A fantastic punchy novella to start the Black Harvest Trilogy. The setting for this dark short story is a strange creepy farm in Devon, the harrowing aspects of this story are only heightened by the fact this is based on a true story! The writing is lush in descriptive detail while keeping you firmly hooked and wanting more, leading you perfectly onto the next book in the series. I cannot wait… Highly recommended.

Gripping novella to bring you into the story. Creepy and intriguing read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the read!!!

Book 1 of 3 - Based on a true story set in rural England. The 3 stories tell of the farm and its family through the generations. A must read trilogy. Suggest to read in order.

Where the Crows Watch is an atmospheric, slow‑burn mystery that wraps you in tension from the very first chapter and never quite lets you go. L.C. Williams blends small‑town unease, folklore‑tinged suspense, and deeply human emotion into a story that feels both intimate and haunting.

The setting is one of the book’s biggest strengths. The landscape feels alive—moody, watchful, almost sentient—and the recurring presence of the crows adds a wonderfully eerie thread that ties the whole narrative together. Williams uses atmosphere the way some authors use plot twists: as a constant, simmering force that keeps you leaning in.

The characters are layered and compelling, especially the protagonist, whose grief and determination anchor the story. I appreciated how the mystery unfolds gradually, with clues that feel organic rather than forced. Even the quieter moments carry weight, and by the time the reveals arrive, they feel earned.

The pacing leans intentionally slow in places, but it works for the tone—this is a story that wants you to sit in the shadows a bit, to feel the tension build feather by feather.

Overall, a beautifully written, immersive mystery with a touch of the uncanny. Perfect for readers who love atmospheric suspense, character‑driven storytelling, and a hint of folklore woven through their thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Book 1, The Black Harvest Trilogy

This 66 page novella begins the trilogy, based on true events at a Devon, England farm.
LC Williams debuts with a haunting historical novel centered on Malumdon Farm, highlighting the Harris family’s deep connection to their land and the legacy they inherit. The story explores joy, grief, devotion, violence, tradition, and modernity, inspired by real people like Henry Harris (born 1866). The novel captures the essence of farm life and the pull of home.
With immersive prose and a gripping portrayal of rural England on the brink of change, it’s both intimate and epic, leaving a lasting impression.

**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
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An interesting little Novella I had the pleasure of reading thanks to NetGalley and Wild Plum Press for the arc.

Based on true events, I really enjoyed this historical portrayal of life on a Devon Farm. The prose was engaging and the sense of place was particularly notable. The mysteries of the Land run deep and are watched over by the crows through the generations. There was almost a sense of menace at times (which I don't normally read) but it never got to a point where I was scared, it was an underlying threat - if it's a threat indeed? The connection between Henry and his family, servents and animals, let alone the farm and the land, was palpable. The house almost felt like an extra character. This was told in different parts, Henry's time (born in the mid/late 1800s) and in 2015 when another man, from another family connected to the farm, returns with his family from London, to take over the farm. This was the first in a trilogy and I will definitely read the next two.

It is said that the presence of crows portends impending death. Malumdon Farm is the scene of more than one type of death, seen by the crows; but, on a deeper level the crows are there to symbolize and witness transitions/transformations, survival and the mystery of hidden truths.

L.C. Williams based her novella on actual events and people, and her skillful story telling brings everything to vivid life. One can see the locations described, become involved in the actions and feel the emotions coursing through the people. Her characters and their interactions are believable as real people.

One feature to follow closely is the change in years as the story progresses. There is a shift to a new time frame and new characters part way through the story. Occasionally, I looked back at a chapter’s heading to clarify what year we were in, and with whom, at Malumdon Farm. Now, I am looking ahead to find out what the crows will see in Book Two of The Black Harvest Trilogy. Where the Crows Watch does not end with an annoying cliffhanger, but knowing the book is the opener for a trilogy certainly has me wondering and anxious to find out what more will happen on Malumdon Farm.