Set in the misty hollows of the Appalachian Mountains, Strange Folk follows Charlotte Quinn as she inherits her late grandmother’s creaky old home, only to discover the town and her family legacy hold more secrets (and strange folk) than she ever expected. With a dash of magical realism, an undercurrent of suspense, and an atmosphere rich in mystery, Charlotte’s journey becomes one of self-discovery and long-buried truths.

I liked Strange Folk but I didn’t love it. It’s one of those books where the mood is perfect: eerie, quiet, and a little dreamy. The Appalachian setting added so much charm and texture to the story, making it feel grounded yet otherworldly. The mystery element was definitely the highlight for me; the suspense kept me turning pages, and there were some late-game twists that genuinely surprised me in the best way.

The concept had a ton of potential, and the title and cover alone are intriguing enough to draw you in. But I didn’t really connect with the characters as deeply as I wanted to. Their emotional arcs felt a little surface-level, and the pacing of the plot could be a bit choppy, especially when transitioning between scenes or introducing new elements.

I also really wanted more from the magical aspect. It’s hinted at, it’s present, but it never fully unfolds. Maybe the ambiguity was intentional, to give the story that “airy” feeling but for me, as someone who needs more substance behind my magical reads, it felt like a missed opportunity.

A solid, middle-of-the-road read. If you’re drawn to atmospheric books with subtle magical realism, a gothic setting, and slow-burn suspense, Strange Folk could definitely hit the spot. It didn’t blow me away, but I’d still recommend it to readers who like their mysteries with a hint of the uncanny and a lot of mood.

AMAZON | GOODREADS | ★★★

Strange Folk is out now. Huge thank you to Atria for my copy in exchange for my honest opinion.  If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books or on Tiktok @speakingof.books