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, Adult Fiction, Witchcraft, Adult, Literary Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

Expected publication 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 - can't post any comments on site today grrr · 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 📖

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

🩷 🩷 🩷 📚 📚 📚

[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.

[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.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a captivating tale of strong women tasked with keeping the knowledge passed down by past generations of women. Birdie Rocas is the ancient crone of the title, a wise woman skilled in medicines and healing, the last of a long line of ‘Keepers’ of the lore. The tale is alternatively narrated by Kate, a teacher, sceptical and pragmatic and Lydia, a librarian with an interest in folklore and witchcraft. When they meet, they are both grieving, Lydia for her husband who died suddenly and Kate for the closure of the one room schoolhouse where she has been teaching.

Lydia and Kate first meet when Kate takes Lydia to talk to Birdie about an article she is writing for a folklore magazine. Although Birdie refuses to talk to her, their brief meeting will have important repercussions for both Kate and Lydia and shape the direction of their future lives.

I loved the setting of the tiny town of Baines Creek in Appalachia, where the old beliefs and superstitions still abound, even in 1980. The setting of the hills and rugged landscape not only makes the tale atmospheric but also provides a background steeped in folklore and ancient knowledge.

Having not read If the Creek Don't Rise, I hadn't previously met Birdie or Kate and initially found I had to concentrate to differentiate Kate and Lydia’s narratives. However, their individual voices soon came through, particularly by the second half of the novel. They are both strong and resilient women with their individual attributes making for a good partnership. The mysteries they uncover together are deep and profound and the legacy left by Birdie and those who came before her deeply moving.

With thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy to read via Netgalley
This was an enjoyable buddy read with Debra from Witches Words

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley for the Advanced Reader Copy of The Creek, the Crone and The Crow by Leah Weiss. I love historical novels that are set in Appalachia, and this is my third novel by this author. In this novel we revisit some of the characters in If the Creek Don’t Rise and I wish I had reread it as it would have added depth to the story. This novel is a mix of mystery and folklore, with plenty of heart thrown in. One of the best things about Weiss’s writing is her characters. The Crone (Birdie) is especially memorable—she’s tough, wise, and not afraid to speak her mind. The author does a great job with the setting, making you feel like you’re right there in the woods and mountains. Each chapter flips between two main characters and I found that this to be a bit confusing at times as I often resumed reading after leaving the book in mid-chapter. I would have to reference back to which character was telling the story. While this technique gives us insight into the unique perspectives of Lydia and Kate, I found the frequent shifts to be disorienting. However, I did enjoy how the relationship between these two women evolved. Overall, this was a really enjoyable read but my favorite Leah Weiss novel is still All the Little Hopes.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate teaches at a one-room school somewhere in Appalachia. Her school is about to be shut down and students will be bussed from the remote settlement to a town school. Kate knows many of these students will simply vanish when it comes time to go to school. Kate's neighbor, Birdie, is the crone in this story, the keeper of ancient knowledge, the healer. She keeps notebook after notebook, writing in them all sorts of local lore, healing remedies, as well as some of the activities of her neighbors. Lydia, a librarian and writer of folklore, comes to the community to try to interview Birdie and learn firsthand about the community. Birdie shuts her out.

Following a tragedy, Kate finds herself the owner of stacks and stacks of Birdie's notebooks. What to do with them? What to make of the information found in those notebooks? Kate and Lydia find themselves working together to solve, and to save, the folklore and the ancient knowledge. They also work to solve what turns out to be an even greater puzzle.

Kate and Lydia are both grieving, but for different reasons; they are able to turn their grief into strength and resilience as they draw Birdie's knowledge into themselves.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark, in exchange for a review.

[Brea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy of The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow by Leah Weiss.

Weiss’s writing is the standout here—lush, atmospheric, and rooted deeply in Appalachian folklore. She brings Baines Creek to life with vivid detail, weaving mystery, superstition, and women’s wisdom into a story that feels like an oral tale passed down through generations. Birdie Rocas is especially unforgettable, and the interplay between her legacy, the closing schoolhouse, and the town’s hidden lore is beautifully handled.

The shifting perspectives between Kate and Lydia occasionally felt disorienting, but they offer a rich, layered view into the women at the heart of the story. The pacing is steady, immersive, and filled with emotional depth, making the unraveling of secrets feel both intimate and haunting.

A compelling, atmospheric read with gorgeous writing and characters full of grit and heart.
All opinions are my own.

[Laura Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow is another beautifully crafted Appalachian tale from Leah Weiss, blending folklore, history, and deeply human storytelling. The novel follows Kate, a devoted schoolteacher in a disappearing one-room schoolhouse, and Lydia, a grieving archivist who feels inexplicably connected to an elderly woman named Birdie. As their lives intertwine, they uncover long-hidden stories, generational secrets, and the power of women who preserve memory when the world tries to forget it.

Weiss excels at atmosphere: the mountains feel alive, the folklore adds rich texture, and the themes of grief, healing, and cultural preservation resonate long after the closing pages. Fans of character-driven fiction with touches of mystery and Appalachian magic will absolutely love this one. A quiet, haunting, and ultimately hopeful novel.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this early.

[Holly Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot get enough of novels about the women of Appalachia. They are set apart for their raw strength, wisdom and beauty. Weiss's new novel focuses on the aspect of the bonds shared by women and secrets they harbor to survive in a world not always designed for them. Loved the aspect of creating a sequel of sorts for characters in If The Creek Don't Rise. (Weiss excellent debut) There were just a few loose ends that didnt come together that well in the end, and at times I felt the author's views/bias speaking through the characters. I still highly recommend, especially for fans of Appalachian fiction or Weiss's writing. #thecreekthecroneandthecrow #leahweiss #netgalley #goodreads

[Reading Xennial · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had some interesting aspects of folklore and Appalachia. It was a bit of a slow burn, and I did lose interest at times. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I would be interested in checking out some previous works. The writing was well done and the characters felt well developed. There were a few throughlines that could’ve become confusing, but it was done in a way that it was easy to follow along. I would recommend it if you’re interested in folklore and Appalachia.

Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

[Jen Juenke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the setting of Appalachia. I even liked some of the characters.
However the plot was much too thin.
I kept reading about this big mystery and I kept thinking what was the mystery? Was it the runaway child? The witch? How the keepers with the hand symbols?

I wasn't sure if this was one book or 3 books smoshed all together.

The characters were flat and not flushed out. I wished that the author had focused upon one thing, like the school closing instead of 15 other things that this book tried doing.

It was an easy read, but one that was without depth.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

[Mary Fabrizio · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has elements of greatness but I got lost in the details. Too many ancillary characters that didn't come alive for me. I read If the Creek Don't Rise and couldn't recall it enough to make the connections to this book as a sequel of sorts. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Peta Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Allison Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another stellar book by Leah Weiss.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for ecopy for my Kindle.
Appalachian folklore at its best!

[Shawna Briseno · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a mystical, magical tale set deep in Appalachia. A small one room school house on the verge of closing down, a legendary witch, and a psychic outsider with mysterious connections to local lore all come together in this beautiful story. Kate isn’t sure what she’s going to do when she receives notice that the schoolhouse will be closing down, with the handful of her students being bussed to the closest public school. Baines Creek has been her home for the last decade. Matters are further complicated when Birdie Rocas, the local witch, dies. Birdie has left her entire collection of journals and manuscripts to Kate. It’s a huge responsibility that leaves Kate puzzled. When Lydia Brown shows up, it seems to be the answer to Kate’s question. Between the two of them, as well as some other local residents, they dig deep into the mystery that was Birdie Rocas. Along the way, they find connections they didn’t realize existed. This is a great story, full of rich details about the legends and atmosphere of the Appalachian Mountains. The ending felt a bit rushed to me, but other than that it was a great story.

[The Balcony Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a thought-provoking read about female resilience during the 1980s. In this story taken place in Baines Creek, Appalachia, Weiss did a great job weaving local folklore into a story about the strength of women. The story centers around two women: Kate and Lydia. Kate was a teacher at a school that faced closing while Lydia, a librarian, was well-versed in folklore, mystics, and witchcraft. This book had heart and mysterious witchy vibes. The character development for both women was the key highlight of this book.

Thank you Leah Weiss, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for this ARC!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.