Songbird in the Gallows
Author: Alta Hensley
Genre: Dark Romance, Gothic Romance, Retelling
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 stars)
Release Date: June 30, 2026
Synopsis
Five years after witnessing her father's murder, Saylor Mitchell has spent every day haunted by the past.
When the same people responsible come back to finish the job, she's unexpectedly rescued by Blue, her father's closest friend and a man with a dangerous history of his own.
Blue isn't just a former assassin.
He's what the book affectionately calls "murder-sober", a man trying very hard to leave his violent past behind.
Taking refuge in Blue's secluded gothic mansion overlooking the cliffs of Grimlock, Saylor soon realizes revenge may finally be within reach. The only problem?
She's never killed anyone before.
Fortunately, Blue has plenty of experience.
My Thoughts
I have to admit, the phrase "murder-sober retired serial killer" made me laugh before I even started the book.
Come on, Blue...
That's one way to describe yourself.
Inspired by the Bluebeard folktale, Songbird in the Gallows blends dark romance, revenge, murder, gothic atmosphere, and a healthy dose of chaos into a story that never takes too long to get moving.
Saylor's motivation is simple from the very beginning.
She wants revenge.
Five years after losing her father, she's finally given the opportunity to confront the people responsible for destroying her family.
Before any of that can happen, however, she crosses paths with Blue.
Or rather...
Blue saves her.
Unfortunately for both of them, there's one tiny complication.
Neither of them initially realizes exactly who the other is.
Let's just say things become... considerably more awkward once Blue discovers he's been flirting with (and getting a little closer than expected to) his late friend's daughter.
Thankfully, the book doesn't spend too much time lingering on that awkwardness before fully embracing the "dad's best friend" dynamic.
Once Saylor arrives at Blue's cliffside mansion in Grimlock, the story really finds its footing.
The gothic atmosphere worked especially well for me. The isolated mansion, the stormy coastline, and the town itself all create a setting that feels appropriately mysterious and slightly unsettling without becoming overwhelmingly dark.
One aspect I genuinely appreciated was Saylor's character development.
She may be determined to get revenge, but she's never actually killed anyone before.
Instead of instantly transforming into an unstoppable assassin after a few lessons, she struggles.
She makes mistakes.
She questions herself.
And she slowly discovers what she's capable of.
That felt far more believable than watching a heroine suddenly master every deadly skill overnight, and it made her journey much more satisfying.
Blue was also an interesting character.
He's morally gray in exactly the way you'd expect, constantly wrestling with the violent instincts he's worked so hard to leave behind. It's also clear that Saylor's father played a significant role in helping Blue become a better man, which adds another emotional layer to his internal conflict throughout the novel.
The romance itself is undeniably steamy, and if you're picking this up for the spice, it certainly delivers.
By the time the story reaches its final act, though...
Everything descends into absolute chaos.
Secrets are revealed.
Plans unravel.
Bodies start dropping.
It's messy, dramatic and occasionally a little over-the-top.
For the most part, I found it entertaining, although there were a few moments where the chaos became just a bit too much for me.
Final Thoughts
Songbird in the Gallows is an entertaining blend of gothic romance, revenge, dark humor, and murder wrapped in a loose Bluebeard-inspired story.
While it wasn't a perfect fit for me, I appreciated its atmosphere, enjoyed Saylor's realistic character growth, and found Blue's struggle to leave his violent past behind surprisingly compelling.
If you're looking for a dark romance featuring morally gray characters, gothic settings, plenty of spice, and a heroine who actually has to learn her way through revenge rather than instantly becoming an expert, this is worth adding to your TBR.
⭐️ 3.5 stars
ARC Disclaimer
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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