Small Favors

1
The smoke smelled of burning pine needles, dark and sweet. It seeped from the hive box in front of me and danced across the fields, caught on a balmy breeze. Papa pressed down on the bellows to release another cloud, training it carefully toward the tall wooden structure s entrance. His head bobbed as he silently counted the passing seconds. Finally he nodded.
Even though my hands were completely covered, they shook as I approached the hive. I d never been allowed to help remove frames before, and I wanted to make sure I did everything exactly as Papa said. With a muffled groan, I strained to hoist the heavy lid before setting it aside in the grass, careful to avoid three drowsy bees crawling across its top.
After puffing more of the smoke deep into the box, Papa stepped back, allowing me full access to the hive. Take out one of the super frames and we ll inspect it. His voice was muffled under the thick netting swagged about his face.
Though I could only see the limned highlight of his profile, he looked pleased. Proud, even. I prayed I wouldn t let him down.
Usually I was in the kitchen with Mama, Merry, and Sadie during harvests. Samuel helped Papa, bringing in the heavy, honey-­laden frames for us to process. I d hold them upright while Mama ran a wide knife down the combs, slicing off waxy caps with practiced ease. The dripping frames would go into a large metal drum, and Merry and Sadie would take turns cranking the handle until all the honey had spun free and was ready to be filtered.
I glanced toward our farmhouse now, imagining my sisters jostling for space around the hearth as bottles were boiled clean and set out to dry. They d be squabbling and begging for Mama to let them go out. It was too pretty a day to be spent over a hot fire and iron pots. A hawk screeched overhead in tacit agreement, spinning lazy circles in the late-­August sunshine.
Ellerie, Papa prompted, drawing me back. The first frame can be the trickiest. Sometimes the bees seal

Erin A. Craig

Praise for SMALL FAVORS:

A Reese s Book Club Recommended Spooky Read!

A POPSUGAR Best Book of July Pick!

"[A] gloriously dark fairy tale...Erin A. Craig has conjured a spellbinding tale of magic and horror." Shelf Awareness, starred review

If you re looking for a book to give you goosebumps as you read, you re going to want to add this one to your TBR! The Nerd Daily

"A chilling tale about what lurks in the shadows of the people you think you know." TOR

Small Favors by Erin A. Craig will give you chills no matter how hot it is outside." Popsugar

"An engrossing combination of the supernatural and human psychology." Kirkus

"Small Favors is as much about humanity as it is about horror. Perfect for readers who love mysteries and the macabre." BookPage

"Fans of Brenna Yovanoff and Erin Bowman will enjoy this lushly built, ominous rural America." PW

"Craig twists a slow-burn fairy tale around classic horror tropes that ultimately land on satisfying beats." SLJ

Praise for HOUSE OF SALT AND SORROWS:

Haunting, atmospheric, and immersive. --Bustle

Nothing short of both haunting and mesmerizing. . .a perfect step into escapism and away from real life. --Hypable

"It s a fairy tale, a young-adult romance (though gothic enough for adult readers) and a whodunit too."--The Wall Street Journal

"Chilling and atmospheric."--Laura E. Weymouth, author of The Light Between Worlds

"Evocative details and lyrical, moody prose  . . . a richly conceived story that blends mythic and Gothic storytelling."--PW

"The novel s vivid, evocative atmosphere will please fans of the gothic . . . chills aplenty."--The Bulletin

"Equal