Trixie Book Reviews
1. The Secret Mansion: (1948)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham
Review: The first book in the series, Trixie Belden is a thirteen year old tomboy who lives on Crabapple Farm, New York. The story starts with the large Manor House next door seeing the arrival of new neighbors including a rich girl of Trixie's age, Honey Wheeler. The pair fast become friends and discover a runaway Jim Frayne. The book is a classic and shows why the series became so popular. The first book reads even better when reading the second straight after due to the strong conjunction of the story. Rating:*****
2. The Red Trailer Mastery (1950)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham
Review: Trixie Belden and Honey Wheeler set out on a road trip in a large Motor home in search of runaway Jim Frayne in the process the girls solve a crime. This is the first Trixie Belden book I read as a child (even though it is a continuation of the first book there is enough explanation of events to read it on its own.) One of the best Trixie books in the series. Rating:*****
3. The Gatehouse Mystery (1951)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham
Review: Trixie and Honey find a diamond and are on the trail of diamond thieves if only they can find the proof. Although Trixie's brothers Brian and Mart are referred to in the first two books, (they are away from home working at a Summer Camp) this is the first book that brings Trixie's older brothers into the story. Together Trixie, Brian, Mart, Honey, & Jim form the club "The Bob - Whites of Glen." Rating:****
4. The Mysterious Visitor (1954)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham
Review: Rich School Classmate Diana Lynch becomes the sixth member of "The Bob - Whites of Glen." Diana's 'long lost' Uncle returns and Trixie is convinced he is an impostor after the family fortunes but has to find proof. Rating:****
5. The Mystery off Glen Road (1956)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham
Review: "The Bob - Whites of Glen." need to repair their clubhouse after a bad storm and take jobs to earn the money. Trixie and Honey. This book threw me when I read it, without giving the ending away there is no real mystery, it's more a case of the sleuths Trixie and Honey 'out- sleuthing' themselves. Rating:***
6. The Mystery in Arizona (1958)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham
Review: "The Bob - Whites of Glen." are invited to spend Christmas holiday's at Diana Lynch's Uncles "Dude Ranch." in Tucson, Arizona. On arrival they find that most of the staff have disappeared and they volunteer to work on the ranch to help out Di's Uncle. The first few chapters are rich in information on Arizona and American Indians rather than being focused on a mystery and for mystery lovers they may find it like a history lesson they don't need. There is mention in the end of the book how Sally, Bob & Billy would make good "Bob - Whites" when they find out they live near them back home but as this is the last book that Julie Campbell wrote there was no follow through with these characters. Rating:***1/2
7. Trixie Belden & The Mysterious Code (1961)
Author: Nicolete Meredith Stack a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: Due to vandalism Trixie's school "Sleepside High" bans all clubs and gangs. Trixie and "The Bob - Whites of Glen" decide to hold an Antiques show and raise money for UNICEF to show the school that "some" clubs do good work for the community and should be kept. Unfortunately for Trixie the valuable Antiques on show also attracts some thieves. The first book written by another author does have some inconsistencies with things we have already learnt about Trixie and her friends from the previous books but overall this is a great read. Rating:****
8. The Black Jacket Mystery (1961)
Author: ? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: This book introduces the last member to join and the most infrequently seen "Bob White' Dan Mangan. The mystery in this surrounds theft and Dan appears to be the main suspect. Rating:***
9. The Happy Valley Mystery (1962)
Author: Nicolete Meredith Stack a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: Trixie, & Bob White's minus Dan spend two weeks on Trixie's Uncle's Sheep Farm in Iowa. The mystery involves tracking down stolen sheep but this time Trixie nearly manages to get herself and her friends Jim & Honey killed. This book also looks closely at Jim & Trixie's relationship with rival love interests creating jealousy. In the end Jim gives Trixie an ID bracelet. A good read. Rating:***1/2
10. The Marshland Mystery (1962)
Author: unknown a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: An excellent adventure that gets off to a great start. Trixie & Honey are trying to gain extra credit in biology class by collecting specimens at the local marsh. Two stories are entwined into the one book, one of the best written. Features all Bob Whites except Dan who is only briefly mentioned. Rating:*****
11. The Mystery at Bob - White Caves (1963)
Author: ? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: Trixie Belden and The Bob Whites are visiting another relative of Trixie's for a holiday. This time they go caving in an attempt to find rare fish in order to claim a $500 reward. Well written though missing the exciting flair of The Marshland Mystery. Rating:***
12. The Mystery of the Blinking Eye (1963)
Author:? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: Trixie and the whole of The Bob Whites are in New York for the holidays. Staying at Honey's parents New York Apartment they show the local sites to Ned, Bob and Barbara from Iowa. (The Happy Valley Mystery) Dangerous thieves are following Trixie everywhere she goes and it seems the poem that Trixie received from a Mexican fortune teller seems top be coming true. One of the best Trixie books and the first one to give Dan something to say and do since his inclusion in the Bob Whites in The Black Jacket Mystery. Rating:*****
13. The Mystery on Cobbett's Island (1964)
Author: Virginia Mc Donnell a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review: Trixie and the Bob Whites are holidaying on Cobbett's Island when Trixie comes across a mysterious letter. It isn't long until the gang are in search of hidden treasure. But it seems they aren't alone. Rating:***
14. The Mystery of the Emeralds (1965)
Author: Virginia Mc Donnell a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: Yet another holiday for the Bob Whites minus Dan who gets left out once again. This time the group go to Williamsburg, Virginia to follow up on a lead found in a mysterious old letter about a hidden emerald necklace from the Civil War Era. Jim is at Trixie's side for most of the major dangerous parts in this story. Ratings: ****
15. The Mystery on The Mississippi (1965)
Author: Nicolete Meredith Stack a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: Up to this point one would wonder what Trixie fans were talking about when they argue that Trixie is more suited to Dan as a partner than Jim. This is the first time since Dan's inclusion in The Bob Whites that he and Trixie are seen as having a lot in common. Dan who wants to be a policeman when he finishes school looks at a mystery in a similar way to Trixie where Jim is shown more as a Trixie supporter that rephrases his words to show his support where necessary. The book is fast paced with an adventure full of danger. Di is notably absent with an explanation she is holidaying for a month with her family. For the rest of The Bob Whites it's off to St Louis to see the sites including the old steamboats and the zoo. A great read with a memorable adventure . Ratings: *****
16. The Mystery of the Missing Heiress (1970)
Author: Nicolete Meredith Stack a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: This is the first Trixie Belden book to be on home soil in some time. Trixie's entire family including Reddy the dog star in what would be probably the most predictable mystery to date (In fact one has to wonder why did it take Trixie so long to figure this one out?) The new era of the 70's is fazed into the mix with a change in language (except for the Trixieism's like Jeepers! and Gleeps! which are possibly overused for the first time. ) and even a station wagon for the crew. This story even manages to bring back some of the Bob White's old villainous foes. Although it is predictable and the era change is noticeable in an unfamiliar way in the words it is still an entertaining read. The main story centers on a girl with amnesia and with Trixie trying to find out who she really is and why someone is trying to kill her. On a positive note all Bob Whites are present and accounted for in this story. IT probably would f rated higher if it didn't come straight after some of the best Trixie books to read in the series. Ratings ** 1/2
17. The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest (1977)
Author: Gladys Baker Bond a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: This book didn't seem as 70's as its predecessor. It was great to have a cousin of Trixie's that was presented as being so similar. For myself I didn't find Hallie any more "Trixie like" than any other of the Belden relatives. The story however was a good one and was well paced. Trixie is back to her non perfect self and the wedding is a continuation of the story from ""The Mystery of the Missing Heiress." The differences in writing style from this book and the one before it make it clear to the read that Kathryn Kenny is a pseudonym for a variety of authors where the first two in the series, both written by original author Julie Campbell Tatham flow better together, that said, an enjoyable read. Ratings ***1/2
18. The Mystery of the Phantom Grasshopper (1977)
Author: ? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:In book 18 we learn that both Trixie and her mother before her say Hello to Hoppy the Grasshopper Weather Vaine whenever they pass him on top of Town Hall. The mystery involves the disappearace of Hoppy. The title of the book sounds intrigueing but the book although it flows nicely and has drama to the mystery never really has anything in it that stands out to make it one of the favourite from the series. Ratings ***
19. The Secret of the Unseen Treasure (1977)
Author: Carl Henry Rathjen a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: Based on the dissapearnce of cheques in the mail this isn't a bad book. I was reading the Beverly Gray books at the same time though and this book didn't grab me enough to finish reading it first over 2 other books however Ratings ***
20. The Mystery off Telegraph Road (1978)
Author: Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:
21. The Mystery of the Castaway Children (1978)
Author: Gladys Baker Bond a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: I loved this book from start to end. I hadn't read a Trixie Belden book for a while and I didn't realise how much I missed The Bob Whites. Trixie is involved in a kidnapping case when she finds a missing baby. The story had a number of twists rather than relying on predicatbility. The Bob Whites work together in this mystery and we are also given a real sense of growing up in the Belden household. Wish this story didn't end so soon. Ratings *****
22. The Mystery at Mead's Mountain (1978)
Author: Donna Walsh-Shepherd a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:
23. The Mystery of the Queen's Necklace (1979)
Author: Owenita Harrah Sanderlin a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:
24. The Mystery at Saratoga (1979)
Author: Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:
25. The Sasquatch Mystery (1979)
Author: Gladys Baker Bond a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: This storyline I stuggled with because I had the feeling all along there may be a silly twist at the end where Trixie does see the Sasquatch. This story reveals an interest in Hailey Belden by Dan and a conservative view by Brian and Mart on lang hair on males. Loved to be reading a Trixie book again but not my favourite storyline, in fact for the first 10 chapters I didn't even feel I was reading a Trixie story. I always worry when series start doing ufo, alien or mythical creature storylines. The second half of the story was better and lucky otherwise it would of been a complete waste of time. Ratings: * 1/2
26. The Mystery of the Headless Horseman (1979)
Author: Joan Chase Bowden a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: Ratings
27. The Mystery of the Ghostly Galleon (1979)
Author: Joan Chase Bowden a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: Although the premise of the book was somewhat far fetched being about pirates and a ghost pirates ship the actual book didn't end up being so far fetched. I did find it amusing that Trixie decided a man was lying about being a wrestler because every wrester she had seen had a mustache. The book focuses on Miss Trask's family and it is good to see such as long time character gettting some of the spotlight and us finially learning a bit about her backgorund. This book held my attention from start to finish and straight after finishing the book I wen through my shelves to find another Trixie Belden book to begin which is always a good sign of a great series. Ratings *** 1/2
28. The Hudson River Mystery (1979)
Author: Kathleen Krull a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review: I loved this book. A truely Trixie book full of the Tirixieisms one loves, Gleeps was it good. Dan even made it into this story, yeah. A Crabapple farm start, a good mystery and true to the style of Trixie, just what future doctor Brian Beldon orderered. Ratings: **** 1/2
29. The Mystery of the Velvet Gown (1979)
Author: Michaela Muntean a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:
30. The Mystery of the Midnight Marauder (1980)
Author: Joan Chase Bowden a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:
31. The Mystery at Maypenny's (1980)
Author: Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:
32. The Mystery of the Whispering Witch (1980)
Author: Joan Chase Bowden a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:
33. The Mystery of the Vanishing Victim (1980)
Author: Carl Henry Rathjen / Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:
34. The Mystery of the Missing Millionaire (1980)
Author: Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:
35. The Mystery of the Memorial Day Fire (1984)
Author: Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:
36. The Mystery of the Antique Doll (1984)
Author: ? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:
37. The Pet Show Mystery (1985)
Author: Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:.
38. The Indian Burial Ground Mystery (1985)
Author:? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:
39. The Mystery of the Galloping Ghost (1986)
Author: Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Review:
Other Trixie Belden Sections
- Trixie Belden Overview
- Trixie Belden Book Plots
- Trixie Belden's Settings
- Trixie Belden Main Characters
- Trixie Belden Artwork
- Trixie Belden Book Reviews
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