The Mystery at Lilac Inn

The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene, 1961 Grosset & Dunlap

     In her fourth adventure, Nancy visits her friend Emily and Emily's Aunt Hazel at an inn and resort owned by Emily and her fiance, Dick. The Lilac Inn is being haunted by a woman with dark hair and a flowing gown, driving away employees and causing strife throughout the resort.
     Nancy is called home to investigate a break-in at her home. She discovers that someone has been wearing her 'distinctive clothing' and using her identity to charge large purchases to her account. When she returns to the Lilac Inn, Nancy witnesses the theft of Emily's jewels and encounters her own apparition.
     With a twist involving Dick's friend John, Nancy displays a willingness to explore into new and different hobbies in the course of the case. After a close encounter with drowning and a cold war spy ring, Nancy captures her impostor, solves both cases and returns home safely.
     The elements that create Nancy Drew come together in this book: her disguises, uncommon skills, traditional values, and a system of deductive reasoning that carries her through to the end of each case. The writing is accessible and the ink and pen drawings allow an image of Nancy's era.

Dark is Rising

The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper, 1974 McElderry Books

     On his eleventh birthday Will Stanton discovers he is an Old One--one of the ancient and immortal forces of the Light. He embarks on a journey between Midwinter's Night and the twelfth night of Christmas to find and join the six Signs of Light. Along the way Will must discover how to use his new found power and have the confidence to use them. He still tries to fit into his normal family life, but finds it more and more difficult as he changes and grows into his powers. Will's quest is only one step in the sequence to banish the Dark forever.
     The fantasy world Cooper created in her Dark is Rising Sequence blends into the contemporary world of the Stanton family. The Old Ones have the capability of living outside of time and are the only force able to truly drive away the Dark. While Cooper's forces of the Dark must abide by certain rules, they were able to manipulate both the Old Ones and mortal men to their nefarious purposes.
     Will is reminded over and over throughout the story that the only thing he had to fear (because of the limits placed on the Dark) was fear itself. The only thing to prevent the success of Will's quest was Will himself and his fear of the quest's success. The story helps to build confidence as Will realizes he can succeed and has no reason to be afraid.
     Dark is Rising is the second book in the Dark is Rising Sequence, following Over Sea, Under Stone and followed by The Grey King, Greenwitch, and Silver on the Tree.

The Bungalow Mystery

The Bungalow Mystery by Carolyn Keene, 1960 Grosset & Dunlap

     Nancy Drew and her friend Helen Corning find themselves needing to be rescued in the middle of a lake where they're rescued by Laura Pendleton, an orphan recently coming to the area to meet her new guardians Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Aborn. Helen and Nancy meet Laura's new guardians when the couple come crashing into the hotel in disarray, provoking Nancy's dislike. Nancy has to go home when the Drew family's housekeeper, Hannah Gruen, is injured.
     When her father asks her to investigate a list of suspects thought to be involved with insurance fraud, Nancy implements disguise for the first time.  Laura later contacts Nancy at home saying that the Aborns are cruel and expect her to hand over family heirlooms. Laura has escaped with the jewels and asks for Nancy's help.
     The plot lines come together in a conclusion that weaves the two mysteries together. For the first time, Nancy carries disguises with her to be used in investigation. Nancy's old-fashioned values and talent for investigation allow her to help both her new-found friend and her father. Her story is told in an easily understood format with attention to details that create the cases she solves.