Nancy loves a good mystery. That’s why she, Bess, and George are volunteering at Persimmon Woods Pioneer Village, a living history museum of the 1830s. Nancy’s heard that a lot of weird things have been happening there, like the eerie sightings of the Lantern Lady­ the ghost of an original settler. But as soon as Nancy starts investigating, she learns that even though the workers at Persimmon Woods are in costume, the danger isn’t an act. Someone has concocted a cunning scheme to destroy the village—and if Nancy doesn’t find the culprit, she could become history, too.

The second Ladies of Lantern Street novel from Amanda Quick explores the crimes, passions and paranormal secrets of Victorian London. Under the plain gray skirts of Miss Beatrice Lockwood’s gown, a pistol waits at the ready. For Beatrice is a paid companion on a secret mission—and with a secret past—and she must be prepared to fight for her life at any moment. Yet she is thrown oddly off guard by the fierce-looking man who joins her in foiling a crime outside a fancy ball—and then disappears into the shadows, leaving only his card. His name is Joshua Gage, and he claims to know Beatrice’s employers. Beyond that, he is an enigma with a hypnotically calm voice and an ebony-and-steel cane. . . . Joshua, who carries out clandestine investigations for the Crown, is equally intrigued. He has a personal interest in Miss Lockwood, a suspected thief and murderer, not to mention a fraudster who claims to have psychical powers. The quest to discover her whereabouts has pulled him away from his mournful impulses to hurl himself into the sea—and engaged his curiosity about the real Beatrice Lockwood, whose spirit, he suspects, is not as delicate as her face and figure. He does know one thing, though: This flame-haired beauty was present the night Roland Fleming died at the Academy of the Occult. Guilty or not, she is his guide to a trail of blood and blackmail, mesmerism and madness—a path that will lead both of them into the clutches of a killer who calls himself the Bone Man. . . .

‘A clever reworking of a classic story. The little old lady’s fearless attitude and her clever solution as to what to do with the lively shoes, pants, shirt and pumpkin head that are chasing her will enchant young audiences. With brilliantly colored, detailed folk art illustrations. A great purchase.’ —SLJ. Children's Choices for 1987 (IRA/CBC) Notable 1986 Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC) Children's Books of 1986 (Library of Congress) 1988 Keystone to Reading Book Award (Pennsylvania Reading Association)

Riding uphill is hard—but going down can send you over the edge! Nancy, Bass, and George are all geared up for a bike tour in Ireland. They’re looking forward to spectacular scenery, romantic ruins, local entertainment, and, at the end of the day, cozy inns to welcome them. But it isn’t long before the three friends realize that they’re riding with danger. From the moment they arrive at the airport, someone seems to be targeting the tour members, especially the two teen sisters from Australia. Even worse, not all the cyclists are what they appear to be. As the group bikes along sheep-filled roads and steep seaside cliffs, the menace mounts. Nancy knows that if she makes one wrong turn she’ll be on a detour to disaster!

Nancy gets the big picture from a really tiny clue! Nancy and her friends love Mr. Lizard's Funhouse -- it's their favorite TV show. But now Mr. Lizard is going to be replaced -- by a cooking show! Nancy gets the kids in school to sign a petition to save the Show, but when she brings it to the TV station, it says in big purple letters, "Get rid of Mr. Lizard!" From the lunch lady to a science whiz kid, anyone in school Could have written the nasty note. Then Nancy's father gives her a special gift -- a magnifying glass. It's just the thing for an upclose look at her best clue -- a distinctive purple fingerprint!

CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE DOESN'T PROVE THE IDENTITY OF CRAFTY THIEVES! Nancy's friend Bess has been hired by Special Effects, a River Heights company, to decorate Albemarle's department store for the holidays. When Bess discovers that her friend Ali Marie is now working at the store, she's thrilled -- the two of them can have lunch and try on clothes for fun! But when some dresses are swiped, Ali is accused of stealing, and the party's over. Sure of her friend's innocence, Bess calls in Nancy to help find the real thief. With all the suspects and misleading clues, Nancy and her friends are running in circles -- and the holiday shopping rush isn't helping! Can they figure out the identity of a clothes-hungry kleptomaniac before the holiday season turns sour?

Nancy can hardly believe it. While visiting an amusement park owned by the world-famous Royal Chocolates Company, her friend Bess tears open a million-dollar candy wrapper in a contest. But when they go to collect, they’re told that someone else has won. And then they’re accused of tampering with the winning wrapper! Something is rotten in chocolatetown. The proof comes when Nancy and her friends are treated to a near-death experience in the park’s animal safari. Someone’s pulling a million-dollar swindle, and getting Nancy and her friends out of the way seems to be the icing on the cake. If Nancy isn’t careful, she just might learn the real meaning of “Death by Chocolate.”