# Emily Crandall — The Mystery at Lilac Inn character guide > Emily Crandall in The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Emily, the Crandall, Poor Emily **First appearance:** 0001-ii-rising-to-an-occasion ## Snapshot A young woman on the brink of inheriting the famous Crandall diamonds, whose eighteenth birthday celebration is shadowed by theft and heartbreak. ## Who they are Emily Crandall is the ward whose inheritance of the Crandall jewels should mark a happy turning point, especially after a childhood short on pretty things. Instead, the diamonds vanish and she is left heartbroken and, according to Mrs. Willoughby, facing destitution. Nancy's loyalty to Emily—and Emily's refusal to accuse her guardian—gives the investigation its emotional stakes and keeps Nancy probing even when the clues refuse to line up. ## Relationships ### [Nancy Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/nancy_drew) _friendship_ Emily is a friend of Nancy's, involved in the mystery surrounding Lilac Inn. ### [Mrs. Jane Willoughby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/mrs_jane_willoughby) _professional_ Emily works for or is employed by Mrs. Willoughby at Lilac Inn, creating a tense employer-employee dynamic. ### [Helen Corning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/helen_corning) _friendship_ Emily and Helen are friends, often socializing together. ### [Nancy Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/nancy_drew) _friendship_ Emily is a friend of Nancy's, involved in the mystery surrounding Lilac Inn. ### [Nancy Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/nancy_drew) _friendship_ Emily is a friend of Nancy's, involved in the mystery surrounding Lilac Inn. ### [Mrs. Jane Willoughby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/mrs_jane_willoughby) _professional_ Emily works for or is employed by Mrs. Willoughby at Lilac Inn, creating a tense employer-employee dynamic. ### [Mrs. Jane Willoughby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/mrs_jane_willoughby) _professional_ Emily works for or is employed by Mrs. Willoughby at Lilac Inn, creating a tense employer-employee dynamic. ### [Helen Corning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/helen_corning) _friendship_ Emily and Helen are friends, often socializing together. ## In the story ### [A Chance Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/i-a-chance-meeting) Former classmate of Nancy, under guardianship of Mrs. Willoughby, about to turn 18 and inherit the Crandall family jewels valued at $40,000. ### [Rising to an Occasion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/ii-rising-to-an-occasion) Celebrates her eighteenth birthday and is set to inherit the Crandall diamonds; Nancy drops her off at a garage after their meeting at Lilac Inn. ### [About the Crandall Jewels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/iv-about-the-crandall-jewels) Celebrates her birthday, discusses her inheritance and engagement to Dick Farnham. ### [At Lilac Inn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/v-at-lilac-inn) Mentioned as the intended recipient of the jewels; Mrs. Willoughby hopes to get Emily's receipt. ### [VI: Accusations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/vi-accusations) Mentioned as the owner of the stolen jewels; Mrs. Willoughby fears telling her. ### [VII: Damaging Rumors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/vii-damaging-rumors) Emily is the victim of the jewel theft, and Nancy is concerned about her well-being. ### [VIII: Mrs. Willoughby’s Call](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/viii-mrs-willoughby-s-call) Devastated by the loss of her inheritance and jewels; confides in Nancy and asks for her help in solving the mystery. ### [IX: Nancy Investigates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/ix-nancy-investigates) Mentioned as having asked Nancy for help the previous night. ### [X: An Encounter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/x-an-encounter) Meets Nancy and Helen outside a department store, looking pale and distressed. She pleads with Nancy to help clear Mrs. Willoughby's name as the police are trying to fasten the theft on her. ### [XIV: New Information](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xiv-new-information) Nancy hopes to help Emily regain her fortune by solving the mystery. ### [XV: What Mr. Drew Learned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xv-what-mr-drew-learned) Distraught over the robbery and Mrs. Willoughby's treatment by police, she pleads for Nancy's help and expresses faith in her abilities. ### [The Search](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xxiv-the-search) Mentioned as the owner of the recovered jewels. ### [XXV: Nancy's Reward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xxv-nancy-s-reward) Grateful friend who gives Nancy a bracelet and announces her engagement to Dick Farnham. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/emily_crandall - 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