¿The Mysterious Key and What It Opened¿ is a 1867 novel written by Louisa May Alcott. The story revolves around Lillian Trevlyn who, when only a baby, loses her father and almost loses her mother on the same day. As the years pass Lillian becomes a respectable young woman, but without ever having learnt the truth about that fateful day. That is, until Paul, an orphaned boy, enters the story as a groomsman. A light and enjoyable tale, Alcott's foray into mystery does not disappoint and is highly recommended for those who have read and enjoyed other works by this seminal author. Louisa May Alcott (1832 ¿ 1888) was an American short story writer, novelist, and poet most famous for writing the novel ¿Little Women¿, as well as its sequels ¿Little Men¿ and ¿Jo's Boys¿. She grew up in New England and became associated with numerous notable intellectuals of her time, including Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Henry David Thoreau. Other notable works by this author include: "An Old-Fashioned Girl" (1886), "Eight Cousins" (1869), and "A Long Fatal Love Chase" (1875). Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with the original text and artwork.