The company that was the creator of the Nancy Drew series, the Stratemeyer Syndicate, hired a variety of writers. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.Carolyn Keene is a writer pen name that was used by many different people- both men and women- over the years. The role of the writer of 'Carolyn Keene' passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated.

In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character.

Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. For Nancy Drew, the writers used the pseudonym Carolyn Keene to assure anonymity of the creator.Įdna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. Soon after, Emily's diamonds are stolen! Can Nancy find the thieves and recover the missing diamonds?Ĭarolyn Keene is a writer pen name that was used by many different people- both men and women- over the years. However, Nancy soon learns that someone has been impersonating her and making expensive purchases under her name. Emily plans on selling inherited diamonds in order to help fix up the Lilac Inn. Nancy and her friend Helen visit their friend Emily Willouby at the Lilac Inn, which Emily now owns, to help her plan her wedding. The original omitted the lead characters from much of the action, the titular inn was only a place where a crime was committed with minor investigatory follow-up, and a domestic help sub-plot was out-of-place in 1961. Mildred Wirt Benson was the ghostwriter for the 1930 edition.In 1961, Harriet Stratemeyer Adams extensively revised the novel, creating a completely different story. It was first published in 1930 under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene. The Mystery At Lilac Inn is the fourth volume in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series.

The mystery at the lilac