I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
In the Hour of Crows by Dana Elmendorf Published by Harlequin on June 4, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Magical Realism, Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Historical, Fiction / Southern
Pages: 400
Format: ARC
Source: Netgalley
In a small town in Appalachia, people paint their doorways blue to keep spirits away. Black ferns grow where death will follow. And Weatherly Opal Wilder is a Death Talker.
When called upon, she can talk the death out of the dying and save their lives—only once, never twice. But this truly unique gift comes at a price, rooting Weatherly to people who only want her around when they need her and resent her unfamiliar ways when they don’t.
Weatherly’s cousin Adaire also has a gift: she’s a Scryer and can see the future reflected back in dark surfaces. Right before she is killed in an accident, Adaire saw something unnerving, and that’s why Weatherly believes she was murdered—never thinking for a moment that it was an accident. But when Weatherly, for the first time, is unable to talk the death out of the mayor’s son, the whole town suspects she is out for revenge, that she wouldn’t save him.
With the help of clues Adaire left behind and her family’s Granny Witch recipe box, Weatherly sets out to find the truth behind her cousin’s death, whatever it takes. Imbued with magic, witchery, and suspense, Dana Elmendorf’s In the Hour of Crows is a thrilling tale of friendship, identity, and love.
In the Hour of Crows was such a fantastical, mysterious book set in the Appalachia region of Georgia. Such a deep novel of a young woman trying to live after tragedy strikes.
While I read the summary and knew what to expect for the novel, I was a bit thrown that there wasn’t a romance in the book. On NetGalley the publisher information listed Harlequin, so I expected a romance. It’s definitely not that! Fair warning.
Enjoyment
I truly enjoyed this book! Everything about it made an engaging novel, from the characters to the plot itself. The first chapter opens in the middle of the story, with the Wilder’s heading to the courthouse to see if the judge will go forward with the case that the mayor killed Adaire on purpose (he doesn’t), and it does not slow down at all.
Writing Quality
As someone who didn’t grow up in the Appalachia region, it did take me a minute to get into the flow of the words and language, how this area of the county talks. I really appreciated how the author stayed authentic to that, as it immersed me more into the story and the feel of the region. It depicted a more accurate and sympathetic story written this way.
Plot
How the plot unfolds was well done, if a bit predictable. I had a strong feeling from the beginning that Lorelai was involved in Adaire’s death somehow. I was also a bit disappointed that the motive was money, felt like a let down. The did like finding out about who Weatherly’s dad is. I am perplexed by the epilogue chapter. What happened to Rook? Is he fully human now? What was that last scene between him and Weatherly about? Is there going to be a sequel to this? I thought this was a stand alone but who knows now a days.
Characters
I loved all the characters! They were so fascinating, yet deeply flawed. Going on this journey with Weatherly of proving her innocence was so fascinating as it really became a story about how to move on from trauma and her hometown. The abuse she endured her whole life can be left in the taillights now, and I’m so happy for her.
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