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Triad: A Novel of the Supernatural
A mass market paperback novel of the supernatural for those readers who enjoyed "The Exorcist".
244 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
37 people are currently reading
2365 people want to read
About the author
Mary Leader
17 books13 followersMary Bartlet Leader was the author of two novels, Triad: A Novel of the Supernatural (1972) and Salem’s Children (1979). Triad was the inspiration behind the popular Fleetwood Mac song "Rhiannon".
Leader died on April 27, 2004, in Mequon, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin where she had been a long time resident.
Leader died on April 27, 2004, in Mequon, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin where she had been a long time resident.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
December 19, 2017
Triad by Mary Leader is a Hodder & Stoughton Ltd publication.
I’m going to give a very brief review for this book since it is a rare novel and very hard to find, and if you do find a copy online, it’s going to cost you.
As many of you know, I collect vintage paperbacks and the 'Gothic Horror' novels of 1960's and 70's are of keen interest to me. I love those covers with the girl running away from the house/castle. This novel did not have that type of cover, but it was grouped in with a bulk buy on Ebay many years ago, and got shoved up on a top shelf, buried behind a couple of other layers of books.
I had forgotten all about it, but after reading the recent autobiography of Stevie Nicks, my interest was renewed, because this book was an inspiration for the mega-popular hit ‘Rhiannon'. I had never read the book, so I was very curious to see how it became an inspiration for the song Stevie wrote.
The novel is very typical of its era, but is also ahead of its time, in some ways, even setting the stage for certain trends that would emerge into mainstream consciousness a few years later.
Branwen moves with her husband to an old mansion after the death of their first child. But once they are settled in, Branwen begins to experience blackout periods, where she can’t account for her time or what she did during these blank episodes. Objects have been moved around, and her husband relates conversations and activities they shared, but she has no memory of. But, she is really shaken up when her husband refers to her as ‘Rhiannon’, the name of her long dead cousin.
Already feeling bruised by her loss, the overwhelming job of refurbishing the house, and her desire to have another baby, Branwen’s guilt over Rhiannon’s death, surges as she becomes convinced Rhiannon’s spirit is inhabiting her body, trying to take control, and is seeking retribution.
Of course, it is impossible not to seek out correlations between this book and the famous song that was partially derived from it. I think Stevie did an amazing job with the song and even after all these years, it brings the song and its meanings into sharper focus.
But, this is a review of the book- not the song.
Even if it hadn’t experienced a kind of cult status, this story really is a rare gem. It’s not a very long book, but it’s filled with vivid imageries and is very well versed in Welch mythologies. It is a very effective story, even for a jaded reader like me. I can imagine the impact it would have on readers in 1973.
Once I started reading it, I found myself hypnotized by it. This is a moody, dark, atmospheric supernatural tale, that certainly stands the test of time.
I would love to find a way to petition the publisher to release this one in digital format, so everyone could read it.
If you stumble across this book in a used bookstore or garage sale, snap it up. It’s a really good Gothic horror novel, but it’s also rare, so it could be worth something if it is in decent condition.
4 stars
I’m going to give a very brief review for this book since it is a rare novel and very hard to find, and if you do find a copy online, it’s going to cost you.
As many of you know, I collect vintage paperbacks and the 'Gothic Horror' novels of 1960's and 70's are of keen interest to me. I love those covers with the girl running away from the house/castle. This novel did not have that type of cover, but it was grouped in with a bulk buy on Ebay many years ago, and got shoved up on a top shelf, buried behind a couple of other layers of books.
I had forgotten all about it, but after reading the recent autobiography of Stevie Nicks, my interest was renewed, because this book was an inspiration for the mega-popular hit ‘Rhiannon'. I had never read the book, so I was very curious to see how it became an inspiration for the song Stevie wrote.
The novel is very typical of its era, but is also ahead of its time, in some ways, even setting the stage for certain trends that would emerge into mainstream consciousness a few years later.
Branwen moves with her husband to an old mansion after the death of their first child. But once they are settled in, Branwen begins to experience blackout periods, where she can’t account for her time or what she did during these blank episodes. Objects have been moved around, and her husband relates conversations and activities they shared, but she has no memory of. But, she is really shaken up when her husband refers to her as ‘Rhiannon’, the name of her long dead cousin.
Already feeling bruised by her loss, the overwhelming job of refurbishing the house, and her desire to have another baby, Branwen’s guilt over Rhiannon’s death, surges as she becomes convinced Rhiannon’s spirit is inhabiting her body, trying to take control, and is seeking retribution.
Of course, it is impossible not to seek out correlations between this book and the famous song that was partially derived from it. I think Stevie did an amazing job with the song and even after all these years, it brings the song and its meanings into sharper focus.
But, this is a review of the book- not the song.
Even if it hadn’t experienced a kind of cult status, this story really is a rare gem. It’s not a very long book, but it’s filled with vivid imageries and is very well versed in Welch mythologies. It is a very effective story, even for a jaded reader like me. I can imagine the impact it would have on readers in 1973.
Once I started reading it, I found myself hypnotized by it. This is a moody, dark, atmospheric supernatural tale, that certainly stands the test of time.
I would love to find a way to petition the publisher to release this one in digital format, so everyone could read it.
If you stumble across this book in a used bookstore or garage sale, snap it up. It’s a really good Gothic horror novel, but it’s also rare, so it could be worth something if it is in decent condition.
4 stars
November 4, 2019
Seriously just the coolest thing reading the book that inspired Stevie Nicks to write Rhiannon. And it did not disappoint. Completely different from what I normally read and I really enjoyed it. So happy to own this book, never letting it go.
January 1, 2021
She rules her life like a fine skylark...
She certainly does. This book, I mostly read as a fan of Fleetwood Mac. (I actually bought it second hand, whoever owned it before me used one of their concert stubs as a book mark.). The Rhiannon in this book is truly terrifying, and it certainly is well crafted and compelling, though at times, the narrative voice loses its personality and it is sometimes hard to follow. It's a lot like The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby and Primal Fear rolled into one. And definitely worth a read.
She certainly does. This book, I mostly read as a fan of Fleetwood Mac. (I actually bought it second hand, whoever owned it before me used one of their concert stubs as a book mark.). The Rhiannon in this book is truly terrifying, and it certainly is well crafted and compelling, though at times, the narrative voice loses its personality and it is sometimes hard to follow. It's a lot like The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby and Primal Fear rolled into one. And definitely worth a read.
February 29, 2016
Branwen Ericsson and her husband Alan have purchased a deteriorating old mansion on the outskirts of a small town after they lost their infant son to sudden crib death. Branwen is a free-lance writer and her husband is a civil engineer and spends a lot of his time traveling, leaving Branwen to spends days on end absorbed in either her own writing or reading books for personal pleasure. When she needs to do some research, she drives into the local small town and visits the local library. She is bewildered when she receives a late notice on a book that she is sure she would never have checked out. Her first inclination is that her husband is trying to play a cruel joke on her. But as the lonely days pass in the old mansion, Branwen starts to discover other odd events and missing pieces of time. When Alan returns home from a business trip, Branwen discovers that next morning that she had played a role-changing game with him in the bedroom the night before, having him call her by the name of a long-dead cousin Rhiannon. Branwen is horrified to hear this news and it sends her into a tail-spin of horrible events and eventually to seeing a psychiatrist to try and decide if she is truly going crazy or if the unimaginable has happened - her spiteful cousin has come back from the dead to posses her body.
Although this book was written in 1973 and some of the items were dated, the writing was still full of imagery and the creepiness was classic. A bit of trivia - this was the novel that Stevie Nicks read that gave her the inspiration to write the song 'Rhiannon'.
Although this book was written in 1973 and some of the items were dated, the writing was still full of imagery and the creepiness was classic. A bit of trivia - this was the novel that Stevie Nicks read that gave her the inspiration to write the song 'Rhiannon'.
May 14, 2019
Branwen and her husband Alan, reeling from the death of their baby son, move into an old house hoping that the renovation project will be a welcome focus to help them move on from the tragedy. Alan's job means he travels a lot so Branwen is frequently left alone in the house. Soon Branwen starts to experience periods of time that she has no recollection of, and events that she doesn't recall happening. Is she being haunted? Is she possessed? Or is it all in her head?
This was such a unique and wonderful read, full of interesting themes and elements: supernatural, psychological, folklore and mythology. I really enjoyed her writing, it has a mesmerising quality that drew me in. By the end I was left wanting a little more but this was still a very interesting and enjoyable read.
This was such a unique and wonderful read, full of interesting themes and elements: supernatural, psychological, folklore and mythology. I really enjoyed her writing, it has a mesmerising quality that drew me in. By the end I was left wanting a little more but this was still a very interesting and enjoyable read.
August 6, 2017
When I found this book online I couldn't resist buying it. I'd been searching independent and second-hand bookstores for ages, and even suggesting that the library look into finding a copy. As a big Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks fan, of course I wanted to read the book that inspired Rhiannon. It was a bit different to what I was expecting, but definitely enjoyable.
September 6, 2025
Gracias a Stevie Nicks por darme a coñecer este novela e regalarnos "Rhiannon".
A historia ten todo o que buscaba: elementos paranormais, psicoloxía, mitoloxía e unha vilá increíble.
Encántame a inclusión da tríada de 'Maiden, Mother and Crone' na protagonista, así como a explicación dela a través das deusas gregas e galesas. Sempre serei fan de ver a tríada en novelas e series, ejem Buffy ejem. Literalmente, mentres lía este libro, vía un pouco a Kendra, Buffy e Faith. Sorry not sorry.
A historia ten todo o que buscaba: elementos paranormais, psicoloxía, mitoloxía e unha vilá increíble.
Encántame a inclusión da tríada de 'Maiden, Mother and Crone' na protagonista, así como a explicación dela a través das deusas gregas e galesas. Sempre serei fan de ver a tríada en novelas e series, ejem Buffy ejem. Literalmente, mentres lía este libro, vía un pouco a Kendra, Buffy e Faith. Sorry not sorry.
March 20, 2022
Triad is a haunting story which I first heard about from a friend of mine who recommended it in a book group. I was so intrigued by the premise, but even more so when my friend talked about the book being the inspiration for Stevie Nicks' song Rhiannon. I have always loved that song and Stevie Nicks, so I immediately went on the hunt to find myself a copy and was lucky to find both the paperback and hardback at decent prices. I'm not sure why it took me so long to read it but I'm so glad I finally did. This book had me completely hooked from start to finish. A couple, Branwen and Alan Ericsson, who lose their baby boy from sudden crib death, move to an old mansion which they plan to renovate as a way to help heal the pain from their tragic loss. But Alan is away a lot for work, leaving Branwen alone in the big house where she begins experiencing strange losses of time. She can't account for the things she has done during those blackout periods and when she begins hearing haunting voices through the old house's speaking tubes and hears the name Rhiannon over and over again, she starts to wonder if she is losing her mind. The story is told in the first person from Branwen's perspective. There is a section of the book where Branwen takes us back to her childhood and introduces us to her cousin Rhiannon. Here we get to understand the difficult nature of her relationship with her older cousin and the tragic events that unfold. We are then brought back to the present where things start to spiral out of control for Branwen. Has Branwen been possessed or is there something else going on? This book had me hooked from the very first page. The writing is absolutely beautiful and totally mesmerising. I can't thank my friend enough for recommending this wonderful book. Although it was written in the early 70s, it still holds up today as a beautiful piece of fiction which I highly recommend to anyone who loves supernatural horror as I do. It gets my highest praise. Loved it!
April 5, 2020
Part ghost story, part lesson in mythology, part story of mental illness, this book took me by surprise. I 100% bought this book because it was the book Stevie Nicks read which later inspired the song “Rhiannon.” I got so much more out of this book than just a “well, now I’ve read that.”
It is not what I expected in the slightest. The characters were very forward thinking for 1973, and I loved that. Branwen being treated as a whole person (no pun intended) was refreshing.
Why did Mary Leader only write two books? Did anyone else feel like she might be an anglophile based on some of her word choices? I had to remind myself this story was taking place in the mid-west.
It was short, but it was potent. Highly recommend. This book really needs a reprint.
It is not what I expected in the slightest. The characters were very forward thinking for 1973, and I loved that. Branwen being treated as a whole person (no pun intended) was refreshing.
Why did Mary Leader only write two books? Did anyone else feel like she might be an anglophile based on some of her word choices? I had to remind myself this story was taking place in the mid-west.
It was short, but it was potent. Highly recommend. This book really needs a reprint.
February 11, 2008
This is the book Stevie Nicks got the name "Rhiannon" from, even though at the time she had no idea who Rhiannon really was.
From this book I learned that John doesnt know how to return books...
From this book I learned that John doesnt know how to return books...
January 27, 2017
If you love Stevie Nicks this is a must read. She read this book and the name Rhiannon in the book inspired her song of the now famous Welsh Witch.
July 15, 2015
It always makes me sad to see a book has gone out of print. But, there really are books that deserve to be lost among the used bookstores of the worlds. In fact, there are books that really never should have seen print. Triad by Mary Leader is one of the latter. Now, Ms. Leader was not without talent. She had some interesting ideas and can produce a lovely turn of phrase every once in awhile. But Triad was all over the place as a novel. It seems to me Ms. Leader wanted to hit all the hot-button topics of the 70s (possession/exorcism; multiple personalities; folklore/mythology etc.) so she stuffed them all into this little book and slapped together some wooden, annoying characters then put the word supernatural in the tagline.
Bottom line: not scary, not thrilling, not enlightening, not even a good character study of an insane person. Pass on this. I should have. Would have saved me $28 buying a rare/hard to find book that should stay rare and hard to find.
Bottom line: not scary, not thrilling, not enlightening, not even a good character study of an insane person. Pass on this. I should have. Would have saved me $28 buying a rare/hard to find book that should stay rare and hard to find.
December 26, 2019
Well, the only reason I've heard of this book is because it may have been where Stevie Nicks got the name Rhiannon for her famous Welsh witch song. I really liked this book a lot. Admittedly, I generally enjoy stories that are interwoven with older tales of Mythology. I don't have much knowledge of Welsh mythology, so the telling of the older tales in the story was very interesting for me. I also studied psychology in school so I was impressed how the psychoanalysis in the book was handled as it was written in 1973. The final thing I really enjoyed about this book was the poetic language and how nature and dreamscapes were described in such detail. For a short book, it did take me several days to read however as a bit of the book deals with mundane tasks such as house painting, dish-washing, and laundry.
March 24, 2022
thank you stevie nicks for the suggestion
absolutely brilliant story premise right up my street but totally predictable
also terrible grammar someone get this girl grammarly bc it’s still wordy and hard to read
absolutely brilliant story premise right up my street but totally predictable
also terrible grammar someone get this girl grammarly bc it’s still wordy and hard to read
December 13, 2022
Oh, how I loved this book!!! Like many others who have read it in recent years, I wanted to read it because of the tie that Stevie Nicks has to it. While it was super hard to track down since it's out of print (PSA: use your local libraries Interlibrary Loan services!!!!!!!), it was amazing and kept me on the edge of my seat once I finally got to it.
September 29, 2010
This was probably the best book I read all summer.
I loved the spooky feel to this well-woven story! It had a lot of amazing imagery that used some more difficult vocabulary words. As I read this, I felt truly involved in the book and could not put it down, even to watch Star Trek.
I loved the spooky feel to this well-woven story! It had a lot of amazing imagery that used some more difficult vocabulary words. As I read this, I felt truly involved in the book and could not put it down, even to watch Star Trek.
March 25, 2013
Great book if you like eerie supernatural stories! Couldn't put it down I'm just sad it's over
February 26, 2023
4.5 ⭐️ a few years ago, I heard Stevie Nicks say that she wrote “Rhiannon” after reading this book so obviously I had to read it.
February 16, 2023
I loved this book! I’m not going to explain the story line as all of the reviews already do that.
You would never know this book was published in 1973. It was a great quick read, and as another review stated, it hypnotized the reader. It felt crisp and fresh (not corny) yet it is 50 years old.
I just can’t believe this book is out of print. A publisher really needs to pick this title up. I guarantee it will sell!
You would never know this book was published in 1973. It was a great quick read, and as another review stated, it hypnotized the reader. It felt crisp and fresh (not corny) yet it is 50 years old.
I just can’t believe this book is out of print. A publisher really needs to pick this title up. I guarantee it will sell!
March 28, 2026
Branwens greatest fear is that Rhiannon is more herself than she realizes. To Branwen, her cousin Rhiannon is mythologized in her own way just like the goddess, as a prime, unfathomable evil. Rhiannon is manifest of pure jealousy, malevolence, hatred and dominance for everything and everyone. " Rhiannon doesn't love anyone, she owns them. " Branwen is portrayed outright as a reasonable, kind, sensitive person, everything that opposes all that Rhiannon embodies, but when she stares into the mirror at herself, she has become Rhiannon. We see glimpses of her cruelty through Branwens childhood memories where Rhiannon bullies and abuses her relentlessly and with no remorse. This abuse does not end after her accidental death, the ghost of Rhiannons torment haunts Branwen for her entire life, this comes to a peak after the loss of Branwens first child ( akin to mythology ). When Branwen starts hallucinating Rhiannon crawling through her mirrors and accusing her responsibility for her death, manifesting the guilt Branwen has carried over it for years. Branwen even admits to herself that in the single moment she finally had power over Rhiannon in life, she was happy to 'punish' and make her suffer as well, and that she was happy Rhiannon died. These moments in the story were very powerful to me, and I don't think I've been as spooked as I have reading a book since I was a kid reading Goosebumps lol. You can really feel Branwens terror during these moments as she becomes more aware that Rhiannon is taking over her body and possessing her. I know people point out the Exorcist influences in this book but it was giving me heavy Wuthering Heights Cathy coming through the window vibes too.
After the last few chapters im genuinely speechless, like, anytime you think you understand what this book is going to be or what's going on you are blindsided entirely. In the beginning it appears to be a horror novel about a woman being possessed by the spirit of her dead cousin Rhiannon. That it's going to end in some sort of demonic exorcism or some other paranormal antics. To give credit, it does a pretty good job too at not only convincing you of what to expect, but at fully immersing you in the world Branwen believes she is living in. Much like the different aspects that exist in her, the story itself is tricking and diverting you from knowing too much. In the way that Branwen is becoming Rhiannon, you as the reader are also losing your perception of reality alongside her, making every twist all the more shocking/ terrifying.
I actually enjoyed that the narrative shifts in odd ways, the confusion lends itself to giving you the real sensation of fear that Branwen feels as Rhiannon/ Phoebe overtake her body. The author did such an amazing job at getting me to feel afraid of Rhiannon and how powerful she was. Branwen is written to be a bit of an oddball but not in such a way that it gives "not like the other girls" tropes. I found myself relating a lot to her fears and sadness, especially considering I've recently suffered the loss of a pregnancy. I've gotten myself through a lot of it lately pushing myself back into reading and watching movies and this book is exactly what I've needed. The references to Arthurian and Welsh legends were interesting and it's obvious the author did a lot of research going into this book. It's a shame it's out of press and has become somewhat rare. I hope one day to own a copy myself.
The ending was heartbreaking for me as Branwen sacrifices her freedoms and life to protect the ones she loves from Rhiannon, who is truly written to be a terrifying presence that ultimately we are (or at least I was) uncertain whether she was truly paranormal or a darker, unknown aspect of Branwen.
I also want to mention the commentary on repressed sexuality, especially in women, that Branwen is not only afraid of losing control over her own autonomy, but part of that is also losing control over her deepest desires and wants which have been forever hidden in the farthest parts of her mind. When confronted with this she is repulsed by the idea that the sexual frustrations of Phoebe/ Rhiannon are truly part of her. We see Phoebe, her 'erotic' side, desperate to escape the confinements of Branwens self-imposed disallowances of her own pleasure. I believe that allowing herself to accept these 'undesirable' qualities shes buried for so long played a big role in lending her the courage to overpower Rhiannon.
Just as there are three birds of Rhiannon, there are three distinct aspects of Branwen who all make one whole. Her most baseline/ neutral self, her erotic and indulgent self, and her antithetical, darker self. The legend goes that the song of these birds could magically heal and soothe others, and like the legend, the combination of these three personalities inside Branwen are needed to complete the whole and heal herself. There is no single bird of Rhiannon just as there is no single part of any person, when they are without or at odds with eachother there is no healing or completeness. Sometimes the face of 'uglier' sides of yourself can be horrifying to see, and when you act as these other parts of yourself it's much like how Branwen believes her body is possessed and acting as a completely other person she despises. Unable to understand how the person doing these things could really be her and not the paranormal. Not to repeat myself too much but that's especially why I find the ending so devastating, because there isn't truly a resolution to her initial problem. It still hangs in the air whether or not it IS really just her or the spirit of (cousin) Rhiannon controlling her.
Idk, I'm no book critic and I've been out of school and active writing for a long ass time so these are just my goofy thoughts at 3am, but I think this will forever be a favorite book of mine
Also I find it funny Stevie wasn't aware of the mythology of Rhiannon when she wrote the song after seeing the name in this book considering how much it's referenced, she DNF'd it lol, but we got an amazing song out of it so I'm not mad
After the last few chapters im genuinely speechless, like, anytime you think you understand what this book is going to be or what's going on you are blindsided entirely. In the beginning it appears to be a horror novel about a woman being possessed by the spirit of her dead cousin Rhiannon. That it's going to end in some sort of demonic exorcism or some other paranormal antics. To give credit, it does a pretty good job too at not only convincing you of what to expect, but at fully immersing you in the world Branwen believes she is living in. Much like the different aspects that exist in her, the story itself is tricking and diverting you from knowing too much. In the way that Branwen is becoming Rhiannon, you as the reader are also losing your perception of reality alongside her, making every twist all the more shocking/ terrifying.
I actually enjoyed that the narrative shifts in odd ways, the confusion lends itself to giving you the real sensation of fear that Branwen feels as Rhiannon/ Phoebe overtake her body. The author did such an amazing job at getting me to feel afraid of Rhiannon and how powerful she was. Branwen is written to be a bit of an oddball but not in such a way that it gives "not like the other girls" tropes. I found myself relating a lot to her fears and sadness, especially considering I've recently suffered the loss of a pregnancy. I've gotten myself through a lot of it lately pushing myself back into reading and watching movies and this book is exactly what I've needed. The references to Arthurian and Welsh legends were interesting and it's obvious the author did a lot of research going into this book. It's a shame it's out of press and has become somewhat rare. I hope one day to own a copy myself.
The ending was heartbreaking for me as Branwen sacrifices her freedoms and life to protect the ones she loves from Rhiannon, who is truly written to be a terrifying presence that ultimately we are (or at least I was) uncertain whether she was truly paranormal or a darker, unknown aspect of Branwen.
I also want to mention the commentary on repressed sexuality, especially in women, that Branwen is not only afraid of losing control over her own autonomy, but part of that is also losing control over her deepest desires and wants which have been forever hidden in the farthest parts of her mind. When confronted with this she is repulsed by the idea that the sexual frustrations of Phoebe/ Rhiannon are truly part of her. We see Phoebe, her 'erotic' side, desperate to escape the confinements of Branwens self-imposed disallowances of her own pleasure. I believe that allowing herself to accept these 'undesirable' qualities shes buried for so long played a big role in lending her the courage to overpower Rhiannon.
Just as there are three birds of Rhiannon, there are three distinct aspects of Branwen who all make one whole. Her most baseline/ neutral self, her erotic and indulgent self, and her antithetical, darker self. The legend goes that the song of these birds could magically heal and soothe others, and like the legend, the combination of these three personalities inside Branwen are needed to complete the whole and heal herself. There is no single bird of Rhiannon just as there is no single part of any person, when they are without or at odds with eachother there is no healing or completeness. Sometimes the face of 'uglier' sides of yourself can be horrifying to see, and when you act as these other parts of yourself it's much like how Branwen believes her body is possessed and acting as a completely other person she despises. Unable to understand how the person doing these things could really be her and not the paranormal. Not to repeat myself too much but that's especially why I find the ending so devastating, because there isn't truly a resolution to her initial problem. It still hangs in the air whether or not it IS really just her or the spirit of (cousin) Rhiannon controlling her.
Idk, I'm no book critic and I've been out of school and active writing for a long ass time so these are just my goofy thoughts at 3am, but I think this will forever be a favorite book of mine
Also I find it funny Stevie wasn't aware of the mythology of Rhiannon when she wrote the song after seeing the name in this book considering how much it's referenced, she DNF'd it lol, but we got an amazing song out of it so I'm not mad
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2009
Supernatural thriller that has a few ties to Celtic mythology. The story itself was fine, but it is a bit dated. Parts of it reminded me of the movie Dark Water.
January 14, 2021
Triad, published in 1973, is an obscure horror novel mostly remembered for its alleged connection to the mega-famous Stevie Nicks composition "Rhiannon." If people read it all these days, they seem to be super-fans motivated by completist tendencies. I don't really know if there is any actual connection between the name of the song and a character in this book; however, so I'm going to do my best to ignore that alleged link for now (which, if you have ever had the song "Rhiannon" stuck inside your head, you know to be nigh impossible).
Triad is a very 70s "lite-horror" novel told from the perspective of Branwen, an author living on the coast of Lake Michigan right here in Wisconsin. (The novelist lived in Mequon, which isn't far from my current location of Glendale). Like so many female horror protagonists, she lost her baby and, rather than fully processing the event, decides to buy a ramshackle (and classically spooky) mansion in the sticks. Branwen is an author and something of a free-spirited intellectual; the novel works well when it is focused on the ways in which Branwen doesn't fit in amongst the wealthy housewives in her affluent suburban setting. Her husband is an engineer who is gone for long trips and, when he is home, she's mostly (inadvertently) driving him away emotionally by virtue of her mechanistic efforts to have another child. Thus, Branwen finds herself an isolated woman in an old spooky house when she starts to have curious amnesiac episodes. Naturally, these lead her to uncovering repressed childhood trauma and, as her condition worsens, she isn't sure whether she is being possessed by a demonic spirit or going insane. Roughly the first 2/3 of the book is spent in this indeterminate space, where the reader isn't quite sure what exactly is going on, although if you read horror, there are several fun possibilities you will have probably thought of. Ultimately, Branwen seeks out psychiatric help and, at this point, further twists and turns of a classically 70's nature ensue.
The book isn't ever really scary, per se, but it is creepy and unsettling. Leader writes effectively about Branwen's childhood trauma and her present day fears--of losing her husband or being involuntarily committed--are also well-depicted. The story hums along nicely and you could probably burn through this one in a day or two if you were dedicated.
As for the writing, the prose is frustratingly inconsistent (like so many lesser horror novels). The authorial voice is often quite poetic, although it sometimes veers into pretentiousness. Other times, the writing is wooden and overtly direct, like bad writing for a cheap magazine. Leader isn't great with dialogue, and the scenes between Branwen and her husband, Allen, suffer as a result.
The greatest flaw, for me, was the ending. While there are some effective elements (a cistern beneath the house that remains suspiciously nailed shut), I found the main narrative twist to be a little dated (like other elements of this book such as its random casual racism) and the overall progression toward the end to be jumbled and a little chaotic.
Because it's such a quick read, this is a fun enough genre fix (if you are into 1970's horror-lite). But unless you can find it at your local library or you inexplicably spot a copy for less than the $200 online asking price, I cannot in good faith tell you to shell out your money for it. It's an interesting "B" horror novel from the 70s, but aside from the tangential connection to Stevie Nicks, there's nothing transcendent or special about it.
Triad is a very 70s "lite-horror" novel told from the perspective of Branwen, an author living on the coast of Lake Michigan right here in Wisconsin. (The novelist lived in Mequon, which isn't far from my current location of Glendale). Like so many female horror protagonists, she lost her baby and, rather than fully processing the event, decides to buy a ramshackle (and classically spooky) mansion in the sticks. Branwen is an author and something of a free-spirited intellectual; the novel works well when it is focused on the ways in which Branwen doesn't fit in amongst the wealthy housewives in her affluent suburban setting. Her husband is an engineer who is gone for long trips and, when he is home, she's mostly (inadvertently) driving him away emotionally by virtue of her mechanistic efforts to have another child. Thus, Branwen finds herself an isolated woman in an old spooky house when she starts to have curious amnesiac episodes. Naturally, these lead her to uncovering repressed childhood trauma and, as her condition worsens, she isn't sure whether she is being possessed by a demonic spirit or going insane. Roughly the first 2/3 of the book is spent in this indeterminate space, where the reader isn't quite sure what exactly is going on, although if you read horror, there are several fun possibilities you will have probably thought of. Ultimately, Branwen seeks out psychiatric help and, at this point, further twists and turns of a classically 70's nature ensue.
The book isn't ever really scary, per se, but it is creepy and unsettling. Leader writes effectively about Branwen's childhood trauma and her present day fears--of losing her husband or being involuntarily committed--are also well-depicted. The story hums along nicely and you could probably burn through this one in a day or two if you were dedicated.
As for the writing, the prose is frustratingly inconsistent (like so many lesser horror novels). The authorial voice is often quite poetic, although it sometimes veers into pretentiousness. Other times, the writing is wooden and overtly direct, like bad writing for a cheap magazine. Leader isn't great with dialogue, and the scenes between Branwen and her husband, Allen, suffer as a result.
The greatest flaw, for me, was the ending. While there are some effective elements (a cistern beneath the house that remains suspiciously nailed shut), I found the main narrative twist to be a little dated (like other elements of this book such as its random casual racism) and the overall progression toward the end to be jumbled and a little chaotic.
Because it's such a quick read, this is a fun enough genre fix (if you are into 1970's horror-lite). But unless you can find it at your local library or you inexplicably spot a copy for less than the $200 online asking price, I cannot in good faith tell you to shell out your money for it. It's an interesting "B" horror novel from the 70s, but aside from the tangential connection to Stevie Nicks, there's nothing transcendent or special about it.
March 5, 2022
Triad, Mary Leader, 1973
Favorite quote: “Rhiannon! Even now I could remember the metallic tint that always crept into her voice whenever she taunted me.”
Characters: Branwen, an author mourning the loss of her child; Alan, her husband; Rhiannon, Branwen’s long-dead cousin
Most memorable scene: The resurfacing memories of Branwen’s repressed childhood trauma. I’m the first one to kind of groan and roll my eyes when a character sets out to recover their lost memories (it’s usually just not that interesting — and it’s overused) but I thought Mary Leader handled this in a refreshingly interesting way
Strengths: The imagery. Mary Leader knows how to paint pictures with words … the kind of pictures you’ll remember — for better or worse … (Can I get a DUN-dun-dun!?)
Standout achievements: For being so short, Triad is a strong novel — a fact that’s largely due to Mary Leader’s talent of saying a lot without wasting a lot of words
Fun Facts: While it’s commonly claimed that Triad was “the inspiration” for Fleetwood Mac’s classic hit, Rhiannon, singer/songwriter Stevie Nicks has never actually expressed much interest in the novel itself. According to her, the song wasn’t written about Mary Leader’s Triad in any way — she just liked the name Rhiannon. In short, if you’re seeking out this book (which is out of print now and priced at $596.02) for its tenuous connection to Stevie Nicks, you’ll likely be disappointed. Aside from Branwen hearing a disembodied “RHIANNON!” on occasion, there’s nothing there. Sorry. (And now you have the song stuck in your head, don’t you? You’re welcome)
Other media: Triad appears in a store window in the Jodie Foster film, The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane. I was so excited when I spotted that. Probably not as excited as Mary Leader was, but still, pretty excited
What it taught me: While certainly not an example of top-shelf literary excellence, I did learn a few things from Triad and Mary Leader — most notably that where a story begins and where it ends up can be very different … so long as they meet in the middle and tie together
How it inspired me: While I didn’t go on to write any classic rock songs after reading Triad the way Stevie Nicks did, I do frequently think of Mary Leader’s book when I write something spooky. I like the way Triad keeps its secrets. I aspire to be as masterful at maintaining mystery
Additional thoughts: Triad is one of those books I’ve given up recommending. As much as I love it, it seems I’m the only one. To me, Mary Leader wrote a riveting tale t about ghosts, loss, possession, and mental illness. Triad equally supernatural and psychological, and largely left open to the reader’s interpretation. Personally, I dig that kind of stuff, but alas …
Haunt me: alistaircross.com
Read Triad: https://tinyurl.com/3zfpmtt2
Favorite quote: “Rhiannon! Even now I could remember the metallic tint that always crept into her voice whenever she taunted me.”
Characters: Branwen, an author mourning the loss of her child; Alan, her husband; Rhiannon, Branwen’s long-dead cousin
Most memorable scene: The resurfacing memories of Branwen’s repressed childhood trauma. I’m the first one to kind of groan and roll my eyes when a character sets out to recover their lost memories (it’s usually just not that interesting — and it’s overused) but I thought Mary Leader handled this in a refreshingly interesting way
Strengths: The imagery. Mary Leader knows how to paint pictures with words … the kind of pictures you’ll remember — for better or worse … (Can I get a DUN-dun-dun!?)
Standout achievements: For being so short, Triad is a strong novel — a fact that’s largely due to Mary Leader’s talent of saying a lot without wasting a lot of words
Fun Facts: While it’s commonly claimed that Triad was “the inspiration” for Fleetwood Mac’s classic hit, Rhiannon, singer/songwriter Stevie Nicks has never actually expressed much interest in the novel itself. According to her, the song wasn’t written about Mary Leader’s Triad in any way — she just liked the name Rhiannon. In short, if you’re seeking out this book (which is out of print now and priced at $596.02) for its tenuous connection to Stevie Nicks, you’ll likely be disappointed. Aside from Branwen hearing a disembodied “RHIANNON!” on occasion, there’s nothing there. Sorry. (And now you have the song stuck in your head, don’t you? You’re welcome)
Other media: Triad appears in a store window in the Jodie Foster film, The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane. I was so excited when I spotted that. Probably not as excited as Mary Leader was, but still, pretty excited
What it taught me: While certainly not an example of top-shelf literary excellence, I did learn a few things from Triad and Mary Leader — most notably that where a story begins and where it ends up can be very different … so long as they meet in the middle and tie together
How it inspired me: While I didn’t go on to write any classic rock songs after reading Triad the way Stevie Nicks did, I do frequently think of Mary Leader’s book when I write something spooky. I like the way Triad keeps its secrets. I aspire to be as masterful at maintaining mystery
Additional thoughts: Triad is one of those books I’ve given up recommending. As much as I love it, it seems I’m the only one. To me, Mary Leader wrote a riveting tale t about ghosts, loss, possession, and mental illness. Triad equally supernatural and psychological, and largely left open to the reader’s interpretation. Personally, I dig that kind of stuff, but alas …
Haunt me: alistaircross.com
Read Triad: https://tinyurl.com/3zfpmtt2
October 8, 2023
I absolutely loved this book from the start & read it in no time! Such an interesting story full of memory loss & bodily possession & hauntings & unexplainable scary incidents.
To be clear on one thing though, lovely Stevie Nicks didn't write her song Rhiannon because of this book. As a matter of fact I read on Google that back in 1975 she found & read this "stupid" paperback Triad (imagine that & I recently paid $73 in hardcover!!) at her friend's house & thought Rhiannon was a pretty name so she wrote that song! Well her "stupid" song made alot of money from this book! How dare her call it stupid! Mary Leader wrote a darn good scary ghost story!
Actually Rhiannon came from the Welsh legend of Mabinogion and a series of mythology books where one of the them is called The Book of Rhiannon who was a Welsh witch. I have all them and can't wait to read them! Maybe next!
To not tell too much of the book the story was of Branwen, her husband Alan & their dog Lance living in a "haunted" mansion above Lake Michigan. While Alan was away alot of times on business she spent her lonely evenings with Lance grieving over her dead baby Timmy who died from crib death & she feels it was all her fault.
Then strange things start to happen after she recalls her childhood tragedy of accidentally killing her cousin Rhiannon when she was only nine years old. She comes back as a ghost & haunts Branwen mentally & physically & Branwen's mind goes into another world & that leads Alan to suggest her going to see a psychiatrist the gentle Dr. Ambrose.
In her mixed up life she does become pregnant again & Alan stayed home more to take care of her and makes sure she sees alot of Dr. Ambrose.
All kinds of even stranger things happen then but I won't say any more to spoil the story & twisted ending.
I suggest to anybody who likes these kinds of stories to read it. Maybe find it at a library but if you buy it find the cheapest price. It's a keeper!
To be clear on one thing though, lovely Stevie Nicks didn't write her song Rhiannon because of this book. As a matter of fact I read on Google that back in 1975 she found & read this "stupid" paperback Triad (imagine that & I recently paid $73 in hardcover!!) at her friend's house & thought Rhiannon was a pretty name so she wrote that song! Well her "stupid" song made alot of money from this book! How dare her call it stupid! Mary Leader wrote a darn good scary ghost story!
Actually Rhiannon came from the Welsh legend of Mabinogion and a series of mythology books where one of the them is called The Book of Rhiannon who was a Welsh witch. I have all them and can't wait to read them! Maybe next!
To not tell too much of the book the story was of Branwen, her husband Alan & their dog Lance living in a "haunted" mansion above Lake Michigan. While Alan was away alot of times on business she spent her lonely evenings with Lance grieving over her dead baby Timmy who died from crib death & she feels it was all her fault.
Then strange things start to happen after she recalls her childhood tragedy of accidentally killing her cousin Rhiannon when she was only nine years old. She comes back as a ghost & haunts Branwen mentally & physically & Branwen's mind goes into another world & that leads Alan to suggest her going to see a psychiatrist the gentle Dr. Ambrose.
In her mixed up life she does become pregnant again & Alan stayed home more to take care of her and makes sure she sees alot of Dr. Ambrose.
All kinds of even stranger things happen then but I won't say any more to spoil the story & twisted ending.
I suggest to anybody who likes these kinds of stories to read it. Maybe find it at a library but if you buy it find the cheapest price. It's a keeper!
August 25, 2021
I recently found a paperback copy of this in a used book store and remembered it as what I think is the first "adult" novel I've ever read (rather than children's and young adult books). As a young teen, I was thrilled with the scariness of it; anything supernatural/sci-fi/horror was my cup of tea.
Having just finished it again 40 years later, I discovered an unnecessarily convoluted plot written with an unnecessarily convoluted style of writing. The dialogue, in particular, is so unrealistic, with a married couple calling each other "my darling" and only speaking in perfectly formed long sentences with multiple clauses. It was almost laughable at times, but I think at least part of that can be blamed on time.
All of this "overwritten"-ness is particularly ridiculous because (SPOILER follows) we know the narrator says she is trying to put down a story quickly while protecting it from the wrong hands. In fact, she has had to rewrite several sections, so maybe she could have left out the long sections on mythological stories having to do with her namesake, her dreams, and parts like this:
"A chill fall drizzle beat a monotonous bolero on the windows the morning Alan left for Kentucky...Sunlight filtering through the thin overcast turned the lake into a pewter sheet that blended into the gray sky without demarcation. It hung like a vast theater curtain, cutting the land off at the edge of the bluff, and an ocean steamer moving slowly past seemed suspended over the jumping-off place from the world."
Having just finished it again 40 years later, I discovered an unnecessarily convoluted plot written with an unnecessarily convoluted style of writing. The dialogue, in particular, is so unrealistic, with a married couple calling each other "my darling" and only speaking in perfectly formed long sentences with multiple clauses. It was almost laughable at times, but I think at least part of that can be blamed on time.
All of this "overwritten"-ness is particularly ridiculous because (SPOILER follows) we know the narrator says she is trying to put down a story quickly while protecting it from the wrong hands. In fact, she has had to rewrite several sections, so maybe she could have left out the long sections on mythological stories having to do with her namesake, her dreams, and parts like this:
"A chill fall drizzle beat a monotonous bolero on the windows the morning Alan left for Kentucky...Sunlight filtering through the thin overcast turned the lake into a pewter sheet that blended into the gray sky without demarcation. It hung like a vast theater curtain, cutting the land off at the edge of the bluff, and an ocean steamer moving slowly past seemed suspended over the jumping-off place from the world."
April 20, 2023
'Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night
And wouldn't you love to love her?
She is like a cat in the dark
And then she is to darkness
She rules her life like a fine skylark
And when the sky is starless;
All your life you've never seen
Woman taken by the wind
Would you stay if she promised you heaven?
Will you ever win?'
- 'Rhiannon,' song by Fleetwood Mac, written by THE Stevie Nicks;
'Triad: A Novel of the Supernatural' by Mary Leader is the book that inspired one of my beloved idols, Stevie Nicks, to write 'Rhiannon.' The lyrics mentioned above, are a wonderful tribute to Rhiannon's character in the book.
'Triad' was published in the 1970's, so it most definitely had a vintage-horror feel. Unknowing of what to expect, Leader spun a tale prompting the reader to wonder- is the Main Character losing her mind, or truly being overtaken by a vindictive, angry spirit from her own past?
I enjoyed this novel. While it was short in length, Mary Leader has a way of using heavy descriptors to paint the scenery of an old, haunted mansion and the strange and unusual happenings within it experienced by the MC and her husband, following the crib death of her infant child.
I had felt such a connection to this book, not only to the classic horror story being told, but also the feeling that I was truly reading a haunted piece of history knowing one of my most favorite icons Stevie Nicks, had read the same words printed on those pages, which moved her enough to inspire her to write Fleetwood Mac's popular song, 'Rhiannon.'
And wouldn't you love to love her?
She is like a cat in the dark
And then she is to darkness
She rules her life like a fine skylark
And when the sky is starless;
All your life you've never seen
Woman taken by the wind
Would you stay if she promised you heaven?
Will you ever win?'
- 'Rhiannon,' song by Fleetwood Mac, written by THE Stevie Nicks;
'Triad: A Novel of the Supernatural' by Mary Leader is the book that inspired one of my beloved idols, Stevie Nicks, to write 'Rhiannon.' The lyrics mentioned above, are a wonderful tribute to Rhiannon's character in the book.
'Triad' was published in the 1970's, so it most definitely had a vintage-horror feel. Unknowing of what to expect, Leader spun a tale prompting the reader to wonder- is the Main Character losing her mind, or truly being overtaken by a vindictive, angry spirit from her own past?
I enjoyed this novel. While it was short in length, Mary Leader has a way of using heavy descriptors to paint the scenery of an old, haunted mansion and the strange and unusual happenings within it experienced by the MC and her husband, following the crib death of her infant child.
I had felt such a connection to this book, not only to the classic horror story being told, but also the feeling that I was truly reading a haunted piece of history knowing one of my most favorite icons Stevie Nicks, had read the same words printed on those pages, which moved her enough to inspire her to write Fleetwood Mac's popular song, 'Rhiannon.'
August 21, 2024
Note: This book has been out of print for decades but if you’re someone who doesn’t mind reading digitally, you can read this book for free! https://archive.org/details/triad00le...
“Triad” by Mary Leader is a hauntingly beautiful novel that captivates from the very first page. The story weaves together elements of mystery, psychological depth, and a touch of the supernatural in a way that keeps you engrossed until the end. The character development is remarkable, and Rhiannon’s enigmatic presence lingers long after the book is closed. Leader’s prose is poetic and evocative, drawing you into a world where reality and myth intertwine seamlessly.
What makes “Triad” even more compelling is its influence on popular culture, most notably inspiring the iconic 1975 Fleetwood Mac song “Rhiannon.” Stevie Nicks was so taken with the character and the ethereal qualities of the story that she penned one of the band's most beloved tracks. The song captures the essence of the novel’s haunting atmosphere and the mysterious allure of Rhiannon herself.
This novel is a must-read for anyone who’s a fan of psychological thrillers, literary fiction, and those who appreciate a story that resonates beyond the page.
“Triad” by Mary Leader is a hauntingly beautiful novel that captivates from the very first page. The story weaves together elements of mystery, psychological depth, and a touch of the supernatural in a way that keeps you engrossed until the end. The character development is remarkable, and Rhiannon’s enigmatic presence lingers long after the book is closed. Leader’s prose is poetic and evocative, drawing you into a world where reality and myth intertwine seamlessly.
What makes “Triad” even more compelling is its influence on popular culture, most notably inspiring the iconic 1975 Fleetwood Mac song “Rhiannon.” Stevie Nicks was so taken with the character and the ethereal qualities of the story that she penned one of the band's most beloved tracks. The song captures the essence of the novel’s haunting atmosphere and the mysterious allure of Rhiannon herself.
This novel is a must-read for anyone who’s a fan of psychological thrillers, literary fiction, and those who appreciate a story that resonates beyond the page.
September 17, 2025
Grady Hendrix’s hugely popular Paperbacks from Hell completely overlooks Mary Leader’s Triad, a novel that fits squarely among the “paperbacks from hell” of the seventies and eighties. Why is that? Is this novel somehow less “deserving” than the others he includes? I really don’t think so.
As we know, Valancourt Books has used Hendrix’s guide as a springboard for reprinting many of these forgotten titles, although some of them should have definitely stayed buried. So why not Triad? Was it because it wasn’t featured in Hendrix’s book? Or was it a matter of copyright? I wonder. Now, I won’t pretend Triad is a masterpiece—it isn’t. But it’s certainly better than a number of titles that did make Hendrix’s list and Valancourt’s catalogue. Parts of the novel are genuinely fun to read and it’s a pity that, many more, are quite boring. One standout is the family dog, Lance. Unlike the all-too-common trope where pets are just plot devices—appearing only to bark at the right time or be killed off by some supernatural force—Lance feels like a “real” pet. He’s always there, a true part of the family and the story, and that alone makes Triad stand out a little more.
As we know, Valancourt Books has used Hendrix’s guide as a springboard for reprinting many of these forgotten titles, although some of them should have definitely stayed buried. So why not Triad? Was it because it wasn’t featured in Hendrix’s book? Or was it a matter of copyright? I wonder. Now, I won’t pretend Triad is a masterpiece—it isn’t. But it’s certainly better than a number of titles that did make Hendrix’s list and Valancourt’s catalogue. Parts of the novel are genuinely fun to read and it’s a pity that, many more, are quite boring. One standout is the family dog, Lance. Unlike the all-too-common trope where pets are just plot devices—appearing only to bark at the right time or be killed off by some supernatural force—Lance feels like a “real” pet. He’s always there, a true part of the family and the story, and that alone makes Triad stand out a little more.
November 30, 2019
Interesting horror story about a woman who is plagued by her memory of a childhood accident that killed her cousin Rhiannon. Even though Rhiannon was an evil child that murdered animals and tortured her cousin, Branwen, on a regular basis, she still feels guilty that she was responsible for her death. Later in life, after losing her son to crib death, Branwen starts to have lapses in memory and feels like she being possessed by Rhiannon's spirit. Finally, her husband insists she seeks psychiatric help when she becomes pregnant again and she discovers that she has multiple personalities. Her doctor even falls in love with one of them. The novel is full of greek myths and descriptions of birds, trees, and nature. It is sometimes confusing trying to follow what the author was trying to convey as to how this all pertains to the plot but does lend a spectral aspect to the book. In the end, Branwen ends up in an asylum still visited by Rhiannon - whether by possession or haunting is the reader's opinion.
July 31, 2021
Yep, I picked it up because of Stevie Nicks and “Rhiannon”! And I enjoyed it as a kind of 1970s curiosity. A woman battles what appears to be the spirit of a long-dead and evil cousin taking possession of her mind. The last third of the novel, while containing several twists I didn’t see coming, somehow left me cold. I think because a lot of it happened in dreams, or was told in summary rather than in scene, giving the climax a rather passive and, well, anti-climactic feel. Some really nice writing about Wisconsin nature. The last line of the novel seems to have directly influenced Stevie’s lyrics: “We will come together in our last struggle and [italics] I will win [italics].” The parenthetical title of the song “Rhiannon” is “Will You Ever Win.” Check for it in your local library if you can’t find a copy to buy!
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