Publication Date: July 1, 2025
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires meets Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil in this twisty, fresh take on a Southern gothic that follows a mysterious, charming bachelor as he makes his way into a small town, bringing a plague and the devil with him, from GMA Buzz Pick author Dana Elmendorf.
Grave birds haunt the cemeteries of Hawthorne, South Carolina, where Spanish moss drips from the trees and Southern charm is imbued with lies. Hollis Sutherland never knew these unique birds existed, not until she died and was brought back to life. The ghostly birds are manifestations of the dead’s unfinished business, and they know Hollis and her uncanny gift can set them free.
When a mysterious, charming bachelor wanders into the small town, bizarre events begin to plague its wealthiest citizens—blood drips from dogwood blossoms, flocks of birds crash into houses, fire tornadoes descend from the sky. Hollis knows these are the omens her grandfather warned about, announcing the devil’s return. But despite Cain Landry’s eerie presence and the plague that has followed him, his handsome face and wicked charm win over the townsfolk. Even Hollis falls under his spell as they grow closer.
That is, until lies about the town’s past start to surface. The grave birds begin to show Hollis the dead’s ugly deeds from some twenty-five years ago and the horrible things some people did to gain their wealth. Hollis can’t decide if Cain is some immortal hand of God, there to expose their sins. Or if he’s a devil there to ruin them all. Either way, she’s determined to save her town and the people in it, whatever it takes.
Hollis Sutherland clinically died when she was 11, giving her the ability to see strange things.
Author Dana Elmendorf delivers a tightly woven Southern gothic mystery in Grave Birds. It’s an apt title, since Hollis can see ghostly birds that represent a connection to the dead’s unresolved issues.
Her plans to purchase her godfather’s house and turn it into a premiere event venue hits a roadblock in the form of Cain Landry. It’s a devastating development that opens the door to a series of events that rock Hawthorne, South Carolina.
Inundated by images from the dead, Hollis tries to make sense of what is happening. Is Cain on a mission to wreak havoc, or are the messages clues from the dead?
With engaging characters and spirited conversation, Grave Birds delivers just the right amount of fantasy mixed with suspense.
Dana Elmendorf is a YA author making her adult debut. A native Tennessean, she lives in Southern California with her family.
