The Mystery of the Fires

"The Mystery of the Fires" by Edith Lavell is about Mary Louise Gay, a sharp young detective, who spends time in Shady Nook with her friend Jane Patterson and their family, only for a string of puzzling fires to ignite her investigative spirit. When a neighbor's bungalow is destroyed, Mary Louise, joined by her brother Freckles, decides to look into the cause. The investigation introduces a cast of characters like the cryptic Clifford Hunter, stirring worries and a sense of adventure. As Mary Louise pulls together clues, the story considers themes of community and finding the truth in face of suspense.