The Forsaken Inn: A Novel

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23641

Title

The Forsaken Inn: A Novel

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A gripping Victorian mystery, The Forsaken Inn follows a weary traveler who seeks refuge in a haunted ruin, only to uncover a manuscript detailing a sinister marriage and a murder. Blending gothic atmosphere with psychological suspense, this novel explores themes of obsession, deception, and the dark secrets hidden within a crumbling estate.

Summary up to 500 words

In Anna Katharine Green's *The Forsaken Inn*, a storm-bound narrator seeks refuge in a desolate, ruined structure only to discover a manuscript left by its former landlady. This document recounts the chilling arrival of a handsome but suspicious stranger, Edwin Urquhart, and his ailing wife, Honora. The landlady is unsettled by Urquhart's obsessive fixation on a large box and his neglect of his wife, who appears pale and troubled. Her fears culminate when Honora faints in the gloomy oak-paneled room; Urquhart responds with cold indifference. Shortly thereafter, Honora is found dead in the river, presumed drowned. The narrator, harboring deep love and jealousy for the deceased, attempts to pursue Urquhart but is intercepted by Mark Felt, a man who believes the dead woman is his beloved Marah. Felt retreats to a cave to mourn, convinced that Marah sacrificed herself for Urquhart. However, the narrator eventually uncovers the shocking truth: Honora is indeed dead, but the woman Urquhart took to France was actually Marah, the narrator's lover. Marah was forced into the marriage and murdered by Urquhart, who then assumed her identity to escape justice. The story concludes with a harrowing revelation for Mark Felt. He realizes that the woman he has mourned for fifteen years and who now lives in Paris is not his beloved Marah, but the murderer's accomplice. The true Marah perished in the river, while the woman sailing with Urquhart was an imposter. Felt is left to grapple with the horror of his wasted life, having devoted himself to a demon while the real victim suffered a brutal fate. The novel serves as a gripping exploration of identity, crime, and the devastating consequences of deception, showcasing Green's skill in weaving mystery with emotional depth.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction
• Mystery