What do you think?
Rate this book
Trixie Belden #27
El Misterio del Galeón Fantasma
Trixie Belden, la protagonista, es una adolescente de catorce años, aficionada a resolver situaciones complejas. Con varios amigos forma un grupo de detectives aficionados que solucionan muchos casos, gracias a la inteligencia y al valor de sus componentes.
166 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1979
7 people are currently reading
408 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.
***
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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 17, 2018
Now this one I really, really enjoyed. And it's nice, too, remembering that I'd always enjoyed this one. It's got family drama wrapped up in a ridiculous inn with hilarious characters and a great upstate New York setting. It has both contemporary and longtime mysteries. It's funny and silly and satisfying, and it's got - wait for it - atmosphere.
October 21, 2022
This is another that I've just now read for the first time - I don't think it would have ranked among my favorites as a kid but I'm still finding it very interesting, reading new (to me) stories that involve very old favorite characters.
The best part being the revelation that Trixie has a favorite book series, that happens to be about a girl spy/detective - up until now I don't think Trixie read anything longer than the Bob-Whites' meeting minutes.
The best part being the revelation that Trixie has a favorite book series, that happens to be about a girl spy/detective - up until now I don't think Trixie read anything longer than the Bob-Whites' meeting minutes.
September 7, 2020
5+ stars & 8/10 hearts. Now this was a fun mystery!! And it started from page one. ;P I really liked the inn and Captain Frank, and the message of the story. The Bob-Whites were as amazing as ever! The mystery was super well done and really intriguing and was wrapped up super well. I just really, really enjoyed it. :)
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “She could hear the leaves of the maple trees whispering softly to each other.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘In that case,’ Mart announced loudly, ‘I hereby affirm that it is understandable that homo sapiens commit erroneous actions, while deity confers absolution.’
“Trixie looked at him and frowned. ‘Does that mean we shouldn’t count our blessings before they hatch?’
“She was startled when everyone laughed[.]
“‘You’ve won the game, Trix,’ Brian told her, grinning, ‘and it took you exactly one second to do it. Mart was saying that to err is human, to forgive divine.’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “She could hear the leaves of the maple trees whispering softly to each other.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘In that case,’ Mart announced loudly, ‘I hereby affirm that it is understandable that homo sapiens commit erroneous actions, while deity confers absolution.’
“Trixie looked at him and frowned. ‘Does that mean we shouldn’t count our blessings before they hatch?’
“She was startled when everyone laughed[.]
“‘You’ve won the game, Trix,’ Brian told her, grinning, ‘and it took you exactly one second to do it. Mart was saying that to err is human, to forgive divine.’”
June 21, 2017
The Mystery of the Ghostly Galleon is the twenty-seventh book in the Trixie Belden series by Julie Campbell and Kathryn Kenny.
This was a really good one! The mystery was fun, interesting, and well-rounded, if a tiny bit muddled at times. You could tell the ghost-author had read other Trixie books before, too, and really tried to keep all of the Bob-Whites in character. He or she also wasn't too lazy to bring all the Bob-Whites along.
4 stars out of 5. This was a great Kenny book!
This was a really good one! The mystery was fun, interesting, and well-rounded, if a tiny bit muddled at times. You could tell the ghost-author had read other Trixie books before, too, and really tried to keep all of the Bob-Whites in character. He or she also wasn't too lazy to bring all the Bob-Whites along.
4 stars out of 5. This was a great Kenny book!
November 10, 2018
In some ways you can tell that Kenny must have been getting bored of the formula. The beginnings are getting very perfunctory, but I really enjoyed this mystery and the twist/ reveal was much less far- fetched than some of the others without being too tidy either
May 26, 2022
Simple plot but fun as the whole gang gets to go and we learn a little more about Miss Trask's family.
Recommended 10+ for scary situations for younger readers.
Recommended 10+ for scary situations for younger readers.
March 18, 2023
Libro en el que nuestra protagonista resuelve dos misterios: por una parte un galeón que aparece y desaparece, y por otra la desaparición del dueño de la fonda. Muy lógico todo
August 11, 2022
Vejam a minha opinião em vídeo, AQUI.
April 20, 2022
It's a great read. You learn more about Miss Trask's family in this one.
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
August 1, 2022
Ahoy, me hearties. The Bob Whites are spending a weekend at Miss Trask's family home; an old pirate's inn run by her brother Frank. There is an old mystery concerning a disappearing ancestor, some spooky sightings of a glowing ghost ship and a sudden calamity when Frank Trask himself goes missing. If he doesn't return in time, the whole Inn will be lost. Can Trixie and the Bob Whites help track him down?
* Hooray, the stars align for once in a blue moon, and we have all seven Bob Whites off on a holiday together at the same time. It's a quick weekend getaway. Maybe that's why Dan can spare the time.
* Since another weekend plan falls through, Mr Wheeler suggests that all the teenagers gatecrash Miss Trask's personal retreat to her own family home, at Pirate's Inn. The Bob Whites feel a bit awkward, until she convinces them that it's not only fine with her, but there's also an old mystery to solve. Then they're all on board (excuse the pun).
* It seems Miss Trask had a rascally pirate ancestor named Captain Trask, who famously vanished over lunch, the instant a group of soldiers trooped in and surrounded his table to arrest him. The mystery has never been solved.
* We're never actually told what ailed Miss Trask's and Frank's sister. Just that she's been a longtime patient at hospital and the bills are gargantuan.
* This mystery turns out to include another ghost story, or more precisely, the ghost of a ship. Whenever the Sea Fox, (Captain Trask's old galleon), is sighted in real time, it signifies that something bad is about to happen to a current member of the Trask family. And of course, Trixie and Honey see it on their first night there. I can't help thinking of all the spots of danger Miss Trask has been in over the past year, in her chaperone duties with the Bob Whites. Perhaps that ship has been flashing on and off like a Christmas light.
* Trixie is a passionate fan of a series of mystery novels about a beautiful teenage detective named Lucy Radcliffe. Whenever Mart makes fun of them, she predictably blows her top! Trixie reacts as if criticism of her beloved Lucy books is akin to slinging mud at herself. Sort of understandable maybe, since she's a teenage detective girl herself.
* She tries to fling comeback insults about his favourite sci-fi novels by Cosmo McNaught, but Mart is too cool to take the bait. It's funny that these two should get into such heated disagreements about books of all things. Sometimes Trixie is almost reduced to tears. I rarely come across such intense literary arguments in any family but mine, haha.
* Hmm, time for a few psychological observations. Once again it strikes me that Trixie often directs thoughtless digs at Mart for no reason at all, then flies off the handle when he retaliates. But because she always makes more of a kerfuffle about hurt feelings, he's put in the 'bad guy' position more often, and forced to apologise. Trixie rarely apologises to Mart for anything, even though she says some equally cutting things to him. Personally, I suspect it's just because he conceals his emotions more, as boys of the era were taught to do. She is a bit of a diva, and it works to her advantage.
* Trixie and Mart's ongoing sniping at each other is clearly intended as a counterpart to Marge and Frank Trask's thorny relationship, which has been prickling them for thirty or forty years. In more recent years, Frank has irritated his sensible sister by making a series of crazy investments. This time, he seems to have transformed their ancestral home into a pirate theme park which just verges on being tacky, but not quite. (Although some readers may argue that he does indeed cross the line.)
* I like their fellow guest Mr Appleton, a polite, unassuming little man who goes around with a lifelike dummy as his travelling companion. Does the presence of Clarence the manikin make Mr Marvin Appleton just the slightest bit weird and suspicious? Or is it each to his own?
* I also like the gloomy, fearsome looking waiter named Weasel Willis, who turns out to have a chronic case of butter fingers. But he's great at using reverse psychology to sell the best dishes on the menu. There's also an archetypal proud French chef named Gaston Gabriel, who doesn't ever bother using false modesty for convention's sake. 'I am without doubt one of the world's best chefs.' That's a confident statement to make.
* The Bob Whites sure are shortsighted during this book when it comes to making food orders. Even though many things on the menu sound terrific, all seven end up making the same order more than once. Come on guys, branch out a bit, and then you'll have the fun of tasting someone else's dish. (Not to mention it'll be especially mind-blowing if Gaston truly is one of the world's best chefs.)
* Mart and Brian share a room in the inn, and Jim and Dan share another. I'd have thought the two bros might welcome a chance away from each other and opt for a Jim/Brian and Mart/Dan pairing, but nope. This might play out in the plot when the Belden boys discover something mysterious in their room.
* It's always good when Di gets a chance to share her knowledge. She explains all about how collateral works to Trixie, who claims to be clueless. However, Trixie herself put this very same principle into operation back in The Mystery off Glen Road when she bargained with Mr Lytell to hold onto her diamond ring in return for not selling Brian's jalopy. Has she really forgotten so soon?
* The bad guy is extremely gullible. I'd like to say a bit more about how they fooled him, but I'd better not flirt with spoilers.
* The very obvious quote of the book comes from Trixie. 'My almost twin and I are alike in so many ways. Maybe that's why we're always arguing.' Is she really getting this revelation just now? The moral is reinforced when Trixie goes on to wonder whether Miss Trask also learned the lesson that 'a brother was often a pretty nice person to have around.'
* Hooray, the stars align for once in a blue moon, and we have all seven Bob Whites off on a holiday together at the same time. It's a quick weekend getaway. Maybe that's why Dan can spare the time.
* Since another weekend plan falls through, Mr Wheeler suggests that all the teenagers gatecrash Miss Trask's personal retreat to her own family home, at Pirate's Inn. The Bob Whites feel a bit awkward, until she convinces them that it's not only fine with her, but there's also an old mystery to solve. Then they're all on board (excuse the pun).
* It seems Miss Trask had a rascally pirate ancestor named Captain Trask, who famously vanished over lunch, the instant a group of soldiers trooped in and surrounded his table to arrest him. The mystery has never been solved.
* We're never actually told what ailed Miss Trask's and Frank's sister. Just that she's been a longtime patient at hospital and the bills are gargantuan.
* This mystery turns out to include another ghost story, or more precisely, the ghost of a ship. Whenever the Sea Fox, (Captain Trask's old galleon), is sighted in real time, it signifies that something bad is about to happen to a current member of the Trask family. And of course, Trixie and Honey see it on their first night there. I can't help thinking of all the spots of danger Miss Trask has been in over the past year, in her chaperone duties with the Bob Whites. Perhaps that ship has been flashing on and off like a Christmas light.
* Trixie is a passionate fan of a series of mystery novels about a beautiful teenage detective named Lucy Radcliffe. Whenever Mart makes fun of them, she predictably blows her top! Trixie reacts as if criticism of her beloved Lucy books is akin to slinging mud at herself. Sort of understandable maybe, since she's a teenage detective girl herself.
* She tries to fling comeback insults about his favourite sci-fi novels by Cosmo McNaught, but Mart is too cool to take the bait. It's funny that these two should get into such heated disagreements about books of all things. Sometimes Trixie is almost reduced to tears. I rarely come across such intense literary arguments in any family but mine, haha.
* Hmm, time for a few psychological observations. Once again it strikes me that Trixie often directs thoughtless digs at Mart for no reason at all, then flies off the handle when he retaliates. But because she always makes more of a kerfuffle about hurt feelings, he's put in the 'bad guy' position more often, and forced to apologise. Trixie rarely apologises to Mart for anything, even though she says some equally cutting things to him. Personally, I suspect it's just because he conceals his emotions more, as boys of the era were taught to do. She is a bit of a diva, and it works to her advantage.
* Trixie and Mart's ongoing sniping at each other is clearly intended as a counterpart to Marge and Frank Trask's thorny relationship, which has been prickling them for thirty or forty years. In more recent years, Frank has irritated his sensible sister by making a series of crazy investments. This time, he seems to have transformed their ancestral home into a pirate theme park which just verges on being tacky, but not quite. (Although some readers may argue that he does indeed cross the line.)
* I like their fellow guest Mr Appleton, a polite, unassuming little man who goes around with a lifelike dummy as his travelling companion. Does the presence of Clarence the manikin make Mr Marvin Appleton just the slightest bit weird and suspicious? Or is it each to his own?
* I also like the gloomy, fearsome looking waiter named Weasel Willis, who turns out to have a chronic case of butter fingers. But he's great at using reverse psychology to sell the best dishes on the menu. There's also an archetypal proud French chef named Gaston Gabriel, who doesn't ever bother using false modesty for convention's sake. 'I am without doubt one of the world's best chefs.' That's a confident statement to make.
* The Bob Whites sure are shortsighted during this book when it comes to making food orders. Even though many things on the menu sound terrific, all seven end up making the same order more than once. Come on guys, branch out a bit, and then you'll have the fun of tasting someone else's dish. (Not to mention it'll be especially mind-blowing if Gaston truly is one of the world's best chefs.)
* Mart and Brian share a room in the inn, and Jim and Dan share another. I'd have thought the two bros might welcome a chance away from each other and opt for a Jim/Brian and Mart/Dan pairing, but nope. This might play out in the plot when the Belden boys discover something mysterious in their room.
* It's always good when Di gets a chance to share her knowledge. She explains all about how collateral works to Trixie, who claims to be clueless. However, Trixie herself put this very same principle into operation back in The Mystery off Glen Road when she bargained with Mr Lytell to hold onto her diamond ring in return for not selling Brian's jalopy. Has she really forgotten so soon?
* The bad guy is extremely gullible. I'd like to say a bit more about how they fooled him, but I'd better not flirt with spoilers.
* The very obvious quote of the book comes from Trixie. 'My almost twin and I are alike in so many ways. Maybe that's why we're always arguing.' Is she really getting this revelation just now? The moral is reinforced when Trixie goes on to wonder whether Miss Trask also learned the lesson that 'a brother was often a pretty nice person to have around.'
June 5, 2020
A Bob-White mystery that actually includes all of the Bob-Whites! This might be the first or maybe second time Dan has been included in an adventure away from Sleepyside - I still have no idea why he was made a member of the club when he spends so much time apart from the rest of them.
This book showed an interesting dynamic between Trixie and her 'almost-twin' Mart. The two of them were really struggling to get along, sniping at each other and also flaring up easily and taking the bait the other had left. It felt like quite a real representation of what siblings can be like when they are so close in age, as well as Brian, the exasperated older brother sick of both of them! Although, to be fair, I don't know why Mart so quickly dismisses Trixie when she is often right, even though sometimes she takes a windy road to get there, she gets there in the end!
It was nice to see some more of Miss Trask as opposed to her just being the necessary chaperone in the background who does things for the Bob-Whites when they need an adult.
While I enjoy this one, I'm not sure if I buy the disappearance story of Captain Trask. Surely that would have needed a bit more smoke and mirrors to work?
This book showed an interesting dynamic between Trixie and her 'almost-twin' Mart. The two of them were really struggling to get along, sniping at each other and also flaring up easily and taking the bait the other had left. It felt like quite a real representation of what siblings can be like when they are so close in age, as well as Brian, the exasperated older brother sick of both of them! Although, to be fair, I don't know why Mart so quickly dismisses Trixie when she is often right, even though sometimes she takes a windy road to get there, she gets there in the end!
It was nice to see some more of Miss Trask as opposed to her just being the necessary chaperone in the background who does things for the Bob-Whites when they need an adult.
While I enjoy this one, I'm not sure if I buy the disappearance story of Captain Trask. Surely that would have needed a bit more smoke and mirrors to work?
March 26, 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.
December 31, 2024
I read two Trixie Belden books for the same reason, so ninety percent of both reviews are going to be the same.
My cousin, J, gave me these, claiming her mother, my late aunt, had read them. J said my late aunt had written notes in them, and wanted me to have them "since I like books". She handed them to me with some other books of my late aunt's. J had been apparently hanging onto these books since her mother's death ten years ago. For some people, that's heartbreaking. For my cousin...this is yet another example of her being a huge jerk for reasons that are beyond this book review. Each book was helpfully marked with the little--I had to look up what these were called. Post-it flag stickers. As I read both books, I realized my cousin had stuck them onto pages capriciously. J has...a history of...she uh...inflates or downplays things severely, according to her worldview and mood. My aunt had actually written no notes. She had underlined things on three pages total in the first book I read. J and me have not spoken for ten years, and only started to a few months ago. She does not know what kinds of books I like and does not care. My cousin just wanted these books off her hands and wanted to tell herself she was doing a nice thing. .
I first heard about Trixie Belden because a librarian mentioned liking her books as a kid. This was a few months ago, and we were talking about library book sales. "Oh, so like Nancy Drew, but earlier," I piped up. The librarian frowned a little.
"She sounds interesting," I assured the librarian, out of social nicety really. I'd outgrown Nancy Drew books and was uninterested in returning, as it were. Then my cousin dropped off books at my apartment. Two Trixie Belden ones and three Xtian romances from the 80s. Each heaped with the little post-it flag stickers.
I read these two Trixie Belden ones because I wanted to know more about my aunt. She would have read and enjoyed these as a kid, maybe even a teenager.
Ghostly Galleon: Three stars, fine, glad I read something new to me. I can totally understand why this was a popular series for teens back then. I did feel like I got to know my late aunt a little bit better. I'm looking forward to donating this so someone can really love it. There's some instances of trying to make fetch happen: I had no idea what the word "gleeps" was, what it meant in context, or why it was repeated.
My cousin, J, gave me these, claiming her mother, my late aunt, had read them. J said my late aunt had written notes in them, and wanted me to have them "since I like books". She handed them to me with some other books of my late aunt's. J had been apparently hanging onto these books since her mother's death ten years ago. For some people, that's heartbreaking. For my cousin...this is yet another example of her being a huge jerk for reasons that are beyond this book review. Each book was helpfully marked with the little--I had to look up what these were called. Post-it flag stickers. As I read both books, I realized my cousin had stuck them onto pages capriciously. J has...a history of...she uh...inflates or downplays things severely, according to her worldview and mood. My aunt had actually written no notes. She had underlined things on three pages total in the first book I read. J and me have not spoken for ten years, and only started to a few months ago. She does not know what kinds of books I like and does not care. My cousin just wanted these books off her hands and wanted to tell herself she was doing a nice thing. .
I first heard about Trixie Belden because a librarian mentioned liking her books as a kid. This was a few months ago, and we were talking about library book sales. "Oh, so like Nancy Drew, but earlier," I piped up. The librarian frowned a little.
"She sounds interesting," I assured the librarian, out of social nicety really. I'd outgrown Nancy Drew books and was uninterested in returning, as it were. Then my cousin dropped off books at my apartment. Two Trixie Belden ones and three Xtian romances from the 80s. Each heaped with the little post-it flag stickers.
I read these two Trixie Belden ones because I wanted to know more about my aunt. She would have read and enjoyed these as a kid, maybe even a teenager.
Ghostly Galleon: Three stars, fine, glad I read something new to me. I can totally understand why this was a popular series for teens back then. I did feel like I got to know my late aunt a little bit better. I'm looking forward to donating this so someone can really love it. There's some instances of trying to make fetch happen: I had no idea what the word "gleeps" was, what it meant in context, or why it was repeated.
January 5, 2018
This one was fun (and funny), but what I enjoyed most was getting to know more about Miss Trask and her family and meeting her brother. Just like the Saratoga mystery allowed us to learn more about Reagan, this one allowed us to learn more about Miss Trask. Its funny -- like Trixie et al. I never thought about their pasts, their lives outside the BWGs -- but I'm glad to know more.
March 6, 2018
A childhood favorite series. This is one of only a few that I am missing in my collection so this is the first time I've read this one. Fun.
February 2, 2022
I vaguely remembered this one. It’s was a fun mystery with a pirate backdrop. Also, we get a peek into Miss Trask’s family and background.
June 20, 2024
It was all right. It wasn’t my favorite, but other people might have different opinions on it. Totally recommend the series to people, but it was great.
October 3, 2024
It was alright.
February 5, 2013
A childhood favorite re-visited.
Is the story as good as I remember? – Yes
What ages would I recommend it too? – Ten and up.
Length? – Most of a day’s read.
Characters? – Memorable, several characters.
Setting? – Real world, pre - computer, pre - air conditioning, pre - cell phone.
Written approximately? – 1979.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? Yes. A slight mention of the time frame of the story - as the teens are given far more freedom to come and go as they please than would be safe today. Also, the absence of computers and cell phones.
Short storyline: Trixie Belden, Honey, Jim, Brian, Mart, and Diana go with Mrs. Trask on a weekend trip to visit her brother in their childhood home - an old inn. Her brother mysteriously disappears, and Trixie has to find him to save him, and the inn.
Notes for the reader: A great mystery! No violence and no murder. This was fun, as Trixie is now an avid reader and finds that her favorite author is staying at the inn, and is also the author of Mart's favorite series!
Is the story as good as I remember? – Yes
What ages would I recommend it too? – Ten and up.
Length? – Most of a day’s read.
Characters? – Memorable, several characters.
Setting? – Real world, pre - computer, pre - air conditioning, pre - cell phone.
Written approximately? – 1979.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? Yes. A slight mention of the time frame of the story - as the teens are given far more freedom to come and go as they please than would be safe today. Also, the absence of computers and cell phones.
Short storyline: Trixie Belden, Honey, Jim, Brian, Mart, and Diana go with Mrs. Trask on a weekend trip to visit her brother in their childhood home - an old inn. Her brother mysteriously disappears, and Trixie has to find him to save him, and the inn.
Notes for the reader: A great mystery! No violence and no murder. This was fun, as Trixie is now an avid reader and finds that her favorite author is staying at the inn, and is also the author of Mart's favorite series!
January 11, 2013
The Ghostly Galleon by Kathryn Kenny is a very mysterious novel that keeps the reader guessing. At the beginning of this novel, I thought I had the entire book figured out- I was wrong! I thought the ominous painting of Captain Trask covered a secret passage in the wall where he had escaped all those years ago. I, however, was proven wrong when Mr. Trask's money was found between the paintings at the end of the story.
While this surprised me, I figured most of the mysteries out sooner than the author had intended. For example, I knew how the ghostly galleon was created. I also knew that the "pirate treasure" was fake.
In addition, I felt that this book was less realistic than previous ones in the series. I mean kidnapping for a hotel- really? I highly doubt it.
So while this novel was enjoyable to read, I felt as though the writing quality was far inferior to many of her previous novels.
While this surprised me, I figured most of the mysteries out sooner than the author had intended. For example, I knew how the ghostly galleon was created. I also knew that the "pirate treasure" was fake.
In addition, I felt that this book was less realistic than previous ones in the series. I mean kidnapping for a hotel- really? I highly doubt it.
So while this novel was enjoyable to read, I felt as though the writing quality was far inferior to many of her previous novels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2007
Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, and the Hardy Boys were my mystery series of choice back in my childhood. I was so hooked on mysteries that I even tried making my own series, with covers, plots, and titles that were clearly inspired by the same formulaic methods. Anyway, I remember that this particular book was one of my favorites; I think it was more humorous than some of the others. And with the popularity of Pirates of the Caribbean, I'm sure it will be a hit with the kids.
As a side note, I found it quite convenient that Trixie Belden befriended two millionaires in the very first book (one known one, and the other an unexpected one); it provided for more exciting adventures and locales later on, I suppose.
As a side note, I found it quite convenient that Trixie Belden befriended two millionaires in the very first book (one known one, and the other an unexpected one); it provided for more exciting adventures and locales later on, I suppose.
August 9, 2016
For Christmas one year, my parents grabbed me the entire Trixie Belden set and I couldn't put them down. After I finished with them, they continued to purchase them as quickly as I could read them. Even with a learning disability, I devoured the books. I look back now and I find that Trixie Belden was much more age related to young girls, particularly to me, reading the books than Nancy Drew. There was something in these books that I found to be a greater escape than I did ND, too. I found that they weren't so "over the top" or dated. I will be doing the same thing with my granddaughters, if and when I have them, even if I have to stalk every used bookstore to get them
October 26, 2014
The Bob-Whites go with Miss Trask to visit her brother only to learn a legend of a vanishing pirate and that the family inn has become the victim of some vicious sabotage. Can Trixie figure out what is happening?
Another fun book in the series. Trixie and Mart’s fighting is worse than normal, and that does bother me. However, all seven of the Bob-Whites get to go, and the mystery is decent with some fun twists and clues along the way. A definitely must read for fans of the series.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Another fun book in the series. Trixie and Mart’s fighting is worse than normal, and that does bother me. However, all seven of the Bob-Whites get to go, and the mystery is decent with some fun twists and clues along the way. A definitely must read for fans of the series.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
October 31, 2015
Halloween reread! Fun book with the whole bobwhite gang! Miss Trask and the BWG's head to her childhood home in the Catskills. They go to solve an old mystery of the vanishing ancestor and uncover a plot to take over the inn. In the meantime Miss Trask's brother disappears. Pirates and treasure and a ghostly galleon make this the perfect read for Halloween.
April 26, 2011
A respectable later effort. Some clever ghostie(s) and their editor(s) had some meta fun with the subplot where Mart and Trixie feud over their respective preferences in juvenile serial fiction, although apparently, in the Trixie Belden universe, such books are published under the names of their main characters. Their readers, if Trixie and Mart are any indication, are highly credulous.
August 19, 2013
Again, with the Scooby Doo-type chases and traps; but the gang gets the bad guys in the end.
After mulling it over, I've decided it is indeed pretty funny to have Trixie and Mart be fans of ghost written mystery and science fiction series, and for them to meet the ghost writer. Especially in a story that takes place in an inn rumored to have a ghost!
After mulling it over, I've decided it is indeed pretty funny to have Trixie and Mart be fans of ghost written mystery and science fiction series, and for them to meet the ghost writer. Especially in a story that takes place in an inn rumored to have a ghost!
March 30, 2008
I loved Trixie Belden stories when I was growing up! I remember I used to fly through them, often spending many "late" nights under the covers with my flashlight trying to sneak in a little more reading after lights out! Every girl should read these books!
July 27, 2011
Hey! All the Bob-Whites get to go...yes, even Dan! That and the introduction of Lucy Radcliffe and Cosmo McNaught (and their author) make up for any shortcomings in the book (Trixie on PMS? Is there any other explanation?)
September 24, 2007
This was one of my favorites. I read this when I was a lot older and still found it very enjoyable. I personally thought most of it was hilarious!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews