In Phantom by H. D. Carlton, Genevieve Parsons is a housewife trapped in a deteriorating marriage with her gambling-addicted husband, John. Living in a gothic manor in 1940s Seattle, she finds solace in her diary and a growing obsession with a mysterious figure she believes is watching her. This “phantom” is Ronaldo Capello, a mafia enforcer for the Salvatore crime family, who becomes fixated on Genevieve. His silent presence evolves into an all-consuming obsession, blurring the lines between protection and possession. As Genevieve’s fear of her husband’s violence intensifies, she is drawn into a dangerous and forbidden romance with Ronaldo, challenging her moral boundaries and sense of self.

The novel delves into themes of obsession, trauma, and the complexities of love and identity. Through alternating perspectives between Genevieve and Ronaldo, the story explores the psychological descent into madness and the fine line between protection and control. Set against the backdrop of organized crime and wartime Seattle, Phantom presents a dark narrative of desire, delusion, and the consequences of choices made in the shadows¹.