The Slipper Point Mystery

At Carter’s Landing, a sleepy summer spot along the Manituck River, a teenage girl named Maribel sits on the prow of a stranded rowboat, her brother‑aged sister sucking her thumb beside her. The sand is dotted with abandoned canoes, sailboats and a bustling pavilion where music and sweets drift on the warm June air. Maribel’s dark braid and freckled face contrast with the bright white suit of a newcomer who pulls up a sleek canoe, offering candy and a brief, uneasy camaraderie.

Yet beneath the innocent chatter lies a thread of unease. The brightly dressed girl seems to know more about the river’s hidden routes than a visitor should, and the old sign warning children away from the boats feels suddenly prescient. As the day stretches, Maribel’s curiosity pulls her toward a secret that the water has guarded for years, promising a puzzle that will test loyalty, memory, and the quiet desperation of a small community.