Butcher & Blackbird

Butcher & Blackbird (2023) is a Dark Romance novel by Brynne Weaver, part of the Ruinous Love trilogy. Sloane and Rowan are two rival murderers who specialize in killing serial killers. They develop an unlikely, slow-burn romance as they participate in an annual competition where they race to kill various villains in different locations throughout the United States. As their relationship deepens, Sloane and Rowan must navigate the unfamiliar territory of emotional vulnerability, genuine love, and mutual acceptance, while renegotiating their relationships with violence and competition. The novel explores The Ethics of Vigilante Justice, The Nuances of Identity, and The Complexities of Love in Dark Circumstances. The second book in the trilogy, Leather & Lark, was published in 2024.

This guide refers to the paperback edition published by Zando in 2024.

Content Warning: Butcher & Blackbird and this guide mention child abuse, child sexual abuse, and cannibalism.

Plot Summary

The two protagonists take turns narrating the novel. Sloane Sutherland (aka the “Orb Weaver”) is a serial killer who kills other serial killers. She is currently locked in a cage with the corpse of a serial killer named Albert Briscoe whom she has just killed, but she does not know how to get out.