This book may create a new genre...Southern-Appalachian Gothic. It's not light magical realism or even ancient herb witchery but something much darker. This combines Scottish Celtic traditions twisted by Appalachian superstitions fused with religion. There are murders and family secrets galore compounded by poverty and lack of opportunity in rural Georgia, with a fascinating cast of characters. If you've lived anywhere in the rural South, you'll recognize many of them. There are plenty of deaths in this story and I loved this quote from Weatherly: "I've never understood why people apologized when someone dies. Sorry only goes so far with grief, and it's never far enough." If you like your magic on the dark side, you'll love this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and MIRA for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are my own.

I have mixed opinions about IN THE HOUR OF CROWS. On the one hand, this is an entertaining story that immediately captures the reader's interest. The subject matter and storyline are mesmerizing to a certain extent, and I think this will appeal to many readers, including fans of Sarah Penner. The author does a great job of setting up the story world and introducing the reader to it. The supernatural elements are also handled beautifully, and I liked the character of Weatherly.

On the other hand, in my humble opinion the novel is over-written and over-wrought at times. I guess I should have suspected this given the comparisons to Where the Crawdads Sing.

But again, some (many!) readers will be swept up in this world, and it will likely do especially well with younger readers. There is a definite YA sensibility to the writing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-galley; all opinions in this review are my own.

Oh, my. I can't wait until this book is out. I've already sent a screen shot to a librarian friend asking her to review. This is all the best things a Southern Gothic novel can offer - crows, magic, dysfunctional families, secrets, and more. I loved every word!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I LOVED this book so much!! I finished the entire book in just 2 sittings. The characters were great and the storyline had me captivated. This was a great mystery with a witchy vibe and one of my fave reads this year. Looking forward to more from this author

Weatherly along with others in her family have certain gifts. She is able to lure death out of a dying person and into herself spitting death out. Her mean grandmother has exploited Weatherly her entire life for the powerful Sin Eater Oil Weatherly excretes at the end. When her best friend/ cousin Adaire dies and it’s too late for Weatherly to save her she goes after the Rutledge family, those who killed her.
This is a sad story, filled with a lot of death and not much hope. The plot is unusual, it held my interest the entire way and I enjoyed the supernatural magic aspect of the book, but I was just as glad when the book ended because it was so dark and dreary.