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COMING September 1, 2026

Where the Roots Tangle

A Novel by Odessa Blaine

Published by Mercer University Press

This Southern Gothic novel combines Appalachian culture with magical realism and folklore.

Edwina’s shaky world is rocked by the murder of a childhood friend on a sweltering north 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. No matter what they do, Edwina and her sister are trapped in the middle of it.

A walk in the woods to find answers only brings Edy more confusion when she finds the last remnants of the ancient Moon-Eyed People. They give her an out, but she can’t just leave Josephine or her nephew behind.

Tripping over prejudice and self doubt, can Edy get out of her own way long enough to save her sister from her Mother’s misplaced good intentions before her in-laws silence her forever?

Get tangled up in hardscrabble Southern living, small town politics, blood feuds, nearly forgotten folkways, family legacy, and the mythology of Appalachia.

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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.”

Book cover for the Southern Gothic Fiction novel Where the Roots Tangle by Odessa Blaine published by Mercer University Press

Order from Mercer University Press

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.”