I was intrigued! I absolutely loved this book.

I have never read any southern gothic books, and I fear I may have been transformed.

It was spooky, but not too horror heavy where I couldn’t sleep.

The mystery kept me on edge the whole time, and I appreciated the romance being a very late subplot and not overpowering the story. Kaine could’ve had more character development, but I didn’t mind our protagonist taking the front stage at all times.

English is not my first language, so listening to it is something I highly recommend. The southern accent brought everything together. I appreciated the narrator - for this kind of genre, her voice was perfect.

Grave Birds is the definition of a southern Gothic novel. The atmosphere feels dark and mysterious,almost ethereal. It feels as if there are ghosts hiding behind every magnolia tree. The family histories run deep in this small southern town and certain families have ruled as royalty for decades. And one particular family has a very dark history that they've successfully hidden for years. Until that is, a mysterious handsome stranger comes to town. And when he connects with Hollis, a local woman with a very specific paranormal gift, the small town is turned on its head. Strange weather, plagues of spiders, fire tornadoes and other abnormalities are let lose on the townsfolk as if the spirits of the dead are demanding retribution.

This audiobook was.perfectly narrated. The tone,speed and the slightly southern drawl of the voice actress only enhances the story. A wonderful, mysterious and moody novel for anyone searching for a southern Gothic mystery.

This book was put on my radar by my dear friend Lindsey! I saw her beautiful book on instagram and was instantly drawn to it. Thankfully Netgalley had the hookup for an audio book so we could do a buddy read!

Hawthorne is a small town in South Carolina where everyone knows everyone. Sutherland has lived there her whole life and knows the town like the back of her hand. However, the town might now know Hollis as well as they think. Hollis has the unique ability to see Grave Birds. When she was a little girl she was brought back from the dead, and with that resurrection came the ability to see the birds. These birds carry visions of the dead's unfinished business.

When the incredibly mysterious, handsome Cain Landry comes to town, Hollis is thrown off guard. Not just by his incredibly good looks, but by the Grave bird that is always following him. While Hollis finds herself frustrated with Cain and his bulldozing into the town and taking over, she also finds herself quite smitten with him as well. But while she may be falling for him, something is very off in the town of Hawthorne. The Grave Birds stories are not adding up with those of the living and Hollis is determined to get down to the bottom of it. Even if it means finding out Cain is hiding something.

This book felt like I was slap dab in the middle of South Carolina just looking at the mossy trees and vibing with the gothic feel of the town. As someone from a small town, the author definitely nailed the “small town atmosphere” and the sprinkle of the gothic setting was perfection. It definitely felt like a mystery with a sprinkle of romance, but just the right amount to keep you interested in their story. The ending surprised me which I always take as a win!

Grave Birds has a little bit of everything, mystery, paranormal, love interests and beautiful atmosphere!

A unique story, told from the perspective of the dead, via the grave birds our narrator encounters. The suspense had me sitting in the car listening long after I'd arrived at my destination. At times I had trouble following characters due to the some of the voices sounding the same, but definitely will be recommending and purchasing this title!

A beautifully written, atmospheric, gothic tale! This is my first book by Dana and I am excited to read more from her. Her writing flows wonderfully and intrigued me from the very start. It is a gothic horror-esque tale but it didn't feel scary... more so hauntingly beautiful or Eerily beautiful! I loved the tone and the hint of mystery and romance woven throughout. The birds felt like lovely little ghosts and yet everytime they appeared you knew something disconcerting was coming. It was a wonderful mix and I loved the way things unfolded. It's a story that will stick with me and I will never look at birds quite the same!

Wow, wow, wow! This author knows the art of good, old-fashioned storytelling. She drew me in from the first page and I was constantly thinking about the book even when not listening. The characters feel like people you actually know; the author did an incredible job with creating the town and making you feel like you lived there, watching everything unfold. The main character, Hollis, is truly likable and I was invested in her story. The idea of “grave birds” is so unique, both frightening and beautiful. The mystery/plot was unpredictable, and I loved all the little twists bringing the puzzle pieces together.

The narrator did a phenomenal job! All the characters had distinctive voices and she was able to build the tension, especially during the flashback scenes.

Big five stars and will be recommending! Thanks for the opportunity to listen!

I loved "In the Hour of Crows" and I think "Grave Birds" is even better. This story is magical in all the best ways, rich with history and family and, of course, mystery and deceit. It was a wonderful, atmospheric read and I can't wait for her next title!

𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗘𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗳’𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 soars on gothic wings, and Brittany Pressley gives it life! It’s part ghost story, part romance, part small-town exposé.

This is a Southern Gothic tale set in Hawthorne, South Carolina and there’s nothing quite like a good Southern story. Hollis Sutherland, who briefly died as a child and came back, now sees the titular spectral birds tied to unsettled spirits. When Cain Landry, a mysteriously alluring newcomer, arrives alongside omens like blood-red blossoms and bird flocks crashing into homes, Hollis must unravel secrets buried deep in the town’s past—questioning whether Cain is a divine revelation or the very devil himself. 😏

Brittany Pressley’s narration was perfection! She delivers it in a rich Southern drawl that complements the eerie ambiance of the story so freaking well! She also has an emotive delivery that gives the plot tension and nuance, especially in moments of magic and atmosphere. I think I found a new favorite narrator! 🎧

This is an immersive Southern Gothic experience for sure. The grave birds concept—a melancholic embodiment of unresolved spirits—its eerie and haunting and I loved it. I even loved how each bird was different—Robin, Crow, etc.

There’s tension, atmosphere, and the ghost‑town charm veiling dark family secrets. It’s moody, beautiful, unnerving and just about everything I love in a book.

It’s an atmospheric, twisty Southern Gothic with memorable supernatural elements and a sensual undercurrent. And the narration adds a little southern charm and grit. Highly recommend. Especially if you enjoy stories where Southern soil remembers everything, with magic that’s subtle, bone-deep, and more haunting than helpful, pick this one up! 🙌🏻

🐦‍⬛ Grave Birds ~ Audiobook 🐦‍⬛
Rating - 4.5 stars!
Wow, this book was great this would be amazing book for spooky time. It has a spooky vibe to it overall it’s a southern Gothic mystery with dash of suspense. The narrator of this book does such a good job of making you feel present with everything that’s happening. Also, the accent was a chef’s kiss.! I enjoyed the dark mysteriousness of this whole thing and with like the curses and omens that the small paranormal town had was amazing. I love the grave birds idea too. this book had just a dash of romance, but I feel like that was a perfect amount. I loved the brewing MMC that we got to me and felt like he fit perfectly in this book. I will say that I’ve never seen any concept like that before, but I am definitely a huge fan. This was the first book I’ve ever read by this author, and I am not disappointed in that And I will definitely be checking more of her books out.

Book Review: Grave Birds by Dana Elmendorf
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dana Elmendorf delivers another captivating story steeped in atmosphere and heart with Grave Birds—a Southern gothic mystery that blends charm, suspense, and just the right touch of the uncanny.

From the first chapter, I was pulled in by Elmendorf’s signature writing style—lush, immersive, and emotionally resonant. She has a real gift for crafting characters that feel alive, and in Grave Birds, every voice is distinct, every scene steeped in a haunting sense of place. The Southern setting is full of grit and grace, adding layers of texture to a mystery that unfolds at the perfect pace.

The concept of the grave birds themselves was so unique and compelling, adding a quiet magical realism that gave the story a rich folkloric undertone. I was equally drawn in by the relationships between characters and the small-town secrets buried just beneath the surface.

I can confidently say I’ll read anything Dana Elmendorf writes from here on out.

I highly recommend Grave Birds to fans of her previous work, as well as readers who enjoy mystery, atmospheric settings, and emotionally immersive storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance listening copy (ALC).

I loved the small town setting, the atmosphere and the supernatural elements of the grave birds. To me the strength of the story was in the town dynamics and not the romance which felt too insta-lovey and superficial.

This book caught my attention from the beginning and held it until the end! It was just the right amount of southern to not be overdone like some books do it. It was full on southern heritage drama with a gothic, gothic, ghostly twist. Grave birds are interesting and I loved the dive into a bird that only some can see. There was a lot going on in the plot and that made the twist at the end that much better. The added unexpected romance made this great too! It didn’t take over the plot at all. I loved the character development of the FMC, I was so glad to see her tackle all her problems head on. She was not sassy like most FMC are this day. She’s was more humble and it worked for this book!
Also, I enjoyed our dark mysterious stranger that literally caused more chaos in an already chaotic small town!

The audio was great. Brittany Pressley’s voice was just right for this book. I was able to listen on 1.8x speed and still enjoy everything clearly.

Over all I definitely recommend this book.

Thanks NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for giving me the chance to review this ALC.

Oh my gosh I DEVOURED this book in one day! I absolutely loved it. Atmospheric, souther gothic, murder mystery, a girl who sees ghosts and their birds, strong-willed FMC and a dark and moody MMC....perfect recipe. Chef's kiss!

Haunting and atmospheric. This is a southern gothic mystery touched by the paranormal.

This is magical realism exactly how I like it — atmospheric, slightly spooky, but not too scary to keep you up at night.

Hollis Sutherland is a small town girl, but she’s been touched by death. Ever since a traumatic car accident, she can see grave birds that are invisible to others. When she touches one, she’s catapulted into the mind of the deceased, their memories shattering her waking consciousness.

🕯️Haunting and atmospheric, I could see the vivid scenes and the ghostly charm in my mind’s eye.

🎧 Brittany @britpressley brings the voice of Hollis Sutherland to life in this cozy horror murder mystery! I recommend the audio format, although both work.

🐦‍⬛ I had high hopes for this one as I loved In the Hour of Crows and I would say that if you liked that one, you’ll also enjoy this one. The vibes are on point.

🪶 Get your copy preordered — this releases July 1st.

Thank you to @danaelmendorf and @htp_hive @htpbooks_audio @readmirabooks for the review copy and ALC!

LOVED this one! As previously mentioned, In the Hour of Crows by @danaelmendorf was one of my favorite reads in 2024, and I'm now adding Grave Birds to my top 25 of 2025 even though we're only halfway through the year. I think more attention needs to be given to this amazing author! Dana does southern gothic so well. The atmospheric vibes, magical realism, and mystery surrounding the story were 🤌🏻 I enjoyed the grave birds giving hints to the overall mystery and trying to piece things together. I see Dana's growth as a writer as there was no sophomore slump here! I can't wait for her next book!

Ａｕｄｉｏｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
🌟🌟🌟🌟.2
Grave Birds by Dana Elmendorf is my first book by this author and will not be my last. If you are looking for a murder mystery, small-town setting, a dash of romance, and some paranormal elements, I highly recommend this book! I was hooked from chapter one and couldn't put it down. The premise intrigued me. Hollis almost died as a young girl, and because of this, she can now see grave birds that are haunting the cemeteries of Hawthorne, South Carolina. The grave birds represent unfinished business. Then Cain enters with his eerie presence, and things start to happen.

The audiobook is narrated by Brittany Pressley, who did a good job telling the story and bringing it to life. I enjoyed listening to her; she was easy to understand. I listened at 2x speed.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Audio, for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

🎧 ARC Review 🎧
Hollis Sutherland has had a unique gift ever since the day she died and came back to life. She can see the dead’s unfinished business in the form of birds or “grave birds” as she likes to call them. They need closure and her help to find rest.

Lately though everything has gone to hell. Literally. The number of birds seeking her out has increased and she’s suddenly being haunted by ghosts too. The home she was about to purchase is taken right out from under her and freak natural disasters are happening left and right. I’m talkin’ firestorms coming from the sky, earthquakes, spiders raining down, and flocks of birds crashing to their deaths against the windows. It’s giving Revelations vibes y’all and it all started the day Cain Landry walked into town.

What exactly is this handsome stranger’s role in all of this? Is it purely coincidence or did the devil himself just come to town? And why is she so darn drawn to him?

If you appreciate eerie suspense, dark mysteries with a supernatural twist, ghosts, and southern gothic tales, this book is for you! Perfect for those spooky season TBR’s and available July 1st! 4.2 STARS 👻 🐦‍⬛

What I Loved:
🐦‍⬛ The Southern Dialect! The phrasing, the mannerisms, the small town charm, this book oozed Southern flavor. I was absolutely in love with the way these characters talked. And the narration? SIX STARS. @britpressley deserves a standing ovation.👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻

🐦‍⬛ The Atmosphere! From vivid descriptions of gothic Southern homes to food that’ll make you gain five pounds just reading about it, this story nailed that eerie, rich Southern vibe. Throw in ghosts, hauntings, and an increasing sense that something "other" is lurking and you've got a deliciously spooky setting.

🐦‍⬛ The Grave Birds! Dana truly created something unique here. The birds were haunting, yes, but also strangely human. I felt for them. I cared. Each time one appeared, I was equal parts scared and curious, what secrets were they about to sing?

🐦‍⬛ The Mystery! At its heart, this is a twisty, dark murder mystery that strikes a perfect balance between cozy and chilling. The author drops clues like scattered feathers throughout the story but I didn’t see the ending coming at all!

What I Didn’t Love:
🐦‍⬛ Time skips! Come on it’s just meannnnn to time skip like this. I was invested in these characters, and the skips made a lot of their growth happen off-page. Felt like I was being cheated out of some good development. 🥲

🐦‍⬛ The Romance. Cain Landry had so much potential to be a swoon-worthy lead. But sadly, he barely got any page time. I know not every story needs romance but with a character this intriguing, it felt like a SIN not to give us more. I needed way more Cain! 😩

As always a big thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. I had an absolute blast with this one and need to go read Dana Elmendorf‘s other work now!

Grave Birds presented a unique blend of paranormal fiction, mystery, and psychological thrills that kept me engaged. The story centers on Hollis, a young entrepreneur with dreams of launching her event planning business from her late uncle's mansion. Those plans are quickly derailed when Cain Landry sweeps into town and buys the house right out from under her. Not one to give up easily, Hollis is determined to compete with the established Richardson family for local events, and she lands a major gala with the Hawthornes.

As Hollis delves into planning, a string of unsettling accidents plagues the town: bizarre storms, fires, and even deaths from freak construction mishaps. Through her work with the Hawthornes, Hollis starts to unearth deeply buried town secrets, from their financial struggles to a past murder that was meticulously covered up.

The paranormal element comes in with the "grave birds"—spectral birds that appear after a human dies and often pester Hollis to intervene and help set souls free. Having died and returned to life herself, Hollis is uniquely attuned to these birds, and one follows her constantly. She quickly notices that Cain also seems aware of them, making her wonder if he's the cause of the town's strange occurrences or why he's truly there. While Hollis and Cain eventually find common ground, her trust in him remains fragile as she works to uncover the truth about the mysterious murder, the Hawthorne's secrets, and the accident that killed her grandfather—and briefly, her—years ago.

I really appreciated the unique story Dana Elmendorf crafted, particularly the concept of the grave birds. My one wish is that it had leaned a bit more into the paranormal. It felt more like a typical psychological thriller and mystery with just a subtle hint of the supernatural, despite the elements of seeing dead people and the titular birds. A big highlight for me was the narration; you truly can't go wrong with Brittany Pressley!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Release date 7/1/25.

This spooky summer read was definitely what I needed. First time reading a book from the author and i absolutely loved it. The chilling gothic atmosphere was what I needed for this summer and I highly recommend this story !

Hollis Sutherland lives in a small southern town of Hawthorne, run by the wealthy Hawthorne family. As a child, she died and was brought back to life. Ever since she has had the ability to see grave birds, which are manifestations of deceased parties' unfinished business. What a cool concept! Only those who have died and been brought back can see these grave birds. When Cain Landry moves to town, Hollis's life is rudely interrupted. He may be handsome, but with him comes trouble, perhaps even the devilish kind. Hollis is hired to plan a big gala event for the Hawthorne family, but with Cain comes strange occurrences in town, people acting suspicious, and the Hawthornes not living up to their name. The grave birds begin showing Hollis snippets of the past, revealing buried secrets from the town of Hawthorne. And with this, unfolds our Southern gothic mystery! Overall, I liked it. The concept of the grave birds was awesome and the mystery was interesting enough to keep my attention. It went in a different direction than I expected it to. It's not YA, but it sort of feels like it is somehow? I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars! I did listen to it in one day, and the narrator did a good job.