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The Hag Witch of Tripp Creek
A NEW HOME
Dawna Temple let herself be moved from the familiarity of Pittsburgh to the wilds of West Virginia, all so her mentally exhausted husband, John, could heal from a breakdown. Struggling with the abrupt change of location, Dawna finds a friend in her neighbor, Suzanne Miller, known to the locals as The Hag Witch of Tripp Creek.
A NEW FRIEND
Dismissing it as hillbilly superstition, Dawna can't believe the things she hears about her funny and empathetic friend. Suzanne has secrets—dark secrets—and eventually she reveals the truth behind the rumors that earned her the wicked nickname decades earlier.
OLD WOUNDS
Now in possession of the truth, Dawna has conflicting emotions about Suzanne’s past deeds, but when her husband's well-being takes a downturn, she finds there is no one else to turn to. Will she shun her friend as others have done before? …or can she accept that an act of evil is sometimes necessary for the greater good?
Dawna Temple let herself be moved from the familiarity of Pittsburgh to the wilds of West Virginia, all so her mentally exhausted husband, John, could heal from a breakdown. Struggling with the abrupt change of location, Dawna finds a friend in her neighbor, Suzanne Miller, known to the locals as The Hag Witch of Tripp Creek.
A NEW FRIEND
Dismissing it as hillbilly superstition, Dawna can't believe the things she hears about her funny and empathetic friend. Suzanne has secrets—dark secrets—and eventually she reveals the truth behind the rumors that earned her the wicked nickname decades earlier.
OLD WOUNDS
Now in possession of the truth, Dawna has conflicting emotions about Suzanne’s past deeds, but when her husband's well-being takes a downturn, she finds there is no one else to turn to. Will she shun her friend as others have done before? …or can she accept that an act of evil is sometimes necessary for the greater good?
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2019
6 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Somer Canon
33 books76 followersSomer Canon lives in Eastern PA with her husband, two sons, and three cats. She loves to read and write and although she is polyamorous when it comes to genres, horror always seems to be her favorite. Please feel free to contact her!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 27, 2019
Review blurb: "Two stories in one and it's my opinion that the story about The Hag Witch of Tripp Creek is the stronger offering. An unexpected and compelling storyline but with a gentle warning that there are some explicit scenes involving children and animals. I will gladly read more from Somer Canon."
I'm always game for a good story about witches. THE HAG WITCH OF TRIPP CREEK had me at the title and that it was written by Somer Canon. I had previously read a short story of Somer's in an anthology and was eager to read more. I enjoyed this book but it's my opinion that this book is two stories in one and one story is clearly much stronger, making me feel like this would have been better had the focus stayed on Suzanne's story instead of Dawna's.
We meet a couple named Dawna and John who are retreating from a busy lifestyle in the city in order to find some rest for John who is suffering a mental breakdown and needs some care.
They wind up in the woods of West Virginia. Dawna is immediately curious about a neighbor named Suzanne--they learn people think she's a witch.
This transitions over to Suzanne's story when Dawna and Suzanne strike up a friendship and Dawna begins to learn about Suzanne's backstory. Suzanne explains her involvement in a family drama so many years ago. This is where the story takes a pretty dark turn. I do feel obligated to insert some trigger warnings here for some pretty explicit details of child abuse and rape.
It was really startling given that nothing on the back of the book suggests that this will be part of the storyline. I almost quit at this point because I just don't enjoy enduring such graphic violence involving children but Somer Canon is a convincing storyteller and I felt invested enough to see where it was all going to go.
The main character, Suzanne makes some pretty remarkable choices that keep the reader engaged. It's my opinion that when the story returns to the present-day narrative with our protagonist from the beginning, Dawna, the story becomes a little unraveled. I didn't particularly care for the ending and I feel unsatisfied with the way things turned out.
However, this was a very entertaining read and it has done the job of convincing me that I would love to read more of Somer Canon's work. I loved the way she developed her characters, especially the unrelenting, resourceful Suzanne, the Hag Witch of Tripp Creek!
I'm always game for a good story about witches. THE HAG WITCH OF TRIPP CREEK had me at the title and that it was written by Somer Canon. I had previously read a short story of Somer's in an anthology and was eager to read more. I enjoyed this book but it's my opinion that this book is two stories in one and one story is clearly much stronger, making me feel like this would have been better had the focus stayed on Suzanne's story instead of Dawna's.
We meet a couple named Dawna and John who are retreating from a busy lifestyle in the city in order to find some rest for John who is suffering a mental breakdown and needs some care.
They wind up in the woods of West Virginia. Dawna is immediately curious about a neighbor named Suzanne--they learn people think she's a witch.
This transitions over to Suzanne's story when Dawna and Suzanne strike up a friendship and Dawna begins to learn about Suzanne's backstory. Suzanne explains her involvement in a family drama so many years ago. This is where the story takes a pretty dark turn. I do feel obligated to insert some trigger warnings here for some pretty explicit details of child abuse and rape.
It was really startling given that nothing on the back of the book suggests that this will be part of the storyline. I almost quit at this point because I just don't enjoy enduring such graphic violence involving children but Somer Canon is a convincing storyteller and I felt invested enough to see where it was all going to go.
The main character, Suzanne makes some pretty remarkable choices that keep the reader engaged. It's my opinion that when the story returns to the present-day narrative with our protagonist from the beginning, Dawna, the story becomes a little unraveled. I didn't particularly care for the ending and I feel unsatisfied with the way things turned out.
However, this was a very entertaining read and it has done the job of convincing me that I would love to read more of Somer Canon's work. I loved the way she developed her characters, especially the unrelenting, resourceful Suzanne, the Hag Witch of Tripp Creek!
January 31, 2022
A harrowing tale that involves heavy themes like sexual assault, witchcraft, and the lengths one woman will go to in order to right the darkest wrongs. Canon captures a whole range of emotion in this novel, and the Appalachian culture runs wild. I finished it quickly because it was hard to tear myself away...
January 14, 2021
Good book
Good story and good characters. I feel bad for all of them. Life is so unfair. But we answer to the choices we make.
Good story and good characters. I feel bad for all of them. Life is so unfair. But we answer to the choices we make.
January 20, 2021
** Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
3.5/5
I’m late to the game discovering Somer Canon’s writing. My first go-around was her fantastic short story in ‘Midnight in the Graveyard.’ Her story ‘Join My Club’ scared the crap out of me and when Pete from Bloodshot Books asked if I’d like a review copy, I jumped on the chance.
‘The Hag Witch of Tripp Creek’ tells us the story of Suzanne Miller, a widower living in a very isolated small town. She’s been branded a witch, and rightly so, but when Dawna Temple and her husband move nearby – wanting to escape their hectic city life in Pittsburgh, Dawna doesn’t believe the rumours and soon strikes up a friendship with Suzanne.
During this friendship is where the meat and potatoes of the book happen – Suzanne opens up and shares with Dawna her past and what started the rumours about her. I really enjoyed the flashback story and it was the deepest, most fleshed out section of this shorter read.
I think what would have heightened this entire read for me, was if the beginning and ending were of similar detail. When the book begins, it feels really rushed, to the point of this feeling left out and glossed over.
When we come back from the flashback to present day again, things once again hum along. Because of this disconnect between beginning, middle and ending, it read to me like three short stories that were then attached and connected by these characters. I didn’t fully understand why some of the stuff happened at the ending with Suzanne, based on her friendship with Dawna, but to stay spoiler-free I’ll leave it at that.
I found this story had so much potential to become a gruesome, folklore based story but then for unknown reasons things would back off, as though the volume of a song was turned down from 8 to 6 instead of going up to 10.
At the end of the day, I enjoyed my time in Tripp Creek, but it just felt like I visited for a day instead of a week, and in this case I think an extended stay would have helped me enjoy it more.
3.5/5
I’m late to the game discovering Somer Canon’s writing. My first go-around was her fantastic short story in ‘Midnight in the Graveyard.’ Her story ‘Join My Club’ scared the crap out of me and when Pete from Bloodshot Books asked if I’d like a review copy, I jumped on the chance.
‘The Hag Witch of Tripp Creek’ tells us the story of Suzanne Miller, a widower living in a very isolated small town. She’s been branded a witch, and rightly so, but when Dawna Temple and her husband move nearby – wanting to escape their hectic city life in Pittsburgh, Dawna doesn’t believe the rumours and soon strikes up a friendship with Suzanne.
During this friendship is where the meat and potatoes of the book happen – Suzanne opens up and shares with Dawna her past and what started the rumours about her. I really enjoyed the flashback story and it was the deepest, most fleshed out section of this shorter read.
I think what would have heightened this entire read for me, was if the beginning and ending were of similar detail. When the book begins, it feels really rushed, to the point of this feeling left out and glossed over.
When we come back from the flashback to present day again, things once again hum along. Because of this disconnect between beginning, middle and ending, it read to me like three short stories that were then attached and connected by these characters. I didn’t fully understand why some of the stuff happened at the ending with Suzanne, based on her friendship with Dawna, but to stay spoiler-free I’ll leave it at that.
I found this story had so much potential to become a gruesome, folklore based story but then for unknown reasons things would back off, as though the volume of a song was turned down from 8 to 6 instead of going up to 10.
At the end of the day, I enjoyed my time in Tripp Creek, but it just felt like I visited for a day instead of a week, and in this case I think an extended stay would have helped me enjoy it more.
September 14, 2020
The Hag Witch of Tripp Creek by Somer Canon is a heartbreaking and totally captivating tale. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t stop reading.
While this story needs a few trigger warnings; child abuse, rape, and domestic violence being the biggest one.
I will say that I thought that each element was handled wonderfully. But please know that if any of these things are triggering to you, you may want to skip this one. The author didn’t shy away from the horror of it all, but she didn’t dive to heavily into the finer details of each event either.
When a couple moves away from the city in order to decrease the amount of stress in their lives, they learn that one of their neighbors is rumored to be a witch.
Refusing to allow rumor and prejudices influence her, Dawna heads right to the witches home to introduce herself. Upon meeting the neighbor, Suzanne, Dawna and Suzanne become fast friends.
Over time, Suzanna tells her haunting story to Dawna…
While this story centered upon the couple and their personal lives and struggles, the heart of the story lay with Suzanne and her past. The message? Even the best of intentions can have disastrous consequences, and those consequences can spill over and infect the lives of others.
My goodness, the characters in this story! I really felt for them. The unfairness of some situations is just too much. Put in the same place that Suzanne found herself in, I can’t say I would have taken a different route.
There is so much more that I would love to say about this one, but I don’t want to give any of the plot away!
On a last note, I will just say… THAT ENDING! God I love endings like this! While on one hand it leave the story open to a follow up if the author wanted to do so, it’s also perfectly satisfying as it lets the reader imagine what could happen next.
My Favorite Passages
This house looked like it had made friends with the wildness that ruled the area and was allowed a space in which to snuggle in, not disturbing anything, but not being overgrown either.
The world is cruel enough without people having to add to it, you know?
The next several hours faded into a haze so thick but the only thing that Dawna could comprehend was the pain spreading through her whole being, like venom traveling through her veins with every twist of her heart.
Gray skies look down on the skeletal fingers of the tall trees, pointed and lonely without the verdant greens of their foliage.
My Final Thoughts
This is one that I highly recommend just diving into! Somer Canon’s writing style will hook you from the start and draw you deeper and deeper into the story as it goes along.
I really enjoyed that this had a peaceful and friendly start, but quickly jumped back into the past and got very dark. I loved that it was organized as a story within a story as it gave the readers more insight into the rumored witch that Dawna had become so close with.
This one is just screaming for an adaptation!
While this story needs a few trigger warnings; child abuse, rape, and domestic violence being the biggest one.
I will say that I thought that each element was handled wonderfully. But please know that if any of these things are triggering to you, you may want to skip this one. The author didn’t shy away from the horror of it all, but she didn’t dive to heavily into the finer details of each event either.
When a couple moves away from the city in order to decrease the amount of stress in their lives, they learn that one of their neighbors is rumored to be a witch.
Refusing to allow rumor and prejudices influence her, Dawna heads right to the witches home to introduce herself. Upon meeting the neighbor, Suzanne, Dawna and Suzanne become fast friends.
Over time, Suzanna tells her haunting story to Dawna…
While this story centered upon the couple and their personal lives and struggles, the heart of the story lay with Suzanne and her past. The message? Even the best of intentions can have disastrous consequences, and those consequences can spill over and infect the lives of others.
My goodness, the characters in this story! I really felt for them. The unfairness of some situations is just too much. Put in the same place that Suzanne found herself in, I can’t say I would have taken a different route.
There is so much more that I would love to say about this one, but I don’t want to give any of the plot away!
On a last note, I will just say… THAT ENDING! God I love endings like this! While on one hand it leave the story open to a follow up if the author wanted to do so, it’s also perfectly satisfying as it lets the reader imagine what could happen next.
My Favorite Passages
This house looked like it had made friends with the wildness that ruled the area and was allowed a space in which to snuggle in, not disturbing anything, but not being overgrown either.
The world is cruel enough without people having to add to it, you know?
The next several hours faded into a haze so thick but the only thing that Dawna could comprehend was the pain spreading through her whole being, like venom traveling through her veins with every twist of her heart.
Gray skies look down on the skeletal fingers of the tall trees, pointed and lonely without the verdant greens of their foliage.
My Final Thoughts
This is one that I highly recommend just diving into! Somer Canon’s writing style will hook you from the start and draw you deeper and deeper into the story as it goes along.
I really enjoyed that this had a peaceful and friendly start, but quickly jumped back into the past and got very dark. I loved that it was organized as a story within a story as it gave the readers more insight into the rumored witch that Dawna had become so close with.
This one is just screaming for an adaptation!
March 26, 2020
Dawna and John Temple have moved to West Virginia from Pittsburgh to slow the pace of their lives and reclaim John’s health. As they get to know their new home, Dawna finds herself walking down a country road, not far from her house.
She sees a sign warning her of a witch on the other side of the creek. Dawna crosses the bridge anyway, and admires a house and property that she assumes must belong to the alleged witch.Later, Dawna and John talk to their friends, Denny and Laura Sue, who have plenty of gossip and rumors to share about the witch.
Not one to give in easily to the sway of gossip or superstition, Dawna ventures back across that bridge and meets Suzanne Miller. They develop a friendship built on respect and honesty, with one caveat. Suzanne isn’t ready to tell Dawna how she earned her reputation right away, but promises to do so when the time is right.
Dawna isn’t fond of the talk about Suzanne and thinks people treat her unfairly. When she’s summoned to learn the whole story, however, it marks a turning point in her life. Suzanne’s past and the present collide, with devastating consequences for all.
To say too much more about the plot risks venturing into spoiler territory. This is a sneaky read. It has a quiet, unassuming way of slowly weaving the threads together. It builds in intensity. One of the things that stands out is how Canon humanizes Suzanne. There are no stereotypes or caricatures at work here. Suzanne is equal parts woman, friend, witch. She is resigned and bereft and caring. Dawna is inquisitive, loyal, determined. Perhaps those are characteristics that once defined Suzanne as well … perhaps the reason why the women bond … perhaps the reason why their fates collide.
And perhaps Canon’s greatest strength is in showcasing how what seems to be normal can be a gateway for evil. How what’s done out of pure intentions and loyalty can unleash unfathomable horrors with unforeseen consequences. Canon is a horror writer to watch. The genius of her work is that it’s so realistic it isn’t hard to believe in these possibilities. And that alone should make you afraid to go for walks in the country.
Oh, and buy this one in print so that you can enjoy that breathtaking cover.
She sees a sign warning her of a witch on the other side of the creek. Dawna crosses the bridge anyway, and admires a house and property that she assumes must belong to the alleged witch.Later, Dawna and John talk to their friends, Denny and Laura Sue, who have plenty of gossip and rumors to share about the witch.
Not one to give in easily to the sway of gossip or superstition, Dawna ventures back across that bridge and meets Suzanne Miller. They develop a friendship built on respect and honesty, with one caveat. Suzanne isn’t ready to tell Dawna how she earned her reputation right away, but promises to do so when the time is right.
Dawna isn’t fond of the talk about Suzanne and thinks people treat her unfairly. When she’s summoned to learn the whole story, however, it marks a turning point in her life. Suzanne’s past and the present collide, with devastating consequences for all.
To say too much more about the plot risks venturing into spoiler territory. This is a sneaky read. It has a quiet, unassuming way of slowly weaving the threads together. It builds in intensity. One of the things that stands out is how Canon humanizes Suzanne. There are no stereotypes or caricatures at work here. Suzanne is equal parts woman, friend, witch. She is resigned and bereft and caring. Dawna is inquisitive, loyal, determined. Perhaps those are characteristics that once defined Suzanne as well … perhaps the reason why the women bond … perhaps the reason why their fates collide.
And perhaps Canon’s greatest strength is in showcasing how what seems to be normal can be a gateway for evil. How what’s done out of pure intentions and loyalty can unleash unfathomable horrors with unforeseen consequences. Canon is a horror writer to watch. The genius of her work is that it’s so realistic it isn’t hard to believe in these possibilities. And that alone should make you afraid to go for walks in the country.
Oh, and buy this one in print so that you can enjoy that breathtaking cover.
Read
September 25, 2021A couple moves from Pittsburgh to the West Virginia countryside as a chance to reset, reconnect, and rejuvenate. There, an ostracized older woman’s property is marked with warnings. Avoid the Hag Witch.
But is this woman with the lush garden a witch, or a mislabeled loner?
Modern, rational urbanites find the idea of a witch haunting the wilds infeasible. However, sometimes there’s a kernel of truth in even the most outlandish rumors. In The Hag Witch of Tripp Creek, Somer Canon tells a heartbreaking story within the story of friendship, revenge, and forgiveness.
This story is, at its heart, a tale of frustration at the inability to protect those who most need the protection.
That leads to trigger warnings: This is horror, and part of the horror involves child abuse/rape/harassment and animal abuse. Suicide, ignorance and prejudice, and harassment, too, play parts in these women’s stories. Suzanna makes some decisions that left me wanting to scream with frustration, but she had spent such a lot of her life on the fringes of society that she probably distrusted authority.
Somer Canon tells the story in straight-forward, page-turning prose, and the supernatural horrors pale in comparison to the real-life injustices presented.
But is this woman with the lush garden a witch, or a mislabeled loner?
Modern, rational urbanites find the idea of a witch haunting the wilds infeasible. However, sometimes there’s a kernel of truth in even the most outlandish rumors. In The Hag Witch of Tripp Creek, Somer Canon tells a heartbreaking story within the story of friendship, revenge, and forgiveness.
This story is, at its heart, a tale of frustration at the inability to protect those who most need the protection.
That leads to trigger warnings: This is horror, and part of the horror involves child abuse/rape/harassment and animal abuse. Suicide, ignorance and prejudice, and harassment, too, play parts in these women’s stories. Suzanna makes some decisions that left me wanting to scream with frustration, but she had spent such a lot of her life on the fringes of society that she probably distrusted authority.
Somer Canon tells the story in straight-forward, page-turning prose, and the supernatural horrors pale in comparison to the real-life injustices presented.
May 2, 2020
A hint of spoilers ahead:
I'm sorry to say this wasn't my favorite of Somer Canon's novels (so far). The books has an interesting premise - woman moves to West Virginia backcountry and becomes friends with a legitimate witch - but this aspect of the story falls flat for me. The story is constructed as a frame narrative, that is, the newly arrived transplant, Dawna, visits the witch, Suzanne, and Suzanne tells the story of why she's so isolated within the community. The witch's story drew me in and kept me reading, but I wasn't a fan of story framing it. I didn't feel much for the two friends at the beginning or the end. After hearing the witch's account of events it feels like an anticlimax to return to the world of the frame.
Of Somer Canon's work to date, I prefer Killer Chronicles.
I'm sorry to say this wasn't my favorite of Somer Canon's novels (so far). The books has an interesting premise - woman moves to West Virginia backcountry and becomes friends with a legitimate witch - but this aspect of the story falls flat for me. The story is constructed as a frame narrative, that is, the newly arrived transplant, Dawna, visits the witch, Suzanne, and Suzanne tells the story of why she's so isolated within the community. The witch's story drew me in and kept me reading, but I wasn't a fan of story framing it. I didn't feel much for the two friends at the beginning or the end. After hearing the witch's account of events it feels like an anticlimax to return to the world of the frame.
Of Somer Canon's work to date, I prefer Killer Chronicles.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2021
2 stars = It was ok.
I didn't hate it, but I wasn't overly impressed, either.
What bothered me most was how the author presented Wicca and witches, or maybe I should say Wicca vs. witches, as if they are two completely different things. I've known a lot of Wiccans in my day, heck, considered myself one for a good many years. I've also known a lot of people who call themselves a witch. I still consider myself being one in many ways. Never ever in that 30+ years span of knowing any of these hundreds of people did a single individual say they were Wiccan, but not a witch. Never.
It also nagged at me, as it did Dawna, the main character in the book, that Suzanne's coven mates were so unwilling to help her or the children she was trying to help. The best they could do is put a protection spell around the children... seriously? Their father was a nasty, perverted piece of work. I'm sure they could have come up with something a little better than what they did while still keeping to the code of 'And it harm none, do what thou will'. I know they could because I could!
On the plus side, the characters were great although I wanted to know more about them in general and Dawna's husband seemed a bit wishy-washy and flat. The setting descriptions were well done, too.
As I said in the beginning, the story was fine, okay, but not as deep and compelling as I like in a book. Had the whole Wiccan vs witches thing been more believable and had the Suzanne's coven made a greater, more believable effort, I would have been happy to give the work 4 stars.
I didn't hate it, but I wasn't overly impressed, either.
What bothered me most was how the author presented Wicca and witches, or maybe I should say Wicca vs. witches, as if they are two completely different things. I've known a lot of Wiccans in my day, heck, considered myself one for a good many years. I've also known a lot of people who call themselves a witch. I still consider myself being one in many ways. Never ever in that 30+ years span of knowing any of these hundreds of people did a single individual say they were Wiccan, but not a witch. Never.
It also nagged at me, as it did Dawna, the main character in the book, that Suzanne's coven mates were so unwilling to help her or the children she was trying to help. The best they could do is put a protection spell around the children... seriously? Their father was a nasty, perverted piece of work. I'm sure they could have come up with something a little better than what they did while still keeping to the code of 'And it harm none, do what thou will'. I know they could because I could!
On the plus side, the characters were great although I wanted to know more about them in general and Dawna's husband seemed a bit wishy-washy and flat. The setting descriptions were well done, too.
As I said in the beginning, the story was fine, okay, but not as deep and compelling as I like in a book. Had the whole Wiccan vs witches thing been more believable and had the Suzanne's coven made a greater, more believable effort, I would have been happy to give the work 4 stars.
March 28, 2022
The Hag Witch of Tripp Creek is a truly heart wrenching tale of witchcraft, magic, friendship, grief, and loss. Excellently written and believable characters make the events that befall them all the more tragic.
This was my first book of Somer Canon and I was genuinely blown away. Couldn’t put it down. I will definitely read more of her work. Highly recommended.
This was my first book of Somer Canon and I was genuinely blown away. Couldn’t put it down. I will definitely read more of her work. Highly recommended.
March 9, 2021
Wow.
This was an absolutely brilliant read.
A beautifully written tale that was dark and horrific at times, as well as being both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
A solid 5⭐️ and highly recommended.
This was an absolutely brilliant read.
A beautifully written tale that was dark and horrific at times, as well as being both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
A solid 5⭐️ and highly recommended.
July 8, 2020
review to come
October 9, 2019
A wonderful tale of loss.
Somer Canon has become one of my favorite authors I have discovered in the last few years. This story really draws you in quickly. While the story deals witches, it’s really about loss and sacrifice. It’s engrossing and poignant. Highly recommended.
Somer Canon has become one of my favorite authors I have discovered in the last few years. This story really draws you in quickly. While the story deals witches, it’s really about loss and sacrifice. It’s engrossing and poignant. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews