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Mystery at Lilac Inn

Published
Jan 1930
Main Genre
Amateur Sleuth Amateur Sleuth
Rating
Pages
192

About This Book

The Mystery at Lilac Inn byCarolyn Keene is the fourth novel in the classic Nancy Drew mystery series, blending suspense, adventure, and youthful determination. The story follows teenage detective Nancy Drew as she visits the Lilac Inn expecting a peaceful stay, only to discover that a series of robberies and suspicious events have turned the quiet place into the center of a complex investigation.

Nancy soon becomes involved in clearing the name of Emily Crandall, a young woman wrongly accused of stealing valuable jewelry from the inn. As Nancy gathers clues, she encounters disguises, hidden identities, and carefully planned deceptions. The mystery deepens when Nancy herself is framed for a crime, forcing her to rely even more on her intelligence, courage, and sharp powers of observation.

The novel moves at a brisk pace, filled with secret passages, unexpected confrontations, and clever traps set by Nancy to reveal the truth. The Lilac Inn, meant to be a symbol of rest and hospitality, becomes instead a stage for tension and intrigue, highlighting the contrast between appearance and reality.

Written under the collective pseudonym Carolyn Keene, the book reinforces the central appeal of the Nancy Drew series: a resourceful and independent heroine who solves problems through logic, persistence, and a strong sense of justice, turning ordinary settings into exciting adventures

"Carolyn Keene" is a pseudonym used by several writers who created and developed the Nancy Drew series, beginning in 1930. The Secret of the Old Clock established the model for countless detective stories for young readers, combining mystery, adventure, and a capable female protagonist who would become one of the most enduring characters in popular literature.

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Aug 1974 Grosset & Dunlap ISBN 0448195046
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Mar 1991 HarperCollins (UK) ISBN 0006934838
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Jun 2003 Grosset & Dunlap ISBN 0448432927
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Sep 2010 Penguin ISBN 1616868848
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Hardcover

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Oct 1930 Grosset & Dunlap ISBN 0448095041
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May 1994 Applewood Books ISBN 1557091587
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May 2014 Grosset & Dunlap ISBN 0448479729
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Oct 1930 Grosset & Dunlap ISBN B001R9DI66
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Oct 1930 Penguin ISBN 1440673675
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Feb 2025 -- Not Selected ISBN B0DYPK9KFX
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Nov 2025 Asimis Books ISBN 617878726X
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Nov 2025 -- Not Selected ISBN B0G2SXQGP9
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Jan 2026 Rare Treasure Editions ISBN 1773232045
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Feb 2026 Lebooks Editora ISBN 8583868700
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Oct 2002 Listening Library ISBN 0807207632
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Jan 2003 Listening Library ISBN 0807207640
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Aug 2004 Listening Library ISBN B0006IU5P6
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Jun 2007 Listening Library ISBN 0739350609
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Jan 2026 -- Not Selected ISBN B0GHSG6J3D
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