The Vanishing of Betty Varian
Betty Varian vanished in 1920. She was a wealthy socialite who had been involved in various scandals and controversies before her disappearance. The case remains unsolved to this day, with many theories but no definitive answers.
By Carolyn Wells · First published 1920 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Suspense · 18 chapters · 82,350 words
First lines
It is, of course, possible, perhaps even probable, that somewhere on this green earth there may be finer golf links or a more attractive clubhouse than those at Headland Harbor, but never hope to wring such an admission from any one of the summer colony who spend their mid-year at that particular portion of the Maine coast.
Far up above the York cliffs are more great crags and among the steepest and wildest of these localities, a few venturesome spirits saw fit to pitch their tents.
What this Textopian page supports
The Vanishing of Betty Varian 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, Thriller
- Length: 82,350 words
- Structure: 18 chapters, 2,332 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Vanishing of Betty Varian 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 The Vanishing of Betty Varian?
- 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
- The Come Back by Carolyn Wells
- Found Wanting by Carolyn Wells
- A Point Of Testimony by Carolyn Wells
- Found Dead by Fred M. White
- The Curved Blades by Carolyn Wells
- The Room With The Tassels by Carolyn Wells
Genres
- Mystery — This book revolves around a mysterious disappearance that needs to be solved, which fits the mystery genre.
- Detective Fiction — One of the main characters is trying to piece together clues to solve the vanishing of Betty Varian, fitting the characteristics of detective fiction.
- Suspense — With elements of tension and uncertainty about what will happen to Betty Varian, the book aligns with elements typical of a suspense.
- Crime — As the plot centers around a potential crime (Betty's disappearance), the book can be categorized under Crime genre.
Tags
mystery · suspense · thriller · detective · crime · disappearance · investigation · secrets · clues · plot twist · suspicion · intrigue
Contents
- Headland Harbor
- Betty Varian
- The Tragedy
- The Search
- The Yellow Pillow
- The Varian Pearls
- Minna Varian
- Ransom
- Poor Martha
- Pennington Wise
- Clues
- A Letter from Nowhere
- Where is North?
- A Green Stain
- Criminal or Victim?
- In Greenvale
- The Last Letter
- The Trap