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Bobbsey Twins #13
The mystery of the Hindu temple
The Bobbsey twins travel to Nepal, where they become involved in investigating the theft of valuable Hindu temple treasures.
- GenresMystery
126 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 1985
About the author
Laura Lee Hope
602 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 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 19, 2020
Bobbsey (Wanderer) Book #13 The Mystery of the Hindu Temple
This is the penultimate book from the Wanderer series, and while the usual formula is in place for a lot of things, they did break from the mold in some ways.
This book opens as many do with the Bobbsey family on an airplane about to land. This time though, rather than Oklahoma, the Bobbseys are arriving in Kathmandu! (Insert Bob Segar song here)
A few things happen right away. First, the Bobbseys notice that they and another couple are the only Americans on the plane. The other couple is distinctive because the man is much shorter than the woman, and he blows his nose VERY loudly. The Bobbseys also mention that an 18-year old friend of theirs named Jeff Jennings has run away from home and is believed to be someplace in Nepal
Another thing that happens really breaks the mold of the series. Usually, the twins travel somewhere, and everyone knows them as hot tween detectives! Policeman are eager for their advice, and random people recognise them. This time, they are greeted with scorn and anger as soon as they get off the plane! "American swine!" people yell at them at the airport. Mr Bobbsey has a business contact named Mr Manadhar meets them and explains that there has been a rash of thefts of valuable religious statues from temples and Americans are implicated. So, the people have suspicions and ill feelings towards Americans. This scares the kids a bit, but Mr Bobbsey and Mr Manadhar reassure them. Also, the family has to undergo a fairly extensive search at customs by sober looking officials that are searching every American who enters the country! Freddie wonders if the other American couple has to put up with this, but is told by the customs officers that there were no other Americans on the plane! After they leave the airport, they see a Nepalese couple that fit the description of the Americans in everything but their skin colour and dress.
Mr Manadhar has a son named Mohan and a daughter named Lakshimi. They, along with their friend Dorje offer to show the twins around. There is much walking, and the book gives a pretty neat overview of Nepal (I have no idea how accurate it is because I've never been there)
When the twins remark on how good the English is of their new friends, they are told that they have an older American friend who has been teaching them. Freddie (he still is quite the photographer in this book too) shows a picture of Jeff, and the Nepalese kids confirm that this is indeed Jeff (who goes by the name of Randy). They visit his house, but he isn't there (and hasn't been for some time) At another time at the hotel, they see an American couple, and a young man with a beard. Freddie snaps a picture, and it's Jeff and the couple from the plane!
I know it's only a story, but with the anti-American sentiment, I'm surprised Mr and Mrs Bobbsey so eagerly let the twins wander around. Although, they really aren't a target-it is explained later that adults are the ones who have the ire of the people, but since children are so loved, the folk don't bother or harass the twins.
And while I am digressing, let me say a word about the illustrations. A new artist (who was actually never used again) draws the pictures in this book, and I really like them! Although Nan has never looked more '80s with her perm and dark features! I've NEVER seen Nan drawn this way before, and I wonder if he modeled her after someone he knows in real life (I know how the modeling worked in the New Bobbsey Twins series, but I no nothing about the Wanderer artwork)
Anyway, the twins visit several temples, and see a Nepalese couple that fit the description of the American couple. They sneakily get close enough to hear them plotting to steal more temple statues and also hear that they are looking for Randy to drive their getaway car again! The twins are saddened that their friend is a crook, but Freddie staunchly believes that Randy is innocent.
Here we have another departing plot point from the series. The twins go to the police with what they know and instead of being exalted and petted by the cops (ok, I am being snarky, but usually the police act like they are totally inept without the Bobbseys to guide them, and are always so grateful), the police laugh in their face and throw them out! **Except one young officer who gives them sympathetic looks**
Realising that they will have to catch the thieves in the act, and also knowing how much they stand out as white children in Nepal, the twins split up with Nan, Freddie and Lakshimi going to some places that they know Jeff likes to frequent (like the library where they actually do find him hiding), and Bert, Flossie joining Mohan scouting the temples after going in Blackface!!! **No, I'm not kidding about that** In all fairness, this book is not trying to put down minority races, or anything, but it is a bit awkward how they have the White Bobbseys paint their skin dark with walnut (although I will say that the illustration of Flossie in traditional garb is cute). What's even more odd is how a real Nepalese girl sees Flossie and is surprised by her blue eyes, but believes her to be from a different district (so the painted skin actually fools her!)
Anyway, this half of the twins are spotted by the thieves as they are stealing a statue, but in the meantime, Freddie and Nan have amassed an army of children and they surround the thieves until the young policeman (who has been following them) arrests the thieves.
And what of Jeff? Well, he ran away from home so he could start a life of crime elsewhere and he was the leader of the gang! It was hard on the twins to turn him in, but they did their duty and Freddie was able to get a last photo of his old friend as the cops snapped cuffs on him!
Haha-I'm kidding (There's no way these books would get that dark). Jeff was actually working as a chauffeur and was hired as a driver by the crooks on his first job, and then bullied and blackmailed into silence and into working other jobs (The crooks made sure that he was the only one identified at the first job, so his word would not be believed)
The book ends with the Bobbseys meeting the King and Queen of Nepal who personally extend their congratulations to them, Dorje, and the Mandadhar children.
Overall, this was an interesting addition to the series that I really enjoyed. I did mention the "Blackface" scene, but I honestly think the book did not mean it as belittling in any way. Actually, though, the thieves (the American couple) disguised as Nepalese makes more sense to me, because I think you actually can disguise yourself as another race with real makeup and forethought-I think it was just awkward, because the twins just rub a bit of dark walnut and presto! No one can tell the difference! I mean in the artwork at least, while Flossie is wearing a head covering, her blond curls still poke out! I guess that's just artistic license, but still, it's awkward
Despite this, I give this book an 8 out of 10
Sean
This is the penultimate book from the Wanderer series, and while the usual formula is in place for a lot of things, they did break from the mold in some ways.
This book opens as many do with the Bobbsey family on an airplane about to land. This time though, rather than Oklahoma, the Bobbseys are arriving in Kathmandu! (Insert Bob Segar song here)
A few things happen right away. First, the Bobbseys notice that they and another couple are the only Americans on the plane. The other couple is distinctive because the man is much shorter than the woman, and he blows his nose VERY loudly. The Bobbseys also mention that an 18-year old friend of theirs named Jeff Jennings has run away from home and is believed to be someplace in Nepal
Another thing that happens really breaks the mold of the series. Usually, the twins travel somewhere, and everyone knows them as hot tween detectives! Policeman are eager for their advice, and random people recognise them. This time, they are greeted with scorn and anger as soon as they get off the plane! "American swine!" people yell at them at the airport. Mr Bobbsey has a business contact named Mr Manadhar meets them and explains that there has been a rash of thefts of valuable religious statues from temples and Americans are implicated. So, the people have suspicions and ill feelings towards Americans. This scares the kids a bit, but Mr Bobbsey and Mr Manadhar reassure them. Also, the family has to undergo a fairly extensive search at customs by sober looking officials that are searching every American who enters the country! Freddie wonders if the other American couple has to put up with this, but is told by the customs officers that there were no other Americans on the plane! After they leave the airport, they see a Nepalese couple that fit the description of the Americans in everything but their skin colour and dress.
Mr Manadhar has a son named Mohan and a daughter named Lakshimi. They, along with their friend Dorje offer to show the twins around. There is much walking, and the book gives a pretty neat overview of Nepal (I have no idea how accurate it is because I've never been there)
When the twins remark on how good the English is of their new friends, they are told that they have an older American friend who has been teaching them. Freddie (he still is quite the photographer in this book too) shows a picture of Jeff, and the Nepalese kids confirm that this is indeed Jeff (who goes by the name of Randy). They visit his house, but he isn't there (and hasn't been for some time) At another time at the hotel, they see an American couple, and a young man with a beard. Freddie snaps a picture, and it's Jeff and the couple from the plane!
I know it's only a story, but with the anti-American sentiment, I'm surprised Mr and Mrs Bobbsey so eagerly let the twins wander around. Although, they really aren't a target-it is explained later that adults are the ones who have the ire of the people, but since children are so loved, the folk don't bother or harass the twins.
And while I am digressing, let me say a word about the illustrations. A new artist (who was actually never used again) draws the pictures in this book, and I really like them! Although Nan has never looked more '80s with her perm and dark features! I've NEVER seen Nan drawn this way before, and I wonder if he modeled her after someone he knows in real life (I know how the modeling worked in the New Bobbsey Twins series, but I no nothing about the Wanderer artwork)
Anyway, the twins visit several temples, and see a Nepalese couple that fit the description of the American couple. They sneakily get close enough to hear them plotting to steal more temple statues and also hear that they are looking for Randy to drive their getaway car again! The twins are saddened that their friend is a crook, but Freddie staunchly believes that Randy is innocent.
Here we have another departing plot point from the series. The twins go to the police with what they know and instead of being exalted and petted by the cops (ok, I am being snarky, but usually the police act like they are totally inept without the Bobbseys to guide them, and are always so grateful), the police laugh in their face and throw them out! **Except one young officer who gives them sympathetic looks**
Realising that they will have to catch the thieves in the act, and also knowing how much they stand out as white children in Nepal, the twins split up with Nan, Freddie and Lakshimi going to some places that they know Jeff likes to frequent (like the library where they actually do find him hiding), and Bert, Flossie joining Mohan scouting the temples after going in Blackface!!! **No, I'm not kidding about that** In all fairness, this book is not trying to put down minority races, or anything, but it is a bit awkward how they have the White Bobbseys paint their skin dark with walnut (although I will say that the illustration of Flossie in traditional garb is cute). What's even more odd is how a real Nepalese girl sees Flossie and is surprised by her blue eyes, but believes her to be from a different district (so the painted skin actually fools her!)
Anyway, this half of the twins are spotted by the thieves as they are stealing a statue, but in the meantime, Freddie and Nan have amassed an army of children and they surround the thieves until the young policeman (who has been following them) arrests the thieves.
And what of Jeff? Well, he ran away from home so he could start a life of crime elsewhere and he was the leader of the gang! It was hard on the twins to turn him in, but they did their duty and Freddie was able to get a last photo of his old friend as the cops snapped cuffs on him!
Haha-I'm kidding (There's no way these books would get that dark). Jeff was actually working as a chauffeur and was hired as a driver by the crooks on his first job, and then bullied and blackmailed into silence and into working other jobs (The crooks made sure that he was the only one identified at the first job, so his word would not be believed)
The book ends with the Bobbseys meeting the King and Queen of Nepal who personally extend their congratulations to them, Dorje, and the Mandadhar children.
Overall, this was an interesting addition to the series that I really enjoyed. I did mention the "Blackface" scene, but I honestly think the book did not mean it as belittling in any way. Actually, though, the thieves (the American couple) disguised as Nepalese makes more sense to me, because I think you actually can disguise yourself as another race with real makeup and forethought-I think it was just awkward, because the twins just rub a bit of dark walnut and presto! No one can tell the difference! I mean in the artwork at least, while Flossie is wearing a head covering, her blond curls still poke out! I guess that's just artistic license, but still, it's awkward
Despite this, I give this book an 8 out of 10
Sean
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2026
Now why exactly would Mr. Richard Bobbsey of Lakeport USA have his lumberyard hired to do jobs that required native Himalayan timber? This book tries to introduce readers to a different culture, but the case feels badly planned -- the twins never really follow leads as they try to prove a friend innocent, they just visit the same spots fruitlessly over and over again, and hear about more and more temple robberies, until luck smiles on them. Repetitive.
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October 11, 2007Hope, Laura, Lee PB
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews