The Strange Case of the Mystery Author

My son is visiting Casa Cahoon this week.  So Friday, I took him on a walking tour of the bazillion antique stores in my little Mississippi river town. In the grungy, box-filled, dusty store I found a box of old middle grade mysteries.  "The Case of the Vanishing Magician." "The Secret of the Grandfather Clock." "The Tower Treasure."

I loved these stories growing up. In middle school, I worked in the library (geek alert) and got to check out the series books as soon as they arrived and I typed up a new card for the card catalog. (Yes, I am showing my age.)

I was amazed at the diversity of mysteries in this little box.  Yes, they had Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, but they also had authors I hadn't read. I'm tempted to return and buy up the box, but I'm on deadline and I know, I'd be sitting and reading rather than writing my own mystery.

What were your favorite stories growing up?  Where you a mystery lover even then?

Lynn