The Right-Hand Shore

After more than 15 years, Tilghman returns to the story of the Mason family of Maryland's Eastern Shore first introduced in Mason's Retreat, to which this new work serves as prequel. In 1922, Edward Mason first visits the Retreat because its dedicated caretaker, Miss Mary, is dying and needs an heir. Before Edward can inherit, he must learn all of the family's, and the land's, dark history. The Retreat seems cursed, which perhaps started when Mary's grandfather cruelly sold his slaves in 1857 after deciding that the institution of slavery is doomed. After both her brothers are killed in the Civil War, Ophelia Mason must marry to inherit and save the Retreat. In Baltimore, she meets Wyatt Bayly, who becomes responsible for the land and house. Ophelia has no love for her home, and, after having two children with Wyatt, she withdraws to Baltimore, bringing along her daughter, Mary, while leaving Thomas with his father. The stories of the Retreat and those who live and work there are relayed to Edward, and the reader, over the course of one long day.