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Black Hat Bureau #6
Gray Tidings
Corpses are vanishing from New Orleans morgues, there’s talk of a sea monster in Lake Pontchartrain, and Hiram Nádasdy is turning the French Quarter upside down in search of a witch with the power to bring the dead back to life.
When the director assigns Rue the case, she suspects he’s sending her hunting all right. For her father, not the creature. Too bad she’s got her hands full with dueling covens, drunk revelers, and a whole lot of pool noodles. Oh. And it’s Mardi Gras. Of course it is. But as the locals say, laissez les bons temps rouler.
When the director assigns Rue the case, she suspects he’s sending her hunting all right. For her father, not the creature. Too bad she’s got her hands full with dueling covens, drunk revelers, and a whole lot of pool noodles. Oh. And it’s Mardi Gras. Of course it is. But as the locals say, laissez les bons temps rouler.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2022
970 people are currently reading
449 people want to read
About the author
Hailey Edwards
104 books2,835 followersHailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy.
Hailey isn't on Goodreads.
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https://haileyedwards.net/contact-form/
Hailey isn't on Goodreads.
Please email her via her website:
https://haileyedwards.net/contact-form/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
March 12, 2023
3.5/5.0
First, I must admit that there isn’t a book I don’t enjoy or a series I don’t adore in Ms. Edward’s fine repertoire. This installment in her Black Hat Beureau series was mix for me, however.
The story jumps in and immediately continues from where the last book left off assuming the reader remembers everything that has happened in the previous book, (Heck I can’t remember things from last week!) This left me scrambling and a bit frustrated trying to catch up for the first bit of the book. I kept confusing characters names like Aedon, Arden - Clay, Colby etc. As the story progressed, it did all work out (the memory does come back now and then. ;) and I was as enamored as ever.
I absolutely love the characters in this series! They are relatable, fun and completely endearing. That is why I especially HATED such a sad twist at the end. Now, I have to wait until the author can get that next book out in hopes she is kind enough to make things right quickly.
First, I must admit that there isn’t a book I don’t enjoy or a series I don’t adore in Ms. Edward’s fine repertoire. This installment in her Black Hat Beureau series was mix for me, however.
The story jumps in and immediately continues from where the last book left off assuming the reader remembers everything that has happened in the previous book, (Heck I can’t remember things from last week!) This left me scrambling and a bit frustrated trying to catch up for the first bit of the book. I kept confusing characters names like Aedon, Arden - Clay, Colby etc. As the story progressed, it did all work out (the memory does come back now and then. ;) and I was as enamored as ever.
I absolutely love the characters in this series! They are relatable, fun and completely endearing. That is why I especially HATED such a sad twist at the end. Now, I have to wait until the author can get that next book out in hopes she is kind enough to make things right quickly.
January 24, 2024
Gray Tidings is book six in the Black Hat Bureau series by Hailey Edwards.
Man oh man does Rue have a lot to deal with in this novel. She’s wrestling with fears that she’ll end up like her father or grandfather as she adjusts to her new role.
Another enjoyable mystery. We’re sent off with the gang to New Orleans to deal with a sea creature. Rue’s different wolds start to collide with her father in town, her human friends Amber and Camber on vacation, and her new role.
Rue continues to grow as a gray witch, accepting the balance between light and dark within herself. Her relationship with each character is evolving and she's experiencing lots of emotions and learning to translate these feelings.
I enjoyed the case and its outcome. I’m really loving this sereis. I highly recommend listening to the Black Hat Bureau.
Audio: As always Richardson continues to bring life to the storyline and characters. The emotions that Rue is dealing with are portrayed well. I enjoy the voices and narration.
Rated: 4 Stars
Man oh man does Rue have a lot to deal with in this novel. She’s wrestling with fears that she’ll end up like her father or grandfather as she adjusts to her new role.
Another enjoyable mystery. We’re sent off with the gang to New Orleans to deal with a sea creature. Rue’s different wolds start to collide with her father in town, her human friends Amber and Camber on vacation, and her new role.
Rue continues to grow as a gray witch, accepting the balance between light and dark within herself. Her relationship with each character is evolving and she's experiencing lots of emotions and learning to translate these feelings.
I enjoyed the case and its outcome. I’m really loving this sereis. I highly recommend listening to the Black Hat Bureau.
Audio: As always Richardson continues to bring life to the storyline and characters. The emotions that Rue is dealing with are portrayed well. I enjoy the voices and narration.
Rated: 4 Stars
March 12, 2023
A sea monster. A Lazarus witch who can raise the dead. And Rue has a new position in the Bureau. I felt a little bad for that ending with Camber and Arden but my favorites are still intact! When is the next book?
October 29, 2022
Rue's trying to live her new life as this book starts, yet ends up getting manipulated into going to New Orleans to do some work and watch over her "girls". The work things goes pretty smoothly (or as smoothly as anything does for Rue) until the end when the shit really hits the fan. Rue does things she never knew she could, looses her "girls", realizes her dad is a POS. There are a couple high points, better relationship with Blay and a new BFF, one who knows about Colby and loves her.
The very end to this one was the quiet in the storm. I love the new homestead and what Clay wants to build. They all need the peace and the absurdity of it to get away from the crap that is their lives.
The very end to this one was the quiet in the storm. I love the new homestead and what Clay wants to build. They all need the peace and the absurdity of it to get away from the crap that is their lives.
October 30, 2022
This has become one of my favorite series, and Rue one of my favorite characters. 5 stars
October 8, 2023
I didn't enjoy this one as much just because I think that if you're picking New Orleans to be your location, it should be more prominent. It's New Orleans! It should be front and center. Also, I wasn't really feeling the case of the week (except for Pontchy, he was fun) but Rue's complications with her family and friends were heartbreaking.
Is it just me or is Colby way more advanced with hacking, seeing as how that side of her wasn't mentioned at all in the beginning of the series?
Over and out
Is it just me or is Colby way more advanced with hacking, seeing as how that side of her wasn't mentioned at all in the beginning of the series?
Over and out
March 12, 2023
I had a really difficult time keeping my attention on this book, and I'm not honestly sure why. Maybe it just wasn't what my mood wanted to dive into right now?
I felt like it was a little slow-paced, a little wheel-spinny - we didn't get really any forward movement with the characters and their threads / relationships - and I'm not sure I like her working with her grandfather. I feel like Rue has surrendered all her power and growth in order to step back into this role. I don't understand why she doesn't just kill him. I talked about this in the last book review a bit, and expressed worry about how much it was undercutting her character. Here, I think the damage is done. I don't think much of her - I think she's a spineless doormat who just meekly accepts her grandfather's shit ... which is baffling when she stands up to the King of fucking Hell.
Also, I really find the gals - Camber and Arden - to be goddamn tiresome. And I don't understand why Rue had to give up her home at the end, that seemed ridiculous. Rue was really martyring herself here. Overall, that entire interaction was damn tiresome.
I don't know, maybe my mood was off or something. YMMV
I felt like it was a little slow-paced, a little wheel-spinny - we didn't get really any forward movement with the characters and their threads / relationships - and I'm not sure I like her working with her grandfather. I feel like Rue has surrendered all her power and growth in order to step back into this role. I don't understand why she doesn't just kill him. I talked about this in the last book review a bit, and expressed worry about how much it was undercutting her character. Here, I think the damage is done. I don't think much of her - I think she's a spineless doormat who just meekly accepts her grandfather's shit ... which is baffling when she stands up to the King of fucking Hell.
Also, I really find the gals - Camber and Arden - to be goddamn tiresome. And I don't understand why Rue had to give up her home at the end, that seemed ridiculous. Rue was really martyring herself here. Overall, that entire interaction was damn tiresome.
I don't know, maybe my mood was off or something. YMMV
Read
February 22, 2025This book in the series was a turning point in so many ways for several characters. Rue is now the deputy director of Black Hat and she knows her grandfather is hoping to turn her back into a black witch to use her powers. An assignment in New Orleans puts the team in the middle of a fight between two covens. With so many people around (its Mardi Gras) Rue feels the pull of her magic and the temptation but luckily she has so many people around to help and she is determined to resist the temptation to descend into her old ways. This shows the character growth for Rue as a grey witch as she stuggles to balance the darkness of her magic with the light. The characters in this book are fun and relatable with some of their struggles. You have unrequited love, betrayal, loyalty, fears and so much more. The core group remains together but there is a break off two characters that was sad but we'll see how that works out in the future. Also, its good Rue finally realized her dad is NOT and never will be good. ughhh he will use her at any chance he gets.
March 4, 2023
Rue is wrestling with fears that she’ll end up like her father or grandfather as she adjusts to her new role as the deputy director of the Black Hat Agency. The Director sends Rue to New Orleans to deal with a sea creature, and Rue’s worlds start to collide with her father also in town, and her human friends Amber and Camber vacation in the Big Easy.
Rue continues to mature as a gray witch, accepting a balance of light and dark within herself, but always questioning the source of her thoughts and motivation. Rue wants nothing to do with Black Hat, but over the course of this case, she starts to realize that she does care and may want to fix the system rather than let it all burn.
Her relationship with every character in the series is evolving. She and Asa have moved beyond flirting into a for-real, I-love-you relationship. I thought having sex meant they mated, but apparently, I misunderstood because they are still “in fascination.” I love how she’s allowing Colby to spread her wings, giving her more autonomy. I also love that Rue’s circle is growing with the introduction of two werewolves (Marita and Derry) in the previous book. They have a tie to her mother, which makes it all the more special. Rue is experiencing so many emotions and is learning how to translate these feelings and take action.
While I loved what the case came to be and the outcome of it all, I had issues with the storytelling. I’m not sure if it was me - did I keep missing things? Or if it was the writing, but I was confused a number of times throughout the case. Additionally, there is a huge reveal of sorts in the story, and while I’m glad it is out there, it was difficult to take. My heart hurt for all involved.
Narration: The story is shared via first person POV of Rue. Ms. Richardson uses a strong, confident feminine voice for Rue/the narrator, which suits the character and storytelling. The narrator alters dialogue, giving characters a unique voice, suited to the age, gender, species, etc. Some voices are immediately identifiable, like that for Clay, whose voice is deeper, slower, and large, just like him. I also enjoy Colby, whose young voice sounds a bit cartoonish, which is perfect for the mythological friend. The narrator successfully portrays emotions and has created unique identities for the main characters. However, I find a few of the characters had voices that were very similar to the existing main characters, making it a bit confusing at times.
In the end, I enjoyed Gray Tidings and look forward to see what comes next for Rue and her friends.
My Rating:
Story: B+
Narration: B
Review copy provided by publisher
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Rue continues to mature as a gray witch, accepting a balance of light and dark within herself, but always questioning the source of her thoughts and motivation. Rue wants nothing to do with Black Hat, but over the course of this case, she starts to realize that she does care and may want to fix the system rather than let it all burn.
Her relationship with every character in the series is evolving. She and Asa have moved beyond flirting into a for-real, I-love-you relationship. I thought having sex meant they mated, but apparently, I misunderstood because they are still “in fascination.” I love how she’s allowing Colby to spread her wings, giving her more autonomy. I also love that Rue’s circle is growing with the introduction of two werewolves (Marita and Derry) in the previous book. They have a tie to her mother, which makes it all the more special. Rue is experiencing so many emotions and is learning how to translate these feelings and take action.
While I loved what the case came to be and the outcome of it all, I had issues with the storytelling. I’m not sure if it was me - did I keep missing things? Or if it was the writing, but I was confused a number of times throughout the case. Additionally, there is a huge reveal of sorts in the story, and while I’m glad it is out there, it was difficult to take. My heart hurt for all involved.
Narration: The story is shared via first person POV of Rue. Ms. Richardson uses a strong, confident feminine voice for Rue/the narrator, which suits the character and storytelling. The narrator alters dialogue, giving characters a unique voice, suited to the age, gender, species, etc. Some voices are immediately identifiable, like that for Clay, whose voice is deeper, slower, and large, just like him. I also enjoy Colby, whose young voice sounds a bit cartoonish, which is perfect for the mythological friend. The narrator successfully portrays emotions and has created unique identities for the main characters. However, I find a few of the characters had voices that were very similar to the existing main characters, making it a bit confusing at times.
In the end, I enjoyed Gray Tidings and look forward to see what comes next for Rue and her friends.
My Rating:
Story: B+
Narration: B
Review copy provided by publisher
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
October 26, 2024
2024 Reads #573/250
4.25🌟
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September 20, 2024 - January 10, 2025
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4.25🌟
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September 20, 2024 - January 10, 2025
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January 30, 2023
Aaaaah, so I did not realize this series was unfinished and still has a LOT of open threads. This is another one where a lot happens at the same time as feeling like nothing happened. Conflicts popped up left and right without seeming to be visibly related but feeling intertwined. It mostly gets wrapped up in the end, besides the overarching themes, but Asa and Rue are STILL not mated. Rue still hasn't even talked to Colby about it.
The fast pacing of the cases is at odds with the exceedingly slow pace of the overall plot of the series and I think it is starting to wear on me. I find myself not enjoying the series as much as I continue through it and it is taking me longer to finish each book. It is great to see all the progress being made by the individual characters and seeing them working together, but I wish more would happen. I appreciate a slow burn, but at this point we're six books into the series and while the main couple is in a relationship and are sleeping together, they aren't making any progress towards the next step.
At the end, Rue agrees to go to faerie to meet Asa's grandmother and Asa warns her how the other fae are going to react to him and to her by extension because he doesn't want her to go on a rampage killing everyone. They completely ignore that talking about the whole mate thing and potentially actually completing their mate bond would not only help with homicidal urges to slights against each other, it would also solve the problem of her being "available" to Asa's father. Not saying he wouldn't still try and rape her like he did Asa's mother, but their mate bond would afford them some protection and hopefully most daemons would view the bond as special and Stavros would have political ramifications for violating a completed mate bond.
Spoilers ahead (basically a summary) because the next book doesn't even have a publication date yet...
The fast pacing of the cases is at odds with the exceedingly slow pace of the overall plot of the series and I think it is starting to wear on me. I find myself not enjoying the series as much as I continue through it and it is taking me longer to finish each book. It is great to see all the progress being made by the individual characters and seeing them working together, but I wish more would happen. I appreciate a slow burn, but at this point we're six books into the series and while the main couple is in a relationship and are sleeping together, they aren't making any progress towards the next step.
At the end, Rue agrees to go to faerie to meet Asa's grandmother and Asa warns her how the other fae are going to react to him and to her by extension because he doesn't want her to go on a rampage killing everyone. They completely ignore that talking about the whole mate thing and potentially actually completing their mate bond would not only help with homicidal urges to slights against each other, it would also solve the problem of her being "available" to Asa's father. Not saying he wouldn't still try and rape her like he did Asa's mother, but their mate bond would afford them some protection and hopefully most daemons would view the bond as special and Stavros would have political ramifications for violating a completed mate bond.
Spoilers ahead (basically a summary) because the next book doesn't even have a publication date yet...
October 29, 2022
Oh man. Rue's life isn't getting any easier now that she's back in the Black Hat fold. In fact, things are even more complicated than they were before. In part because of her grandfather. In part because the nature of the people who work for Black Hat have TRUST issues. Man, so many trust issues.
The good news is that Rue has Clay and Asa at her back. She's not alone in this. And, yeah, things might be get a little sticky when another female looks in Asa's direction, but Rue mostly has things under control. Mostly.
That said, the things (of a different sort than the things Rue has to deal with when a female gives Asa longing look) going on with Arden and Camber sort of broke my heart. And Aedan. My sad eyes are strong at the moment. I just want that guy to find his happy place. Throw in the case Rue and the boys are working (plus all the underhanded shenanigans going on with that!) and Rue and her crew and dealing with a lot. A LOT.
BUT...with Clay and Asa at her back, it's sliiiiightly possible there could be change coming to the BHB. It might take time and there's the whole issue of her grandfather and her parents Rue needs to deal with, but events are slowly being put into motion and HOO-BOY I can't wait to see what happens next.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
The good news is that Rue has Clay and Asa at her back. She's not alone in this. And, yeah, things might be get a little sticky when another female looks in Asa's direction, but Rue mostly has things under control. Mostly.
That said, the things (of a different sort than the things Rue has to deal with when a female gives Asa longing look) going on with Arden and Camber sort of broke my heart. And Aedan. My sad eyes are strong at the moment. I just want that guy to find his happy place. Throw in the case Rue and the boys are working (plus all the underhanded shenanigans going on with that!) and Rue and her crew and dealing with a lot. A LOT.
BUT...with Clay and Asa at her back, it's sliiiiightly possible there could be change coming to the BHB. It might take time and there's the whole issue of her grandfather and her parents Rue needs to deal with, but events are slowly being put into motion and HOO-BOY I can't wait to see what happens next.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
April 11, 2023
The last couple of chapters....man, what an emotional mess.
The mystery kinda took a backseat in favor of personal drama for Rue and team. It feels like we're gearing up for the final confrontation and we're starting to see Rue and team put their priorities on paper.
The mystery kinda took a backseat in favor of personal drama for Rue and team. It feels like we're gearing up for the final confrontation and we're starting to see Rue and team put their priorities on paper.
December 12, 2023
I am enjoying this series. In each installment, the plot thickens, characters get emotional growth, and a lot of banter happens...
The shifters as side characters just added another dose of crazy to the already entertaining side of this series. I hope they become regular helpers for Rue. :)
The shifters as side characters just added another dose of crazy to the already entertaining side of this series. I hope they become regular helpers for Rue. :)
April 10, 2023
4.5 Stars:)
April 22, 2023
loved it
New mysteries
New places to cause mayhem
Temporary places to stay
So much magic
So much drama
So much awesomeness
New mysteries
New places to cause mayhem
Temporary places to stay
So much magic
So much drama
So much awesomeness
February 1, 2024
I love the characters and the story but I could do without the explicit sex.
December 20, 2022
Excellent as was expected
March 28, 2023
I was a bit all over the place with book trying to catch up with the storyline. There were pieces that just didn't make sense. It was a good read nonetheless
November 28, 2022
Fantastic story! Fast paced with many LOL moments & a gambit of the emotional roller-coaster. Can't wait for the next one!
October 23, 2022
Another outstanding read by Hailey Edwards. Some serious sadness in this one but also good times. Can’t wait for the next installment. I now see what the author meant by “editors crying” in her Facebook post. I have hope though
February 19, 2023
For whatever reason, with this 6th book in this series - which I obviously have become a fan of - there was something about the beginning of the book.....it took me a while to get my head back into the story. I don't know if it was the actual book, or heck, maybe it was just me. Regardless, I felt like the first quarter of the book was struggling to keep my attention.
This book takes a different turn as now Rue is back with the Black Hat organization and there is the whole thing going on with her father and her grandfather. Obviously, I have fallen for Rue and Asa as a couple (gotta LOVE Bray), I'm head over heels for Colby and Clay so right there are massive props for the entire main gang. They are on a weird case, things are going wrong. There are witches, there are monsters, and it is Marti Gras Then, add in the fact that the girls were heading to New Orleans (with Nolan?), and then Rue and the gang were there as well.....well, everything just felt....scattered.
When I finally felt like I was invested again in the story, it was good. I liked the addition of the mated wolves (can't think of the official name) and somehow, the story seemed able to pull itself together. Unfortunately, the ending was a bummer but it did leave the door open for the next book.....
So, not the best in the series, but still a fan.
This book takes a different turn as now Rue is back with the Black Hat organization and there is the whole thing going on with her father and her grandfather. Obviously, I have fallen for Rue and Asa as a couple (gotta LOVE Bray), I'm head over heels for Colby and Clay so right there are massive props for the entire main gang. They are on a weird case, things are going wrong. There are witches, there are monsters, and it is Marti Gras Then, add in the fact that the girls were heading to New Orleans (with Nolan?), and then Rue and the gang were there as well.....well, everything just felt....scattered.
When I finally felt like I was invested again in the story, it was good. I liked the addition of the mated wolves (can't think of the official name) and somehow, the story seemed able to pull itself together. Unfortunately, the ending was a bummer but it did leave the door open for the next book.....
So, not the best in the series, but still a fan.
November 19, 2024
Loving the expansion with the two new characters from the last book - Why do the new couple's dynamics sound so much more realistic (and so much less annoying) than the Rue/Asa relationship? How can we get some of that realism shared with the primary protagonists? I keep waffling on whether to quit the series or not, but still hold the slight hope that the next book may be better.
September 3, 2023
Gray Tidings is the 6th book in Edward’s Black Hat Bureau series which at its essence is the story of Rue Hollis (former Black Witch) voyage of self-discovery and personal growth. This is a series that presents the question of nature versus nurture and offers the answer through the Indian Proverb of how within each person lives two wolves, a good wolf and a bad wolf. Which we ultimately become depends upon which one we feed. Raised by her evil, manipulative grandfather to be his perfect instrument of death, Rue spent the first part of her life feeding the bad wolf. Under her grandfather’s brutal tutelage she learned to be a cold, emotionless, highly efficient killer. After disposing of both of her parents whom she’s told are dead, her grandfather, founder and director of the Black Hats Bureau, (that bears a resemblance to the Will Smith Men in Black movie franchise) a quasi-official paranormal law enforcement agency that tracks down and kills rogue paranormals who pose a threat to other paranormals and humans risking exposing the existence of paranormals to the human world, and wipes the memories of humans who come in contract with the paranormal world. Black Hat agents serve as judge, jury and executioner for those they are assigned to hunt. Rue Hollis under her given name Elsabeth became legendary among her fellow Black Hat agents and the paranormal world, unmatched for her ruthless ability to hunt down rogue paranormals, dispatch them and eat their hearts to ingest their magical essence, increasing her own dark magical powers. Her life is all about killing and gaining more black magic power. But her grandfather, The Director made a crucial mistake when he paired his ancient golem Clay with Rue to watch and guide her. In Clay, Rue not only found a mentor, a resource with a wealth of knowledge of the paranormal world, but a friend. That friendship slowly put cracks in her heart of ice. When hunting the Silver Stag serial killer Rue comes across the soul, the essence of Colby a young fae girl whom the Silver Stag has murdered and incapsulated her essence into the body of a moth which he is preparing to ingest. After killing the Silver Stag, Rue is faced with a moral dilemma. What to do with what remains of the innocent little fae girl? Does she ingest her essence to enhance her own magical powers? Rue’s slowly awakening sense of morality kicks in. Rue becomes the custodian of Colby who draws out her maternal instincts and makes her want to leave her black witch personae behind. But like the Mafia the only way to leave the Black Hat Bureau is to die. Especially for the granddaughter of its Director. So Rue takes Colby and goes into hiding. As the series opens it’s been ten years since Rue took responsibility for Colby. They have settled into the sleepy little town of Samford Alabama where she’s purchased a home for herself and Colby, opened up an apocathary selling homeopathic remedies imbued with a little of her magic to make them more effective. She employs two young women Camber and Arden, who have become like little sisters to her and most of the town considers her one of them. Still Rue considers herself as a black soul. But she’s trying to do better and fake it until she makes it to be more like her white witch mother. Then one day her old partner Clay shows up on her doorstep accompanied by a new partner Asa a handsome (at least the women in this story think so) daemon. Her grandfather has discovered her and wants her back to serve as a consultant on a case similar to the Silver Stag case, the last one she solved before disappearing. Gradually she and Clay renew their friendship and she and Asa fall into fascination a precursor to mating. Rue former heartless black witch now has a family, a friend and impossibly finds herself in love. With each preceding book Rue’s grandfather forces her back into the Black Hat Bureau by threatening those she loves. In the previous book he has forced her to accept the position as Assistant Director of the Black Hat Bureau to keep her close to him where he can keep an eye on her.
In this book big life changes for Rue are in motion. Rue and her team are assigned a case by the Director of discovering if the reports that someone is stealing bodies from New Orlean’s morgues and feeding them to a sea monster residing in Lake Pontchartrain are true. Rue suspects the real reason she’s being sent to New Orleans is because there are rumors her father has been seen there looking for help in bringing her mother’s spirit back to life. Her grandfather is deathly afraid her father is alive and free and planning to exact his revenge for killing his wife and imprisoning him for years in the basement of the compound. For some reason (maybe my failing memory or the fact that despite belonging to the author’s FB group I somehow missed the release of the last three books) I felt a bit disoriented reading this story as if I’d skipped a book or two in the series. Which I hadn’t. The inclusion of the alpha warg couple Derry and Marita brought a much needed comic relief to what is otherwise a fairly dark book with a not happy ending. Rue is left believing the only person either of her parents really love is each other further breaking her heart. The amulet containing the grimoire full of dark magic that Rue can’t remove seems to becoming more and more influential in her life, leading her back to the dark side. The mysterious woman Luca who helped free her father in exchange for his promise to kill his father is determined to bring down the Black Hat Bureau. Rue if forced to decide whether the answer is to help destroy it or take control of the Bureau from her grandfather and try to reshape it into something more positive for both its agents and the paranormal world. This story closes with Rue’s life pretty much in flux and chaos.
In this book big life changes for Rue are in motion. Rue and her team are assigned a case by the Director of discovering if the reports that someone is stealing bodies from New Orlean’s morgues and feeding them to a sea monster residing in Lake Pontchartrain are true. Rue suspects the real reason she’s being sent to New Orleans is because there are rumors her father has been seen there looking for help in bringing her mother’s spirit back to life. Her grandfather is deathly afraid her father is alive and free and planning to exact his revenge for killing his wife and imprisoning him for years in the basement of the compound. For some reason (maybe my failing memory or the fact that despite belonging to the author’s FB group I somehow missed the release of the last three books) I felt a bit disoriented reading this story as if I’d skipped a book or two in the series. Which I hadn’t. The inclusion of the alpha warg couple Derry and Marita brought a much needed comic relief to what is otherwise a fairly dark book with a not happy ending. Rue is left believing the only person either of her parents really love is each other further breaking her heart. The amulet containing the grimoire full of dark magic that Rue can’t remove seems to becoming more and more influential in her life, leading her back to the dark side. The mysterious woman Luca who helped free her father in exchange for his promise to kill his father is determined to bring down the Black Hat Bureau. Rue if forced to decide whether the answer is to help destroy it or take control of the Bureau from her grandfather and try to reshape it into something more positive for both its agents and the paranormal world. This story closes with Rue’s life pretty much in flux and chaos.
October 27, 2022
*Source* Kindle Unlimited
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Gray Tidings is the Sixth installment in author Hailey Edwards' Black Hat Bureau series. Protagonist Rue Hollis has been promoted to the position of Deputy Director of the Black Hat Bureau after killing the previous holder of the office, and has been outed as the granddaughter of the Director himself. Rue's time as Deputy Director has been that of being tested by underlings, assassins, and that of keeping her temper in check and not go on a killing spree.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Gray Tidings is the Sixth installment in author Hailey Edwards' Black Hat Bureau series. Protagonist Rue Hollis has been promoted to the position of Deputy Director of the Black Hat Bureau after killing the previous holder of the office, and has been outed as the granddaughter of the Director himself. Rue's time as Deputy Director has been that of being tested by underlings, assassins, and that of keeping her temper in check and not go on a killing spree.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
February 15, 2024
Love this series and look forward to future books...as much as I loved this book, it felt a little all over the place for me and in the end left me wanting more. Which I suppose is a good thing, because I truly want to know what happens next. I just hope that doesn't mean spin offs to find that out. I love Asa and Rue...almost as much as I love Grier and Linus :-) I love that Rue is growing and coming into her powers...and by God they need to mate already LOL.
Great job Hailey!
Great job Hailey!
January 25, 2024
French & English reviews
Un sixième tome que j'ai lu avec beaucoup de plaisir
L'intrigue et l'univers gagnent encore en complexité et le mystère s'épaissit encore ... J'ai un peu moins accroché à l'intrigue de ce tome qui m'a moins passionné même si j'ai bien aimé les différents personnages qu'on rencontre / revoit (j'adore le couple de wargs =D)
Par contre l'intrigue principal me tient toujours en haleine (avec son nouveau poste, je me demande si elle ne va pas finir par reprendre les Black Hats et les transformer en quelque chose de plus sain ...), surtout qu'un tournant est franchi ici (mon coeur s'est brisé dix milles fois pour Rue >< (et pour Aedan !!) OK elle a menti mais sérieux c'était pour la bonne cause !! Et son père ...)
La romance entre Asa et Rue continue de se développer et même si j'aimerais qu'ils passent au stade d'après, j'adore les voir en fascination !
Bref, un tome d'urban fantasy avec des rebondissements et une touche de romance que j'ai lu avec plaisir
PS : c'est vrai que je l'avais pas mentionné avant, j'adore toutes les références à la nourriture =D Ca m'a tellement donnée envie de manger cajun ce tome !
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A sixth book that I read with great pleasure
The plot and the universe gain further in complexity and the mystery thickens further ... I liked a little less the plot of this book which fascinated me less even if I really liked the different characters we meet/see again (I love the couple of wargs =D)
On the other hand, the main plot still keeps me in suspense (with her new position, I wonder if she won't end up taking over the Black Hats and transforming them into something healthier ... ), especially since a turning point has been reached here (my heart has broken ten thousand times for Rue >< (and for Aedan !!) OK she lied but seriously it was for a good cause !! And her father ...)
The romance between Asa and Rue continues to develop and although I would like them to move on to the next stage, I love watching them in fascination !
In short, a book of urban fantasy with twists and turns and a touch of romance that I read with pleasure
PS: it's true that I hadn't mentioned it before, I love all the references to food =D This book made me want to eat Cajun so much !
Un sixième tome que j'ai lu avec beaucoup de plaisir
L'intrigue et l'univers gagnent encore en complexité et le mystère s'épaissit encore ... J'ai un peu moins accroché à l'intrigue de ce tome qui m'a moins passionné même si j'ai bien aimé les différents personnages qu'on rencontre / revoit (j'adore le couple de wargs =D)
Par contre l'intrigue principal me tient toujours en haleine (avec son nouveau poste, je me demande si elle ne va pas finir par reprendre les Black Hats et les transformer en quelque chose de plus sain ...), surtout qu'un tournant est franchi ici (mon coeur s'est brisé dix milles fois pour Rue >< (et pour Aedan !!) OK elle a menti mais sérieux c'était pour la bonne cause !! Et son père ...)
La romance entre Asa et Rue continue de se développer et même si j'aimerais qu'ils passent au stade d'après, j'adore les voir en fascination !
Bref, un tome d'urban fantasy avec des rebondissements et une touche de romance que j'ai lu avec plaisir
PS : c'est vrai que je l'avais pas mentionné avant, j'adore toutes les références à la nourriture =D Ca m'a tellement donnée envie de manger cajun ce tome !
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A sixth book that I read with great pleasure
The plot and the universe gain further in complexity and the mystery thickens further ... I liked a little less the plot of this book which fascinated me less even if I really liked the different characters we meet/see again (I love the couple of wargs =D)
On the other hand, the main plot still keeps me in suspense (with her new position, I wonder if she won't end up taking over the Black Hats and transforming them into something healthier ... ), especially since a turning point has been reached here (my heart has broken ten thousand times for Rue >< (and for Aedan !!) OK she lied but seriously it was for a good cause !! And her father ...)
The romance between Asa and Rue continues to develop and although I would like them to move on to the next stage, I love watching them in fascination !
In short, a book of urban fantasy with twists and turns and a touch of romance that I read with pleasure
PS: it's true that I hadn't mentioned it before, I love all the references to food =D This book made me want to eat Cajun so much !
November 21, 2025
Full series review (talk to text so there may be errors because I don’t have an editor or time to meticulously edit.)
The first book particularly hit the sweet spot for me in a lot of ways. Like a lot of books she seemed to get very focused on action, action, action, and forgot about the characters and relationships, and all those story threads she had started on in the beginning. I guess by the end of the series I like the idea of the series and I like the first book there’s nothing particularly wrong with the rest, but it just didn’t hit the same tone.
It’s the general type of story I like etc. I listened to the audiobook version, her voice was fine, but there was a lot of wrong words and it was very noticeable after a while. I’m not sure that it was the narrators fault but I’m pretty sure it was the narrator. I did not keep a list but a lot of words were read as similar sounding words with different meanings. I don’t know if this is true in the print copies also but my feeling/hope is no. At least one error I think may have been printed, in the last book (in a non-pivotal scene) Clay and Colby got mixed up so basically Clay was hugging his own face…
Basically ten books all about the same thing that ultimately is resolved in about 30 minutes at the very end which means not a lot of time to resolve things in a satisfying way.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
OVERALL: After the first book, it lost some of its magic and that is very common because not every book can strike the exact same tone because then you might as well be reading the same book over and over. Worth going through once I don’t see it being a series of return to when I’m looking for a little nostalgia/comfort.
The first book particularly hit the sweet spot for me in a lot of ways. Like a lot of books she seemed to get very focused on action, action, action, and forgot about the characters and relationships, and all those story threads she had started on in the beginning. I guess by the end of the series I like the idea of the series and I like the first book there’s nothing particularly wrong with the rest, but it just didn’t hit the same tone.
It’s the general type of story I like etc. I listened to the audiobook version, her voice was fine, but there was a lot of wrong words and it was very noticeable after a while. I’m not sure that it was the narrators fault but I’m pretty sure it was the narrator. I did not keep a list but a lot of words were read as similar sounding words with different meanings. I don’t know if this is true in the print copies also but my feeling/hope is no. At least one error I think may have been printed, in the last book (in a non-pivotal scene) Clay and Colby got mixed up so basically Clay was hugging his own face…
Basically ten books all about the same thing that ultimately is resolved in about 30 minutes at the very end which means not a lot of time to resolve things in a satisfying way.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
OVERALL: After the first book, it lost some of its magic and that is very common because not every book can strike the exact same tone because then you might as well be reading the same book over and over. Worth going through once I don’t see it being a series of return to when I’m looking for a little nostalgia/comfort.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews