The Butcher of Berner Street Book Review

The Butcher of Berner Street was sent to me by Jonathan Ball Publishers (South Africa) This is not a title I would have selected, but I pride myself on reading all hard copy books that publishers send to me. So, with a heavy heart, I opened the cover and started reading, my expectations not being very high.

Well, I could not have been more wrong. Within the first few pages, I was hooked and found myself eager to continue reading. Leo Stanhope has a secret of his own, making this a surprisingly entertaining read.

Alex Reeve did his homework on the historical research in this book. While historical fiction is generally something I steer clear of, this story was a deep, compassionate tale, with colourful scenic details that added to the story.

The Butcher of Berner Street is a crime story told around one man’s search for acceptance and a place that he feels he belongs. The author manages to transport you back in time while at the same time looking at community acceptance and the effect community norms have on anyone different.

Alex Reeve did a marvellous job with this book. He’s writing carries you back to the past without you even noticing. The story had an easy flow which draws you in and makes it easy to forget your surroundings while you are reading.

Leo Stanhope receives an anonymous letter warning him of a murder that is going to happen at a wrestling club in East London. Soon after discovering that the letter was a hoax, the owner of the club is found murdered.  The perfect way for Leo Stanhope to make a name for himself as a reporter for the Daily Chronicle. At first, Leo is convinced that he knows exactly what happened, but after publishing his article he discovers there is a lot more to the story and that he might have put someone’s life in danger. Driving by the desire to do the right thing, Leo Stanhope chases down every lead to get to the bottom of the murder and correct his wrongs.

As mentioned, historical fiction generally does not appeal to me, but The Butcher of Berner Street proved to be an exception to that rule. The author did a wonderful job telling a detailed story set in late 1800 while not losing his reader on too many historical facts. It was an easy read that kept me focused on the characters so much I sometimes forgot the timeline completely, and when I did notice that I was in late 1800 it was welcoming.

I have not read any of Alex Reeve’s other books, so Leo Stanhope was new to me. He proved to be an excellent character. At first, he appears a little on the boring and stuffy side, yet as the story unfolds you find out that there is a lot more to this strange reporter and you quickly become wrapped up in his personal dilemma. The other characters in the book are a colourful mix who leaves you with a little more understanding about life during late 1800.

Despite my original doubt, I found this book highly entertaining and certainly worth the four days I spent reading it. I would recommend this book not only to crime and thriller enthusiasts but also to any sceptics of the historical fiction genre.

If you are searching for something different, a book that can transport you into the past while dealing with deep issues which still face us today – then you will not be disappointed, get a copy of The Butcher of Berner Street.