Author Susan Sheppard grew up only hills away from the first sighting of Mothman: the now world-famous Appalachian cryptid. This spectacular event helped shape Sheppard’s imagination and set the scene for her career in writing.

Between 1966 and 1967, 100 sightings of the Mothman were reported. By 1968, the Mothman had disappeared, but his story did not.

In The Gallows Tree: A Mothman’s Tale, the peaceful landscape of West Virginia is shattered by a being that can only be described as part human, part ghoul—a red-eyed, winged beast.

The Mothman has had issues for ages, trying to reconcile his past while struggling to find his humanity. Sheppard builds a world for Mothman through a cast of characters that includes an alcoholic preacher, ghosts of lynched slaves and a beautiful witch queen ruling over local ghouls.  Gallows Tree mixes a dream-like setting, witty dialogue, and colorful characters. The story steadfastedly builds tension, and comes together in a stunning tour-de-force finale.