Deep Lake Mystery by Carolyn Wells

Name: Deep Lake Mystery
Author: Carolyn Wells

A man is found dead in his bed, surrounded by bizarre decorations, including flowers, an orange, and a feather duster. The narrator recalls the events leading up to this discovery, starting with a visit from his friend, a detective, who invites him to Wisconsin for a fishing trip. The narrator accepts and travels to a scenic area known for its lakes, where he stays with the detective and his wife in a bungalow named "Variable Winds." Upon arrival, he meets various guests, including a widow and a beautiful woman engaged to a wealthy man named Sampson Tracy. The dynamics among the guests reveal tensions, particularly regarding Tracy's niece, Alma, who has been sent to live on an island after her uncle's engagement. The narrator learns about the relationships and rivalries, especially concerning the charming Katherine Dallas and her potential influence over Tracy's fortune. As the group enjoys their time together, the narrator senses underlying conflicts and secrets, hinting at a deeper mystery that may unfold. The idyllic setting contrasts with the complexities of human relationships, setting the stage for intrigue and potential crime amidst the tranquil backdrop of Deep Lake.

By Carolyn Wells · First published 1920 · Genre: Mystery, Detective fiction, Suspense · 18 chapters · 85,038 words

First lines

As I look back on my life, eventful enough in spots, but placid, even monotonous in the long stretches between spots, I think the greatest thrill I ever experienced was when I saw the dead body of Sampson Tracy.

Imagine to yourself a man, dead in his own bed, with no sign of violence or maltreatment. Eyes partly closed, as he might be peacefully thinking, and no expression of fear or horror on his calm face.

What this Textopian page supports

Deep Lake Mystery is listed on Textopian as a novel by Carolyn Wells, dated 1920 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Carolyn Wells
Date: 1920 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Detective fiction, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Adventure
Length: 85,038 words
Structure: 18 chapters, 2,607 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Deep Lake Mystery by Carolyn Wells
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Deep Lake Mystery?
How does this novel by Carolyn Wells fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The title of the book signifies that it likely centers around a mystery at Deep Lake. Additionally, the author, Carolyn Wells, is known for her mystery novels.
Detective fiction — Wells frequently wrote detective fiction, and a mystery novel usually involves some aspect of detective work to solve the mystery or crime at hand.
Suspense — Since the novel is of the mystery genre, it is likely to contain elements leading to suspenseful moments.
Crime Fiction — In a mystery, it is common to include some sort of crime that needs to be solved. Therefore, it may also fit into the genre of Crime Fiction.