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Trixie Belden #8
The Black Jacket Mystery
Great read!
236 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
12 people are currently reading
680 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Kenny
50 books98 followersThe Kathryn Kenny pseudonym was created by Western Publishing House in 1961, three years after Julie Campbell wrote her last book (#6) of the Trixie Belden series. There were several ghost writers who wrote Trixie Belden stories under this pseudonym. Some have been identified and later credited but some are still unknown.
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http://www.trixie-belden.com/books/Ka...
The Kathryn Kenny pseudonym was born in 1961, three years after Campbell wrote her last book of the Trixie Belden series. Did it take Western Publishing several years to find a suitable author? The answer is unknown and the identity of the authors of the 33 Kathryn Kenny books are not known for sure but there is some information about the ghost writers.
Nicolete Meredith Stack
Nicolete Meredith StackStack is thought to be the first author to tackle the Trixie Belden series, although there is much debate about which books were actually written by her. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1896 but lived in Webster Groves in St. Louis, Missouri for most of her adult life. Stack wrote other children's books under her own name and various pen names, including the Robin Kane series by Eileen Hill for Whitman between 1966 and 1971.
Stack is said to have written five books in the Trixie Belden series between 1961 and 1971, but Who's Who in the Midwest claims that she wrote eight titles between 1961 and 1966. There were eight Trixie Belden titles published between 1961 and 1966, but it is doubtful that she wrote them all.
James Keeline in his article, Trixie Belden "Schoolgirl Shamus", believes that books 7, 9 and 16 can be attributed to Stack but there are others that may have been written by her.
Virginia McDonnell
Virginia Bleecher McDonnell was born in 1917 and was a registered nurse who trained at Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. McDonnell wrote the Nurses Three series from 1963 to 1965 using the pen name Jean Kirby, and the Kim Aldrich series as Jinny McDonnell, both for Whitman. She is also wrote volume six of The Waltons.
McDonnell and her husband were avid skiiers and many of her books featured details of nursing or skiing. It seems likely that she wrote three Trixie Belden books, The Mystery of Cobbett's Island (1964), The Mystery of the Emeralds (1965) and The Mystery of Mead's Mountain (1978). Skiing is mentioned early in The Mystery of Cobbett's Island, although this is not the theme of the book.
McDonnell also wrote another book called Country Agent that has a number of similarities with The Mystery at Happy Valley, although her book was published in 1968. Read a review of this book, and see what you think.
There is little biographical information available on McDonnell, but the three books attributed to her are three of the most widely loved books in the Trixie Belden series.
Gladys Baker Bond
Gladys Baker BondGladys Baker Bond was born in Berryville, Arkansas on the 7th of May, 1912. On September 2, 1934, she married Floyd James Bond and had one son, Nicholas Peter. Bond's childhood years were spent in the Ozarks of Arkansas. She lived in Idaho and Washington all her adult life and was an officer of the Idaho Writers League between 1952-54.
Bond's books for children cover a wide range of subjects and are often autobiographical. Mrs. Bond wrote under the pseudonymns, Jo Mendel (The Tucker series) and Holly Beth Walker (the Meg series), as well as her own name. She also wrote volume five of The Waltons.
She is credited with writing The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest (1977), The Mystery of the Castaway Children (1978), and The Sasquatch Mystery (1979). However, with her childhood spent in the Ozarks, she could be the author of The Mystery at Bob-White Cave (1963).
Carl Henry Rathjen
Carl Henry RathjenRathjen was born on the 28th of August 1909 in Jersey City, New Jersey and died in 1984. His ambition was to become a mechanical engineer, but when things didn't go
***
http://www.trixie-belden.com/books/Ka...
The Kathryn Kenny pseudonym was born in 1961, three years after Campbell wrote her last book of the Trixie Belden series. Did it take Western Publishing several years to find a suitable author? The answer is unknown and the identity of the authors of the 33 Kathryn Kenny books are not known for sure but there is some information about the ghost writers.
Nicolete Meredith Stack
Nicolete Meredith StackStack is thought to be the first author to tackle the Trixie Belden series, although there is much debate about which books were actually written by her. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1896 but lived in Webster Groves in St. Louis, Missouri for most of her adult life. Stack wrote other children's books under her own name and various pen names, including the Robin Kane series by Eileen Hill for Whitman between 1966 and 1971.
Stack is said to have written five books in the Trixie Belden series between 1961 and 1971, but Who's Who in the Midwest claims that she wrote eight titles between 1961 and 1966. There were eight Trixie Belden titles published between 1961 and 1966, but it is doubtful that she wrote them all.
James Keeline in his article, Trixie Belden "Schoolgirl Shamus", believes that books 7, 9 and 16 can be attributed to Stack but there are others that may have been written by her.
Virginia McDonnell
Virginia Bleecher McDonnell was born in 1917 and was a registered nurse who trained at Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. McDonnell wrote the Nurses Three series from 1963 to 1965 using the pen name Jean Kirby, and the Kim Aldrich series as Jinny McDonnell, both for Whitman. She is also wrote volume six of The Waltons.
McDonnell and her husband were avid skiiers and many of her books featured details of nursing or skiing. It seems likely that she wrote three Trixie Belden books, The Mystery of Cobbett's Island (1964), The Mystery of the Emeralds (1965) and The Mystery of Mead's Mountain (1978). Skiing is mentioned early in The Mystery of Cobbett's Island, although this is not the theme of the book.
McDonnell also wrote another book called Country Agent that has a number of similarities with The Mystery at Happy Valley, although her book was published in 1968. Read a review of this book, and see what you think.
There is little biographical information available on McDonnell, but the three books attributed to her are three of the most widely loved books in the Trixie Belden series.
Gladys Baker Bond
Gladys Baker BondGladys Baker Bond was born in Berryville, Arkansas on the 7th of May, 1912. On September 2, 1934, she married Floyd James Bond and had one son, Nicholas Peter. Bond's childhood years were spent in the Ozarks of Arkansas. She lived in Idaho and Washington all her adult life and was an officer of the Idaho Writers League between 1952-54.
Bond's books for children cover a wide range of subjects and are often autobiographical. Mrs. Bond wrote under the pseudonymns, Jo Mendel (The Tucker series) and Holly Beth Walker (the Meg series), as well as her own name. She also wrote volume five of The Waltons.
She is credited with writing The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest (1977), The Mystery of the Castaway Children (1978), and The Sasquatch Mystery (1979). However, with her childhood spent in the Ozarks, she could be the author of The Mystery at Bob-White Cave (1963).
Carl Henry Rathjen
Carl Henry RathjenRathjen was born on the 28th of August 1909 in Jersey City, New Jersey and died in 1984. His ambition was to become a mechanical engineer, but when things didn't go
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
December 6, 2017
This 8th mystery in the Trixie Belden series opens with the BWGs (Bob-Whites of the Glen) planning a carnival fundraiser to help the Mexican village of San Isidro following an earthquake. The money they raise will help buy books for the San Isidro school library that was heavily damaged in the disaster. The BWGs are busily planning the event, gathering prizes and doing all they can to have a fun carnival. But as usual, Trixie and the gang get pulled into a mystery. Regan, the Wheeler's groom, is acting strangely and seems to be hiding something. Trixie sees a paper in the Wheeler's tack room that might be pointing to some sort of legal problem. Soon after, there is a new boy on the school bus. He seems very unfriendly and seems out of place in his black leather jacket and hat. His name is Dan Manigan, and he starts talking some pretty rough talk in the cafeteria....gangs, fights, switchblades. Then strange things start happening....Honey's watch is stolen and the clubhouse is broken into. Is Dan a thief? Or are they misjudging him?
The plot for The Black Jacket Mystery is a bit predictable, but still an enjoyable read with a good message. There are some nice developments for the BWGs in this 8th story. As an adult re-reading these I am wondering one thing though......when is little Bobby (Trixie's little brother) going to start talking like a 7 year old and not a toddler? What 7 year old says stuff like "Holp! Holp!'' and "I losted it and Trixie tooked it.'' No kid that goes to school talks like that. lol. C'mon Bobby -- you can be cute and little without talking like a two year old. As a middle schooler I loved these books. It was my favorite series. I had every book -- all matching of course -- lined up in series order on my bookshelf. :) And when the last few new books came out (I was in high school) I remember being so excited that the series was continuing. :) As an adult, I'm still very much enjoying the series, but I do notice I look at a few things (like Bobby's dialogue) with adult eyes.
Moving on to book 9! Next up is The Happy Valley Mystery!
The Trixie Belden series was written from 1948 - 1986. There are 39 books in the series. The first six books were written by Julie Campbell. The rest of the series was written by various authors under the pen name Kathryn Kenny.
The plot for The Black Jacket Mystery is a bit predictable, but still an enjoyable read with a good message. There are some nice developments for the BWGs in this 8th story. As an adult re-reading these I am wondering one thing though......when is little Bobby (Trixie's little brother) going to start talking like a 7 year old and not a toddler? What 7 year old says stuff like "Holp! Holp!'' and "I losted it and Trixie tooked it.'' No kid that goes to school talks like that. lol. C'mon Bobby -- you can be cute and little without talking like a two year old. As a middle schooler I loved these books. It was my favorite series. I had every book -- all matching of course -- lined up in series order on my bookshelf. :) And when the last few new books came out (I was in high school) I remember being so excited that the series was continuing. :) As an adult, I'm still very much enjoying the series, but I do notice I look at a few things (like Bobby's dialogue) with adult eyes.
Moving on to book 9! Next up is The Happy Valley Mystery!
The Trixie Belden series was written from 1948 - 1986. There are 39 books in the series. The first six books were written by Julie Campbell. The rest of the series was written by various authors under the pen name Kathryn Kenny.
May 13, 2018
This series is ridiculous (better than Nancy Drew, though!) and (much like Nancy Drew) I've read and reread 30+ books at some point during my childhood. I fell down the rabbit hole again this weekend and I'm up to book 11 now.
This series is - surprise! - pure formula, but it's kind of charming formula! A tomboy teenager with annoying brothers and a few millionaires' kids as friends solves mysteries in upstate New York! Or Iowa, or Arizona, depending on where the uncle of the moment happens to live.
This one is notable because it brings Dan in. Dan wears a leather jacket, so he might be part of a gang. He brags about run-ins with New York City police. He might be dangerous. He's an experiment: let's see if he can make good in bucolic Westchester County! It's so well-meaning and atrocious, it's almost funny?
Anyway, moral of the story: don't judge a book by its leather jacket, kids! Your new best friend might be lurking underneath!
This series is - surprise! - pure formula, but it's kind of charming formula! A tomboy teenager with annoying brothers and a few millionaires' kids as friends solves mysteries in upstate New York! Or Iowa, or Arizona, depending on where the uncle of the moment happens to live.
This one is notable because it brings Dan in. Dan wears a leather jacket, so he might be part of a gang. He brags about run-ins with New York City police. He might be dangerous. He's an experiment: let's see if he can make good in bucolic Westchester County! It's so well-meaning and atrocious, it's almost funny?
Anyway, moral of the story: don't judge a book by its leather jacket, kids! Your new best friend might be lurking underneath!
June 14, 2018
I don't know why I liked this one so much. It's pretty solidly a story about not judging a book by its cover, though Dan Mangan works overtime to reinforce Trixie's assumptions. I guess some of it is that I enjoy the adult characters in this one, like Regan and Mr. Maypenny, and some of it is that Dan is interesting despite being a stereotypical Bad Hat. That's about it. The book's weakness is tied to its straddling the line between MG sensibilities and YA material, because Dan's friend (whose name I've forgotten) is nasty and should have been portrayed as nastier than he was. But overall I look forward to seeing more of Dan, though his presence throws off the Bob-Whites' gender parity.
November 23, 2020
A good, quick read, but I noticed some inconsistencies with earlier books, and that knocked it down a star for me.
September 12, 2013
In the midst of planning a winter carnival and skating competition to aid a school in Mexico that has been hit by an earthquake, 13-year-old sleuth Trixie Belden half-overhears conversations and half-reads papers she’s told in no uncertain terms are none of her business. She agrees, but can’t help speculating with her best friend, Honey Wheeler, whether there isn’t something bothering the Wheeler family groom, Bill Regan. Through her 6-year-old brother she gets wind of a "sperimen"("experiment". Bobby’s baby talk has got to be one of the most annoying things about these books).
Trixie, Honey, Trixie’s brother Mart and Brian, along with Diana Lynch, and Honey’s adopted brother, Jim, form the club known as the Bob-Whites of the Glen, who solve mysteries, irritate the police and foil the plans of many a crook. They live in the Hudson River Valley of New York state, not far from White Plains.
The series ran from 1948 to 1986 with various authors. The present book, The Black Jacket Mystery is the eighth of 39 books. Originally released in 1961, it was re-released in 2004. The volume that I have is one of the new versions. The book is attributed to “Kathryn Kenny,” a pen name used presumably by several people. I couldn't find the name of the author of this book.
Riding the bus to school one morning, the girls watch as a boy in a black leather jacket and matching cap gets on.
Trixie kicks Honey’s shin. "Wonder where he left his motorcycle," she whispers to Honey.
It’s the start of a beautiful relationship. When a "catamount" scares their horses and causes them to run away, Honey loses a watch—her dress-up watch. They go back the next day to see if they can find it, but no luck. They do find the prints of cowboy boots like the ones the new kid, Dan Mangan wears. When the watch later turns of up pawned, the girls conclude that Dan must have stolen it.
The rest of the book is about trying to decide whether Dan is a hood or not. He’s been given a job working for Mr. Maypenny, the Wheelers’ gamekeeper, so it’s assumed he'a a relative of his. Dan himself is not particularly friendly to anyone, but likes to wow them in the cafeteria with tales of his exploits in the big city.
When the Bob-White’s clubhouse is broken into, trashed and burgled to the sum of $3.40, the girls again find the prints of cowboy boots. They’re much too big for Dan and they’re polished brown, while Dan’s are black. Could the girls be mistaken?
The moral of the story is not to judge a book by its cover, even if there is some reason to believe that the person is not exactly without fault. There is also one huge plot hole in an incident designed to bring out the hero in Dan. The redemption at the end so contrived it makes Darth Vader’s look natural. But I digress.
While the writing is simplistic and the minor are characters super nice, Trixie herself shows the emotional swings of an adolescent. She can be mistaken, she can argue (briefly) with her parents or forget to do chores, but she is a good girl and regrets deeply when she’s wronged someone. While she’s a little over the top, she is not one dimensional either.
One of the odd terms (at least to my ears) in the book is "catamount" to refer to a cougar or lynx. Granted I lived in New York state quite a few years after the Bob-Whites did, but I’d never heard that word before, so I doubt that it’s regional. Of course, of the six years I spent there, I don’t recall any sighting of a such a critter anywhere near where lived, that is, the Mohawk River Valley, north and west of Bob-White territory. While they may still exist in remote areas in the Adirondacks or Catskills (I’m guessing), I’d be willing to bet it’s been quite a while since they ventured too close to humans. Too many of them ended up the way the catamount in the book did.
This one is hard for me to recommend because of its saccharine sweetness and unrealistic redemption story, but, for a 10-year-old who has read and enjoyed other Trixie Belden stories, this might be quite enjoyable.
Trixie, Honey, Trixie’s brother Mart and Brian, along with Diana Lynch, and Honey’s adopted brother, Jim, form the club known as the Bob-Whites of the Glen, who solve mysteries, irritate the police and foil the plans of many a crook. They live in the Hudson River Valley of New York state, not far from White Plains.
The series ran from 1948 to 1986 with various authors. The present book, The Black Jacket Mystery is the eighth of 39 books. Originally released in 1961, it was re-released in 2004. The volume that I have is one of the new versions. The book is attributed to “Kathryn Kenny,” a pen name used presumably by several people. I couldn't find the name of the author of this book.
Riding the bus to school one morning, the girls watch as a boy in a black leather jacket and matching cap gets on.
Trixie kicks Honey’s shin. "Wonder where he left his motorcycle," she whispers to Honey.
It’s the start of a beautiful relationship. When a "catamount" scares their horses and causes them to run away, Honey loses a watch—her dress-up watch. They go back the next day to see if they can find it, but no luck. They do find the prints of cowboy boots like the ones the new kid, Dan Mangan wears. When the watch later turns of up pawned, the girls conclude that Dan must have stolen it.
The rest of the book is about trying to decide whether Dan is a hood or not. He’s been given a job working for Mr. Maypenny, the Wheelers’ gamekeeper, so it’s assumed he'a a relative of his. Dan himself is not particularly friendly to anyone, but likes to wow them in the cafeteria with tales of his exploits in the big city.
When the Bob-White’s clubhouse is broken into, trashed and burgled to the sum of $3.40, the girls again find the prints of cowboy boots. They’re much too big for Dan and they’re polished brown, while Dan’s are black. Could the girls be mistaken?
The moral of the story is not to judge a book by its cover, even if there is some reason to believe that the person is not exactly without fault. There is also one huge plot hole in an incident designed to bring out the hero in Dan. The redemption at the end so contrived it makes Darth Vader’s look natural. But I digress.
While the writing is simplistic and the minor are characters super nice, Trixie herself shows the emotional swings of an adolescent. She can be mistaken, she can argue (briefly) with her parents or forget to do chores, but she is a good girl and regrets deeply when she’s wronged someone. While she’s a little over the top, she is not one dimensional either.
One of the odd terms (at least to my ears) in the book is "catamount" to refer to a cougar or lynx. Granted I lived in New York state quite a few years after the Bob-Whites did, but I’d never heard that word before, so I doubt that it’s regional. Of course, of the six years I spent there, I don’t recall any sighting of a such a critter anywhere near where lived, that is, the Mohawk River Valley, north and west of Bob-White territory. While they may still exist in remote areas in the Adirondacks or Catskills (I’m guessing), I’d be willing to bet it’s been quite a while since they ventured too close to humans. Too many of them ended up the way the catamount in the book did.
This one is hard for me to recommend because of its saccharine sweetness and unrealistic redemption story, but, for a 10-year-old who has read and enjoyed other Trixie Belden stories, this might be quite enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2013
According to this article examining the Trixie Belden Authorship Question, the unknown ghostwriter who penned this particular volume never contributed any further efforts. Which is probably for the best.
- It's got to suck when you're forced to leave New York City for a small town in the Hudson Valley and then all those hicks you look down on make fun of your cowboy boots.
- Wait, cowboy boots? Yeah, Dan Mangan belongs to a gang called…The Cowhands. They wear cowboy boots and have their gang name painted on the back of their eponymous cowboy boots. It's pretty embarrassing. To be fair, The Mysterious Visitor depiction of Skid Row was also pretty embarrassing, so it's not just ghostwriters perpetuating bizarre depictions of the criminal underclass.
- All of a sudden Trixie and Honey have always had penpals in Mexico. And sent them books for their school library. Which subsequently burned in a fire. It's ice carnival time!
- Actually this book reads as though its plot elements were drawn directly from the previous ghostwriter's maiden effort: the gang element, the fundraising event, the one boy in particular who bickers with the Bob-Whites throughout the book. Unlike Tad Williams, however, Dan Mangan gets rushed into full-on club membership, and equally quickly shuffled offstage at the beginning of nearly every subsequent book. I bet the editors really wished they had penciled in a change to the ending of this book.
- It's got to suck when you're forced to leave New York City for a small town in the Hudson Valley and then all those hicks you look down on make fun of your cowboy boots.
- Wait, cowboy boots? Yeah, Dan Mangan belongs to a gang called…The Cowhands. They wear cowboy boots and have their gang name painted on the back of their eponymous cowboy boots. It's pretty embarrassing. To be fair, The Mysterious Visitor depiction of Skid Row was also pretty embarrassing, so it's not just ghostwriters perpetuating bizarre depictions of the criminal underclass.
- All of a sudden Trixie and Honey have always had penpals in Mexico. And sent them books for their school library. Which subsequently burned in a fire. It's ice carnival time!
- Actually this book reads as though its plot elements were drawn directly from the previous ghostwriter's maiden effort: the gang element, the fundraising event, the one boy in particular who bickers with the Bob-Whites throughout the book. Unlike Tad Williams, however, Dan Mangan gets rushed into full-on club membership, and equally quickly shuffled offstage at the beginning of nearly every subsequent book. I bet the editors really wished they had penciled in a change to the ending of this book.
October 14, 2025
5+ stars (6/10 hearts). Aw, I loved this book! Once more, the Bob-Whites are trying to do something for some less fortunate kids somewhere else. Once more, Trixie doesn't get herself in any (really) dumb messes. Once more, Brian and Jim rose to the occasion and were really awesome. Mart was epic, and Di + Honey were sweethearts. Bobby was super cute, as usual. Regan was even more amazing than usual. And Dan. I loved Dan from the beginning... <3
The mystery was really good, too; I guessed a lot of it but that didn't take any enjoyment away! It was such a sweet story of redemption and adoption. Excellent humour, and some awesome family relationships, and the storyline!! *heart eyes*
Content: euphemisms
*Quotes to come.*
The mystery was really good, too; I guessed a lot of it but that didn't take any enjoyment away! It was such a sweet story of redemption and adoption. Excellent humour, and some awesome family relationships, and the storyline!! *heart eyes*
Content: euphemisms
*Quotes to come.*
June 3, 2022
Vejam a minha opinião em vídeo, AQUI.
May 3, 2015
a HUGE and most dedicated fan of Trixie and her crew. This is odd, of course, because they were MEANT for teen and pre-teen girls, but I was a young boy that read everything he could get his hands on and when I first stumbled on my first TRIXIE BELDON book I was instantly hooked!
I immediately sat about reading them all, as quickly as I could get my greedy little paws on them. Trixie is the star, or "lead" character, followed by Jim and Honey (who quickly became the love of my young life, I had a total crush on a fictional character that only existed in ink) and this brave trio was constantly getting into trouble, solving mysteries and murders; that sort of thing.
It falls along the line of the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and other similar series, but the Trixie series carries more of the teenage angst and a subtle love triangle of conflicted who likes whom mystery that battles back and forth throughout the series. All of the while though, the same cheerful, effervescent and energetic positive attitude and domineering never quit/never let them see you down philosophy is the major subtext all through the books.
It is simply impossible to read these and NOT feel good about yourself and about LIFE, to have a sense of "all is well" in the world and a cheerful demeanor just naturally permeate your soul. I know, it SOUNDS crazy, but it is true.
I lost all of my Trixie books years ago, lending them to friends and that sort of thing. Since then, I have been on a quest to rebuild my collection of hardbacks. I find most of them at "Friends of the Library Sales" and things like that, but I am ever watchful at garage sales and places, for I do not have even a third of them built back
I immediately sat about reading them all, as quickly as I could get my greedy little paws on them. Trixie is the star, or "lead" character, followed by Jim and Honey (who quickly became the love of my young life, I had a total crush on a fictional character that only existed in ink) and this brave trio was constantly getting into trouble, solving mysteries and murders; that sort of thing.
It falls along the line of the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and other similar series, but the Trixie series carries more of the teenage angst and a subtle love triangle of conflicted who likes whom mystery that battles back and forth throughout the series. All of the while though, the same cheerful, effervescent and energetic positive attitude and domineering never quit/never let them see you down philosophy is the major subtext all through the books.
It is simply impossible to read these and NOT feel good about yourself and about LIFE, to have a sense of "all is well" in the world and a cheerful demeanor just naturally permeate your soul. I know, it SOUNDS crazy, but it is true.
I lost all of my Trixie books years ago, lending them to friends and that sort of thing. Since then, I have been on a quest to rebuild my collection of hardbacks. I find most of them at "Friends of the Library Sales" and things like that, but I am ever watchful at garage sales and places, for I do not have even a third of them built back
June 23, 2017
(3.9)
Again, this is not a mystery in the truest sense, but the reader gets to meet Dan, the final BWofG (and my person favorite male BW when I was younger). We also get to see how all the adults are actually friends (because it's important to see adults being friends in MG/YA books) and how sometimes kind words and just being friendly can help a person (also important in MG/YA).
Recommended 10/11+ for scary situations, mentions of gangs, and possible underage smoking (In TB lore, Dan is 16/17 and his friend could be around his age or younger.)
Again, this is not a mystery in the truest sense, but the reader gets to meet Dan, the final BWofG (and my person favorite male BW when I was younger). We also get to see how all the adults are actually friends (because it's important to see adults being friends in MG/YA books) and how sometimes kind words and just being friendly can help a person (also important in MG/YA).
Recommended 10/11+ for scary situations, mentions of gangs, and possible underage smoking (In TB lore, Dan is 16/17 and his friend could be around his age or younger.)
September 9, 2013
August 2013 ... re-read, a good story, though there are some minor discrepancies in details from the earlier books written by Julie Campbell. Those were not noticeable as a kid ... but I noticed them now. But in general a good read, helping to enforce the lesson that we must not judge people based on what they look like. Some good food for thought.
January 23, 2016
This is a case of where I wish I could rate parts. The story on the whole is good but I think the adults are stupid in it. If they had just told the BWG's who Dan was and to see if they could befriend him, none of the stuff that happened would have happened. But of course then there wouldn't be a mystery. It was still the stupid adults faults!
May 16, 2021
I'm enjoying reading my way through this series. This is one of the ones I'd never encountered before. It's never quite so obvious that this is an older series as when everyone in the town freaks out because the new kid wears a black leather jacket and boots. I'm pretty sure half my friends own black leather jackets.
June 9, 2022
Trixie and the Bob-Whites are getting ready to hold an ice carnival on the Wheelers' lake. Trixie and Honey's pen pals in Mexico have been through an earthquake. The disaster destroyed their school library and they don't know how the books will ever be replaced. So, Trixie comes up with the idea of the carnival to raise money and seek book donations. You'd think she'd be too busy to get mixed up in a mystery...but not our Trixie.
Regan, the Wheelers' groom, is acting oddly. Trixie overhears him asking her mom for advice for some sort of situation and then later she accidently sees a paper in the tack room that indicates some sort of legal trouble. Regan has to go into New York City on some sort of business and the next thing the Bob-Whites know there is a new boy at school. A boy who apparently came from the city and who wears a black leather jacket, cowboy boots, and a peaked black cap. He spends the lunch hour talking about how he and his "club" deal with people.
He struck a fist into the palm of his other hand forcefully. "Pow!"
Despite the Bob-Whites making efforts to be friendly, he remains stand-offish and even a bit rude. Trixie speculates that his club must really have been a gang and when Honey's watch comes up missing and is found sold to a local store, she suspects Dan of being responsible. Then the clubhouse is broken into and their petty cash stolen. But there are conflicting clues--while there are cowboy bootprints in the dirt floor of the clubhouse, they look to be too big for Dan's foot. But who else could it be? No one else in Sleepyside wears pointy cowboy boots. It's a mystery Trixie just has to solve.
This story represents both a thing I like least about Trixie and something I like best about her and the Bob-Whites. One of the most annoying things about the girl who wants to grow up and have her own detective agency is the way she jumps to conclusions. Jumps, did I say? How about takes a running, flying leap at them. For a girl who has a heart big enough to want to host an ice carnival to to raise money to replace books destroyed in an earthquake, she closes that heart up right quick the minute she sees Dan Mangan in his black jacket and cowboy boots. She decides on little evidence that he must have "stolen" (picked up out of the snow) Honey's watch and then broken into the Bob-Whites' clubhouse. And even when the evidence found proves it couldn't have been him--the footprints are too big and the boots which made the prints are the wrong color--she immediately jumps right back on the "Dan's a bad boy" band wagon the next chance she gets.
But as mentioned, she does have a big heart. And I love the way she and the others are always finding ways to those in need. Having the ice carnival for their pen pals in Mexico who need to replace their school library books, is a wonderful idea. It was great fun to watch the show come together. I just wish Trixie could be a little bit more open to people right in front of her. Yes, Dan is acting rude. But both Honey and Mart notice that he looks more scared than tough. I'm glad that Trixie did come round to seeing that Dan just really needed the right kind of friends. ★★★ and 1/2 (rounded up here)
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
Regan, the Wheelers' groom, is acting oddly. Trixie overhears him asking her mom for advice for some sort of situation and then later she accidently sees a paper in the tack room that indicates some sort of legal trouble. Regan has to go into New York City on some sort of business and the next thing the Bob-Whites know there is a new boy at school. A boy who apparently came from the city and who wears a black leather jacket, cowboy boots, and a peaked black cap. He spends the lunch hour talking about how he and his "club" deal with people.
He struck a fist into the palm of his other hand forcefully. "Pow!"
Despite the Bob-Whites making efforts to be friendly, he remains stand-offish and even a bit rude. Trixie speculates that his club must really have been a gang and when Honey's watch comes up missing and is found sold to a local store, she suspects Dan of being responsible. Then the clubhouse is broken into and their petty cash stolen. But there are conflicting clues--while there are cowboy bootprints in the dirt floor of the clubhouse, they look to be too big for Dan's foot. But who else could it be? No one else in Sleepyside wears pointy cowboy boots. It's a mystery Trixie just has to solve.
This story represents both a thing I like least about Trixie and something I like best about her and the Bob-Whites. One of the most annoying things about the girl who wants to grow up and have her own detective agency is the way she jumps to conclusions. Jumps, did I say? How about takes a running, flying leap at them. For a girl who has a heart big enough to want to host an ice carnival to to raise money to replace books destroyed in an earthquake, she closes that heart up right quick the minute she sees Dan Mangan in his black jacket and cowboy boots. She decides on little evidence that he must have "stolen" (picked up out of the snow) Honey's watch and then broken into the Bob-Whites' clubhouse. And even when the evidence found proves it couldn't have been him--the footprints are too big and the boots which made the prints are the wrong color--she immediately jumps right back on the "Dan's a bad boy" band wagon the next chance she gets.
But as mentioned, she does have a big heart. And I love the way she and the others are always finding ways to those in need. Having the ice carnival for their pen pals in Mexico who need to replace their school library books, is a wonderful idea. It was great fun to watch the show come together. I just wish Trixie could be a little bit more open to people right in front of her. Yes, Dan is acting rude. But both Honey and Mart notice that he looks more scared than tough. I'm glad that Trixie did come round to seeing that Dan just really needed the right kind of friends. ★★★ and 1/2 (rounded up here)
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
January 25, 2021
Memory is a strange thing. I read this book in my late preteens or early teens and the one thing that stuck in my head about it was a tiny inconsequential detail - Trixie being unable to remove the Spanish comb from her hair when she changed out of her costume, and going off skating with her friends and siblings with it still on. I have no idea why this stuck in my head and is still in there decades later!
The mystery was pretty obvious to work out and stereotyping of ‘street gang member’ was so dated that it’s almost quaint to read now.
As for the term ‘catamount’ I had to ask my partner who studied zoology about that. Never heard it before but he had and explained that it is very much a localised word for mountain lion. As to the fate of it in this story, I was greatly displeased, to say the least.
And just a few words on Bobby...my least favourite reoccurring character in this series. He’s annoyingly and never seems to age as the series progresses. He features way more than I care for in this book and his speech style is more annoying than ever. I know it’s suppose to be ‘cute’ but it’s actually ridiculous.
The mystery was pretty obvious to work out and stereotyping of ‘street gang member’ was so dated that it’s almost quaint to read now.
As for the term ‘catamount’ I had to ask my partner who studied zoology about that. Never heard it before but he had and explained that it is very much a localised word for mountain lion. As to the fate of it in this story, I was greatly displeased, to say the least.
And just a few words on Bobby...my least favourite reoccurring character in this series. He’s annoyingly and never seems to age as the series progresses. He features way more than I care for in this book and his speech style is more annoying than ever. I know it’s suppose to be ‘cute’ but it’s actually ridiculous.
October 11, 2018
3.5
Super cute, wholesome fun. Don't judge a book by its cover and all that. I have always preferred Trixie Belden to Nancy Drew and I'm really enjoying revisiting a childhood favourite. Funnily enough my first trixie Belden was something I randomly found in an opp shop in Sussex inlet when I was a kid and it seems fitting that I found this on the community library wall in Dapto Mall. My edition was some one's 13th birthday present in 1976, I love it when people write messages to the receiver on the flyleaf.
Super cute, wholesome fun. Don't judge a book by its cover and all that. I have always preferred Trixie Belden to Nancy Drew and I'm really enjoying revisiting a childhood favourite. Funnily enough my first trixie Belden was something I randomly found in an opp shop in Sussex inlet when I was a kid and it seems fitting that I found this on the community library wall in Dapto Mall. My edition was some one's 13th birthday present in 1976, I love it when people write messages to the receiver on the flyleaf.
October 14, 2023
Pretty much a “ditto” of the last Trixie Belden review.
However, while I do vaguely recall from my youth that there were two authors, I only just learned that this second “author” was a pseudonym for a series of corporate ghost writers, which is rather a bummer. Maybe that is why this one seemed a bit more tv show-ish —— even more two-dimensional, even more outlandish plot points, and more “action.” Seems perfect to be adapted for a 1950s/60s family drama/sitcom. Watch out Lassie!
However, while I do vaguely recall from my youth that there were two authors, I only just learned that this second “author” was a pseudonym for a series of corporate ghost writers, which is rather a bummer. Maybe that is why this one seemed a bit more tv show-ish —— even more two-dimensional, even more outlandish plot points, and more “action.” Seems perfect to be adapted for a 1950s/60s family drama/sitcom. Watch out Lassie!
March 6, 2025
The Great Trixie Belden Re-Read of 2025: #8
This book only had a smattering of 1950s racist stereotypes! Rejoice!
Honestly this one is really sweet. This book introduced Dan, Regan's nephew and the final member of the Bob-Whites. He wears a leather jacket and comes from New York therefore he is obviously a troubled youth from gang life. The Bob-Whites make assumptions about him from the beginning (except Jim, who feels a certain kinship with him because of his own past), and when mysteries start to crop up, they are quick to blame him. But they learn, as all good characters in all good children books do, not to judge a book by its cover.
This actually felt like fairly good insight into "troubled" (as they liked to say in the book) young people's lives for the time period. Maybe The Kathryn Kenny pseudonym is going to do me well as we move further on in the timeline.
This book only had a smattering of 1950s racist stereotypes! Rejoice!
Honestly this one is really sweet. This book introduced Dan, Regan's nephew and the final member of the Bob-Whites. He wears a leather jacket and comes from New York therefore he is obviously a troubled youth from gang life. The Bob-Whites make assumptions about him from the beginning (except Jim, who feels a certain kinship with him because of his own past), and when mysteries start to crop up, they are quick to blame him. But they learn, as all good characters in all good children books do, not to judge a book by its cover.
This actually felt like fairly good insight into "troubled" (as they liked to say in the book) young people's lives for the time period. Maybe The Kathryn Kenny pseudonym is going to do me well as we move further on in the timeline.
June 8, 2022
Not my favorite of the series, but a good one all the same. Don't care for Trixie being so quick to jump to conclusions about another person, but she comes around in the end.
September 1, 2025
There's a new kid in town and it seems to Trixie that he's the source of a lot of problems that have arisen and his bad attitude doesn't help. Trixie & the BWG need to find out who's causing all the problems all while organizing an event and keeping an eye out for a wildcat.
This adventure was great! Definitely recommend this series to people who love a cozy mystery.
This adventure was great! Definitely recommend this series to people who love a cozy mystery.
August 2, 2020
Oh Trixie, why must you judge people so quickly on how they look?
There's a newcomer to the area, Dan Mangan, and his black leather jacket and surly attitude immediately gets Trixie suspicious, especially when a break-in at the clubhouse and a missing watch seem to point squarely at him.
And Bobby? Where do I begin? Doesn't this kid ever stay put? The way he gets into trouble he's obviously a Trixie-in-training. I shudder to think what he turns into as a teenager.
Well, the mystery certainly abounds, and the BWGs are back to doing good works for all. Trixie learns a lesson in there somewhere. I like that she's not always right, nor does she do the right thing. The thing is? When she realizes she's wrong, she's quick to apologize and to mend her ways. That counts for a lot, making this book well worth reading all over again.
There's a newcomer to the area, Dan Mangan, and his black leather jacket and surly attitude immediately gets Trixie suspicious, especially when a break-in at the clubhouse and a missing watch seem to point squarely at him.
And Bobby? Where do I begin? Doesn't this kid ever stay put? The way he gets into trouble he's obviously a Trixie-in-training. I shudder to think what he turns into as a teenager.
Well, the mystery certainly abounds, and the BWGs are back to doing good works for all. Trixie learns a lesson in there somewhere. I like that she's not always right, nor does she do the right thing. The thing is? When she realizes she's wrong, she's quick to apologize and to mend her ways. That counts for a lot, making this book well worth reading all over again.
March 18, 2022
The Bob Whites are organising an ice carnival to help raise funds for a Mexican village struck by an earthquake. Meanwhile, Regan is concealing a ponderous secret that appears to make him very anxious and grumpy. And a sulky boy named Dan Mangan who has had brushes with the law is now living with Mr Maypenny. Is Dan Mr Maypenny's grandson? And is he behind some thefts and break-ins that have been happening?
* Trixie and Honey have acquired Mexican penpals, Dolores and Lupe, whose school library was decimated by an earthquake. Donations of new books is what the Bob Whites' ice carnival is all in aid of. No sooner have they finished the antique fair from the last book when they're pumped again, working on a new project. These guys don't let grass grow under their feet, but to squeeze all the coming adventures within one year, the stories will need to be back to back like this.
* Mart is apparently a very speedy skater. I wonder if he surpasses Brian and Jim, but get the feeling he never manages to trump the Mr Perfect duo as often as he'd like to.
* I don't remember if the Beldens' elusive Aunt Alicia ever makes an actual appearance, but her gifts to her nephews and niece tend to bite the dust. In this book, a spotted china cat is smashed and a chunky woolly sweater is unravelled.
* It seems the Beldens are a family of faith after all, for it appears Mart has recently outgrown his Sunday suit and needs a new one. Perhaps Trixie goes to pick up the newspapers from Lytell's General Store (See Book 1) after they get home from church.
* I wonder if Bobby ends up getting the kitten that many people promise him. I don't remember, but I feel sorry for it if he does, having to live with both Bobby and Reddy.
* Regan somehow manages to come up with a decrepit old horse named Spartan from the Wheelers' stable for the use of Dan Mangan. How come we've never heard of Spartan before? He's a handy plot device horse if ever there was one.
* (Sigh) it had to happen some time, I guess. The awesome Regan goes down a notch or two in my estimation. His attitude toward Dan stinks. Basically, Regan places job security way above his family duties. He's so scared that acknowledging his delinquent nephew will tick off his rich employers that he prefers to keep it hushed up. He'll hide Dan with Mr Maypenny rather than admit that he even has a nephew. What sort of message is that supposed to give poor Dan?
* The whole secret experiment thread is abysmally handled by the adults. For a start, it encourages others to imagine things are worse than they actually are. Trixie wonders if Regan himself has committed a crime, such as a hit-and-run. Little does she know he's just too churlish to own his own flesh and blood.
* Trixie's antagonistic reaction to Dan from the moment she sets eyes on him is nothing to be proud of. She sums him up as a troublemaker the second he steps on the bus, and treats him accordingly. Snap judgement might be natural, but that doesn't make it right. Then when Mart points out that Trixie has had it in for Dan since Day One, she flounces off in a huff, although every word is true.
* This is probably the point where readers with opinions about Trixie's romantic life may begin to diverge. Until now, Jim has monopolised the floor, but from here on he may have competition, if not in Trixie's eyes, in the readers' at least. The canon undoubtedly points toward Jim, but there is something sort of cool in Trixie's progression from haughtily putting Dan in his place to humbly requesting, 'Please don't go, I'm scared.' So is it Team Jim or Team Dan, girls?
* Haha, now for the inconsistencies! Sorry to be a spoilsport but being pedantic can be fun. Firstly, let's talk about Tom and Celia wanting to buy the Robin; the red trailer formerly from the Lynches which they're living in on the Wheelers' property. The implication is that Tom dreams of paying Mr Lynch the $5000 for it. But hey, hang on, doesn't that trailer now belong to Trixie and Mart?! Mr Lynch gifted it to the young brother/sister duo for their valiant success at stopping the fake Uncle Monty in his tracks. This new anonymous author needs to go back and read The Mysterious Visitor. Trixie and Mart should be the ones rolling in dough, with $2500 apiece if the sale ever comes off!
* Secondly, how did the Bob White clubhouse even get broken into at this stage? In the previous book, The Mysterious Code, a burglar alarm was connected to the clubhouse which Regan would instantly hear from the stables and his apartment up at the Manor House. Surely this wouldn't be inactivated so soon. It's only a matter of a few weeks since they needed it for the antique show.
* Finally, this author contradicts herself within this one book. At one point we're told that Regan has been sending money to his only sister, (Dan's mother) to help her make ends meet. Then a little later the story changes. Mr Maypenny informs Trixie that Regan totally lost track of his sister until he recently heard that she was dead. Come on author, get your facts straight. Proofreader, you should have been onto that one too.
* If I'm to award a quote of the book, it'll have to go to Dan. 'But you know all the answers, don't you, Freckles.'
* Hooray, now our seven Bob Whites are complete, so bring on more.
* Trixie and Honey have acquired Mexican penpals, Dolores and Lupe, whose school library was decimated by an earthquake. Donations of new books is what the Bob Whites' ice carnival is all in aid of. No sooner have they finished the antique fair from the last book when they're pumped again, working on a new project. These guys don't let grass grow under their feet, but to squeeze all the coming adventures within one year, the stories will need to be back to back like this.
* Mart is apparently a very speedy skater. I wonder if he surpasses Brian and Jim, but get the feeling he never manages to trump the Mr Perfect duo as often as he'd like to.
* I don't remember if the Beldens' elusive Aunt Alicia ever makes an actual appearance, but her gifts to her nephews and niece tend to bite the dust. In this book, a spotted china cat is smashed and a chunky woolly sweater is unravelled.
* It seems the Beldens are a family of faith after all, for it appears Mart has recently outgrown his Sunday suit and needs a new one. Perhaps Trixie goes to pick up the newspapers from Lytell's General Store (See Book 1) after they get home from church.
* I wonder if Bobby ends up getting the kitten that many people promise him. I don't remember, but I feel sorry for it if he does, having to live with both Bobby and Reddy.
* Regan somehow manages to come up with a decrepit old horse named Spartan from the Wheelers' stable for the use of Dan Mangan. How come we've never heard of Spartan before? He's a handy plot device horse if ever there was one.
* (Sigh) it had to happen some time, I guess. The awesome Regan goes down a notch or two in my estimation. His attitude toward Dan stinks. Basically, Regan places job security way above his family duties. He's so scared that acknowledging his delinquent nephew will tick off his rich employers that he prefers to keep it hushed up. He'll hide Dan with Mr Maypenny rather than admit that he even has a nephew. What sort of message is that supposed to give poor Dan?
* The whole secret experiment thread is abysmally handled by the adults. For a start, it encourages others to imagine things are worse than they actually are. Trixie wonders if Regan himself has committed a crime, such as a hit-and-run. Little does she know he's just too churlish to own his own flesh and blood.
* Trixie's antagonistic reaction to Dan from the moment she sets eyes on him is nothing to be proud of. She sums him up as a troublemaker the second he steps on the bus, and treats him accordingly. Snap judgement might be natural, but that doesn't make it right. Then when Mart points out that Trixie has had it in for Dan since Day One, she flounces off in a huff, although every word is true.
* This is probably the point where readers with opinions about Trixie's romantic life may begin to diverge. Until now, Jim has monopolised the floor, but from here on he may have competition, if not in Trixie's eyes, in the readers' at least. The canon undoubtedly points toward Jim, but there is something sort of cool in Trixie's progression from haughtily putting Dan in his place to humbly requesting, 'Please don't go, I'm scared.' So is it Team Jim or Team Dan, girls?
* Haha, now for the inconsistencies! Sorry to be a spoilsport but being pedantic can be fun. Firstly, let's talk about Tom and Celia wanting to buy the Robin; the red trailer formerly from the Lynches which they're living in on the Wheelers' property. The implication is that Tom dreams of paying Mr Lynch the $5000 for it. But hey, hang on, doesn't that trailer now belong to Trixie and Mart?! Mr Lynch gifted it to the young brother/sister duo for their valiant success at stopping the fake Uncle Monty in his tracks. This new anonymous author needs to go back and read The Mysterious Visitor. Trixie and Mart should be the ones rolling in dough, with $2500 apiece if the sale ever comes off!
* Secondly, how did the Bob White clubhouse even get broken into at this stage? In the previous book, The Mysterious Code, a burglar alarm was connected to the clubhouse which Regan would instantly hear from the stables and his apartment up at the Manor House. Surely this wouldn't be inactivated so soon. It's only a matter of a few weeks since they needed it for the antique show.
* Finally, this author contradicts herself within this one book. At one point we're told that Regan has been sending money to his only sister, (Dan's mother) to help her make ends meet. Then a little later the story changes. Mr Maypenny informs Trixie that Regan totally lost track of his sister until he recently heard that she was dead. Come on author, get your facts straight. Proofreader, you should have been onto that one too.
* If I'm to award a quote of the book, it'll have to go to Dan. 'But you know all the answers, don't you, Freckles.'
* Hooray, now our seven Bob Whites are complete, so bring on more.
April 27, 2024
This was one of my favorite Trixie Belden books when I was a kid. It stands the test of time!
August 13, 2022
In 1970, under the pen name Kathryn Kenny, team members of Western Publishing authored and released the 8th book of the Trixie Belden series titled “Trixie Belden and the Black Jacket Mystery.” The story features the Bob-White Glen’s (B.W.G.’s) teenager club in Sleepyside on the Hudson in New York and their families reactions to a series of shocking events. While the B.W.G.’s began an initiative to raise funding for a school library in Mexico destroyed by an earthquake, a mysterious teenager Dan Manson cakes to town and enrolls at Sleepyside High School. Dan’s strange behavior and his confrontational manner was highly distressing to students and B.W.G.’s members. Also his cowboy boot prints at places of a treasured lost/found watch and cash robberies led Trixie and the B.W.G.’s to believe that Dan was involved. Later it was learned that Dan had a mysterious associate (Luke). Luke orchestrated a large number of these and other criminal events. Dan reconciles his confronting behaviors by helping Trixie rescue her very young brother from a fall into a cave pit. Dan’s heroism endears him to Trixie and the B.W.G ‘s. His confrontational behaviors were forgiven, his “associate” was defeated, and Dan becomes a member of the B.W.G.’s. The book is full of surprises and very intriguing. (P)
March 24, 2018
I loved the Trixie Belden books as a kid (nice to see they got republished). I'm still unsure how they ended up in my corner of the world. I slowly amassed the whole series as first editions (it seemed so glamourous as a kid owning precious books that were older than me!) by saving all my pocket money to buy them from the local secondhand store. I can only guess that some adult (probably having moved to our sleepy town from overseas) had sold them off in bulk. They sat in a back corner of the store, thankfully ignored by everyone else, as I slowly acquired them through pocket money and then in a mass swoop for Christmas. It helped that back then secondhand books sold for anywhere from 10 cents to 50 cents rather than $7-10 as they do these days!
They were wonderful mystery books for children of a similar ilk to Famous Five, Secret Seven, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, The Three Investigators etc.; set in a time long before cellphones when sleuthing into mysterious mansions, smugglers, and strange sounds in the night wouldn't cause any real harm to befall our child investigators.
They were wonderful mystery books for children of a similar ilk to Famous Five, Secret Seven, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, The Three Investigators etc.; set in a time long before cellphones when sleuthing into mysterious mansions, smugglers, and strange sounds in the night wouldn't cause any real harm to befall our child investigators.
April 3, 2024
Book 8 is better than the last one the new author penned, but I still miss Julie Campbell.
Too many careless mistakes (if this author bothered to read the first six books, which I doubt). Saying Trixie knew first aid but when faced with a real crisis, everything became jumbled in her mind rings false. Because in the first Trixie Belden book, Trixie calmly renders first aid when Bobby is bit by a poisonous snake. Even the doctor voiced his admiration. Also, I really liked Jim in the first few books, but he has grown very condescending with each new adventure.
The scene near the end where Bobby is trapped in the cave came totally out of left field and felt very contrived. And the name the author came up with for the newest character is ridiculous. Dan Mangan. Really? This is not a rhyming book for preschoolers. Yeesh.
At least the mystery was pretty good and there was a lot of action in the book. Also, Honey seemed more like Trixie's loyal sidekick than she did in the last book, so that's a plus.
Too many careless mistakes (if this author bothered to read the first six books, which I doubt). Saying Trixie knew first aid but when faced with a real crisis, everything became jumbled in her mind rings false. Because in the first Trixie Belden book, Trixie calmly renders first aid when Bobby is bit by a poisonous snake. Even the doctor voiced his admiration. Also, I really liked Jim in the first few books, but he has grown very condescending with each new adventure.
The scene near the end where Bobby is trapped in the cave came totally out of left field and felt very contrived. And the name the author came up with for the newest character is ridiculous. Dan Mangan. Really? This is not a rhyming book for preschoolers. Yeesh.
At least the mystery was pretty good and there was a lot of action in the book. Also, Honey seemed more like Trixie's loyal sidekick than she did in the last book, so that's a plus.
May 4, 2020
Trixie Belden and her friends are organizing a winter carnival. It's to raise funds to help their pen pals in Mexico with much needed books to stock their library. All that's involved in getting the carnival ready is enough to keep them very busy but Trixie still has time for a mystery. There's a new boy in town staying with Mr. Maypenny and helping him on the animal reserve. Dan Mangan has a chip on his shoulder, he's not friendly at all and even seems rude at times. He came from the city, wears a black leather jacket and cowboy boots making him stand out as different. When bad things start happening it's easy for the black leather jacket wearing new teen to get blamed. When confronted Dan denies any wrongdoing but his clothing makes him the only suspect. With Dan's tough boy attitude they can't help but think he's just lying, although they want to give him the benefit of the doubt They will have to prove he did it or prove someone else did.
January 20, 2024
Cover by Larry Frederick front/end pieces cool green line drawing
This is a mystery for the B.W. G.’s (Bob White of the Glen) Trixie and her three brothers, their wealthy neighbor Honey Wheeler share the BWG’s charitable goals buying books for a Mexican village. But who is the new boy in town? He wears a leatherjacket. Is he a gang member from the city? In this small city where everybody knows everybody else they all pitch in for a good cause. So the BWG’s hold an Ice Carnival to gather more books for their charity. Lots of fun in the snow, the woods, horseback riding, ice skating, and adventure – the leather jacket mystery to solve and little brother Bobby is tapped in a cave. This is a sweet story from a more innocent time. Great fun to read for kids and adults.
This is a mystery for the B.W. G.’s (Bob White of the Glen) Trixie and her three brothers, their wealthy neighbor Honey Wheeler share the BWG’s charitable goals buying books for a Mexican village. But who is the new boy in town? He wears a leatherjacket. Is he a gang member from the city? In this small city where everybody knows everybody else they all pitch in for a good cause. So the BWG’s hold an Ice Carnival to gather more books for their charity. Lots of fun in the snow, the woods, horseback riding, ice skating, and adventure – the leather jacket mystery to solve and little brother Bobby is tapped in a cave. This is a sweet story from a more innocent time. Great fun to read for kids and adults.
November 29, 2024
Finished Sunday for #BobWhiteBuddies Trixie # 8 revolves around Trixie coming up with an idea to have an ice carnival to help raise money to rebuild her Mexican penpals’ school library (a concept any reader can get behind). It also introduces a new character & addition to the club, Dan, who has a rocky start with the group & especially Trixie. Small spoiler… I always felt sorry for Dan because he rarely got to go anywhere with the Bob Whites—he was always working. But anyway, this one is a fine addition to the series, no big thrills but no major notes. I did worry about Mr. Maypenny’s poor head. As in our Nancy Drew reread, I’m realizing head injuries & concussions weren’t a big thing back in the day! 🤕🙁
January 29, 2025
My son wanted to know why I was reading this book. If it was nostalgia or something else. I guess it’s nostalgia ATND something else. I received the first in this series for Christmas when I was about 10. We didn’t have much money so I just read the books when I could find one. I wanted to read them all!
This book is copywrited 1961which is the year I was born. They are dated and some of them have areas that make me cringe. I am very pleased to be able to work my way through the series. I’ve been able to read some from the library. Others I have purchased.
Trixie and her friends were my friends when I was growing up. I longed to be able to escape to their town and to be one of their friends.
This book is copywrited 1961which is the year I was born. They are dated and some of them have areas that make me cringe. I am very pleased to be able to work my way through the series. I’ve been able to read some from the library. Others I have purchased.
Trixie and her friends were my friends when I was growing up. I longed to be able to escape to their town and to be one of their friends.
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