chez_jae | Entries tagged with series: trixie belden

Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Castaway Children (Trixie Belden, #21)

Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Castaway Children by Kathryn Kenny

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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In the wee hours of the morning, I finished the book Trixie Belden and the Castaway Children by Kathryn Kenny. It's the 21st Trixie Belden mystery.

A summer rain storm brings more than just cooler weather to the Belden household when they discover a baby in the dog's house! The Beldens leap into action to care for the malnourished infant, calling in reinforcements from the neighbors who provide clothing, formula, and bottles. The police are content to allow the Beldens to continue taking care of the baby while they begin searching for any reported missing children. When they discover that both a young boy and a baby went missing from a family, they learn the baby belongs to the Dodges, but no one knows what has become of the older son...until a ransom note appears in the mail. Trixie soon dives into the mystery, finding clues the indicate the older boy is still in the area and traveling on his pony. No one seems to know if kidnappers actually have Davy or not, but as their demands escalate, everyone in the Belden household may be in danger.

The plot in this one got convoluted, but it did keep me engaged. Familiar characters are portrayed well, and even the new/transient characters came across as fully realized.

Favorite line: "Shouldn't he have a name?" // "If we didn't already have a Bobby, we could name him Bob White," Honey said. // "We don't have a Clancy," Mart said impishly. // "Nobody names a three-month old baby Clancy!" Di exclaimed. // "I should hope not," Mart told her. "Most of the Clancys I know were named months earlier than that."

Cute story, four stars.

Current Mood: busy

Trixie Belden and the Mystery Off Old Telegraph Road (Trixie Belden, #20)

Trixie Belden and the Mystery Off Old Telegraph Road by Kathryn Kenny

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I managed to knock back The Mystery Off Old Telegraph Road yesterday. It's the 20th installment in the "Trixie Belden" series of young adult mysteries, starring intrepid teenage sleuth, Trixie.

When the high school holds an art fair to raise money for the art department, Trixie is dismayed to see how few entries there are. She learns that the art department is vastly underfunded. In an effort to help, Trixie enlists the Bob-Whites to hold a bikeathon to raise money. Things are going well, until menacing phone calls threaten to derail the bikeathon. Trixie can't help but wonder if it's connected to her friend Honey's dastardly cousin, Ben, or to the charred piece of a forged Deutsche mark she finds near the abandoned house on Old Telegraph Road. Although her friends and family warn her to leave well enough alone, Trixie can't help but stick her nose into things, endangering not only the bikeathon, but herself as well.

The story was enjoyable enough. Not my favorite Trixie Belden book, nor my least favorite. The tension introduced between Trixie and Honey was new. Usually these books include plenty of Trixie and her friends just being kids, but this one focused mainly on the mystery and Trixie's investigation.

Favorite line: "We don't dare fight anymore. It's too dangerous!"

'Holding breath' line: It was only then that she realized she'd been holding her breath.

Fun enough story, but just average for a Trixie Belden book; thus, it gets an average score of three.

Current Mood: calm
Current Music: "Something About You" ~ Level 42

Trixie Belden and the Secret of the Unseen Treasure (Trixie Belden, #19)

Trixie Belden and the Secret of the Unseen Treasure by Kathryn Kenny

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I began reading The Secret of the Unseen Treasure late last night, and I finished it early this evening. It's the 19th installment in the "Trixie Belden" mystery series, written by Kathryn Kenny.

Trixie and her fellow Bob-Whites of the Glen find themselves embroiled in another mystery when they spot someone trying to set fire to nice Mrs Elliott's shed. They race in on horseback and save the day, but now Trixie can't quit thinking about why someone would want to ruin Mrs Elliott's flower selling business. As the BWGs delve deeper, they uncover a ruse involving stolen Social Security checks, other incidents of sabotage, and a shady marijuana growing business. Trixie can't believe that Mrs Elliott or her stepson, Max, are involved, and she's determined to get to the bottom of things.

This was one of the more fun and perplexing Trixie mysteries. I thoroughly enjoyed it, which is why I managed to knock it back in a short time.

Favorite line: "Why couldn't my sister be interested in something safe and sensible...like hockey or professional wrestling?"

Very good, a perfect read for young and old alike. Four stars.

Current Mood: good
Current Music: "Iron Man" ~ Black Sabbath

Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Phantom Grasshopper (Trixie Belden, #18)

Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Phantom Grasshopper by Kathryn Kenny

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Embracing Auld Lang Syne, my first read of the year was The Mystery of the Phantom Grasshopper, which is the 18th book in the "Trixie Belden" series of mysteries for young adults. This one was written by Kathyn Kenny.

Trixie and the rest of the Bob-Whites are planning a fundraiser to bring in the money needed to re-copper the town's old grasshopper weather vane atop Town Hall. Locals refer to the weather vane as Hoppy, and it's said that Hoppy will bring good luck if you greet him on your way by Town Hall. However, it seems Hoppy's luck has run out when he turns up missing after a storm. When a search doesn't locate the grasshopper nearby, it's presumed someone stole it. After all, Hoppy is an antique and rumored to have been created by a renowned coppersmith. Trixie is convinced that the stranger she's seen around town had something to do with Hoppy's disappearance and that one of her favorite teacher's aides, Miss Lawler, may be in cahoots.

This story wasn't as smooth-flowing as other Trixie Belden mysteries have been. It didn't help that there was no blurb on the back cover to summarize what the story was about. Instead, the back cover featured a teaser scene, like one expects to read inside the front cover. It was still interesting to see how Trixie got involved and put her mind into puzzling out what happened to Hoppy.

Favorite line: "It was a awful big huge a-nor-mous giant bug!"
Lame, but nothing really jumped out at me...hopped out at me? Hee!

A lite, entertaining read, if not all that great. Average score.

Current Mood: calm
Current Music: "Intermezzo"

The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest (Trixie Belden #17)

The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest by Kathryn Kenny

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Last night, I finished reading The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest by Kathryn Kenny. It's the 17th installment in the "Trixie Belden" series that I enjoyed in my youth. :D

Trixie and her family and friends are busy preparing for the upcoming wedding of Jim's cousin, Juliana, to her fiance, Hans. It's during this time that Trixie's cousin, Hallie, comes to stay for a few weeks. Trixie and Hallie have never quite gotten along, and Trixie resents her pretty cousin's presence. There are more pressing concerns, however, when the home of Trixie's friend, Diana, is robbed, along with several other homes in the area. At the same time, Trixie's little brother, Bobby, is acting strangely. He claims to have seen a wheelchair in the woods. When food begins disappearing from the Belden home, and many locals have their bicycles, scooters, etc stolen, Trixie can't help but think everything is connected. Adding to the chaos is a strange woman who claims to be a friend of the family of either Juliana and Hans and insists on being invited to the wedding, and when Juliana's engagement ring disappears, it's up to Trixie and the Bob-Whites, along with some help from Hallie, to save the day.

There was almost too much going on in this book, and it wasn't easy keeping up with it. I put things together before Trixie did, but it was fun to watch her solve the mystery.

Favorite line: "Sometimes my ears have more sense than my eyes."

Not my favorite of the series, but a good, nostalgic read. Four stars.

Current Mood: full
Current Music: "Three Welsh Bird Songs" ~ Charlotte Church

I took a trip down memory lane and read another Trixie Belden book. It was Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Missing Heiress by Kathryn Kenny.

After the letdown from the last Trixie book I read, this was a refreshing return to old-school Trixie. She and her fellow Bob Whites learn that Jim may have an unknown cousin in Holland, and that the young woman has inherited a piece of property that is worth $150,000.00. Trixie and the gang head to the Bronx to meet up with Jim's cousin, only to learn she drove herself to Sleepyside. While they are in NYC, someone tampers with their car, delaying the Bob Whites' return.

Upon meeting Jim's cousin, Juliana, Trixie is less than impressed by her. She had pictured a sweet young woman, but they are confronted with someone who is aloof to the point of rudeness. Trixie tries to get along with Juliana for her friend's sake. In the meantime, another young woman turns up in Sleepyside, the victim of an accident. She has no memory, and the hospital staff call her Janie. Janie is a delight, and Trixie and the rest of the Bob Whites vow to help her find her family.

While it was painfully obvious where this was going, it was still fun to see the kids put two and two together. Of course, it can't be a Trixie Belden book without some danger. Janie accidentally falls over a precipice when the ground gives way beneath her, and the Bob Whites, headed up by Trixie, are the ones to save her. A mysterious figure menaces the Belden homestead, and Trixie thinks he meant to harm Janie, who has been staying with the Belden family. The ending was satisfactory, if a bit rushed.

Favorite line: "She's driving the recorder of deeds nuts."
That happens more often than you realize...

Good story, much better than the last one in the series. Four stars:

****

Current Mood: good
Current Music: "See You Again" ~ Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth

Before Ieaving for vacay, I decided to pick up a short, light read, and last night I finished it. The book was The Mystery on the Mississippi, by Kathryn Kenny, and it's the 15th installment of the vintage Trixie Belden mysteries.

Trixie and the rest of the Bob-Whites get a chance to travel to St Louis when Honey's father has a conference to attend. As soon as Trixie and Honey get to their hotel room, they find a briefcase in the closet, left by the previous occupant. When they pick it up to take to the front desk, the case opens, and several papers fall out. While the girls are busy trying to collect the scattered papers, the case's owner returns and berates them for handling his property. He snatches up the papers and briefcase and leaves. Later, the girls find a few scattered pages that the man missed. Trixie is certain he's up to no good, and she puts the papers in her purse for safe-keeping.

The Bob-Whites get the chance of a lifetime to travel down the Mississippi River on a towboat. While on board, Trixie becomes suspicious of two new workers who seem a bit sketchy to her. Later, someone ransacks her stateroom, which is when the rest of the Bob-Whites begin taking Trixie's theories about the shady man at the hotel seriously.

There was a lot of activity crammed into only a few days' worth of trip. Trixie nearly died three times, and by the third time, I was getting weary of it. I really love this series, but this one was much darker and more sinister than previous books. There were kidnappers, guns, a mysterious map, and too many close calls to count. Not my favorite in this series by a long shot.

Favorite line: "You're just like a bulldog with a hold on a tramp's leg."

Meh. Three stars:

***

Current Mood: disappointed

Last night, I finished reading The Mystery of the Emeralds by Kathryn Kenny. It is the 14th book in the "Trixie Belden" series for young adults.

While helping her mother clean out the attic, Trixie discovers an old letter, mentioning a hidden emerald necklace. Sensing a mystery, she involves the rest of the Bob-Whites. They travel to Virginia with Diana's parents, which is where the letter originated from. Trixie begins to piece clues together, and along the way, they make new friends and encounter a shady character who is also bent on finding the hidden emeralds.

The story was engaging and well-plotted, and it was a refreshing change from murder mysteries and urban fantasy.

Favorite line: "This trip has been about as useful as a refrigerator at the North Pole."

Four out of five:

♦♦♦♦

Current Mood: mellow
Current Music: "Raise Your Glass" ~ P!nk

I needed something quick and light to cleanse my reading palate, so on Thursday I read The Mystery on Cobbett's Island, which is the 13th book in the Trixie Belden mystery series. This was vintage Trixie at her best!

Shortly after school lets out for the summer, Trixie and her fellow BWGs are invited to spend ten days on Cobbett's Island with Honey's family. While trying to find something in the library to read, Trixie discovers an old letter that mentions a chart and a treasure of $1,000.00. Of course, she can't leave it alone, and she recruits her friends and brothers to help her work out the mystery.

The teens meet a boy from the neighboring estate, and they let him in on the secret. Peter turns out to be a great help, and they all have fun chasing down clues.

These books are fun, simple and refreshing, and they make me nostalgic for my own tweens and teens!

Four hearts:

♥♥♥♥

Current Mood: okay
Current Music: "Give Me Your Hand Now" ~ The Ready Set

I had the day off of work, and I used the down time to finish reading another Trixie Belden book. It was The Mystery of the Blinking Eye, by Kathryn Kenny, and it's the 12th book in the series.

This one was much more exciting than the last one I read. In the story, Trixie and her fellow Bob-Whites are in New York City to meet up with some friends from Iowa. At the airport, Trixie helps an elderly woman get to the proper gate to catch a plane, and the woman gives Trixie a small, straw purse that contains a note. The woman is a fortune teller, and the note warns Trixie of danger.

Later, Trixie discovers an odd little idol in an antique shop and buys it. Afterward, strange things begin happening, including several attempts by thieves to steal the idol from Trixie. She is astonished to realize that the events are unfolding in accordance to the fortune given her by the woman.

The story was fast-paced and exciting, and it was even dangerous at various points. Very good!

Four stars:

★★★★

Current Mood: relaxed
Current Music: The furnace running

I needed some lighter fare after so many murder mysteries and urban fantasies, so I broke out another Trixie Belden book and read it. This was #10 in the series, The Marshland Mystery, by Kathryn Kenny.

The story wasn't so much a mystery to solve, however. Instead, Trixie's friend Honey had guests staying at her family home, including a precocious, seven year-old violin prodigy named Gaye. I spent most of the book wanting to give the little brat a swat. At one point, she ran away, but Trixie was able to put some clues together and find where the girl was hiding. During the hunt for her, Trixie stumbles on an old cottage in the marsh, where she meets a sweet little old lady whose home is in danger of being torn down to make way for a new, paved road. Trixie and her friends jump in to help by offering to assist the woman with selling some of her household items. Instead, they discover that an old brass box that had been in the woman's family for years was actually more valuable than thought.

These are cute, lighthearted stories that remind me of my own childhood. I typically give them four stars, but this one gets only three.

★★★

Current Mood: calm
Current Music: "Turning Tables" ~ Adele

On Thursday, I finished reading Trixie Belden and the Happy Valley Mystery by Kathryn Kenny. It's the ninth installment of the vintage "Trixie Belden" mysteries that I grew up reading.

In this story, Trixie and the rest of the Bob-Whites travel to Iowa to visit her uncle's farm. Uncle Andrew has been having trouble with someone stealing his sheep, and Trixie vows to solve the mystery for him. She and her brothers and friends meet some of the local teens and make new friends. They all help out on the farm, and in the meantime, Trixie searches for clues and digs up information. When she makes a couple of wrong assumptions, Trixie is teased for it, but that only makes her more determined to succeed.

In addition to the plot, the author introduces a budding romance between Trixie and Jim.

All in all, a fun, light read.

★★★★

Current Mood: mellow

Book #15 was a wee cheat, in that I read Trixie Belden #6 - Mystery in Arizona. I enjoyed it, but the mystery wasn't all that mysterious or dramatic. Still, there was always a lot going on, and it kept my attention.

Book #16 was Great Restorations, by fandom's own lovely

libby_drew. The characters were to swoon for! *swoons* There was drama and UST and wonderful secondary characters and...why aren't you reading this book?! I promise, you won't be disappointed. Go, buy, read! *shoos you off*