This book was an interesting premise that was overburdened with atmosphere and light on plot, or at least an original plot. The premise of someone being able to 'talk' the death out of someone and having a byproduct poison created by the death talker was interesting and if the book had explored that history instead of cramming a bog-standard murder/family secrets plot in it would have been a much better book.

Unfortunately I was not able to finish this book. I attempted to pick it up many times and it just never really hooked me. I was very excited about the witchy vibes and atmosphere and this had so much promsie. Much to my dismay, I just never really was able to connect with the characters liked I'd hoped. While I did find myself enjoying the writing style, I fear this author just wasn't for me personally. I do appreciate the opportunity to read this so much.

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. - from Amazon

This book has it all! Romance, murder, mystery, folklore and the paranormal, what's not to love? The writing style is very vivid and you can see the people and places that are being written about. The end caught me off guard and I was really hoping that there would be a second book, unfortunately not. I am looking forward to Dana Elmendorf's next book and I can always hope In the Hour of Crows has a sequel down the road. I listened to this book and the narrator was fantastic! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was so heartbreaking and sad. It was unique and unexpected. The magical realism interwoven with the appalachian folklore. Definitely worth the read.

In the Hour of Crows by Dana Elmendorf is a beautifully atmospheric and haunting novel set in the Appalachian hills, steeped in magic and small-town mysticism. Weatherly Opal Wilder, a Death Talker with the ability to save lives at a terrible cost, is a fascinating protagonist. Her power to "talk the death" out of the dying comes with the price of alienation, as the townspeople only want her when they need her—and resent her when they don't. But when her cousin Adaire, a Scryer, dies under suspicious circumstances, Weatherly is thrust into a dangerous quest for the truth.

Elmendorf skillfully weaves together themes of love, loss, and identity, with a rich atmosphere of witchcraft and Appalachian folklore. The mystery behind Adaire's death adds a compelling layer of suspense that will keep readers hooked.

While the plot may take a little time to unravel, the deep emotional undercurrent and magical realism make this a captivating read. In the Hour of Crows is a spellbinding journey through grief, loyalty, and the search for justice.

3.25 When I started reading this atmospheric witchy mystery I was excited because this book gives major witchy vibes it reminded of Adrienne Young. Unfortunately I quickly became underwhelmed when I never connected with the characters or the plot. The characters felt kind of surface level and made me struggle to keep going in this book. The mystery in this book was entertaining but just not enough to carry the book for me. This was my first book by this author but I enjoyed her atmospheric writing and would give her another try. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

This was a fun quick read and I enjoyed seeing different cultures and how they embrace the “witchiness”.
I have recommended this to my customers after I’ve read it.

In the Hour of Crows by Dana Elmendorf took me by complete surprise—what I thought would be a good read turned out to be an absolute gem! The blend of religion, spirituality, and folklore was what initially drew me in, and it absolutely delivered a wonderfully eerie atmosphere that felt grounded and authentic. The haunting quality of the writing had my scalp prickling on more than one occasion. I couldn't stop reading, and even when I had to, I found myself thinking about it long after I put it down.

The premise is unlike anything I’ve read before: Weatherly, the protagonist, is a Death Talker. She can use secret Bible verses to convince death to leave someone and enter her instead, which results in her coughing up a black mucous called Sin Eater Oil that can be used for spells—both good and bad. This unique gift, and the way it tied into themes of faith, family, and trauma, created an unforgettable atmosphere that added depth and complexity to the story.

Weatherly herself was such a compelling character. She’s grappling with loss, guilt, and her family’s twisted expectations of her, especially her cruel grandmother. But it’s her relationship with Rook, a man she brought back from the dead as a child, that truly stands out. Rook is a tragic, complex figure who spends much of his time as a crow, only becoming human when Weatherly needs him. Their dynamic kept me on edge, always questioning what was real and what wasn’t, and it added a layer of mystery and suspense that kept me hooked.

The journey Weatherly takes to uncover the truth about her cousin Adaire’s death is intertwined with her own journey of self-discovery. The way the book explores themes of family, identity, and faith—while balancing those with magical realism—was incredibly well done. I loved how subtle yet moving the emotional beats were, making them hit harder than I expected.

Despite relying on some familiar murder mystery tropes, I was completely engrossed by the atmosphere and the powerful writing. The town of Black Fern almost felt like a character in itself, with its magical elements shaping the story as much as Weatherly did. The ending was both dark and hopeful, and I closed the book with a sense of awe.

If you’re looking for a dark, atmospheric read that blends magic and religion with a gripping mystery, I can’t recommend this one enough. It’s a quick read but one that stays with you long after.

Appalachia? Yes please. Magical realism? Also yes please. Murder mystery? Also yes please. This was a great read.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this story! I was expecting an atmospheric small town fantasy, but I was not expecting how much mystery there’d be. And the witchy vibes! I was totally enraptured by the whodunnit and the origin story of our protagonist. The story was also the perfect length. Looking forward to reading something else by this author!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of In the Hour of Crows by Dana Elmendorf!

I think this book is well written, but I struggled with it because of how often the author brought up the main characters magical black mucous spitting. It honestly made it hard for me to finish the book.
I do appreciate the opportunity to read and review it. Just not a good match for me and my "phobia".
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for this arc!

This story was such a charming, mysterious, heartbreaking and magical one. One of the best parts about it is that the characters feel so damn real & relatable. Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves southern settings, Appalachian folk magic, or mysteries.

Beautiful descriptions paired with details that come together in an unexpected way by the end makes this a favorite read of 2024 for me. I was drawn back to the story anytime I had to put it down because it was so engaging. The writing was amazing.

Thank you so much @mira partner for my gifted copy of In the Hour of Crows.

Listen, when you say it’s Practical Magic adjacent I’m there. Weatherly can literally talk the death out of dying (just once not twice)

I had no idea how gothic this would be but I knew I needed all the southern vibes. This was giving Appalachia hard, and I’m here for it.

I saw Brittany Pressley was one of the readers for the audiobook, so I was down. It was perfection. I felt like maybe magic pulsed in my veins the way this book would get a reaction out of me. I fell so deep in love and wept honestly.

I’m usually all about witchy books, but this one just didn’t work for me. The cover completely drew me in (because of course I love crows), and the whole concept of Death Talking was super creative and had so much potential. Unfortunately, it just didn’t click.

One big thing for me was the setting. I didn’t realize until about three-quarters of the way through that it was set in the 1890s. That explained some stuff—like why no one had cell phones—but honestly, historical witchy themes aren’t really my thing. I’m more into modern takes. Also, the first chapter definitely needed a trigger warning. Starting a book with infanticide is… a lot, and it just set a heavy tone right out of the gate. By the time I got to the end, things wrapped up okay, but the pacing felt rushed, and it didn’t leave me as satisfied as I hoped.

I did like some parts of the story, though, and I think readers who enjoy darker themes and historical settings might get more out of this one. For me, it just wasn’t the vibe I was looking for.

2.5 stars rounded up. This one was a difficult read for me- I wanted to love it because of the concept/setting. I was confused for a lot of the book. Weatherly felt like a really unreliable narrator to me, and I'm not sure she was supposed to come off that way. I wanted to know so much more about Rook than what we got.

Fit perfectly for a fall/ October read. Suspense and folklore blended nicely to create a captivating read.

2.5⭐️

<i> 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 backwater 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. </i>

I had high hopes for this one, but in the end I was thoroughly underwhelmed. The characters and story just never managed to hook me and draw me in. It wasn’t terrible, it just also wasn’t for me.

Thank you Dana Elmendorf, Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

You had me at "Death Talker"
In the Hour of Crows was a bingeable treat for me. I was immediately engrossed in this small, Appalachian town of Black Fern. The vibes were everything; dark and shrouded in superstition yet somehow warm and homey. The writing was beautiful and forlorn.
It wasn't hard for me to become overly invested in Weatherly and her heart that beats fiercely for her family and friends. Finding justice for her cousin, Adaire, was a need.
The magics are subtle and believable; a sticky web of earth, soul, and religion.
And let's not forget about The Crow and the yearning.
I'd be shocked if this doesnt get adapted to screen.
Elmendorf has sold me on any future endeavors.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for the eARC!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.