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Songbird in the Gallows

Murder is their love language
By Alta Hensley
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Brief Description
From the bestselling author of He Sees You When You’re Sleeping comes a dark romance about a murder-sober retired serial killer and his murder-curious protégé. Perfect for fans of Brynne Weaver, this twisted romance inspired by the Bluebeard folktale is filled with dark humour, sizzling chemistry,... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From the bestselling author of He Sees You When You’re Sleeping comes a dark romance about a murder-sober retired serial killer and his murder-curious protégé. Perfect for fans of Brynne Weaver, this twisted romance inspired by the Bluebeard folktale is filled with dark humour, sizzling chemistry, and spice.

Murder is their love language…

Five years ago, Saylor Mitchell’s father was brutally murdered in front of her, shattering her world. Now his killers have tracked her down to finish the job. She is unexpectedly saved by her father’s closest friend, the enigmatic Blue. Saylor's saviour—and captor—is a reformed, murder-sober assassin struggling to escape the clutches of his own violent history.

Blue’s gothic mansion, perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking a stormy sea in the town of Grimlock, is a labyrinth of secrets. And so is Grimlock, a small town whose residents all seem to have a penchant for murder that they’ve managed—mostly—to overcome.

Saylor soon realises that Blue holds the key to avenging her father’s murder at the hands of the Crow, a gang of amoral contract killers. Only problem is, Saylor has never killed before. Good thing those who can’t kill…teach.

Blue finds Saylor an apt pupil and the attraction between them morphs into a dangerous obsession. Can their love conquer Blue’s final, darkest secret?

Tropes:

  • Morally grey leads
  • Touch her and die
  • Dad’s best friend
  • Possessiveness
  • Gothic mansion
  • Murder mystery
  • Forbidden love
  • Age gap
  • Forced proximity
  • Anti-hero
  • Dark romance
  • Gothic romance
  • Fairytale retelling

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780063578722

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 October 2026

Country: United States

Imprint: HarperCollins

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 300g

Pages: 320

Collections

Alta Hensley Best Sellers at Book Hero Black Friday Sale Black Friday Sale: Books Black Friday Sale: Romance & Romantasy Contemporary Romance Crime & Thriller Dark Romance Fiction General Fiction In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books New Release Books New Release Fiction Romance Valentine's Day Reads

About the Author

Alta Hensley is a USA Today bestselling author of dark romance where the villain always gets the happily ever after. Twisted, clever, and occasionally unhinged, her books deliver morally gray anti-heroes, sharp-tongued heroines, and happily ever afters that taste even sweeter after a little ruin. With a signature blend of grit, wit, and heat, Alta's stories prove one thing: villains deserve love too.

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