Mystery in Wales

by Mabel Esther Allan

Four young people on a mountain-climbing holiday in Wales find themselves unexpectedly unwelcome at the farm where they plan to stay.

163 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1969

About the author

A prolific British children's author, who also wrote under the pen-names Jean Estoril, Priscilla Hagon, Anne Pilgrim, and Kathleen M. Pearcey, Mabel Esther Allan is particularly known for her school and ballet stories.

Born in 1915 at Wallasey on the Wirral Peninsula, Allan knew from an early age that she wanted to be an author, and published her first short stories in the 1930s. Her writing career was interrupted by World War II, during which time she served in the Women's Land Army and taught school in Liverpool, but the 1948 publication of The Glen Castle Mystery saw it begin to take off in earnest. Influenced by Scottish educator A.S. Neill, Allan held progressive views about education, views that often found their way into her books, particularly her school stories. She was interested in folk dance and ballet - another common subject in her work - and was a frequent traveler. She died in 1998.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I debated between giving this book 4 stars or 5 stars. It was very good, but I finally decided that it wasn't the best book I ever read. It was very suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat. Bronwen Parry couldn't wait to get back to the farm in Wales where she had visited many times in her childhood. The kind Owens, who owned the farm, were like family. So along with her brother Robert, best friend Tina and Tina's brother Andy, they backpack across Wales to the Owens' secluded farm. Their object is to climb the mountains. When they reach the Owens' farm, hungry and wet from a terrible storm, they find the old couple nervous and unfriendly. They turn away the young people and then suddenly say they can stay. Bronwen and her friends slowly discover the terrible secret the Owens are keeping and they end up being held captive. It's very suspenseful when they try to escape.

[CLM]

After an absence of four years, 18 year old Bronwen returns to her native Wales to stay with the Owens and renew her love of climbing with several friends, but unexpectedly finds herself in danger.