Background history

Set in the rural community of Trinity, South
Carolina, a postcard-pretty enclave of antebellum houses and manicured
lawns, American Gothic is the story of a town tormented and seduced by the ominous
presence of one man, Sheriff Lucas Buck. A malevolent force with an
inexhaustible hunger for control, Buck is the benevolent lawman who
rules without law or conscience.

His deputy is concerned with his boss's lethal amorality,
but is helpless to stop him. A more worthy opponent is Dr. Matt
Crower, but even he does not realize the power of his
adversary.

Gail Emory, a former Trinity resident who now works as a
newspaper reporter, returns to the scene of her haunted past when she
learns that Lucas Buck is threatening her young cousin Caleb Temple.
Gail's return to town sets in motion a series of confrontations that
will have terrible consequences.