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Original Bobbsey Twins #71
The Bobbsey Twins In A TV Mystery Show
While in California appearing in a television mystery show, the Bobbsey twins stumble upon a mystery involving a key, a missing dog, and some photographs.
179 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
About the author
Laura Lee Hope
603 books79 followersLaura Lee Hope is a pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate for the Bobbsey Twins and several other series of children's novels. Actual writers taking up the pen of Laura Lee Hope include Edward Stratemeyer, Howard and Lilian Garis, Elizabeth Ward, Harriet (Stratemeyer) Adams, Andrew E. Svenson, June M. Dunn, Grace Grote and Nancy Axelrad.
Laura Lee Hope was first used in 1904 for the debut of the Bobbsey Twins, the principal characters of what was, for many years, the Stratemeyer Syndicate's longest-running series of children's novels. Other series written under this pseudonym include: The Outdoor Girls (23 vols. 1913-1933), The Moving Picture Girls (7 vols. 1914-1916), Bunny Brown (20 vols. 1916-1931), Six Little Bunkers (14 vols. 1918-1930), Make Believe Stories (12 vols. c. 1920-1923), and Blythe Girls (12 vols. 1925-1932).
The first of the 72 books of the Bobbsey Twins series was published in 1904, the last in 1979. The books related the adventures of the children of the middle-class Bobbsey family, which included two sets of mixed-gender fraternal twins: Bert and Nan, who were 12 years old, and Flossie and Freddie, who were six.
Edward Stratemeyer himself is believed to have written the first volume in its original form in 1904. When the original series was brought to its conclusion in 1979, it had reached a total of 72 volumes. At least two abortive attempts to restart the series were launched after this, but in neither effort was the popularity of the original series achieved.
Speculation that Stratemeyer also wrote the second and third volumes of the series is believed to be incorrect; these books are now attributed to Lilian Garis, wife of Howard Garis, who is credited with volumes 4–28 and 41. Elizabeth Ward is credited with volumes 29–35, while Harriet Stratemeyer Adams is credited with 36–38, 39 (with Camilla McClave), 40, 42, 43 (with Andrew Svenson), and 44–48. Volumes 49–52 are attributed to Andrew Svenson, while 53–59, and the 1960s rewrites of 1–4, 7, 11–13, and 17, are attributed to June Dunn. Grace Grote is regarded as the real author of 60–67 and the rewrites of 14 and 18–20, and Nancy Axelrad is credited with 68–72. Of the 1960s rewrites not already mentioned, volumes 5 and 16 are credited to Mary Donahoe, 6 and 25 to Patricia Doll, 8–10 and 15 to Bonnibel Weston, and 24 to Margery Howard.
--from Wikipedia
Laura Lee Hope was first used in 1904 for the debut of the Bobbsey Twins, the principal characters of what was, for many years, the Stratemeyer Syndicate's longest-running series of children's novels. Other series written under this pseudonym include: The Outdoor Girls (23 vols. 1913-1933), The Moving Picture Girls (7 vols. 1914-1916), Bunny Brown (20 vols. 1916-1931), Six Little Bunkers (14 vols. 1918-1930), Make Believe Stories (12 vols. c. 1920-1923), and Blythe Girls (12 vols. 1925-1932).
The first of the 72 books of the Bobbsey Twins series was published in 1904, the last in 1979. The books related the adventures of the children of the middle-class Bobbsey family, which included two sets of mixed-gender fraternal twins: Bert and Nan, who were 12 years old, and Flossie and Freddie, who were six.
Edward Stratemeyer himself is believed to have written the first volume in its original form in 1904. When the original series was brought to its conclusion in 1979, it had reached a total of 72 volumes. At least two abortive attempts to restart the series were launched after this, but in neither effort was the popularity of the original series achieved.
Speculation that Stratemeyer also wrote the second and third volumes of the series is believed to be incorrect; these books are now attributed to Lilian Garis, wife of Howard Garis, who is credited with volumes 4–28 and 41. Elizabeth Ward is credited with volumes 29–35, while Harriet Stratemeyer Adams is credited with 36–38, 39 (with Camilla McClave), 40, 42, 43 (with Andrew Svenson), and 44–48. Volumes 49–52 are attributed to Andrew Svenson, while 53–59, and the 1960s rewrites of 1–4, 7, 11–13, and 17, are attributed to June Dunn. Grace Grote is regarded as the real author of 60–67 and the rewrites of 14 and 18–20, and Nancy Axelrad is credited with 68–72. Of the 1960s rewrites not already mentioned, volumes 5 and 16 are credited to Mary Donahoe, 6 and 25 to Patricia Doll, 8–10 and 15 to Bonnibel Weston, and 24 to Margery Howard.
--from Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 19, 2020
A negative right off the bat with the abstract illustration on the cover. The artwork inside is not much better.
The whole plot of the story is ridiculously implausible. But let's throw plausibility out the window for a minute. Even if some kids from a small town were chosen to star in this television series, why, if they're chosen because they are supposed to be famous detectives, does no one seem to know who they are? Not so famous, after all. And continuing to stretch plausibility does not excuse the scenes where the twins are reading out the dialogue for the television show. So corny. And really unnecessary. Just describe the scene and be done with it. The plot of the TV show has nothing to do with the real plot of the book.
More truckloads of nasty people trying to KILL the twins. By the way, the twins sure are dense when they are unable to immediately figure out at the airport that Slim is up to something. Plus, Pester is heading to San Francisco with papers of a building's layout after which a San Francisco bank is robbed with one of the crook's having a knowledge of the building's layout. Yet the great children detectives can't piece it together. In past stories, the twins would have figured it out right away. In the last couple of books they have seemed a little slow on the uptake.
The end left a lot to be desired, too. When Grady confesses to what he did, everyone shrugs their shoulders and forgives him. Why? He's an adult, not a kid. And the mishaps he caused almost killed people. He should be in jail with the other crooks! I'm sorry, but I don't like these later books where people are actively trying to KILL the twins. Give me Danny Rugg any day.
I'm reading these last 5 or 6 books at a record pace because they are so awful and I want to be done with them. One more to go. Thank heaven! (Except for one that I ordered and I'm waiting on. I needed to order 2 that I didn't have in my collection. A book from the middle of the pack. At least I'll be able to finish on a positive note.)
The whole plot of the story is ridiculously implausible. But let's throw plausibility out the window for a minute. Even if some kids from a small town were chosen to star in this television series, why, if they're chosen because they are supposed to be famous detectives, does no one seem to know who they are? Not so famous, after all. And continuing to stretch plausibility does not excuse the scenes where the twins are reading out the dialogue for the television show. So corny. And really unnecessary. Just describe the scene and be done with it. The plot of the TV show has nothing to do with the real plot of the book.
More truckloads of nasty people trying to KILL the twins. By the way, the twins sure are dense when they are unable to immediately figure out at the airport that Slim is up to something. Plus, Pester is heading to San Francisco with papers of a building's layout after which a San Francisco bank is robbed with one of the crook's having a knowledge of the building's layout. Yet the great children detectives can't piece it together. In past stories, the twins would have figured it out right away. In the last couple of books they have seemed a little slow on the uptake.
The end left a lot to be desired, too. When Grady confesses to what he did, everyone shrugs their shoulders and forgives him. Why? He's an adult, not a kid. And the mishaps he caused almost killed people. He should be in jail with the other crooks! I'm sorry, but I don't like these later books where people are actively trying to KILL the twins. Give me Danny Rugg any day.
I'm reading these last 5 or 6 books at a record pace because they are so awful and I want to be done with them. One more to go. Thank heaven! (Except for one that I ordered and I'm waiting on. I needed to order 2 that I didn't have in my collection. A book from the middle of the pack. At least I'll be able to finish on a positive note.)
May 8, 2015
As a child reader, I enjoyed some of the Bobbsey Twins books for a time, but soon gravitated to the more thrilling adventures of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. As an adult collector, it has been many years since I read a Bobbsey Twins book.
I was curious about this book after learning it was written following visits by Harriet Stratemeyer Adams and Nancy Alexrod to the sets of the 1970s TV series "Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries." At that time, the Stratemeyer Syndicate employees learned hands-on about the making of a TV mystery series and decided upon the plot of this Bobbsey Twins mysteries.
The Bobbseys are currently starting in the premiere episode of a new television series featuring young detectives. While filming the fictional mystery show, the two sets of twins encounter a real life mystery. What is the meaning behind a tiny key secreted in the fur of a beautiful, long-haired dog who has been specifically trained for the TV show? When the dog is discovered missing, everyone associated with the project, including the twin sleuths, wonder if he ran away or was stolen?
The key is the first clue to solving a puzzling mystery. Of course, the Bobbseys succeed in finding the meaning of the key, recover the lost animal, and bring ruthless criminals to justice.
I wonder if I would have noticed this if I had read the book as a child, but I was very bothered by the lack of parental supervision in this book. Neither Mr. or Mrs. Bobbsey is present while their children are filming in California. Marcy Sigler, a public relations employee, is clearly the twins' chaperone. However, Marcy gives the children an unusual amount of freedom including driving them to a woods near the home of a man and woman suspected to be criminals. As they exit the car, the twins tell her not to worry. She assures them she will worry. I can't imagine a responsible adult allowing this to happen. Of course, if she didn't let the Bobbseys go, they wouldn't have been able to investigate!
There is an entertaining inside joke in this story! The Bobbseys try to see an agent, Pester Davis, but he has little time for them because he has a meeting scheduled with Arlene Sidaris and Joyce Brotman. Sidaris and Brotman were excecutive producers for "Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries."
I was curious about this book after learning it was written following visits by Harriet Stratemeyer Adams and Nancy Alexrod to the sets of the 1970s TV series "Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries." At that time, the Stratemeyer Syndicate employees learned hands-on about the making of a TV mystery series and decided upon the plot of this Bobbsey Twins mysteries.
The Bobbseys are currently starting in the premiere episode of a new television series featuring young detectives. While filming the fictional mystery show, the two sets of twins encounter a real life mystery. What is the meaning behind a tiny key secreted in the fur of a beautiful, long-haired dog who has been specifically trained for the TV show? When the dog is discovered missing, everyone associated with the project, including the twin sleuths, wonder if he ran away or was stolen?
The key is the first clue to solving a puzzling mystery. Of course, the Bobbseys succeed in finding the meaning of the key, recover the lost animal, and bring ruthless criminals to justice.
I wonder if I would have noticed this if I had read the book as a child, but I was very bothered by the lack of parental supervision in this book. Neither Mr. or Mrs. Bobbsey is present while their children are filming in California. Marcy Sigler, a public relations employee, is clearly the twins' chaperone. However, Marcy gives the children an unusual amount of freedom including driving them to a woods near the home of a man and woman suspected to be criminals. As they exit the car, the twins tell her not to worry. She assures them she will worry. I can't imagine a responsible adult allowing this to happen. Of course, if she didn't let the Bobbseys go, they wouldn't have been able to investigate!
There is an entertaining inside joke in this story! The Bobbseys try to see an agent, Pester Davis, but he has little time for them because he has a meeting scheduled with Arlene Sidaris and Joyce Brotman. Sidaris and Brotman were excecutive producers for "Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries."
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews