# Bud Mason — The Mystery at Lilac Inn character guide

> Bud Mason in The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bud, This Bud

**First appearance:** 0002-iii-a-queer-girl

## Snapshot

Mary Mason's brother, whose shadowy presence and possible connection to the Crandall theft keep Nancy second-guessing her own suspicions.

## Who they are

Bud Mason hovers at the edge of the case as the brother of the girl Nancy cannot stop wondering about, a figure whose movements and motives she has yet to pin down. His relationship to Mary complicates Nancy's theory that the sudden cash and fine clothes point to guilt, forcing her to weigh family loyalty against evidence. He matters because he embodies the tangle of false leads Nancy must sort through before the real pattern emerges.

## Relationships

### [Nancy Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/nancy_drew)

_friendship_

Bud is Mary's brother and a supportive friend to Nancy, often helping with practical tasks.

### [Mary Mason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/mary_mason)

_family_

Bud is Mary's brother, and they share a close sibling bond.

### [Tom Tozzle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/tom_tozzle)

_friendship_

Bud and Tom are friends and occasional partners in assisting Nancy.

### [Nancy Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/nancy_drew)

_friendship_

Bud is Mary's brother and a supportive friend to Nancy, often helping with practical tasks.

### [Tom Tozzle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/tom_tozzle)

_friendship_

Bud and Tom are friends and occasional partners in assisting Nancy.

### [Nancy Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/nancy_drew)

_friendship_

Bud is Mary's brother and a supportive friend to Nancy, often helping with practical tasks.

### [Mary Mason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/mary_mason)

_family_

Bud is Mary's brother, and they share a close sibling bond.

### [Tom Tozzle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/tom_tozzle)

_friendship_

Bud and Tom are friends and occasional partners in assisting Nancy.

### [Mary Mason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/mary_mason)

_family_

Bud is Mary's brother, and they share a close sibling bond.

## In the story

### [The Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xvi-the-stranger)

The stranger is identified only as 'Mr. B. Mason' from the envelope; his relation to Mary Mason is implied but not confirmed in this chapter.

### [During the Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xviii-during-the-storm)

Mary's brother, a young hardened criminal, who argues about the division of stolen goods.

### [In the Storeroom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xix-in-the-storeroom)

Participates in the discussion, expresses unease about staying in town, and discovers Nancy after a lightning flash, then captures her.

### [A Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xx-a-prisoner)

Bud expresses relief when Nancy wakes, suggests ransom, and helps drag her to the boat.

### [XXI: Down the River](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xxi-down-the-river)

Bud shows some concern for Nancy's welfare, removes the harsh gag, and later argues with Tom to tie up the boat due to the dangerous conditions.

### [Sinking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xxii-sinking)

He hesitates to rescue Tom Tozzle and later drags Mary out of the cabin, leaving Nancy behind. He is caught on the dock.

### [Captured](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xxiii-captured)

Captured by the naval officer after trying to escape; he supports Mary's false story.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/bud_mason
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters