The Backwoods: Tallow Roots

Tommy Marcum’s The Backwoods: Tallow Roots introduces Hollis Varn to Fenwell Hollow, a place that demands more than simple inheritance. He arrives expecting quiet paperwork but finds Tallow House, a structure described as listening. The narrative focuses on a stitched ledger known as the Roll and an orchard that catalogs names like fruit. As Hollis crosses his childhood fence, reality shifts. Entries appear in the book without his hand. A root door from his dreams becomes tangible. A creature within the roots echoes voices and summons forbidden names. Portraits fade while neighbors forget faces. Memory slips away faster than anyone can anchor it back. The story weaves Southern Gothic horror with psychological dread. It examines the pressures of memory, identity, and the land's own claims. Fans of haunting family secrets and cursed houses will find this slow burn relentless. Readers seeking fast-paced action or clear resolutions may feel unsettled by the lingering ambiguity. Marcum builds tension through the loss of self rather than jump scares. The plot moves steadily as Hollis decides what he is willing to lose. He must choose between a laugh, a face, or the claim to his own name. This edition presents Book I of the series in paperback format. It suits those who enjoy rural uncanny settings and psychological horror that lingers long after the final page.