The Riddle of the Double Ring

Judy Bolton Mysteries #10

by Margaret Sutton, Pelagie Doane (illustrator)

Judy is surprised when Arthur Farringdon-Pett slips an engagement ring, a pigeon's blood ruby, on her finger. She forces Arthur to keep the engagement secret, as she still feels torn in her feelings between Arthur and Peter and needs more time to think. Meanwhile, Lorraine Lee guesses that Arthur has proposed to Judy. Lorraine decides to try to capture the thieves who robbed a fur store in Farringdon in an attempt to prove to Arthur that she can be just like Judy. When Lorraine disappears Judy and Arthur begin a desperate search for her, with no clue as to where she has gone. Judy and Arthur fly in Arthur's plane, which crashes. Arthur is hurt, and Judy knows what must be done, if only she can locate Lorraine. Judy's search for Lorraine also leads her to the fur thieves and an exciting confrontation.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens

216 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1937

About the author

Margaret Sutton was born Rachel Irene Beebe in Odin, Pennsylvania in 1903. She was the daughter of Victor Beebe, a well-known historian, and Estella Andrews Beebe. Being a spirited nonconformist, she dropped out of high school, but in 1920, graduated from the Rochester Business Institute. After graduation, she worked for several years as a secretary and in printing. During that time, she met William Sutton at a church dance in New York City. After a courtship exchanging poems and playing chess, they were married in 1924, and she began writing stories for her husband's daughter, Dorothy. Her first Judy Bolton Mystery was published in 1932 under the pen name Margaret Sutton. Ms. Sutton wove many real events and places into the Judy Bolton stories through the 35-year history of the series. She also wrote numerous stories for children and young adults. She was also active in social causes, joining the historic March on Washington in 1964. In 1965, her husband of more than 40 years died. In 1975, after traveling extensively, she married a long-time family friend, Everett Hunting. They moved to Berkeley, California and made their home there until 1993 when they moved back to Pennsylvania. Mr. Hunting died shortly after they moved. In 2001, at the age of 98, Margaret Sutton died in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, not far from her native Potter County.

Reviews

[LuAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really about a 3 1/2 star. For someone as decisive and bold as Judy often is, I found her handling of Arthur's surprise "gift" rather puzzling and unfair to him and Peter. I did enjoy the mystery more than the previous ones and thought the logic of the mystery and conversations improved.

[Clara Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found an old copy of this book a rut a library sale recently. This is the first Judy Bolton book I have read, and I really liked it. I enjoyed getting to know Judy and had fun coming along with her as she worked on a mystery and sorted through some romance issues. I also found the quality of writing to be excellent! I would really like to read more in this series.

[Lea Beall · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot in this book hits the ground running as Judy and a friend have a disagreement, her grandfather is feeling forced into selling his beloved farm, and Judy gets trapped in a cave all before Chapter 5 of 23 chapters.
The mysterious double-ring comes later along with a fur mystery.
As usual Margaret Sutton weaves Judy's faults, strengths and social life into a believable yet fantastic story while including hints of romance.

[Mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the best Judy Bolton's in the whole series. I loved that its not all centered around a bad guy, and for the first time in the series, Judy really had to think of other people before herself. Judy actually shows some maturity. I loved seeing her grow up, and her relationships with people change.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't remember enjoying this one quite as much as the other Judy Bolton books I read when I was a child, but still a good story.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably 3.5 stars. In some ways this story is more about feelings and relationships than the mystery. Now that she has graduated from high school, Judy is feeling at a loose end, especially since the Dobbs family has moved to New York City, where Honey is taking art classes, and Peter is clerking in a law office. She isn't even interested in a mysterious theft of furs from a local store. When she calls Lorraine and Lois to suggest a picnic, Lorraine declines once she discovers Arthur is going to drive them — even when Judy isn't there it seems she is all Arthur can talk about! On their picnic Lois and Judy have an adventure, and afterwards Arthur asks Judy to marry him. But she doesn't feel like she would have expected, and begs him to keep it secret, at least for a little while. After they all return home, late, they discover that Lorraine is missing. Thus begins their search for the missing girl. Interesting. For once, though, the mystery does not even appear to have any supernatural cause.

[Anna O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

book 10
One drama after another occurs in this book. We begin with, Judy and Aurthur.. could it be true?? Could Judy finally be getting what she always hoped for, a future with Aurthur? It sure seems that way, when a lovely ring is pressed onto her finger before she can even say a word. But with the new engagement to take in, Judy worries about her friend Lorraine, who's always liked Aurthur. Judys engagement is not quite the blissful moment she had dreamt of, which causes her to wonder if she really loves Aurthur or does she love Peter? With Judys heart in the balance trying to make sense of things, thieves rob a fur store. Determined to show Aurthur she can be just like Judy, Lorraine sets off to prove her worth to Aurthur. With no clue left as to where she might have gone, Arthur and Judy are left to solve the mystery as to where she might have gone, or if she was kidnapped. Arthur gets injured while flying. Will Judy be able to find Lorraine? Will she be forced to solve the mystery on her own?

[Nancy Bandusky · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Judy Bolton mysteries -there is major development in the characters' lives with the mystery actually playing second fiddle. With Arthur and Peter present at different times, the reader is involved in Judy's decision making regarding her two male friends. The story takes the reader from the grandparents' farm to a New York City apartment. Very fast enjoyable read about familiar characters (friends).

[Emma Gallacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of twists and turns , good plot