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Book Reviews of The Butcher's Boy (Butcher's Boy, Bk 1)

The Butcher's Boy (Butcher's Boy, Bk 1)
The Butcher's Boy - Butcher's Boy, Bk 1
Author: Thomas Perry
ISBN-13: 9780441089505
ISBN-10: 044108950X
Publication Date: 7/1983
Pages: 313
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 17

3.8 stars, based on 17 ratings
Publisher: ACE Charter
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

5 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed The Butcher's Boy (Butcher's Boy, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A real favorite focusing on how a hit man plans and implements his activities
pafmarwog avatar reviewed The Butcher's Boy (Butcher's Boy, Bk 1) on + 43 more book reviews
This was an enthralling story about a hit man and a Justice Department Statistician who's lives run on parallel planes throughout the tale but never intersect. I found myself rooting for both sides to win in this adventure. The characters were engaging and believeable and well developed by the writer. I really like this guy Perry. Good job.
reviewed The Butcher's Boy (Butcher's Boy, Bk 1) on + 79 more book reviews
Excellent author. Good characters and writing. Really enjoyed the story.
reviewed The Butcher's Boy (Butcher's Boy, Bk 1) on + 132 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book it was a real thriller.
cyndij avatar reviewed The Butcher's Boy (Butcher's Boy, Bk 1) on + 1032 more book reviews
Thomas Perry is probably best known for his Jane Whitefield series, but he's written a lot of other good books. My second-favorite of his is THE BUTCHER'S BOY, his first novel.
The story is told from alternating POVs, that of the Butcher's Boy (we never learn his name) and that of DOJ analyst Elizabeth Waring. Waring is determined to prove herself and solve two murders that at first only she realized were connected. The Butcher's Boy is totally amoral although not sadistic. Murdering someone is just another job, but he takes it personally when one of the Mafia bosses tries to have him taken out. There's no real gory scenes but there is a high body count by the end.

Perry managed to make the Butcher's Boy sympathetic enough for me to root both for him and for Waring, the DOJ analyst trying to catch him. I liked the tension that results because Waring and the FBI are always two or three steps behind the carnage, frantically trying to figure out what's going on. The Butcher's Boy's memories of Eddie, who taught him to be a hit man, are sort of amusing and chilling at the same time. It's a good fast-moving story and deserved its 1983 Edgar Award win for Best First Mystery Novel.