A 900-year-old Native American ghost protecting its sacred, snake-shaped Indian mound, is the prime suspect in a grisly murder.

SYNOPSIS:

Our female lead is a nerdy archaeology professor who must confront a 900-year-old Native American ghost murder suspect.

Her life threatened, our protagonist must sift through a blind witch, a rabble-rousing evangelical snake-handling pastor who provides more comic relief than saved souls, a drug-infested town, an overly-fed folksy county sheriff, and an Indian artifact arrowhead murder weapon. Edgy, quirky, yet true-to-life thriller. A twist ending would make Hitchcock beg to read my next script. Google search "Serpent Mound, Adams County, Ohio" and you'll find your location - built a thousand years ago - your key grip will have a field day (with a very economical budget).

Two midnight murders under the full moon of the Summer Solstice. A 900-year-old Indian arrowhead pierces the neck of a young slut doing "it" on The Mound. Naked lover-boy was also found dead, face down in a nearby stream. Prime suspect: an ancient Indian ghost who the locals think objects to his ancestral burial ground being disturbed by Lucy, the archaeologist.

The Serpent Mound snake effigy has slithered its quarter-mile existence across the Southeastern Ohio hillside for a millennium. A recent alien crop circle and local folklore keep the ghost rumor mill churning. The rural sheriff fights off local bubbas who demand that Lucy's dig be stopped. Newspaper investigative reporter Robert, teams with Lucy to solve the murders.

An attempt is made on Lucy's life. The combination of misty fog, a full moon, and the appearance of apparitions hovering over The Mound panic a crowd assembled for an evening séance. Why does the unsolved disappearance of a young girl twenty years ago resurface? Was the Coroner's death before he could issue his final report really an accident?

Lucy and Robert's meeting with the old blind, mountain witch Nellie unearths dormant spirits. Comic relief is provided by Zeke, the snake-handling evangelical, backwoods preacher. It's midnight, the night before Lucy's crew will restart the dig. Out of the eerie fog, the ghostly murderer appears.

The twist ending would make Alfred Hitchcock proud. Lucy's new dig would have uncovered a long-hidden secret: the wife of a previous archaeologist used the giant snake mound to bury a disabled grandchild who accidentally drowned while in her care.

Low budget.

Iconic, historic Indian mound setting.

Everybody likes snakes.

Limited locations/sets.

Can be PG-13 or R.

Intriguing, quirky characters. Age 60/70 actors will attach quickly to Nellie, Zeke, and the Sheriff. Protagonist Lucy and Robert match wits with each other and Indian spirits.

COVERAGE QUOTES:

• The setting and location of this mystery is perfect.

• There's a small town feel to the storytelling, as well as a spiritual and mystical ambiance.

• The concept of someone wanting to stop a dig at Serpent Mound is a nice setup for a mystery.

• It offers a great twist with the reveal of the real killer.

• Lucy comes on strong like a protagonist.

• The relationship between Lucy and Robert, nice chemistry, the witty banter is fun.

• This is the type of story that works well with eccentric characters and colorful characters like Nellie and the snake man.

• Nellie is intriguing. She adds a supernatural element to the storyline.

• The dialogue captures the dialect and is sharp.

THE GHOSTS OF SERPENT MOUND