Russ Thompson, local writer, teacher, and musician has just completed his first collection of short stories entitled, 'Tales from the Rim'. After completing a supernatural mystery story called 'By the Creek of Fallen Leaves', he was inspired to create more paranormal tales that would take place in the remote highland rim region of middle Tennessee. It is a sparsely, populated, heavily wooded area that is the perfect setting for spectral tales of abandoned churches, old mansions, and haunted hollows. As he continued to write the stories, he decided to weave tales that tell the untold parts of real legends in his home state. Many of the legends and ghost stories we read about are sketchy on the details; that's where Russ Thompson has his fun weaving in the explanations. 'The Screamer in White' for example fills in the blanks about a real legend that has been seen and heard in Dickson County , TN. 'Dark Lady of Bellwood' seeks to tell why the people of Stewart County, TN say that the Bellwood mansion is haunted. 'The Trace' tells the tale of a man who thinks that he has been possessed by the spirit of Meriwether Lewis. 'Come Help Me Find My Father' seeks to explain why people keeping disappearing when they follow a certain little boy into the woods in Rutherford county. 'Sweet Grace' explains to why we should be fearful when visiting the old Bear Creek church near Mooresville, TN. Other stories such as 'The Rabbit and the Thunder Helper' weave their own fictional legends. In this one, the young Jennifer seeks to control a power she was unaware of until she meets a Native American named Henry. 'Paradosis' is told from the perspective of a groundskeeper that realizes the family that has moved into the house under his care is up to some strange ritual practices. 'The Comeuppance' explains what can happen if you pick on a girl that has a penchant for potions and lots of friends in the animal kingdom. In addition, to well-written tales that twist and turn, the collection also consists of quality artwork by local artists such as Steve Wacaster, Kristi Duckworth, Jennifer Dickerson, Jason Ledet, Mike McCarthy and Tripp Lamkins. The illustrations which use a variety of media, add color and sparkle to this collection. This is a local project through and through with local legends, a local author and local artists. Dim the lights down low and allow old and new legends to unfold. You might not want to be alone in the house (certainly not out in the middle of the woods) when you read these tales!
