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A review by annareadsmysteries
The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene
5.0
I must admit - I got hocked on these novellas... Sadly, I only got 5 books out of 100+ stories that are out there.
Some are silly fun, some are outrageously on the nose - but most definitely, all of them are pure entertainment and nostalgia for anyone who grew up loving mysteries.
The story starts off with Nancy and Helen on the go again (not sure who Helen got married to, but she is clearly not missed at home) and this time, they are visiting their friend Emily Willoughby, who is about to get married, purchased an inn and is planning to run it with her future husband. However, of course Lilac Inn is haunter and Emily needs Nancy's help to solve this mystery! (I've read 4 books in this series so far, there is not a single un-hunted inn in the Nancyverse)
And the story just keeps on giving - from shark shaped submarines, ghosts, diamond thefts to earthquakes and bombs. My lord, this was some ridiculous fun :o)
There is one thing that changed is the 'who done it' aspect, which I really appreciated. I've commented on Keene's characters being very black and white - the good people are described as such, while the bad guys stink from miles away. This is the first book where she has changed the format up a bit and the bad-guy was not described as such. While she was still very free-handed when peppering in the clues relating to the culprit's identity, it still felt as a development in the authors writing style.
My girl Helen sadly was not really utilized, which made me sad - but hopefully she will have a more involved role in future entries.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that I'm reading the actual books, it's fun to see what inspired what in the games.
So for all of you who played or is planning to play some HeR Interactive, here is what I've observed so far - some fun facts, if you wish.
The below will contain spoilers as well, so if you haven't played 'Secret of the Old Clock', stop reading here :)
1. Game 12 released in July 2005 is heavily inspired by the first 4 books in the series AKA the ones I've read so far. (it might have Easter Eggs from other books, if I find any more as I read, I will update this review)
The title of the game is 'Secret of the Old Clock' - which is also the title of Carolyn Keene's first novella.
2. The games plot involves Nancy visiting her friend Emily, who inherited Lilac Inn from her mum. (We meet Nancy's friend Emily in book 4/'The Mystery at Lilac Inn', however, she buys the inn with her fiance)
3. Jane Willoughby moves in with Emily as her new guardian. (In the books Emily's sure name is Willoughby and the guardian story line is taken from book 3/The Bungalow Mystery, where another younger girl under the name of Laura has issues with her guardians, after becoming and orphan. The guardians in the book turn out to be impostors the same way as Jane W. in the game is also an impostor)
4. Emily's neighbor Josiah was a crazy old guy who loved to thinker and invent weird gadgets. He leaves an old watch to Emily, with the promise that he will look after her and leave her money in his will (This is taken from book 1/same title as the game, where Nancy helps multiple people who were promised money in an old mans will, but the will is no where to be found, so all goes to his greedy family)
5. In the game, Emily's jewels disappear, suspected to be stolen (this motive is present in both book 3 and book 4)
6. And last but not least, book 2/The Hidden Staircase is referenced in the game by mentioning 'Twin Elms' that had a tunnel between two neighboring houses.
There are possibly more, but I might need to replay the game to notice them.
Some are silly fun, some are outrageously on the nose - but most definitely, all of them are pure entertainment and nostalgia for anyone who grew up loving mysteries.
The story starts off with Nancy and Helen on the go again (not sure who Helen got married to, but she is clearly not missed at home) and this time, they are visiting their friend Emily Willoughby, who is about to get married, purchased an inn and is planning to run it with her future husband. However, of course Lilac Inn is haunter and Emily needs Nancy's help to solve this mystery! (I've read 4 books in this series so far, there is not a single un-hunted inn in the Nancyverse)
And the story just keeps on giving - from shark shaped submarines, ghosts, diamond thefts to earthquakes and bombs. My lord, this was some ridiculous fun :o)
There is one thing that changed is the 'who done it' aspect, which I really appreciated. I've commented on Keene's characters being very black and white - the good people are described as such, while the bad guys stink from miles away. This is the first book where she has changed the format up a bit and the bad-guy was not described as such. While she was still very free-handed when peppering in the clues relating to the culprit's identity, it still felt as a development in the authors writing style.
My girl Helen sadly was not really utilized, which made me sad - but hopefully she will have a more involved role in future entries.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that I'm reading the actual books, it's fun to see what inspired what in the games.
So for all of you who played or is planning to play some HeR Interactive, here is what I've observed so far - some fun facts, if you wish.
The below will contain spoilers as well, so if you haven't played 'Secret of the Old Clock', stop reading here :)
1. Game 12 released in July 2005 is heavily inspired by the first 4 books in the series AKA the ones I've read so far. (it might have Easter Eggs from other books, if I find any more as I read, I will update this review)
The title of the game is 'Secret of the Old Clock' - which is also the title of Carolyn Keene's first novella.
2. The games plot involves Nancy visiting her friend Emily, who inherited Lilac Inn from her mum. (We meet Nancy's friend Emily in book 4/'The Mystery at Lilac Inn', however, she buys the inn with her fiance)
3. Jane Willoughby moves in with Emily as her new guardian. (In the books Emily's sure name is Willoughby and the guardian story line is taken from book 3/The Bungalow Mystery, where another younger girl under the name of Laura has issues with her guardians, after becoming and orphan. The guardians in the book turn out to be impostors the same way as Jane W. in the game is also an impostor)
4. Emily's neighbor Josiah was a crazy old guy who loved to thinker and invent weird gadgets. He leaves an old watch to Emily, with the promise that he will look after her and leave her money in his will (This is taken from book 1/same title as the game, where Nancy helps multiple people who were promised money in an old mans will, but the will is no where to be found, so all goes to his greedy family)
5. In the game, Emily's jewels disappear, suspected to be stolen (this motive is present in both book 3 and book 4)
6. And last but not least, book 2/The Hidden Staircase is referenced in the game by mentioning 'Twin Elms' that had a tunnel between two neighboring houses.
There are possibly more, but I might need to replay the game to notice them.