Where the Crows Feed: Dark secrets resurface in a chilling tale of memory and betrayal.

by Robert W. Kirby

What if your entire life was a lie?

On her fourteenth birthday, Elsie Hurley and her friends entered Blightwood Hollow to search for her missing dog. What happened in those woods changed all of them forever. One of them never came back, and the rest have never truly let the past go.

Decades have passed, and Elsie no longer feels any connection to the people who were with her that day. Their lives have drifted apart. In fact, she finds them all incredibly difficult to tolerate. Yet every two years, on that same day, they reunite and pretend they are still friends. For Elsie, these gatherings are strained and uncomfortable, but she always turns up, and no one dares to break tradition.

When the next meeting falls on her fiftieth birthday, Elsie chooses Hollowden, the town they all left behind. The place where it happened. She tells herself it is just another reunion, but deep down she knows this time is different.

Going back triggers a chain of events that leads to devastating consequences. The past resurfaces with terrifying force, and as Elsie uncovers secrets that shatter everything she thought she knew, her quiet life begins to crumble around her.

Unsure who to trust, she is drawn into a web of deception and long-buried truths.

But what if the worst part is what she has forgotten?

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2025

About the author

I was born in 1979 and live in Kent with my wife and children. I ran a private investigation agency for over fifteen years, dealing in cases that involved breach of contract claims, commercial debt recovery, and process serving. My agency also specialised in people tracing, so much of my work revolved around tracking down debtors, dealing in adoption matters and locating missing persons. At times, I worked on some pretty bizarre cases and dealt with plenty of interesting and sometimes colourful individuals.
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I’ve had a huge passion for screenwriting for many years and started writing novels in 2021. My first novel, The Tests, was based on a spec screenplay that I originally wrote back in 2009. The Tests was then republished with Inkubator Books in 2022 under the new title, The Wrong Girl.
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If you enjoy dark crime fiction and intense psychological thrillers, don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter so you can find out about new releases, book deals, and giveaways. All subscribers receive a free copy of my novella, Survival Weekend. (eBook or Audio version) https://www.robertkirbybooks.com/subs...

Reviews

[Teressa Oliverio · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story weaves a masterful tapestry of secrets, lies, and shocking twists that kept me guessing at every turn. Elsie’s journey from a traumatized fourteen-year-old to a woman confronting a buried past is both heartbreaking and thrilling.

The way the author slowly peels back layers of decades-old mysteries is brilliant. Just when you think you understand what happened in those woods, another revelation flips everything on its head. Every character carries hidden motives, long-held grudges, and devastating secrets, making you question who, if anyone, is trustworthy.

I loved how the past and present collided in Hollowden, with tension building to a climax that is as terrifying as it is heartbreaking. The story lingers long after the last page, making you wonder how well you really know the people in your own life.

If you crave suspense, jaw-dropping plot twists, and a dark, psychological exploration of friendship, guilt, and memory, this book is a must-read. I devoured it in one sitting and can’t stop thinking about it. Simply phenomenal.

[Christian Domenicci · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I want to start by thanking the author and BookSirens for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. This story was so good that every chapter left me with the intense desire to keep reading until the end. It's a tale of lies, deceit, and betrayal."
​"Every character is extremely well-designed, and their individual stories truly left me speechless. This is the type of dark and chilling narrative that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. The ending left me highly satisfied, as I always say that nobody leaves this world without paying the bill. 5 stars without hesitation! Totally recommended."

[Jamie Rincker · Rating 5 out of 5]

"With friends like these, who needs enemies?" You'll hate this poor woman's friends and then hate them some more, but it works to make this a great story. It's full of suspense, it's full of drama, you'll want to literally jump into this story and help her out of the situation, if not kick some butt and take names. This was a thoroughly enthralling read and I loved every last page as she finally finds her voice and speaks up. Cheers to this underdog!

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as a review copy from Booksirens, this is an honest review.

Where the Crows Feed is one of the most hauntingly dark, poignant and profound books I've read on a long time. Elsie and her friends were changed the day they were in the woods around their hometown that they wish didn't exist... everything ended in tragedy that no amount of time could bury. Elsie finally wants the truth laid bare; it opens Pandora's Box of not only the death of their friend but a spider web of secrets and lies that shatters every once of trust Elsie had put into a group of people that should have her... let alone each other band together when their lives were not longer innocent.

For fans of Jessica Huntley's The Darkness Series.

Highly recommend.

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book is truly amazing. I read it all in one day I simply could not put it down. It hooks you in right at the beginning and consistently keeps your attention, you just crave more and more with each page you read. I love how the twists weren't in the final few pages they were scattered throughout, but you never guessed in which direction the book was going next. It really kept me guessing the entire time. Best book for curing a reading slump. 10/10

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well-paced, and multi-layered, with plenty to keep you engaged - and relieved that this bunch are not your “friends.” It is easy to read and I read it over two days.

Thank you to BookSirens, Cold Alley Fiction and the author for providing this book free of charge for review. All opinions are my own.

[Sandy Goguen-Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of lies, deceit, and betrayal. Each chapter kept me engaged and wanting more. I did not expect the twist at the end.

Thank you to Book Sirens for the ARC book. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.