The Curse of Crow Hollow
Billy Coffey
Language: English
Pages: 416
ISBN: 0718026772
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
With the “profound sense of Southern spirituality” he is known for (Publishers Weekly), Billy Coffey draws us into a town where good and evil—and myth and reality—intertwine in unexpected ways.
Everyone in Crow Hollow knows of Alvaretta Graves, the old widow who lives in the mountain. Many call her a witch; others whisper she’s insane. Everyone agrees the vengeance Alvaretta swore at her husband’s death hovers over them all. That vengeance awakens when teenagers stumble upon Alvaretta’s cabin, incurring her curse. Now a sickness moves through the Hollow. Rumors swirl that Stu Graves has risen for revenge. And the people of Crow Hollow are left to confront not only the darkness that lives on the mountain, but the darkness that lives within themselves.
“Coffey spins a wicked tale . . . [The Curse of Crow Hollow] blends folklore, superstition, and subconscious dread in the vein of Shirley Jackson’s ‘The Lottery.’”
—Kirkus Reviews
him. “We all got friends, Buck.” “I don’t.” “You do,” John David said. “I’ll go.” “Briar and me as well,” Chessie said. “You’ll need people who know how to shoot, Buck. No tellin’ what the witch’s got waiting up there. I’ll get John David to drive me to the clinic. I expect Doc will need to come, too, assumin’ you can trust him. He knows the lay of that land, and he’s got skills we’ll need.” David Ramsay kept silent. I don’t reckon anybody figured on him going along. Why would he, knowing
be sheriff as a means to their own ends? 6. From the beginning of the town’s troubles, much of the focus seems to be on who to hold responsible rather than how best to overcome the curse. Whether God or fate or others, is there a comfort to be found in having someone to blame for our misfortunes? 7. Until the final confrontation at Alvaretta’s cabin, opinion is split on how best to return the town to some semblance of normalcy. Wilson simply wants to ignore the curse, hoping it will go away.
neither the witch nor her beast could see. Alvaretta saw the look of horror on Cordelia’s face. She spun back, but not in time. Scarlett’s fist slammed into the side of the witch’s mouth with a wet, hollow sound that would haunt those kids forever. The pitchfork went flying. Alvaretta staggered backward into the dog, which reared up and knocked her forward at Scarlett’s feet. Cordelia screamed as Hays and Naomi called out, and from inside the shed came a shriek that shook the very boards
one other house stood in view on that stretch of road, and that was Joe and Ruth Mitchell’s little ranch on down the way. Wasn’t a soul there now. Both Joe’s truck and Ruth’s car were gone from the driveway. Which was strange because something was moving around in their backyard. “Vut are you doing?” Cordy asked. Somewhere in the kitchen, Kayann rattled dishes. She’d vowed to stay with the kids that day, keep watch in case someone else decided to come along with another cinderblock (or worse).
Belle’s. Clean, pressed jeans and a bright orange top with the sleeves rolled to give the appearance of labor. Even Kayann’s makeup was perfect. Angela hated her. “Angela,” she said. “You’re late. There’s a lot to be cleared away up front. And open or not, you need to wear your smock.” “I’m afraid you’ll have to do that on your own,” Angela said. “I quit, Kayann.” Kayann near dropped her broom and dustpan. “You what?” “I’m quitting. I’m not working for you anymore.” Landis shuffled his body