THE WHITE MAN IN THE GRAVEYARD

Book Cover

HORROR SUSPENSE / THRILLER SCI-FI SUSPENSE/THRILLER

Contemporary

Robert A. Atkinson

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Logline

Two paranormal investigators and a skeptic discover that the strange cases they have been experiencing are all linked to a larger conspiracy. They come to the realization that the US Government is working with a race of demonic creatures called the Nephilim, who have world domination in mind.

Genre

Horror, Suspense / Thriller,,Sci-fi,Suspense/Thriller

Short Summary

Paranormal researchers Margaret Sasha Davies and Lucas Harrell team up with Navy veteran and skeptic Carol Ann "Skipper" LeBlanc. Together they encounter the supernatural in many strange cases. These events could be the result of something much larger and sinister, however.

Setting

South Carolina

Based on a True Story

No

Plot - Premise

Overcoming Monster/Villain

Plot - Other Elements

Twist

Mature Audience Themes

Information not completed

Main Character Details

Name: Lucas Harrell

Age: 48

Gender: Male

Role: Protagonist

Key Traits: Adventurous, Complex,Strong Moral Code

Additional Character Details

Name: Carol Ann "Skipper" LeBlanc

Age: 44

Gender: Female

Role: Skeptic

Key Traits: Faithful, Charming,Adventurous,Clumsy,Naive,Religious

Additional Character Details

Name: Margaret Sasha Davies

Age: 46

Gender: Female

Role: protagonist

Key Traits: Educated, Sexy, Sophisticated,Complex,Seductive,Sexy,Confident

Additional Character Details

The author has not yet written this

About The Author

Target Audiences

Age: 35-54

Target Gender: Universal

Group Specific

Southeastern US

Publishing Details

Status: Yes: self-published

Publisher: Self published

Year Published: 2012

Hard Copy Available

Yes

ISBN

0692181989

Genre

ACTION, FANTASY, SUSPENSE, THRILLER

Brief

South Carolina investigator Lucas and his partner, Agent Skipper, suddenly begin to stumble upon supernatural cases, such as attacks by giant amphibians and historical icons that come back to life. After strange investigations like these start to pile up, with the help of paranormal investigator Sasha, they realize a race of demonic creatures called Nephilim is behind it all. However, things become even more complex when the duo discovers that the Nephilim are in cahoots with the US government in a grand conspiracy aimed at world domination.

Overall Rating

FAIR

Point of View

THIRD PERSON

Narrative Elements

Authors Writing Style: GOOD

Characterization: FAIR

Commerciality: GOOD

Franchise Potential: GOOD

Pace: FAIR

Premise: FAIR

Structure: FAIR

Theme: GOOD

Accuracy of Book Profile

It is essential to correct the book's logline and summary, since the protagonist Lucas, at least at the beginning of the narrative, is not a paranormal investigator but a typical police investigator, along with his colleague Skipper.

Draw of Story

The author works in the scheme of posing a significant supernatural threat in each chapter, attracting interest in each new narrative line almost as if the work were a collection of short stories.

Possible Drawbacks

This narrative choice, however, also has its downside. While the cases in each chapter are fascinating, this characteristic makes it harder for us to connect with the main characters as they are presented in less detail. Therefore, the reader may get tired along the way and end up abandoning the narrative.

Use of Special Effects

THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS

Primary Hook of Story

A grand social and political conspiracy involving demonic creatures and, even more important, the government of the most powerful country in the world.

Fanbase Potential

Fans of supernatural and adventure horror stories abound in a niche for which this story should have broad appeal. The issue of the story's historical conspiracy is a plus for the public interest.

Awards Potential

It's different from the kind of narrative that usually wins more general and admittedly celebrated awards. However, if the adaptation is well-done, there is the possibility of competing for Awards in the fantasy and horror genres.

Envisioned Budget

MEDIUM BUDGET

Similar Films/TV Series

SUPERNATURAL (TV SERIES) THE CONJURING (2013)

What’s New About the Story

The narrative could be more original in how it evokes horrors and hauntings. However, it makes a very compelling choice in connecting these events to a conspiracy that unites the US government and demonic creatures that have long existed among us. If this element were even more present in the story from earlier, the book may become more original.

Lead Characters

This is one of the storytelling's biggest problems. While there are some significant developments throughout the story, the personalities of Lucas, Skipper, and Sasha aren't as fleshed out as they could be. This gives the reader a constant feeling that things happening around them are always more interesting than themselves, which could be a considerable problem.

Uniqueness of Story

The book is not a rare gem, despite bringing some unique elements to this type of supernatural/horror narrative. The feeling is that more creativity is missing in how things develop or even the creatures and challenges the central characters face.

Possible Formats

TV Series: Network, Streaming

Analyst Recommendation

WORK IN PROGRESS

Justification

As much as it has a potentially compelling background involving conspiracies and beings straight from hell, the short stories the book poses along the way are pretty standard and lack a few more unique elements. If it were adapted for a series, it would be challenging to highlight the differentials of the narrative or what inside it might greatly appeal to the public.

Tips for Improvement

There is no harm in investing in a more episodic narrative, which could become a "case of the week" style series since an adaptation for a feature film would be more challenging. However, in these cases, it is necessary to be very careful with the development of the characters and the larger plot amid so many parallel events. That care doesn't exist here sufficiently for us to care about the fate of the main characters and the relationship between them or even fear the more significant threat they are facing. Another point worth raising here is that some passages in the story may sound problematic to the public, even with sexist or racist points of view. In some moments, the author makes it clear that these are points of view of just some of the characters, which is essential, but in others, it seems that these aspects mix with the narrative itself and can confuse the viewer. I suggest calibrating these points to think about a possible audiovisual adaptation.