Mystery at Shadow Pond

by Mary C. Jane

Set on a remote farm, near a mountain and pond. Fearing the loss of their farm, the family is also being menaced by strangers coming around their home and searching for old letters that might be very valuable. If the family finds them first, the letters might make them enough money so they won't have to sell their property and lose their beloved horse.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Childrens Mystery, Fiction, Adventure

124 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

Reviews

[Katt Hansen]

I love the old mysteries by Mary C. Jane. She wrote quite a few back half a century ago (has it really been that long) that I find engaging and interesting still today. I read quite a few of these as a child, and just now rediscovered her when going through some old things in a box. I'm so glad I took a moment to read this one. It has all the great elements of a mystery - horses, lots of books, and a robot. Yep, can't get any better than that. The characters felt real and I was disappointed when the book ended as I wanted to know what kinds of adventures they would have next.

I can't recommend these enough!

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library)]

A bit of old-school fun.

[Brian Merrill]

Mary C. Jane was a Maine author who wrote mysteries for kids. Mystery at Shadow Pond is the second of her books I have read (Mystery of the red Carnation was the other) and I am quickly becoming a fan. Written in simple kid language, they are set in Maine during the 50's, a simpler time and place. I thoroughly enjoyed Mystery at Shadow Pond and look forward to trying to locate other Mary C. Jane books.

[Kathryn Hoskins]

I read this garage sale find book before giving it to my grandsons. It was a fast moving story with the characters nicely developed. The author weaves a message of virtues in the story: helping others, perseverance, honesty, selflessly serving others. I recommend it for upper elementary and middle school aged children.

[Dina]

Such an awesome book! I recently "discovered" this author even though these stories were written long ago. Such great stories and this one is my favorite of the ones I've read.

[Luisa Knight]

This is a great one with a couple of good moral lessons tucked in!

The main character loves to read and there’s a few nods to Heidi and Silas Marner, which are fun.

A good yarn for June, the same month the book takes place.

Ages: 8 - 14

Content Considerations: gosh, gee and heck are used a couple of times. A girl makes an annoyed comment about boys.

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[Patty]

I love this book, in part because I read it as a 4th grader and it started a love of mystery books.

The book still stands up to time with the minor exception that the children are able to do a lot of things that kids now probably wouldn't be-such as being gone all day without checking in with a parent.

[Karen Jenkins]

I bought this book from Scholastic in 4th grade-loved mysteries even then. Rereading it now makes me realize how much more substantial the plots were, compared to what I see being offered these days for the same age group.

[Carolynn England]

cute little story. good for a quick read if you're trying to fill a gap

[Sarah Gallini]

Fun kids summertime mystery with great illustrations.

[Cassandra]

When I was about 7 I found this book terrifying. Now I can barely spot the scary bits!

[Ron Kastner]

a fun read; wish i had seen it when i was a child.

[Abigail]

I enjoyed this one a lot. Clean, good suspense, creative kids, and the author made sure to tie up all the loose ends.

[Tom]

One of my many favorite books as a kid. Great kids book with a lot of action, a mystery, and great message about the joy of reading books. Plus, a homemade robot to boot.🤖

[Donna]

Challenges: May 2020 - 27/31 books; Middle Grade May (10th book); Steeped in Books/TBR Jar 2020 - Stack Fifteen/Book 4. A charming story of two siblings and friends trying to solve a mystery around their grandfather who has left a legacy for the family and who inspired his granddaughter to seek answers about a local lonely man in the book Silas Marner. Another wonderful little mystery by Jane. Enjoying these immensely.

[Stephanie]

Very cute children's mystery. Has a touching backstory to go along with the mystery. Nice ending.
I enjoyed this as an adult.

[James]

Transports you back to younger days when mysteries were everywhere and you could solve them all with help from friends and family.