Saturday, April 25, 2009

Kat Tracey The Message in the Sand Dunes



This Kay Tracey book was written by by Mildred A. Wirt Benson under the pen name of Frances K. Judd.

Half way through reading this book I thought that it was not as full of coincidences like the last one I read and therefore the story flowed well and Kay came across more as a detective.


Even though the story in part was about finding buried treasure the premise of the story wasn't as far fetched as some previous Kay Tracey's I have read.

Really enjoyed the holiday at the beach aspect and having new characters as apposed to the old school rivalry.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Kay Tracey In the Sunken Garden


I read a 80's reprint of this Kay Tracey Mystery. This was a story about a girl that looks so much like Kay Tracey that she is mistaken for Kay and Kay is mistaken for her. I'm not personally a fan of this type of story (the exception being "Beverly Gray's Journey" which I loved.
Yes they say everyone has a double but even with the Internet now who has found one? This story left so many questions open. Is Kay now going to be mistaken constantly for this girl considering her mother lives nearby? This story was built largely on coincidences rather than detective work, in fact the first chance that Kay got to do any serious detective work she decided she was late for diner and better go home instead (would Beverly or Nancy ever do this?) Overall despite the staory issues I got through this book real quick which means it interesgted me enough to keep picking it up to read over doing other things.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Trixie Belden The Gatehouse Mystery

3. The Gatehouse Mystery (1951)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham

Trixie and Honey find a diamond and are on the trail of diamond thieves if only they can find the proof.
Although Trixie's brothers Brian and Mart are referred to in the first two books, (they are away from home working at a Summer Camp) this is the first book that brings Trixie's older brothers into the story. Together Trixie, Brian, Mart, Honey, & Jim form the club "The Bob - Whites of Glen." which the series becomes known for. This is the start of The Bob Whites which was a great concept. Rating:****

Trixie Belden The Mysterious Visitor

4. The Mysterious Visitor (1954)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham
Rich School Classmate Diana Lynch becomes the sixth member of "The Bob - Whites of Glen." Diana's 'long lost' Uncle returns and Trixie is convinced he is an impostor after the family fortunes but has to find proof.
Diana's inclusion is a good contrast to the other 2 girls in the series. She is quieter, less confident yet seen as the beauty of the girls.
An absorbing story and well written. Rating:****

Trixie Belden The Black Jacket Mystery

8. The Black Jacket Mystery (1961)
Author: ? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny

This book introduces the last member to join and the most infrequently seen "Bob White' Dan Mangan.
The mystery in this surrounds theft and Dan appears to be the main suspect.
I didn't like the idea of Dan as a character in this one (I take it was like a James Dean edgy character they were looking to add to the goody goody Bob White Gang but in this story he lacked something.) Not the best from the series and not the worse. The Dan character though often underutilised in the series ended up being a good edition in the long run. Rating:***

Trixie Belden The Happy Valley Mystery

9. The Happy Valley Mystery (1962)
Author: Nicolete Meredith Stack a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Trixie, & Bob White's minus Dan spend two weeks on Trixie's Uncle's Sheep Farm in Iowa. The mystery involves tracking down stolen sheep but this time Trixie nearly manages to get herself and her friends Jim & Honey killed.
This book also looks closely at Jim & Trixie's relationship with rival love interests creating jealousy. In the end Jim gives Trixie a gift showing he is interested in her. A good read and a plus for Jim and Trixie fans. Rating:***1/2

Trixie Belden The Mystery at Bob - White Caves

11. The Mystery at Bob - White Caves (1963)
Author: ? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Trixie Belden and The Bob Whites are visiting another relative of Trixie's for a holiday. This time they go caving in an attempt to find rare fish in order to claim a $500 reward.

I have been caving and I thought that this story lacked some of the excitement that is a part of caving. I definitely thought it could of been more mysterious and intriguing.

Well written though missing the exciting flair of The Marshland Mystery the Trixie Belden story that came before it in the series. Rating:***

Trixie Belden The Mystery on Cobbett's Island

13. The Mystery on Cobbett's Island (1964)
Author: Virginia Mc Donnell a.k.a Kathryn Kenny

Trixie and the Bob Whites are holidaying on Cobbett's Island when Trixie comes across a mysterious letter. It isn't long until the gang are in search of hidden treasure. But it seems they aren't alone.
A number of the books early in the series has Trixie and The Bob Whites on holidays, this is one of those times. Its a good story but follows The Mystery of the Blinking Eye in the series which also was a holiday story and Cobbett's Island would pale in comparison to the Blinking Eye. Rating:***

Trixie Belden The Secret of the Unseen Treasure

19. The Secret of the Unseen Treasure (1977)
Author: Carl Henry Rathjen a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Based on the disappearance of cheques in the mail this isn't a bad book. I was reading the Beverly Gray books at the same time though and this book didn't grab me enough to finish reading it first over 2 other books however Ratings ***

Trixie Belden The Mystery of the Phantom Grasshopper

18. The Mystery of the Phantom Grasshopper (1977)
Author: ? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny

In book 18 we learn that both Trixie and her mother before her say Hello to Hoppy the Grasshopper Weather Vaine whenever they pass him on top of Town Hall. The mystery involves the disappearance of Hoppy. The title of the book sounds intriguing but the book although it flows nicely and has drama to the mystery never really has anything in it that stands out to make it one of the favourite from the series. Ratings ***

Trixie Belden - The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest

17. The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest (1977)
Author: Gladys Baker Bond a.k.a Kathryn Kenny

This book didn't seem as "70's" as its predecessor. It was great to have a cousin of Trixie's that was presented as being so similar. For myself I didn't find Hallie any more "Trixie like" than any other of the Belden relatives. The story however was a good one and was well paced.
Trixie is back to her non perfect self and the wedding is a continuation of the story from ""The Mystery of the Missing Heiress." The differences in writing style from this book and the one before it make it clear to the read that Kathryn Kenny is a pseudonym for a variety of authors where the first two in the series, both written by original author Julie Campbell Tatham flow better together, that said, an enjoyable read. Ratings ***1/2

Trixie Belden - The Mystery of the Missing Heiress

16. The Mystery of the Missing Heiress (1970)
Author: Nicolete Meredith Stack a.k.a Kathryn Kenny

This is the first Trixie Belden book to be on home soil in some time. Trixie's entire family including Reddy the dog star in what would be probably the most predictable mystery to date (In fact one has to wonder why did it take Trixie so long to figure this one out?) The new era of the 70's is fazed into the mix with a change in language (except for the Trixieism's like Jeepers! and Gleeps! which are possibly overused for the first time. ) and even a station wagon for the crew.

This story even manages to bring back some of the Bob White's old villainous foes. Although it is predictable and the era change is noticeable in an unfamiliar way in the words it is still an entertaining read. The main story centers on a girl with amnesia and with Trixie trying to find out who she really is and why someone is trying to kill her. On a positive note all Bob Whites are present and accounted for in this story. It possibilly would of rated higher if I didn't read it straight after some of the best Trixie books to read in the series. Ratings ** 1/2

Trixie Belden - The Mystery on The Mississippi

15. The Mystery on The Mississippi (1965)
Author: Nicolete Meredith Stack a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
The book is fast paced with an adventure full of danger. Di is notably absent with an explanation she is holidaying for a month with her family. For the rest of The Bob Whites it's off to St Louis to see the sites including the old steamboats and the zoo.

Up to this point one would wonder what Trixie fans were talking about when they argue that Trixie is more suited to Dan as a partner than Jim. This is the first time since Dan's inclusion in The Bob Whites that he and Trixie are seen as having a lot in common. Dan who wants to be a policeman when he finishes school looks at a mystery in a similar way to Trixie where Jim is shown more as a Trixie supporter that rephrases his words to show his support where necessary. The author did the relationship between Jim and Trixie no favours here. The book makes you want to visit St Lois Zoo and go on the Mississippi River on a Steamboat which is what you want a good novel to do. Ratings: *****

Trixie Belden - The Mystery of the Emeralds

14. The Mystery of the Emeralds (1965)
Author: Virginia Mc Donnell a.k.a Kathryn Kenny

Yet another holiday for the Bob Whites minus Dan who gets left out once again. This time the group go to Williamsburg, Virginia to follow up on a lead found in a mysterious old letter about a hidden emerald necklace from the Civil War Era.

Jim is at Trixie's side for most of the major dangerous parts in this story which is a plus for fans of their relationship. Ratings: ****

Trixie Belden - The Mystery of the Blinking Eye

12. The Mystery of the Blinking Eye (1963)
Author:? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Trixie and the whole of The Bob Whites are in New York for the holidays. Staying at Honey's parents New York Apartment they show the local sites to Ned, Bob and Barbara from Iowa. (Characters from The Happy Valley Mystery) Dangerous thieves are following Trixie everywhere she goes and it seems the poem that Trixie received from a Mexican fortune teller seems to be coming true.

One of the best Trixie books and the first one to give Dan something to say and do since his inclusion in the Bob Whites in The Black Jacket Mystery. A real plus for Dan fans.
Loved the idea of Trixie having a poem she at times needed to decipher. Rating:*****

Trixie Belden - The Mystery off Glen Road

5. The Mystery off Glen Road (1956)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham

"The Bob - Whites of Glen." need to repair their clubhouse after a bad storm and take jobs to earn the money.
This book threw me when I read it, without giving the ending away there is no real mystery, it's more a case of the sleuths Trixie and Honey 'out- sleuthing' themselves. This probably shows its age as I feel that notion was used a lot more in the 1940's and 1950's than in a modern day novel. A harder book to get through then all previous in the series. Rating:***

Trixie Belden - The Marshland Mystery

10. The Marshland Mystery (1962)
Author: unknown a.k.a Kathryn Kenny

An excellent adventure that gets off to a great start. Trixie & Honey are trying to gain extra credit in biology class by collecting specimens at the local marsh.

Two stories are entwined into the one book, one of the best written. This would have to be my favourite Trixie Belden that I have read. ( I am currently up to book 22 which I interrupted to begin the Beverly Gray Series which would have to be my ultimate favourite series.)
The Marshland Mystery features all Bob Whites except Dan who is only briefly mentioned. Rating:*****

Trixie Belden - The Mysterious Code

7. Trixie Belden - The Mysterious Code (1961) Author: Nicolete Meredith Stack a.k.a Kathryn Kenny

Due to vandalism Trixie's school "Sleepyside High" bans all clubs and gangs. Trixie and "The Bob - Whites of Glen" decide to hold an Antiques show and raise money for UNICEF to show the school that "some" clubs do good work for the community and should be kept. Unfortunately for Trixie the valuable Antiques on show also attracts some thieves.
The first book written by another author does have some inconsistencies with things we have already learnt about Trixie and her friends from the previous books but overall this is a great read.
The charity aspect of the Bob Whites becomes stronger and stronger in the series and this novel is a good example of this.
I liked their being a mysterious code but wished more was done with it in the story.
Rating:****

Trixie Belden - The Mystery in Arizona

6. The Mystery in Arizona (1958) Author: Julie Campbell Tatham

"The Bob - Whites of Glen." are invited to spend Christmas holiday's at Diana Lynch's Uncles "Dude Ranch." in Tucson, Arizona. On arrival they find that most of the staff have disappeared and they volunteer to work on the ranch to help out Di's Uncle.


The first few chapters are rich in information on Arizona and American Indians rather than being focused on a mystery and for mystery lovers they may find it like a history lesson they don't need. There is mention in the end of the book how Sally, Bob & Billy would make good "Bob - Whites" when they find out they live near them back home but as this is the last book that Julie Campbell wrote there was no follow through with these characters. Rating:***1/2

Trixie Belden - The Red Trailer Mystery

2. The Red Trailer Mystery (1950) Author: Julie Campbell Tatham
Trixie Belden and Honey Wheeler set out on a road trip in a large Motor home in search of runaway Jim Frayne in the process the girls solve a crime.
This is the first Trixie Belden book I read as a child (even though it is a continuation of the first book there is enough explanation of events to read it on its own.) The early books start to establish a girlfriend/ boyfriend relationship between Trixie and Jim Frayne which is one of the aspects that I liked about the series which unfortunately they downplayed in books that were written in the 1970's due to the change in society changes.
One of the best Trixie books in the series. Rating:*****

Trixie Belden - The Secret Mansion

1. The Secret Mansion: (1948) Author: Julie Campbell Tatham

I grew up reading the Famous Five series and being a big fan of them. I read one Trixie Belden book which my sister owned when I was young. The book I read was The Red Trailer Mystery which was book 2 from the Trixie Belden Series. Of all the books in the series The Red Trailer Mystery was one that was a part 2 book and The Part 1 was The Secret Mansion.

As an Adult my interest in teen mystery series was really built on the strength of the early Trixie Belden books. That said .......

The first book in the series, Trixie Belden is a thirteen year old tomboy who lives on Crabapple Farm, New York. The story starts with the large Manor House next door seeing the arrival of new neighbors including a rich girl of Trixie's age, Honey Wheeler. The pair fast become friends and discover a runaway Jim Frayne.
The book is a classic and shows why the series became so popular. The first book reads even better when reading the second straight after due to the strong conjunction of the story. Rating:*****

Friday, April 3, 2009

Hazed - The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers

Released in 2007 Hazed was the 14th released novel in The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers Series that began in 2005.
I have to say I struggled with interest in this book from very early on. This series uses a writing style that utilises first person narrative, distinctly different from the Classic Hardy Boys Books writing style. Frank and Joe alternate narrating with the heading saying "Frank" or "Joe".
I must say I don't feel the writing style is suitable for a book with two main characters instead of one main character. For a book that is about two brothers the opinion and viewpoint lacked the consistency and warmth of one viewpoint.
The story was set at Eagle River Academy, and The Hardy Boys are working undercover to investigate the death of a student.
Definately not of the class, style or interest of books from the Original Hardy Boys Series unfortunately.

Beverly Gray's Assignment

Set in New Orleans Beverly Gray goes in search of rival reporter Kay who has gone missing. Beverly is accompanied by girlfriend Lenora.

This is a good stand alone story as a lot of the ones from this era (Assignment is from 1947) to read:
15. Beverly Gray's Challenge, 1945
16. Beverly Gray's Journey, 1946
17. Beverly Gray's Assignment, 1947 and
18. Beverly Gray's Mystery, 1948
are all easy reads for people that have never read any of the others from the series.

Kay at this stage in the series isn't so much the major character that the book portrays her as, though as the Beverly Gray Mystery Series has so many minor characters and Beverly has so many friends it is often the case that a story becomes of someone we have heard of once or twice before.

Beverly Gray's Fortune

Beverly Gray and her fiancee Larry Owens spend time fighting during this book in the series and Beverly suffers a broken engagement.

I wouldn't consider this or any of the Susabella World Cruise books as the best choice of books to read first as Beverly has her friends with her and it can be harder to follow names and attributes when they are all together and you are new to the characters.

That said this is a great story and again Lenora accompanies Beverly for most of her adventure.

At times during the series I think that Larry Owens isn't the best suitor for Beverly. Part of the reason is that he is often around Beverly for only a day and has itchy feet to leave on his next adventure in some of the books. In this particular case it is probably more the problem he has with Beverly's success and the fact that Beverly is portrayed as the modern career woman, striving for success as a Reporter, Author and Playwright.

Beverly Gray Senior

A great final year for the Alpha Deltas as a movie is being filmed on campus and Shirley becomes the star.

Beverly Gray is given a personal struggle of trying to live up to the expectations of all her commitments, showing the modern day woman (of 1943) needing to learn that at times she needs to say no to others in order to still have some time for herslef and her own needs.

An enjoyable read to the end of College years.

Beverly Gray Junior

The theme of gypsies seems to date this book more to an era than its predecessor Beverly Gray Sophomore (Beverly Gray Junior was also written in 1934.) That said the book is still a very enjoyable read as are all Beverly Gray books I've read so far but I would say that Sophomore was the more enjoyable of the two.

Beverly shows her independance and a desire for more in life when she rejects Larry's marirage proposal and a love triangle is formed as both Larry and Jim rescue Beverly together, aware of each others common interest.

Beverly Gray Sophomore

This is the second book in the Beverly Gray series. Like the other first four books during the college years the stories run year to year as opposed to mystery to mystery.

For a reader that is use to a story that finishes with the unraveling of the major mystery a Beverly Gray book can be a bit daunting when the mystery is solved before the book is half way. This book is one such book. In true soap opera fashion however Beverly stumbles straight into more adventurous situations.

For Beverly Gray fans this is the first book to introduce Larry Owens, Beverly's romantic interest of the series and Charlie Blaine, Beverly's future boss.

The book is fast paced and still holds a modern appeal even though it was written in 1934.

Beverly Gray Freshman

"Freshman" is different from the other Beverly Gray books in that the first book of the series does not contain any mysteries, the very thing that the Beverly Gray Series became known for.

“Freshman” does have adventure (Beverly goes missing and is held prisoner – what is to become a favourite theme of what to do with our heroine) and the book builds strong character profiles and relationships for the future books of the series.The emphasis is on Beverly’s college life and this is one of the few books we get to see a glimpse of her life and her friendships pre- college years.

Interesting to note Beverly’s father states he does not think Beverly is that into Jim Stanton, which is probably our first indication that another suitor will turn up for Beverly Gray sooner or later in the series.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Kay Tracey The Green Cameo Mystery

I have a few Kay Tracey Mysteries on the shelf and this is the first I decided to have a read of for 2 reasons. 1. I was traveling on a train so wanted a paperback that would fit into my bag easy and 2. I love Cameos.
That said a mystery involving a dodgy Medium that can hypnotise people, this was a great book to start with.

I was quickly introduced to the Family. Kay lives with her mother who is a widow and her cousin Bill, who is a lawyer.
Kay friends are the Worth twins Betty and Wendy which are both in the story as well as a male friend Ronald and a school nemesis Chris.
The medium subplot was so interesting I had forgotten about the original mystery that Kay had set out to solve. This made the ending a bot harder for me to read as the story shifted back to the main mystery focus rather than the Medium storyline.
School nemesis Chris was a good character to add to the mix as she caused some havoc and brought the school element back into the story.
Overall a good read.

Nancy Drew The Clue in the Old Stagecoach


I read the Whispering Statue from the Nancy Drew series when I was young and I was interested to see how I would enjoy this book considering I am a huge fan of the Nancy Drew PC Games and Nintendo DS games on her. I was also a fan of the Nancy Drew TV Series with Pamela Sue Martin and saw the more recent Nancy Drew movie and enjoyed it.


I was curious to see that Ned was actually a boyfriend who was in college (why on earth did they make him this annoying geek in the Pamela Sue Martin TV Series version that followed Nancy around like an annoying pain, what a waste!


Interesting also was the fact that they gave Nancy another possible love interest when Ned wasn't around in this story.


This book is from 1960.

Beverly Gray's Quest


It's cover artwork like this that makes me wish that someone had created lovely artwork for this book series. This is amongst the worse.

Non appealing cover beside this is a great book for those that love the travel exploits of Beverly as she travels across America by car with Shirley and Lenora and then heads overseas to find Larry. And of course I couldn't forget that Beverly and co are captured by a head shrinking tribe in the middle of the Jungle.

This is the first book in which Michael McKay appears.

Beverly Gray's Journey

Number 16 in the Beverly Gray Mystery Series, Beverly Gray's Journey always intrigued me to read and I always imagined I would love it.
I'm happy to say this book didn't disappoint, I couldn't put it down and I got through this book real quickly.
Although the story is very far fetched with the story centering on there being a girl who with the aid of a dye job on her hair is now passing herself off as Beverly Gray, (even to the point that she tries to fool Beverly's fiance Larry also.)
The soap opera comparisons to this book to what you would expect to see on TV on Days of Our Lives is great. The fact that it was written in 1946 amazing. The author Clair Blank was definitely one talented lady.
Another factor that I enjoyed in reading this book was that it gives you a lot more information about Beverly's Family as it discusses how Beverly's Grandmother ran away from her home in England to live in the United States.
For Lenora Whitehill fans this book is a must to read as Michael McKay admits his feelings to Lenora as he asks her if she is going to marry British Airforce Pilot Terry. Lenora states that she isn;t in love with Terry.
I must say I think I am a bigger Michael then Terry fan here as the two love rivals try to grab Lenora's attention.
The Beverly Gray Series titles are:
1. *Beverly Gray, Freshman 1934
2. *Beverly Gray, Sophomore 1934
3. *Beverly Gray, Junior 1934
4. *Beverly Gray, Senior 1934
5. *Beverly Gray's Career 1935
6. *Beverly Gray at the World's Fair 1935
7. *Beverly Gray on a World Cruise 1936
8. *Beverly Gray in the Orient 1937
9. *Beverly Gray on a Treasure Hunt 1938
10. *Beverly Gray's Return 1939
11. *Beverly Gray, Reporter 1940
12. Beverly Gray's Romance 1941
13. *Beverly Gray's Quest 1942
14. *Beverly Gray's Problem 1943
15. *Beverly Gray's Adventure 1944
16. *Beverly Gray's Challenge 1945
17. *Beverly Gray's Journey 1946
18. *Beverly Gray's Assignment 1947
19. *Beverly Gray's Mystery 1948
20. *Beverly Gray's Vacation 1949
21. *Beverly Gray's Fortune 1950
22. *Beverly Gray's Secret 1951
23. *Beverly Gray's Island Mystery 1952
24. *Beverly Gray's Discovery 1953
25. *Beverly Gray's Scoop 1954
26. *Beverly Gray's Surprise 1955

Dana Girls The Witch's Omen Review


The first Dana Girls book I had ever read and the last one of the revised series written which began in 1972. The Witch's Omen was written in 1979 and was book 17 in the revised series.
The first chapter I wasn't hooked due to the fact the writing style had been so different from what I had been reading lately (Beverly Gray Mysteries of the 1940's and 1950's.) After a few chapters I was more interested and started to really enjoy the idea of reading other Dana Girls books.
As a mystery goes I struggled with the portral of the policeforce in the story who seemed to be on beck and call to accompany the Dana Girls for whatever the Dana girls wanted. The ending to the story was also a bit disappointing and I felt it was a cop out (pun intended for those that have read the book)
Several different characters through the book gave their philosphical / historical quotes from famous people but as they were stated out of the blue from different characters as opposed to just being a trait from one character in the story they came across as forced and quite self indulgent on the authors part and therefore lacked true impact or possible humour if they had been a part of one characters way of communicating with others.
That said I was left very interested to read more in the series especially some of the early ones in the series.

The revised series from 1972 was:
1. Mystery of the Stone Tiger 1972
2. *The Riddle of the Frozen Fountain 1972
3. *The Secret of the Silver Dolphin 1972
4. *Mystery of the Wax Queen 1972
5. The Secret of the Minstrel's Guitar 1972
6. The Phantom Surfer 1972
7. *The Secret of the Swiss Chalet 1973
8. The Haunted Lagoon 1973
9. Mystery of the Bamboo Bird 1973
10. *The Sierra Gold Mystery 1973
11. The Secret of Lost Lake 1974
12. The Winking Ruby Mystery 1974
13. The Ghosts in the Gallery 1975
14. The Curious Coronation 1976
15. The Hundred-Year Mystery 1977
16. The Mountain-Peak Mystery 1978
17. The Witch's Omen 1979