Logline: in 1936 Texas,  a stubborn tomboyish reporter pursues a hitman for the reward money to save her family's newspaper becomes trapped with him in an old mansion of eldritch horrors.


I think this kind of works...but I know it could be stronger.

In 1936 Texas, a stubborn tomboyish reporter pursues a hitman for the reward money to save her family's newspaper becomes trapped with him in an old mansion of eldritch horrors.

John, reading that out loud you need a transition between newspaper & becomes trapped.
Even if just a 'but'.

I noticed your comment on another thread noting that you're partial to two adjectives describing your protagonist. I'm not convinced you need both stubborn and tomboyish, but that may be personal preference.
I'm not convinced you need the locale and era either, but I suppose it adds tone.

Suggestion to play around with:

In a desperate bid to save the family newspaper business, a plucky cub reporter pursues a wanted hitman for the reward money, but then finds herself trapped with him in a Gothic mansion, and facing unspeakable horrors.

'eldritch' seems particularly Lovecraftian - I admit to not knowing what it meant.
Eldritch is an English word used to describe something otherworldly, weird, ghostly, or uncanny. In contemporary culture, the term is closely associated with the Lovecraftian horror. Wiki

With that in mind maybe mention the inspiration e.g., in the Lovecraft tradition -  otherwise for those not in the know a more relatable word might do the trick better?

Jmho.

Lol, Dang it, yer gonna make me sleep on this one. I was contemplating what you brought up about the 2 adjectives and wondering if tomboyish was needed, much less if Texas was needed either earlier today.

But I went with it just because the combination of the year, setting, and the tomboyish nature of the protagonist should naturally clash with each other...well, provided you have some understanding about the post Victorian 1930s....Or the post Victorian 1930s Texas. Might just be my writers ego looking to deep into things.

Yeah, Eldritch is one of Lovecraft's many made up words. It's quite distinct if you're familiar with his works but if you aren't it doesn't mean anything...I suppose I could swap that for 'Cosmic  horrors", which is a little more known in pop culture.

Hmm, the only problem (if you can call it that) with 'cosmic horror', is will it impact on an audience straight away as terrifying/horrififying - if that's what you're going for. For Lovecraft fans, for sure, which is why I suggested something in the vein of: in the tradition of Lovecraft, or for fans of Lovecraftian horror.

Supernatural/preternatural horrors, maybe?

I'll leave it with you.
And, some Lovecraft fans might also chime in.

I can't improve on Libby's - I think it nails it

Well, let everything settle. Still playing with words and trying to clear this up a little more, Here's some alternatives.

To save her family paper, a plucky reporter pursues a wanted hitman for the reward, but traps them both in a mansion when she accidentally unleashes otherworldly horrors.

A plucky reporter pursues a wanted hitman for the reward but accidentally traps them both in a mansion when she unleashes otherworldly horrors.

I think this one might be a winner...not sure yet. Everything still kind of feels connected now at least O.o;

In 1936, a stubborn reporter pursues a mobster for the reward to save her family newspaper. Everything goes wrong when the cult he works for unleashes otherworldly horrors that trap them in a mansion.