As seen on New York Times Bestselling List

As seen on USA Today Bestselling List

A young outcast braves the hardships of Kentucky’s Great Depression and brings truly magical objects to her people: books. Inspired by the brave women of the Pack Horse Library Project!

Cussy Mary Carter is the last of her kind, her skin the colour of a blue damselfly in these dusty hills. But that doesn’t mean she’s got nothing to offer. As a member of the Pack Horse Library Project, Cussy delivers books to the hillfolk of Troublesome Creek, hoping to spread learning in these desperate times. But not everyone is so keen on Cussy’s family or the Library Project, and the hardscrabble Kentuckians are quick to blame a Blue for any trouble in their small town.

‘Richardson’s rendering of stark poverty against the ferocity of the human spirit is irresistible.’ - Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants

‘Set in Kentucky’s Appalachian region during the Depression, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a tale of determination and the power of books.’ - Cheryl Krocker McKeon

12 on the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association Bestseller List