Kalvin Ellis

In the Hills Above the Gristmill Kalvin Ellis

Paisley Mott struggles with her own particular blend of anxiety and fear that can cause her to go into a hyper-focused state. After the tragic death of her mother, Paisley began to see her anxiety-induced hyper-focus as a strength. She has used this focus to become a paranormal investigator with an up and coming web series that she hopes will propel her into becoming an expert in her field.

Hollis Grimm is a charismatic preacher from the small Appalachian mining town of Grey Water Ridge. When he contacts Paisley to help shine some light on the mysterious mutilation of seven women in the woods outside of town, she is on the first flight out. The locals believe God has sent a creature to punish the town for its sins, and this has captured Paisley's attention more than the preacher or the murders themselves.

The preacher, an outsider turned sheriff, an heiress and internet celebrity, a man obsessed with the past, an old-timer with an ax to grind, an obsessed fan, and a growing number of bodies stand between Paisley and the truth. After digging into the dark secrets of the town's history and discovering a strange pattern she must decide what is more dangerous, the monster in the woods, or the people who believe in him. If she isn't careful, she will not be leaving Grey Water Ridge with the story, let alone her life.