Keeping in mind these books were written in the 1930s, one must suspend their modern-day perspective of cultural sensitivity when reading this series. I think that’s one thing that I really appreciated as both as child and adult reader there is nothing left unexplained in these novels! The use of red herrings is also admirable, I was thrown off the scent more often than not and when the culprit(s) were finally revealed, I didn’t anticipate the extent of their confessions that roll out over a few chapters. I was surprised at the resolution to this mystery, it involves a homemade submarine (!), and the criminal’s motivations run much deeper than originally suggested. Once there they learn of some strange occurrences, including sightings of a ghastly female figure and tools going missing. Unconcerned by their accident, they swim to shore and dry off at the inn, which is owned by a friend of theirs. The Mystery at Lilac Inn begins with Nancy and a friend toppling into the river while canoeing to the Lilac Inn, set to open in a few months. If you’ve revisited a beloved childhood book as an adult, please let me know how it went in the comments section!

I’ve read three of the 64 books in the series, and offered a mini-review of each below. Still, I chose a few Nancy Drew mysteries at random to dive into during my most recent vacation, and despite my annoyance with the outdated and oftentimes offensive gender stereotypes that pop up throughout these novels, I enjoyed that satisfaction of solving the mystery alongside the adventurous detective that accompanied me through my childhood reading. It can be a dangerous thing revisiting child loves as an adult, because inevitably these joys rarely hold up decades later. I always loved mysteries as a kid, and still do as an adult, but I now recognize the Nancy Drew series as my introduction to cozy mysteries, which then led to my love of Murder She Wrote.

I know I’m not the only one with fond memories of racing through Nancy Drew mysteries as a young reader.

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