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Keeper of The Crows #1
The Keeper of the Crows by Kyle Alexander Romines
No evil can remain buried forever, as disgraced journalist Thomas Brooks discovers when a wave of death grips the rural Kentucky town of Gray Hollow in terror. Following a very public humiliation, Thomas is looking for a story to get him back on the map—and free of the small town newspaper where he serves out his exile. The apparent murder of a stranger seems to be just what the opportunistic reporter needs, until he discovers the death is merely the start of something bigger. Also investigating the murder is Sheriff Jezebel Woods, who doesn’t approve of Thomas’ sensationalist intentions. Mounting deaths force the pair to set aside their differences to confront a force that threatens to destroy the entire town. At the center of the mystery is the disappearance of a boy named Salem Alistair, who designed a series of grotesque scarecrows for his parents’ farm—scarecrows that are turning up at each subsequent crime scene. Thomas begins to doubt his uneasy alliance with the sheriff when he realizes Jezebel has her own secret history with Salem Alistair. Thomas and Jezebel are completely unprepared to face the supernatural force at odds with Gray Hollow. As the killings continue, and the town slowly begins to yield its dark secrets, the truth will pit Thomas and Jezebel on a collision course with true evil.
- GenresHorror
Paperback
First published October 14, 2015
38 people are currently reading
1301 people want to read
About the author
Kyle Alexander Romines
31 books148 followersKyle Alexander Romines is a teller of tales from the hills of Kentucky. He enjoys good reads, thunderstorms, and anything edible. His writing interests include fantasy, science fiction, horror, and western.
Kyle’s lifelong love of books began with childhood bedtime stories and was fostered by his parents and teachers. He grew up reading Calvin and Hobbes, RL Stine’s Goosebumps series, and Harry Potter. His current list of favorites includes Justin Cronin’s The Passage, Red Rising by Pierce Brown, and Bone by Jeff Smith. The library is his friend.
Kyle's debut horror novel, The Keeper of the Crows, appeared on the Preliminary Ballot of the 2015 Bram Stoker Awards in the category of Superior Achievement in a First Novel. His next book, a western, is scheduled to be released in 2017 by Sunbury Press, which has also accepted the sequel to The Keeper of the Crows for publication in 2018.
He is a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Medicine.
You can contact Kyle at thekylealexander@hotmail.com. You can also subscribe to his author newsletter to receive email updates and a FREE electronic copy of his science fiction novella, The Chrononaut, at http://eepurl.com/bsvhYP.
Kyle’s lifelong love of books began with childhood bedtime stories and was fostered by his parents and teachers. He grew up reading Calvin and Hobbes, RL Stine’s Goosebumps series, and Harry Potter. His current list of favorites includes Justin Cronin’s The Passage, Red Rising by Pierce Brown, and Bone by Jeff Smith. The library is his friend.
Kyle's debut horror novel, The Keeper of the Crows, appeared on the Preliminary Ballot of the 2015 Bram Stoker Awards in the category of Superior Achievement in a First Novel. His next book, a western, is scheduled to be released in 2017 by Sunbury Press, which has also accepted the sequel to The Keeper of the Crows for publication in 2018.
He is a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Medicine.
You can contact Kyle at thekylealexander@hotmail.com. You can also subscribe to his author newsletter to receive email updates and a FREE electronic copy of his science fiction novella, The Chrononaut, at http://eepurl.com/bsvhYP.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 13, 2016
I was drawn to this book because of the picture on the cover and the title due to the fact that I like crows. Little did I know that this would be a suspense filled horror novel that would be hard to put down. The author grabbed me in with his words from the very beginning!
For a debut novel, it was well written and so descriptive that I could picture what was happening so clearly as I read. I could picture the corn field, hear the crows, see the scarecrows and most of all, feel the fear!
The characters were realistic and the small town atmosphere was perfect. He somehow manages to make me feel sad for a person that I normally wouldn't in a typical horror story. But I won't say more about that. You'll have to read the book and you'll understand.
This is a book that should be read straight through to get the truly "wow" effect! I was anxious to see how this would end and loved the twists and turns that the author had woven into the story. It's a thrilling page turner where you are as nervous as the characters in the story. Always the sign of a good book for me!
This is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone that enjoys a good horror story! Looking forward to reading more from this new author. He truly has a gift with words.
* I received a copy of this book to read and review with my honest opinion.
For a debut novel, it was well written and so descriptive that I could picture what was happening so clearly as I read. I could picture the corn field, hear the crows, see the scarecrows and most of all, feel the fear!
The characters were realistic and the small town atmosphere was perfect. He somehow manages to make me feel sad for a person that I normally wouldn't in a typical horror story. But I won't say more about that. You'll have to read the book and you'll understand.
This is a book that should be read straight through to get the truly "wow" effect! I was anxious to see how this would end and loved the twists and turns that the author had woven into the story. It's a thrilling page turner where you are as nervous as the characters in the story. Always the sign of a good book for me!
This is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone that enjoys a good horror story! Looking forward to reading more from this new author. He truly has a gift with words.
* I received a copy of this book to read and review with my honest opinion.
December 23, 2015
Although not my preferred genre, The Keeper of the Crows quickly captured and held my attention. I would definitely recommend it for any fan of horror and suspense. I look forward to future books by this promising new author.
March 16, 2016
I really enjoyed the book! Very intense and suspenseful. Leaves you guessing what's going to happen next, only to realize you had no clue! Somewhat sad ending, but still very enjoyable.
Book was received free through goodreads giveaway
Book was received free through goodreads giveaway
December 25, 2015
I received my copy in the mail, started reading at 10 pm, and finished it at 4 am. I was completely unable to put the book down once I began reading. After navigating through the relatable small-town setting and the characters' histories and personalities, I was dead set on finding out how the writer would tie everything together. As the dots began to connect, sometimes with subtlety and sometimes shockingly, the story became increasingly engrossing. I couldn't read the pages fast enough. The author took familiar components of thrillers and added such a unique, creative spin that I'm tempted to say scarecrows are about to become the new vampire.
February 26, 2016
Kyle Alexander Romines really knows how to capture your attention and keep it! I am beyond impressed with his debut novel. I can honestly say that as a very avid fan of Horror, there was a couple of times that I had to stop reading because I got a little too creeped out. I can't wait to see what this guy comes up with next!
February 9, 2020
Preface: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Explicit content: Violence, death
Recommended for: Urban fantasy readers that like a touch of mystery, but no real surprises
This was a disappointing read for me. It's got an okay premise - evil scarecrows, a demon, and a dude risen from the grave all terrorizing a lil town. Classic small town horror stuff. However, there are really no surprises throughout the whole novel. If you stop at any point and actually think about the plot, you can tell exactly where it's going, beat by beat. Oh, there are dudes who used to know each other and have some terrible secret, a kid who disappeared when he was their age, and a zombie rises from the grave at some point? Wonder what that secret could be. Oh, there's a mysterious figure giving the orders to our main villain guy, and only one real person of power in the town, who we get a pointless scene with just to establish they exist? Wonder who's the big bad. That kinda thing. Sometimes that works, if the story is fast-paced enough to keep you from ever pausing to think, but this doesn't really have that, either. It's really just a lot of waiting for the characters to catch up to what is going on.
The characters themselves are pretty flat. Thomas is pretty boring, imo - just your standard disgraced journalist type. Jezebel was pretty cool (I enjoy buttkicking lazy sheriffs) and it was nice to learn her motivations over time. There was a romance angle between the two of them, but honestly I didn't feel any chemistry between them, and the lil catfighting between her and Thomas's ex felt pretty forced. Salem was also a pleasant surprise; I wasn't expecting him to be a sweet lil dude instead of a super creep. That's about where the interesting characterization ends, though. Everyone else in the story is just a flat archetype. Homeless man, bad guys, creepy old man, etc. And pretty much all of them die, so there's no reason to be invested in them anyway.
The ending was pretty disappointing - def would have rather the fates of two characters to have been swapped, though I understand why things shook out the way they did. It was a weirdly downer ending for what is your basic horror schlock, though. I was at least glad we didn't get a last minute omg-the-killer-is-still-alive thing, at least.
Overall, this book is pretty average. If you want something you don't have to think too much and is mildly spooky, you might enjoy this, but it doesn't really offer anything more than that.
Explicit content: Violence, death
Recommended for: Urban fantasy readers that like a touch of mystery, but no real surprises
This was a disappointing read for me. It's got an okay premise - evil scarecrows, a demon, and a dude risen from the grave all terrorizing a lil town. Classic small town horror stuff. However, there are really no surprises throughout the whole novel. If you stop at any point and actually think about the plot, you can tell exactly where it's going, beat by beat. Oh, there are dudes who used to know each other and have some terrible secret, a kid who disappeared when he was their age, and a zombie rises from the grave at some point? Wonder what that secret could be. Oh, there's a mysterious figure giving the orders to our main villain guy, and only one real person of power in the town, who we get a pointless scene with just to establish they exist? Wonder who's the big bad. That kinda thing. Sometimes that works, if the story is fast-paced enough to keep you from ever pausing to think, but this doesn't really have that, either. It's really just a lot of waiting for the characters to catch up to what is going on.
The characters themselves are pretty flat. Thomas is pretty boring, imo - just your standard disgraced journalist type. Jezebel was pretty cool (I enjoy buttkicking lazy sheriffs) and it was nice to learn her motivations over time. There was a romance angle between the two of them, but honestly I didn't feel any chemistry between them, and the lil catfighting between her and Thomas's ex felt pretty forced. Salem was also a pleasant surprise; I wasn't expecting him to be a sweet lil dude instead of a super creep. That's about where the interesting characterization ends, though. Everyone else in the story is just a flat archetype. Homeless man, bad guys, creepy old man, etc. And pretty much all of them die, so there's no reason to be invested in them anyway.
The ending was pretty disappointing - def would have rather the fates of two characters to have been swapped, though I understand why things shook out the way they did. It was a weirdly downer ending for what is your basic horror schlock, though. I was at least glad we didn't get a last minute omg-the-killer-is-still-alive thing, at least.
Overall, this book is pretty average. If you want something you don't have to think too much and is mildly spooky, you might enjoy this, but it doesn't really offer anything more than that.
July 24, 2019
Just a few days ago I read Kyle Alexander Romines's superb camping horror novel A SOUND IN THE DARK. Now with KEEPER OF THE CROWS, I am blown away. I think Mr. Romines has been studying my mental phobia list (smiling). Where A SOUND IN THE DARK focused on Human Evil plus Supernatural overtones, KEEPER OF THE CROWS (although yes indeed includes Human Evil) is Supernatural Horror par excellence. A tiny nearly isolated town in rural Kentucky (I don't know for sure, but to me this setting seems very much Appalachian Eastern Kentucky) hosts a Supernatural Evil possibly from before time. It also hosts villainous sadistic humans, entitled Narcissists, and some few of the type of citizens about whom 18th century thinker Edmund Burke wrote: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." In 1987, a horrible crime is committed, then concealed for the next two and a half decades. But in a cave in the forest, a timeless Supernatural Evil is waiting, and there WILL BE REVENGE...and worse.
September 18, 2017
Thomas Brooks, a once prestigious New York journalist, is searching for a story that will end his exile at the small local newspaper in Gray Hollow. An inside tip to a suspected murder suicide appears to be just the story he's been waiting for. Thomas teams up with Sheriff Jezebel Woods in hopes of getting the exclusive he needs but as the killings continue they are forced to take a closer look at the towns dark past. Pagan rituals, evil crows, and horrific scarecrows all point to an old case involving the disappearance of local teen Salem Alistair. The residents of Gray Hollow are keeping secrets and its up to Jezebel and Thomas piece it together before the whole town is consumed by a dark force known as The Keeper of the Crows.
Creepy scarecrows, murder, and the supernatural elements of this book make it the perfect Fall read.
Creepy scarecrows, murder, and the supernatural elements of this book make it the perfect Fall read.
December 7, 2021
I enjoyed this susenseful horror story. This is my first book by this author and I look forward to reading more from him in the future. This is a well written story that is full of not only action but twists and turns that had me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. The characters are unique, creative and relateable. This is a story about a town where murder and evil all have secrets that are threatening to come out. It is a fast paced story where evil is lurking around every corner and you never know who might be next. I enjoyed being pulled into the story from the beginning. This is a story that I truly enjoyed and happy that I picked up. I highly recommend this book.
July 17, 2020
Horror Perfect For Halloween
Great read, great writer. Essentially about cruelty, loss, and the struggle for redemption, the supernatural elements ensured that the story was suspenseful to the end. No horror novel featuring teenaged bullies, scarecrows, cornfields, and uncanny crows can claim to be entirely original, but there was enough of a fresh take that brought this book to a higher level.
There are scenes that are fairly gruesome and violent, but it's otherwise a clean read, as suitable for teens as for adults. It definitely has a place on my recommendation list for exciting new Halloween tales.
Great read, great writer. Essentially about cruelty, loss, and the struggle for redemption, the supernatural elements ensured that the story was suspenseful to the end. No horror novel featuring teenaged bullies, scarecrows, cornfields, and uncanny crows can claim to be entirely original, but there was enough of a fresh take that brought this book to a higher level.
There are scenes that are fairly gruesome and violent, but it's otherwise a clean read, as suitable for teens as for adults. It definitely has a place on my recommendation list for exciting new Halloween tales.
January 30, 2020
This book embraces supernatural forces much as Stephen King might. The writing is clear and simple, making for easy reading. The characters are realistic and interesting. Human nature is on display more so than supernatural powers. The book had several interesting twists and turns in the plot, and a super surprise at the end with what I would call a double twist. As the events transpire, a relationship appears to grow between Jezebel, the sheriff, and Thomas, the reporter, after a rather rocky start. This is a very strong representative of the horror genre.
September 24, 2017
Fun Halloween story!
I liked this book; animated killer scarecrows sound farfetched, but the author somehow makes the idea seem believable and creepy! The story line makes it work too - has a good back story attached. Who hasn't seen a creepy scarecrow?!! It honestly doesn't take much imagination to consider they could be a sinister character in a book or movie. I liked the characters & setting, as well. A quick & fun read!
I liked this book; animated killer scarecrows sound farfetched, but the author somehow makes the idea seem believable and creepy! The story line makes it work too - has a good back story attached. Who hasn't seen a creepy scarecrow?!! It honestly doesn't take much imagination to consider they could be a sinister character in a book or movie. I liked the characters & setting, as well. A quick & fun read!
September 24, 2017
If you are looking for a really scary horror story, this is the book for you. It grabbed me from the get-go and the intensity never let up. I read this book straight through with all the lights on. Too many of the good guys are eliminated and the evil lived on, but the ending was just what it needed to be. This is an impressive debut novel. Well done, Mr. Romines.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
May 29, 2018
Worth the read
I enjoyed reading this book. One of the first things I noticed was that it wasn't wrought with spelling errors. I was extremely grateful for that. I also liked the character development. I wound up actually caring about Thomas and Jezebel, which kept me interested. The best thing about this book was the originality. I can say with certainty that I have never read a book with the same storyline. Very well done. I will be reading more by this author.
I enjoyed reading this book. One of the first things I noticed was that it wasn't wrought with spelling errors. I was extremely grateful for that. I also liked the character development. I wound up actually caring about Thomas and Jezebel, which kept me interested. The best thing about this book was the originality. I can say with certainty that I have never read a book with the same storyline. Very well done. I will be reading more by this author.
May 26, 2019
I’ll never look at crows in the same way again!
This dark tale will raise the hair on the back of your neck, from beginning to end! I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the heart stopping conclusion! I will never be able to see a scarecrow as a harmless, lifeless inanimate object ever again. I may have to sleep with the lights on tonight! Kudos to Kyle Alexander Romines for a winner!
This dark tale will raise the hair on the back of your neck, from beginning to end! I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the heart stopping conclusion! I will never be able to see a scarecrow as a harmless, lifeless inanimate object ever again. I may have to sleep with the lights on tonight! Kudos to Kyle Alexander Romines for a winner!
April 13, 2024
It first gave me Children of the Corn vibes. And while it may not stray too far from some similar ideas, it stands alone as a very well-written book that I can seriously say I enjoy.
The initial twist came as a surprise, while some follow up to them were a little obvious. But not in a bad way, at all! More like a confirmation your theory was correct.
5/5
10/10
Borrowed from a library but would happily purchase!
The initial twist came as a surprise, while some follow up to them were a little obvious. But not in a bad way, at all! More like a confirmation your theory was correct.
5/5
10/10
Borrowed from a library but would happily purchase!
April 13, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. Even though it was revealed early on in the story, who the killer was and the killers back story, there were still some twists and turns. I was surprised at the end. This was a good read.
November 26, 2022
Will never look at scarecrows the same way again.
Was leery when seeing it was a supernatural thriller. It could go either way- ridiculous or really good. From the first chapter, I was hooked. The characters were easy to get into and care about.
I really enjoyed this fast paced thriller!
Was leery when seeing it was a supernatural thriller. It could go either way- ridiculous or really good. From the first chapter, I was hooked. The characters were easy to get into and care about.
I really enjoyed this fast paced thriller!
October 20, 2017
Pretty good!
I did enjoy this book especially the characters. The only problem I had was the one mysterious character was so easy to spot early on so there was no surprise there.
I did enjoy this book especially the characters. The only problem I had was the one mysterious character was so easy to spot early on so there was no surprise there.
December 14, 2017
I thought this book was rather a strange story but nevertheless it held my interest. It's like there was message about bullying, so be aware of what you say about people, hopefully its only good.
November 15, 2018
An exceptional read, perfect for autumn, I loved the mystery built in the book, The scarecrows were spooky, I enjoyed it
January 14, 2016
The Keeper of the Crows is a well written horror story that was depicted as if I was watching a movie instead of reading a book. It drew me in. No detail was spared and no detail was too over the top that it bored me. I lived the terror the two lead characters experienced as they began to discover the ominous happenings in their small town. My only mistake was reading it at night until the wee hours of the morning. Every noise I heard startled me. But, I had to finish it. I wanted to come to the end-no amount of exhaustion was going to stop me. I am a big Stephen King fan, so this was up my alley. A small distraction was a mix of small elements synonymous to two cult classics. As a reader, if you have never seen the cult classics, then it will be totally new; but alas the connections did take me back to a time when I was younger and things truly felt like they went bump in the night. Taking all the elements of this story into consideration, the characters were well developed and the connection between the past and present was effectively woven together. I felt fearful of the antagonist, but I also felt empathy. This is where the writer’s craft comes to life. When a reader can be made to feel empathy and pain for the “bad guy” that’s saying something. I’ve read several authors and most of what I read is good, but this was better. It was precisely written as though the author had been trained in writing, and he knew the lay of a small town in a state like Kentucky. The characters were crafted in such a way that carried you from beginning to end, and the story flowed at a steady pace with suspense. At any rate, the organization of the paragraphs, pages, and chapters were in perfect sync. Kyle A. Romines is an artist. -M. Espinola
December 5, 2016
There are some spooky books and some that are just haunting. This book is a unification of both. The sweet taste of fear and nightmare all in The Keeper of the Crows, by Kyle Alexander Romines.
What would you do if you spotted a scarecrow lurking in your backyard? That's what was happening to people in the town of Grey Hollow, Kentucky. Resolution was up to Thomas, a nosy reporter with a past and Jezebel, the local law enforcement. While bodies piled up and the sky grew darker, the crows flew and they weren't looking for carrion...
The book was unbelievably good. It was a debut novel and totally on top! Filled with a ton of mystery, humor and supernatural deaths, I coudln't get enough of Keeper of the Crows. I don't know what I'd have done if I'd spotted a walking scarecrow in my backyard, or near my barn, but these guys did!
The story was about cruelty and folks thinking they 'Got Away With It'. Something gotten rid of decades ago decided to make a return to Grey Hollow. The sheriff, Jezebel, was familiar but wasn't sure if she could believe what was going on. A down on his luck reporter, Thomas, saw the facts and put them together but was pretty much left in shock as well, but together, they worked hard on finding those involved and saving townfolk. The evil that had come to the country town wasn't taking no for an answer and it killed anyone that got in its way, guilty or not.
*For the full review: http://bit.ly/KeeperoftheCrows
** **Book published by Sunbury Press.
What would you do if you spotted a scarecrow lurking in your backyard? That's what was happening to people in the town of Grey Hollow, Kentucky. Resolution was up to Thomas, a nosy reporter with a past and Jezebel, the local law enforcement. While bodies piled up and the sky grew darker, the crows flew and they weren't looking for carrion...
The book was unbelievably good. It was a debut novel and totally on top! Filled with a ton of mystery, humor and supernatural deaths, I coudln't get enough of Keeper of the Crows. I don't know what I'd have done if I'd spotted a walking scarecrow in my backyard, or near my barn, but these guys did!
The story was about cruelty and folks thinking they 'Got Away With It'. Something gotten rid of decades ago decided to make a return to Grey Hollow. The sheriff, Jezebel, was familiar but wasn't sure if she could believe what was going on. A down on his luck reporter, Thomas, saw the facts and put them together but was pretty much left in shock as well, but together, they worked hard on finding those involved and saving townfolk. The evil that had come to the country town wasn't taking no for an answer and it killed anyone that got in its way, guilty or not.
*For the full review: http://bit.ly/KeeperoftheCrows
** **Book published by Sunbury Press.
January 17, 2016
My rating of four stars is based on what I would expect from a debut novel/story. If I were to compare it to someone who has written 10/20 books I would have given it a lower rating.
I have to admit, at times this story really got the best of my imagination and at one point reading it at night was a little too much for me. But that's a good thing! It was spooky and exciting.
At first the plot seemed to be unfolding very quickly. The characters were quick to believe and come to conclusions but after finishing the books I find that it was very well paced and a good sized story for a debut.
I have to admit, at times this story really got the best of my imagination and at one point reading it at night was a little too much for me. But that's a good thing! It was spooky and exciting.
At first the plot seemed to be unfolding very quickly. The characters were quick to believe and come to conclusions but after finishing the books I find that it was very well paced and a good sized story for a debut.
January 9, 2016
I normally don't rave about a book, but this time I am. I have not read anything scarier than It by Stephen King, but this book rates right up there. Easy to read, great characters (as long as they lived) , and a definite keep you on the edge of your seat thriller.
I won on Goodreads and will recommend this book to others.
I won on Goodreads and will recommend this book to others.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews