Lantern in the Night
It was important to Susan Bridge that she arrive in Wellford, Maine, a week before starting her first teaching job at the elementary school. When a fallen tree blocked her Volkswagen on the outskirts of town, she watched with relief as a tall, lean man carrying a lantern made his way toward her.  --  Shelby Aiken offered Susan sanctuary for the night at the farmhouse he shared with his sister, Doris, a kind, plain-featured woman. Susan was drawn to the Aikens but wondered about their obvious reclusiveness. A haunting cry disturbed her slumber, and Doris's explanation of it the following morning was less than convincing.

Settled in a comfortable apartment in Wellford, Susan encountered another mystery. Orville Muir, the town banker, had been murdered, and the police had no suspect int he crime. Susan's heart went out to the dead man's nephew, Arthur Muir, the principal of her school, whose reserved demeanor seemed to accentuate his bereavement.

The murder case, paramount concern of Wellford's citizenry, was to bring Susan a private crisis. At stake were her career, her integrity, and the honor of the man she loved.