Gray Witch is the fifth audiobook in the Black Hat Bureau urban fantasy series by Hailey Edwards. Narrated by Stephanie Richardson, Hailey advances the overall arc as Rue and her motley crew track down famous monsters across Mississippi. You’ll enjoy a suspenseful tale, snark, humor and romance along the way…..
by Hailey Edwards
Series: Black Hat Bureau #5
Narrator: Stephanie Richardson
Length: 8 hours and 49 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.35x
Famous monsters are resurrecting across Mississippi, each one recreating their own gruesome deaths through new victims. Every time Rue pins down one horror legend, another appears with its own bloodthirsty agenda. The summoners raising these vengeful spirits save their best for last, a cruel gift that shatters Rue. But she’s not the only one whose heart gets broken.
Once her father realizes what the summoners have done, who they’ve awakened, there is nowhere they can hide where he can’t find them. After this final betrayal, there are no limits on how far he’s willing to go to bring down Black Hat, the director, and anyone else who gets in his way.
Including his own daughter.
I am having a blast with these characters. The tale has a cozy mystery vibe to it with characters you’ll adore from Rue Hollis, who has been wronged, to Asa, her mate. Like most urban fantasy series, ti is best to listen in the order of their release. The overall story arc, bonds and character growth will be hindered if you dive in.
Rue attends the demon challenge where other demons fight Asa for his position as heir. While there she gains the attentions of Asa’s father. I am not a fan of the high king. Not that Rue’s family is any better. They come with their own backstabbing, power grabbing set of problems.
The mystery was a good one. The deputy director calls them when the ghosts of dead demon hunters appear. This leads to more chaos as killers and famous monsters rise from the dead. It held me captive and kept me guessing as Rue and the team dug in for answers. We got to see Colby shine.
We see growth and get to witness this team come together. Each brings something to the table. Now that Rue has embraced Asa as her mate, the romance isn’t as distracting, making room to shine some light on Clay and Colby’s abilities.
The overall arc advanced and we see Rue come into her own, facing her foes. Despite the outcome and where things are headed, we get a sense she is ready. Thanks in part to her new family. I am hoping she loosens up regarding Colby and her fears. That girl has spunk and is so clever.
Fans of character driven urban fantasy with snark and suspenseful mysteries will enjoy the Black Hat Bureau series. I am looking forward to the next audiobook.
Stephanie Richardson narrates and does a wonderful job of bringing voice to Rue. Her tone and pacing enhances the overall tale. She has created unique voices for each of the characters picking up on their personalities, snark and humor.
*available in KindleUnlimited
Gray Witch by Hailey Edwards. Narrated Stephanie Richardson delivered suspense, snark and romance in the latest Black Hat Bureau audiobook. #audiobookreview #NewRelease #UrbanFantasy Share on XAbout Hailey Edwards
Hailey 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. She lives in Alabama with her husband, their daughter, and a herd of dachshunds.
About Stephanie Richardson
Stephanie Richardson records audiobooks from her professional home studio near the mountains in Utah. She places a special emphasis on bringing positive and wholesome content in the world and records work in a variety of nonfiction and fiction genres, including self-development, memoir, children's and young adult, and cozy mystery. She has trained with award-winning narrators PJ Ochlan and Sean Pratt and was awarded the ABR award for best mystery in 2020. While not enjoying a book, she can be found playing zoo-keeper to her four rambunctious children, playing nerdy board games, or talking to her plants.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Sophia Rose
I definitely need more time to fit in all the books/series I want to read, but I have more time than most so I can’t moan about it. LOL.
Anne - Books of My Heart
yes I really should have jumped into this series at the beginning.
Mary Kirkland
That sounds like it would be a really good read.
Wendy
This has everything I love in a book and series. Wonderful review, Kimberly
Lover of Romance
What a lovely review you have here! Sounds like the UF aspects were done really well and that the romance was well balanced out. Love seeing that. Will definitely have to put this on my UF reading research list.
Jen Twimom
This was a good one! I enjoyed the mystery a lot – it was a “fun” idea (and much better than the creatures from the previous title). I also like how Rue is redefining herself as the “grey” witch. With that ending – WOW! Looking forward to more.
Ailyn Koay
when her dad refuses for you to date/ marry his daugther …. ?
Melliane
wow already 5 books in the series? I need to try book 1.