Stranger at Plantation Inn

the long version

Lillian Newton was not the only stranger at Plantation Inn. The heavy rains that had flooded the river and forced her to seek refuge at the old stage-stop had driven others to the sanctuary as well. At first, Lillian paid scant attention to the rest of the group. But soon she sensed a tension in the atmosphere. Rumors of an escaped killer---an outlaw whose vicious deeds had terrorized the countryside---spread a chill blanket of uneasiness over the charming old house. Then things began to happen: the stalking shadow glimpsed through the trees, the cat whose throat had been cut, the mysterious crying of an infant... Lillian was suddenly suspicious of everyone. Especially the handsome young Frenchman, Jean Marsh, whose arrogant manner aroused a curious inner fury that she could not define. Lillian was certain now that the killer was among them. But which one? And how long before he would strike again?