An Amazon Charts bestseller.
Near an isolated mansion lies a beautiful garden.
In this garden grow luscious flowers, shady trees…and a collection of precious “butterflies”—young women who have been kidnapped and intricately tattooed to resemble their namesakes. Overseeing it all is the Gardener, a brutal, twisted man obsessed with capturing and preserving his lovely specimens.
When the garden is discovered, a survivor is brought in for questioning. FBI agents Victor Hanoverian and Brandon Eddison are tasked with piecing together one of the most stomach-churning cases of their careers. But the girl, known only as Maya, proves to be a puzzle herself.
As her story twists and turns, slowly shedding light on life in the Butterfly Garden, Maya reveals old grudges, new saviors, and horrific tales of a man who’d go to any length to hold beauty captive. But the more she shares, the more the agents have to wonder what she’s still hiding…
***POSSIBLE SPOILERS***
I kept hearing about this book on BookTok and have been intrigued but never picked it up until now and boy am I ever glad I gave it a chance. Was I really in the mood to invest in another series? No. Not really but after reading this one, I know I’m going to have to read the rest of the books in The Collector Series. I’ll also be writing this review in real time as I read through this book.
Part 1 – So we meet Maya and she slowly starts to reveal what she went through at The Garden. She talks about her childhood and upbringing and how her parents didn’t want her. She’s an unhappy girl and rightfully so. I don’t blame her at all really.
Two detectives are trying to find out what happened to the girls, who the killers were and the why for everything that went on. Maya isn’t overly forthcoming but piece by piece, she begins telling the agents about her time at The Garden.
We also learn that The Gardner has butterflies tattooed on each of his girls and gives them names. Not sure why yet. The agents think Maya may be a part of this but again, I don’t know why. I’m very intrigued and can’t wait to read more. Now onto part 2.
One thing I want to add is that I like the way the author gently writes about the abuse scenes. You know what’s happening but it’s not in great detail. Although, I’m not sure if that’s worse cause my imagination doesn’t help any.
Part 2 – I am really liking this book. I like that one part is written in 3rd person and then Maya’s part is written in 1st. It’s unique and I’m quite enjoying it. We’re still learning about Maya and the girls and what they went through at the hands of The Gardener. His oldest son, Avery, is evil and his youngest son, Desmond, is honestly not much better but in different ways.
So I’m reading and reading and thinking certain scenes aren’t that bad (I’m an extreme horror junky, so nothing can top that really) and then BAM. Holy moly. Avery is a MONSTER.
Part 3 – Last part of the book and I am so not ready for the things to come. Maybe Desmond can help but I have a feeling something goes horribly wrong.
I finished the book and I’m left here with a heavy heart but man, was this book ever good. So so good.
But I don’t think I’m ever going to be able to look at butterflies the same way again.
Read in Kindle Unlimited – https://amzn.to/4xeWgyg