Walk in the Shadows with THE BUFFALO BUTCHER
Chart-topping historical fiction novel imagining the return of Jack the Ripper, told from the perspective of the victims in this powerful and inspiring tale.
Welcome to the pages here on All That Glitters that talk about my novels! You’re here with me for The Buffalo Butcher.
The Buffalo Butcher: Jack the Ripper in the Electric City
Buffalo, New York, 1901 . . .
Not quite thirteen years have passed since Jack the Ripper terrorized Whitechapel, London. And now, in the very shadow of the great Pan-American Exposition, someone has started murdering the prostitutes of Buffalo’s Tenderloin District—and carving strange symbols into their bodies.
Neither police, vigilantes, nor the frightened working girls themselves have any clue to the identity—or the motive—of the Buffalo Butcher. And no one seems to care . . . it’ll be up to the working girls themselves to stop the carnage.
Five of them will stand together to confront the killer and to reclaim their humanity.
The Setting and Its Significance
Those of you who have read some, or all, of my Avenging Angel Detective Agency Mysteries will find this book both a departure and a return.
As a departure, the Avenging Angel Detective Agency doesn’t figure in this book. But as a return, we travel back to 1901, and again (as we did all too briefly in The Unsealing) make a visit to Buffalo’s historical high point—the Pan-American Exposition.
The Buffalo Butcher is an off-series book—distinct from the Avenging Angel Detective Agency™ Mysteries—so you’ll find in it all new characters and the horrifying notion that in 1901, thirteen years after concluding his bloody career in London—Jack the Ripper comes to the Pan-American Exposition and begins killing prostitutes. But there’s a lot more to the story.
Eight million people—about one in nine Americans—came to Buffalo, New York, to see the “Pan.” The cynics thought it was nothing more than yet another bloated world’s fair. But most found the Electric City to be an expression of all that was good and hopeful: the unity of North and South American nations, the triumph of Man over Nature, and the advent of the modern scientific and engineering marvels that would herald a new century of peace and prosperity.
We can debate which camp won out, but one thing is certain. The assassination of President William McKinley in the Pan-American’s Temple of Music drew a curtain forever over the promise of the Pan— and left Buffalo with a bitter legacy that is remembered even today.
The Buffalo Butcher also takes us into a darker side of bright, up-and-coming Buffalo, then the nation’s fastest-growing city. We visit the back alleys of the Tenderloin District, a large red-light zone in the heart of downtown, where most anything was tolerated by city officials and police, so long as it stayed put. Hundreds of brothels and low-end dives huddled together in the Tenderloin and existed—for the most part—on the exploitation of young women who often had no other good option.
It’s an unflinching and sometimes hard-to-bear story of the realevil that walks among us, the warped and wicked who prey on the vulnerable, and how they work their black magic. I could not turn away from that part: If you’re looking for a ‘cozy mystery’, this ain’t it—I had to tell the story in a way that would do honor to the victims, and without any sympathy for the devil.
Yet, I think, Butcher it is also a story of friendship and love, decency and honor, and perhaps most of all courage, among a group of outcast women confronting loneliness, condemnation, shame, and loss. The masks come off in The Buffalo Butcher, and while as always I hope you’ll find it a good read, I hope too that you’ll find the story as touching as I did.
Reviews and Reception
Here’s a sampling of industry and reader reviews for The Buffalo Butcher:
“I highly recommend it as one of the best books I've ever read.”
— Goodreads Reviewer ★★★★★
“Immersive and engaging, Robert Brighton's The Buffalo Butcher: Jack the Ripper in the Electric City stands out as an exceptionally crafted novel…I found myself forming deep connections with these characters, celebrating their triumphs, and sharing in their sorrows...Brighton demonstrates exceptional skill as a narrator, showcasing a remarkable blend of loyalty and honesty in his storytelling.” — Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★
“… Brighton, an expert storyteller, deftly blends the fascinations of the period setting with unpredictability, suspense, and horror ... Brighton’s narration celebrates our common humanity …” - BookLife Reviews - Named Editor’s Pick
"… With a richly detailed turn-of-the-century setting and an engrossing cast of characters, Brighton weaves a tale that highlights the resiliency and strength of the victims rather than the madness and depravity of the killer. — Manhattan Book Review
“The Buffalo Butcher is a highly recommended, unputdownable novel for true crime, mystery, historical fiction, or period-piece fanatics.” — Carmen Tonorio
"... With the author's descriptive words, all the senses are stimulated ... honest with a fast pace and an exceptional plot ... fans of historical fiction, as well as murder mysteries, will love this intense and riveting page-turner of a novel." — Readers' Favorite
"... a novel full of passion, intrigue, and rich period detail ..." -GoodReads Reviewer
"Brighton’s writing is nothing short of brilliant." ★★★★★ - Amazon Reviewer
Book Club Resources for The Buffalo Butcher
For your book club, download the Book Club Kit, complete with discussion questions, recipes, and resources.
Pick up your copy of The Buffalo Butcher
The Buffalo Butcher is available everywhere your favorite books are sold, in hardcover, paperback, and e-book.
On Robert’s online shop, you can get a signed and inscribed hardcover along with fun companion items from the author’s collection.
You’ll also find The Buffalo Butcher at your local independent bookstores and libraries. Enjoy!