In the County Dark
Submision Type
book
Logline
A murder-for-hire gone wrong in a small Appalachian county puts two recently reunited childhood friends in the cross-hairs of an elusive rural crime lord. The two navigate a path of past traumas, broken dreams, and small town secrets in order to overcome the darkness, or become a part of it.
Genre
Drama,Suspense/Thriller,Crime
Short Summary
Main character, Cabel, reunites with Troy, his estranged childhood friend, just after Troy has been fired from his job. Unbeknownst to Cabel, Troy contacts with a local criminal known as El Oscuro to arrange a hit job on his boss' mother to get revenge.
Setting
Rural West Virginia
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain,Internal Journey/Rebirth
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age,Philosophical Questions
Mature Audience Themes
Language/Profanity
Main Character Details
Name: Cabel Walsh
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Aspiring,Insecure,Strong Moral Code,Engaging,Underdog,Educated
Additional Character Details
Name: Troy Mason
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Role: Tempter
Key Traits: Aggressive,Uneducated,Desperate,Manipulative,Insecure
Additional Character Details
Name: El Oscuro
Age: 70
Gender: Male
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Villainous,Aggressive,Confident,Criminal,Unapologetic
Additional Character Details
Name: Miranda Murray
Age: 29
Gender: Female
Role: emotional
Key Traits: Modest,Empathetic,Selfless,Faithful,Heroic,Educated,Honorable
Genre
THRILLER, DRAMA, SUSPENSE
Brief
Cabel is a journalist who reconnects with his best friend from childhood , Troy. They become involved in a hitman scheme, investigating who is behind the murder. The clues lead to a drug ring, but Troy is caught in the crosshairs and killed. Cabel fights Oscura who is behind everything, fighting him in a shot out to stop him.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: GOOD
Premise: GOOD
Structure: GOOD
Theme: GOOD
Accuracy of Book Profile
Yes the book profile accurately reflects the book.
Draw of Story
The story starts off with a lot of information about the characters and really sets up the story. Troy is fighting a geriatric ex-boxer at the nursing home he works at. The pace and tone are set pretty quickly.
Possible Drawbacks
There story is predictable. The two estranged friends have to work together for the greater good. There is a lot of conflict between them. Troy had a drug problem, almost overdosing. Cabel feels guilty for not being there for him. Then Troy is killed and Cabel wonders if he could have done more for his friend. He sets out trying to find out who is responsible for the murders even though he is only a journalist. It's your typical journalist turn vigilante story.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that in this small town a few people turn up dead in unusual circumstances. Now Cabel and Troy must use their resources to investigate who's behind it all.
Fanbase Potential
This could have a decent fanbase. It isn't breaking new ground with storytelling but it is entertaining. It is along the lines of a lifetime movie.
Awards Potential
This does not have any awards potential. This story has been done many times before and there isn't anything particularly unique about it.
Envisioned Budget
LOW BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
LETHAL WEAPON, BAD BOYS, HOLD THE DARK, VIRGIN RIVER
What’s New About the Story
There is nothing original about this. It is a small town with a hidden drug problem. There is no part of this story that will not be familiar to the audience.
Lead Characters
The lead characters do not stand out. Cabel and Troy play off of each other like many other buddy crime couplings. Troy is the wild card with suspicious resources and a sordid past. Cabel is the straight, reasonable and responsible one. They both play to that without deviating.
Uniqueness of Story
This is an average story that would still be entertaining. It could be improved by having diversity with both main characters. There could be more creativity with the crimes and the murders. Secret drug overdose is not very original. It would be interesting for Cabel had a different profession as well. He is a local journalist who uncovers a deadly story in a small town.
Possible Formats
Film - Streaming, TV Series - Cable, TV Series - Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
CONSIDER
Justification
The story is solid. It is not very different from other stories of its' genre, however. It can be updated and made more conscious of the current climate. Small town stories such as this are still popular but the plot could be made more interesting than drugs, especially in the age of technology.