Hidden Hand

"Hidden Hand" by Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth is a 19th-century novel unfolding in the harsh Virginia mountains, centering on the formidable Major Ira Warfield, nicknamed "Old Hurricane," and his solitary life haunted by secrets. The story picks up on a stormy Halloween night at the isolated Hurricane Hall, where Major Warfield's comfort is disrupted by a parson's urgent visit. This visit pulls him into his duties as a magistrate leading to helping a dying woman. The fierce, independent Capitola, with origins shrouded in mystery, finds her fate intertwined with the major's as they navigate difficulties in their severe and unforgiving world. As the dying woman reveals her story, connections to Capitola emerge, suggesting a larger story of identity, belonging, and the concealed truths that control their destinies. This opening creates an intense gothic atmosphere, captivating readers with an unfolding narrative of mystery and moral conflict.