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!

3.5 stars
I loved the Southern gothic vibe of this book as well as the clever premise and the atmospheric mood. It was fun unraveling the mystery, and I enjoyed the spooky lite feel to the story.

The audiobook’s production value and narration were so well done and really brought the story off the page for me. Of course, you can never go wrong with Brittany Pressley.

An entertaining read.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you @netgalley and @harlequinaudio for the chance to review this advance copy.

Grave Birds by Dana Elmendorf is a Southern Gothic tale woven with love, family secrets, and murder. Ever since Hollis died as a child and was brought back to life, she’s had a supernatural gift: when someone dies, a grave bird appears. If Hollis touches it, she relives that person’s final moments as if they were her own.

She’s managed to build a quiet life around this strange ability—until a wealthy, charming bachelor arrives in town and disrupts everything. As Hollis reimagines her future, biblical omens begin appearing, signaling something dark and apocalyptic. Strangely, the newcomer, the signs, and her mysterious new employers all seem linked to a murderous past. Guided by the grave birds and the haunting visions they bring, Hollis sets out to uncover the truth.

While I felt the story could’ve been strengthened with more detail in places, it was still an engaging and enjoyable listen.

4.25 ⭐️

Grave Birds is an interesting, southern gothic book with an incredibly interesting premise. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going into it, having never read anything by this author before, but I was pleasantly surprised! The pacing was great and I absolutely loved the setting.

Both the romantic and non-romantic plots were very well done and kept my attention. I enjoyed the mystery plot the most though. We got to follow Hollis as she worked through what these mysterious little grave birds were trying to tell her, and I was fully enraptured the entire time!

Overall, this was a spooky little read that I think a ton of people will enjoy!

Thank you to The Hive and Harlequin Audio for the review copy of Grave Birds! All opinions are my own!

The audio version of Grave Birds is a solid, immersive experience. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the tone and atmosphere of the book to life. Her pacing, inflection, and emotional delivery added so much to the overall tension of the story.

While I personally would’ve preferred a different male voice for certain parts, it didn’t pull me out of the story or lessen my enjoyment. I still found myself completely absorbed.

A strong performance that elevated an already compelling read—highly recommend listening if you enjoy eerie, emotionally layered mysteries.

This is my first EVER audiobook *gasp* and I think I picked a good one because this novel is very rich in atmosphere. The south seeps through the pages like sunshine. It’s the perfect mix of mystery, southern gothic, paranormal and even a touch of romance.

The story was extremely bingey. I loved the gossipy small-town vibe and all of the flash backs with the grave birds. I was totally shocked by the ending and major twist. It got dark! Hollis is a great main character, and I loved her quirky and positive personality.

The audiobook was great because our narrator, Brittany Pressley, does a variety of voices. It took me a minute to get used to it but she is very talented. I was swept into the town of Hawthorne and I was sad to leave it. I cannot believe it is a debut. Elmendorf is one to watch. If you haven’t added this to your summer TBR already, you should!

Thank you so much @netgalley for my copy!****

Hollis Sutherland is in quite a bind -- having lost her godfather, a major figure in her childhood following a near-death experience, Hollis is scrambling to be approved for a loan to purchase his home before other, more financially capable, buyers swoop in. When Cain Landry, a mysterious figure who may as well be the devil himself, arrives in town and acquires the home through a cash sale, Hollis is not emotionally devastated to lose an important part of her godfather's legacy, but also a major feature of her budding event planning business, which would have utilized the home as a major event venue. Despite Hollis's initial fury and Cain's immediate dismissal of her concerns, the two soon reach a more amicable arrangement, beginning to become friends, temporary business partners, and then something more. But against the backdrop of a burgeoning romance in a Southern town, corruption and secrets fester, and Hollis encounters ghostly grave birds in unexpected places, a lingering trace where someone has lost their life. Deeply atmospheric, with realistic romance and sharp Southern wit, Grave Birds is a perfect summer Gothic read.

4.5 / 5 stars

Hollis Sutherland drowned when she was eleven years old. She came back, but she didn’t come back the same.

Ever since, she’s been able to see grave birds – spectral robins, mourning doves, and other restless spirits tied to the places where people died, waiting for their unfinished business to be resolved.

In Hawthorne, South Carolina, where secrets haunt every street, Hollis has learned to live with the grave birds’ presence. Until the day Cain Landry comes to town – with a grave bird perched on his shoulder.

As strange omens and restless spirits stir, Hollis must follow the grave birds’ clues to uncover the town’s buried sins before the past destroys everything she’s working to build.

This was such a satisfying Southern Gothic, blending magical realism with a layered small-town mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish. Hollis is exactly the kind of protagonist I love – driven and compassionate, with a strong sense of justice that pushes her to help the grave birds around town. Brittany Pressley’s narration brought her to life so vividly, and I was rooting for Hollis the whole way.

The grave birds themselves were a highlight – each one a specific species tied to unfinished business, adding a tangible realism to the magic. I also loved how rich the Southern atmosphere felt, with abandoned properties, emerging cicadas, secrets in every corner, and the sense that something eerie is always just out of sight.

While the publisher’s description makes it sound like a “devil comes to town” story, the heart of this book is Hollis’s connection with the dead and her unraveling of Hawthorne’s dark past. (And so much more about her event planning business than I expected.) It reminded me of The Change in the best ways, with women’s power, magical realism, and a mystery that actually delivers.

If I have one quibble, it’s that Cain didn’t feel as fully developed as Hollis, and his enemies-to-lovers arc moved a bit fast. I didn’t mind him, but he didn’t leave me swooning. Still, that’s a small thing compared to how much I enjoyed this story.

If you love a Southern Gothic with rich atmosphere, an engaging mystery, and a touch of magic, Grave Birds is perfect for your TBR.

A fast moving, intricately layered story with a unique supernatural plot. It was refreshing to read a paranormal book with well developed characters and a richly detailed setting. Many stories based in the South over exaggerate the "sotherness" of the setting and characters, leaving an artificial, touristy feel. This book felt natural and modern in its place and storyline.

Southern gothic drips from the spanish moss hanging from the trees in the cemeteries of Hawthorne, South Carolina. Hollis has a unique connection with the dead, she is able to see "grave birds" that represent unfinished business of the dead. Hollis died when she was eleven but was brought back life, hence her ability to see the grave birds. Hollis is an event planner, attempting to purchase her uncle's mansion in hopes of turning it into the ultimate event venue. Just as she is about to close the deal, a mystery man, Cain Landry, comes in an buys it out from underneath her. This novel has it all, a great mystery, some ghostly elements, crazy disasters, a touch of romance, a perfectly atmospheric southern setting, and some great twists at the end. This book was very fast paced.

Thank you to Mira Books, Harlequin Audio and Harper Collins for the ALC. The narrator Brittany Pressley was perfection.

I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was sucked into the narrative of GRAVE BIRDS by Dana Elmendorf. I chose it for its promise of southern gothic vibes, but kept reading for the unexpected murder mystery.

The main character, Hollis Sutherland, drowned as a child but was resuscitated. She returned to life with one side effect - she can see grave birds. Grave birds are ghostly apparitions left tethered to the earth when someone dies with a great regret. They remain until someone like Hollis witnesses the moment of regret and sets it free.

Hollis lives in a small South Carolina town, dominated by the wealthy Hawthorne family who run a large missionary church. All is quiet until a stranger arrives with cash to spend and a grave bird on his shoulder.

The atmosphere created was just what my gothic-loving heart wanted. The ghostly birds, a mysterious handsome stranger, whispers of a reckoning, and strange weather occurrences that appear biblical in nature.

And Hollis, steady and persistent in nature, is the perfect guide through all the plot’s surprises.

I really enjoyed the narrator, Brittany Pressley, and discovered she recorded two other audiobooks I loved (Love on the Brain & The Seven Year Slip). As someone still relatively new to audiobook reading, I’m excited to finally be able to recommend specific voice actors.

I’ve seen great reviews of Elmendorf’s previous book, In the Hour of Crows. I’ll need to move that one up my TBR and borrow the audiobook soon.