The Mystery at Lilac Inn (1930)

This was a really cute little Nancy Drew mystery! I listened to it yesterday whilst driving around town and cleaning the house. It wasn't TOTALLY obvious who was the bad guy until QUITE far into the story, which was nice. Never would have guessed... ;) ( )

The fourth Nancy Drew book in the series and so far my favorite. Our heroine is stumbling into one mystery after another while trying to just enjoy a little vacation with her friends. Premise: Nancy and Helen visit their friend Emily who is getting married soon. Em and her fiance, Dick, have bought an old inn and are renovating it, but a series of unfortunate accidents could cause the opening to be delayed. Diamonds are stolen, the cabin Nancy is staying in is blown up, Helen is knocked unconscious...it is one tragic event after another - not to mention that there is someone impersonating Nancy back in River Heights. Nancy trails a maid, gets kidnapped and is nearly killed - although nothing happens to her more seriously than a bad scare. Bad guys were nicer back in the 30s and 40s I suppose. In the end Nancy solves the mystery that has little to do with the Inn and more to do with her and her father and an angry ex-con.
The story is a bit far-fetched, but it was written in a different time for a much different audience than today's young adults. No wonder I wanted to be Nancy when I was growing up - solve mysteries, out smart the bad guys, drive around in a cute little convertible all while looking good and telling eligible young men that I am just too busy solving mysteries to be bothered going out.
I've already purchased book #5 and will start it shortly. Long live the Nancy Drew books. ( )

When Nancy’s friend Emily finds that some very precious inherited jewels are stolen, the mystery begins. The fourth book was almost again like two mysteries in one, not only about the stolen jewels but a mysterious ghost like figure leaving messages in the middle of the night

Nancy traces all the evidence back to a maid service who has employed various women who have helped out at the house. Soon Nancy finds herself in danger when a gang traps her in a sinking ship with the jewels and only a prayer that she will be able to escape.

Weird things are happening to Nancy Drew and once again a mystery is afoot. Nancy seems to have a doppelganger who is running up bills and causing trouble. And when she visits her friend's new inn, there are a lot of mysterious occurrences there as well. Nancy must solve the mystery of Lilac Inn and also find out why someone is impersonating her.

The Little Bookworm ( )

http://hollybooknotes.blogspot.com/2010/03/flashback-friday.html ( )