"Terror At Moaning Cliff" 1935 GARIS, Lilian
$125
A Melody Lane Mystery
GARIS, Lilian
[243] pp.
Grosset & Dunlap
1935
7 3/4" x 5 1/4"
VG/ VG
The Melody Lane series of books, geared toward young females, was written by veteran author Lilian Garis. The series comprised nine books, spanning from 1933 to 1940. The first six books in the series originally had cover illustrations by Pelagie Doane, but were later all re-illustrated by Ruth King. The final volume's artwork returned to Doane, although it was done in a style arguably more similar to King's illustrations. Interior artwork was by Doane as well. Terror at Moaning Cliff is number five in the series. The main strength of the Melody Lane series is the emphasis on the Great Depression and how it affects Carol Duncan and her other acquaintances. Carol and Cecy are invited by their Aunt Isabel to stay at her property, Rocky Cliff. Aunt Isabel has inherited the property but in order to legally claim it she must either rent it or live there herself. Aunt Isabel has already tried renting the property, but none of the tenants will stay there for any length of time. Mysterious events have occurred which have frightened the tenants away. Aunt Isabel does not know what exactly is frightening the tenants, so she asks Carol and Cecy to stay at Rocky Cliff so that they can find out. Carol, Cecy, and Thally travel to Rocky Cliff to stay at the house. Once the girls arrive, they try to find out more from the caretaker, Emil Jenson, but he does not know why the tenants left, or he refuses to say. During their first night in the house, Carol and Rachel, the housekeeper, hear a strange moaning sound. During another night, the girls hear howling dogs in the cellar. They investigate but are unable to discover the source of the strange sounds. Emil Jenson remains under suspicion as the girls continue to search the house for clues.