The author grew up in Virginia, in Appalachia, and her description, though often overblown and somehow inappropriately described, give you a sense of the setting. Lee, formerly known as Opaline, has left here for college and never returned. Her mother was an alcoholic and drug addict. Her grandmother, Belva, was a folk medicine practitioner who also dabbled in the spells and magic that is rooted in the ground itself and handed down from the generations of people who lived there and interbred with the Cherokees who were native to the land.

There is something frightening and suspenseful about what happens to Lee and her children when they come back. There is dark evil, moonshine and drug dealing, and also a man Lee loved in high school. The book tries to be both a mystery and a history of the area. Who is responsible for the death of the high school English teacher? And who killed the local drug dealer? In order to get to the answer, you have to suffer through a whole lot of spell casting and group humming (is that really a thing?). Though none of it really makes very much sense, there is an atmosphere created that some might enjoy. There are some odd goings on that create an atmosphere of magical occurrences and some chills as Lee figures out what to do with her life. But the answer, for me, was unsatisfying. No Alice Hoffman or Sarah Addison Allen is Ali Dyer.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the Arc copy.

Strange Folk is a rustic witchy story reminiscent of Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman.

Lee left her eccentric family a long time ago, leaving behind their strange ways and special gifts. After her marriage falls apart, she reluctantly returns with her two children to the small Appalachian town Craw Valley, and is forced to immerse herself back into their wildcrafting, healing, folklore, and earthy conjuring and with it, something dark and shadowy that lurks in the memories and woods of the magical land.

Strange Folk read like an old grimoire full of botanical spells, herbaceous musings, and folk remedies. The intersection of nature and spirit in this story was supported by a wild country setting, with its splintery floorboards, chipped paint exteriors, and untamed landscapes. The roughness of the location was mirrored by the complicated relationships between several generations of the family. The homespun root magic helped the Buck women to get to the root cause of the mysteries that had deceived and threatened them for years. The power of nature to heal and to transform was the deep heartbeat thrumming within the land of the Buck women whose own hearts were inextricably tied to the natural realm.

There was a realness, a raw authenticity to the women and relationships featured in this story that made it feel as though I the reader was hiding out in the bushes watching the family's every move. The folksy charm of the story created an eerie atmosphere that was the most bewitching part of this book.

If you like the witchy multi generational tales of Alice Hoffman and the wild women magic of Willa Reece, then you will enjoy Strange Folk by Alli Dyer.

When you claim that readers who love Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen (my two favorite authors) will love this story, that’s a big claim. But whoever said that was right. This is an interesting book that keeps you turning the pages. Very imaginative, the weaving of magic and every day life. Love books that are like adult fairytales! Well done!

I received an ARC from Atria and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Warnnings: There is mention of child preditors and a rather graphic scene of SA done to a minor.

Who will love this book: Folks who enjoyed Practical Magic and want a mystery and story about dysfunctional families who are healing through learning about their history.

I really enjoyed this book and I personally wish I could have splurged and gone up to the mountains and read it there. I live in North Carolina so the Appalachian mountains are just a few hours away from me. Having been there I could see this fictional town and the magic that permeates the book. I do feel like the characters go a bit on the Wicca route (harm none do as you will), but that might be my paranoia as a folk practitioner. Oh, yeah, this is a review from a witch! As someone who has studied a lot of folk traditions, it's clear the author has a deep love and understanding of it, and it's rather clear in the story.

I think if there is any problem I have with the book, it's that the writing style threw me off at times. We'd have conversations but I'd have to backtrack and try to figure out who the character is talking to.. That's more of a personal problem and I'd still recommend this book.

Honestly, if you're looking for a book to read this fall and want to do a whole series of reads, Read the Practical Magic books, and then add this when you need a break from those characters. It'll be worth it.

Thank you to the publisher for my arc!

The premise of this sounded interesting however it just didn’t keep me engaged.

A magical book wherein the community in Appalachia where Belva, a grandmother, conjures up magic. When her granddaughter Lee moves back from California she becomes involved in the magic - no matter that she has previously disdained both the land and the magic.

Someone that Belva put a spell on has died. Lee investigates the death. In the course she digs up family secrets and more.

I enjoyed this book as it makes Appalachia come alive - as well as the characters. I was sorry when the book ended.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for an eARC of Strange Folk by Alli Dyer in exchange for my honest review.

Strange Folk is a witchy mystery set in Appalachia brimming with compelling characters, a magical nature setting, and chilling family secrets. The novel successfully tackles themes of addiction and alcoholism, divorce and motherhood, classism and a search for belonging, death, revenge, love, and coming-of-age. It is beautifully written and complex.

There were moments when I felt the pacing was a bit slow, but I think the multiple perspectives helped retain my attention.

The epilogue was lovely. I love when an author includes insight into the characters life after our time with the resolution of the story.

Ultimately, Strange Folk was a treat to read. Congratulations to Atria Books and Alli Dyer for a beautiful novel. I look forward to her future works.

First let me say this book doesn’t come close at all to the works of Hoffman, Allen and Harkness as the blurb advertises. It’s an okay book with magic but the writing is nothing special. I’m sorry to be so derogatory when I know how hard an author works on their book but saying I’ll like it if I like the above mentioned authors sets the book up for failure, because there’s no comparison.

I absolutely adore a good book set in Appalachia! This book was magical and thrilling at the same time, and I adored every minute.

I absolutely adore a good book set in Appalachia! This book was magical and thrilling at the same time, and I adored every minute.