The Butcher of Belarus

by Brian Christopher Shea, Ty Hutchinson

As a brutal serial killer terrorizes a migrant camp on the Polish border, an FBI profiler must get inside his twisted mind...before another little girl is killed.

On the border between Poland and Belarus, thousands of migrants are struggling for survival. But illness and unsanitary conditions aren’t the worst of it.

The first girl’s death is too brutal to be an accident. The second sends a wave of panic through the camp.

When the third body is discovered, there’s no escaping the horrifying a serial killer is on the loose inside the camp, and the local authorities are powerless to stop him.

FBI profiler Sterling Gray is an expert at reading troubled minds. On loan to Interpol, he is called in on behalf of the Polish government to assist in identifying the killer. Gray goes undercover as a member of the Doctors Without Borders program, using his time inside the camp to profile the killer, but quickly finds other dangers lurking around every corner…

Gray’s profile of the killer leads to a swift arrest, but something doesn’t feel right. And when a new shocking truth emerges, Gray must risk everything to return to the camps…or another little girl will die.

The clock is ticking. The hunt is on for the Butcher of Belarus.

USA Today bestselling author Ty Hutchinson and former detective and WSJ bestselling author Brian Shea deliver a fast-paced mystery series filled with twists, perfect for fans of James Patterson and Michael Connelly.

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What readers are

★★★★★ "...perfect..."
★★★★★ "Buckle Up!"
★★★★★ "...danger and suspense..."
★★★★★ "...thoroughly gripping and intense..."
★★★★★ "Brian Shea and Ty Hutchinson are at the top of my list of best writers."

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2022

About the author

Author also writes under Brian Shea

BRIAN CHRISTOPHER SHEA has spent most of his adult life in service to his country and local community. He honorably served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. In his civilian life, he reached the rank of Detective and accrued ten years of law enforcement experience between Texas and Connecticut. Somewhere in the mix he spent five years as a fifth-grade school teacher. Brian’s myriad of life experience is woven into the tapestry of each character’s design. He resides in New England and is blessed with an amazing wife and three beautiful daughters.

Writing has always been a dream, but life seemed to find a way of interrupting. It wasn’t until recently that he dedicated time to this passion. His first book, The Camel’s Back, gave him a much-needed mental break from his work investigating atrocities against children. He allotted time in the morning each day. Usually waking at 5 to bang away on his manuscript. The second round of daily writing would occur after his children were asleep. He proved that working full-time and raising a family were no longer valid excuses to putting off his novel.

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Migrants are flocking to the border of Belarus and Poland on the promise of being accepted into Poland and the EU for a better life. But Poland has shut its borders and the migrant camp is filled with robbers, rapists, and unsanitary conditions. That’s not even the worst of it. There’s a serial killer in the camp and there are three dead girls. FBI Agent Sterling Gray must now provide a profile on the killer so that they can capture him. While going undercover, Agent Gray discovers things aren’t exactly what they seem. When there is an arrest, it doesn’t sit well with Agent Gray. Then the truth comes out and Agent Gray must return to the camp. Can the serial killer be stopped before another little girl dies?

In this fast-paced read, you’ll be on the edge of your seat and wanting to find justice for the little girls that have been murdered. Shea and Hutchinson did not waste any time getting right into the story, which I really appreciated. While this is a series, they can be read as a standalone. The authors give a very brief explanation as to why an FBI Agent is working overseas. I was right along for the ride with Agent Gray trying to figure out who the killer was, but I couldn’t figure it out! I suspected someone that was good to go bad, but that didn’t happen. I think I read too many thrillers!

[Kevin Halter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Butcher of Belarus by Brian Shea and Ty Hutchinson was a pleasant surprise.
I am unfamiliar with the authors or the character but the premise sounded promising.
"As a brutal serial killer terrorizes a migrant camp on the Polish border, an FBI profiler must get inside his twisted mind before another little girl is killed…"
The character of FBI profiler Sterling Gray was likable and the rest of the cast of characters were quickly engaging. It really was a page turning thriller.
"Gray is an expert at reading troubled minds. On loan to Interpol, he is called in on behalf of the Polish government to assist in identifying the killer. Gray goes undercover as a member of the Doctors Without Borders program, using his time inside the camp to profile the killer, but quickly finds other dangers lurking around every corner…
Gray’s profile of the killer leads to a swift arrest, but something doesn’t feel right. And when a new shocking truth emerges, Gray must risk everything to return to the camps…or another little girl will die.
The clock is ticking. The hunt is on for the Butcher a Belarus."
Thank you to #NetGalley, #SevernRiverPublishing, and the authors for the ARC of #TheButcherofBelarus.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story with Sterling still working with INTERPOL on cases when he is requested to assist POLAND with a case involving a serial killer. When he arrives, he discovers that the location is in Belarus and the victims are young girls who are in a Migrant camp. He is told that he will be going undercover and that he has 5 days to find the killer. He and other members of Poland's intellegence service are embeded wit Doctors without Borders who are entering the camp to attend to the migrants. Sterling is not getting a lot of information to develop a profile, but eventually narrows it down to one man. The group eventually captures the man and brings him to Poland where it as announced that the killer has been found. It is discovered later that this individual was not responsible for the crime. The Polish government only wanted this case taken as a politicsal ploy. Sterling wanted to go back to the camp once more to find this person who was responsible. The y were able to get approval from the government, but again they were on a short leash. This time Sterling got more information from a witness and redid his profile. The group ultimately figured who was the person that ordered the killings. It was only after the witness was taken that the team confronted the party involved.

To learn why the killings were happening, who was the person who led the killers, how did the team eventually close the case out, then you need to read this book. You won't be disappointed.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently this book is part of a series.

Sterling Gray is a FBI agent on loan for Interpol in England.

Today I learned a new vocabulary word. A horrid political tactic called Tacit Warfare.

Gray is asked to go to Poland. He is to assist other operatives in investigating the murder of 3 young girls. Except, the murders are not in Poland, but Belarus. The team will enter the migrant camp that borders Poland. They have a short time to investigate and find the murderer.

Gray, a doctor, sets up camp as part of Doctors without Borders. It is a deadly operation because if caught, they will be the executed. The soldiers are brutal and deviant. The camp is filthy and deadly.

As the team desperately investigates, things get cold heartedly violent and Gray is not sure he can continue. But he is determined to help a migrant family and find justice for these little girls.

I found the writing style forthright and simple. The dialogue was straight to the point, the time progression tight and the plot educational but distubing.

I had to read up on Belarus. Apparently there are sanctions against. the country due to human rights violations, election manipulations. Currently, 2022, they are allies to Russian in their invasion of Ukraine .

Received giveaway from Netgalley

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a compelling and complex story of an FBI profiler who is sent undercover into a migrant camp to search out a serial killer of young girls As he poses as a Doctors without Borders personnel, Sterling Gray is able to get an inside look into the many suspects that could be guilty, and at the same time make friends with some in the camp who are able to give him a better look into the mind of the killer. I was disheartened at the politics behind the scenes of this humanitarian crisis, but also enthralled by the intricate plot that kept me reading into the wee hours of the morning. This talented author duo kept me in suspense from start to finish, just as in the previous two books, and I can’t wait to read the next installment in this fascinating series. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher, and have given my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Ilona · Rating 4 out of 5]

FBI Agent Stirling Gray of the BAU is still on loan to Interpol, and has been enjoying his stay in the UK, but getting a bit antsy. Suddenly he is asked to do a profile on murderer of girls in Poland – but the file he has been given is pretty thin, as in no information then that the girls are murdered. Intrigued he heads of to Poland, to be told that the bodies are buried in Belarus in a refugee camp. To do a profile he is going in with Doctors without Borders and no authority what so ever. Short in time, twists and turns, …
It was a bit of a hard book for me to read, the conditions of the camps, the fear the people have, sense of no belonging, … and to know that this a small glimpse as what refugee experience.
Thank you to Severn River Publishing for an Advanced Review copy.

[K Huskić · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I really enjoyed the first two in this series, but this one just didn't have the same impact (to me). Something about the dialogue just felt stilted, and I don't recall it being that way in the other books.
The plot was still interesting, and I like Gray's character and the way he evaluates things in his head when coming up with his profiles. And like him, I was super frustrated with the way he was kept in the dark and given so many vague or incomplete answers. There was just a lot of back and forth and going in circles.
Though this wasn't my favourite, I am enjoying the series as a whole and will still read the next one.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all books in this series and this is the best one so far! So many things are believable and I'm sure are happening in Poland and Belarus at the moment others, like the crimes against children, I prefer to believe only exist in the world of fiction. The Butcher of Belarus is a very up-to-date story, involving real facts and problems in the world, it's very detailed although at the same time fast-paced, and provides great entertainment. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Brian Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book and wanted to enjoy it alot more than I did. It was a fine book and the story moved along well and had some good action sequences. It just didn't demand my attention like a bunch of other books I have read. I enjoyed the plot line and liked the humanity of Dr. Gray but it didn't pull me in. Maybe it was the location that I had a hard time connecting with. 3.5/5. I would still like to read more from the authors in the future.

[Geetika Adhikary · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for some gritty, dark thriller/crime mystery, you can five this book a shot.

The plot was really captivating, kept me on edfe throughout the book.
In fact the Belarus- Poland border migrant crisis is real which is the central theme of this book.
It was fast paced with satisfying ending.

The writing is easily understandable but could have been a little bit better.
The characters could have a little bit more depth to them but other than that I really enjoyed this book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected this story to be darker than it was. I liked Sterling Gray's character and some of the other characters made the story more real. I thought some of them should have been fleshed out better. It was a story that could have been torn from the news today with the happenings in Ukraine. It is action packed and kept me guessing until the satisfactory conclusion. I received a free copy of this book via Severn River Publishing and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Salome G · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a perfectly serviceable thriller. I didn't love it, though. I thought, for one thing, that it was a little too brisk, with not as much development of the story and/or characters that I would have liked. For another, as this is part of a series, there's never really a sense of danger for the main character. He's the title character of the series--I don't think they're going to kill him off.

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The country of Belarus is a hit when considering Its place in today's news. A thoroughly gripping and intense story. The descriptions of the woods and its place throughout the novel is gut-wrenching.
The escape of Salma and Gray is stunning. A perfect story from beginning to end.
Highly Recommended. I received this as an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely gripping book. FBI agent Gray has to figure out a serial killer before there are more murders. Life is dangerous and difficult enough without this. Well written with strong characters.

[Bonnie Oscars · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a read!

Very intriguing events! It was interesting and intense! Great characters and plot! It was not SD catching as the previous book in the series, but I enjoyed reading this one !

[Beverly Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sterling Gray is sent in to help find a killer in a containment camp of refugees.
With help, he sets a trap and eventually finds the evil among them.
The book got a little tedious to me in the middle, but it is a good book.

[paul ringiewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Shea and The Butcher of Belarus

Another Shea page turner. Sterling Gray did his thing ,what he does and more. Thanks for another great read Brian.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Another great Gray book from the Shea - Hutchinson team. While you could certainly start with this book, I think the first book is the best way to start this series.

[Ronald S. Nadel M.D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too unbelievable

[sam mckenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and turns

Another goid story. So many twists and turns I couldn't put the story down. I love the Gray Character, he's very believable.

[Donald Hahn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terrible Repetitive I cannot read another book on this character

[Sergey Zaretsky · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author has no clue about Belarus. The plot is silly. The writing is primitive.

[Richard A Lambing]

Great, series, started last book!

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really hate books that claim to be one thing and are nothing that even resembles the claim. If you are after Equilizer or Jack Reacher style book, these are what they are. Besides the first book, there has been no profiling. My mum did not raise a quitter, but I give up. It gets 1 star for the 100% false claims to what the book is based on.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s looking like my review will be in the minority. It missed the mark for me on some levels. I wish there was the capability of giving partial star ratings. It’s not quite a 4 star book for me but it’s not as low as 3 stars either. I’d give it a 3 1/2 star rating if I could. This is one of those stories that can be described as “ripped from the headlines”. If something like this hasn’t happened, you certainly can imagine that it could. The storyline is interesting and holds your attention until the conclusion. The biggest downside of this book for me is the somewhat stilted and simplistic dialogue. The main characters work for intelligence agencies yet there just seems to be a lack of depth to their interactions. The book would be what I consider good and is worth reading. I have no doubt that there are many people who will find it to be an excellent read.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an advance reader copy of The Butcher of Belarus in July. I was recently offered a review copy of the audiobook from the publisher and immediately took them up on the offer This third book in the Sterling Gray FBI Profiler series takes on a much darker and grittier tone than its predecessors. While I thought the first two books were excellent, I’m not sure what would be above excellent, but The Butcher of Belarus would certainly fit that category. Once again Michael Gallagher’s expert narration brought this story and each of the characters to life. The following is my original review for The Butcher of Belarus.

To be honest, after reading King Snake I wasn’t sure how the Sterling Gray stories might ever be any darker or grittier, but Brian Shea and Ty Hutchinson have outdone themselves in creating one of the darkest thrillers I’ve read in a long time. The story is built around events that could very well be current news, which makes it a story you cannot put down. I can honestly say this is my favorite of the series – so far – who knows what they have in store for their next episode. I would highly suggest grabbing a copy of The Butcher of Belarus and settling in for a disturbing read. I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and chose to provide this review.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I had my suspicions as to who the 'bad guy' was. But how were they going to get him out of there. Excellent book!! Loved it!