Shade of Wings
“As the reader is taken into the world of crows, McGaffin reveals the truth about the
behavior and ecology of a familiar bird and warns of the danger to humanity when
nature’s messages are ignored.”
—John M. Marzluff, Emeritus Professor of Wildlife Science, University of Washington, and
author of In the Company of Crows and Ravens and Gifts of the Crow
behavior and ecology of a familiar bird and warns of the danger to humanity when
nature’s messages are ignored.”
author of In the Company of Crows and Ravens and Gifts of the Crow
Shade of Wings
Coming May 26, 2026
Four-year-old Duncan needs to hurry up and find a mate — at least according to his sister, Cloud. But she doesn’t know about the mistake that prevents him from leaving their family to start another.
Though he’s the eldest, Duncan doesn’t see himself as a father. Yet that’s what he must become when his parents die of a mysterious illness killing New York City crows.
He devotes himself to caring for his siblings, including three fledglings, but soon discovers he can’t protect them from the “blind death.”
Meanwhile, a zoo pathologist’s worst fears are realized. It starts with dead flamingos. Then critically ill New Yorkers start showing up in hospital emergency rooms.
Some blame the crows.
Reviews
“A profound story of loved ones sticking together in the face of tragedy and hardship.”
- Emeritus Professor of Wildlife Science, University of Washington, and author of In the Company of Crows and Ravens and Gifts of the Crow
Pam McGaffin’s fiction is deeply rooted in fact, making Shade of Wings equally engaging and instructive. As the reader is taken into the world of crows, McGaffin reveals the truth about the behavior and ecology of a familiar bird and warns of the danger to humanity when nature's messages are ignored.
- TV News Anchor and author of Brave Mrs. Sato
"An amazing and heartfelt read. McGaffin confirms what so many of us already know, that humans should learn from the smart ones around us, even if they're crows."
- author of Kat's Greek Summer and Channeling Marilyn
Pam McGaffin’s speculative novel Shade of Wings delivers a fresh and compelling story of family, survival, and redemption. The book gripped me from page one, and never let go—simply said, I had to find out what happened to these characters. Well done!
- author of When the Forest Dreams
"Utterly original! I’m in awe of Pam McGaffin’s deft storytelling—she makes a family of crows both fascinating and deeply relatable. I love a book that leaves me seeing the world with fresh eyes, and Pam accomplishes that in spades.”
