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The Creek, The Crone, and the Crow: A Novel
"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.
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.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2026
46 people are currently reading
6747 people want to read
About the author
Leah Weiss
3 books747 followersCome 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
November 26, 2025
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 📖
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 📖
January 12, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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
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
March 28, 2026
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!
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!
Want to read
October 29, 2025Thank 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.
🩷 🩷 🩷 📚 📚 📚
Probably, will put in for.
🩷 🩷 🩷 📚 📚 📚
September 29, 2025
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.
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.
March 25, 2026
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.
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.
December 26, 2025
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.
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.
September 29, 2025
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.
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.
March 24, 2026
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
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
Did not finish
March 11, 2026I 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.
March 24, 2026
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.
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.
November 5, 2025
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.
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.
November 24, 2025
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.
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.
March 15, 2026
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! ❤️
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! ❤️
March 1, 2026
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.
Read
March 2, 2026Read for review in Washington Independent Review of Books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
March 24, 2026
There are beauty and truth in the pages of The Creek, The Crone, and the Crow. The story surrounded me immersing me deep in the hills of Appalachia. I have been fortunate enough to explore small parts on foot and thought the author described the scenic areas and the misunderstood people to a tee. The cover and the title drew me in, but the rich storytelling is what grabbed me and wouldn't let up. It is a captivating read, not only because of the way the story is told, but also because it has plenty to say.
The story is told through dual perspectives and narrated by Kate Forbes who was a fantastic choice to bring these intelligent women to life. The first is Kate Shaw she has been teaching in a one room schoolhouse in Baines Creek located deep in the Carolina hills. It's 1980 and the school is about to be closed. The locals aren't pleased after all their children aren't accustomed to city life and the bigger schools are much farther away via a road that becomes dangerous when inclement weather hits. The changing times are catching up to these people hidden away in their simple mountain homes. Kate is a highly educated person, and she has gone out of her way to meet each of her pupils where they are and bring literacy and basic knowledge to these children, but she knows they aren't prepared for what lies ahead. Kate is a realist through and through living in a place brimming with legend and folklore which she doesn't buy into at all. Birdie Rocas was an unlikely friend to Kate and local healer, midwife, and medicine woman. Birdie is a witch with lifetimes of knowledge and holds true to the natural and supernatural worlds. She is a witch both feared and revered. Upon her death she bequeaths the stacks of homemade books to Kate. These books are treasures and how I wanted to see them. The other POV is told from Lydia Brown, she felt like a sort of bridge between the supernatural as she was a psychic whose power disappeared and the modern world as she is educated with ties to academia. Lydia hopes that Birdie can help her restore her psychic abilities. BUT meeting Birdie almost never goes the way a person expects. These women will have to dig into the past to pave the way for the people of Baines Creek's future.
What a journey it is! This novel fascinated me and couldn't stop turning the characters over in my mind. My labrador and I took a few extra walks so I could listen to more and more of this enchanting read. The connections were intriguing and the voice of the people rang true. If you're a historical fiction fan or enjoy southern stories don't miss this.
This was my first time reading a novel by Leah Weiss, but I'll be checking out her backlist and keeping an eye out for future releases because her writing has a little something extra that appeals to me. Maybe it's charm or simply the atmosphere permeating every word, whatever that bit of magic is, it works!
*Now Available*
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and RB Media for providing a digital ARC and an ALC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The story is told through dual perspectives and narrated by Kate Forbes who was a fantastic choice to bring these intelligent women to life. The first is Kate Shaw she has been teaching in a one room schoolhouse in Baines Creek located deep in the Carolina hills. It's 1980 and the school is about to be closed. The locals aren't pleased after all their children aren't accustomed to city life and the bigger schools are much farther away via a road that becomes dangerous when inclement weather hits. The changing times are catching up to these people hidden away in their simple mountain homes. Kate is a highly educated person, and she has gone out of her way to meet each of her pupils where they are and bring literacy and basic knowledge to these children, but she knows they aren't prepared for what lies ahead. Kate is a realist through and through living in a place brimming with legend and folklore which she doesn't buy into at all. Birdie Rocas was an unlikely friend to Kate and local healer, midwife, and medicine woman. Birdie is a witch with lifetimes of knowledge and holds true to the natural and supernatural worlds. She is a witch both feared and revered. Upon her death she bequeaths the stacks of homemade books to Kate. These books are treasures and how I wanted to see them. The other POV is told from Lydia Brown, she felt like a sort of bridge between the supernatural as she was a psychic whose power disappeared and the modern world as she is educated with ties to academia. Lydia hopes that Birdie can help her restore her psychic abilities. BUT meeting Birdie almost never goes the way a person expects. These women will have to dig into the past to pave the way for the people of Baines Creek's future.
What a journey it is! This novel fascinated me and couldn't stop turning the characters over in my mind. My labrador and I took a few extra walks so I could listen to more and more of this enchanting read. The connections were intriguing and the voice of the people rang true. If you're a historical fiction fan or enjoy southern stories don't miss this.
This was my first time reading a novel by Leah Weiss, but I'll be checking out her backlist and keeping an eye out for future releases because her writing has a little something extra that appeals to me. Maybe it's charm or simply the atmosphere permeating every word, whatever that bit of magic is, it works!
*Now Available*
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and RB Media for providing a digital ARC and an ALC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📚The Creek, The Crone, and the and the Crow
✍🏻Leah Weiss
Blurb:
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.
My Thoughts:
The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow is a southern fiction read set in the Appalachian mountains that weaves together the supernatural, folklore, and skepticism.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.
Thanks NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Author Leah Weiss for the complimentary copy of "The Creek, The Crone and the Crow" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#SourcebooksLandmark
#LeahWeiss
#TheCreek,TheCrone,and theCrow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Leah Weiss
Blurb:
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.
My Thoughts:
The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow is a southern fiction read set in the Appalachian mountains that weaves together the supernatural, folklore, and skepticism.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.
Thanks NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Author Leah Weiss for the complimentary copy of "The Creek, The Crone and the Crow" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#SourcebooksLandmark
#LeahWeiss
#TheCreek,TheCrone,and theCrow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 solid stars for a continuation of If the Creek Don't Rise by Leah Weiss I have read that book , but not book 2 in the series. I urge you to at least read book 1 in the series to acquaint yourself with the character's backgrounds. This book opens with Kate Shaw narrating. She is the teacher in the one room schoolhouse in Baines Creek, N. Carolina. The whole town is assembled in the church to hear news from two outsiders about the school. They inform the town that the school will be closed 3 months from now, in the fall. Students will be bussed to to schools down the mountain to regular schools. They promise to fix the pothole filled road and build a bridge across the creek. This is a shock to the community and to Kate, who has been the teacher for 10 years, since 1970.
The next chapter is narrated by Lydia Brown, who has been asked by a friend to go to western NC and do some research. She has read of a woman, Birdie Rocas, who may have a connection to Lydia, via a drawing of a triangle exactly like Lydia's birthmark. The book alternates with the two narrators, as they discover Birdie's secrets after she dies.
Lydia was introduced in book 2 of the series. The author decided to bring the two women together in book 3. If you are interested in Appalachian folklore, "good witches", herbal remedies, secret tunnels, and what it is like to live in a remote mountain community, then you will enjoy this book.
One quote, describing Baines Creek: "Here unpainted buildings stand as sentinels to guard a virgin forest. The secluded settlement carries few signs of the modern world. I step out of my Jeep into the wet chill that is Baines Creek at the end of May."
Thank You Sourcebooks Landmark for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#TheCreekTheCroneandtheCrow #NetGalley
Pub Date Mar 24 2026
The next chapter is narrated by Lydia Brown, who has been asked by a friend to go to western NC and do some research. She has read of a woman, Birdie Rocas, who may have a connection to Lydia, via a drawing of a triangle exactly like Lydia's birthmark. The book alternates with the two narrators, as they discover Birdie's secrets after she dies.
Lydia was introduced in book 2 of the series. The author decided to bring the two women together in book 3. If you are interested in Appalachian folklore, "good witches", herbal remedies, secret tunnels, and what it is like to live in a remote mountain community, then you will enjoy this book.
One quote, describing Baines Creek: "Here unpainted buildings stand as sentinels to guard a virgin forest. The secluded settlement carries few signs of the modern world. I step out of my Jeep into the wet chill that is Baines Creek at the end of May."
Thank You Sourcebooks Landmark for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#TheCreekTheCroneandtheCrow #NetGalley
Pub Date Mar 24 2026
December 3, 2025
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
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
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**Happy Publication Day!**
'For most of history, Anonymous was a woman,' a paraphrased quote from Virginia Woolf's A Room of One’s Own.
Book three in this series finds teacher Kate Shaw and the townspeople of Baines Creek, NC, facing bad news. The state has decided to shut down their one-room schoolhouse and send the kids down the hill to a larger public school come September. After ten years, Kate will be out of work and the kids will face an uncertain future.
Birdie Rocas, local healer, crone and witch, dies shortly thereafter and leaves all her books to the teacher. It's a formidable task to sort through it all but Kate is lucky a librarian named Lydia Brown is drawn to the project. Lydia was born with a strange birthmark on her palm and is amazed to learn that so did Birdie and one or two other local women. It marks them as The Keepers, inheriting special powers from their Scottish ancestors.
'Historians have always marginalized the work done by women healers. They've simply been written out of history.' Sad but true. This happens to be the second book in a row I've read about women healing with their knowledge of nature's gifts. The other was The Henna Artist, set in India. I really enjoyed meeting these women and enjoyed the way this story unfolded. The author's love for the Appalachian mountain setting and its history shines throughout the novel.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new novel in the series. Surprising to learn that Leah Weiss was 70 when she published her first book. Do we all have a story within us?
'For most of history, Anonymous was a woman,' a paraphrased quote from Virginia Woolf's A Room of One’s Own.
Book three in this series finds teacher Kate Shaw and the townspeople of Baines Creek, NC, facing bad news. The state has decided to shut down their one-room schoolhouse and send the kids down the hill to a larger public school come September. After ten years, Kate will be out of work and the kids will face an uncertain future.
Birdie Rocas, local healer, crone and witch, dies shortly thereafter and leaves all her books to the teacher. It's a formidable task to sort through it all but Kate is lucky a librarian named Lydia Brown is drawn to the project. Lydia was born with a strange birthmark on her palm and is amazed to learn that so did Birdie and one or two other local women. It marks them as The Keepers, inheriting special powers from their Scottish ancestors.
'Historians have always marginalized the work done by women healers. They've simply been written out of history.' Sad but true. This happens to be the second book in a row I've read about women healing with their knowledge of nature's gifts. The other was The Henna Artist, set in India. I really enjoyed meeting these women and enjoyed the way this story unfolded. The author's love for the Appalachian mountain setting and its history shines throughout the novel.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new novel in the series. Surprising to learn that Leah Weiss was 70 when she published her first book. Do we all have a story within us?
March 24, 2026
Deep in the heart of Appalachia, the small town of Baines Creek is home to the last one-room schoolhouse. Having taught there for the last 10 years, Kate Shaw is now out of a job and home because the schoolhouse is closing. However, with the death of the local healer, Birdie Rocas, Kate inherits Birdie's books of truths. To uncover Birdie's secrets, Kate must take a leap of faith into the folklore of the mountains and trust Lydia Brown, who studies rare books. Lydia has secrets of her own, her psychic gift has failed her since her parents died. Lydia traveled to Baine's Creek hoping to find Birdie and regain her gifts, but now must rely on Birdie's books and any other clues left behind.
"The Creek, The Crone and the Crow" is a magical story about life in Appalachia and the strength and knowledge of women. Lyrical and descriptive writing pulled me into the small town of Baine's Creek, creating a strong sense of community and respect for nature. Kate came to Baine's Creek to escape. She found community, but never really fit in, refusing to believe the local folklore. Lydia came to Baine's Creek to find the power she thought she had lost for good. In trying to unravel Birdie's secrets, Kate and Lydia must first uncover the truths buried deep within themselves. I enjoyed solving the mystery Birdie left behind for the women, showing them that they had the strength within them all along. Along with Birdie Kate and Lydia, I loved Lydia's niece, Gus, whose sense of wonder and self-trust was refreshing. I also adored the animal companions—Simon the Crow, Rachel the dog and Uncle the cat—for lending guidance and support where they could. Overall, The Creek, The Crone and the Crow is a mystery entwined in folklore and magic in the Appalachian Mountains, featuring a journey of discovery.
This book was received for free in exchange for an honest review.
"The Creek, The Crone and the Crow" is a magical story about life in Appalachia and the strength and knowledge of women. Lyrical and descriptive writing pulled me into the small town of Baine's Creek, creating a strong sense of community and respect for nature. Kate came to Baine's Creek to escape. She found community, but never really fit in, refusing to believe the local folklore. Lydia came to Baine's Creek to find the power she thought she had lost for good. In trying to unravel Birdie's secrets, Kate and Lydia must first uncover the truths buried deep within themselves. I enjoyed solving the mystery Birdie left behind for the women, showing them that they had the strength within them all along. Along with Birdie Kate and Lydia, I loved Lydia's niece, Gus, whose sense of wonder and self-trust was refreshing. I also adored the animal companions—Simon the Crow, Rachel the dog and Uncle the cat—for lending guidance and support where they could. Overall, The Creek, The Crone and the Crow is a mystery entwined in folklore and magic in the Appalachian Mountains, featuring a journey of discovery.
This book was received for free in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I love a story set in the Appalachian Mountains. The atmosphere that this area creates always stirs my soul. Add in some folklore and witches and I am 100% in. This book grabbed my attention as soon as I laid eyes on the cover and the title. I needed to know what was going on beneath the cover. The first half of the book I felt was a little bit all over the place and it took me a minute to really engage. The second half of the book I was fully committed and needed to find out all the mysteries between the women who have the birthmark on the palm of their hand.
Baines Creek is a tiny town in Appalachia. You must be determined to get there, it is no easy feat. The road has seen better days, there is a creek you must cross, and there are no signs to lead you in. For ten years Kate Shaw has been a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse. One of the last one-room schools in the country and the state is closing it down. Promising a better road to get the children down the mountain. Living in Baines Creek in the 1980s, you feel like time has stopped. People are of the land and fend for themselves and their neighbors. The local healer, Birdie, has suddenly passed. Leaving her complete collection of books to Kate. Kate has no idea what to make of this gift. She knows she must make good and see that they are protected. Learning all she can about this strange and cunning woman.
I completely fell in love with thirteen-year-old Gus. A young woman unsure of who she wants to be, but she does not want to be cookie cutter. I wish I had someone like her, Aunt Lydia when I was growing up. To talk out my thoughts and to give me a little leeway in my life. Lydia, Gus, and Kate come together to uncover the mysteries that Birdie left behind. Thank you to Leah Weiss and Sourcebooks Landmark for my gifted read.
Baines Creek is a tiny town in Appalachia. You must be determined to get there, it is no easy feat. The road has seen better days, there is a creek you must cross, and there are no signs to lead you in. For ten years Kate Shaw has been a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse. One of the last one-room schools in the country and the state is closing it down. Promising a better road to get the children down the mountain. Living in Baines Creek in the 1980s, you feel like time has stopped. People are of the land and fend for themselves and their neighbors. The local healer, Birdie, has suddenly passed. Leaving her complete collection of books to Kate. Kate has no idea what to make of this gift. She knows she must make good and see that they are protected. Learning all she can about this strange and cunning woman.
I completely fell in love with thirteen-year-old Gus. A young woman unsure of who she wants to be, but she does not want to be cookie cutter. I wish I had someone like her, Aunt Lydia when I was growing up. To talk out my thoughts and to give me a little leeway in my life. Lydia, Gus, and Kate come together to uncover the mysteries that Birdie left behind. Thank you to Leah Weiss and Sourcebooks Landmark for my gifted read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Baines Creek is described as a humble hamlet hidden deep in Appalachia. The forest is thick and the kudzu vine takes over where it grows. It's there in North Carolina that the last one room school house is still being used. The children will have to start going down the mountain to school come August. Kate has been living there as their teacher and this means her whole is about to change soon too come fall.
The community is filled with very interesting people. One thing about them is they all band together and help each other. Birdie Rocas is a powerful healer and some say she is a witch. She believes in magic and had tried to open Kate's eyes to it for years. She has a crow named Samuel that rides on her head and his family helped save her life once.
Lydia makes her way to the small town when her gift is gone. She has the mark of the keeper on her palm. Birdie refuses to see her but in time she knows she will know this woman. When Birdie passes she leaves all her books to Kate that she has hand written over the years. With the help of Lydia, they make amazing discoveries and this little community will never be the same again.
This book had me hooked from the first chapter! I couldn't put it down and it pays great homage to the Appalachian ways. Set in the 1980's before cell phones were a thing, takes you back to a simpler life. Magical Realism at its finest sprinkled with many true facts, this book will consume you. If you love books about Appalachia and a little magic sprinkled in, you cannot go wrong with this gem!
The community is filled with very interesting people. One thing about them is they all band together and help each other. Birdie Rocas is a powerful healer and some say she is a witch. She believes in magic and had tried to open Kate's eyes to it for years. She has a crow named Samuel that rides on her head and his family helped save her life once.
Lydia makes her way to the small town when her gift is gone. She has the mark of the keeper on her palm. Birdie refuses to see her but in time she knows she will know this woman. When Birdie passes she leaves all her books to Kate that she has hand written over the years. With the help of Lydia, they make amazing discoveries and this little community will never be the same again.
This book had me hooked from the first chapter! I couldn't put it down and it pays great homage to the Appalachian ways. Set in the 1980's before cell phones were a thing, takes you back to a simpler life. Magical Realism at its finest sprinkled with many true facts, this book will consume you. If you love books about Appalachia and a little magic sprinkled in, you cannot go wrong with this gem!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This may have been set in Baines Creek where “If the Creek Don’t Rise” was set, but it fell far short of that lovely book.
Alternating chapters between first person accounts of Kate and Lydia (both outsiders) was bad enough, but sadly there was even worse. We had animals, a male dog named Rachel and a female cat named Uncle. How confusing. There were also lots of inhabitants strolling through the pages of this tale – so many it was hard to keep track of just who was who – or who used to be who – or who had changed their name from this to that.
As the plot continued, it got more and more bizarre and more and more unbelievable until it was simply a compendium of WOKE agendas! We had discussion of abortion being commonplace in the 17 hundreds or maybe 1800s (what did that have to do with the story?). Then we find out that our main character, Lydia, and the researcher she has brought in are Lesbian which brings in a whole different train into the story line. That, in no way, advances the original plot.
I’m not sure what this book was supposed to be about. It was quite a disappointment after “If the Creek Don’t Rise.”
I appreciate this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I wish Weiss well as I certainly enjoyed If the Creek Don’t Rise.
Alternating chapters between first person accounts of Kate and Lydia (both outsiders) was bad enough, but sadly there was even worse. We had animals, a male dog named Rachel and a female cat named Uncle. How confusing. There were also lots of inhabitants strolling through the pages of this tale – so many it was hard to keep track of just who was who – or who used to be who – or who had changed their name from this to that.
As the plot continued, it got more and more bizarre and more and more unbelievable until it was simply a compendium of WOKE agendas! We had discussion of abortion being commonplace in the 17 hundreds or maybe 1800s (what did that have to do with the story?). Then we find out that our main character, Lydia, and the researcher she has brought in are Lesbian which brings in a whole different train into the story line. That, in no way, advances the original plot.
I’m not sure what this book was supposed to be about. It was quite a disappointment after “If the Creek Don’t Rise.”
I appreciate this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I wish Weiss well as I certainly enjoyed If the Creek Don’t Rise.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was an unexpected delight, aligning with more than a dozen of my favourite literary themes: strong female characters, witches, healers, folklore, and the supernatural. I approached it with little expectation, as the title seemed off. Only later did I realise it was a continuation and blend of two of Weiss’ previous acclaimed works. With curiosity in hand, I dove in and was thoroughly enchanted by the experience.
Leah Weiss is a great storyteller. The way she brought this together in an alluring, witchy, folklore-infused tale about loss, legacy, and women rediscovering their inner power is commendable. The setting was rich, female-centric, and blurred the line between reality and the supernatural. Through the POVs of both a believer and a non-believer, Weiss lets the reader draw their own conclusions. By the end, you would likely believe most of it, or at least I did.
Coming to what didn't work for me was the pacing. Some chapters were quite fast-paced, while some felt really slow. Also, some chapters were unusually short compared to others, which hindered my rhythm.
I will definitely be checking out the other two works in this series as soon as I can.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: March 24th, 2026.
3.75/5🌟.
Leah Weiss is a great storyteller. The way she brought this together in an alluring, witchy, folklore-infused tale about loss, legacy, and women rediscovering their inner power is commendable. The setting was rich, female-centric, and blurred the line between reality and the supernatural. Through the POVs of both a believer and a non-believer, Weiss lets the reader draw their own conclusions. By the end, you would likely believe most of it, or at least I did.
Coming to what didn't work for me was the pacing. Some chapters were quite fast-paced, while some felt really slow. Also, some chapters were unusually short compared to others, which hindered my rhythm.
I will definitely be checking out the other two works in this series as soon as I can.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: March 24th, 2026.
3.75/5🌟.
November 27, 2025
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.
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