Butchers Hill (book)

Butchers Hill is a crime novel written by Laura Lippman, published in 1998. It is the debut novel featuring Tess Monaghan, a former newspaper reporter who becomes a private investigator in Baltimore, Maryland. The novel is set in the historic Baltimore neighborhood of Butchers Hill, and explores themes of gentrification, urban decay, and the complexities of family secrets. The plot revolves around Monaghan investigating the murder of a controversial lawyer, intertwining her personal life with the investigation and introducing readers to the characters and atmosphere that would become hallmarks of Lippman's series. The novel is known for its strong sense of place and its realistic portrayal of Baltimore.