The Creek, The Crone, and the Crow

by Leah Weiss

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

Welcome to Baines Creek, a town hidden deep in Appalachia, where one of the last one-room schoolhouses in America is on the brink of closing. It's summer 1980, and Kate Shaw has lived in Baines Creek for ten years. A skeptic by heart, she rejects superstition and the belief in Appalachian folklore, much to the chagrin of local legend Birdie Rocas, a lively and reclusive witch with a trove of secrets. Yet when Birdie dies and leaves Kate her collection of handmade books and a trunk of illuminated manuscripts and journals, Kate is thrown into world of things she doesn't understand. Enter Lydia Brown, a psychic with a curious birthmark whose visions stopped the day her parents died. Grief-stricken, without her gift, and in need of spiritual guidance, she travels to Appalachia 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.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Magical Realism, Audiobook, Southern, Witches, Adult Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2026

About the author

Come visit me at LeahWeiss.com where you can subscribe to my CREEKRISE author news. You'll also find a longer version of my official bio:

Leah Weiss is a bestselling author born in eastern North Carolina and raised in the foothills of Virginia. She retired in 2015 from a 24-year career as an Executive Assistant at Virginia Episcopal School and published her debut novel, IF THE CREEK DON’T RISE in August, 2017; it has sold over 100,000 copies. ALL THE LITTLE HOPES will be released in July 2021. It is a southern story of friendship forged by books and bees, when the timeless troubles of growing up meet the murky shadows of WWII. Leah writes full time, enjoys meeting with book clubs, and speaking about writing and publishing later in life, after retirement.

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atmospheric, gripping, mesmerizing and hard to put down! Leah Weiss delivered once again with The Creek, The Crone, and the Crow! I loved the setting, the characters, the folklore, and emphasis on the strength of women. I enjoyed how this book had some mystery, some empowerment, some belief, some disbelief, and some secrets. I was drawn in by Leah Weiss's wonderful writing, the setting, and the use of local folklore.

Baines Creek, Appalachia

It's the 1980's and the last one room classroom in America is going to close. Birdie Rocas is a reclusive witch and holder of local folklore and secrets. Kate Shaw is the teacher at the school that is closing, and Lydia Brown is a psychic who lost her power but has an unusual birthmark. All three of these women play a part in this richly detailed book. I enjoyed the emphasis on the women, their strengths, and how each was the keeper of knowledge and secrets. Each had her own strength and the author showed how women often carry the past, the path to healing, and the stories of where they come from.

Wonderfully written, captivating, thought provoking, and atmospheric.

*A Witches Words buddy read with Carolyn. Please read her review as well to get her thoughts on The Creek, The Crone, and the Crow.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

[Angela M · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the Creek Don't Rise was one of my favorites books of 2017. I was excited to have the opportunity to return to Baines Creek, NC and meet again some of characters I fell for in this new novel. Ten years has passed and changes are coming to this remote town in Appalachia, a place where folklore, healing, seeing and witchery permeate the culture. The one room school house is being closed; a beloved community member dies ; a young girl goes missing. The narrative alternates between Kate Shaw, the teacher who has brought literacy, friendship and caring to Baines Creek and a new character Lydia Brown, who has lost her gift of seeing and goes to Baines Creek seeking the counsel of Birdie, the reclusive town healer, capable of magic.

You definitely need the capability of suspending your disbelief and while I could do that with this story of healers, folklore, witchery and ghosts to a point, the quest to discover Birdie’s powers and secrets of the past went just way too far in the past. It felt convoluted and the details of it all lost me . Having said that, I wanted to know what would happen to Kate. I loved knowing more about Sadie Blue’s life after the traumas of her young life in the first book, and it was enlightening once again to learn about the remote community life in Appalachia. 3.5 rounded up because I loved revisiting Baines Creek.

I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author’s, “ If the Creek Don’t Rise” was a five star read for me set in 1970’s and a couple of the characters have continued on in this novel.

Back to Appalachia… North Carolina..1980, the one room school house in the town of Baines Creek is set to close and the teacher Kate, is left without a job.. she’s been in the town for ten years.
She had befriended Birdie who is an older woman .. a recluse, and healer with all the folklore knowledge who can predict things before they happen.
Lydia enters the picture,she comes from not too far away…she has heard about Birdie and her powerful ways.. Lydia is a psychic who was born with a birthmark on the palm of her hand which tells she is a “Keeper” and she is looking for answers from Birdie.

Interesting characters and the story of a sisterhood as the women find out answers to the mysterious life of old Birdie and the town.
3.5 rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS for the gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review!

[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

News to me!😅
I didn't realize this read was tied into this author's previous book. It’s not listed as a series, but I‘ve noted other reviewers mentioning the overlap of a few of the characters. Did I miss some of the backstory and character development? Perhaps, but I do think this book can definitely stand on its own.

We’re deep in the Appalachians where one of the few remaining one-room schoolhouses is about to be closed. This sets the stage of our story.
Kate, a primary school teacher, attempts to prepare the children for a starkly different world awaiting them at the bottom of the mountain.

Lydia, a former psychic, is traveling to the mountain community to meet and interview Birdie, the town’s heeler, (considered by many to be a witch.) Her goal is to receive some guidance from their meeting. But will she have the opportunity?

This was such a highly captivating and atmospheric read. The author does an incredible job of placing the reader right there in the Appalachian’s.
If you enjoy books deeply laced with folklore and sisterhood then this will be a perfect read for you!


✍️ Leah Weiss
📄 304 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: March 24 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Literary fiction, witchcraft

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark

[☮Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since giving 5 stars to The Creek Also Rises after its debut, I've read both of Weiss' subsequent novels, and was a bit let down in both cases. Mind you, the debut was a hard act to follow with so many memorable passages and characters. This has again fallen short and it was a struggle to remain focused throughout its many changes of points of view, not to mention the witchcraft and ghostly elements.

It's obvious the author is a proponent for women's rights, so worth the read just for that.

I was gifted an ebook from Sourcebook Publishing. I listened to the audiobook.

[Kristine]

Thank You, Donna for mentioning this one. I really love this Author. Do I need another Book is always the question. I had agreed, no more, since have 50 ARC’s, but…..this one well I want it.

Probably, will put in for.

🩷 🩷 🩷 📚 📚 📚

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE CREEK, THE CRONE, AND THE CROW
By Leah Weiss
Narrated by Kate Forbes

A quiet, atmospheric story rooted in folklore and the strength of women.

3.5 stars rounded down.
Set in 1980s Appalachia, in the close-knit community of Baines Creek, this novel follows Kate and Lydia—two women at turning points in their lives. Kate inherits a collection of journals from Birdie, the town’s reclusive healer, filled with folk remedies, personal stories, and the history of the community, throwing Kate into a world she doesn’t understand. Lydia, meanwhile, is searching for answers about her past. As their lives begin to intersect, both women are pushed to confront old wounds and consider new paths forward.

I was especially drawn to the setting and the threads of folklore, as well as the strong focus on women’s resilience. The atmosphere is slightly eerie and immersive, though the pacing is slow and leans more toward character and mood than plot. At times, I just wanted it to move a little faster—it took a while to get to the heart of the story.

I do think I might have connected more deeply had I read Leah Weiss’s earlier books, since some characters—including Birdie—appear in them. While this can be read on its own, I wish I had read the earlier books first.

This was my first book by the author, and I plan to go back and read her earlier work.

I combined both the eARC and ALC for a more immersive experience. The narration was good overall, but I found myself wishing for stronger voice differentiation between characters. At times, it was a bit confusing to tell who was speaking.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and RBmedia for the opportunity to read and listen.

[Pennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is an absolute treasure to read—one that lingers with you long after you’ve turned the final page. It carries a kind of weight, but not in a burdensome sense. Instead, it’s the powerful, resonant weight of generations of women whose stories, struggles, and strengths echo through time. The narrative beautifully captures how women so often carry the legacies of those who came before us, weaving them into their own lives in ways both seen and unseen.

What makes this book truly special is the way it grounds that theme in the richness of Appalachian history and lore. The setting is more than just a backdrop; it breathes life into the story, giving it texture and authenticity. Folklore, traditions, and the deep ties to the land all create a world that feels both rooted in the past and urgent in the present.

At the heart of it all are three women whose lives intertwine in ways I didn’t expect. Each carries her own story, her own pain, her own strength, yet together their journeys form something far greater. The intersections of their lives are moving, surprising, and deeply human.

This is the kind of book that reminds you of the resilience of women, the importance of remembering where we come from, and the bonds that tie us across time and experience. It is layered, lyrical, and powerful—an unforgettable read that I wholeheartedly recommend.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. This did not reflect my review.

[S. Bacchante · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Sadly, dnf at 50%

This book was haunting and atmospheric and I was so immersed and so hooked until I wasn't. I even got spoked and had to tuck myself underneath a blanket.

BUT, whilst the vibe is edible, halfway through there's... Not much of a plot and I'm growing bored of just inhaling the world. And i found myself starting to skim pages, so I knew my time to part with this book has come.

[Sonja Arlow · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really loved If the Creek Don't Rise. I think it was my first book set in Appalachia, and I was charmed by the characters, the settings and the story.

While this book has a lot of the same characters it felt as if the charm was lifted. Its like looking back at an old boyfriend you were besotted with and in hindsight you scratch your head thinking, what did I see in him?

Would I have loved the first book as much now as I did then?

This story is set 10 years after the first book and big changes are coming to this remote town.
The one room schoolhouse is being closed, a beloved community member dies and a young girl goes missing.

This is a place where folklore and witchery permeate the culture and outsiders are shunned but it seems that its only the outsiders that care about the outcome of all these changes.

It was a fast and easy read but not a book I would actively recommend

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

This is a delightful read. It is heavy in a wonderful way—women carry the weight of the women who come before us and this story beautifully illustrates that. Rich in Appalachian history and lore, the lives of three women intersect in surprising ways.

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Goodreads Giveaways for sending this Advance Reader’s Copy.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Creek, The Crone and the Crow is a beautifully written book set in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina in 1980 and includes some characters from the author’s previous two novels. Told in alternating first person POV, we learn the story of Kate, an outsider in the community where she has taught for the past 10 years, who is losing her job as the school is being forced to close. Lydia is a librarian and researcher who recently lost her husband. Growing up, she had the gift of communicating with spirits but has been unable to do so for many years.

The writing and story is captivating and wonderfully descriptive, setting the various scenes and painting detailed pictures of the characters. I especially enjoyed the character of Gus, Lydia’s niece, who enters the novel about halfway through and has wisdom beyond her age of 13 years. Readers who enjoy historical fiction mixed with a bit of magic will certainly enjoy this novel.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

[Judy Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE CREEK, THE CRONE, AND THE CROW by Leah Weiss is a standalone novel that returns to the Appalachian setting of her debut, If the Creek Don't Rise. Set in the summer of 1980 in the small, remote community of Baines Creek, NC.

The magical novel is deeply rooted in Appalachian folklore and the natural world, often blurring the line between the literal and the metaphorical.

Highlights...

The town’s one-room schoolhouse is scheduled to close at the end of the summer. The teacher, Kate Shaw, who has taught there for ten years, prepares to leave the mountain as the community faces the loss of its traditions to the modern world.

Birdie Rocas, a reclusive local legend often called a witch or a healer, passes away. Though Kate is a skeptic who previously rejected Birdie’s folklore, she is unexpectedly named the heir to Birdie’s legacy.

Kate inherits Birdie's Books of Truth, a collection of handmade journals, illuminated manuscripts, and centuries-old secrets that trace back to Scotland.

Lydia Brown, a grieving librarian and psychic who lost her "visions" after her parents died, travels to Baines Creek seeking Birdie’s spiritual guidance. She bears a mysterious birthmark that connects her to Birdie’s secrets.

Kate and Lydia join forces to decode the riddles left in Birdie’s books. Their search takes them through secret rooms, underground tunnels, and backcountry graveyards as they unearth a long-buried past.

The two women discover a secret sisterhood of empowerment that helps them confront their own losses and familial wounds, ultimately finding a way to heal. 

My thoughts...

THE CREEK, THE CRONE, AND THE CROW is a "quiet, yet powerful" and mysterious tale that explores the collision of modern progress and ancient mountain tradition in 1980s Appalachia.

Set in the summer of 1980 in Baines, Creek, NC, deep in the mountains, a place that feels physically and spiritually separated from the modern world.

Leah Weiss employs Southern Gothic and supernatural elements to explore the tension between mountain tradition and the encroaching modern world.

A central theme is the "secret sisterhood of empowerment" and the "strength of women".

The narrative alternates between two primary narrators who are brought together by the death of the town's local "witch".

~Kate Shaw (The Teacher/Skeptic):
~Lydia Brown (The Librarian/Seeker)
~Birdie Rocas (The Crone)
~Gus: Lydia's niece who travels with her to Baines Creek.

Core Themes...
~Female Empowerment
~The Power of Memory
~Generational trauma
~Familial wounds
~Preservation vs. Progress

With a haunting allure and an air of mystery that envelops every page, the absorbing prose draws readers into a world steeped in Southern Gothic vibes. The evocative language paints a vivid picture of a landscape filled with dark, hidden secrets—where forgotten rooms hold whispers of the past, and subterranean tunnels weave through the earth like veins, concealing untold stories.

The dense forests loom ominously, shrouded in mist, while the townspeople navigate their lives with an unsettling blend of tradition and superstition. This narrative invites a deep exploration of Appalachian folklore, intertwining magical realism with the region's rich cultural tapestry, revealing the enchanting and sometimes sinister connections between the ordinary and the extraordinary. Each turn of phrase is imbued with a sense of wonder, drawing the reader further into a labyrinth of intrigue and enchantment.

Recs...

For fans of the author and those who enjoyed previous books by the author, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele, Secrets of Southern Girls by Haley Harriga, The Flower Sisters, and The Moonshine Women by Michelle Collins Anderson.

Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Mar 23, 2026
March Newsletter

[ladybreww]

I enjoyed the first part of this book the most - the setting was phenomenal and the setup was great. I started to lose steam about halfway through because I did not feel a connection to the characters. The most interesting character was killed off really early and the story lost most of its magic. I wonder if reading the other book first would have helped but this was not marketed as the second in a series so I cannot comment on how much the characters or story interconnected. It's a historical fiction with a very light touch of magical realism and mystery. Made it to 50%

[Irene Well Worth A Read]

I loved If The Creek Don't Rise, so I was excited to receive a NetGalley widget invite to read this book. I tried really hard to get into it, but I just can't. I do love the setting, and the teacher Kate and Birdie but there is too much back and forth and flipping around The Lydia chapters bored me. I am giving up.

[Melissa Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Brianna Voyles · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to badly to like this book. I’d read “If the Creek Don’t Rise” and thought it was phenomenal. This book lacked the connection I was looking for. The only character I liked was Gus. The rest of the felt a little cold. I struggled to finish this.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a book with witches or psychics, and this book has BOTH! Add in a tiny village in Appalachia and you have the makings of an atmospheric novel to read and escape from daily life. The Creek, The Crone, and the Crow is not a sequel, but it does tie into two novels previously written by Leah Weiss. I have not read these books and I had no problem following along with the characters and settings.

For the last 10 years, Kate Shaw has been a teacher in the one-room school house in Baines Creek. Sadly, we learn this school house will soon be no more and Kate is out of a job. On the night this news is revealed to the students and their parents, we are briefly introduced to Birdie, who is a witch, and also to Lydia Brown, whose psychic abilities have been dormant for many years. After Birdie's death, Kate and Lydia work together to discover the secrets and stories left in Birdie's collection of books and belongings, which Birdie left directly to Kate. I really liked the setting and the people of this book, however the story line lost me a little around the middle of the book and I started to lose interest. I'm glad I kept with it as Leah Weiss brings the story and characters around full circle in delightful journeys of personal growth.

The book is told in the present by both Kate and Lydia in alternating chapters.

Surprisingly, I was affected very emotionally by the Crow at the end of the book. I found this scene to be profoundly beautiful.

Lydia's niece, Gus, is pure joy and an excellent addition to the crew inspecting Birdie's books.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Kate Forbes. Kate's voice is perfect for Kate and Lydia, and she was able to bring to life their beliefs, awe, questions and concerns about what they learned after Birdie passed away.

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia/Recorded Books for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book by this author. She has captured each beautifully. The lives in both other books, If The Creek Don't Rise and All The Little Hopes, are in this book. In character or in thoughts. I loved it, though If The Creek Don't Rise will probably always be my favorite. Sadie was such a character to love.

Baines Creek, deep in the Appalachian mountains, is where this story mostly takes part. With Kate Shaw the school teacher for the past ten years. Bridie Rocas the town healer/witch. Bridie still has many secrets. Then you meet Lydia Brown. A psychic who traveled to Baines Creek to see Bridie. Hoping to find answers.

Kate and Lydia become friends. Kate moves away from the Baines Creek area after the closing of the school house. It's a one room school and of course with modernization they children have to travel to a new county school.

In this book you get to know a little about Sadie's mother. About Sadie's child gone missing. Who has her and whether she will be returned. A few unanswered questions are revealed. And some tunnels under two graveyards.

This book has a lot and I was very confused with a lot of it. I enjoyed it very much though. The ending chapters showed me a lot but I'm still scratching my head. I'll have to think about rereading this one for more clarity. But still it's very good.

I hope this author writes more about this area and what happens with the people here.

Do not miss any of this. The Reading Group Guide is great and the Conversation with the Author was magnificent. Read those for sure.

Thank you NetGalley and SourceBooks Landmark for this ARC.

4.5 stars

[SueK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the digital ARC. Opinions are my own.

As I got a little past the 90% mark, my eyes started to tear, and by the time I finished the book, big, fat tears were spilling over. When I read “If the Creek Don’t Rise,” a few years ago I fell in love with Birdie, Sadie Blue, and Kate. My review then stated I hoped to meet these people again in another book - and here they are. I’m still not quite ready to let them go.

While the book does contain several mysteries, what it really addressed for me are the other mysteries - the life mysteries of women’s knowing. This story is also filled with the special way of life of deep Appalachia, which is fascinating to me. Leah Weiss ties it all together with characters full of heart, and a highly readable and compelling story. What a voice.

It gives me great pleasure to learn that the author didn’t start to write till she was in her 70s. Maybe that’s her part of the knowing.

[Andi (A Literal Hottie) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leah Weiss is someone I’ll automatically pick up, especially since If The Creek Don't Rise was a 5 star read for me. I really enjoyed the 1980s Appalachian setting and the deep roots in the history of Appalachian medicine women and witches.

That said, I think I went in expecting a little more drama, mystery, or intensity like I felt in If the Creek Don’t Rise. This one leaned much more into the historical and cultural storytelling side of things, and less into the witchcraft/healing elements I was hoping would play a bigger role.

Overall, I liked it, but I kept waiting for something bigger or more exciting to happen. Still worth the read for the atmosphere and setting, just not my favorite from her.

[Tay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4.5 or 4.75.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the mix of history, mystery, and Appalachian folklore, especially because some of the folklore tied into things I’ve actually seen or heard living in the southeastern US. Those little familiar details made the story feel extra intriguing.
I also loved the witchy vibes throughout the book and the presence of the crow companion Samuel— it added to the atmosphere.

Most of all, the women in this book were incredible. Strong, brave, brilliant, and bold! love.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Not only was it Appalachian gothic, it also had a bunch of strong women who knew how to take care of themselves and each other. What made me like this book even more was when Sadie Blue and Roy Tupkin were mentioned. I knew them from "If the Creek Don't Rise".
If you enjoy books set in smalltown Appalachia, then I belive you'll like this book.
The audio version was very well made and the narrator did a great job with the book.
Thank you to netGalley and the publisher for the ALC.

[Kate | Date With A Thriller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this one blind and ended up really enjoying it! 🙌

I honestly loved the strong female characters and the witchy vibes! I did not realize that while this book is a standalone, the characters can also be found in the author’s previous two books! So I definitely plan to pick both of those up after enjoying this one! 👏

Thank you partner Sourcebooks Landmark for the gifted advance reader copy and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leah Weiss’s best book yet! It was captivating, educational and soulful. A colorful cast of characters (including unique animals), folklore and history combined weave a marvelous story.
I want to be a crone when I grow up!

[Samantha Bilan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC in a Goodreads giveaway. I didn’t read the first 2 in this series but still able to follow along. The story was a little slow to start but enjoyed the rich folklore and adventure that the women were destined to go on together. I think the history of the Appalachian legends was the best part.

[Olesya Gilmore]

Read for review in Washington Independent Review of Books.

[Steph Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh now I understand the term “atmospheric read” it was so easy to immerse myself in this story.
I would recommend reading the author’s first two books before this one. While this isn’t considered a series there are very good backstories tied into the characters of this book.

[Tini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A haunting Appalachian mystery steeped in folklore, though not without its detours.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Set in the Carolina hills in 1980, The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow follows Kate Shaw, a schoolteacher who has spent the past decade in the small, fading town of Baines Creek. A natural skeptic, Kate has little patience for the region's folklore - until the death of the enigmatic Birdie Rocas leaves her with an unexpected inheritance: a mysterious Book of Truths, a trunk filled with centuries-old manuscripts, and a legacy steeped in myth and unanswered questions.

At the same time, Lydia Brown - a grieving woman who once possessed psychic abilities - arrives in Appalachia searching for answers of her own. As their paths converge, the two women find themselves drawn into a layered mystery involving hidden histories, local legends, and the lingering presence of something just beyond explanation.

Although this is the third book connected to Leah Weiss's earlier novels, If the Creek Don't Rise and All the Little Hopes , it can easily be read as a standalone. I came to this series for the first time here and had no trouble following the story.

Weiss's writing is undeniably evocative. The Appalachian setting is rendered with a rich, almost lyrical quality, bringing the landscape and its history vividly to life. The folklore elements, in particular, are a standout, adding a haunting, mystical layer that gives the novel much of its atmosphere and appeal. There's a deep sense of place running through the story, and at its best, the book feels immersive and quietly spellbinding.

The novel's themes - community, resilience, storytelling, and the tension between tradition and progress - are thoughtfully woven throughout. There's also a strong emphasis on female relationships and the passing down of knowledge, which adds a compelling emotional undercurrent to the unfolding mystery.

That said, the pacing leans heavily toward the slower end of the spectrum. While the gradual build works in favor of the atmosphere, it does occasionally come at the expense of narrative momentum.

The central mystery - particularly the supernatural elements surrounding Birdie and her legacy - is intriguing in concept but ultimately feels a bit underdeveloped given how much time is spent building it up. At times, the story feels as though it's moving in several directions at once, with certain plot threads and characters not receiving quite the level of development they seem to promise early on. Similarly, while the cast of characters is broad and varied, not all of them are given enough depth to fully resonate, making it harder to stay consistently invested, though admittedly, that may be due to the fact that I have not read the earlier books featuring most of these same characters.

The audiobook, narrated by Kate Forbes, is a lovely companion to the text. Forbes captures the tone of the novel beautifully, bringing warmth and nuance to the characters while maintaining the story's quiet, atmospheric quality. I was fortunate enough to receive copies of both the digital book and the audiobook from their respective publishers and can recommend both formats.

In the end, The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow is a richly atmospheric novel with a strong sense of place and a deep appreciation for Appalachian folklore. While the story occasionally loses focus and the pacing may not work for every reader, there’s still much to admire here - particularly for those who enjoy slower, character-driven mysteries with a touch of the supernatural.

Many thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark and RBmedia | Recorded Books for providing me with ARCs of the book and the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

"The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow" is slated to be released on March 24, 2026.

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog


⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Creek, The Crone, and the Crow
Leah Weiss
Publication Date: March 24th, 2026
Sourcebooks Landmark
304 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction

This story takes place in the summer of 1980 in Baines Creek, a struggling community in the Appalachian Mountains, where the town's one-room schoolhouse is about to close. Kate is the teacher there; she doesn’t believe in the traditions, superstitions, folklore, and customs of the area. Birdie Rocas is a reclusive, mysterious woman thought of as a witch, and she is the keeper of the town’s secrets and local legends. Lydia Brown is a woman who was once a psychic but lost her ability after her parents died. She travels to Baines Creek looking for spiritual answers.

The story starts when Birdie Rocas passes away. She leaves Kate a trunk full of journals, handmade books, and manuscripts that contain centuries-old secrets. These items confuse Kate, as she has to deal with a mystical world she isn't prepared for. Lydia arrives in town looking for the guidance that Birdie used to give. Kate and Lydia eventually join forces to solve the riddles left behind by Birdie, uncovering a long-buried past that stretches across oceans and generations. Ultimately, it is a journey of self-discovery, sisterhood, and healing for both of them as they face their pasts and try to find a way forward.

Leah Weiss writes very atmospheric stories. I could smell the damp earth of the creek and feel the humidity of the woods. She captures the feel of the location without making it too wordy or overblown. I love Southern fiction, especially if it is historical, and this one has a lot of folklore in it where characters mix nature with the supernatural. If I had to pick one word to describe this book, it would be "haunting," because it deals with the Southern Gothic tradition in Appalachia.

The protagonist’s life is one of resilience, and the author made it clear that she is hardened by her environment but still possesses a small flicker of vulnerability and humanity. The only reason this isn’t a full five-star read is the pacing. The middle section has a lot of internal monologue, and there was a lot of buildup, which slowed the momentum. While the result is beautiful, I found the slow burn a bit too contemplative at times. Overall, though, I found this the perfect read for fans of magical realism and Southern Gothic fiction. It’s a story about what we tell ourselves we need to survive, and I will be thinking about it for a long time. I love an atmospheric book; the author has a great eye for detail when it comes to the setting and the tone of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.