The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow - by Leah Weiss (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"An impressive blend of history, folklore, and imagination." -Ron Rash, New York Times bestselling author

An outsider to the Carolina hills inherits a gift that could change everything for her village on the verge of dying, from the author NPR said "writes with a deep knowledge of the enduring myths of Appalachia...vividly portraying real people and sorrows."

Welcome to Baines Creek, a humble hamlet hidden deep in Appalachia, where the last one-room schoolhouse in North Carolina is on the brink of closing. It's summer 1980, and teacher Kate Shaw has lived in Baines Creek for ten years. A skeptic at heart, she rejects mountain superstition and Appalachian folklore, much to the disappointment of Birdie Rocas, a powerful and reclusive witch with a trove of secrets. Yet, as Kate prepares to leave, a sudden death, a shocking request, and a legacy that spans centuries throw her into a world that overwhelms her.

Enter Lydia Brown, a psychic with a curious birthmark whose visions stopped when she needed them most. Grief-stricken without her gift, and desperate for spiritual guidance, she travels to Baines Creek in search of Birdie and the answers she might provide. The third novel by acclaimed author Leah Weiss, The Creek, The Crone, and the Crow is the tale of a powerful crone, two women cut from the cloth of loss, and a secret sisterhood of empowerment that may be the key to healing them all.

Review Quotes

"I was captivated from the first page of this beautifully crafted story. With rich prose, an evocative setting, and intriguing characters, Leah Weiss had me completely engaged in a world where the people are mysterious and the land holds its secrets close." -- Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author of The Last House on the Street

"Leah Weiss has masterfully captured the magic of Appalachia and the soul of her people. Through strength and sisterhood, the healing power of mountain folklore is revealed--and maybe, just maybe some secrets are meant to stay buried." -- Rose Martin, Host, Write Around The Corner, Blue Ridge PBS.

"Leah Weiss's third novel, The Creek, the Crone and the Crow begins with an ending, the loss of a way of life which forces change. With this change is the start of an enchanting, mystical journey, where deeply held secrets lead to intrigue and self-discovery. Weiss leans into the folklore of the beloved Appalachian region, allowing those secrets to unfurl like the petals of a blooming flower. Reading The Creek, the Crone and the Crow is an immersive exploration of a distinctive setting and the alluring people who inhabit it. A divine and captivating story, it's one I hope readers will enjoy as much as I did." -- Donna Everhart, USA Today bestselling author of When the Jessamine Grows

"Thanks to Leah Weiss for writing the women of Appalachia back into history. Filled with folklore, folk remedies, and mountain wisdom, The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow is a beautiful tribute to a fading piece of unique Americana. This is a novel for book clubs to savor." -- Pamela Klinger-Horn, Valley Bookseller

"The Creek, The Crone, and the Crow is an impressive blend of history, folklore, and imagination. Kate Shaw and Lydia Brown are memorable characters who are courageous and persevering in their fight against injustice." -- Ron Rash, New York Times bestselling author