The Bog Wife - A Novel By Kay Chronister

The Bog Wife is a lush and beautifully crafted novel that intertwines Southern gothic horror with the complexities of family and the supernatural. Set in West Virginia, it follows the Haddesley siblings as they confront long-buried secrets when their ancestral bond with the cranberry bog is abruptly disrupted. For generations, the family has upheld a strict covenant with the bog: through the ritual sacrifice of their patriarch, they are granted a "bog-wife," a woman born of vegetation meant to carry on the family line. However, when the bog refuses to honor this pact, the siblings are thrust into an uncertain future.

Wenna, the middle child, returns to the crumbling family manor amid her own crumbling marriage, advocating for the abandonment of their ancestral ties. Yet, her siblings are divided. Eda, the eldest, strives to preserve the covenant by desecrating it, while younger brother Percy ventures into the wilderness, hoping to summon his own bog-wife. Meanwhile, youngest sister Nora takes desperate steps to unite her fractured family. As the fledgling patriarch Charlie uncovers a disturbing truth, the Haddesleys must confront everything they thought they knew about their identity and legacy.

This gripping blend of gothic eco-horror and psychological drama resonates with fans of Shirley Jackson and Karen Russell, exploring themes of family history, sacrifice, and the struggles of moving forward amidst haunting legacies.