Red Jacarandas

Jeff Polman’s Red Jacarandas presents a distinct collection of three narratives centered on Los Angeles. The volume combines two original screenplays with a short novel, offering readers a varied approach to supernatural fiction. The first section, titled Aftershock, follows an L. A. psychiatrist and author who rents a guest house in Santa Monica Canyon after an earthquake displaces her. She soon confronts the haunted history of an abandoned Spanish villa on the grounds. The second narrative, One Eye Open, tracks Leo, a homeless man navigating encampments and food lines. His existence shifts when a vision from beyond occurs while he stands on a freeway overpass rail. The final story, Loved Ones, begins with the murder of TV actress Gina Coogan on her Sherman Oaks doorstep. Two obsessive male fans flee for a desert golf weekend, leading to unexpected and twisted outcomes. This book suits readers interested in weird tales that blend psychological tension with supernatural elements. It appeals to those who appreciate stories rooted in specific urban landscapes like Los Angeles. Readers seeking traditional gothic castles or historical periods outside the modern era may find less resonance here. The work relies on contemporary settings and character-driven horror rather than atmospheric history.