Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel opens by presenting Edward Shank as a celebrated hero, only to dismantle that image completely. What was your initial reaction when you realized the hero was the villain? How did this revelation inform your experience of the rest of the book?

2. Have you read Jennifer Hillier’s other novels that explore serial killers, such as Jar of Hearts, Creep, or Freak? How does The Butcher compare to her other work or to the psychological thriller genre more broadly?

3. What did you think of the novel’s structure? How did following both Matt’s discovery and Sam’s investigation affect the story’s suspense?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Matt builds his professional identity around his grandmother Marisol’s Filipino cooking, creating a legacy of nourishment. Think about the traditions or skills passed down in your own family. In what ways do you embrace, reject, or redefine the legacies you’ve inherited?

2. Edward maintains a deep divide between his public persona and his private self. Do you think this kind of duality is common, and why might people feel the need to separate aspects of their lives?

3. Do you recall a time when you felt driven by a need for answers, similar to Sam’s obsession with her mother’s case? What was that experience like?

4. Through Edward Shank, this novel explores the exploitation and manipulation of society’s trust in institutions and authority figures. Have you ever been in a situation in which an authority figure wielded their power to pursue a personal agenda?

5. Matt feels trapped by a future he thinks is determined by his violent lineage. Have you ever felt that your future was shaped by expectations or history out of your control? How did you navigate that feeling?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The story is set against the real-world history of the serial killer panic that gripped the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s and ’80s. How does it contribute to public discourse about the historical representations of serial killers?

2. How does the novel’s representation of Edward Shank enter into contemporary conversation about trust and corruption in public institutions? What does the novel’s dismantling of the “hero cop” archetype suggest about our cultural fascination with such figures?

3. Sam’s work as a true-crime writer is central to her character. What are your thoughts on the ethics of the true-crime genre and its focus on real-life violence as entertainment?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. What role does friendship play in the novel, particularly through Jason’s steadfast support for both Sam and Matt? Do you think there were moments where his loyalty was challenged or misplaced?

2. Discuss the role of cooking and food in the novel. What role does it play, and how does it develop the themes of the novel?

3. Edward Shank is presented as a static character whose core evil never changes. What literary techniques does Hillier use to reveal the depths of his psychopathy and make him a compelling antagonist? Why do you think she chose not to give him a redemptive arc?

4. Consider the various settings of the novel (Matt’s home, Adobo, Pike Place Market, Edward’s cabin). What is the significance of the changing settings? How do they amplify the plot and meaning of the novel?

5. Discuss the choice to include an epilogue. Did it provide a satisfying resolution for Sam’s character arc? Why or why not?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Marisol’s perspective is only glimpsed in a flashback, where she accuses Edward of being responsible for their daughter Lucy’s death. If you were to write a scene from her point of view, what would it look like?

2. Imagine you are adapting The Butcher for the screen. What actors would you cast in the roles of Edward, Matt, and Sam to capture their complex characters?