My Rating: 4
This book had me captivated, that's for sure. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, I'm still trying to figure out...
I had literally never heard a thing about this book and had no idea what it was even about. I got a sample of it and was instantly hooked. The writing is so intriguing, it captivates you from the first page until the very end. Dot Hutchison knew exactly how to hook her readers in and she did it perfectly. I enjoyed how there were two different points of view that switched back and forth- I felt it kept things moving without being overly distracting at all.
The Butterfly Garden is a kidnapping and captive story at first glance, but I would say it is more of a psychological evaluation at its core. The Gardener, as he is called by his captives, collects young girls and tattoos them with butterfly wings, then releasing them into their holding cell which is an elaborate greenhouse and garden. He calls them his Butterflies and uses them for his entertainment and pleasure. It is perverse and totally messed up, but the author does an excellent job of getting into the mind of a sociopath... and serial killer.
Maya is the main character and becomes the most important Butterfly in the Garden. I found it so intriguing to hear things from her straightforward point-of-view and also hear why the girls never tried to overpower The Gardener or escape. It is interesting to compare this story to other true crime stories of people being held captive as it gives you a glimpse into what they could have been thinking and feeling. It also shows you how brainwashed people can become when they are in a separate reality for such a long time.
The Butterfly Garden is a dark and twisted thriller that will definitely leave you feeling uncomfortable and disturbed for a long time after you finish it. The subject matter is not for the faint of heart, so be warned before you begin reading. It is a morbid piece of fiction that unfortunately has a lot of truth in it. Dot Hutchison weaved a gruesome tale which is hard to keep reading at times but impossible to put down. You will not be disappointed that you stepped into this haunting garden. And I guarantee, you will never look at butterflies the same again.
-Busy Brunette 
Labels: Fiction, Rating 4
