Phantom in the Pines

By: R. K. Latch

Narrated by: Sam Rosenthal

In 1933, Mississippi was in the throes of both the Great Depression and Prohibition. Dirt-poor living was the way of life for most. Some folks were forced to turn to any means possible to put food on the table. In Winchester County, the Lawtons turned to brewing moonshine to make ends meet. Though dangerous and illegal, their operation ran smoothly until John Kirkwood, a highly ambitious federal revenue agent, came to town.

Thanks to a dirty deal with a man with deep pockets, Kirkwood sees ridding Winchester County of its moonshiners as his way to fortune. Enlisting the aid of the corrupt local sheriff and a squad of bandits and goons, they launch a brutal rampage against local 'shiners, piling up bodies along the way.

Henry Lawton works for his father in the family moonshining business. Henry also happens to be one of the best bootleggers around and runs the dark country lanes delivering his daddy's corn whiskey. At 19, he's tough as nails and knows the backroads like the back of his hand.

Henry is also in love with a young woman. Iris is a beautiful, intelligent, artistic young woman who has captured Henry's heart. Unfortunately, Iris is the granddaughter of Pearl Broussard, the woman the locals call the "witch of Winchester", which is a whole heap of trouble in itself. To make matters even worse, Henry is White. Iris is Black. In 1930s Mississippi, such relationships are recipes for certain disaster.

When Kirkwood and his band of bandits strike close to home, seemingly wiping out the Lawtons in one horrendous night, it seems like all hope is lost. Pearl Broussard uses ancient magic known as the "arts dark" to summon a magical force known as the "spirit of the trees" with only one thing on its mind: vengeance.

The best weapon against the evil of man is the supernatural. When the spirit of the trees walks free, evil runs in fear.

©2021 R. K. Latch (P)2022 R. K. Latch

Great Southern Horror

    Phantom in the Pines is a supernatural revenge tale, set in 1930s Mississippi, though the ghostly elements do not appear until late in the story.  This gives ample room for Latch’s characters to come alive… until they aren’t.  And though the paranormal elements don’t arrive until the last quarter of the book, there is plenty of blood and action as corrupt lawmen wage a vicious war against simple country bootleggers.

Though the Winchester County may be fictitious, Latch’s creation is as authentically Southern as sweet tea.  His characters are well realized, his dialogue genuine, and his descriptions of the kudzu-plagued county are rich and evocative.  Regarding Latch’s verbiage, when it lands, is quite lyrical, but when it doesn’t, it can be a slight distraction.  But this may be a matter of personal taste. 

Overall, this is fine Southern horror. The story is brisk and violent, the heroes likable and the villians despicable, and the prose is pretty solid.  I already have my next trip to Winchester County scheduled.