I received an advance galley of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

I love a good book about magic and family secrets. A few that come to mind are “Ink Blood Sister Scribe,” “A Discovery of Witches,” and “Practical Magic,” to name a few. It was only natural for me to gravitate to this book as soon as I read the synopsis, and I am happy to say I was not disappointed. This lush and shimmering tale set in the enchanting Appalachia will sweep you away into a world of magic, mystery, and family bonds that are as powerful as they are complicated.

In this book, we meet Lee, a woman who left her magical family behind in Craw Valley at a young age in search of a more “normal” life. Years later, Lee lives in California with her wealthy husband and two kids, but, when circumstances force Lee to return to her grandmother Belva’s home with her two children in tow, Lee finds herself drawn back into the world of magic that she had tried so hard to leave behind.

The family dynamic is complicated. Lee’s mother was an addict and forbade Lee to spend time with her grandmother, Belva after Lee’s father was killed in a bridge collapse that also took the life of Lee’s aunt. Belva is eccentric and takes no crap from anyone. The entire town of Craw Valley knows she works with the land and practices magic, and while most everyone in town is a God-fearing Christian, they have no problem seeking out Belva’s services when they’re desperate. When the target of one of Belva’s binding spells ends up dead and his body is discovered on Belva’s land, suspicious eyes fall on the family once again. The death coincides with Lee’s return, and when more bodies begin to pile up, suspicion mounts, and the family is once again the subject of scrutiny. Is it Belva’s magic killing these people, or is there something (or someone) sinister stalking the town of Craw Valley?

As Lee delves deeper into the secrets of her family and the town, she is forced to confront her fears and insecurities, ultimately rediscovering her own power and strength in the process. Dyer’s writing is enchanting, drawing the reader into the magical world of Craw Valley with its lush forests, mysterious happenings, and ancient traditions. I’ve always been fascinated by folk magic, and this book made me so happy. I felt as though I was right there with the family as their secrets unfolded.

I loved how the author explored how magic can be both a blessing and a curse. Belva and her family use their powers to help and heal their community, but as the mystery surrounding the dead man in the woods unfolds, it becomes clear that there is a potentially darker side to their magic.

Dyer weaves a complex and immersive tale that doesn’t just focus on the magical elements of the story but also delves deep into the dynamics of family relationships and the struggles of reconciling with the past. The characters are richly drawn and multi-dimensional, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their stories. Lee was a great main character, and I loved the family dynamic at play – not only as she reconciled the complicated relationship with her mother and her grandmother but also with the shifting relationship with her two kids. Of all of the characters, though, Belva was my favorite. She was no-nonsense, confident, focused, knew precisely who she was, and wouldn’t let anyone tell her differently.

This book is a wonderful blend of mystery, fantasy, and family drama that held me captive until the last page. The story is gripping, the characters are rich, and the family secrets are plenty. Fans of family drama, mysteries, and folk magic will find much to love in this dazzling debut.