The Bog Wife, A Novel By Kay Chronister

In The Bog Wife, a haunting Appalachian folktale, five siblings in West Virginia confront long-buried secrets when the supernatural covenant entwining their fate with their ancestral cranberry bog is shattered. The Haddesley family has tended this bog for generations, sustaining themselves in exchange for the promise of a "bog-wife," a being born from vegetation meant to carry on the family line. However, when the bog refuses to honor its end of the bargain, the Haddesleys—still grappling with their mother’s mysterious disappearance—must navigate an uncertain future.

Middle child Wenna returns to the crumbling family manor just as her own marriage is unraveling, believing the time has come to abandon their ancestral ties. But her siblings resist change: Eda, the eldest, attempts to salvage the compact through desperate acts, while younger brother Percy retreats into the wilderness, seeking to conjure his own bog-wife. Meanwhile, youngest sister Nora strives to unite her fractious siblings, and fledgling patriarch Charlie uncovers a disturbing secret that challenges their understanding of family loyalty and legacy.

Combining gothic eco-horror, psychological drama, and family saga, The Bog Wife unfolds as a propulsive narrative that captures the complexities of familial bonds and the haunting shadows of history. With lyrical prose and richly developed characters, this novel resonates with fans of Shirley Jackson, Karen Russell, and Matt Bell, exploring the known and unknown facets of family heritage and the difficult journey toward letting go. 📚❤️