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Secret of Goblin Glen
Trina has always thought it rather romantic to have a black sheep in the family. Forty years ago her Great-uncle Will Horst robbed a bank in a little town in New Hampshire. And now Trina is spending the summer there with friends of her parents, the first one in her family to go back to the scene of the crime. She soon finds reality less romantic than she had expected.The long-ago robbery is anything but forgotten in Camberhills. People are still searching for the stolen money. It is rumored that the two robbers hid it in Goblin Glen, a gloomy, dark valley spiked with peculiar rock formations.Many people are still full of smoldering enmity toward anyone related to the Horsts! Tex and Florida, the boy and girl in the family Trina is visiting, are far from friendly. There's no doubt about Galvin Sewell's animosity either. He is the grandson of the bank president who was ruined by the crime and he seems to hate Trina.It's one thing to picture yourself being a heroine, finding a lost fortune and returning it to the rightful owner…but it's something else to find yourself suddenly in the midst of a real-life story full of angry and desperate people. Trina begins to feel desperate too. Into this seething situation come two long-haired young TV stars, the Buddy Brothers, who are to appear in the local Folk Festival. Both Trina and Florida are entranced-until they find that these boys, too, are searching for the lost treasure.A wonderful underground tunnel, an old map, and the feelings of a number of people about what really is important all prove to be parts of the confusing puzzle. As Trina puts the pieces together, the story builds to a breathless climax deep in Goblin Glen. And, as all the participants grow to know one another better, Miss Whitney's theme that understanding between people is possible and that the generations can learn from each other.
176 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1974
About the author
Phyllis A. Whitney
190 books572 followersPhyllis Ayame Whitney (1903 – 2008) was an American mystery writer. Rare for her genre, she wrote mysteries for both the juvenile and the adult markets, many of which feature exotic locations. A review in The New York Times once dubbed her "The Queen of the American Gothics".
She was born in Japan to American parents and spent her early years in Asia. Whitney wrote more than seventy novels. In 1961, her book The Mystery of the Haunted Pool won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Juvenile novel, and she duplicated the honor in 1964, for The Mystery of the Hidden Hand. In 1988, the MWA gave her a Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement. Whitney died of pneumonia on February 8, 2008, aged 104.
She was born in Japan to American parents and spent her early years in Asia. Whitney wrote more than seventy novels. In 1961, her book The Mystery of the Haunted Pool won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Juvenile novel, and she duplicated the honor in 1964, for The Mystery of the Hidden Hand. In 1988, the MWA gave her a Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement. Whitney died of pneumonia on February 8, 2008, aged 104.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 4, 2016
Trina has always thought it rather romantic to have a black sheep in the family. Forty years ago her Great-uncle Will Horst robbed a bank in a little town in New Hampshire. And now Trina is spending the summer there with friends of her parents, the first one in her family to go back to the scene of the crime. She soon finds reality less romantic than she had expected.
The long-ago robbery is anything but forgotten in Camberhills. People are still searching for the stolen money. It is rumored that the two robbers hid it in Goblin Glen, a gloomy, dark valley spiked with peculiar rock formations.
Many people are still full of smoldering enmity toward anyone related to the Horsts! Tex and Florida, the boy and girl in the family Trina is visiting, are far from friendly. There's no doubt about Galvin Sewell's animosity either. He is the grandson of the bank president who was ruined by the crime and he seems to hate Trina.
It's one thing to picture yourself being a heroine, finding a lost fortune and returning it to the rightful owner…but it's something else to find yourself suddenly in the midst of a real-life story full of angry and desperate people. Trina begins to feel desperate too. Into this seething situation come two long-haired young TV stars, the Buddy Brothers, who are to appear in the local Folk Festival. Both Trina and Florida are entranced-until they find that these boys, too, are searching for the lost treasure.
A wonderful underground tunnel, an old map, and the feelings of a number of people about what really is important all prove to be parts of the confusing puzzle. As Trina puts the pieces together, the story builds to a breathless climax deep in Goblin Glen. And, as all the participants grow to know one another better, Miss Whitney's theme emerges: that understanding between people is possible and that the generations can learn from each other.
The long-ago robbery is anything but forgotten in Camberhills. People are still searching for the stolen money. It is rumored that the two robbers hid it in Goblin Glen, a gloomy, dark valley spiked with peculiar rock formations.
Many people are still full of smoldering enmity toward anyone related to the Horsts! Tex and Florida, the boy and girl in the family Trina is visiting, are far from friendly. There's no doubt about Galvin Sewell's animosity either. He is the grandson of the bank president who was ruined by the crime and he seems to hate Trina.
It's one thing to picture yourself being a heroine, finding a lost fortune and returning it to the rightful owner…but it's something else to find yourself suddenly in the midst of a real-life story full of angry and desperate people. Trina begins to feel desperate too. Into this seething situation come two long-haired young TV stars, the Buddy Brothers, who are to appear in the local Folk Festival. Both Trina and Florida are entranced-until they find that these boys, too, are searching for the lost treasure.
A wonderful underground tunnel, an old map, and the feelings of a number of people about what really is important all prove to be parts of the confusing puzzle. As Trina puts the pieces together, the story builds to a breathless climax deep in Goblin Glen. And, as all the participants grow to know one another better, Miss Whitney's theme emerges: that understanding between people is possible and that the generations can learn from each other.
October 18, 2018
Copyright 1974. My copy is from that year. This is a tween & up book. A reread for me back in the 70s. I've kept it all these years! I actually thought this story was set in Utah at Goblin Valley State Park. PAW often has real places she sets her stories in. Sadly, this story takes place in New Hampshire.
Told in the first person by Trina. The book description for Goodreads does a good job on the synopsis. I'll just say I really liked this book. Trina does some dumb things, but then again she's 13 years old! The story was interesting & there's a good plot twist at the end.
I tried to see if there really was a place called Camberhills in New Hampshire. I couldn't find anything on line. Too bad, as it sounds like an interesting place.
The cover is good & shows Galvin & Trina digging in Goblin Glen.
Told in the first person by Trina. The book description for Goodreads does a good job on the synopsis. I'll just say I really liked this book. Trina does some dumb things, but then again she's 13 years old! The story was interesting & there's a good plot twist at the end.
I tried to see if there really was a place called Camberhills in New Hampshire. I couldn't find anything on line. Too bad, as it sounds like an interesting place.
The cover is good & shows Galvin & Trina digging in Goblin Glen.
May 13, 2024
I recommend this book for Nancy Drew enthusiasts. This is one of several YA mysteries I read by Phyllis A. Whitney as young teen. I enjoyed the books so much that I would look for more Phyllis A. Whitney to read. I am not sure if I read all of her YA books but I tried. I think I also read some of her adult mysteries at the time.
As happens in mass market paperbacks, there was an occasional typo. I wrote about it to the publisher at the time and received a very nice letter back, which only adds to my praise of these books.
As happens in mass market paperbacks, there was an occasional typo. I wrote about it to the publisher at the time and received a very nice letter back, which only adds to my praise of these books.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews