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Where the Roots Tangle: A Novel

Where the Roots Tangle: A Novel
By author: Odessa Blaine
Product Code: P753
ISBN: 9798897360437
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Edwina's shaky world is rocked by the murder of a childhood friend on a sweltering Georgia day in 1929. War erupts between the fed-up poor folks of Shine Town and Edy's in-laws, the old money Jacksons of Canes Crossin. Edwina and her sister are trapped in the middle. Growing up Shine Town trash with their single mother, Edwina and Josephine knew about hard living. Then Beauregard Jackson planted a prized baby boy in Edy's sister. Their mother was thrilled to see Jo marry up. Beau's family was livid. The Jacksons were rumored to own everything in the valley and then some. Ruling from the family's plantations, they clung to bygone ways and enforced their will on others, until hubris made them vulnerable. Jealousy, loneliness, adoration, and defiance warred inside Edy. She spent years reconciling hatred of the Jacksons and love for her sister. But when their mother suddenly vanishes, the fragile balance crumbles.Shine Town turns on Edy and she heads to the mountains for answers, only to find more confusion when she stumbles upon the remnants of a people more ancient than memory. They offer an escape, but she can't leave Jo behind. Tripping over prejudice, secrets, and uncertainty, can Edy get out of her own way and save the folks she cares about before Jackson greed gets them all killed? Get tangled in hardscrabble Southern living, small town politics, blood feuds, nearly forgotten folkways, family legacy, and a dash of Appalachian magic.
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Reviews

Review by: Ann Hite, award-winning author of GHOST ON BLACK MOUNTAIN and HAINTS ON BLACK MOUNTAIN - June 11, 2026
"WHERE THE ROOTS TANGLE is part Southern Gothic, part Appalachian folklore that will make you want to leave a nightlight on at bedtime. Beautifully written with language that turns scenes into well-crafted art."
Review by: Robert Gwaltney, award-winning author of SING DOWN THE MOON and THE CICADA TREE - June 11, 2026
"Odessa Blaine's WHERE THE ROOTS TANGLE is a haunting Southern Gothic novel steeped in Appalachian myth, class conflict, and the inescapable pull of family. Set in the summer of 1929, Blaine captures a world where old money, poverty, and folklore collide with devastating consequences. Edwina's voice is raw and compelling, carrying the weight of prejudice, loyalty, and quiet courage as she navigates small-town politics. Rich in atmosphere and grounded in folklore, this novel lingers long after the final page--an unflinching meditation on survival, sacrifice, and the terrible cost of love."

Goodreads reviews