ash.reads.horror | Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder

Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder
Asako Yuzuki
Polly Barton

Synopsis:
Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in the Tokyo Detention House convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen, whom she is said to have seduced with her delicious home cooking. The case has captured the nation’s imagination, but Kajii refuses to speak with the press, entertaining no visitors. That is until journalist Rika Machida writes a letter asking for her recipe for beef stew, and Kajii can’t resist writing back. Rika, the only woman in her news office, works late each night, rarely cooking more than ramen. As the visits unfold between her and the steely Kajii, they are closer to a master class in food than journalistic research. Rika hopes this gastronomic exchange will help her soften Kajii, but it seems that Rika might be the one changing. Butter is a vivid, unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession, romance, and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan.

What I’m Reading This Week

1. Hooked by Asako Yuzuki

   • Eriko’s life looks perfect—but beneath her flawless surface lies a consuming loneliness.

2. The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed

   • Veris Thorn—the only one to ever enter the forest and survive—is forced to go back inside to retrieve the tyrant's missing children.

3. Dark Is Where The Devil Comes by Daisy Pearce

   • The woods are known as the place to avoid. What goes in doesn’t come out.

Upcoming Reads

1. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

   • A classic I’ve wanted to read for awhile.

2. Fiend by Alma Katsu

   • A rich family holds a devilish secret.

Summary

In this post, various books are highlighted, offering insights into their narratives and themes. Each section provides a captivating glimpse into both ongoing and upcoming reads.