Originally published under the pseudonym Edith van Dyne, ‘Mary Louise Solves a Mystery’ is the third book in the popular children’s series by prolific author L. Frank Baum. Mary Louise is travelling around Italy with her grandpa Jim when she comes across unhappy young heiress Alora Jones. Alora’s mother died not long ago, leaving Alora and her inheritance under the control of her moody and secretive ex-husband in Italy. Sensing a mystery, Mary Louise and her friend and trainee detective Josie O’Gorman are soon on the case. Lyman Frank Baum (1856 – 1919) was a prolific and well-known American writer. He is best known for his famous series of modern fairy tales set in the imaginary land of Oz. The first of the books, ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ is widely considered to be the first true American fairy tale and was the basis for the hugely popular 1939 classic musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’ starring Judy Garland. Born and raised in New York, Baum held a range of jobs including as a poultry farmer, clerk, and storekeeper before pursuing his talent for writing at the age of 41. He wrote 14 novels in the Oz series, as well as over 40 other novels and over 80 short stories. He died in California in 1919.
