Stitches


Appalachian born Glada Hatchett is about to begin the greatest interview of her life. Or so, she thinks. The elderly, self-proclaimed crochet legend is well known for her award-winning career in the textile arts, but equally infamous for the tragedies that have repeatedly befallen her. She is indisputably the most decorated craftswoman in all of Ohio and the most feared woman in her town.  

Sam Wellington, the young journalist invited to Glada’s 100-year-old farmhouse in rural Ohio, promises Glada a flattering newspaper article highlighting her incredible five decades worth of success. But, Sam has ulterior motives. 

Old, but still savvy, Glada quickly figures out Sam could care less about her crochet career and is far more interested in finding out what happened to Jeffery McAdams, a Cincinnati man who disappeared in the mid-nineties and the only competitor who ever came close to beating Glada.

As a fierce storm traps them together overnight, Sam seizes the opportunity to search for answers. Glada is left to decide which secrets are best kept quiet in order to maintain her loyalties, and more importantly, the integrity of her beloved craft. 

Told from Glada’s perspective, this women's-fiction horror novel explores one woman's resilience after tragedy, her complicated relationship with her Appalachian roots, and her battles with figurative and literal ghosts. While her current predicament annoys her more than it concerns her (seeing as how a city-boy couldn't possibly pose a grave threat), Glada can't help but wonder if Sam will realize the answers he seeks are beautifully stitched and hanging from her walls. 

Inspiration

M. Leigh grew up listening to timeless Mountain tales told by her West Virginia-born relatives.  While Stitches is not based on a true story, the novel is a love letter to those boisterous family gatherings where M. hung on every word about the Big Ugly flood, river baptisms, and coal mines.  Appalachia is a beautiful region with a unique culture which M. Leigh personifies  through Glada and her love for the Mountain.

Craft

Learning to crochet at a young age, M. Leigh has carried a deep appreciation for all the textile arts. Unlike Glada, she finds knitting and quilting just as fascinating. In preparation for the novel, M. Leigh attended a workshop where she harvested plants and learned how to naturally dye yarn--an experience she highly enjoyed.