What do you think?
Rate this book
American Girl Mysteries
The Light in the Cellar: A Molly Mystery
Molly wishes she and her friend Emily had an exciting volunteer job that really helped in the fight to win World War Two. Instead, they're magazine delivery girls at Oak Knoll Hospital. Soon, however, Molly and Emily start to suspect that something very un-patriotic is going on at Oak Knoll--and their snooping leads them deep into trouble!
176 pages, Hardcover
First published February 20, 2007
About the author
Sarah Masters Buckey
29 books48 followersSarah Masters Buckey was raised in New Jersey and lived in Texas for 15 years. Sarah was nominated for the Agatha Award in 2008 for A Thief in the Theater and in 2005 for The Curse of Ravenscourt. She was nominated for an Edgar Award in 2007 for The Stolen Sapphire.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
April 20, 2026
"Nobody goes there anymore," said Linda ... "Not even on a double dare."The legendary Greystone Manor is as famous as it is scary in Molly's neighborhood and everyone knows to stay far, far away.
As Molly, Linda, and Susan help Emily relearn to ride her bike, the two dogs (Bennet and Yank) get lose and run up the hill to the abandoned Greystone Manor.
As the girls tentatively retrieve the puppies, they notice something odd about the house.
Spooked, the four girls retrieve the dogs and race back home.
"Wait a minute," Molly whispered. "Somebody must be here." She pointed toward the house. "Look in the cellar - there's a light."
But as the week goes on, Molly becomes more and more sure that something (or someone) sinister is at that house. But how can she prove it when no one believes her?
This one was pretty dang good, bordering on 5 stars for me!
I rather liked the mystery for this one - in addition to the light in the cellar there was also a mystery surrounding missing supplies.
I felt like the author did a great job of balancing the two and providing enough clues that I was suspicious but not confident on the whodunit throughout!
Also, Sarah Masters Buckey really captured Molly's character and provided a lot of depth for the secondary characters. (For the curious, often the mystery books are written by different authors from the main series and it can be a tossup if the main character 'feels' the same as before).
I liked how Jill and Ricky were had more personality and played stronger roles than in previous books.
Overall, this was a really well done mystery!!
More reviews in the Molly-verse
Main Series:
Meet Molly - ★★★☆☆
Molly Learns a Lesson - ★★★☆☆
Molly's Surprise - ★★★★☆
Happy Birthday, Molly - ★★☆☆☆
Molly Saves the Day - ★★★★☆
Changes for Molly - ★★★★☆
Molly's Boxed Set - ★★★☆☆
Best Friend Book
Brave Emily - ★★★★★
Short Stories:
Molly's A+ Partner - ★★★★☆
Molly Takes Flight - ★★★★☆
Molly and the Movie Star - ★★★★☆
Molly's Puppy Tale - ★★★★★
Molly Marches On - ★★★★☆
Molly's Short Story Collection - ★★★★☆
Additional History Books
American Girls Cookbook - ★★★★★
American Girl Sweet & Savory Treats Cookbook - ★☆☆☆☆
Everything I Need to Know I Learned From American Girl - ★★★☆☆
Molly's Cookbook - ★★★★☆
Molly's Cooking Studio - ★★★★★
Molly's Craft Book - ★★★★☆
Molly's Route 66 Adventure - ★★★★★
Molly's Theater Kit - ★★★★★
Welcome to Molly's World - ★★★★★
Mystery Books
Clues in the Shadows - ★★★★☆
The Light in the Cellar - ★★★★☆
A Spy on the Home Front - ★★★☆☆
Beforever (Re-Release of Main Series in 2018)
A Winning Spirit: A Molly Classic Vol 1 - ★★★☆☆
Stars and Stripes: A Molly Classic Vol 2 - ★★★☆☆
Abridged Version (Re-Release of Main Series in 2022):
Molly: A Winning Spirit - ★★★★☆
(NOTE: They have not re-released the second book yet)
Beginner Reader & Picture Books
Molly's Christmas Surprise (Step Into Reading) - ★★★☆☆
Happy Birthday! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆
Happy Holidays! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★★
Time for School! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆
February 7, 2017
Molly is part of the reason why I'm a history major and World War II buff. Since this book is now out of print, I bought a used copy to reread and keep in my library. As a child, I preferred American Girl mysteries to Nancy Drew, because they did not require the same leaps of logic, and this was my favorite. The mystery is simple, but not overly obvious, and the entire story is convincing. I appreciate how well it incorporates historical details and character development, and highly recommend this for children.
Additional note: I find it incredibly inspiring that Molly is pictured on the cover with slightly messy hair and a flannel shirt. I am inspired by the now-retired character's ability to enjoy both traditionally girly and boyish clothing and activities without any concern for stereotypes and expectations, and wish that American Girl didn't present picture-perfect, flawless images for their current characters.
Additional note: I find it incredibly inspiring that Molly is pictured on the cover with slightly messy hair and a flannel shirt. I am inspired by the now-retired character's ability to enjoy both traditionally girly and boyish clothing and activities without any concern for stereotypes and expectations, and wish that American Girl didn't present picture-perfect, flawless images for their current characters.
June 21, 2022
The great AG marathon continues. Again, reading for the first time as an adult, inspired by the American Girls podcast.
Well, this was fun! I said recently in my review for Kirsten's Runaway Friend that I'd never seen an AG mystery set in the middle of a core series, but now I've seen two. This one is very deliberately set shortly after Happy Birthday and picks up a lot of continuity notes from it. Bennett and Yank are actually here, we meet Emily's aunt, and we even get an indication of how the end of Emily's stay at the McIntyre's goes. In general, it's a better continuation of the Molly/Emily relationship than Brave Emily is: They generally support each other, they occasionally push each other's buttons, and they fumble their way to what the next stage of their friendship could look like.
(One of the most awkward things about Brave Emily is that it seems to extend her stay at the McIntyres well past what was indicated in Happy Birthday. Brave was published only about six months before this, so the two books would have been in production at the same time; likely this was written with only vague knowledge of what Brave Emily would be, if that.)
The three strands of this are a creepy old house that everyone avoids, rationed supplies possibly going missing, and drama at the hospital. It's not hard for an adult reader to figure out how the abandoned house and the stolen goods are connected, and the hospital provides a place to meet new people and collect gossip. So we get both Molly's usual setting and peeps as well as new faces and places to broaden the picture. Linda and Susan are around, but not prominent - and the same is true of Molly's siblings. Molly and Emily is the key relationship here.
I think my only nitpick is that at first the kids make it sound like the house has been empty for eveerrrrrr, but once we meet Mrs. Currier, it doesn't seem nearly so long. We don't really get an idea of why she's in the hospital or how long she's been there, but Mrs. McIntyre seemed surprised to hear it. If Mrs. Currier was so connected around town, it seems like word would have gotten around. But I suppose we can chalk that up to kid perception of time being a little wibbly wobbly.
Well, this was fun! I said recently in my review for Kirsten's Runaway Friend that I'd never seen an AG mystery set in the middle of a core series, but now I've seen two. This one is very deliberately set shortly after Happy Birthday and picks up a lot of continuity notes from it. Bennett and Yank are actually here, we meet Emily's aunt, and we even get an indication of how the end of Emily's stay at the McIntyre's goes. In general, it's a better continuation of the Molly/Emily relationship than Brave Emily is: They generally support each other, they occasionally push each other's buttons, and they fumble their way to what the next stage of their friendship could look like.
(One of the most awkward things about Brave Emily is that it seems to extend her stay at the McIntyres well past what was indicated in Happy Birthday. Brave was published only about six months before this, so the two books would have been in production at the same time; likely this was written with only vague knowledge of what Brave Emily would be, if that.)
The three strands of this are a creepy old house that everyone avoids, rationed supplies possibly going missing, and drama at the hospital. It's not hard for an adult reader to figure out how the abandoned house and the stolen goods are connected, and the hospital provides a place to meet new people and collect gossip. So we get both Molly's usual setting and peeps as well as new faces and places to broaden the picture. Linda and Susan are around, but not prominent - and the same is true of Molly's siblings. Molly and Emily is the key relationship here.
I think my only nitpick is that at first the kids make it sound like the house has been empty for eveerrrrrr, but once we meet Mrs. Currier, it doesn't seem nearly so long. We don't really get an idea of why she's in the hospital or how long she's been there, but Mrs. McIntyre seemed surprised to hear it. If Mrs. Currier was so connected around town, it seems like word would have gotten around. But I suppose we can chalk that up to kid perception of time being a little wibbly wobbly.
November 23, 2022
it is a little scary at the end!
July 5, 2022
Okay so maybe I'm biased because Emily is one of my top two American Girls but this book slapped.
February 28, 2013
I have been super busy with work and getting a new pet (a snake!) so I have not had much time to read. I need something short and fast to help with my thirst for words and this worked. I used to be really into anything American Girl when I was a kid and I like revisiting this wonderful world on occasion. Molly was always my favorite. I liked her time period and the kind of spunk she had and this book showed both of those really well. It was a cute story and had a good moral of doing the right thing, being brave and that girls can do anything. I would recommend this to any young girl for a quick and cute read.
April 10, 2015
Wonderful read! Molly is one of my fav AG girls and one o fmy fav historical periods. Gotta love her spunk!
February 16, 2022
Just read this book super quick. Molly is my favorite American Girl. Love this cute historical fiction books- I have since I was a young girl. I just love the WWII era and books in this time period.
Cute story— short chapters. Quick read. Great for girls who love a positive female role model and mystery books. I was a little surprised at the end but knew I probably would be surprised because mysteries always try to point you in a different direction.
Anyway, the vocabulary and description is a little lacking. I don’t love these mysteries as much as the original books— it just feels a little different but a fun read nonetheless. Wish they had something like these books for boys.
Cute story— short chapters. Quick read. Great for girls who love a positive female role model and mystery books. I was a little surprised at the end but knew I probably would be surprised because mysteries always try to point you in a different direction.
Anyway, the vocabulary and description is a little lacking. I don’t love these mysteries as much as the original books— it just feels a little different but a fun read nonetheless. Wish they had something like these books for boys.
April 19, 2020
2 stars!
TW: casual hate crime (over an immigrant working in America)
I didn't really like this book. I know I am not the target audience for this book which could be part of it. I understand that the purpose of these books is to let girls experience a bit of history from a girl their age in that time period but, a lot of those elements felt too scripted or copied out of a textbook. The mystery was pretty well done and it fairly simple.
All in all this book was ok. I think younger girls interested in history and mysteries would enjoy it.
TW: casual hate crime (over an immigrant working in America)
I didn't really like this book. I know I am not the target audience for this book which could be part of it. I understand that the purpose of these books is to let girls experience a bit of history from a girl their age in that time period but, a lot of those elements felt too scripted or copied out of a textbook. The mystery was pretty well done and it fairly simple.
All in all this book was ok. I think younger girls interested in history and mysteries would enjoy it.
March 3, 2021
Read this aloud to my 6 and 10 year old daughters while studying WW2. They loved it. The fun mystery kept them wanting to hear more and all the while we learned little bits about rationing and what life might have been like for an American kid in the 1940s. This was the first American Girl book I’ve read, but we will definitely be reading more to compliment our homeschooling history or just for fun.
September 11, 2020
A really well-done kids mystery, that actually had some suspense and tangled clues. Also felt more like a classic American Girl book than some of the books American Girl is putting out there these days. I love the "Looking Back" sections at the end of these books and this one was nicely focused and shed a lot of light on some main plot points, such as WWII rationing. Very enjoyable all around!
January 6, 2025
Was a cute mystery, amateur sleuthing story. Molly was never one of my favorites because of her attitude and outlook on life, but I do appreciate the time period and the hardships described for those around them.
June 24, 2019
good book.
August 30, 2020
this book is About thinking in your brain. and you have to think questions. I love this book you should read it.
February 4, 2021
Really solid. One of the better in the AG mysteries.
June 15, 2021
Molly's regular books in the series weren't my favorite, but I am loving her mystery books!
August 18, 2021
I think this is a fun mystery
March 11, 2022
Another great read aloud and opportunity to teach about history.
February 13, 2024
I quite liked this book, and I'm really glad we got to see more of Emily in the series.
October 24, 2025
I love Emily and Molly’s dynamic and the idea that we can do little things to support others and it makes a world of difference.
January 27, 2026
A Fun read . Reread
April 16, 2026
I missed these American Girl Mystery books when they first came out, but I am glad I picked up all of the Molly mysteries. This was great! It felt like an old Nancy Drew Mystery set during WWII.
December 11, 2020
Kinda boring. My least favorite mystery so far.
February 25, 2014
Re-read this one because Mums brought it home from the library. After checking to make sure it wasn't the Molly mystery you had no chance of figuring out while reading it, I went ahead and re-read it. It's a cute book that takes place during Molly's six book original series since Emily is still living with the McIntire family and Molly is still a little awkward around Emily.
I really can't comment on the mystery aspect since it's a re-read, but it's not impossible to figure out whodunnit nor is it ridiculously obvious at first.
This is one to read for the characterization. You get Molly realizing how Emily's life has been turned upside down, and a hold-over from the book series where she remembers things that trigger Emily's mild panicky moments. Molly's still a little stuck in her own world but you can see how she's starting to grow up in her world view.
I really can't comment on the mystery aspect since it's a re-read, but it's not impossible to figure out whodunnit nor is it ridiculously obvious at first.
This is one to read for the characterization. You get Molly realizing how Emily's life has been turned upside down, and a hold-over from the book series where she remembers things that trigger Emily's mild panicky moments. Molly's still a little stuck in her own world but you can see how she's starting to grow up in her world view.
February 8, 2017
These were my favorite series to read and thus the four stars. Not particularily well written but what the heck! Who cares? Plus they were better than the Nancy Drew series, (Cough, cough, I read them all)
December 13, 2013
Molly Mystery: A Light in the Cellar, American Girl
Molly and Emily are working as volunteer magazine girls and while teaching Emily to ride a bike they see a light in the cellar at Greystone Manor. When Molly and Emily go in to Greystone Manor to get Mrs.Currier's eye glasses they here people in the cellar that shouldn't be there. Molly and Emily, throughout the story, try to figure out who was in the cellar. Also, things that are hard to get during the war such as sugar, tires, butter, and much more go missing and they try to find the thief. At the end of the story the find the thief, but if you want to know who it is, then you better read The Light in the Cellar. This book is all about mystery, excitement, and adventure so I recommend this book.
Molly and Emily are working as volunteer magazine girls and while teaching Emily to ride a bike they see a light in the cellar at Greystone Manor. When Molly and Emily go in to Greystone Manor to get Mrs.Currier's eye glasses they here people in the cellar that shouldn't be there. Molly and Emily, throughout the story, try to figure out who was in the cellar. Also, things that are hard to get during the war such as sugar, tires, butter, and much more go missing and they try to find the thief. At the end of the story the find the thief, but if you want to know who it is, then you better read The Light in the Cellar. This book is all about mystery, excitement, and adventure so I recommend this book.
June 15, 2012
A Molly Mystery from American Girl
Molly wishes she and her friend Emily had an exciting volunteer job that really helped in the fight to win World War II. Instead, they're magazine delivery girls at Oak Knoll Hospital. Soon, however, Molly and Emily start to suspect that something very un-patriotic is going on at Oak Knoll- and their snooping leads them into trouble!
Great mystery book as always! I love American Girl books and I love how in this one Molly and Emily work together to solve the mystery. American Girl brings history to life in a fun easy to udnerstand manner that makes learning fun.
Molly wishes she and her friend Emily had an exciting volunteer job that really helped in the fight to win World War II. Instead, they're magazine delivery girls at Oak Knoll Hospital. Soon, however, Molly and Emily start to suspect that something very un-patriotic is going on at Oak Knoll- and their snooping leads them into trouble!
Great mystery book as always! I love American Girl books and I love how in this one Molly and Emily work together to solve the mystery. American Girl brings history to life in a fun easy to udnerstand manner that makes learning fun.
January 16, 2022
Molly McIntire isn't thrilled with having soybean casserole for supper, but she realizes her family is dealing with the home front effects of World War II. Meat shortages, Victory gardens, ration stamps, and War Bonds are the norm.
The McIntire family are avid volunteers; Molly and her friend Emily serve as magazine girls at Oak Knoll Hospital. Then bags of sugar disappear from the Oak Knoll and the Red Cross kitchens. Molly also observes strange events at Greystone Manor; she is determined to solve this mystery.
The McIntire family are avid volunteers; Molly and her friend Emily serve as magazine girls at Oak Knoll Hospital. Then bags of sugar disappear from the Oak Knoll and the Red Cross kitchens. Molly also observes strange events at Greystone Manor; she is determined to solve this mystery.
November 22, 2013
My daughter is into the American Girl books right now, and this one was the first she read. It's a really good mystery, good historical novel, and a great book for young readers. The story is interesting, and I love the "Peek to the Past" at the end of all these books, which provides factual reference. This book features Molly and Emily during WW2. Riding bikes, baking, helping a cause, freedom and responsibility—so many connections can be made for young readers, as well as just enjoying a good mystery.
January 5, 2009
Kyla also got this, she is wanting to read these American Girl books because they are so popular. I thought I'd check it out, and I really liked this one. They have a historical backdrop, so they are educating and entertaining. I can see why they are so popular. I wouldn't mind reading some more, for some light reading sometime.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews