GRAVE BIRDS is a unique southern gothic mystery with a dash of magical realism. The setting is immersive and the writing held me captivated. I enjoyed every second I spent within this story.

I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by the fabulous Brittany Pressley. I loved her interpretation. She kept me engaged throughout.

*Thanks to Harlequin Audio (#HiveInfluencer) for the free audiobook download.*

This one is southern Gothic gold!

Dana Elmendorf has a way of sucking you in with the mystery and suspense making you never want it to let you go.

Hauntingly, atmospheric, full of small town drama, family secrets, ghosts and magical realism.

Hollis the FMC actually died when she was a child, and was brought back to life. Since then she has been visited by grave birds… Grave birds are manifestations of the dead’s unfinished business, when she touches them she is transported to a different time and place. Cane Landry enters the picture with all of his smexiness! (Smoking hot and sexiness) but, all of these biblical plagues begin to happen now that Cane has come to town. The grave birds began to show Hollis, all of the secrets…

Lyrical with southern Gothic charm. The way Dana writes she makes you feel as if you are a part of the book, as if you are in Hawthorne, South Carolina.

The touch of romance added an extra element that I just ate up.

The audiobook had the perfect southern drawl to it. Brittany Presley brought this one to life and I even got more out of it the second time around. Yes, I’ve read it and then completely immersed myself with the audio and the physical book at the same time. I cannot recommend this enough.

Dana is a phenomenal author, if you haven’t read one of her books you must definitely add this one or her other book In the Hour of Crows to your spooky season TBR.

Haunting, gothic, and beautifully written. I was hooked on the atmosphere from the start. The story blends dark mystery with so much emotional depth, it literally gave me chills. Brittany Pressley is one of my favorite narrators, and she delivered, as always. Her voice fit the eerie, haunting tone perfectly and made the story even better. Definitely a story and audiobook I would recommend.

*Grave Birds* by Dana Elmendorf is a beautifully eerie tale that blends Southern gothic atmosphere with a gripping mystery. The writing is vivid and lyrical, painting a haunting backdrop that feels both unsettling and enchanting. The characters are layered, and the themes of family, grief, and hidden secrets add depth to the suspense. While the pacing occasionally slows, the payoff is rewarding and keeps the story memorable. A strong 4-star read—dark, atmospheric, and deeply engaging.

Oh. My. Gosh. This book. I wasn’t prepared when I started it and I never truly was prepared for what was coming next. Do you know how rare it is that I listen to an entire audiobook in one day? I literally balanced my checkbook so I can listen more uninterrupted 😅😅 A gothic fiction, mixed with thriller and a touch of horror and magical realism and I was hooked. I loved having my sense of justice fulfilled in the end, but I can tell you, I was blown away by the big reveal. I knew something was up but never added the pieces of the puzzle together correctly. This was an amazing listen, I would definitely recommend!

Hollis died for a bit when she was younger. The truck she was in with her grandfather got into a crash and ended up going off a bridge into the river. She was revived but he grandfather was not. Ever since then, she has seen them. The grave birds. Her Uncle Royce knew about them too, as he was hit by a car when he was younger and showed her how to help them. Sometimes they just needed to tell their story, the deceased’s biggest regret, or sometimes they needed her to fix a wrong before they can truly rest. Only now some of these are showing her murders in her small town that she had never heard of. Someone has been getting away with something terrible for a long time, and she is going to have to figure out what it is for these poor souls to rest.

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy, all thoughts are my own.

I'd like to thank Harlequin Audio for the ALC of this book so I can provide my own review and thoughts.

I really enjoyed this story! Some moments spooked me a bit, but this one slightly reminded me of a southern twist on Ghost Whisperer (but make it more mysterious!).This was haunting, atmospheric, and dripping with small town tea and secrets, and I loved it! I loved finding out the tidbits, along with the FMC, to see what really happened in her small South Carolina town.

Brittany Pressley did a fantastic job on the narration, as usual!

Again, thanks so much to Harlequin Audio and the HTP Hive for this opportunity.

This was the best audiobook I have listened to so far this year. I loved the book overall, but I thought the narrator did such a great job, and I really enjoyed the tone, speed, voice inflection, and just everything about it. The narrator entirely embodied the character of Hollis and she sounded just as snarky at times as I envisioned.

This is not my normal go-to genre, but I absolutely loved this book.

I don't know what genre this really fits into. It is labeled in some places as horror, but that doesn't seem right. Maybe light gothic horror because there are some themes of ghosts, but it wasn't really scary and definitely not your typically horrific horror. I would call it more magical realism or speculative fiction. If you aren't a fan of horror, don't let that description scare your away.

The book centers around Hollis who had a near death experience as a child. She sees grave birds which are manifestations of the dead's unfinished business. While she is dealing with problems of her own, she is determined to uncover and expose some of her old southern town's dark secrets.

I don't know what else to say other than I loved everything about this book. The writing, the story, the atmosphere, the vibes, just everything was fantastic. It was a great southern gothic mystery with a touch of magical realism, and a light love story.

I would recommend it to everyone, especially if you're interested in what I described.

Haunting, atmospheric, and just the right amount of spooky.

Grave Birds is southern gothic magical realism at its finest- moody, mysterious, and touched with the paranormal. Hollis Sutherland grew up in the small town of Hawthorne, South Carolina, forever changed after a near-death car accident left her with a strange gift: she can see grave birds, spectral creatures tethered to the dead’s unfinished business. When she touches one, she’s swept into the mind of the deceased, reliving fragments of their final moments.

When a magnetic stranger, Cain Landry, arrives in town, the charm he casts over Hawthorne quickly sours as eerie events begin to plague its wealthiest residents. Soon, Hollis is inundated with grave birds, uncovering dark secrets and buried truths that threaten to unravel the town’s carefully crafted facade.

Dana Elmendorf blends gothic atmosphere, family drama, mystery, and a dash of romance into something I’d call cozy horror- perfect for readers who want shivers without nightmares. The grave bird lore is fresh and fascinating, the small-town setting rich with secrets, and the twist genuinely surprised me.

Brittany Pressley’s narration makes the audiobook an absolute standout, breathing life into Hollis’s voice and deepening the haunting vibe. Fans of In the Hour of Crows will be thrilled to know this sophomore novel delivers just as much heart, mystery, and magic- without a hint of a slump.

I’m calling it now: Grave Birds is one of my top reads of 2025.

Unfortunately this was a miss for me. I had a hard time getting into it and couldn’t connect to the characters. I eventually gave up.

The narrator is great. I’ve listened to hear in other books, the story just didn’t work for me.

Not one of my favorite narrators but she still did ok. The voice she did of Cain was awful. Made me picture Lurch from Adam's Family. lol But overall she still did good.

This is my second book by this author. It was good. I liked this one even better than In The Hour Of Crows. Still about death and things that happen after death.

This is a kind of strange story. Or at least it was for me. I liked it very much. It's a bit goth and southern charm. A bit of a mystery and thriller. Also a few murders thrown in for good measure. And a handsome stranger who causes a big stir when he strolls into town like he owns the place. Taking the women by surprise. Many of course wanting to get to know him better.

The story is quite lyrical and haunting. Hollis sees the "Grave Birds" and has what must be visions of what happened to the deceased person. Especially the four whose deaths may be related. Hollis is an events planner and has the towns most prominent family's big event scheduled. She also has uncovered quite a bit of darkness about this family. Many secrets. She doesn't know exactly what to do with this information but can't just sit on it. Or can she?

Cain came to town with purpose. He strode in and bought the big house that was promised to Hollis. They start off not so great. But Hollis learns that Cain can also see the "Grave Birds." Hollis knows the reason she sees them is because she dies once. Could Cain have died also? Is he responsible for all the strange things going on in this town? Can they become friends and find out what is happening? Or is he to sinister?

This book will keep you wanting to find out who did what to whom and why. How certain people died. What is causing some of the crazy things going on. You'll want to find out what can come between Hollis and Cain. If anything.

Well written and a good story. This book was fun, intriguing, and edge of your seat in a few places. Some characters are awful. You'll hate them. But most are good. Some are even dead. Telling their stories through "Grave Birds."

Thank you #HarlequinTradePublishing, #MIRA, #HarlequinAudio, for this ARC.

I absolutely loooooove a Southern gothic, especially in the summer time, and this story delivered on all fronts. Excellent narration as well! As a character, Hollis had a chokehold on me, I loved her so much. And honestly, the premise for this book was so unique! Super pleased to have been gifted the audio, as well as a physical copy. Will definitely recommend this one!

4.35 stars
This writing immersed me in a hauntingly atmospheric world. I was captivated by the connections forged between Hollis and the ghosts through the beautiful symbolism of birds—definitely a bird lady here! The mystery of piecing together the intricate story kept me engaged, making the unraveling of each ghosht’s role enjoyable. My only complaint was that I found the relationship between Hollis and Cain to be somewhat contrived. Cain lacked real depth, and his sudden change of heart felt jarring, leaving me with the sense that I had missed something important. Their subsequent interactions seemed more like an afterthought compared to the richer storylines unfolding around the grave birds and the noble families in the town. Ultimately, it was Hollis’s choice to pivot away from her dream of launching her event planning business to confront the hidden truths of the town’s noble families, which stood out to me as the true heart of the narrative. This was my first experience with Elmendorf’s writing, and I am eagerly looking forward to exploring more of her work. A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for allowing me to listen to this ALC before its release!

The audiobook of Grave Birds by Dana Elmendorf, narrated by Brittany Pressley, is a hauntingly beautiful Southern gothic thriller infused with a slow‑burn romance. Pressley’s voice brings Hollis Sutherland’s world to life with a cool, assured tone and a lingering undercurrent of unease that perfectly suits the eerie setting and supernatural mystery.

From the first few chapters listeners are drawn into the moss‑draped cemeteries of Hawthorne, South Carolina, where ghostly grave birds flutter at the edges of Hollis’s vision. These pale, spectral apparitions reveal unfinished business among the dead and they carry a weight of sorrow and longing.

As Hollis unravels their stories the narration shifts subtly from everyday life to unsettling otherworldliness and Pressley manages this tonal dance effortlessly.

When Cain Landry, the handsome and enigmatic stranger, arrives in town anomalies follow—blood‑stained blossoms, flocking birds crashing into windows, even fire‑tornadoes. The slow fusion of gothic suspense and romantic tension builds steadily. Pressley’s interpretation of Cain’s charm and mystery, combined with her nuanced rendering of Hollis’s vulnerability and determination, give depth to their connection without derailing the darker mood.

The atmosphere is thick with tension and ancient secrets. Elmendorf’s prose drips with Southern charm and menace—from mossy oak trees to glimpses of past sins exposed by wary birds. There is a haunting elegance to the worldbuilding, heightened by Pressley’s rhythmic pacing and her ability to linger on charged moments without dragging.

Romance is relatively understated though emotionally satisfying. Pressley captures both Cain’s unsettling allure and Hollis’s hesitant trust as the two grow closer amid growing dread. Their exchanges are electric just below the surface, building momentum alongside the rising supernatural threats.

Overall this audiobook is an immersive delight for fans of gothic fiction. The blend of the macabre, the mystical, and heartfelt emotion is expertly woven together by Elmendorf’s writing and Pressley’s narration. The pacing is balanced and never rushed. By the end listeners will feel they have walked through a mist‑shrouded Southern town, hearts racing and pulses quickened, eagerly chasing every echo of grief and every flutter of a grave bird’s wings.

What an absolutely amazing story! I enjoyed this one so much, the narration was excellent! This book had an amazing setting and the spooky/gothic vibes were perfection! I absolutely loved this story and discovering all the secrets!! I was genuinely excited to listen to this one every time I got the chance!! Would absolutely recommend this one!!!!

Book review: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Genre: magical realism
Themes: ghosts, memory, hauntings, secrets

I do so love when a book can mix together a paranormal fantasy with a suspenseful thriller. This southern gothic novel was full of secrets, memory and a fair share of death. In the charming town of Hawthorn, South Carolina lies a host of grave birds, holding the memory of those lost souls with unfinished business. When a suave and conveniently wealthy handsome gentleman enters town, he brings forth vengeance on a cataclysmic scale. A series of strange events rock the wealthy citizens of this town just as event planner Hollis attempts to launch her small business to the next level.

With her business plans foiled and a surprising new neighbour/landlord, Hollis must pivot in all aspects of her life. Having died for a period of time as a girl, Hollis is one of the rare individuals that can see and interact with grave birds. As more and more find their way to her, Hollis is plagued with horrific memories of murder. As she attempts to uncover the dark secrets at the root of this town, she is simultaneously drawn to the enigmatic Cain Landry. As her worlds collide, she must decide if Cain is the vengeance of god, or merely one to expose the corruption. More importantly, if she can still trust him with her heart.

It posed the concept that the devil can lie in plain sight, and that retribution will always follow those who commit horrendous acts. There was a bit of romance, a bit of terror and a good mystery at the core of these grave birds. It somehow managed to be eerie and cozy all at once. With a fun group of best friends and a rather sweet MC, Hollis is easy to follow and Cain is intriguing. While her own past and interactions may be traumatic, she has a good heart and will endeavour to help wherever she can. Cain by contrast manages to charm the town, but he holds his own past close to his heart.

I ended up tandem reading this twice and that really allowed me to piece together the puzzle and I enjoyed both formats. The audiobook version of this story is phenomenal. Brittany Pressley really made this story come alive with southern charm and balanced the haunting with small town sweetness. If you like audiobooks, I really recommend this one.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Harlequin Audio for copies of this book for review.

Grave Birds was such a fun read. The gothic and small town vibes were so good. It got a little eerie at times. The small town offers all the drama but also some nice relationships that come along with it. The idea of the grave birds was so interesting too! There’s a little bit of romance and the mystery in this was really fun to piece together slowly. I had a great time listening to this. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to try a light horror book or enjoys southern gothic vibes.
🎧
I 100% recommend the audiobook! Brittany Pressley did a phenomenal job bringing Hollis and this story to life. One of my favorite audiobooks with one narrator that I have listened to. 5 stars for narration!

This was a Southern enemies to lovers romance with a touch of magical realism that has one woman denied her dream of buying the house she grew up in while also having to work with the new owner and help solve a mystery involving ghosts and 'grave birds' only she can see. Brittany Pressley does a fantastic job as narrator (as always) but I did struggle to fully get into this one. Just wasn't for me or I wasn't in the right mood. Only an okay read that I might have enjoyed better in print to fully focus on it the way it deserved/needed. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Gothic Horror
Small Town
Cozy Horror
Mysterious Hot New Guy in Town
Mysteries to Solve
So Much Family Drama in Every Direction

The blurb sold me on this immediately and the book did not disappoint. The memory flashes were done well and that's big because often enough when books try to do flashes of, 'different times,' it can really mess up the flow of the plot. Here it did not.

Not heavy on the romance but it's there a little. The mystery was fun to figure out along with the MFC, it wasn't overly confusing or unbelievable without being dull or too easy to guess.

Overall a fun little read, or give the audiobook a go because the narration was done well.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars.

This is a romance hidden behind a series of crimes, weird occurrences, and unnecessary nonsense.

Grandfather warns Hollis that the devil has come to town. Then she meets Cain, and he essentially steals her house, future, and way of life. It adds up so far. But immediately, he becomes charming and focused on "good people." Oh, and he's super rich and attractive. (Head scratch.) Hollis likes the devil? Yes. Yes she does. And then he hires her and sparks fly. Or is that birds?

Bad things start happening to people in town who are up to no good. And the birds, all kinds, are invisible to others but Hollis can see them. And some are her dead relatives. Others are, what, part of a bird army fighting for dead humans? And why did they wait until Cain came to town? I was confused.

So really this book is about revealing the insidious, dark secrets of the town so that Hollis and Cain can be in love and live happily ever after. Plus creepy birds and good vs. evil references aplenty.

Nothing like Southern Book Club or Garden of Good and Evil.

Grave Birds was a Southern Gothic mystery with Sixth Sense vibes in that the grave birds show Hollis bits from the past that are unresolved. The ghostly birds are “pinned” to the Earth until someone with the ability to “see” the flash of whatever is left behind by a person’s death. Hollis becomes inundated with several grave birds when Cain Landry blows into town, some connected to the prominent Hawthorne family. What’s being revealed is disturbing and dangerous and throws a different spin on the past she thought she knew!

I really enjoyed unraveling this mystery right along with Hollis! Hawthorne, South Carolina is a small town where everyone knows everyone and there’s plenty of secrets that needed to come out! Some was surprising and there was a twist I didn’t see coming! There was a bit of romance, as well!

I alternated between reading an e-copy and listening to the audio and enjoyed both versions. Brittany Pressley is one of my favorite narrators and she enhanced the story, bringing the characters and their emotions to life!