Nancy Drew (book4)

1930 EDITION

The story involves Nancy Drew helping her friend Emily Crandell find out who stole her heirloom jewels. Emily's aunt and guardian , Hazel Willoughby , unwisely removes them from a safe deposit box and carries them with her while lunching at Lilac Inn, only to have her handbag stolen while the diners are distracted. In the meantime, Nancy must hire a temporary maid in the absence of Mrs. Gruen, her housekeeper. Nancy uncovers the thief, Mary Mason, one of the applicants for the position of maid. She then tracks Mary Mason to a gang, which includes Mary's brother, Bud. Nancy is bound and left aboard the gang's sinking cabin cruiser to die, but is rescued by the river patrol. In the end, Nancy captures the jewel thief, exonerates the guardian, and returns her orphaned friend's fortune to her.

1961 EDITION

The story still revolves around Emily Crandell's jewels, only this time, Nancy and chum Helen travel to the historic inn and resort owned by Emily and her fiance, Dick, which will serve as their livelihood after marriage. Lilac Inn, in full bloom, is being "haunted" by a mysterious glowing woman in a flowing gown with brunette hair. Waitresses leave the restaurant business based upon their fear. Nancy is called home to investigate a break-in of her own bedroom, and discovers by surprise someone is wearing some of her own distinctive clothing and charging luxury items on her account at local department stores. Nancy returns to the inn only to see Emily's diamonds stolen during a melodramatic blackout during her 21st birthday dinner. In the meantime, a strange shark appears in the Muskoka River and Nancy uses newly acquired scuba skills to investigate with Dick's friend John, who is on leave from the military. The girls' guest cottage gets set on fire by a time bomb, but luckily Nancy and Helen weren't in the cottage at that time. Nancy sneaks back to the inn after a day's absence and dresses in a composite of the apparition, aided by mini electric torches in her dress sleeves, and is shocked to come face to face with a ghost, this time wearing Nancy's titian blond hair and make-up style just like Nancy. Further investigation leads Nancy to believe Gay Moreau, a model sent to prison by her father for forgery and larceny, may be involved in the case. Nancy is caught spying on Gay, disguised as a waitress at the Inn, and other criminal gang members, all involved in espionage. They have a miniature submarine, and use it to escape, leaving Nancy bound aboard a sinking cabin cruiser. Gay, dressed as Nancy, is exposed, and Nancy finds out John has been investigating the stolen electronics parts; Gay couldn't resist the chance to steal diamonds and tried to discredit Nancy by running up her charge accounts on luxury items. Nancy receives presidential honors for breaking the cold war spy investigation.