Crow Mary: A Novel

Written by Kathleen Grissom

Narrated by Carolina Hoyos

The New York Times bestselling author of the book club classics The Kitchen House and Glory Over Everything returns with a sweeping and “richly detailed story of a woman caught between two cultures” (Sandra Dallas, New York Times bestselling author) inspired by the real life of Crow Mary—an Indigenous woman in 19th-century North America.

In 1872, sixteen-year-old Goes First, a Crow Native woman, marries Abe Farwell, a white fur trader. He gives her the name Mary, and they set off on the long trip to his trading post in Saskatchewan, Canada. Along the way, she finds a fast friend in a Métis named Jeannie; makes a lifelong enemy in a wolfer named Stiller; and despite learning a dark secret of Farwell’s past, falls in love with her husband.

The winter trading season passes peacefully. Then, on the eve of their return to Montana, a group of drunken whiskey traders slaughters forty Nakota—despite Farwell’s efforts to stop them. Mary, hiding from the hail of bullets, sees the murderers, including Stiller, take five Nakota women back to their fort. She begs Farwell to save them, and when he refuses, Mary takes two guns, creeps into the fort, and saves the women from certain death. Thus, she sets off a whirlwind of colliding cultures that brings out the worst and best in the cast of unforgettable characters and pushes the love between Farwell and Crow Mary to the breaking point.

From “a tremendously gifted storyteller” (Jim Fergus, author of The Vengeance of Mothers), Crow Mary is a “tender, compelling, and profoundly educational and satisfying read” (Sadeqa Johnson, author of The Yellow Wife) that sweeps across decades, showcasing the beauty of the natural world, while at the same time probing the intimacies of a marriage and one woman’s heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Jun 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9781797154886

Kathleen Grissom

Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Kathleen Grissom is now happily rooted in south-side Virginia. She is the New York Times bestselling author of The Kitchen House, Glory Over Everything, and Crow Mary. Find out more at KathleenGrissom.com.

Reviews for Crow Mary

[Sharon Hall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an engaging book. The narrator brought the characters to life. Though heartbreaking at times, I loved this book.

[Karen Holst · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very Good! Listening to the story of Crow Mary helps to learn and appreciate the culture and history behind the different tribes of the Native Americans. Story was very intriguing.

[Michael Doan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Strong female character. Liked the Native American history of the 1870’s.

[cinda brea · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good historical novel. Gave insight into the Crow people and the many horrors of the government systems that worked to delete their heritage and customs.

[Chandrika Hariharan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Nicely written. I liked the peak into native Indian culture. Engaging and interesting.

[Rebekah Chighali · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The historical aspects of this story were beautifully written, and the respect to the Crow Indians was so well done. I was so vested in Crow Mary’s story, and felt every wave of emotion evoked by her journey. I loved this story, and if you enjoy historical fiction, you will too.