Weatherly Wilder is a death talker. Her family is known for their distinctive magically abilities. Her cousin/best friend is killed by the mayor after he hits her with his car while she is riding her bike. As it sometimes happens in many small back water communities, no legal ramifications are imposed on the wealthy/influential residents. Weatherly tries to unravel the mysteries of what really happened and who is her crow friend Rook and what part does he actually play in her life or is he just part of her imagination. An enjoyable fast read with a twist ending.

Wow! Good read. Weatherly is a young woman that has been raised with a special ability to heal people from death. This goes awry early on and leads her to a life of trial and tribulation. Raised by a blind tyrant of a grandmother, that has her own spells and incantations that she inflicts on people, makes for a very tumultuous upbringing. Very interesting read. I was given an advanced reader copy by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

In the Hour of Crows is the story of Weatherly whose grieving her cousin's death while other events unfold to make her question whether the death was a murder instead of an accident. At its core this book is about unfolding what happened to her cousin but at its heart this is a book about families, grief, love, betrayal, lies, and the unrelenting journey for truth and justice.

If gothic and the magical realism are your preferred genres, you will really enjoy the setting and tone of this book. Weatherly herself can heal people who are dying, her cousin could see the future and her good friend Rook shape-shifts into a crow and accompanies the dying. I enjoyed all these elements of the supernatural and especially loved Rook as a character.

with gratitude to netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The concept of this one initially drew my attention and sounded like something I’d really enjoy. Unfortunately, I felt as though there was a barrier of disconnect between me and the story. I couldn’t really mesh with the writing style for some reason. I found the atmosphere and magic to be the highlight of the story, but the character and plot development to be a little lacking in depth for me. I think this will be one of those more niche, read-it-for-the-vibes type of story, for readers who love a more muted gothic fantasy. I could see fans of The Once and Future Witches (although without the notable prose style) probably liking this one as well. It definitely has an audience out there, I just don’t think that audience is me.

An Appalachian girl, a sin eater who could bring people back from the brink of death can also kill with the sin eater oil her body makes. For the church people, she belongs to the device, but they are not above using her services to save their loved ones. The book is full of superstition, legends, folklore, and stories of magic. It reminds me of the play, Dark of the Moon. It's a fascinating dark tale of mystical events. I was completely absorbed and drawn into the life of an innocent girl who thinks she's the devil's child. The characters are vivid, some hateful, and some caring. It's thought-provoking, dynamic, and raw. It's well-written and uniquely plotted. The book carries the secrets and mysteries of a backwoods village called Black Fern, Georgia, and brings them to the surface.

Weatherly has been raised by her unloving grandmother who monitors Weartherly's death talker gift.
Her cousin and best friend Adaire is a scryer. When Adaire dies after being run over by a car, the man
Weatherly believes is responsible is judged not guilty by the court. Weatherly is determined to find
evidence of the man's guilt, uncovering family secrets In the process .Southern gothic, magic and religion
mix in Appalachia. Interesting cast of characters.
#IntheHourofCrows #Harlequin #Mira #NetGalley

🐦‍⬛ southern gothic
🐦‍⬛ folk magic
🐦‍⬛ atmospheric
🐦‍⬛ witchy • magical
🐦‍⬛ death talker

These tropes reeled me in fast than ever before. I opened this book and I devoured every single page and I didn’t stop reading until I was done with the entirety. I loved this book. The storyline was beautiful and flawless(we are on a hunt for who unalived the cousin—it becomes a whodoneit but in the best ways), the characters meshed well with each other and their chemistry and dialogue was on point and I loved living in this one so much.

A dark murdery-mystery-side eye read that I was absolutely here for. OHHHH did I mention there’s MAGIC?! If you love a good dark gothic read with some murder mystery and magic this book was pull you in and spit you out at that ending our author gives. As I usually say, please check trigger warnings before going into this one. I will be recommending this book to my book loving besties.

Thank you @netgalley and @ Harlequin for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Weatherly Opal Wilder is a Death Talker in a small Appalachian town. She can talk the death out of the dying and save their lives. Unfortunately, because of her special talent and her strange ways, she’s not very popular with the townspeople.
Her cousin, Adaire, also has a special gift. She can see a person's future reflected back on dark surfaces. When Adaire is killed in an accident, Weatherly doesn’t believe it was an accident. She believes she was murdered because of something she may have seen. Weatherly has had several run-ins with the mayor of the town, and when she is unable to talk the death out of the mayor’s son, the whole town suspects that she purposely let him die.
Undeterred by the mysteries and suspicions surrounding her, Weatherly embarks on a journey of discovery. Weatherly is guided by the clues Adaire left in their family’s Granny Witch recipe box, and she sets out with a resolute determination to uncover the truth behind her cousin's death.
In the Hour of Crows is a delightful story filled with imagination, witchery, suspense, and a fantastic ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.
Let me just start by saying this is some of the most beautiful descriptive writing I have read since “ Where the Crawdads Sing”. I was enraptured since the first line, when 10 year old Weatherly tells us that she was born in the woods in the hour of crows, when the day is no longer but the night is not yet.” She then goes on to tell us that she comes from a family of Appalachian midwifes and herbalists, and that her Grandmother was wicked and so is she.
As the layers of the story are peeled back we learn that she is being raised by her grandma because her mother ran off shortly after she was born and only sends postcards occasionally. Her father was unknown.
Her beloved Grandpa has died in her early childhood, but before he did- he passed on his “gift” to her. She is a “DeathTalker”, and is able to attend the bedside of a dying person, temporarily merge her soul with theirs and talk death out of their body. The output is that once death has left both their bodies, she is left with a large wad of black poisonous phlegm, that she hacks up. She spits it into a bottle, “ sin eater oil”, that can then be used by her grandmother to make people ill, or in the right dose put death into them. Her grandmother is cold cruel and keeps her under tight control. The superstitious townspeople have no qualms using her talent to save their loved ones, but then call her a evil devil-seed-child when she fails. Even her grandmother calls her horrible names. Kind of alot for 10 year to bear.

We quickly flash forward to the early 1990s where most of the story takes place. Weatherly is 24 and still living with her hateful grandmother. She and her best friend/cousin Adaire had planned to save up and go on a road trip to see the ocean- fulling a long broken promise of Weatherly’s mother. The dream dies when Adaire is “accidentally “ killed in car vs bicycle accident a week before the story starts. Weatherly misses her deeply and just can’t get over the idea it was an accident and is convinced that it was murder.
I wont spoil the story, but there are themes of power, money, poverty, lies, madness, true friendship, redemption and beautiful man who can turn into a crow.
Satisfying ending- highly recommend. I’m telling everyone about this book!

I was intrigued by the synopsis for this book, and once I started reading, I couldn't stop! A little bit southern gothic, small town Appalachia, Weatherly and her family are blessed (or cursed) with special gifts. Weatherly can "talk" the death out of people, but it hasn't brought her happiness. When her cousin dies, Weatherly is certain it wasn't an accident, that she was murdered, and will go to any lengths to prove it.

During her search she finds out more about herself, her history, and although not everything is wrapped up, the story ends on a satisfying note.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for the ARC!

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this book so I just dove in headfirst. To say I loved this book is an understatement! I have always been fascinated with the Appalachian way of life and this book knocked it out of the park!

Weatherly was just a small child when her papaw told her what a Death Talker was. He was going to be leaving this earth soon, so he had to pass the gift to someone of the opposite sex that could carry it on. Weatherly did a dangerous dance at times capturing the death from people in her town of Black Fern, Georgia and surrounding areas. After she captured their death, she would cough and spit up a black slime that was the death she captured.

Weatherly's grandmama and papaw were raising her so when she came into the gift, her grandmama made her spit the death out in a special container where she would concoct things using the oil. Adaire is Weatherly's cousin and she has the gift of scrying. But when Adaire can't see past a certain moment in time, they both know something is not right.

Weatherly wants to avenge the death of Adaire and for her to do so, she must follow the clues and solve the mystery Adaire left behind. You will also meet Rook on her path. Is he real, or just a figment of her imagination? Weatherly goes on one wild ride and the magic as well as heartache found along the way made this book so special.

Dana truly wrote something unique. I can't say there's one book out there like this one that I have read. If you are interested in old magic, deep roots, and a good mystery, this book is absolutely perfect for you!

I really enjoyed this story. Anything that has a bit of whimsy, a little mystery, and unique characters is a win for me and this hit those marks.

Weatherly was a sweet character who found herself caught between trying to help others as much as she could while grappling with the consequences and morality of her gift. I wish more had been described earlier on to really set the stage for what her gift meant as I found myself a bit confused to begin, but as the book progressed and I started filling in some gaps on my own until more was revealed. I was also a little confused about the purpose of the scene where Bone brought Weatherly to a friend(?) to utilize her gift as it didn't seem to move the plot along as we already knew about her gift, had seen it in action, and were aware of the moral/ethical complications..

Beyond the plot, I thought this was a well-written story that had me sleuthing out what would happen next while wanting to know more about the cast of characters around our FMC. The relationship between Weatherly and her cousin, Adaire, was one those of us fortunate enough to have cousins we're very close with could see ourselves in which helped to build the connection and buy-in on the story.

A huge win for this book was the various characters who drew you in and made you want to know more of their story and how they are intertwined. I'll call this both a win and a slight miss. A win because it kept me hooked and a slight miss because I feel some could have been built out a bit more as there were a fair number of players involved and it would have only served to deepen the story... But all in all, a great story.. and with the way it ended... I would be excited to see a second book in this story if that is in the author's plans.

I really enjoyed In the Hour of Crows. The story's premise and characters caught by interest right from Chapter 1 and maintained it until the end. I thought the world building for the magical realism/fantasy elements in the tale were nicely handled, with information slowly filtering through the text as needed. Weatherly's development throughout the story was also beautifully told. I had thought I was going to experience a little shimmer of disappointment at the end, but then a fun twist in the final pages set things to right for me. Overall, I am giving this book 4.5 stars and I recommend it to fans of fantasy with a lighter touch but an occasional dark edge.

My review will go live on my blog (at the link provided below), Goodreads (link below) and social media on 3 June 2024.

A little Southern Gothic, a little supernatural, and a little Appalachian superstition, In the Hour of Crows is also a mystery.
Abandoned by her mother, and living with an unpleasant grandmother who is known as a "Granny Witch," Weatherly Wilder has an unusual childhood. Her family has a history as herbalists with strange gifts, and Weatherly's gift is as a death talker like her grandfather. Her cousin and best friend is a scryer. Are these gifts or curses? It depends.

Death talkers can often, but not always, talk to the dying and bring them back. There is a price to be paid for this-- the death talker inhales the death, creating Sin Eater Oil. Weatherly's been doing this since she was a child at the encouragement of her grandmother. Her grandmother is a cruel and controlling woman, but she needs Weatherly. Without Weatherly's skill and the death oil, the old woman becomes meaningless.

When a car hits Adair's bicycle killing her, Weatherly refuses to accept it as an accident. Adair "saw" something that bothered her, and Weatherly is convinced Adair's death was deliberate; she doesn't intend to let the wealthy Sloan Rutledge get away with it.

Family secrets are slow to be revealed, but Weatherly has every intention of discovering why Adair was targeted and to hell with the consequences.

I enjoyed the book, but felt that there were many loose ends that were not resolved involving Weatherly's mother, Rook, Gabby Newsome, the fact that everyone overlooks evidence of Adair's death, and the reason for the grandmother being in Stone Rutledge's office. A sense of incompleteness that bothers me.

Thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.

This book has all the qualities I look for in a good southern gothic: magical/paranormal elements, murder, and a pervading sense of doom. It is set in a small town in Appalachian Georgia, where superstition mixes with religion and the good ol’ boys rule. In Black Fern, Georgia, a family with certain peculiarities lives on the fringes of society, feared and reviled but still needed by people for their gifts. Weatherly’s family still abides by the old ways, and the town looks down on them for it, until they need them, that is. Until they need her.

There are some triggering topics like child abandonment, child abuse, mental illness, death and bias, but I appreciate how everything was resolved in the end. I liked Weatherly’s voice, sometimes acerbic and sarcastic, but she has a good heart and it shows. I was drawn into the story and kept guessing right up to the point that Elmendorf wanted me to be before showing me how everything would come together.

I was talking to my almost 13 year old about this because I think he’d really like it. He was very interested in the description of the family and their talents. That got me thinking of whether I would say this is appropriate for him and I think that it would be with the exception of Weatherly’s coping mechanism. I found the (on page but not graphic) sex scene with her and Billy to be superfluous to the story and could easily have been omitted.

I will say that I hope this gets another good pass through the editing process (maybe two) to fix various formatting issues and some weird turns of phrase that were a bit confusing and not at all how I think people actually speak. It was more like she started to say something one way, then re-wrote it another way without deleting everything she was replacing. A bit confounding to read at times.

Still, I really liked the mystery, the atmosphere, the characters, and the way everything came together in the end. If you enjoy southern gothic thrillers, give this one a read!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing!
Set in a small Appalachian town, Weatherly can’t seem to catch a break. She’s trying to solve the murder of a beloved family member, while dealing with a cantankerous grandmother who honestly only seems to be using her for her “gift”-or is it a curse? The town at large seems to be using Weatherly and her family as well, wanting them when their gifts are needed, and shunning them as evil when their need is over. I kept rooting for Weatherly to find love, companionship, and a place of her own in this book that mixes magic, family, and class conflict on many levels.

This imaginative Southern gothic narrative is very unusual with a unique premise. Weatherly Wilder has the unique gift of death talker. She can ingest the death from a person and later remove it as Sin Eater oil. Abandoned by her mother at an early age she was raised by her Grandma Agnes the local "granny witch" who rules her life with a firm hand. Her best friend and cousin Adaire, is a Scryer..one who can see the future in reflections. When Adaire sees something unsettling in her future she becomes distant and secreitive. When she is killed in a hit and run shortly after Weatherly suspects there is more to the story and determines to find the truth. Along the way she discovers truths about her family and heritage. The author does an excellent job of conveying the deeply rooted superstition and folklore of the Appalachian setting and builds a brooding, forboding atmosphere. Weatherly is an interesting protagonist filled with doubt about her future and her role in her community. A blend of murder mystery, urban fantasy and family sage this unrealistic story offers a tale out of our usual comfort zone With a cast of characters not all well developed and too many sub threads it can be a little confusing at times but overall a solid read.

Drawing parallels with "Where the Crawdads Sing" and "Practical Magic," this enthralling debut introduces us to young Weatherly Wilder, who utilizes her distinctive gift to decipher her cousin's mysterious murder and clear her own name. The narrative unfolds amidst the mesmerizing landscapes of Appalachia, blending seamlessly with elements of magic realism.

The ambiance is both eerie and captivating, making "In the Hour of Crows" a delightful read. The 80's vibe, the intense Southern Gothic setting, and the unique magical elements struck a chord with me, reminiscent of the folk magic prevalent in our reality.Weatherly's character is compelling, driven by her impulsive actions, unwavering commitment to uncover the truth about her cousin's death, and the repercussions she faces due to her hasty decisions. Her extraordinary gift, termed "Death Talking," adds an element of suspense and intrigue to the story. The intricate family dynamics are portrayed vividly, highlighting Weatherly's close-knit relationships with Adair and Aunt Violet, juxtaposed against her strained ties with her grandmother.

The novel explores a range of familial issues, addressing topics such as abuse, alcoholism, and addiction with a raw and immersive narrative, creating a palpable sense of tension throughout.

Heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing this outstanding eARC.

Weatherly Wilder lives with her mean old Grandmama in the backwoods. In her superstitious family, they have a “gift”. A gift of talking to death. Feared by townspeople, but called on when needed, Weatherly has an odd, strained relationship with folks. Helping to keep her grounded is her cousin & best friend, Adaire. When Adaire is killed in a hit & run by the town’s wealthiest man, Weatherly is cast adrift. The story follows Weatherly’s search for justice for Adaire. And that search leading to her learning more than she bargained for.

Gripping & poignant in parts, some inconsistencies detract from the ability to get lost in the story. Adding to that were a few word or spelling errors that jarred me out of the story (ex: “reap what you sew” instead of ‘sow’). Overall, worth reading but the story could benefit from a good editor.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mira Books for providing me with a free ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

This is one of my favorite books I have read in the past couple months! I love the southern Appalachian small town setting and the unique death magic that Weatherly posseses. Combine that setting and those witchy powers with a murder mystery, and you hooked me so fast. This book packed a lot into less than 300 pages and I enjoyed every minute of reading it. I would highly recommend!

***My only complaint is that there were quite a few formatting and spelling issues - I am hoping that by the time this is published in a few months, those will have been corrected.