Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery

"Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery" by Theodore Goodridge Roberts, explores the strange events that follow Reginald Baynes Rayton's arrival in Samson's Mill. A seemingly innocent poker game takes a dark turn when a card marked with ominous red crosses appears, stirring up fear and mistrust within the close-knit community. The story kicks off with Rayton joining the locals for a game of poker that quickly turns sour after young David Marsh is dealt the ill-fated card, and Jim Harley's strange reaction casts suspicion among the group. Amidst this rising tension, Harley warns Marsh to distance himself from his sister, Nell, sparking rivalry. Shortly after, David experiences a dangerous accident on the Teakettle River, breaking his arm and deepening anxieties surrounding the card's supernatural significance, weaving together the characters' lives with undercurrents of affection, competition, and veiled intentions within the rustic environment.