The Mystery Girl by Carolyn Wells

Name: The Mystery Girl
Author: Carolyn Wells

In a picturesque New England college town, the newly elected president of the University of Corinth, John Waring, faces the challenges of his position amidst a divided faculty. The conservative Waring, respected for his character and intellect, has garnered both admiration and resentment due to his traditionalist views. As he prepares for his upcoming marriage to Emily Bates, a widow with ties to the university, rumors of dissent begin to circulate, suggesting that his election may be contested. Emily, concerned for Waring's reputation and future, urges him to investigate the rumors, while Waring remains lighthearted about the potential trouble. Their interactions reveal a budding romance, marked by playful banter and mutual respect. However, the underlying tension of the brewing conflict within the university looms over their relationship. As Waring navigates his new responsibilities and the complexities of his impending marriage, he must also confront the possibility of opposition from those who favor a more modern approach to university governance. The story intertwines themes of love, ambition, and the struggle for acceptance in a community steeped in tradition, setting the stage for a mystery that threatens to disrupt both Waring's personal and professional life.

By Carolyn Wells · First published 1905 · Genre: Mystery, Crime, Suspense · 18 chapters · 80,648 words

First lines

Quite aside from its natural characteristics, there is an atmosphere about a college town, especially a New England college town, that is unmistakable. It is not so much actively intellectual as passively aware of and satisfied with its own intellectuality.

The beautiful little town of Corinth was no exception; from its tree-shaded village green to the white-columned homes on its outskirts it fairly radiated a satisfied sense of its own superiority.

What this Textopian page supports

The Mystery Girl is listed on Textopian as a novel by Carolyn Wells, dated 1905 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: 1905 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Crime, Suspense, Thriller
Length: 80,648 words
Structure: 18 chapters, 2,580 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Mystery Girl by Carolyn Wells
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Mystery Girl?
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 — As suggested by the title, the book is a mystery novel revolving around the identity of a key character, making Mystery the most relevant genre.
Crime — The plot involves investigation and search for clues, thus Crime is considered another relevant genre.
Suspense — With its carefully constructed tension throughout the narrative, Suspense is a key genre.
Thriller — The fast-paced nature of the story, full of unexpected twists and turns, reflects elements of the Thriller genre.