The Avalanche: A Mystery Story

"The Avalanche: A Mystery Story" by Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton is a tale centered on Price Ruyler, a man anchored by his business dealings and social standing, who faces a disturbing shift in his wife Hélène’s personality and suggestions of a concealed past. As Ruyler grapples with their complicated marriage, he is faced with the possibility of family secrets that threaten to unravel their seemingly perfect life. At the beginning, Ruyler contemplates the changes in Hélène, noticing a growing distance that confuses him. Observing Hélène’s behavior and her mother's impact, a sense of unease grows, hinting at a mysterious upbringing for Hélène and her mother, Madame Delano, and implying that their happiness is overshadowed by unspoken secrets, potentially related to scandal. Ruyler’s resolve to uncover the truth behind his wife’s troubles begins a tense exploration of family loyalty, societal pressures, and the burden of buried histories.