Revelation "Reve" Dyer flees Las Vegas after a magic act goes awry when someone puts a real bullet in the prop gun they used for an illusion, leaving Reve's beloved husband dead. At the suggestion of her grandmother, Reve and her three daughters return to Hawley Five Corners, a place Reve explored frequently as a child. Her grandmother also reminds her of a story she once told Reve of a Fetch, a shadowy creature that steals humans to the fairy world. Will Reve learn how to use the ancient magic of her family in time to stop the Fetch that is now seeking her family?

Chrysler Szarlan creates a haunting ambience that pervades every aspect of THE HAWLEY BOOK OF THE DEAD. From the abandoned village of Hawley Five Corners that is shrouded in fear, to the spooky story of the Fetch, every detail in THE HAWLEY BOOK OF THE DEAD builds an atmosphere that lingers with the reader long past the last page being turned. Chrysler Szarlan has a gift for using the world around her characters to evoke various moods and feelings.

I love the history of Reve's family and all the various powers each woman has manifested. We meet a plethora of characters as Chrysler Szarlan tells us a story that weaves back and forth between various time periods. I have to admit that I found Reve's daughters to be slightly annoying at times but the other characters we meet are simply fascinating.

Chrysler Szarlan has some marvelous surprises in store for the reader as THE HAWLEY BOOK OF THE DEAD is a tale unlike any I've ever read. THE HAWLEY BOOK OF THE DEAD is a magical tale that transcends genres as Chrysler Szarlan blends together horror, historical fiction, contemporary suspense, and a touch of romance to craft a tale that is brilliantly executed. I'm excited that THE HAWLEY BOOK OF THE DEAD is part of a quartet as I can't wait to see what the future holds, particularly in light of the revelations we learn about the family history. THE HAWLEY BOOK OF THE DEAD is highly recommended!