Phantom of the Forest

by Leroy Yerxa

"Phantom of the Forest" by Lee Francis is a suspenseful tale likely written in the late 1940s. This novel blends elements of horror and mystery, centering around the themes of hunting and the supernatural. The story explores the chilling consequences of a local legend known as the "phantom buck," which has haunted the woods and caused fear among hunters in the area. The plot unfolds as a group of hunters encounters a snowstorm while traveling through a remote region. They discover a body on the road, hinting at a mystical force behind the gruesome death. The narrative follows the hunters as they grapple with their fears, particularly as one of their own, Roy Starr, becomes a victim of the phantom buck. Throughout the story, the characters contend with rising tension and escalating danger, leading to an inevitable confrontation with the creature. The tale raises questions about the nature of fear, mortality, and the impact of human actions on the wilderness, ultimately challenging the hunters' understanding of nature and the consequences of their predatory instincts.