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Rangatang
A Tale of Youth, Secrets, and Survival in the Ozarks
The summer of 1976 in Huntsville, Arkansas, was supposed to be unforgettable—for all the right reasons. For Jake and his tight-knit group of friends, it marked their first true taste of a week-long camping trip deep in the uncharted wilderness of the Ozark Mountains. The boys expected adventure, laughter, and maybe a few scares from the campfire stories. What they didn’t expect was the terror that would emerge from the shadows of the forest.
As the boys navigate their way through fishing holes, hidden caves, and the joys of adolescence, the legends told by the locals begin to take on a life of their own. The mysterious history of the hills—stories of vengeful spirits, unexplained disappearances, and the haunting remnants of the past—feels closer than ever. At first, it’s just whispers on the wind and eerie sounds in the night. But when the boys stumble upon something they were never meant to find, the line between local folklore and real danger begins to blur.
The lush beauty of the Ozarks turns into a claustrophobic trap as the boys face trials that test their courage, friendship, and will to survive. What begins as a thrilling summer adventure quickly spirals into a fight against the unseen forces that lurk in the woods—and the truths that refuse to stay buried.
For listeners who love the atmospheric dread of It and the nostalgic camaraderie of Stand by Me, Rangatang blends heart-pounding suspense with the bittersweet wonder of growing up. Dive into the untamed Ozarks, where legends breathe and terror waits just beyond the firelight.
The summer of 1976 in Huntsville, Arkansas, was supposed to be unforgettable—for all the right reasons. For Jake and his tight-knit group of friends, it marked their first true taste of a week-long camping trip deep in the uncharted wilderness of the Ozark Mountains. The boys expected adventure, laughter, and maybe a few scares from the campfire stories. What they didn’t expect was the terror that would emerge from the shadows of the forest.
As the boys navigate their way through fishing holes, hidden caves, and the joys of adolescence, the legends told by the locals begin to take on a life of their own. The mysterious history of the hills—stories of vengeful spirits, unexplained disappearances, and the haunting remnants of the past—feels closer than ever. At first, it’s just whispers on the wind and eerie sounds in the night. But when the boys stumble upon something they were never meant to find, the line between local folklore and real danger begins to blur.
The lush beauty of the Ozarks turns into a claustrophobic trap as the boys face trials that test their courage, friendship, and will to survive. What begins as a thrilling summer adventure quickly spirals into a fight against the unseen forces that lurk in the woods—and the truths that refuse to stay buried.
For listeners who love the atmospheric dread of It and the nostalgic camaraderie of Stand by Me, Rangatang blends heart-pounding suspense with the bittersweet wonder of growing up. Dive into the untamed Ozarks, where legends breathe and terror waits just beyond the firelight.
Audible Audio
Published March 20, 2025
About the author
David Lambert
25 books6 followersStep into the world of David A. Lambert, a storyteller whose life reads like one of his own captivating novels. Known affectionately as "Pappy" to friends and readers alike, David crafts tales shaped by a life of extraordinary experiences and global adventures.
Born in the gritty landscapes of Manchester, New Hampshire in 1964, David's journey from Marine Corps veteran to acclaimed author embodies the American spirit of reinvention. His eleven years of military service instilled in him a discipline and perspective that breathes authenticity into every page he writes. Whether you're exploring the supernatural tensions in his Revenant Chronicles or following the calculated precision of his Colton Cross thrillers, you'll feel the influence of a man who has truly lived the spectrum of human experience.
Just three years ago, David embarked on his writing odyssey, transforming from puzzle creator to masterful novelist with remarkable speed. His diverse professional background—from digital mapping director to manufacturing supervisor to his current role as a dedicated family clinic nurse—infuses his narratives with technical precision and profound human understanding that readers consistently praise.
Discover his gripping standalone titles like "Hushbone," "Rangatang," "The Devil's Mouth," "Cane Creek," —each offering a unique window into David's imaginative landscape. For series enthusiasts, the Revenant Chronicles ("Crimson Horizon" and "Fractured Horizon") delivers supernatural suspense that will keep you awake long past midnight, while the Colton Cross Contract Killing series ("Cross The Line" and "Burning Cross") introduces you to a protagonist whose moral complexity will haunt you long after the final page. Under his pen name Michael K Piper, "Jazz Town" and "Black Town" showcase different facets of his versatile storytelling ability.
From the mountains of East Tennessee, where he now makes his home with his loyal cat Athena, David draws inspiration from a life lived across continents. Having resided in Japan, Korea, Poland, Belgium, Hawaii, and numerous American states, his narratives resonate with cultural insights that transform ordinary stories into extraordinary journeys. When not creating new worlds on the page, this father of three enjoys life's simple pleasures—watching sports, attending theater, exploring local restaurants, and of course, losing himself in a good book.
Join the growing community of readers who have discovered the immersive worlds of David A. Lambert, an author whose life experiences and genuine love for storytelling shine through in every carefully crafted word.
Born in the gritty landscapes of Manchester, New Hampshire in 1964, David's journey from Marine Corps veteran to acclaimed author embodies the American spirit of reinvention. His eleven years of military service instilled in him a discipline and perspective that breathes authenticity into every page he writes. Whether you're exploring the supernatural tensions in his Revenant Chronicles or following the calculated precision of his Colton Cross thrillers, you'll feel the influence of a man who has truly lived the spectrum of human experience.
Just three years ago, David embarked on his writing odyssey, transforming from puzzle creator to masterful novelist with remarkable speed. His diverse professional background—from digital mapping director to manufacturing supervisor to his current role as a dedicated family clinic nurse—infuses his narratives with technical precision and profound human understanding that readers consistently praise.
Discover his gripping standalone titles like "Hushbone," "Rangatang," "The Devil's Mouth," "Cane Creek," —each offering a unique window into David's imaginative landscape. For series enthusiasts, the Revenant Chronicles ("Crimson Horizon" and "Fractured Horizon") delivers supernatural suspense that will keep you awake long past midnight, while the Colton Cross Contract Killing series ("Cross The Line" and "Burning Cross") introduces you to a protagonist whose moral complexity will haunt you long after the final page. Under his pen name Michael K Piper, "Jazz Town" and "Black Town" showcase different facets of his versatile storytelling ability.
From the mountains of East Tennessee, where he now makes his home with his loyal cat Athena, David draws inspiration from a life lived across continents. Having resided in Japan, Korea, Poland, Belgium, Hawaii, and numerous American states, his narratives resonate with cultural insights that transform ordinary stories into extraordinary journeys. When not creating new worlds on the page, this father of three enjoys life's simple pleasures—watching sports, attending theater, exploring local restaurants, and of course, losing himself in a good book.
Join the growing community of readers who have discovered the immersive worlds of David A. Lambert, an author whose life experiences and genuine love for storytelling shine through in every carefully crafted word.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 22, 2025
review to come.
November 15, 2025
Rangatang is a mesmerizing journey into friendship, fear, and the mysteries that lurk just beyond the familiar. Set against the nostalgic backdrop of the Ozark Mountains in the summer of 1976, David A. Lambert perfectly captures the innocence and thrill of adolescence, the golden days of camping trips, first adventures, and the unbreakable bonds between friends.
What starts as a heartwarming coming of age story quickly takes a dark and suspenseful turn, as the boys stumble upon an ancient, malevolent force that challenges everything they thought they knew. The tension builds beautifully, blending psychological suspense with supernatural horror in a way that kept me on edge from the first chapter to the last.
Lambert’s storytelling evokes the camaraderie and emotional depth of Stand By Me, while delivering chilling moments reminiscent of Stephen King. The characters feel real, the friendships believable, and the stakes terrifying, all wrapped in a setting that feels alive and almost tangible.
This book is perfect for readers who love stories that combine the sweetness of youth with the thrill of supernatural suspense. Rangatang is the kind of story that stays with you long after the last page, haunting your imagination in the best possible way.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys coming-of-age adventures, gripping suspense, and stories that explore both the light and dark sides of growing up.
What starts as a heartwarming coming of age story quickly takes a dark and suspenseful turn, as the boys stumble upon an ancient, malevolent force that challenges everything they thought they knew. The tension builds beautifully, blending psychological suspense with supernatural horror in a way that kept me on edge from the first chapter to the last.
Lambert’s storytelling evokes the camaraderie and emotional depth of Stand By Me, while delivering chilling moments reminiscent of Stephen King. The characters feel real, the friendships believable, and the stakes terrifying, all wrapped in a setting that feels alive and almost tangible.
This book is perfect for readers who love stories that combine the sweetness of youth with the thrill of supernatural suspense. Rangatang is the kind of story that stays with you long after the last page, haunting your imagination in the best possible way.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys coming-of-age adventures, gripping suspense, and stories that explore both the light and dark sides of growing up.
February 28, 2025
Brutal and Descriptive - Wow what a journey
Rangatang is a horror mystery/thriller, excellently written and full of brutality. To me, I got the vibes of Stand By Me meets Freddy Krueger/Nightmare on Elm Street mixed with native lore and curses.
The book follows five young teenage friends in Arkansas who find bones while hiking in the Ozarks—a discovery that forever changes their lives. The author does a great job setting the scene, and most of the action begins in the later half of the book, and when you get there, it packs a wallop. There's no shying away from the terrifying events that unfold and I would definitely keep my fingers crossed for a second installment.
Rangatang is a horror mystery/thriller, excellently written and full of brutality. To me, I got the vibes of Stand By Me meets Freddy Krueger/Nightmare on Elm Street mixed with native lore and curses.
The book follows five young teenage friends in Arkansas who find bones while hiking in the Ozarks—a discovery that forever changes their lives. The author does a great job setting the scene, and most of the action begins in the later half of the book, and when you get there, it packs a wallop. There's no shying away from the terrifying events that unfold and I would definitely keep my fingers crossed for a second installment.
June 2, 2025
Rangatang by David A Lambert
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This book is an intense and fast driven supernatural horror story! It definitely kept me on my toes with the excitement, creepiness and mystery!
It’s a story about 5 young friends who are looking for a summer adventure and decide on a camping trip. They end up finding way more than they were looking for on this trip.
This story gets deep and dark with the boys fighting for survival.
What is lurking in these woods?
The author does a great job with the character development in the story. We learn a lot about these kids and their fears.
Thank you to David A Lambert for an audio of this super exciting book!!
*It’s out now, so grab your copy!*
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This book is an intense and fast driven supernatural horror story! It definitely kept me on my toes with the excitement, creepiness and mystery!
It’s a story about 5 young friends who are looking for a summer adventure and decide on a camping trip. They end up finding way more than they were looking for on this trip.
This story gets deep and dark with the boys fighting for survival.
What is lurking in these woods?
The author does a great job with the character development in the story. We learn a lot about these kids and their fears.
Thank you to David A Lambert for an audio of this super exciting book!!
*It’s out now, so grab your copy!*
August 27, 2025
excellent Scary Story
I love reading a solid horror story and this one delivers! The only reason I dropped it a star was because it needs a good editing. With a bit of cleanup this would get five stars. I’d love to see this turned into a movie. Sort of a mashup of Stand By Me an Super-8
I love reading a solid horror story and this one delivers! The only reason I dropped it a star was because it needs a good editing. With a bit of cleanup this would get five stars. I’d love to see this turned into a movie. Sort of a mashup of Stand By Me an Super-8
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews