R W Byrum

Gethsemane R W Byrum

With little of consequence happening in the Frederick area, Robert Percival, a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, sees little prospect for building his journalistic career while writing for the Frederick Post. At least not as long as he simply passively accepts whatever assignments his editors deign to give him. So Robert decides to take matters into his own hands. Persistent rumors surround a small religious retreat called Gethsemane located in a remote corner of Frederick County. The rumors portray the inhabitants of Gethsemane as perverse hedonists engaging in all manner of nefarious acts in the wooded hills of northern Frederick County. Robert wants to investigate Gethsemane to see if these rumors have any basis in reality. He decides that the best way to find out is by joining the group and living among them for eight weeks. What evil lurks in Gethsemane? Some say it is a cult while others claim that it is something more sinister. Robert is about to find out. Infiltrating the religious retreat in order to write a story for the local newspaper could be hazardous to his health. It could also be equally hazardous to his soul!When Robert joins Gethsemane, he finds it an eccentric but apparently harmless community. All of the rumors quickly prove to be false, but Robert soon begins to uncover clues to an even darker secret lurking beneath the surface. A secret that only fans of horror fiction were apt to believe. Will Robert solve the mystery of Gethsemane and live to report it or will he succumb to it instead?Fortunately, Robert will not be completely alone. He soon makes the acquaintance of Ursula Kang, a free-spirited, free-loving young woman with whom he will develop a romantic relationship and who will assist him in his endeavors. While Ursula's love and her assistance will both aid Robert considerably, will they be enough?