Dividing Ridge: the Unsolved Murder of Elva Brannock

by Stacy Hawks

Dividing Ridge is based on a true story of an unsolved crime that took place along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Alleghany, N.C. in 1937. After a young woman goes missing on her way to school a community is left on edge. With news spreading quickly of her disappearance and gossip swirling, it is up to local law enforcement to restore a sense of safety and one determined Sheriff to bring justice to her family.

Dividing Ridge is a North Carolina Literary Map novel and the winner of the North Carolina Society of Historians Award for Excellence 2021.

144 pages, Paperback

Published July 26, 2019

Reviews

[Dario Aguilar Peregrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dividing Ridge is an excellent written book that has passion and heart from a writer who has researched every single detail of the case. Also, I really think this should be turned into a movie or Netflix so many people can enjoy this story

[Philip Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the tradition of Non-fiction novels like Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood”, “Dividing Ridge” dramatizes the unsolved murder of sixteen year old Elva Brannock. Despite the book’s subject matter, author Stacy Hawks appears to effortlessly combine several difficult tasks including, presenting the horrible facts of the case; imagining and re-enacting the murder; convincingly discussing how the crime scene indicates that the killer likely knew the victim or her family; and describing how the hunt for the murderer in this North Carolina setting strained this idyllic community. Hawks does all this while capturing the pain the victim’s family obviously suffered as a result of this senseless crime.

It would be a difficult task for any writer. Yet, Hawks’s writing style and “voice” is perfectly suited to tell this sad story. Her prose brings the reader back to 1937 North Carolina. Through her lovely words, the reader shares not only the crime, but the immense grief of the Brannock family and the Dividing Ridge community.

Although I was impressed by the entire novel, in my opinion, its greatest strength is the author’s wonderful descriptions of the people. When Hawks wrote “(He) watched as all those who had worn hats respectfully removed them” the reader feels the immense, collective pain shared by the entire community at the young woman’s funeral. When Hawks wrote, “Nora looked up at her father, she could tell he had been crying from his bloodshot eyes and reddened face. He had hoped to be rid of most of his tears before arriving home,” the reader shares what must have been an intimate horror for the Brannock parents. They had to mourn the loss of their daughter Elva, while simultaneously appearing strong for their daughter Nora and other children. Hawks captures this beautifully.

Put simply, “Dividing Ridge” is an excellent True Crime novel. I recommend it without reservation.

[Mountain Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dividing Ridge is a heartfelt true story of a young woman who went missing along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina in 1937. She was discovered some days later and her murder left the close knit community in shock and fear. The Sheriff has to find out who did it. The amazing thing about this read is the use of local newspapers and the balance of history and fiction.

[Mary Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was riveted by this tale: a eighty some year cold case brought back into the light of day by author Stacy Hawks. Using a fictional narrative, Hawks immerses the reader into the details of the murder of a 16 year old girl in the North Carolina mountains near the newly constructed Blue Ridge Parkway in the late 1930s with an engaging storytelling style. The tragic and horrific death of Elva Brannock was never solved but, at the end of the story, Hawks, switching to a narrator voice, suggests a weird connection that was never pursued. Another murder many years later took place with the body being left in the same location as Elva Brannock's body. This connection was apparently never really pursued. In fact, it appears that many trails were left purposely cold in this case. I really commend Hawks for telling this tale and hope it leads to some form of justice for Elva.

[Gail Norman · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book is boring, I also bought one of her tee shirts,they are poor quality the lettering Dividing Ridge looks faded.I am not impressed at all. I mean if you want a book to put you to sleep this is it.

[T.A. Bound · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at a puzzling unsolved murder during the Depression Era. Long before modern forensic science or investigative techniques, it is curious how the murder of this beloved girl received so little investigation, which makes me wonder if the murderer was protected by someone in power?

[Charles MacDwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy a good 'In Cold Blood' style true crime book, and I thought this one had a similar feel to it. Makes great use of the southern setting as well. Worth the time!