Mystery of the Inn by the Shore: A Novel

A novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative revolves around a quaint seaside town, Stroan, that has witnessed better days, and the lives of three friends on holiday. As the plot unfolds, romantic entanglements and mysterious occurrences begin to create tension, particularly involving a young innkeeper's niece named Nell Claris, who is embroiled in suspicions of theft. At the start of the story, we encounter the decaying seaside town of Stroan, which is slowly reviving thanks to an influx of visitors drawn by the newly established golf links. Among these visitors are Otto, Willie, and Clifford, who quickly become entangled in a comedic yet revealing exploration of relationships and social dynamics. The young men, particularly Willie, soon find themselves attracted to the alluring Nell Claris, who is caught in her own struggles with familial duty and societal expectations. As thefts occur at the modest inn where they stay, tensions rise, resulting in dramatic events that challenge the characters’ perceptions of innocence and suspicion, setting the stage for a deeper mystery to unfold.