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The Crows #1

The Witching Hours

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A haunting murder and kidnapping on the outskirts of Salem, MA sends two people with unique talents hunting for answers from both the past and present in internationally bestselling author Heather Graham’s electrifying new Krewe of Hunters spin off for fans of Stephen King, Jayne Ann Krentz, Riley Sager, and Simone St. James.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 27, 2026

163 people are currently reading
20678 people want to read

About the author

Heather Graham

585 books6,938 followers
Also published as Heather Graham Pozzessere and Shannon Drake.

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.

Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.

She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.

Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
Profile Image for BookByBook karenreadslotsofbooks.
22 reviews1 follower
October 2, 2025
I was excited to receive approval for an advanced copy of The Witching Hours. I thought it would be a great read to add to my "spooky season" reading. Also, I grew up near Salem, Massachusetts and know the area and history of this town well. I like the premise of the story and the attempt to interweave the infamous history of the Salem witches into the mystery of the murder and kidnappings Skye and Zach are assigned to investigate. However, I found the writing to be very surface level and the dialogue between characters unnatural. Often times, the author detailed events and conversations that seemed unnecessary (for example, the breakfasts shared by Zach and Skye), over the development of the investigation into the crimes. I also found the relationship between Zach and Skye to be forced and unbelievable due to a lack of chemistry. The references to Salem's historical past, while interesting, were not well connected to the plot, also feeling forced and just added to the story because it seemed an obvious choice based on the setting. Unfortunately, I found this to be a disappointing read that I will not be recommending.
Profile Image for Tam Sesto.
775 reviews16 followers
January 16, 2026
The premise of two psychic investigators trying to solve kidnappings and a murder in Salem, MA was a great hook for picking up the book. However, the story didn’t hold up to any expectation. The writing style was weird and felt misplaced. There was no chemistry between characters, especially between Zach and Skye, who were the romantic leads. The best character of the book, Salem, MA, which is why this is a two star read for me instead of a one.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kim McFall.
181 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2026
Such a good read! Suspense, mystery, paranormal & witches all in one book. I absolutely loved the characters and hope there are more books to come with them in it! This was such a fun read!

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publication for letting me read this arc.
Profile Image for Beth.
211 reviews4 followers
January 30, 2026
Thank you to Hambright PR for this gifted book!

When I read the description of this book I thought it sounded so interesting, psychics in Salem, MA just sounded so good and I was excited about it. The plot itself could have been amazing, it really does have so much potential to be an amazing story if written well.

While I appreciate the opportunity to have received an electronic copy of this through Hambright PR, this book has a lot of problems. The biggest being, and I don't say this lightly, that this reads like it was pulled from an AI prompt. I know that isn't what any author wants to hear, and I truly hope I'm wrong, but I have never read anything so oddly written. I am truly surprised this made it past an editor.

The amount of punctuation used in this is so over the top. Exclamation points at the end of every other sentence, ellipses at every turn, Em dashes in places that don't make sense, and sentences that just seem to fall off. The exclamation points were honestly the biggest sticking point for me, they are used at just basic conversational endings. Not for anything urgent or exciting, just used in places where a period should have been used. I almost DNF'd because of the punctuation and structure alone, but this book was so short that I pushed through.

The dialogue was also a problem for me, it didn't sound natural or like anything people would actually say conversationally, and I think that really chalks up to the structure/punctuation usage. The characters were incredibly flat resulting from that.

I am normally a very generous reviewer, it takes a lot for me to give a negative review, and it doesn't bring me joy to do so. This isn't written in attack of the author, just my honest opinion about the writing and structure. This is not a book that I will be recommending. Such a bummer!

*This ARC was given by Hambright PR through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Profile Image for Charlotte Lynn.
2,243 reviews62 followers
February 2, 2026
This book kept me up long past my bedtime. I could not put it down! Imagine a group of investigators that all have special paranormal talents. Each of these special talents help solve crimes but they must be careful. They must be able to explain how they know what they know, without giving away their talent.

The Witching Hours is a book that broke my heart with the initial kidnapping, it is hard to read about children potentially being hurt or in trouble. But the book was gentle with the children.

I found myself hooked on Zachary and Skye working together. I cheered them on, I followed the clues they gave and still had no idea where I was going to end up. Books like this are my favorite. They keep me guessing and changing my mind as I think I figure out the mystery.

Thank you Hambright PR for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Janereads10.
988 reviews14 followers
January 21, 2026
Any hint of supernatural in stories and I'm along for the ride. The Witching Hours was a thrilling hunt involving the Wicked Witch of the West in Salem, MA - fitting given the city's witch trial history. I enjoyed uncovering leads and connecting suspects and motivations.

What stood out: This is a spin-off of the author's Krewe of Hunters series featuring investigators with psychic abilities. The main characters are Skye McMahon, who sees the past unravel in her mind, and Zachary Erickson, who has psychic touch. The combination of their abilities adds an edge to what would otherwise be a straightforward murder mystery.

I found this fast-paced, like watching the story on my TV screen. I liked the way the author kept leaving crumbs for readers to follow.

The romance building between Skye and Zach was a much-needed break from the tense investigation. Watching them connect as people beyond their psychic abilities made them more relatable.

I figured out who it was early on, but it's always the howdunnit or whydunnit that kept me reading. The motivation fell flat for me though.

Similar vibes: Fans of the Krewe of Hunters series by Heather Graham would enjoy this spin-off. Also comparable to Kelley Armstrong's paranormal suspense series - A Rip Through Time.

You'll love this if: You like a blend of suspense, mystery, and paranormal elements.

Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for my early ARC access for review.
Profile Image for Raymie.
836 reviews79 followers
January 12, 2026
This book had everything I would appeal to me in a book. Set in Salem, Wizard of Oz references, Witches all tied up in a thriller but I just didn’t like characters or the actual storyline.

I don’t know what it was about the main character Skye but I just didn’t like her. She had little to no personality and all she wanted to do was hook up with her Partner.

The ending to the story felt rushed and so did the romance between Skye and Zach.

Genre:
APK: Ebook
Pages: 299
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Series or Standalone: I think it’s going to be a series.
Profile Image for Kate | Date With A Thriller.
544 reviews25 followers
January 26, 2026
I was so excited to read this as I am fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials!! 🙌

This started off really well with Skye’s vision of what happened during the witch trials. I was hooked from the start, but then I felt like the pace slowed a bit in spots. I also didn’t understand the why behind the whole murder and kidnapping. This is the start of a new series, and I am little curious what case Skye and Zach take on next. Overall, I’d say it was a decent read! 👏

Thank you to partner Kensington Books for the gifted advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
Profile Image for Heather Flaherty.
1,052 reviews4 followers
January 19, 2026
Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonPublishing for the book #TheWitchingHours by #HeatherGraham. I loved this book about witches and Salem and paranormal investigators. Skye can see things happen like a movie. Zach can had psychic touch. They have been paired together to catch a true life green wicked witch that is kidnapping people and responsible for at least one murder. Will they be able to piece this investigation together before anyone else gets hurt?
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,212 reviews3 followers
Read
January 26, 2026
Unfortunately this one just didn't work for me. I LOVED the concept of looking into the past and talking to ghosts to solve crimes, but something about the characters and the dialogue just wasn't working for me.

Also trigger warning that this involves a 5 year old, which was a huge trigger for me.
Profile Image for Tori.
36 reviews
January 13, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC. The book sounded really appealing with its paranormal elements and ties to the Salem witch trials. I truly wanted to like it, but something just felt off. The dialogue often felt unnatural, with an overwhelming number of exclamation points (maybe they are still editing the dialogue?) The story was weighed down by a lot of historical detail. Several plot points were left loose or unexplained, which made the overall experience disappointing.
Profile Image for Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle.
1,614 reviews31 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 14, 2026
Look, if you pitch me Salem, psychic detectives, and a full-blown fairy-tale witch snatching children like it’s The Brothers Grimm meets Criminal Minds, I am gonna show up. Black hoodie on. Pumpkin spice in hand. Vibes cranked to eleven. And for the first few chapters of The Witching Hours, I really thought we were doing something here. A haunting murder. A missing nanny. A toddler found screaming in her playpen like the cold open of every show on Shudder. Yes. Inject that spooky chaos right into my bloodstream.

But then…the book kept talking.

Let’s start with Skye McMahon, who is somehow both a psychic with movie-reel visions and the least interesting person in a haunted house full of plot devices. She's got Big Paranormal Girl energy, but instead of taking names and banishing spirits, she mostly meanders from psychic flash to psychic flash like a confused tourist on a ghost tour. Enter Zachary Erickson, her psychic-sorta-love-interest-partner-dude, whose ability is apparently touching things and knowing stuff and whose personality hovers somewhere between “Hallmark boyfriend template” and “mysterious wallpaper.” Their banter? Stiff. Their romantic chemistry? Like two mannequins awkwardly bumping into each other during a power outage at Macy’s.

And can we talk about the witch? Not the metaphorical witch. Not the tragic misunderstood witch of Salem lore. No, no. Heather Graham said, “Pointy hat. Crone face. Possibly cackling. Deal with it.” I mean, if you're gonna do a literal witch, I respect the audacity to go full cartoon villain. But she never felt scary, just kind of...there. Like the plot needed something spooky to wave around between monologues about 1692 and awkward coffee dates.

There are moments where the book finds its footing. When Skye’s visions kick in and we get those creepy atmospheric flashes of past horrors bleeding into the present, the book wakes up a little. The Salem setting is doing so much heavy lifting, bless her gothic heart. The fog, the woods, the echo of paranoia hanging over everything like old wallpaper in a cursed B&B. And there’s real potential in the bones of the mystery, murdered patriarch, missing nanny and child, cult-ish undertones. But the writing never quite locks it all together. The pacing drags in weird spots (why are we spending this much time on breakfast?) and key emotional beats feel like they were copied and pasted from a ghost-hunting procedural with a tight deadline.

Oh, and the dialogue. My god, the dialogue. Characters don’t talk to each other, they recite. If I had a dollar for every moment where someone quoted a philosopher like they were auditioning for Jeopardy: Paranormal Edition, I could buy a better version of this book. It’s like no one told the characters they weren’t in a college lecture hall. The prose is just clunky enough to yank you out every time things start getting juicy.

That said, I didn’t hate it. I finished it. I wanted to like it. Skye and Zach have potential, in a reboot kind of way. The bones are good, the vibes are set, but the execution is shaky. It felt like a draft of a much cooler story that got lost somewhere between the séance and the sexy subplot. 3 stars, and one side-eye from me and the ghost of a 1690s librarian.

Whodunity Award: For Dressing a Witch Like She Stepped Out of the Dollar Store Halloween Aisle and Still Expecting Me to Be Scared

Big love and sassy thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC. I’ll always show up for witches, psychics, and paranormal chaos, even when they need a little editing TLC.
Profile Image for Carole Barker.
792 reviews32 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 22, 2026
Salem is synonymous with witches...

...and now a string of crimes are apparently being committed by them.

Skye is an FBI agent who, in addition to the requisite investigatory skill set, has an additional gift that she has over the years used surreptitiously in working cases. It is that gift, an ability to "see" what happened in a particular spot, that attracted the attention of Jackson Crowe and his wife Angela who oversee a hand-selected group of agents withn the agency who possess varying paranormal skills. Skye is sent to Salem, Massachusetts, a city long famous for its association with witches and witchcraft, to pair up with another new Crowe recruit, Zach, and work with the local police to investigate the disappearance and possible kidnapping of a young boy and his nanny as well as the death of the boy's great-grandfather (which soon proves to be murder.) With no evidence left behind and no incoming ransom demands, the police aren't sure what happened at the family home. Between Skye's abilities and Zach's they quickly are able to determine that someone dressed as a Wizard of Oz type witch (green skin, pointy hat, etc) abducted the two by force. A mother and daughter are taken soon thereafter from the neighboring town of Swampscott, but apart from knowing that again a "witch" took them at gunpoint, there is no indication of who is doing this or why. More disappearances follow, and slowly a pattern emerges that hints at a calculated and sinister plot to assemble a group of human shields to allow a crime to happen...but where are the people who have disappeared being held? What is the major crime being plotted? Worse still....could someone connected to the police be involved, maybe even the person who asked Crowe for help in the first place?
The Witching Hour is the first in a new offshoot of author Heather Graham's popular Krewe of Hunters series. As is the case with previous installments in the original series, there is a pairing up of agents with complimentary abilities which tends to lead to a romantic connection as well. Skye and Zach are smart and attractive, and both have grown accustomed to having to keep their special abilities hidden from the world. Having a partner and bosses who understand and value those abilities is a welcome change for them both. The story unfolds, a combination of mystery, suspense and romance with a dollop of paranormal abilities, solid though somewhat formulaic. What attracted me to the book was its setting; I grew up on the North Shore of Boston near Salem (in fact, I grew up in Swampscott...not a town that pops up in books very often, I assure you!) and it was fun seeing the agents' activities in a city I know quite well, as well as the history of the witch trials that took place there. There are twists and turns, though not all quite as surprising as the author might have hoped (I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers, so its hard to surprise me continually). Overall it was a quick and enjoyable read, a 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4, one certain to appeal to fans of Graham's other books in the related series as well as those who read Kay Hooper, Jayne Ann Krentz, and Iris Johansen. My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me access to the novel in exchange for my honest review
Profile Image for Cornerofmadness.
1,970 reviews16 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 10, 2026
Definitely a 2.5 star review and some of that is on me. it's been so long since I've read Graham's paranormal FBI series that I had forgotten about it and forgotten it wasn't exactly to my tastes. And this one was even less so than others if I'm honest. I nearly DNFed it in the first half but since Netgalley gave me an arc I felt obligated to move forward.

It's easy enough plot, people are going missing Salem, MA, kids especially (babysitter included) so the FBI has been called in, specifically Crowe's krewe of paranormal investigators, in this case Skye who can view the past and Zach who can hone in on people via personal objects of theirs. Who is taking the people (and who killed one old man)? Some one or more than one dressed up in green wicked witch of the west paint ...to cash in on Salem's witch history? I guess? The officer, Gavin, who asked them in has secrets of his own.

This is a straight forward plot. Almost too much. Maybe that explains the endless filler in this thing. If I had to sit down to breakfast one more time with Zach and Skye I was going to scream. Stephen King's writing advice is to never end a chapter on characters going to bed. I'm going to add to start every chapter with them sitting down to breakfast. The romance in this was even more forced and boring than the last one of these I read, mostly because Zach and Skye are flat and nearly interchangeable in terms of personality.

So why did I nearly DNF this? Because the duo had faked one bit of information in order to do their jobs (because they can't come out and say 'psychic vision') and were willing to do it in another setting later in the book. However when they know the victims have been taken into the woods, instead of faking another 'tip' they whine on and on about having no evidence. Why the heck not fake it again and get search and rescue out there with dogs? Oh right because the book would have ended as a novelette. So frustrating.

As was the endless love letter to Salem and its history. Don't get me wrong. I love Salem. I go there any time I'm in MA. I love its history in spite of the tragedy of it. But this was obviously a case of the author doing some research and wanting to use it up. It wasn't even well used where it was (though it was repeated often) including taking time for Zach and Skye to play Salem history trivia with each other pretending it was shedding light on the case (It wasn't, it literally had nothing to do with anything).

When I was 90% into it I was wondering how Graham was going to wrap her book up in the remaining few pages. The answer was at lightning speed so we had time for a Zach/Skye epilogue I couldn't have cared about less. In retrospect maybe I should give this two stars but I'll be kind and I will not get more of the series in the future. Consider it lesson learned.
Profile Image for PamG.
1,320 reviews1,073 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 26, 2025
If you enjoy paranormal romantic suspense novels, history, and witches, then look no further than the thirty-ninth book in the Krewe of Hunters series by Heather Graham which is set in and around Salem, Massachusetts. Skye McMahon sees things that have happened in the past as if she was seeing a video. That’s why she’s been summoned from the FBI’s New York field office by the FBI’s Special Supervisory paranormal investigators Jackson and Angela Crowe. She is to be teamed up with Zachary (Zach) Erickson, who can touch objects and see where the last person who touched it is and what they are doing.

Alicia Bolton discovered her grandfather-in-law murdered and her nanny and son missing. Her daughter was left crying in the playpen. But this is just the beginning of the disappearances. As Skye and Zach use their paranormal abilities and combine that with solid police investigation, someone dressed as a witch and wearing green makeup continues to show up. Additionally, they grow closer as they get to know each other.

Skye is bright, organized, and reassuring to others. Zach has a sense of humor, great sense of justice, and is empathetic. Both read biographies and histories and both enjoy humor. Their skills and personalities seem to work well together.

The author does a great job of building tension and worldbuilding as well as helping readers get to know Skye and Zach. There’s also a lot of history included about the area. This helps with the background, but does tend to slow the pacing a bit at times. However, in this book, I didn’t mind it. It added depth and helped to immerse this reader in the atmosphere the author created. It was a unique and interesting read that captured and held my imagination. The romance part of the book is minor, but rather too fast. That could have been spread over multiple future books. However, the main characters’ discussions helped readers get familiar with these two characters quickly. Themes include trust, murder, abductions, power, and much more.

Overall, this novel is engaging, enjoyable, and suspenseful. While this is the first book that I have read in the series, it worked for me as a standalone. I can’t wait to read more novels in the series and highly recommend the series is you enjoy the genre.

Kensington Publishing – Kensington and Heather Graham provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for January 27, 2026.
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My 4.11 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Profile Image for Tracy Emro.
2,137 reviews64 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 18, 2026
When Special Agent Skye McMahon was contacted by Jackson Crow of the FBI’s Special Circumstances Unit aka “the Krewe of Hunters” or the “Ghostbuster Unit”, due to the paranormal aspects of most of their cases, she was wary, but it soon became clear that Agent Crow and his partner/wife Agent Angela Crow were already aware of her “gift” and thought she would be a perfect fit for their team. She arrives in Salem, MA to assist the local police in a death & missing persons case and is partnered with Special Agent Zachary “Zach” Erickson. Almost immediately, Skye’s gift of seeing the past, enables the team to learn that the death was not a heart attack as originally thought, but a murder and that the missing Nanny and young boy were abducted by someone dressed up as the Wicked Witch of the West, complete with green skin and a pointy black hat. And Zach’s ability to connect to a person with personal objects helps them determine that the victims are still alive. But before they can make any headway into the case, there is another abduction.

Jackson and Angela return to DC, leaving Skye and Zach to work the case with the help of Lt. Gavin Bruns of the Salem PD, who has a gift of his own. Together they piece together the clues and track down the leads, finding even more victims of the “Wicked Witch” and as they work, trust grows and blossoms into something deeper than just work partners. Their combined gifts and that connection will ultimate be the key they need to unlock this mystery and stop the Wicked Witch!

This was my first Heather Graham paranormal mystery, I have read some of her historical romances and liked her writing style, so I had no doubt that I would enjoy this book and I was not wrong. As much as I liked her HR books, this genre really lets her amazing talent shine. I was hooked from the first page and didn’t figure out the villain until just before it was revealed in the book. This story was great mystery with strong ties to the Krewe Hunters series and filled with emotion, psychic abilities, murder, lots of twists and turns, a bit of romance, and finally a satisfying ending with possibility of more cases with Skye & Zach! I highly recommend this book and as it is the first book in a spin-off series, it is the perfect book to start with, especially if you are new to this author or if you are looking for a new paranormal mystery series!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
Profile Image for Ann Onimaus .
70 reviews8 followers
February 2, 2026
This is a paranormal crime mystery and a spin off of the larger Krewe of Hunters series. While it can be read as a standalone, it’s clear that some familiarity with the broader series would enhance the experience. As a newcomer, certain elements, particularly the structure of the Krewe itself and the deeper backgrounds of the main characters, FBI agents Skye and Zach, felt either rushed or underexplained.
The novel places a strong emphasis on Salem, Massachusetts, its history, evolution, and infamous past, and this is where the book truly shines. Graham’s extensive knowledge of Salem’s lore and historical significance is on full display, with rich, immersive descriptions that almost make the city feel like a living entity within the story. In many ways, Salem becomes the central “character,” grounding the supernatural elements and shaping the atmosphere of the mystery.
However, this heavy focus on place comes at a cost. While Skye and Zach are given backstories tied to their supernatural abilities and with Salem, these details often read more as exposition than as organic character development. Their individual depth in the present timeline, as well as the emotional and relational dynamics between them, feel underdeveloped. The romantic and professional connection between the two agents seems rushed, lacking the gradual buildup needed to make their partnership fully compelling.
Structurally, the plot itself shows signs of imbalance. Although the central crime and mystery are clearly established, the narrative frequently pulls away from advancing the investigation to delve into historical context. While fascinating, these detours sometimes dilute the urgency of the main conflict and disrupt the momentum of the story. The premise is solid and intriguing, but the focus wavers between past and present, leaving the mystery itself feeling less tightly woven than it could have been.
Overall, it has a strong foundation: an engaging premise, intriguing supernatural elements, and a richly detailed setting. What ultimately stood out most, though, was Graham’s deep exploration of Salem’s history, which often overshadowed character development and plot progression. For readers who love historical deep dives and atmospheric settings, especially those fascinated by Salem, MA, this will be a rewarding read. For those looking for a more character-driven or tightly structured paranormal crime mystery, it may feel a bit uneven, though still intriguing enough to hold interest.
126 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 5, 2026
The Witching Hours is the latest book by Heather Graham tied to the Krewe of Hunters Series. FBI Agents Skye and Zach are tapped by Jackson Crowe to assist with a new case on the radar of the Krewe of Hunters. A child and his babysitter were kidnapped, and the child's great grandfather was murdered, outside of Salem, MA, famous for the Salem Witch Trials. Rather than the ability to interact with ghosts that we see with the rest of the Krewe, Skye and Zach have other supernatural powers, the ability to see into the past and the present situation of the victims, respectively. It quickly becomes evident that the perpetrator was a person dressed as a green skinned, Wizard of Oz styled witch. Who is it, and what was the reason for the crime? As additional people start being kidnapped, Skye and Zach must find and stop the culprit.

I felt like, overall, the story was fairly enjoyable to read. I liked the paranormal aspects of the book, which is a common theme in many of the author's books. I appreciated that this seems to be an attempt to keep the Krewe of Hunters series fresh, by brining in new abilities. I also like the setting of Salem. However, there were parts of the book that I didn't enjoy. Some of the dialogue seemed very unnatural; the characters seemed to talk for the entire book. I thought there was too much dialogue when compared to the narrative. The characters also go on long tangents that I think of as "information dumps". For instance, we got a long history of the Salem Witch Trials in part of the book. Much of the information that was provided wasn't connected to the story, and it was all verbalized by one character to another. The speech went on for pages, and the other character would interrupt with other facts - if they both know the story already, why are they telling it to each other? I also don't believe there was a good explanation of why the great grandfather was murdered, and I felt like the witch costumes were silly.

The Witching Hours was entertaining for the most part. It's an extension of the Krewe of Hunters, and I'm interested to see where this new part of the series goes. Fans of the original Krewe of Hunters, of mysteries, and of the paranormal may enjoy it. I hoping that the stories branch out into new settings and we see some different personality types in them.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I enjoyed reviewing the book!
Profile Image for Linda.
39 reviews14 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 22, 2026
The Witching Hours is the newest release from Heather Graham and launches The Crows, a spin-off series from her long-running and popular Krewe of Hunters books. The story begins with a chilling crime, the murder of a grandfather and the kidnapping of his grandson and the boy’s nanny, which quickly draws the attention of Jackson Crowe and the Krewe. He assigns two newly hired investigators, Skye McMahon and Zachary Erickson, to unravel the mystery using their unique paranormal abilities.

Skye can see flashes of the past, both joyful and horrifying, while Zach possesses psychometry with an added empathic connection to the people behind the objects he touches. As they dig deeper into the case, clues point to a bizarre suspect: someone dressed as a classic witch, complete with a pointy hat. What initially feels like an eerie twist soon spirals into something far more complicated, forcing Skye and Zach to work closely together as the case develops.

As a longtime fan of the Krewe of Hunters series, I came into this book expecting a familiar formula, with the paired investigators learning to trust each other, falling into each other’s arms, and then one of them inevitably needing to be rescued by the other as part of the finale. The Witching Hours follows that pattern closely, but here the plot itself felt strained, as though the story was pushing the characters along rather than the other way around. While the concept was intriguing, the characters lacked depth, making it harder to fully invest in their journey.

The initial use of a witch-like figure as the kidnapper was compelling, but that intrigue faded when the story shifted into a convoluted conspiracy. By the end, I was left questioning the villain’s motivations and how events escalated to such an extreme point, which weakened the overall impact of the mystery.

The Witching Hours will likely appeal most to dedicated Krewe of Hunters fans who enjoy Graham’s familiar blend of paranormal investigation and romance. While it has an interesting premise and moments of intrigue, the forced plot and lack of character depth may leave some readers unsatisfied. As the first entry in a new spin-off series, it shows potential, but future installments will need stronger character development and tighter storytelling to truly stand out.
Profile Image for Heather.
418 reviews30 followers
January 28, 2026
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 3.5 rounded up 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the ebook.

📝 Short Summary
The Witching Hours is a supernatural mystery centered around visions, hidden truths, and powers tied to the past. With witches, eerie discoveries, and long-buried secrets, the story blends mystery and the supernatural in a way that pulls you in quickly.

Review
I love Heather Graham. I have read so many of her books, so I went into this one excited and ready, and honestly, it started so strongly. Skye’s visions immediately grabbed my attention. The way she could see moments from the past was fascinating, and it gave the story this eerie, emotional edge that I really connected with. Right from the beginning, I felt invested and curious about where it was all going.

The concept itself is great. A mystery involving a witch, supernatural abilities, and people hiding secrets is completely my thing. I love supernatural stories, especially when they mix mystery and atmosphere, and this book absolutely had those elements. There were moments where I felt fully immersed in the story and really enjoyed the world Heather Graham created.

That said, as much as I loved the setup, I felt like the story didn’t fully carry that same energy all the way through. For me, it started to feel a little flat as it went on. Not bad, just not as gripping as I wanted it to be after such a strong beginning. I kept waiting for that same intensity from the opening chapters to come back, and it never quite hit the same level again.

Even with that, I still enjoyed reading it. The supernatural aspects were fun, the mystery itself was solid, and Skye remained a character I liked following. I never felt bored, I just felt like the story had so much potential to be more intense than it ended up being. It had all the right pieces, I just wanted them to come together with more impact.

Overall, this was still a good read for me, especially as someone who loves Heather Graham’s work and supernatural mysteries in general. It just didn’t fully live up to how strong it started, which is why it lands at a solid four stars for me.

✅ Would I Recommend It?
Yes. If you enjoy supernatural mysteries, witches, and characters with special abilities, this is worth picking up, especially if you are already a Heather Graham fan.
144 reviews
November 30, 2025
I’d give The Witching Hours by Heather Graham four out of five stars. The book blends paranormal suspense, mystery, and a touch of romance in a way that pulled me in right from the start. The eerie Salem setting, the echoes of witch trial history, and the disturbing case at the center of the story created an atmosphere that felt both ominous and compelling. I was immediately invested in the murder investigation, the missing nanny, the kidnapped child, and the frightened infant who seems connected to something darker. The way the past seeps into the present through Skye’s visions gave the story a haunting depth that I really enjoyed.

Skye McMahon and Zachary Erickson are memorable characters, and I liked following both of them. Skye’s ability to see visions and Zachary’s complementary psychic talent make them an intriguing pair as they work together to uncover a conspiracy tied to Salem’s violent past. Their connection adds emotional weight to the story, and I appreciated how their growing trust helped anchor the darker, supernatural elements.

That said, I did find some of the relationships in the book a bit awkward. While the romantic tension between Skye and Zachary had promise, it sometimes moved too quickly or wrapped up moments of emotional conflict a little too neatly. There were times when I wanted the characters to have more room to develop naturally instead of being nudged toward closeness in ways that felt slightly forced. For me, this occasionally softened the overall intensity of the story.

The pacing also felt uneven in places. The atmosphere and suspense were wonderfully crafted, but certain sections lingered longer than they needed to, and I occasionally felt the mystery stretching itself thin before offering answers. Even so, I remained invested throughout the book. I genuinely cared about the investigation, the missing child, and the fate of the characters caught in the web of danger.

Overall, The Witching Hours delivered a rich mix of supernatural tension and emotional stakes. Despite a few awkward character dynamics and some pacing issues, I really enjoyed the blending of history, psychic intrigue, and suspense. It is a satisfying paranormal thriller and a solid four star read for me.
66 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 13, 2025
The Witching Hours is the newest installment in Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunters series. Usually this is a series I enjoy very much but this book was a little disappointing for me.

I thought the setting in Salem, Massachusetts was a promising start. In the book a young babysitter and the 5 year old child she is watching disappear. A baby has been left alone in a playpen and the children’s grandfather, who lived in a garage apartment on the property, has been murdered. As per usual when the Krewe are called in, Supervisory Agent Jackson Crowe brings in investigators with special skills to meet the unique requirements of each case. For this investigation, Skye Malone, who sees things that have occurred, is being partnered with Zachary Erickson, who has the gift of psychic touch. When Skye enters the house, she sees a someone dressed as a terrifying witch commit both the murder and kidnapping.

As the investigation gets underway, it is discovered that the victims in this case are not the only young people who have gone missing. And, in an odd twist, the two local detectives who are heading up the investigation also go missing. Through Zack’s special skills he and Skye discover that someone hiding behind a witches’ costume is actually trying to indoctrinate his victims into a cult.

I felt the pace of the investigation and the development of the relationship were too rushed. When working 18+ hours a day on a case, in a rush to find kidnapping victims, it feels like too much of a stretch that two stressed and exhausted investigators would go from total strangers to bedmates in a such a short time. Also, the perpetrator’s motivation for causing so much fear and devastation was kind of a head scratcher.

All and all, a fast-paced book with Ms. Graham’s typically likable characters. It is just not my favorite in the series.
Profile Image for Linda.
95 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 17, 2025
In Graham’s latest Krewe of Hunter series a new pair of Special Advisory paranormal investigators are assigned to assist the Salem Massachusetts police to solve the murder of a grandfather and the disappearance of his grandchild and the child’s nanny. Graham’s investigators Skye McMahon and Zachary Erickson have unique psychic skills that has Jackson Crowe selecting them to work together to resolve the case. Sky has the ability to witness past events almost like a movie while Zach has psychic touch and can sense location and emotions of an object’s owner. Soon the case becomes more than a missing child and nanny as more individuals and children are disappearing with no apparent connection to each other. The only common element is a costumed green faced witch in the area at the time of the disappearance but not something unusual in the town of Salem. Graham includes Salem history adding to an interesting element to the story. Together Skye and Zach pull the strings to an unfolding story with all the elements of mystery, paranormal, police investigation and romantic suspense.

What’s always a highlight of Graham’s Krewe series is her skill of creating a team of investigators with different paranormal skills just right for resolving the mystery before them. The skills themselves are fascinating! Her characters, like Skye and Zach, learn from each other, connect, and develop trust that will in the end make a great team that will strengthen Crowe’s special advisory team and with a romantic element a perfect team to love and protect each other. Each book in the series can stand alone, but just one novel in the series will never be enough, this latest addition to the Krewe of Hunters series will be an enjoyable paranormal read for anyone who loves all that the book has to offer its readers. Thank you Kensington and NetGalley for the ARC!
Profile Image for The Page Ladies Book Club.
1,833 reviews118 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
January 4, 2026
🧹If Salem’s ghosts could text you, The Witching Hours would be the message that makes you drop your phone and lock the doors.

I dove into this book ready for spooky vibes, and Heather Graham absolutely delivered. The Witching Hours is the kind of paranormal thriller that grabs you by the collar and whispers, You’re not safe here, and honestly? I loved every eerie second!

Skye McMahon is such a fascinating heroine. She doesn’t just see flashes or feelings she watches the past unfold like a movie she can’t turn off. That ability makes Salem the perfect and terrifying setting, especially when her visions shift from historical witch trials to something far more disturbing and very much alive. The moment Skye steps into the Bolton house and sees a literal crone stalking the family? Chills. Full-body chills.

Pairing Skye with Zachary Erickson was a smart move. Their chemistry crackles, but it never overshadows the mystery. I loved how their psychic abilities complemented each other, building trust while unraveling a case that refuses to stay grounded in logic. The investigation itself kept me guessing murders, missing children, cult whispers, and a creeping sense that something ancient is waking up again.

What really hooked me was how Graham blends history with horror. The echoes of Salem’s past press in on every page, blurring the line between superstition and real evil. The atmosphere is thick, foggy, and ominous in that deliciously unsettling way that makes you read just one more chapter until suddenly it’s 2 a.m.

The Witching Hours is suspenseful, spooky, and wildly addictive, a perfect start to this Krewe of Hunters spin-off and a must-read if you like your mysteries with a supernatural edge and a dash of romance.

✨️Thank you Kensington Publishing and Heather Graham for sharing The Witching Hours with me!
Profile Image for Toober.
234 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 25, 2026
Back in 2006, there was a collection of short stories called Thriller. I’m not usually a fan of short stories, but the collection featured some major authors, and I was deep in my James Patterson era, so I picked it up. I was blown away by the Heather Graham story and mentally noted that I needed to read one of her novels soon. Twenty years later… “soon” is now!

The Witching Hours is my first Heather Graham novel, and I was instantly hooked by its premise. The FBI is called in to help solve a series of kidnappings with very few clues, but there’s a twist: the agents involved all have supernatural abilities. Zachary can hold an object and see through the eyes of the person who most recently touched it, while Skye can see into the past at the exact location where she is standing.

The story is set in Salem, Massachusetts, and Skye’s ability reveals that a man dressed as the Wicked Witch is responsible for the kidnappings. The setting is a fun blend of The Wizard of Oz imagery and the real history of the Salem witch trials of the 1600s.

Unfortunately, while the concept was interesting, the execution left me disappointed. The interactions between Zachary and Skye felt awkward, almost as if the dialogue was written by someone unfamiliar with writing conversations. The romance didn’t feel believable, and the constant chatter about breakfast plans and who was handling which chores while cleaning up became frustrating. By the end of the book, I found myself wanting it to be over, and the rushed conclusion made it feel as though the author was ready to move on as well.

I’m sure I’ll try another novel by this author at some point, but it won’t be another from this series.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing, Kensington, and NetGalley for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Stephanie Burow.
189 reviews2 followers
January 29, 2026
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of The Witching Hours in exchange for an honest review.

When I read the concept for this book, I was incredibly intrigued. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, we have a murder and multiple kidnappings being investigated by a special branch of the FBI by a group of people that possess certain paranormal powers to help solve crime. Sounds like it could be interesting, right? It had all the potential in the world, but there were so many points that just ruined what I was hoping to be a really good book.

First and foremost, the dialogue in this book was in no way realistic or representative of a natural conversation. At times it was incredibly hard to follow and everything seemed so inauthentic and forced. Nothing about the character connections were free flowing. The characters seemed more like generated AI robots going through the motions. I did not connect with true human emotion at all.

Once the story got going, I did find the main premise of a criminal dressed as the wicked witch with green face paint going around kidnapping and brainwashing people incredibly lame. It resulted in some bad puns and I honestly just couldn’t see it. And then to have it all somehow link back to a technology heist? That too was out of left field and another forced aspect to wrap the book up. I also found out after the fact that this book is a new spin off of a separate existing series that utilizes special agents with paranormal talents to solve crimes. While I haven’t read this separate series, it may have made introductions and understanding the aspect of their work less confusing in the beginning. All in all, I don’t think I’ll be exploring anymore books in this series. I really wanted to get on board with the concept, but it just fell short for me.
Profile Image for Pickletree Books.
26 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 31, 2026
The premise of the story was very interesting. Two federal agents, both with psychic gifts, working together to solve the murder and disappearances that are plaguing Salem. However, the delivery was lacking for me.

This feels like an AI generated first draft that was never revised or fleshed out. The dialogue is full of extraneous details about Salem, the tours, the restaurants, etc. and makes me feel like the author wanted us to know they did the research and wanted to make sure their research didn't go to waste and just infodumped or made this feel like a high school history paper. The excessive use of exclamation points, the stilted dialogue, and the awkward sex scene made it feel like it was written by a teenager who has only ever seen adults interact on TV. And the way the agents and police went about their interrogations felt unrealistic. They called the cult leader wacko and were unprofessional or all over the place.

The entire plot felt both rushed and like it took forever to get to the point. It started strong with the investigation of the Bolton house kidnapping, but quickly devolved into a history lesson and romance that didn't feel earned. The whole cult building narrative didn't fit in with wanting to steal the security tech that was apparently all the antagonist wanted. What was the point of kidnapping and drugging people into submission if they weren't involved in the overarching plot of stealing and using the tech? And dressing up like the Wicked Witch of the West didn't make much sense. There are much easier ways to disguise yourself to commit crimes, especially since they kept mentioning that it wasn't Halloween season yet.

I would have liked to have seen more on how using the psychic gifts worked. I wanted to be in Skye's and Zach's heads as they used their gifts, felt what they felt, but instead we were treated to telling of what they see and that's it. And sometimes we barely got even that.

This story feels like it's incomplete and would benefit with a strong developmental edit.

I received this ARC for free from NetGalley and Kensington Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Brittney.
1,031 reviews13 followers
January 28, 2026
The Witching Hours (The Crows)
Heather Graham

Salem. Witches. Psychic investigators. Murder. Kidnapping.
Yes please 🖤

This story pulled me in immediately with its eerie Salem setting and paranormal edge. Skye McMahon has the ability to see the past and present play out like a movie in her mind, which makes her the perfect person to call when a brutal murder and multiple disappearances shake the outskirts of Salem. Paired with Zachary Erickson, who has a psychic touch of his own, Skye is thrown into an investigation that feels equal parts historical nightmare and present day horror.

What really worked for me was the atmosphere. Salem feels heavy with history, secrets, and something deeply wrong lurking just beneath the surface. The case itself kept me guessing, especially as visions of witch trials collide with the hunt for a very real and very dangerous modern threat. I loved watching Skye piece together what she was seeing and learning how her abilities could be both a gift and a curse.

My favorite part was the investigative dynamic between Skye and Zach. Their shared psychic abilities added an extra layer of tension and intrigue, and I enjoyed how their connection slowly deepened as the mystery grew darker. The paranormal elements felt spooky without going over the top, and the pacing kept things moving with a constant sense of urgency.

If you love witchy thrillers, Salem based stories, or paranormal investigations with a touch of romance and danger, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

Tropes ✨
🤫 Sinister secrets
🕵️ Psychic investigators
🏚️ Haunted town with a dark legacy
🕰️ Race against time
👻 Salem, Massachusetts setting

#HPRTheWitchingHours #HeatherGraham #HambrightPR #Kensington #ParanormalThriller
252 reviews6 followers
August 29, 2025
This is a start of another spin-off from the Krewe of Hunters. We have Jackson Crow and his wife Angela taking Skye to meet her new partner, Zack. They will be on a kidnapping case where a babysitter and child were taken from a home. Skye and Zack have special abilities that make them ideal for this case but also to join the new unit of Krewe of Hunters. Skye and go someplace and see what happened right before, such as knowing that a person dressed up as the wicked witch of the west took the babysitter and child. Zack can touch an object, and it will allow him to see where they might be or if something happened to them. Zack was able to tell that they were both alive but someplace that was dark and scary. As they continue this case another kidnapping happens and both Skye and Zack feel that these scary witches are connected to the police department somehow. Join Skye and Zak to see if they can find the missing children, solve a murder and explore the feelings that they have for each other. I do like that Graham is going back to US with this special team because I really enjoy her original Krewe of Hunters, I haven’t been too keen on the Blackbird unit. You don’t need to read the Krewe of Hunters series to jump right into this book. Graham does a great job of making it standalone. If you like the paranormal with a twist of suspense and a dash of mystery this is the book for you. Thank you, Edelweiss and Kensington, for the ARC in Exchange for an honest review. I actually rated this book a 3.5 but moved it up to a 4 because I like that this new series follows the Krewe of Hunters.
Profile Image for April.
3,203 reviews14 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 18, 2026
In 2025, I started reading Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunter series. I have not read all of them or read them in order, but I like the premise set by the series of paranormal elements combined with law enforcement and romantic suspense.
The Witching Hours seems to be a break off of the Krewe of Hunters involving Jackson and Angela Crowe. Maybe a new series titled The Crows. This book differs somewhat from the Krewe of Hunters involving that the paranormal elements don’t technically involve ghosts. There is seeing of past events and using touch to connect with current living people.
Skye is able to see past events in high definition. Zach can touch items and sometimes see into the current experience of the owner.
These abilities are useful to the situation occurring in Salem Massachusetts as the book opens.
A mother comes home to a missing son and nanny and an infant daughter left alone in her playpen.
There are lots of historical pieces that explain Salem’s past and are thought in use by the villains of the story.
I enjoyed reading the Witching Hours. I didn’t always understand the connection between past events and the actions taken in the present, and I wasn’t always sure of the applicability of the quoting of philosophers.
The attraction between Skye and Zach was subtle. The handling of intimacy was done well. I liked how Skye was almost more enamored with Zach because he accepted and supported her than because of physical attraction.
I look forward to more of this off-shoot branch from the Krewe of Hunters.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read a pre-publication copy of the book.
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