More From This
Author
www.richardbeauchampauthor.com
Other Works
And They Will Suffer
Horror in the Highlands
Black Tongue and Other Anomalies
Novel: Thrall
Released: November 18th, 2024
Available on Amazon, or add it to your wishlist!
About the Author:ÂRichard Beauchamp lives on the far eastern cusp of the Missouri Ozarks. He has been writing and publishing horror fiction since 2017. You can find his stories in such esteemed anthologies and publications as Cohesion Press’s award-winning “SNAFU” series, the “Negative Space: Survival Horror” anthology from Dark Peninsula Press, and “Along Harrowed Trails” by Timber Ghost Press.
His debut fiction collection “Black Tongue & Other Anomalies” from D&T Publishing was a nominee for the 2022 Splatterpunk Award, and his story “Sons Of Luna” was a finalist for the 2018 Pushcart Prize for Best Short Story.
When Richard isn’t stuck in his office abusing a keyboard, he can be found deep in the wilderness where so many of his stories are set, or locked in his studio, composing spine tingling music for such acclaimed TV shows as 48 hours, Crime Scene Confidential, and more. When he’s not writing ficton or playing in bands, he can be found lounging around at home with his wife, their dog, and many cats.
In this exclusive interview, author Richard Beauchamp delves into the local lore and regional history that shaped the world of his Ozark horror novel Thrall.
Lore, Legends, and Local History
Centuries of Romanian mythology combine with local history to shape the modern-day plot of Thrall. How did you go about researching the lesser-known, close-to-home traditions that inform the plot?
So, I’ve honestly been sort of obsessed with the eastern Missouri area for a while. I live in Jackson, MO about an hour and a half east of Carter, and being the outdoorsman I am, I’ve spent a lot of time in the hills and streams surrounding that region. A lot of my research comes from local historians and fellow non-fiction authors from the area, but also just ‘in-field’ research, where I go out and talk to people I encounter on hikes and camping trips.
Did you find any interesting bits of Carter County trivia in your research?
There’s a lot of rich lore pertaining to the many cave systems around this section of the Ozarks, and how old the mountains are. Not only that, but the area has a rich history of German and French settlers (In fact, we even have our own unique French patois that has nearly gone extinct and is spoken nowhere else in the world). Finding out about that was the inspiration for having a Romani family be the centerpiece for the drama that unfolds in Thrall.
Another cool thing I learned was that this specific section of mountains is the second oldest in the county, older even than the Appalachians to the east (and second only to the Black Hills of South Dakota), which explains the gentle dome-shaped peaks we have.
Are there any local tales or experiences you’ve had that inspired Thrall?
Absolutely. Most local lore involves the Civil War era, in which Missouri was one of those contested areas that didn’t really have allegiance to either side. There are a lot of horrific tales of this area basically being a lawless no man’s land during that time, with vigilantes and miscreants using the cave systems to hide from the scant police presence. Rebel guerillas experienced inexplicable things (such as a phenomenon called the spooklights that many people claim to have seen) out in the hills and hollers.
Whether it’s the mysterious cave systems, the rich cultural heritage, or the harrowing truths that Carter, Missouri refuses to forget, Thrall offers a gripping journey into the darkness where family bloodlines still bleed and curses linger.
If you’re ready to brave the shadows, Thrall is waiting. Be sure to pick up a copy and discover what lies beneath the surface—you may never see the hills and hollers the same way again.
