The Amazing Crab Alley Revival

The year is 1897 and wealthy widow Lydia Culpepper is evaluating her mundane existence. For sixty-three years, she’s faithfully gone through the motions of fulfilling everyone else’s expectations for her life, but nothing she does is ever enough. She longs for something more.

When a young boy comes to her house in search of his missing coon dog, she gets her wish. She meets Emily Reed, a young finishing school instructor, and Opal Jackson, an Irish single mother, and the three women join together on a mission that turns the First Baptist Church on its head.

Suddenly, the town is in an uproar as lives are being changed. When Yellow Fever hits, it looks like their efforts may have been in vain, but the epidemic isn’t enough to thwart the fruits of the Crab Alley Revival.

My Review: The Amazing Crab Alley Revival by Sharon Wilharm has become my favorite book for the 2020s! The characters are so richly developed that I feel like they are people I know. It was easy to become engrossed in what was happening in their lives and care about what happened to them. I could identify more with Lydia since I am an older woman, often reflecting on what I am still able to do for God. But, I also felt a connection to Opal and Emily. The rest of the characters were more than just background, especially the children. As their lives are interwoven, the reader can visualize each person and see the good, bad, concern, and indifference. Some are well-meaning, but blind to the needs around them. The Crab Alley children, especially Sam, are filled with an eagerness that made me smile. This is definitely a 5 star book, especially for fans of historical fiction. While I hated for the book to end because I want to know what happens next with these people, it was also a satisfying ending. I know Sharon's love of history and details, eagerly look forward to her next book!

The Amazing Crab Alley Revival will be available hard copy and ebook on July 7, 2026.

Preorder Kindle copy - Amazon

SharonWilharm.com

Interviews and Reviews

Sharon Wilharm - Storyteller

SharonWilharmStoryteller

Through the years, Sharon Wilharm has worn many hats--author, speaker, Bible teacher, podcaster, radio host, and filmmaker. The common thread of all her activities is women and storytelling. She loves to tell stories that inspire and encourage women in their walk with the Lord.

Sharon is the author of Women of Prayer, a 10-week Bible study about praying women in the Bible, and The Amazing Crab Alley Revival, a Southern historical retelling of Lydia in the Bible. She’s also the host of All God’s Women podcast and internationally syndicated radio show heard daily on Moody Radio Network and Faith Radio Network.