The Mystery at Lilac Inn

The lilacs have been beautiful here this year. I love them.

I decided to celebrate them by reading The Mystery of Lilac Inn.


I have an old copy of this Nancy Drew book. It was one of the books revised between 59 and 87. Since it was an early book in the series, it would have been rewritten in the early 60s. The old story still has a Lilac Inn in it, but the story is different from the current Mystery at Lilac Inn. You can read about the different versions of the earlier books by checking out Nancy Drew Sleuth, a great website of all things Nancy Drew.

The original story wasn't too dated, but the language used certainly was. Hannah Gruen, the Drews' housekeeper, leaves to visit her sister so Nancy is in charge of finding a fill-in. Neither the "Negress" nor the "Scotch lassie" were hired. Though it was seemingly because of their poor housekeeping skills rather than other factors. To a modern reader, it's so weird to see these descriptions added in. There's such a I'm-above-these-people sense about Nancy. She knows she has a high place in society. No we're-all-middle-class feelings from her! Also, Nancy accompanies her friend to the glove and millinery departments of a local store.

I love 1930s Nancy. She's so fashionable!

Based on the book's cover, the illustrations in the book, the other Nancy Drew books listed at the back of the book, and the end papers (which blogger is NOT working with me on) my book looks to have been printed between 1937 and 1940. It's in fairly good shape considering who knows where it's been during the past 70 years. It's one of the oldest Nancy Drew books I have in my collection.

The end papers, which I tried 3 times to get to load correctly: