Charred Wood

"Charred Wood" by Francis Clement Kelley is an early 20th-century novel that follows Mark Griffin, a weary traveler in New England, as he encounters the captivating Ruth Atheson, emerging from a secret doorway within a tree; this chance meeting catapults him into a web of mystery centered around the Killimaga estate and its inhabitants, including a sharp detective and a wise priest, all connected to Ruth's closely guarded life. Drawn by Ruth's beauty and the enigmatic aura surrounding her, Mark finds himself caught between his rising feelings and the suspicions swirling around a possible scandal, navigating a society quick to judge as he seeks the hidden truth behind Ruth's life and the reasons she is being pursued. This narrative creates anticipation for a tale where love and mystery intertwine, inviting us to uncover the secrets of Ruth's identity and the complex relationships that define her existence.