Dana Elmendorf
MIRA
1 July 2025
320
eBook - PDF
Paranormal
ARC via NetGalley
Grave birds haunt the cemeteries of Hawthorne, South Carolina, where Spanish moss drips from the trees and Southern charm is imbued with lies. Hollis Sutherland never knew these unique birds existed, not until she died and was brought back to life. The ghostly birds are manifestations of the dead’s unfinished business, and they know Hollis and her uncanny gift can set them free.
When a mysterious, charming bachelor wanders into their small town, bizarre events begin to plague its wealthiest citizens. Like blood dripping from dogwood blossoms, flocks of birds crashing into windows of their homes, and faces in paintings morphing into distortion. Hollis knows these are the omens her grandfather warned about, announcing the devil’s return. Despite Cain Landry’s eerie presence and the plague that has followed him, his handsome face and wicked charm win over the townsfolk. Even Hollis falls under his spell as they grow closer.
That is, until lies about the town’s past start to surface. The grave birds begin to show Hollis the dead’s ugly past from some twenty-five years ago. And she learns all about the horrible things these noble families did to gain their wealth. Hollis can’t decide if Cain is some immortal hand of God, there to expose their sins. Or if he’s a devil there to ruin them all. Either way, she’s determined to save her town and the people in it, whatever she has to do.
I had previously enjoyed In the Hour of Crows by Elmendorf, so I was interested to see what Grave Birds had to offer. As with her previous work, this one offered a really fresh and fascinating premise with the concept of the grave birds and those who can see them. The tale also incorporated a bit of a murder mystery linked to family secrets, and ended with a twist I hadn't seen coming. Overall, it was a very enjoyable paranormal Gothic tale, even though I didn't love it quite as much as In the Hour of Crows. I think the element that didn't 100% work for me was the romance element. Cain was a noticeably underdeveloped character whose personality suddenly did a full 180 without any real justification, and the romance between him and Hollis felt forced and lacked spark. But in general, the fun mystery elements of the plot outweighed any issues with the romance subplot, so I am giving the book 4 stars.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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