The Pledge of the Twin Knights

Judy Bolton Mysteries #36

by Margaret Sutton

As Judy and Honey watch the stony-faced stranger choosing between a plastic and an ivory chess set, Judy has no idea that she is making the first move in a dangerous game with cold-blooded criminals. In fact, she doesn't even realize that there is a mystery—not until twelve hours have passed and still there is no word from her father.
Why hasn't Dr. Bolton phoned? Where is he? With an emergency case? Or could the prison break have something to do with the doctor's disappearance?

Judy finds a clue concealed in one of the twin knights with which she and the sinister "Seal" have been playing a game of chess. But this clue leads only to another puzzle. Why did "Seal" fly into a rage at her innocent question? Obviously, there is more to this chess game than can be seen on the chessboard.

Peter, Honey, and Horace help Judy all they can. But it is Blackberry, Judy's strong-minded cat, who eventually shows her the secret in the barn. With this knowledge, Judy now knows how to move the pieces on the "chessboard," and in a thrilling final move, checkmates a gang of desperate criminals.

Genres: Mystery

172 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2001

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

[Nancy Bandusky · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is just something special about a Judy Bolton mystery and this one has all the favorite characters: Judy, Peter, Horace and Honey. The plot revolves around chess but the moves made involve people's lives and winning might mean living instead of dying.

[Emma Gallacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better later ones

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interest in the game of chess leads Judy to a new mystery involving her father's disappearance, and the escape of nearly a dozen prisoners. Naturally, Peter is on the case, but Judy (and Blackberry) discover vital clues. Once again coincidence and serendipity play their part. Very fast-paced, quickly read.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judy knew now that she was in the hands of a two-faced criminal who was playing a deadly game with people instead of chessmen. Mr. Mosher was only another pawn... but he was playing against two queens, Mrs. Mosher and Judy. He was also playing against a suddenly ferocious black cat.
"My black knight!" Judy thought...the next few minutes were a dim hazy confusion of flying fur, struggling men, and screaming children."

Judy and Honey join Horace’s chess club with their new friend Lorna’s encouragement. Right away we are swept into an adventure that involves 10 escaped prisoners possibly including Lorna’s wrongly convicted father, hollow chessmen, and mysterious notes. On top of that, Judy's beloved Dad, Dr. Bolton, is missing, and Horace and Honey are on the outs again with Lorna in the middle.

Judy comes up against a sinister “granite-faced man” whom Judy calls "Mr. Stone," who is part of the chess club. And it turns out that’s really his name! What are the odds? Also part of the mix is a local elected official, C.L. Sloan, who is quite probably on the take. It turns out the L. stands for Launt, as in Alden Launt. He is one of the escaped prisoners and we remember him as Honey’s work colleague who turned out to be involved in espionage and stealing government plans in The Secret Quest. Judy’s search for her missing Dad with Horace and Lorna following in her wake, leads her into some exciting adventures. It soon becomes clear that Dr. Bolton has been kidnapped in order to treat 2 of the prisoners who were wounded in the escape. Retracing her Dad’s last known steps, she has a close call with a speeding truck going in the opposite direction on her way to the Moshers who called Dr. Bolton because their baby swallowed a screw. Blackberry runs away into their locked barn, and Judy climbs a tree and jumps into an open window eventually landing on Dr. Bolton’s abandoned car. Everything comes to head at the Moshers when Mr. Stone shows up and manhandles Judy until Blackberry tears into him in the defense of his mistress. Luckily Peter shows up with his colleagues. Mr. Brown is taken into custody. Dr. Bolton is found safe and sound at the Farringdon-Pett mansion where the escaped prisoners had been hiding out. (Interestingly, Arthur has taken Lorraine away on a trip around the world because Lorraine is sick of living with his parents in the mansion. Mr. And Mrs. Farringdon-Pett the elder are conveniently away to parts unknown as well, leaving the mansion conveniently deserted.) Needless to say, Lorna’s father is exonerated, Horace gets his big story for the paper, and He and Honey have made up their differences (until the next book, probably.)

This was one of the better ones in the series with some romantic drama, tense moments, lively action, interesting characters, and the reappearance of old friends and enemies. As usual, there were some confusing aspects if one reads too closely and critically, but the strengths carry the day.

https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....

[LuAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

More exciting than most due to actual danger from actual criminals. Judy makes her amazingly correct leaps of logic, as usual. Also, as usual, she’s confused about what’s real and what’s not so that it’s a wonder she can solve mysteries. For a detective, she’s also quite loose lipped in this one. She reminds me of Curious George—she insists on taking her cat when they go to search for someone and though Blackberry runs away potentially slowing them down, he ends up helping them.

Now I’ve read the whole Judy Bolton series by Margaret Sutton except The Talking Snowman co-written with Linda Joy Singleton. I have yet to read The Mystery on Judy Lane written by Beverly Hatfield.