Ten Crows for a Time of Joyous Bliss by Vernon Oickle

Ten nice, long, uneventful years have passed since the last strange occurrences that happened in the town of Liverpool, and Alex’s last major encounter with the crows. During this time, Alex has spent his time studying for his medical degree. Now he is just days from graduation, and things are once again going off-kilter. Alex has noticed an increase in patients coming into the hospital who are victims of violent episodes.

The old man cryptically warns Alex that seeing a white crow means evil is on the horizon and to expect death and violence in the coming days.

While out jogging, Alex sees a rare albino crow and then bumps into a strange old man. The old man cryptically warns Alex that seeing a white crow means evil is on the horizon and to expect death and violence in the coming days. The old man says animals and humans will lose control and turn on one another. He continues that this has happened before in the days leading up to July 10, 1972, during the last total solar eclipse to happen over Liverpool. As luck will have it, the next solar eclipse is coming on Monday, April 8th, and things will worsen as it draws near.

“So much for ten years of joyous bliss, Alex thinks. He cringes when he recalls when crows infiltrated his life, he also remembers the past ten years when the world was a quieter place, free of near-death experiences and other mysterious events.”
“He’s seen enough strange behavior in his lifetime that he understands he cannot dismiss the man’s warning.”

“Eclipses are powerful celestial events that can energetically cause upheaval and unpredictable events to occur. They can bring unexpected challenges, opportunities and shifts in nature.”

In Ten Crows for a Time of Joyous Bliss, no one is immune to its effects, from the people and animals to bats, spiders, and even ants. But the ten crows will try to protect the chosen one.

Ten Crows for a Time of Joyous Bliss is the tenth in a suspense series written by Vernon Oickle, all of which have been reviewed by The Miramichi Reader (Books 1-4, books 5-8, book 9). This installment can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, but be warned, it will leave you craving for more. And it will have you binge-reading the rest. Fans of Stephen King will particularly enjoy Ten Crows for a Time of Joyous Bliss.

The next book in this twelve-book series, Eleven Crows for Good Health, is expected to be released this year. I am looking forward to reading the final stretch of the series with mixed emotions. I want to read them, but I don’t want to say goodbye to the characters and the community Vernon Oickle has created.

Vernon Oickle was born and raised in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, where he continues to reside with his wife, Nancy, and their family.

An award-winning journalist and editor, Vernon is the author of 48 books, many of which collect and preserve the heritage and culture of Atlantic Canada. In 2012, Vernon received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, recognizing his contributions to his community, province, and country, and in 2015, he received a Distinguished Alumni Award (Community Leader) from Lethbridge College.

In 2010, he launched a series of novels that get their names from a common Maritime folklore rhyme. One crow sorrow, two crows joy; three crows a letter, four crows a boy; five crows silver, six crows gold; seven crows a secret yet to be told; eight crows for a wish; nine crows for a kiss; ten crows for a time of joyous bliss. Eleven crows for good health; twelve crows for improved wealth; thirteen crows beware, for it’s the devil himself.

In 2024, the seventh book in the series, Seven Crows for a Secret Yet to be Told, won an International Impact Book Award, taking first place in the Historical Mystery/ Thriller category.

Publisher: Moose House Publications (December 24, 2025)
Paperback: 9″ x 6″ | 276 pages
ISBN: 9781997827078

Sue Slade

Sue Slade has a Bachelor of Child Study from Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax. After working with children and adults with special needs, she now has her midlife dream job of working with books. Sue manages an independent, locally owned bookstore, Dartmouth Book Exchange. Through her charismatic sharing centred around books and community, Sue has created an engaging cornerstone for authors, customers, and book lovers of all ages. Sue is an avid reader and her reviews cross over many genres.