A Justified Murder of Crows

by Sue Alcon O'Connor

When Rhonda Ramos Benson moves with her family into their new home in the quiet town of Patton, Colorado, she’s rattled to find that they've bought a place brimming with ghouls—of both the living and the non-living variety. But that’s just the beginning of the chaos.

Mix in a cocktail of psychopaths, unsolved homicides, pickleball, Grandma, Bigfoot, forbidden cheese, hidden rooms, the cow truck, Elvis’s Colt .45, the creepy guy from the Dollar Store, mouthy kids with attitudes who’ve mastered all the four-letter words, and a straggly dude who looks like a Brad Pitt knockoff straight out of Temu, and you start to get the picture.

But Patton, Colorado isn’t all fun and games. It’s more than plus-sized beauty queens and delicious donuts, because something dark is lurking beneath the surface. Something old and angry. Something evil that will not rest until it is fed.

A Justified Murder of Crows is a hilarious, quick-paced thrill ride boldly frosted with macabre underpinnings. Grab your tire iron and your pickleball racket, and hang on tight.

I’ll meet you at La Casa de los Frijoles—just mind the car-gobbling potholes.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 8, 2024

Reviews

[Marissa Iverson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fresh, fun, and simple read.

I feel like the book needs another round of editing and more depth added to make it more interesting and rewarding to read.

[Christine Timmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wild ride. It was so fun! I found it enjoyable.

[Raylynn Michaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sue Alcon O’Connor’s Justified Murder of Crows is a masterclass in blending the macabre with the mirthful. From the very first page, I was hooked by the sharp wit and dark charm that pulses through every line. O’Connor walks a tightrope between humor and horror with enviable grace—crafting a story that’s as chilling as it is laugh-out-loud funny.
The characters are quirky and lovable, even as they navigate some truly twisted scenarios. The pacing is tight, the prose is crisp, and the plot never loses steam, making this a fast, fun, and wildly entertaining read.

For anyone who enjoys their thrillers with a side of satire and a generous helping of dark comedy, this book is a must. O’Connor doesn’t just write a story—she choreographs a wicked little waltz that’ll leave you grinning and goosebumped all at once.

[Amy R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably more of a 2.5 star, but I rounded up since I did finish and I did want to. Writing can be a little inconsistent, not sure if it really knows what it wants to be. It is part thriller/horror/drama with supernatural elements and with some humor thrown in. The story has a couple of different timelines, past and present, and follows different families, in the past and present, that are all intertwined. There is a house which is the common thread.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Justified Murder of Crows is funny, spooky, and totally unpredictable. Between ghosts, small-town gossip, and even “forbidden cheese,” the story never stops throwing surprises. It’s chaotic in the best way—part mystery, part comedy, part ghost story—and a super fun read if you like your thrillers with a big dose of weird.

[Randi Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all the different POVs. The book was able to tell 3 different stories because of it. I also had no clue what was going to happen next through the whole thing! I really did love this book and I’m glad it was my first read of the year!

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Mystery reading

Kept me on my toes, trying to figure out the mysteries. Yes, i said mysteries. Lost sleep trying to figure them out. But would definitely lose sleep again when I can. Thank you for a great read.

[Sheila Roop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ho hum

I couldn’t decide if this book was supposed to be a comedy, a tragedy, or a thriller. Truthfully it never really quite made up its own mind. It did have a couple of cute moments but just wasn’t funny or scary overall.

[Heather Lindner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Won this in a GoodReads give away. Not a bad read. It seemed a little all over with the multiple story lines that didn't really connect to one another minus they are all neighbors. If things with children are triggering I would skip this one cause it is a bit sad.

[Milly · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd book by Ms. O'Connor is just as enjoyable as her 1st! This book has everything: humor, intrigue, and is well written. I love finding new authors, and I look forward to her next book.

[Sarah Ehinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book as a goodreads giveaway. This was a fun mystery with a whole town full of eccentric characters. It's a simple, fun read.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a compelling story, but a bit too dark and too supernatural for my taste.

[Heather Cooper · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Justified Murder of Crows had a lot of promise: a quirky small town, paranormal overtones, dark secrets, and a cast that seems primed for drama. But for me it didn’t quite land.