Other Birds

When Zoey comes to claim her deceased mother’s apartment on a tiny South Carolina island, she meets her quirky and secretive neighbors — including a girl on the run, two estranged middle-aged sisters, a lonely chef, a legendary writer, and three ghosts. Each with their own story. Each with their own longings. Each whose ending isn’t yet written.

New York Times Bestseller
Barnes & Noble National Book Club Pick
BOTM Pick
Indie Next Pick
LibraryReads Pick
SheReads Best Book Club Picks for Fall
Good Housekeeping Best Fall Books You Have to Read This Season
Reader's Digest Editor's Pick

Fans of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” and Netflix’s “Dead to Me” will warm to this quirky tale of a woman who moves into her late mother’s South Carolina Low Country condo in search of clues about their relationship — and instead finds clues about how the other residents of The Dellawisp (named for magical birds who live alongside the people) might be involved in the demise of a notorious hoarder named Lizbeth Lime.
– L.A. Times on OTHER BIRDS

Allen breathes life into her characters, those living and those in between, and fashions a narrative that imparts a powerful belief in everlasting memory.
— Kirkus Reviews

Allen skillfully weaves the various threads, as vignettes narrated by ghosts of former building residents provide further context as the plot unfurls…This will move readers.
— Publisher’s Weekly

Languid and peaceful, gentle and comforting, Allen’s newest showcases her talent for tender stories of near magic.
— Library Journal

The biggest challenge for the reader is to try to not turn the pages so quickly in order to extend the fun.
— Booklist, starred review

Dark and sweet, brutal and wise. One of my favorite books of the year.
- Barbara O’Neal, author of Write My Name Across the Sky

It’s a story of community, forgiveness, and the myriad ways the past haunts the present. Absolutely luscious.
- Fiona Davis, author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue

A master of her craft, Sarah Addison Allen draws you in with her whimsy and poetic language, only to lay bare the deep emotional truths of being human.
— Colleen Oakley, author of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island

With a dash of her signature magic, Allen dishes up a touching story that hits the sweet spot between heartache and healing.
— Glendy Vanderah, author of Where the Forest Meets the Stars

Magical and beautiful…with a wonderful cast of eclectic characters.
— Clare Pooly, author of The Authenticity Project

Everyone’s looking for the new Dorthea Benton Frank…and who knew Sarah Addison Allen might be it. This plot was so wholly original and firing on all cylinders. It feels like the quintessential NEW type of beach read for the 2020s.
— Kimberly Daniels Taws, The Country Bookshop