationships exploding one after another. Yet somehow another man would wander into the story thinking, "I can fix her." Sir. Respectfully. No, you cannot.
The audiobook really worked for me because Katherine Littrell tells the story with exactly the right amount of restraint. She never sounded like she was trying to sensationalize what happened, which honestly made it even creepier. The quieter the narration stayed, the more my brain filled in the horror on its own, and that was somehow worse. I ended up listening for way longer than I planned because every chapter answered one question and immediately handed me three worse ones.
What hit hardest wasn't the crime scene everybody knows. It was everything leading up to it. This wasn't somebody who woke up one random Tuesday and became violent. You keep watching years of abuse, manipulation, rage, control, and escalating behavior stack on top of each other until you're practically begging somebody, anybody, to intervene before another life gets destroyed. And over and over again... nobody really does.
That doesn't make what she did any less monstrous. If anything, it makes the whole story sadder. There are moments where you can see how deeply broken this woman was long before she became a household name, and then five minutes later she'd do something so unbelievably cruel that any sympathy you'd managed to build packed its bags and left. It's a deeply uncomfortable place to sit as a listener, and I think that's exactly where this story belongs.
I also liked that this wasn't simply a parade of gruesome details. Yes, the crime is horrific. Yes, there are moments that made me physically pause the audiobook and stare into space for a second. But I never felt like the violence was there just to shock me. I walked away thinking just as much about John Price and everyone else whose lives were swallowed up by Katherine's choices as I did about Katherine herself, and I appreciated that balance.
By the end I wasn't scared in the horror movie sense. I was unsettled in the "this actually happened" sense. That's always the kind of true crime that lingers with me the longest. The monsters aren't hiding under the bed. They're making dinner, going to work, arguing with their partners, and convincing everyone around them that things aren't really that bad until suddenly they're unimaginably worse.
This ended up being a 3.5-star listen for me. It's gripping, incredibly disturbing, and one of those audiobooks that makes you sit in silence for a minute before deciding whether you're emotionally ready to hear another human voice.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Say "Absolutely Not" Out Loud More Times Than Any Other True Crime Book This Year
Huge thanks to RBmedia and NetGalley for the ALC. Next time you hand me an audiobook this horrifying, please include complimentary therapy, a weighted blanket, and maybe a note reminding me not to start it right before bed.
What kept pulling me in wasn't even the crime itself. It was how every single person around Katherine seemed to look at the latest horrifying thing she'd done and collectively decide, "Well... maybe this time it'll be different." Ma'am had enough warning signs to open her own highway department. Violent outbursts. Threats. Assaults. Relationships exploding one after another. Yet somehow another man would wander into the story thinking, "I can fix her." Sir. Respectfully. No, you cannot.
The audiobook really worked for me because Katherine Littrell tells the story with exactly the right amount of restraint. She never sounded like she was trying to sensationalize what happened, which honestly made it even creepier. The quieter the narration stayed, the more my brain filled in the horror on its own, and that was somehow worse. I ended up listening for way longer than I planned because every chapter answered one question and immediately handed me three worse ones.
What hit hardest wasn't the crime scene everybody knows. It was everything leading up to it. This wasn't somebody who woke up one random Tuesday and became violent. You keep watching years of abuse, manipulation, rage, control, and escalating behavior stack on top of each other until you're practically begging somebody, anybody, to intervene before another life gets destroyed. And over and over again... nobody really does.
That doesn't make what she did any less monstrous. If anything, it makes the whole story sadder. There are moments where you can see how deeply broken this woman was long before she became a household name, and then five minutes later she'd do something so unbelievably cruel that any sympathy you'd managed to build packed its bags and left. It's a deeply uncomfortable place to sit as a listener, and I think that's exactly where this story belongs.
I also liked that this wasn't simply a parade of gruesome details. Yes, the crime is horrific. Yes, there are moments that made me physically pause the audiobook and stare into space for a second. But I never felt like the violence was there just to shock me. I walked away thinking just as much about John Price and everyone else whose lives were swallowed up by Katherine's choices as I did about Katherine herself, and I appreciated that balance.
By the end I wasn't scared in the horror movie sense. I was unsettled in the "this actually happened" sense. That's always the kind of true crime that lingers with me the longest. The monsters aren't hiding under the bed. They're making dinner, going to work, arguing with their partners, and convincing everyone around them that things aren't really that bad until suddenly they're unimaginably worse.
This ended up being a 3.5-star listen for me. It's gripping, incredibly disturbing, and one of those audiobooks that makes you sit in silence for a minute before deciding whether you're emotionally ready to hear another human voice.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Say "Absolutely Not" Out Loud More Times Than Any Other True Crime Book This Year
Huge thanks to RBmedia and NetGalley for the ALC. Next time you hand me an audiobook this horrifying, please include complimentary therapy, a weighted blanket, and maybe a note reminding me not to start it right before bed.
June 29, 2026
Ok. I actually have so many thoughts but I honestly don’t know how to put it into words. The fact that this actually happened is wild and the more I sit on it the more I can’t believe this is real life.
First, the book. I listened to the audiobook and thought it was done really well. The book is written like a story so it’s easy to follow, rather than a true crime “here are the facts” book it’s explained in a way that you’re reading a story.
*SUMMED UP* at the beginning it states- Everything that happened, happened. Dramatized account of a true story- comments were drawn by public records. All major events are real and supported by documents however there are gaps in the records, gaps that are the unspoken moments, the scenes aren’t just made up they are ground from documented patterns of behaviour and psychiatric analyzes. Dialogue through out the book blends direct quotations through transcripts. Narrative non fiction- it’s not fantasy though it’s not exact fact in places.
So while you follow a story that is somewhat fiction, this is a very real thing that happened and I found the author did a very good job to keep you engaged and explaining everything that I feel like at the end I don’t need to do a deep dive into it because she pretty much covered everything. From her life as an adult and her past traumas as an adolescent, things were all included.
Now.. do I spend the time trying to dive into the heart of the book? I have no idea where to even start. I have so many feelings but I’m trying to keep this to the book and not on the event itself. Reading this was a hard read. I have no problem reading heavy/dark matters but it’s a whole different beast when it actually happened. It’s so much easier to stomach when you know it’s fiction.
There were SO many signs that Katherine was unwell and SO many reasons that she should have been reprimanded long before she killed John. It was difficult to read just how many times she got away with disgusting acts and that there were so many times that John could have been saved if someone just did SOMETHING about it. And she didn’t only kill him, what she did was inhumane, disgusting and honestly unfathomable. The empath in me can try to sympathize with her with everything she did leading up to her killing. The trauma that she endured as a child is something no child should go through and of course that’s going to cause mental health issues but there is absolutely NOTHING that can excuse her behaviour and her actions of the literal butchering of John Price. The fact that she tried to appeal in 2006 shocked me. I wasn’t expecting that at the end. Her saying “what she did postmortem shouldn’t have been considered in her sentencing” LIKE WHAT. The fact that lawyers can even stand up there and try to fight for someone like that makes me ill.
I feel like I could go on and on about my feelings and opinions but that’s not on the book, that’s on Katherine so I’m gonna leave it here. I totally recommend this book if you like true crime but want more of a story out of it!
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
First, the book. I listened to the audiobook and thought it was done really well. The book is written like a story so it’s easy to follow, rather than a true crime “here are the facts” book it’s explained in a way that you’re reading a story.
*SUMMED UP* at the beginning it states- Everything that happened, happened. Dramatized account of a true story- comments were drawn by public records. All major events are real and supported by documents however there are gaps in the records, gaps that are the unspoken moments, the scenes aren’t just made up they are ground from documented patterns of behaviour and psychiatric analyzes. Dialogue through out the book blends direct quotations through transcripts. Narrative non fiction- it’s not fantasy though it’s not exact fact in places.
So while you follow a story that is somewhat fiction, this is a very real thing that happened and I found the author did a very good job to keep you engaged and explaining everything that I feel like at the end I don’t need to do a deep dive into it because she pretty much covered everything. From her life as an adult and her past traumas as an adolescent, things were all included.
Now.. do I spend the time trying to dive into the heart of the book? I have no idea where to even start. I have so many feelings but I’m trying to keep this to the book and not on the event itself. Reading this was a hard read. I have no problem reading heavy/dark matters but it’s a whole different beast when it actually happened. It’s so much easier to stomach when you know it’s fiction.
There were SO many signs that Katherine was unwell and SO many reasons that she should have been reprimanded long before she killed John. It was difficult to read just how many times she got away with disgusting acts and that there were so many times that John could have been saved if someone just did SOMETHING about it. And she didn’t only kill him, what she did was inhumane, disgusting and honestly unfathomable. The empath in me can try to sympathize with her with everything she did leading up to her killing. The trauma that she endured as a child is something no child should go through and of course that’s going to cause mental health issues but there is absolutely NOTHING that can excuse her behaviour and her actions of the literal butchering of John Price. The fact that she tried to appeal in 2006 shocked me. I wasn’t expecting that at the end. Her saying “what she did postmortem shouldn’t have been considered in her sentencing” LIKE WHAT. The fact that lawyers can even stand up there and try to fight for someone like that makes me ill.
I feel like I could go on and on about my feelings and opinions but that’s not on the book, that’s on Katherine so I’m gonna leave it here. I totally recommend this book if you like true crime but want more of a story out of it!
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
June 28, 2026
😳🔪🖤 Horrifying, Haunting, and Exceptionally Researched
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of those books that’s difficult to rate—not because it isn’t well written, but because the subject matter is so horrific. The Butcher of Aberdeen is a fictionalized retelling of a real murder case from Australia in the late 1990s, using documented evidence while thoughtfully filling in the gaps where no one can truly know what happened. The result is a story that feels disturbingly authentic from beginning to end.
Be prepared before you start this audiobook because it does not ease you in. The opening chapter immediately throws you into graphic descriptions of dismemberment, and the level of detail never really lets up. This isn’t violence for shock value—it reflects the brutality of the actual crimes—but it is some of the most graphic true crime fiction I’ve read. There are scenes involving extreme violence, abuse, animal cruelty, murder, sexual violence, and coercive control that genuinely made me pause the audiobook just to process what I’d heard. I physically shuddered more than once.
The narration was outstanding and perfectly suited to the material. The Australian accents felt authentic, the pacing never dragged, and despite the heavy backstory, I finished the audiobook in less than two days because I needed to understand how everything unfolded. Since it’s based on a real case, there aren’t traditional twists, but the storytelling kept me completely engaged. What stayed with me most, though, was the portrayal of abuse. It’s easy to wonder why someone didn’t just leave when you’re looking from the outside, but this book reminds readers that trauma changes the way people think, react, and survive.
I’m giving this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️—not because I “enjoyed” the events, but because the author accomplished exactly what she set out to do. The research, narration, pacing, and emotional impact were all exceptional. Just know exactly what you’re signing up for before pressing play.
Who should read/listen?
True crime readers and horror fans who appreciate meticulously researched stories and can handle extremely graphic depictions of real-world violence. If explicit descriptions of murder, dismemberment, abuse, sexual violence, or animal cruelty are triggering for you, I would skip this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of those books that’s difficult to rate—not because it isn’t well written, but because the subject matter is so horrific. The Butcher of Aberdeen is a fictionalized retelling of a real murder case from Australia in the late 1990s, using documented evidence while thoughtfully filling in the gaps where no one can truly know what happened. The result is a story that feels disturbingly authentic from beginning to end.
Be prepared before you start this audiobook because it does not ease you in. The opening chapter immediately throws you into graphic descriptions of dismemberment, and the level of detail never really lets up. This isn’t violence for shock value—it reflects the brutality of the actual crimes—but it is some of the most graphic true crime fiction I’ve read. There are scenes involving extreme violence, abuse, animal cruelty, murder, sexual violence, and coercive control that genuinely made me pause the audiobook just to process what I’d heard. I physically shuddered more than once.
The narration was outstanding and perfectly suited to the material. The Australian accents felt authentic, the pacing never dragged, and despite the heavy backstory, I finished the audiobook in less than two days because I needed to understand how everything unfolded. Since it’s based on a real case, there aren’t traditional twists, but the storytelling kept me completely engaged. What stayed with me most, though, was the portrayal of abuse. It’s easy to wonder why someone didn’t just leave when you’re looking from the outside, but this book reminds readers that trauma changes the way people think, react, and survive.
I’m giving this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️—not because I “enjoyed” the events, but because the author accomplished exactly what she set out to do. The research, narration, pacing, and emotional impact were all exceptional. Just know exactly what you’re signing up for before pressing play.
Who should read/listen?
True crime readers and horror fans who appreciate meticulously researched stories and can handle extremely graphic depictions of real-world violence. If explicit descriptions of murder, dismemberment, abuse, sexual violence, or animal cruelty are triggering for you, I would skip this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Butcher of Aberdeen by Rojé Augustin | Pub Date: 30 June 2026 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
The Butcher of Aberdeen is a deeply unsettling yet compelling exploration of one of Australia’s most infamous true crime cases. Rojé Augustin delivers a narrative that is both chilling in its detail and thought-provoking in its psychological depth, offering far more than a surface-level recounting of events.
What stands out most in this book is its unflinching examination of Katherine Knight’s life. Rather than focusing solely on the brutality of the crime, Augustin carefully traces the trajectory that led to it—childhood trauma, cycles of abuse, and the gradual erosion of emotional stability. This approach creates a portrait that is as disturbing as it is tragic, forcing the reader to confront the uncomfortable intersection between victimhood and culpability.
The writing strikes a deliberate balance between factual recount and psychological analysis. While the details of the crime are undeniably graphic and not for the faint-hearted, they are presented with purpose rather than sensationalism. The narrative consistently returns to the underlying question of accountability, control, and the long-term consequences of unresolved trauma.
At times, the intensity of the subject matter can feel overwhelming, but this is also where the book’s strength lies. It does not attempt to soften or distance the reader from the reality of the events. Instead, it immerses you fully, creating a reading experience that is both gripping and deeply unsettling.
This is not an easy read, nor is it meant to be. It is a stark, often disturbing examination of the darkest aspects of human behaviour, handled with a level of care and insight that elevates it beyond standard true crime. For readers interested in the psychological underpinnings of violent crime, this is a powerful and memorable account that lingers long after the final page.
The Butcher of Aberdeen is a deeply unsettling yet compelling exploration of one of Australia’s most infamous true crime cases. Rojé Augustin delivers a narrative that is both chilling in its detail and thought-provoking in its psychological depth, offering far more than a surface-level recounting of events.
What stands out most in this book is its unflinching examination of Katherine Knight’s life. Rather than focusing solely on the brutality of the crime, Augustin carefully traces the trajectory that led to it—childhood trauma, cycles of abuse, and the gradual erosion of emotional stability. This approach creates a portrait that is as disturbing as it is tragic, forcing the reader to confront the uncomfortable intersection between victimhood and culpability.
The writing strikes a deliberate balance between factual recount and psychological analysis. While the details of the crime are undeniably graphic and not for the faint-hearted, they are presented with purpose rather than sensationalism. The narrative consistently returns to the underlying question of accountability, control, and the long-term consequences of unresolved trauma.
At times, the intensity of the subject matter can feel overwhelming, but this is also where the book’s strength lies. It does not attempt to soften or distance the reader from the reality of the events. Instead, it immerses you fully, creating a reading experience that is both gripping and deeply unsettling.
This is not an easy read, nor is it meant to be. It is a stark, often disturbing examination of the darkest aspects of human behaviour, handled with a level of care and insight that elevates it beyond standard true crime. For readers interested in the psychological underpinnings of violent crime, this is a powerful and memorable account that lingers long after the final page.
July 4, 2026
This book, the author writes, is a dramatised account of a true story and is based on extensive research. The author’s note at the beginning of the book sets out how Ms Augustin approached what she calls ‘narrative nonfiction’. Ms Augustin’s objective was not to sensationalise the violence, but to try to explain what led to it.
I remember this case: Katherine Knight’s murder of John Price in Aberdeen, New South Wales on the night of 29 February 2000. She stabbed Price 37 times, skinned him, and cooked his flesh with vegetables, intending to feed his remains to his children. An horrific crime.
Ms Augustin sets out Katherine Knight’s background, her dysfunctional upbringing, her ‘dream’ job in the local abattoir where she developed the professional skills as a meatworker which she employed to such devastating effect in dismembering John Price.
The picture painted of Katherine Knight is of a woman so terrified of abandonment that her need for control becomes overwhelming. She was manipulative and violent in her personal relationships with men: John Price may have been the only man she murdered but he was not the only man she assaulted.
I agree with Justice O’Keefe:
‘The court’s duty is to impose a sentence that protects society and delivers justice for the victim and his family. Mercy, in this case, is not warranted.’
‘The only appropriate penalty for the prisoner is life imprisonment, and that parole should never be considered for her. The prisoner should never be released.’
I finished the book. While I appreciate Ms Augustin’s research into Katherine Knight’s background and the factors that shaped her, I am pleased that she will never be released from prison. In 2006 Katherine Knight appealed against her sentence. The appeal was dismissed.
Note: My thanks to Post Hill Press for sending me a copy of this book.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
I remember this case: Katherine Knight’s murder of John Price in Aberdeen, New South Wales on the night of 29 February 2000. She stabbed Price 37 times, skinned him, and cooked his flesh with vegetables, intending to feed his remains to his children. An horrific crime.
Ms Augustin sets out Katherine Knight’s background, her dysfunctional upbringing, her ‘dream’ job in the local abattoir where she developed the professional skills as a meatworker which she employed to such devastating effect in dismembering John Price.
The picture painted of Katherine Knight is of a woman so terrified of abandonment that her need for control becomes overwhelming. She was manipulative and violent in her personal relationships with men: John Price may have been the only man she murdered but he was not the only man she assaulted.
I agree with Justice O’Keefe:
‘The court’s duty is to impose a sentence that protects society and delivers justice for the victim and his family. Mercy, in this case, is not warranted.’
‘The only appropriate penalty for the prisoner is life imprisonment, and that parole should never be considered for her. The prisoner should never be released.’
I finished the book. While I appreciate Ms Augustin’s research into Katherine Knight’s background and the factors that shaped her, I am pleased that she will never be released from prison. In 2006 Katherine Knight appealed against her sentence. The appeal was dismissed.
Note: My thanks to Post Hill Press for sending me a copy of this book.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reading copy of this book.
The Butcher of Aberdeen was a book I went into without much preparation. I knew it was a true crime account of a brutal murder in the year 2000. What peaked my interest was that it was carried out by a female against her male domestic partner.
The book starts with the account of what the police find when they walk into the house after the crime takes place - brutal in its imagery. What I needed to remember is that this part actually WAS a true account. He was cut, he was flayed, he was decapitated...the horror continued. It was NOT from someone's imagination and straight into a pile of fiction.
Augustin seamlessly unravels the years that lead up to that night by patching together interviews with friends, investigators, and public records and uses the prison therapy sessions to periodically to underline certain events.
Katherine Knight used her femininity as a method of control, and it is presented as part of the abusive cycle. She would have explosive relationships - each on more jealous and violent than the last. Domestic violence usually presents with the female as the victim; in Katherine's case, she physically assaulted her romantic partners then used sex as a representation of love and comfort to win them back. Every one of them went back after the cuts and bruises and scratches and stabbings - yes, stabbings.
Out of necessity, this is a fictionalized retelling to an extent - we don't know what John Price thought. We don't even know Katherine's inner thoughts because she has refused to speak about the events since then. The author shares this part of Australia's history without the sensationalism that I was expecting. It was masterfully presented.
The Butcher of Aberdeen was a book I went into without much preparation. I knew it was a true crime account of a brutal murder in the year 2000. What peaked my interest was that it was carried out by a female against her male domestic partner.
The book starts with the account of what the police find when they walk into the house after the crime takes place - brutal in its imagery. What I needed to remember is that this part actually WAS a true account. He was cut, he was flayed, he was decapitated...the horror continued. It was NOT from someone's imagination and straight into a pile of fiction.
Augustin seamlessly unravels the years that lead up to that night by patching together interviews with friends, investigators, and public records and uses the prison therapy sessions to periodically to underline certain events.
Katherine Knight used her femininity as a method of control, and it is presented as part of the abusive cycle. She would have explosive relationships - each on more jealous and violent than the last. Domestic violence usually presents with the female as the victim; in Katherine's case, she physically assaulted her romantic partners then used sex as a representation of love and comfort to win them back. Every one of them went back after the cuts and bruises and scratches and stabbings - yes, stabbings.
Out of necessity, this is a fictionalized retelling to an extent - we don't know what John Price thought. We don't even know Katherine's inner thoughts because she has refused to speak about the events since then. The author shares this part of Australia's history without the sensationalism that I was expecting. It was masterfully presented.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read this as an advanced copy.
This book has descriptions of graphic violence. This is not a case for the squeamish, the details are horrific and there is just no escaping that. However I think it really does the case justice.
This is a docudrama style narrative of a true crime case from Aberdeen, Australia. The style of the narrative really allows the victim - John Price - to have much more of a presence in the story than in other books and in tv shows on the same case I have read/seen previously. The inclusion of part of the speeches from his funeral at the end really brings home who this book should be about.
The interspacing of flashbacks with the sections in the psychiatric unit really help this story be told well. It reminds us that the only person who can tell us what really happened at times is the killer, and she is the definition of an unreliable narrator as she is clearly trying to avoid taking responsibility. It also shows the pattern of behavior from her and makes the crime and almost inevitable escalation that people should have seen coming.
The book seems well researched - based on some of the insight into the inner thoughts of the law enforcement involved for example, I suspect the author has close ties to law enforcement or has spoken in depth with someone who has. Despite the book telling the story of the killer, they constantly bring things back to the other people who are affected by her behavior, not limited to her ultimate victim.
I'll be looking forward to this book being in physical copy. I feel like it needs to be one on my shelf full of post its and notes in the margin.
This book has descriptions of graphic violence. This is not a case for the squeamish, the details are horrific and there is just no escaping that. However I think it really does the case justice.
This is a docudrama style narrative of a true crime case from Aberdeen, Australia. The style of the narrative really allows the victim - John Price - to have much more of a presence in the story than in other books and in tv shows on the same case I have read/seen previously. The inclusion of part of the speeches from his funeral at the end really brings home who this book should be about.
The interspacing of flashbacks with the sections in the psychiatric unit really help this story be told well. It reminds us that the only person who can tell us what really happened at times is the killer, and she is the definition of an unreliable narrator as she is clearly trying to avoid taking responsibility. It also shows the pattern of behavior from her and makes the crime and almost inevitable escalation that people should have seen coming.
The book seems well researched - based on some of the insight into the inner thoughts of the law enforcement involved for example, I suspect the author has close ties to law enforcement or has spoken in depth with someone who has. Despite the book telling the story of the killer, they constantly bring things back to the other people who are affected by her behavior, not limited to her ultimate victim.
I'll be looking forward to this book being in physical copy. I feel like it needs to be one on my shelf full of post its and notes in the margin.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As described by the author, this is a “narrative nonfiction” book telling the unsettling story of a grizzly premeditated murder and supporting the need to highlight violence against men perpetrated by women. The statistics show that this is more frequent than violence against women by men: 28.3% vs 21.6% (Wikipedia).
This is a harrowing read. We are given a story of a very disturbed woman whose dislike of men grounded in her childhood but her immense desire to be appreciated drove her to kill her latest lover and then chillingly hack his body up as if he were a piece of meat - she had worked in a meat packing plant at one time.
The author centers the case around court and public records. While she didn’t interview anyone - the murderer sentenced to life in prison in Australia, refused interviews - the records themselves reveal a very disturbed person and an act so vile it’s hard to phantom the why of it. The speculative psychiatric interviews give some insight to the psychological elements of the murderer.
When I was finished reading I was haunted by this story. I never think of how women may be the perpetrators of violence. I think we are so conditioned by societal norms that say men are the stronger sex that we fail to understand there are women out there equally as violent as men. This is important and why this book has importance.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Post Hill Press for allowing me access to this ARC.
This is a harrowing read. We are given a story of a very disturbed woman whose dislike of men grounded in her childhood but her immense desire to be appreciated drove her to kill her latest lover and then chillingly hack his body up as if he were a piece of meat - she had worked in a meat packing plant at one time.
The author centers the case around court and public records. While she didn’t interview anyone - the murderer sentenced to life in prison in Australia, refused interviews - the records themselves reveal a very disturbed person and an act so vile it’s hard to phantom the why of it. The speculative psychiatric interviews give some insight to the psychological elements of the murderer.
When I was finished reading I was haunted by this story. I never think of how women may be the perpetrators of violence. I think we are so conditioned by societal norms that say men are the stronger sex that we fail to understand there are women out there equally as violent as men. This is important and why this book has importance.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Post Hill Press for allowing me access to this ARC.
July 6, 2026
4.5 stars
★★★★☆
I went into this audiobook knowing absolutely nothing about Katherine Knight, and I’m glad I did. The story was shocking from beginning to end. While I’d heard her name before, I had no idea about the horrific murder of John Price or the astonishing lack of empathy and remorse Katherine Knight displayed throughout her life.
Katherine Littrell’s narration was excellent and kept me engaged throughout. She struck the right balance for a true crime audiobook, delivering the facts with clarity while allowing the gravity of the events to speak for themselves. I thought she was particularly good as Katherine when interviewed by the psychologist.
One aspect I found particularly compelling was the legal proceedings after the murder. I appreciated learning about how the court handled such an unprecedented case and the consideration given to jurors who would be exposed to deeply disturbing evidence. That perspective added another layer to the story beyond the crime itself.
For me, the level of detail was just right. I’m not particularly squeamish, so the graphic descriptions didn’t bother me, but I also appreciated that the author didn’t get bogged down in unnecessary minutiae. The narrative stayed focused and engaging without wandering into details that didn’t add to the story.
If you enjoy well-researched true crime with excellent narration, I’d definitely recommend picking this up in either audiobook or print.
★★★★☆
I went into this audiobook knowing absolutely nothing about Katherine Knight, and I’m glad I did. The story was shocking from beginning to end. While I’d heard her name before, I had no idea about the horrific murder of John Price or the astonishing lack of empathy and remorse Katherine Knight displayed throughout her life.
Katherine Littrell’s narration was excellent and kept me engaged throughout. She struck the right balance for a true crime audiobook, delivering the facts with clarity while allowing the gravity of the events to speak for themselves. I thought she was particularly good as Katherine when interviewed by the psychologist.
One aspect I found particularly compelling was the legal proceedings after the murder. I appreciated learning about how the court handled such an unprecedented case and the consideration given to jurors who would be exposed to deeply disturbing evidence. That perspective added another layer to the story beyond the crime itself.
For me, the level of detail was just right. I’m not particularly squeamish, so the graphic descriptions didn’t bother me, but I also appreciated that the author didn’t get bogged down in unnecessary minutiae. The narrative stayed focused and engaging without wandering into details that didn’t add to the story.
If you enjoy well-researched true crime with excellent narration, I’d definitely recommend picking this up in either audiobook or print.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Received an Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley!!
📚 Finished Reading: The Butcher of Aberdeen
This was an eerie and deeply unsettling read from the very first page. Unlike a typical thriller, suspense novel, or crime story, The Butcher of Aberdeen is an exploration of the human mind—how trauma, obsession, distorted beliefs about love, and an overwhelming need for control can gradually lead someone into darkness.
The book examines the life of Katherine Knight, not to excuse her actions but to understand the chain of experiences and choices that culminated in one of Australia's most horrifying crimes. What makes the story especially chilling is that it wasn't an act of self-defence or a crime committed in the heat of the moment. It was deliberate, driven by revenge, obsession, and a deeply fractured psyche.
The author's focus on psychological analysis rather than sensationalism makes the narrative both fascinating and disturbing. As a reader, you're constantly confronted with uncomfortable questions about the long-term effects of childhood trauma, the nature of accountability, and how far a person can descend when their darkest impulses go unchecked.
The fact that these events actually happened makes the book all the more terrifying.
⭐ Rating: 4/5
A dark, thought-provoking true-crime account that explores the anatomy of madness rather than the mystery of a crime.
📚 Finished Reading: The Butcher of Aberdeen
This was an eerie and deeply unsettling read from the very first page. Unlike a typical thriller, suspense novel, or crime story, The Butcher of Aberdeen is an exploration of the human mind—how trauma, obsession, distorted beliefs about love, and an overwhelming need for control can gradually lead someone into darkness.
The book examines the life of Katherine Knight, not to excuse her actions but to understand the chain of experiences and choices that culminated in one of Australia's most horrifying crimes. What makes the story especially chilling is that it wasn't an act of self-defence or a crime committed in the heat of the moment. It was deliberate, driven by revenge, obsession, and a deeply fractured psyche.
The author's focus on psychological analysis rather than sensationalism makes the narrative both fascinating and disturbing. As a reader, you're constantly confronted with uncomfortable questions about the long-term effects of childhood trauma, the nature of accountability, and how far a person can descend when their darkest impulses go unchecked.
The fact that these events actually happened makes the book all the more terrifying.
⭐ Rating: 4/5
A dark, thought-provoking true-crime account that explores the anatomy of madness rather than the mystery of a crime.
June 2, 2026
For a true crime book this had many attributes. I didn’t know anything about this crime prior to reading. I appreciated the thorough background of each relationship, and the psychological examination, however the book is too “dry”. I don’t know how else to explain except it feels mechanical. I’m not sure if that is intentional on the author’s part.
Having the medical documentation/transcripts makes a book hit differently, as hearing the words from the perpetrator’s own mind causes the crime to be more real. I always like to get the background of the killer and the victim. I think this book misses an opportunity to get more info about Katherine’s early life though. Her mom told men in her life that she was “crazy” but we never get to know why she came to feel that way.
The book successfully explores the push and pull in Kathrine’s relationships and the endless cycles of anger, violence, and revenge against those she believed wronged her somehow. She did not discriminate in her plots, and nothing was off limits. It’s truly chilling to read what creative punishments her unwell mind devised.
Note: author mentions AVOs multiple times but doesn’t actually say what that stands for until halfway through the book which is abnormal when abbreviating. For American readers it’s helpful to know what that means early on.
Having the medical documentation/transcripts makes a book hit differently, as hearing the words from the perpetrator’s own mind causes the crime to be more real. I always like to get the background of the killer and the victim. I think this book misses an opportunity to get more info about Katherine’s early life though. Her mom told men in her life that she was “crazy” but we never get to know why she came to feel that way.
The book successfully explores the push and pull in Kathrine’s relationships and the endless cycles of anger, violence, and revenge against those she believed wronged her somehow. She did not discriminate in her plots, and nothing was off limits. It’s truly chilling to read what creative punishments her unwell mind devised.
Note: author mentions AVOs multiple times but doesn’t actually say what that stands for until halfway through the book which is abnormal when abbreviating. For American readers it’s helpful to know what that means early on.
July 2, 2026
ARC courtesy of NetGalley.
The Butcher of Aberdeen by Roje Augustin is an unusual blend of true crime and fiction that ultimately didn’t quite work for me.
While I appreciate strong character development and well-crafted relationships, I found the narrative surprisingly dry at times, almost clinical in its presentation. Much of the story is told through medical transcripts and case documentation, which creates an interesting perspective but also distances the reader from the emotional core of the novel.
Throughout the story, Katherine’s mother repeatedly warns that Katherine is “the crazy one,” yet the novel never fully explores how she reached that point. I kept expecting some pivotal childhood event or trauma that would explain her behaviour, but that depth never materialized. Likewise, although Katherine spends time in a psychiatric unit and receives medication, the story offers little insight into her diagnosis or mental health, leaving an important aspect of her character feeling incomplete.
My biggest challenge with the book was its identity. It isn’t quite true crime because of its fictional framework, yet it doesn’t fully succeed as fiction because it relies so heavily on true crime elements and documentary-style presentation. For me, those two approaches never fully meshed, making this an interesting concept but a sometimes difficult and emotionally distant read.
The Butcher of Aberdeen by Roje Augustin is an unusual blend of true crime and fiction that ultimately didn’t quite work for me.
While I appreciate strong character development and well-crafted relationships, I found the narrative surprisingly dry at times, almost clinical in its presentation. Much of the story is told through medical transcripts and case documentation, which creates an interesting perspective but also distances the reader from the emotional core of the novel.
Throughout the story, Katherine’s mother repeatedly warns that Katherine is “the crazy one,” yet the novel never fully explores how she reached that point. I kept expecting some pivotal childhood event or trauma that would explain her behaviour, but that depth never materialized. Likewise, although Katherine spends time in a psychiatric unit and receives medication, the story offers little insight into her diagnosis or mental health, leaving an important aspect of her character feeling incomplete.
My biggest challenge with the book was its identity. It isn’t quite true crime because of its fictional framework, yet it doesn’t fully succeed as fiction because it relies so heavily on true crime elements and documentary-style presentation. For me, those two approaches never fully meshed, making this an interesting concept but a sometimes difficult and emotionally distant read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5 STARS True Crime read about AKA THE FEMALE HANNIBAL LECTER. Oh myyyy this is a true story!
True crime, fact-based, and utterly horrifying—this story left me stunned, my mouth hanging open for most of it. I went in blind, not knowing anything about Katherine Knight, and as a true crime fanatic, I was completely consumed by the author’s chilling account.
If you love true crime, this book is an absolute must-read.
It unravels the life of Katherine Knight—one of the few female serial killers and one of Australia’s most notorious murderers. The sheer brutality is almost unimaginable: she stabbed her partner 37 times, skinned him, and attempted to serve his remains to his own children. Her crimes were so monstrous that she became the first woman in Australia sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
But what makes this even more haunting is the look into her past—a childhood steeped in violence, trauma, and abuse. It paints a disturbing picture of how a life can spiral into something so dark and incomprehensible.
Gripping, disturbing, and impossible to forget—this is true crime at its most extreme.
Thank you Arthor Roje Augustin, Post Hill Press, Simon & Shuster, and Netgalley for the ARC.
True crime, fact-based, and utterly horrifying—this story left me stunned, my mouth hanging open for most of it. I went in blind, not knowing anything about Katherine Knight, and as a true crime fanatic, I was completely consumed by the author’s chilling account.
If you love true crime, this book is an absolute must-read.
It unravels the life of Katherine Knight—one of the few female serial killers and one of Australia’s most notorious murderers. The sheer brutality is almost unimaginable: she stabbed her partner 37 times, skinned him, and attempted to serve his remains to his own children. Her crimes were so monstrous that she became the first woman in Australia sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
But what makes this even more haunting is the look into her past—a childhood steeped in violence, trauma, and abuse. It paints a disturbing picture of how a life can spiral into something so dark and incomprehensible.
Gripping, disturbing, and impossible to forget—this is true crime at its most extreme.
Thank you Arthor Roje Augustin, Post Hill Press, Simon & Shuster, and Netgalley for the ARC.
June 1, 2026
I was given an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest reviewThe Butcher of Aberdeen is a true crime book centered around Katherine Knight and the grisly murder of John Price, otherwise known as “Pricey.” It is hard to fathom a murder as violent as the one described in the book happened in 2000. Sometimes real events can be scarier than any fiction one can imagine. The book takes you through some of the relationships Katherine had with various men throughout her life, which led up to the events surrounding Pricey’s death. Having held a job in a meat cutting plant, she had developed a knowledge of how to butcher animals, and she used this knowledge to butcher someone who had at one time been her lover.
My rating of the book reflects how true crime stories can grip you. The author provided a detailed enough account of what transpired with just a sprinkling of narrative to maintain the flow of events throughout the book. There are very vivid, unsettling and gruesome descriptions of the crime scene, so please take that into account when deciding whether this is a book for you or not. If you enjoy true crime novels or podcasts, consider reading this book.
My rating of the book reflects how true crime stories can grip you. The author provided a detailed enough account of what transpired with just a sprinkling of narrative to maintain the flow of events throughout the book. There are very vivid, unsettling and gruesome descriptions of the crime scene, so please take that into account when deciding whether this is a book for you or not. If you enjoy true crime novels or podcasts, consider reading this book.
June 3, 2026
Growing up, my family mostly lived in Tamworth and surrounds, so any trip to visit meant driving through Aberdeen. I remember watching the news coverage in 2000 and being completely dumbstruck by Katherine Knight’s actions against John Price. Since then I’ve listened to countless podcasts covering the case and, looking back, it was probably one of the catalysts for my interest in true crime - particularly Australian true crime.
Maybe it’s morbid, but I find crimes that happen close to places I know far more chilling than ones on the other side of the world. I’ve wandered the Sunday morning markets in Aberdeen, eaten at the Top Pub and driven through town more times than I can count, so this has always been one of those cases that’s stuck with me.
What I appreciated most about this book was how much context it provided. Most people know the headline-making events of the case, but I enjoyed learning more about Knight’s childhood, relationships and mental health history. The sections drawn from psychiatric transcripts and assessments were particularly interesting and added another layer to a story I thought I already knew pretty well.
This book filled in a lot of blanks for me and gave me a deeper understanding of one of Australia’s most infamous criminal cases.
Maybe it’s morbid, but I find crimes that happen close to places I know far more chilling than ones on the other side of the world. I’ve wandered the Sunday morning markets in Aberdeen, eaten at the Top Pub and driven through town more times than I can count, so this has always been one of those cases that’s stuck with me.
What I appreciated most about this book was how much context it provided. Most people know the headline-making events of the case, but I enjoyed learning more about Knight’s childhood, relationships and mental health history. The sections drawn from psychiatric transcripts and assessments were particularly interesting and added another layer to a story I thought I already knew pretty well.
This book filled in a lot of blanks for me and gave me a deeper understanding of one of Australia’s most infamous criminal cases.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am not sure where I fall on this book honestly. It's part true crime and part fiction. I really enjoy true crime and I really enjoy fictional crime. The author is very upfront about how the book is written, that parts are made up, parts are taken from factual content. For me though, I struggled with wanting to know what was real and what wasn't. Somethings weirded me out, for instant sex scenes where the act probably really happened but to have dialog, thoughts and feelings injected into it that most likely didn't really happen was off for me and I felt scenes could have been skipped with a simple telling of what happened.
Overall, to me the book is hit and miss. Mostly for the reasons addressed above. I did not know anything about Katherine before this ALC and it really is a story that brought a lot of feelings, anger, pity, etc. I think I would have really enjoyed a book of straight fiction that may have been loosely based on the true story. I think I would have enjoyed a book that was just based on the factual info. The mix though just didn't hit right for me.
Thank you for this ALC Roje Augustin, Netgalley and RB Media for this ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Overall, to me the book is hit and miss. Mostly for the reasons addressed above. I did not know anything about Katherine before this ALC and it really is a story that brought a lot of feelings, anger, pity, etc. I think I would have really enjoyed a book of straight fiction that may have been loosely based on the true story. I think I would have enjoyed a book that was just based on the factual info. The mix though just didn't hit right for me.
Thank you for this ALC Roje Augustin, Netgalley and RB Media for this ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 2, 2026
First off the author does not hold back on the gory details of this crime and the life of Katherine Knight so if you are squeamish this might not be the story for you.
The way that the author tells this story was so well done. They combine the facts, psychological analysis, with few creative additions to really dive into the life of Katherine Knight and the horrible events leading up to the murder. The fictional parts were incorporated into the retelling seamlessly. We do not know the inner thoughts of Price and Knight hasn't spoken on hers so the creative additions were necessary. I really appreciated that it was just not a 'Hollywood' type retelling of the tragic events. Augustin takes us through Knights childhood and relationships leading up to her relationship with John Price. This isn't a woman who woke up one day and snapped she had a clear pattern of manipulation and abuse to those around her.
Katherine Littrell's performance in the audiobook was very well done. If this is a story you think you can handle I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook.
Thank you NetGalley, RBmedia, and Rojé Augustin for a copy of this audiobook
The way that the author tells this story was so well done. They combine the facts, psychological analysis, with few creative additions to really dive into the life of Katherine Knight and the horrible events leading up to the murder. The fictional parts were incorporated into the retelling seamlessly. We do not know the inner thoughts of Price and Knight hasn't spoken on hers so the creative additions were necessary. I really appreciated that it was just not a 'Hollywood' type retelling of the tragic events. Augustin takes us through Knights childhood and relationships leading up to her relationship with John Price. This isn't a woman who woke up one day and snapped she had a clear pattern of manipulation and abuse to those around her.
Katherine Littrell's performance in the audiobook was very well done. If this is a story you think you can handle I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook.
Thank you NetGalley, RBmedia, and Rojé Augustin for a copy of this audiobook
July 6, 2026
Solid 4 🌟's
This was a gripping true crime retelling that held my attention from start to finish, amazingly well written and engaging for a nonfiction read. Even though I was unfamiliar with the case beforehand, the book quickly pulled me into both the events and the psychological buildup surrounding them. What stood out most was how effectively the narrative explores the long, complicated lead-up to the crime, showing how patterns of behavior and relationships can gradually escalate in unsettling ways.
Rather than feeling sensationalized, the story is presented in a way that balances the disturbing facts with a broader look at the circumstances around the individual involved. It is thoughtfully constructed, which made it hard to put down.
Overall, this was a compelling and well-executed true crime read. I’d give it 4 stars and would recommend it to readers who are interested in psychologically driven true crime accounts and don’t mind heavy, disturbing subject matter. As I do love true crime and thrillers, it's rare for me to enjoy a nonfiction narrative as much as I did this one.
Thank you to the publisher and the author for the ARC copy provided by NetGalley!
This was a gripping true crime retelling that held my attention from start to finish, amazingly well written and engaging for a nonfiction read. Even though I was unfamiliar with the case beforehand, the book quickly pulled me into both the events and the psychological buildup surrounding them. What stood out most was how effectively the narrative explores the long, complicated lead-up to the crime, showing how patterns of behavior and relationships can gradually escalate in unsettling ways.
Rather than feeling sensationalized, the story is presented in a way that balances the disturbing facts with a broader look at the circumstances around the individual involved. It is thoughtfully constructed, which made it hard to put down.
Overall, this was a compelling and well-executed true crime read. I’d give it 4 stars and would recommend it to readers who are interested in psychologically driven true crime accounts and don’t mind heavy, disturbing subject matter. As I do love true crime and thrillers, it's rare for me to enjoy a nonfiction narrative as much as I did this one.
Thank you to the publisher and the author for the ARC copy provided by NetGalley!
June 30, 2026
The Butcher of Aberdeen is a gripping, incredibly well-written true crime account. Before listening, I was entirely unfamiliar with Katherine Knight, a notorious female killer from Australia. The book meticulously details her upbringing and former relationships, clearly tracing the disturbing, consistent pattern of behavior she exhibited long before the ultimate murder of John Price.
While the book is highly informative and the audio production is excellently performed by an authentic Australian narrator, it is a heavy, difficult listen. It is incredibly heartbreaking because truly everyone who came into contact with Katherine became a victim in some way. My heart goes out to both Katherine’s and John’s families; though legal justice was served, it is the kind of tragedy where no outcome truly feels sufficient.
I would recommend this audiobook to true crime readers, but with a strong caveat: definitely pay close attention to the trigger warnings before diving in.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this Audiobook.
While the book is highly informative and the audio production is excellently performed by an authentic Australian narrator, it is a heavy, difficult listen. It is incredibly heartbreaking because truly everyone who came into contact with Katherine became a victim in some way. My heart goes out to both Katherine’s and John’s families; though legal justice was served, it is the kind of tragedy where no outcome truly feels sufficient.
I would recommend this audiobook to true crime readers, but with a strong caveat: definitely pay close attention to the trigger warnings before diving in.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this Audiobook.
May 25, 2026
A mother living in a small country town stabs her partner to death thirty-seven times before decapitating him, skinning him, and serving up slices of his cooked flesh at a table set for his children.
Born into a dysfunctional family in rural Australia, Katherine Knight was raised in an environment of neglect, violence, sexual abuse, and emotional turmoil, setting the stage for a life marked by intense instability. As an adult, she would become notorious for her sexual manipulations, violent outbursts, her inability to maintain healthy relationships, and the brutal nature of her crimes.
Wow, this is some story. Based on a true account of a horrendous murder. So well written and although the subject could be dry it was impossible for me to put down.
Her crime was terrible but then her life was tragic but that’s no excuse for what she did to that poor man.
A word of warning - this is not for the faint-hearted.
June 28, 2026
This was an incredibly brutal story told in a highly engaging way.
The Butcher of Aberdeen is the dramatised recount of real life events that happened in NSW between the 70s and 2000, culminating in a brutal murder.
The book has been pulled together from court documents, interviews and police reports and shows the manipulative behaviour and deep seated disturbance of Katherine Knight.
The audio for this book was gripping. I consumed the entire book in one sitting and didn’t want to turn it off. The horrific acts were portrayed in a way that felt real, but still protected the reader from the brutal reality.
I thought this book was great. I won’t say I loved it, because it was disturbing as hell and it was incredibly sad how many peoples lives this woman destroyed, but I had a great experience listening to this audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Butcher of Aberdeen is the dramatised recount of real life events that happened in NSW between the 70s and 2000, culminating in a brutal murder.
The book has been pulled together from court documents, interviews and police reports and shows the manipulative behaviour and deep seated disturbance of Katherine Knight.
The audio for this book was gripping. I consumed the entire book in one sitting and didn’t want to turn it off. The horrific acts were portrayed in a way that felt real, but still protected the reader from the brutal reality.
I thought this book was great. I won’t say I loved it, because it was disturbing as hell and it was incredibly sad how many peoples lives this woman destroyed, but I had a great experience listening to this audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Listened to the advance audiobook from Netgalley 🎧
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book is extremely graphic and disturbing from the start. The opening chapter graphically describes dismemberment so it isn't for the faint hearted.
I'll be honest the title caught my attention as I thought it was Aberdeen, Scotland but it is actually Aberdeen in Australia.
It is a true story and considering I love true crime (that sounds weird 🤔)... I find true crime interesting, I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this.
The descriptions of violence weren't included to try and shock you, they accurately describe what transpired including domestic abuse, extreme violence, coercive control, violence towards animals, sexual violence and murder.
The narrator was great and the Australian accents felt authentic.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who are interested in true crime however just being aware that it doesn't hold back on the details.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book is extremely graphic and disturbing from the start. The opening chapter graphically describes dismemberment so it isn't for the faint hearted.
I'll be honest the title caught my attention as I thought it was Aberdeen, Scotland but it is actually Aberdeen in Australia.
It is a true story and considering I love true crime (that sounds weird 🤔)... I find true crime interesting, I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this.
The descriptions of violence weren't included to try and shock you, they accurately describe what transpired including domestic abuse, extreme violence, coercive control, violence towards animals, sexual violence and murder.
The narrator was great and the Australian accents felt authentic.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who are interested in true crime however just being aware that it doesn't hold back on the details.
July 6, 2026
I typically stick to fiction, but I decided to step outside my usual comfort zone and try some nonfiction with The Butcher of Aberdeen. What surprised me most was how much this book read like fiction. The author describes it as narrative nonfiction, and I think that’s a very accurate description — it tells a true story in a way that feels much more like a novel than a traditional nonfiction account.
The subject matter is obviously disturbing, but I thought the author handled the story well and presented the events in an engaging way. It kept my attention and was easy to follow, especially as someone who doesn’t normally gravitate toward nonfiction.
Overall, this was a solid read. I don’t know that I would rush to recommend it to everyone, but there also isn’t one specific thing I disliked about it. It was simply one of those books that I found interesting while reading, but it probably won’t be one that sticks with me long-term.
The subject matter is obviously disturbing, but I thought the author handled the story well and presented the events in an engaging way. It kept my attention and was easy to follow, especially as someone who doesn’t normally gravitate toward nonfiction.
Overall, this was a solid read. I don’t know that I would rush to recommend it to everyone, but there also isn’t one specific thing I disliked about it. It was simply one of those books that I found interesting while reading, but it probably won’t be one that sticks with me long-term.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a challenge read! I didn't know what to expect and I got a big shock! I muss confess that I skipped the passages describing the bestial murder of John. Too horrific, too disturbing for me. I was more interested in the psychiatric evaluation of Katherine. The narrative reveals the difficulty in analysing such a person and thus reach a correct diagnosis. The reason of such violence is also very hard to determine. Two points astounded me: the fact that Katherine was not stopped earlier, and the fact that one needed to press charges against someone who comitted extreme violence, whether psychological or physical !!! Many acts might have been otherwise avoided. A disturbing and thought provoking story.
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I think this is an interesting concept, but the way it was executed unfortunately did not click with me. The subject matter is based on an actual event, and I found it interesting to learn about given how disturbing the crime is, but the book felt too much like a case file or an ID Channel documentary, which made it hard to get through at first. It does pick up later on, but I felt it took too long to get there.
I appreciated the in depth breakdown of Katherine Knight and what led to the crime, as well as the lack of sensationalism in the depiction of the violence, which true crime can be guilty of. It is clear that a lot of research went into this, and if you enjoy true crime and are comfortable with gruesome details, I think you would enjoy this. It just ultimately did not land for me.
I appreciated the in depth breakdown of Katherine Knight and what led to the crime, as well as the lack of sensationalism in the depiction of the violence, which true crime can be guilty of. It is clear that a lot of research went into this, and if you enjoy true crime and are comfortable with gruesome details, I think you would enjoy this. It just ultimately did not land for me.
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