The Clue by Carolyn Wells (1929)

Name: The Clue
Author: Carolyn Wells

In a picturesque town, the Van Norman mansion stands as a symbol of wealth and status, owned by the beautiful and imperious Madeleine Van Norman. As an heiress, she is set to inherit a vast fortune on her wedding day or her twenty-third birthday. Engaged to the polished but emotionally reserved Schuyler Carleton, Madeleine's impending marriage is the talk of Mapleton society. However, her cousin Tom Willard, a charming scapegrace, returns from abroad and rekindles a close bond with her, stirring jealousy in Carleton. Tom, who has long harbored feelings for Madeleine, openly questions her choice of fiancé, believing that Carleton's demeanor lacks the warmth she deserves. Despite her affection for Carleton, Madeleine finds herself drawn to Tom's vivacity and emotional honesty, leading to tension between the three. As the wedding approaches, underlying doubts about Carleton's suitability and the nature of his feelings for Madeleine surface, complicating her decision. The dynamics of love, jealousy, and societal expectations unfold against the backdrop of the grand mansion, revealing the complexities of relationships and the true nature of affection. The story explores themes of love, propriety, and the struggle between societal norms and personal desires, culminating in a dramatic confrontation of emotions and choices.

By Carolyn Wells · First published 1929 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Thriller · 24 chapters · 76,972 words

First lines

The old Van Norman mansion was the finest house in Mapleton. Well back from the road, it sat proudly among its finely kept lawns and gardens, as if with a dignified sense of its own importance, and its white, Colonial columns gleamed through the trees, like sentinels guarding the entrance to the stately hall.

All Mapleton was proud of the picturesque old place, and it was shown to visiting strangers with the same pride that the native villagers pointed out the Memorial Library and the new church.

What this Textopian page supports

The Clue is listed on Textopian as a novel by Carolyn Wells, dated 1929 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Carolyn Wells
Date: 1929 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Thriller, Crime Fiction
Length: 76,972 words
Structure: 24 chapters, 2,003 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The book's narrative revolves around the investigation of a murder, typical of the mystery genre.
Detective Fiction — The protagonist investigates a crime, a defining characteristic of detective fiction.
Thriller — The plot offers suspense, violence, and investigative intricacies common in thrillers.
Crime Fiction — The main plot features a criminal act and its resolution, emblematic of crime fiction.