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Trixie Belden #12
Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Blinking Eye
“Trixie Cuidadito!” After a Mexican fortune-teller slips a strange Spanish poem into her purse, Trixie and the Bob-Whites find themselves in the middle of a New York City mystery. Villains and thieves and danger are all foreseen by the fortune-teller, but what do thieves want with Trixie?
212 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1963
10 people are currently reading
489 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Kenny
51 books98 followersThe Kathryn Kenny pseudonym was created by Western Publishing House in 1961, three years after Julie Campbell wrote her last book (#6) of the Trixie Belden series. There were several ghost writers who wrote Trixie Belden stories under this pseudonym. Some have been identified and later credited but some are still unknown.
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http://www.trixie-belden.com/books/Ka...
The Kathryn Kenny pseudonym was born in 1961, three years after Campbell wrote her last book of the Trixie Belden series. Did it take Western Publishing several years to find a suitable author? The answer is unknown and the identity of the authors of the 33 Kathryn Kenny books are not known for sure but there is some information about the ghost writers.
Nicolete Meredith Stack
Nicolete Meredith StackStack is thought to be the first author to tackle the Trixie Belden series, although there is much debate about which books were actually written by her. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1896 but lived in Webster Groves in St. Louis, Missouri for most of her adult life. Stack wrote other children's books under her own name and various pen names, including the Robin Kane series by Eileen Hill for Whitman between 1966 and 1971.
Stack is said to have written five books in the Trixie Belden series between 1961 and 1971, but Who's Who in the Midwest claims that she wrote eight titles between 1961 and 1966. There were eight Trixie Belden titles published between 1961 and 1966, but it is doubtful that she wrote them all.
James Keeline in his article, Trixie Belden "Schoolgirl Shamus", believes that books 7, 9 and 16 can be attributed to Stack but there are others that may have been written by her.
Virginia McDonnell
Virginia Bleecher McDonnell was born in 1917 and was a registered nurse who trained at Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. McDonnell wrote the Nurses Three series from 1963 to 1965 using the pen name Jean Kirby, and the Kim Aldrich series as Jinny McDonnell, both for Whitman. She is also wrote volume six of The Waltons.
McDonnell and her husband were avid skiiers and many of her books featured details of nursing or skiing. It seems likely that she wrote three Trixie Belden books, The Mystery of Cobbett's Island (1964), The Mystery of the Emeralds (1965) and The Mystery of Mead's Mountain (1978). Skiing is mentioned early in The Mystery of Cobbett's Island, although this is not the theme of the book.
McDonnell also wrote another book called Country Agent that has a number of similarities with The Mystery at Happy Valley, although her book was published in 1968. Read a review of this book, and see what you think.
There is little biographical information available on McDonnell, but the three books attributed to her are three of the most widely loved books in the Trixie Belden series.
Gladys Baker Bond
Gladys Baker BondGladys Baker Bond was born in Berryville, Arkansas on the 7th of May, 1912. On September 2, 1934, she married Floyd James Bond and had one son, Nicholas Peter. Bond's childhood years were spent in the Ozarks of Arkansas. She lived in Idaho and Washington all her adult life and was an officer of the Idaho Writers League between 1952-54.
Bond's books for children cover a wide range of subjects and are often autobiographical. Mrs. Bond wrote under the pseudonymns, Jo Mendel (The Tucker series) and Holly Beth Walker (the Meg series), as well as her own name. She also wrote volume five of The Waltons.
She is credited with writing The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest (1977), The Mystery of the Castaway Children (1978), and The Sasquatch Mystery (1979). However, with her childhood spent in the Ozarks, she could be the author of The Mystery at Bob-White Cave (1963).
Carl Henry Rathjen
Carl Henry RathjenRathjen was born on the 28th of August 1909 in Jersey City, New Jersey and died in 1984. His ambition was to become a mechanical engineer, but when things didn't go
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http://www.trixie-belden.com/books/Ka...
The Kathryn Kenny pseudonym was born in 1961, three years after Campbell wrote her last book of the Trixie Belden series. Did it take Western Publishing several years to find a suitable author? The answer is unknown and the identity of the authors of the 33 Kathryn Kenny books are not known for sure but there is some information about the ghost writers.
Nicolete Meredith Stack
Nicolete Meredith StackStack is thought to be the first author to tackle the Trixie Belden series, although there is much debate about which books were actually written by her. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1896 but lived in Webster Groves in St. Louis, Missouri for most of her adult life. Stack wrote other children's books under her own name and various pen names, including the Robin Kane series by Eileen Hill for Whitman between 1966 and 1971.
Stack is said to have written five books in the Trixie Belden series between 1961 and 1971, but Who's Who in the Midwest claims that she wrote eight titles between 1961 and 1966. There were eight Trixie Belden titles published between 1961 and 1966, but it is doubtful that she wrote them all.
James Keeline in his article, Trixie Belden "Schoolgirl Shamus", believes that books 7, 9 and 16 can be attributed to Stack but there are others that may have been written by her.
Virginia McDonnell
Virginia Bleecher McDonnell was born in 1917 and was a registered nurse who trained at Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. McDonnell wrote the Nurses Three series from 1963 to 1965 using the pen name Jean Kirby, and the Kim Aldrich series as Jinny McDonnell, both for Whitman. She is also wrote volume six of The Waltons.
McDonnell and her husband were avid skiiers and many of her books featured details of nursing or skiing. It seems likely that she wrote three Trixie Belden books, The Mystery of Cobbett's Island (1964), The Mystery of the Emeralds (1965) and The Mystery of Mead's Mountain (1978). Skiing is mentioned early in The Mystery of Cobbett's Island, although this is not the theme of the book.
McDonnell also wrote another book called Country Agent that has a number of similarities with The Mystery at Happy Valley, although her book was published in 1968. Read a review of this book, and see what you think.
There is little biographical information available on McDonnell, but the three books attributed to her are three of the most widely loved books in the Trixie Belden series.
Gladys Baker Bond
Gladys Baker BondGladys Baker Bond was born in Berryville, Arkansas on the 7th of May, 1912. On September 2, 1934, she married Floyd James Bond and had one son, Nicholas Peter. Bond's childhood years were spent in the Ozarks of Arkansas. She lived in Idaho and Washington all her adult life and was an officer of the Idaho Writers League between 1952-54.
Bond's books for children cover a wide range of subjects and are often autobiographical. Mrs. Bond wrote under the pseudonymns, Jo Mendel (The Tucker series) and Holly Beth Walker (the Meg series), as well as her own name. She also wrote volume five of The Waltons.
She is credited with writing The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest (1977), The Mystery of the Castaway Children (1978), and The Sasquatch Mystery (1979). However, with her childhood spent in the Ozarks, she could be the author of The Mystery at Bob-White Cave (1963).
Carl Henry Rathjen
Carl Henry RathjenRathjen was born on the 28th of August 1909 in Jersey City, New Jersey and died in 1984. His ambition was to become a mechanical engineer, but when things didn't go
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
April 25, 2018
The Mystery of the Blinking Eye is the 12th book in the Trixie Belden Mystery series. This time, Trixie, her BFF Honey Wheeler, and the entire Bob-White Club take a trip to New York City. This is a special trip for the gang. They are meeting Ned, Bob and Barbara at the airport. They met the three at Happy Valley Farm in Iowa during Easter break, and now they are traveling to NYC to spend time with the Bob-Whites! Dan Mangan, newest member of the group, is also along for the trip. The group will be staying at the Wheeler's NYC apartment while the 10 teenagers enjoy the city. While still in the airport, Trixie spots an older woman who appears upset. She approaches and asks if she can help. The Mexican woman explains she has had trouble in the city and has to return home, but she isn't sure where to go to get on her flight. Trixie helps her. Before the woman boards her plane, she thanks Trixie, giving her a hastily scribbled note and a colorful straw purse as a gift. Later when she looks inside the purse, there is a small little wooden idol statue. Then she opens the note, the Mexican woman was a fortune teller and gave Trixie a poem that reads like a riddle. Clues in the poem start coming true.....and strange men start trying to steal the purse and her idol. What's going on?? Is the statue cursed? Or is this a mystery for the Bob-Whites to solve?
This adventure for the group in NYC was fun to read! The kids are having fun touring New York, and trying to figure out why strange people seem to want the ugly little statue the woman gave Trixie in the airport. Dan Mangan is back in action, after several books where he didn't figure into the story. I was glad that the newest Bob-White got to go on this trip with everyone. The kids from Happy Valley Farm blended well with the usual main characters. The suspense in the story was entertaining and fun....and not too scary for kids to enjoy the story. Another fun visit with the kids from Sleepyside, NY!
The Trixie Belden Series was published from 1948-1986. The first six books were written by Julie Campbell. Various other authors under the pen name Kathryn Kenny wrote the rest of the series.
This adventure for the group in NYC was fun to read! The kids are having fun touring New York, and trying to figure out why strange people seem to want the ugly little statue the woman gave Trixie in the airport. Dan Mangan is back in action, after several books where he didn't figure into the story. I was glad that the newest Bob-White got to go on this trip with everyone. The kids from Happy Valley Farm blended well with the usual main characters. The suspense in the story was entertaining and fun....and not too scary for kids to enjoy the story. Another fun visit with the kids from Sleepyside, NY!
The Trixie Belden Series was published from 1948-1986. The first six books were written by Julie Campbell. Various other authors under the pen name Kathryn Kenny wrote the rest of the series.
June 18, 2018
This one I remember for its descriptions of New York City. I think I re-read this one a lot, because most of the details were familiar, though this time around I knew who Barbara, Bob, and Ned were because I'd finally read The Happy Valley Mystery. It's also a much more solid mystery than the previous two. The fortune teller's prophecy is a little hokey (and Miss Trask, however good she is at Spanish, shouldn't have been able to translate it into rhyming couplets), but I'm willing to give it a pass because there's a lot of exciting adventure surrounding it. And Trixie's daring finally gets her into serious trouble that's reasonable, even though it's obvious she's being stupid. I also like that there's less "oh, Trixie, you're overreacting again!" from the male members of the Bob-Whites. Too bad the Jim/Trixie relationship is so subtle in this one, but at least it's there.
July 14, 2022
This week while my friends are in New York and I'm at home, I enjoyed a little trip to the East Coast of yesteryear via the medium of Trixie Belden. I'm not going to argue this is great literature, but it's fun for what it is: cozily wholesome mysteries for the younger set. I owned the first 16 Trixie Belden books growing up, and I've always remembered this one for its travelogue of New York City 1960s-style - although I couldn't have guessed the era at the time. Even in my youth, I did not like the ghost-written Trixie Belden books (of which this is one) as much as the original six by Julie Campbell, but this one had a memorably snappy story with jewel thieves, fortune tellers, and fun facts for NYC tourists. Thanks to ghost-writer "Kathryn Kenny", I had my first experience in arm chair travel at about age 11 with a bunch of really wholesome teenagers who used strangely archaic slang like "jeepers" and "neat-o" - and it made me want to see the New York I so readily visualized from these pages.
May 27, 2019
There's an actual mystery to solve! There's actual consequences to this mystery! All the BWotG are there (my bby Dan finally gets to participate) in NYC, along with the new friends from The Happy Valley Mystery!
This book is in my top 5 of favorite TB books.
Recommended 11/12+ for a fortune teller and scary situations.
This book is in my top 5 of favorite TB books.
Recommended 11/12+ for a fortune teller and scary situations.
March 9, 2012
June 2005: One of my favorites. Is it because Dan gets to go? Maybe. :) I love the NYC setting and how even the "locals" get a kick out of all the tourist sites. The Spanish poem that miraculously rhymes when translated to English is actually more amusing than annoying to me. I love the night of entertainment and food at the apartment and I think I even like that this is the first time Trixie gets in REAL danger with REAL criminals and that the boys come to save the day in a smart way that kind of makes sense and doesn't seem contrived (Hello? Saratoga, anyone?)
March 2012: Well, I'm a few books behind the pace on my Good Reads goal of reading 91 books this year. Time to break out some YA books! Since this week we're celebrating our Trixie message board's 12th anniversary, I decided to start with the twelfth book in the series, The Mystery of the Blinking Eye. This run of four books, a sort of summer travelogue, is my favorite run in the series, so I'm planning to read all four. In Blinking Eye, the Bob-Whites (all of them, even Dan, even Di) spend a few days in New York City with friends from Iowa. The purchase of an ugly Incan statue gets Trixie immediately embroiled in a new mystery and what's more mysterious, a poem in Spanish that rhymes once translated into English! Still, it's fun to follow along with the "prophecy" as the young people visit famous New York City landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park, and Rockefeller Center, pursued by a trio of bad guys intent on reclaiming the statue, which secretly contains a diamond smuggled from South America. The story was fun at times and dreadfully corny at times. And for all the grief Trixie gets for getting herself into dangerous situations, it was clueless Jim and Brian who let first Trixie and Honey and then Trixie and Di get left behind where, alone, they run into the bad guys and make narrow escapes. How they can be shouting commands to "close in around the girls" and admonishing everybody never to go anywhere alone, why aren't they more observant about keeping their whole group together? Nevertheless, Dan gets to come, he gets to dance with Trixie, he gets to play a vital role in finding her when she foolishly wanders off by herself to meet the bad guys in a bad neighborhood, and Trixie holds his hand, too. See? I can find Trixie/Dan romance, too. Hee-hee.
March 2012: Well, I'm a few books behind the pace on my Good Reads goal of reading 91 books this year. Time to break out some YA books! Since this week we're celebrating our Trixie message board's 12th anniversary, I decided to start with the twelfth book in the series, The Mystery of the Blinking Eye. This run of four books, a sort of summer travelogue, is my favorite run in the series, so I'm planning to read all four. In Blinking Eye, the Bob-Whites (all of them, even Dan, even Di) spend a few days in New York City with friends from Iowa. The purchase of an ugly Incan statue gets Trixie immediately embroiled in a new mystery and what's more mysterious, a poem in Spanish that rhymes once translated into English! Still, it's fun to follow along with the "prophecy" as the young people visit famous New York City landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park, and Rockefeller Center, pursued by a trio of bad guys intent on reclaiming the statue, which secretly contains a diamond smuggled from South America. The story was fun at times and dreadfully corny at times. And for all the grief Trixie gets for getting herself into dangerous situations, it was clueless Jim and Brian who let first Trixie and Honey and then Trixie and Di get left behind where, alone, they run into the bad guys and make narrow escapes. How they can be shouting commands to "close in around the girls" and admonishing everybody never to go anywhere alone, why aren't they more observant about keeping their whole group together? Nevertheless, Dan gets to come, he gets to dance with Trixie, he gets to play a vital role in finding her when she foolishly wanders off by herself to meet the bad guys in a bad neighborhood, and Trixie holds his hand, too. See? I can find Trixie/Dan romance, too. Hee-hee.
April 10, 2023
5+ stars (7/10 hearts). Wow, this was way more amazing than I remembered. Every few books one of these mysteries is super high-stakes and much more about accidentally stumbling in than Trixie snooping, and this is one of them.
So, yes, this book is built on the plot that the fortune teller writes a poem that seems to foretell the future. At the very least, it’s coincidentally 100% similar. However, this poem is always compared AFTER the fact to the events and never actually used to predict something will happen (as far as I recall) and several bits are vague enough to pass for anything. So… I don’t know. I don’t love that part but it doesn’t bother me too much, but it does knock off a star because it is enough of the plot that it can’t really be edited out super easily (although it’s also able to be edited out without much difficulty, so it depends which side you look at).
Aside from that, I really, really loved the rest of the book. Super intriguing and super exciting, suspenseful, and fast-paced. Plus, Dan was there!! And he was a big part of the book!!!! (Dan is such an underrated member and I HATE that he’s always getting kicked out of books by conveniently being on a job. Grr.) Anyways, back to the Bob-Whites, they’re all as amazing as ever (specially Mart… and Brian… and Jim…) and Ned, Barbara, and Bob were super fun. Also, Dr. Joe and his family were awesome too and the sweet little hospital patient was soooo darling.
And then tHERE IS THE ENDING, Y’ALL. What a showdown!!!
So yes. Humorous, exciting, and very 1960s. One of my favourite Trixie books.
Content: euphemisms; Trixie ignores the rules and sneaks out at one point—though, granted, she had a good reason.
A Favourite Quote: “‘You have to make small beginnings to accomplish big things.’”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘I don’t know what to think about you, Trixie. I really can’t decide.’
“‘You’re not alone in that, for sure,’ Mart said fervently.
“‘I LIKE Trixie,’ Barbara said indignantly. ‘I think it’s the most wonderful, wonderful thing in the world to be near her. Things happen!’
“‘You can say that again,’ Mart admitted.”
So, yes, this book is built on the plot that the fortune teller writes a poem that seems to foretell the future. At the very least, it’s coincidentally 100% similar. However, this poem is always compared AFTER the fact to the events and never actually used to predict something will happen (as far as I recall) and several bits are vague enough to pass for anything. So… I don’t know. I don’t love that part but it doesn’t bother me too much, but it does knock off a star because it is enough of the plot that it can’t really be edited out super easily (although it’s also able to be edited out without much difficulty, so it depends which side you look at).
Aside from that, I really, really loved the rest of the book. Super intriguing and super exciting, suspenseful, and fast-paced. Plus, Dan was there!! And he was a big part of the book!!!! (Dan is such an underrated member and I HATE that he’s always getting kicked out of books by conveniently being on a job. Grr.) Anyways, back to the Bob-Whites, they’re all as amazing as ever (specially Mart… and Brian… and Jim…) and Ned, Barbara, and Bob were super fun. Also, Dr. Joe and his family were awesome too and the sweet little hospital patient was soooo darling.
And then tHERE IS THE ENDING, Y’ALL. What a showdown!!!
So yes. Humorous, exciting, and very 1960s. One of my favourite Trixie books.
Content: euphemisms; Trixie ignores the rules and sneaks out at one point—though, granted, she had a good reason.
A Favourite Quote: “‘You have to make small beginnings to accomplish big things.’”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘I don’t know what to think about you, Trixie. I really can’t decide.’
“‘You’re not alone in that, for sure,’ Mart said fervently.
“‘I LIKE Trixie,’ Barbara said indignantly. ‘I think it’s the most wonderful, wonderful thing in the world to be near her. Things happen!’
“‘You can say that again,’ Mart admitted.”
November 27, 2014
I appreciate Dan getting a better chance to actually be a character rather than just the "oh he couldn't make it on this trip" guy in this book.
June 11, 2022
Vejam a minha opinião em vídeo, AQUI.
January 9, 2013
A childhood favorite re-visited.
Is the story as good as I remember? – Yes
What ages would I recommend it too? – Ten and up.
Length? – Most of a day’s read.
Characters? – Memorable, several characters.
Setting? – Real world, pre - computer pre - air conditioning, pre - cell phone.
Written approximately? – 1964?.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? Yes. A slight mention of the time frame of the story - as the teens are given far more freedom to come and go as they please than would be safe today. Also, the absence of computers, cell phones, and air conditioning in homes, especially the mansion.
Short storyline: Trixie Belden buys a statue at a antique store in New York City. While the group, and their friends from Iowa visit tourist destinations, three thieves constantly work to steal the statue back from Trixie.
Notes for the reader: A great mystery! No violence (only referred to from the past), no murder. This is one of the more harrowing one, in which one thief threatens Trixie with a gun towards the end of the novel.
Is the story as good as I remember? – Yes
What ages would I recommend it too? – Ten and up.
Length? – Most of a day’s read.
Characters? – Memorable, several characters.
Setting? – Real world, pre - computer pre - air conditioning, pre - cell phone.
Written approximately? – 1964?.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? Yes. A slight mention of the time frame of the story - as the teens are given far more freedom to come and go as they please than would be safe today. Also, the absence of computers, cell phones, and air conditioning in homes, especially the mansion.
Short storyline: Trixie Belden buys a statue at a antique store in New York City. While the group, and their friends from Iowa visit tourist destinations, three thieves constantly work to steal the statue back from Trixie.
Notes for the reader: A great mystery! No violence (only referred to from the past), no murder. This is one of the more harrowing one, in which one thief threatens Trixie with a gun towards the end of the novel.
January 2, 2021
So this is a book centered around a riddle wrapped in a New York City travelogue (Gleeps, Central Park! Golly, the United Nations! Gosh, the Statue of Liberty!) However, the inconsistent details are offputting and highlight the inelegant plot. For a non-crime example, the twins from Iowa are magically brought onto a TV show where they sing and are awesome and then that’s that and then they go back to Iowa without any narrative pay-off.
For another example, Trixie is often identified as tomboyish, but she skins her knee and tears her pantyhose, and then for plot convenience she is incapable of being seen in public any longer and has to separate herself from the rest of the group. Then just before the climax, we get Trixie justifying to herself why she needs to take a taxi into a questionable part of town to meet some crooks who promise to give her a reward so long as she tells no one. Then she faints as deux ex machina cops save her and we’re delivered an after-school message of leaving crime fighting to the police. This fainting flower who shudders at torn hosiery is not Trixie Bleden. I don’t know who she is, but this book does not belong in this series.
For another example, Trixie is often identified as tomboyish, but she skins her knee and tears her pantyhose, and then for plot convenience she is incapable of being seen in public any longer and has to separate herself from the rest of the group. Then just before the climax, we get Trixie justifying to herself why she needs to take a taxi into a questionable part of town to meet some crooks who promise to give her a reward so long as she tells no one. Then she faints as deux ex machina cops save her and we’re delivered an after-school message of leaving crime fighting to the police. This fainting flower who shudders at torn hosiery is not Trixie Bleden. I don’t know who she is, but this book does not belong in this series.
March 9, 2008
Book 12 and the Bob Whites travel to New York which seemed so grownup and sophisticated to me at the time. Loved this book (Dan is also included in the story).
Read
May 4, 2025The Great Trixie Belden Re-Read of 2025: #12
JIM KNOWS TRIXIE'S HANDWRITING. JIM KNOWS THE FUNNY LITTLE WAY SHE DOES THE NUMBER 4 AND IT SAVED HER LIFE AND HE WOULD NOT LET HER GO AFTERWARDS. Something to consider...
Yeah yeah this one was good - not the best and not the worst - it falls somewhere in the middle of the ranking. But it being in New York was so cute, especially when they went to see the Alice in Wonderland Statue <3 I was constantly saying "I've been thereeee!!" aloud the whole time.
JIM KNOWS TRIXIE'S HANDWRITING. JIM KNOWS THE FUNNY LITTLE WAY SHE DOES THE NUMBER 4 AND IT SAVED HER LIFE AND HE WOULD NOT LET HER GO AFTERWARDS. Something to consider...
Yeah yeah this one was good - not the best and not the worst - it falls somewhere in the middle of the ranking. But it being in New York was so cute, especially when they went to see the Alice in Wonderland Statue <3 I was constantly saying "I've been thereeee!!" aloud the whole time.
May 3, 2015
a HUGE and most dedicated fan of Trixie and her crew. This is odd, of course, because they were MEANT for teen and pre-teen girls, but I was a young boy that read everything he could get his hands on and when I first stumbled on my first TRIXIE BELDON book I was instantly hooked!
I immediately sat about reading them all, as quickly as I could get my greedy little paws on them. Trixie is the star, or "lead" character, followed by Jim and Honey (who quickly became the love of my young life, I had a total crush on a fictional character that only existed in ink) and this brave trio was constantly getting into trouble, solving mysteries and murders; that sort of thing.
It falls along the line of the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and other similar series, but the Trixie series carries more of the teenage angst and a subtle love triangle of conflicted who likes whom mystery that battles back and forth throughout the series. All of the while though, the same cheerful, effervescent and energetic positive attitude and domineering never quit/never let them see you down philosophy is the major subtext all through the books.
It is simply impossible to read these and NOT feel good about yourself and about LIFE, to have a sense of "all is well" in the world and a cheerful demeanor just naturally permeate your soul. I know, it SOUNDS crazy, but it is true.
I lost all of my Trixie books years ago, lending them to friends and that sort of thing. Since then, I have been on a quest to rebuild my collection of hardbacks. I find most of them at "Friends of the Library Sales" and things like that, but I am ever watchful at garage sales and places, for I do not have even a third of them built back
I immediately sat about reading them all, as quickly as I could get my greedy little paws on them. Trixie is the star, or "lead" character, followed by Jim and Honey (who quickly became the love of my young life, I had a total crush on a fictional character that only existed in ink) and this brave trio was constantly getting into trouble, solving mysteries and murders; that sort of thing.
It falls along the line of the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and other similar series, but the Trixie series carries more of the teenage angst and a subtle love triangle of conflicted who likes whom mystery that battles back and forth throughout the series. All of the while though, the same cheerful, effervescent and energetic positive attitude and domineering never quit/never let them see you down philosophy is the major subtext all through the books.
It is simply impossible to read these and NOT feel good about yourself and about LIFE, to have a sense of "all is well" in the world and a cheerful demeanor just naturally permeate your soul. I know, it SOUNDS crazy, but it is true.
I lost all of my Trixie books years ago, lending them to friends and that sort of thing. Since then, I have been on a quest to rebuild my collection of hardbacks. I find most of them at "Friends of the Library Sales" and things like that, but I am ever watchful at garage sales and places, for I do not have even a third of them built back
January 19, 2019
I loved reading the mystery books about Trixie Belden and Honey Wheeler when I was younger. (I loved Nancy Drew too.) I found this book in a used book store last year and grabbed it with the intent to read it sometime as a walk down memory lane. The prompt to read a book that makes you nostalgic was a perfect chance to read it. Honestly I don't remember if I read this particular book in the series years ago or not, but I found it less juvenile then I expected. The kids in the book seemed to be a lot more mature and polite then kids now. They were great to help do dishes if invited to dinner and they respected the adults around them. I am stereotyping today's youth, but I was impressed with the manners in the book. The mystery was also entertaining. I didn't ever feel real danger for Trixie and her friends but I can't imagine enjoying the book as a child if it had been scary.
2019 Pop Sugar Challenge #2 A book that makes you nostalgic
2019 Pop Sugar Challenge #2 A book that makes you nostalgic
March 27, 2017
This is one of my favorites because I have been to NYC and have seen many of the places that they go when they are there.
I also find it ironic that I lived in Westchester County, right in the heart of Sleepy Hollow land after being such a HUGE fan of these books. It is so cool!
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Of this series, I have two books that I practically know by heart. This book and "The Mystery of the Emeralds". I am not sure what the draw was [with this one, probably NYC. I remember reading these and just *KNOWING* I would go there someday! LOL], but they were my "go-to" books. I am excited to be getting the chance to read this again!!!
RE-READ~December 8, 2013
WOW! I still love this book. It was so much fun to read it again!!!
I also find it ironic that I lived in Westchester County, right in the heart of Sleepy Hollow land after being such a HUGE fan of these books. It is so cool!
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Of this series, I have two books that I practically know by heart. This book and "The Mystery of the Emeralds". I am not sure what the draw was [with this one, probably NYC. I remember reading these and just *KNOWING* I would go there someday! LOL], but they were my "go-to" books. I am excited to be getting the chance to read this again!!!
RE-READ~December 8, 2013
WOW! I still love this book. It was so much fun to read it again!!!
December 31, 2016
This book was really, really good! I think that the setting was really cool, and I liked reading all about the different places in New York City that the Bob-Whites visited.
The whole thing with the prophecy from the Mexican woman was a little weird, and very unnecessary to the plot. I thought the poem was clever, though. It must have taken a long time to make all of that up.
I would like to bring up this yet again - Trixie makes mistakes. When Trixie rode in a cab to that part of town I was thinking, "Foolish girl, what have you done?" xD Trixie is so not perfect and believable and relatable. (Well, apart from the fact that she solves mysteries and turns in dangerous criminals to the police and is basically a mini Sherlock Holmes). But you know what I mean. xD
Four stars out of five! I really enjoyed this one!
The whole thing with the prophecy from the Mexican woman was a little weird, and very unnecessary to the plot. I thought the poem was clever, though. It must have taken a long time to make all of that up.
I would like to bring up this yet again - Trixie makes mistakes. When Trixie rode in a cab to that part of town I was thinking, "Foolish girl, what have you done?" xD Trixie is so not perfect and believable and relatable. (Well, apart from the fact that she solves mysteries and turns in dangerous criminals to the police and is basically a mini Sherlock Holmes). But you know what I mean. xD
Four stars out of five! I really enjoyed this one!
August 7, 2012
Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Blinking Eye is book number twelve in the Trixie Belden mystery series. Trixie Belden and Honey Wheeler are best friends, horse lovers, and detectives who always seem to accidentally find a mystery waiting to be solved. In this book, the pair travel to New York with their friends Ned, Barbara, and Bob. Trixie gets a prophecy from a Mexican fortune teller and tries to figure it out, but all to no avail. She buys an old Spanish idol, and immediately thieves start following her. What could the thieves possibly want with Trixie? It is up to Trixie and the Bob Whites of the Glen to crack this case!
I love the Trixie Belden Mystery Series because it combines two of my favorite things - - horses and mystery!
I love the Trixie Belden Mystery Series because it combines two of my favorite things - - horses and mystery!
April 16, 2010
While on vacation, theBob-Whites are staying at the Wheelers' deluxe apartment in New York City, where they will meet their friends from Iowa - Ned, Barbara and Bob. When the gang goes to the Kennedy Airport to pick up their friends, Trixie helps out a mysterious traveler who hands her a strange written fortune. Leave it to Trixie to stumble into a mystery!
Later, while window shopping with Honey, Trixie finds an ugly wooden statue she just has to have. Soon after buying the curious little statue, Trixie is followed by menacing strangers. Do the fortune and the statue have anything in common? Read The Mystery of the Blinking Eye and find out!
Later, while window shopping with Honey, Trixie finds an ugly wooden statue she just has to have. Soon after buying the curious little statue, Trixie is followed by menacing strangers. Do the fortune and the statue have anything in common? Read The Mystery of the Blinking Eye and find out!
March 16, 2014
On a whim, Trixie picks up an idol so ugly it's cute. However, when people start following the Bob-Whites and their friends around New York City, she begins to wonder what she's stumbled into. I like the mystery in this book, and the characters are wonderful. However, there is a prophecy that forms a backbone to the plot, and that has always bugged me.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
September 19, 2013
This didn't use to be one of my favorites ... but having visited New York City since I last read it, I found it much more fun this time, as I knew where the kids were most of the time, and could follow them on a map in my head. I enjoyed that!
Sept 2013 ... enjoyed the book again, but I wondered about kids going to the theater to see a "movie" rather than attending a Broadway play? Anyway, enjoyed the book yet again, and all the references to places in NYC that I got to visit a few years ago.
Sept 2013 ... enjoyed the book again, but I wondered about kids going to the theater to see a "movie" rather than attending a Broadway play? Anyway, enjoyed the book yet again, and all the references to places in NYC that I got to visit a few years ago.
July 3, 2014
The Bob-White's are in New York City, sightseeing with their friends. After helping a woman at the airport, Trixie is given a little purse with a strange poem inside, surprisingly the poem seems to predict strange events that surround the Bob-Whites after Trixie buys a statue of a head at an antique store. They are followed by thugs intent on stealing the little statue, but why?
March 4, 2009
The NYC setting was lots of fun, especially in seeing how the tourist sites have changed over the past 40+ years. But I am VERY disappointed in Trixie for going off on her own like that. Really, Trixie. Haven't you listened to a thing Dan has said?
December 30, 2009
I love Trixie and the gang. especially with their good old fashioned wholesomeness. They are smart, funny and concerned for others.I may sound like a fuddy-duddy but I'd take The Bob-Whites over any Gossip Girl any day!
July 14, 2017
Quick re-read on a day I needed something light and fluffy. Love Trixie Belden, have for years! Especially love this one as the group travels around Manhattan. Brings back some memories of the time I spent there.
April 8, 2022
Destination is the Big Apple, New York City itself. The Bob Whites have made plans to meet their friends Ned, Bob and Barbara to show them a great time they won't forget. Trixie helps a foreign lady at the airport, and receives a disturbing prophetic poem in way of thanks, which seems to anticipate everything that unfolds on the trip. This is scary, since some desperate crooks are on their tails the whole time, presumably after a quirky little wooden idol which Trixie bought at an antique shop. Will strength in numbers apply, or are their pursuers just too savage and cutthroat for ten teenagers?
* It's great to see all the Bob Whites enjoying a trip together for once. Dan has made up his grades to stay abreast of the two brains, Brian and Jim, for now. (He even calls them this himself.) I guess he can make it along only because the destination is close to home and just for a few days. With the addition of their Iowan friends, there are ten young people enjoying time together, and I think it's terrific.
* Although the sole purpose for the trip is to have fun together in the Big Smoke, Trixie's magnetism for danger and adventure can't be switched off. Their Iowan friends claim to love it, but it is disturbing and disruptive for Miss Trask and Diana, at least. Di openly admits that it's not the sort of lifestyle she'd court, if she had the choice. I've got to say neither would I, but it's fun to read about.
* Miss Trask is a lady of many hidden talents. She can translate the gypsy lady's poem from Spanish to English for the girls without sacrificing any of the rhyme. That's some feat.
* A hansom cab driver at Central Park boasts to all the kids that he used to drive Mrs Andrew Carnegie around. This dates the series for sure, even if he was stretching the truth, seeing that Louise Whitfield Carnegie was born in 1847 and died in 1946.
* I guess it could only happen in New York City. A renowned talent scout overhears Bob and Barbara Hubbell entertaining their own small group of friends with folk songs in a private apartment. He comes knocking on their door to see if they'd like to appear on daytime TV. Would this be feasible anywhere else in the world?
* I like the Hubbells, who are actually real twins, unlike Trixie and Mart. Bubbly Barbara has just one all-purpose adjective for everything (wonderful), while her brother Bob's vocabulary is broad enough to give Mart a run for his money. I don't remember if their guest appearance on TV was a career springboard for these singing siblings, but I hope so. Their friend Ned is very cool too.
* Here's a possible inconsistency. The Bob Whites and Co are firmly told no extra tickets are available when they front up at the studio, until they explain that Bob and Barbara are expected on set. Then later our little gang discover the crooks got through to the audience auditorium with seemingly no hitches. What's with that? I'll assume the doormen were instructed there was no more room for nine or ten, but maybe two or three could be squeezed in.
* There really should be a series cookbook. Trixie and Mart give their mother's reputation a run for its money on this trip. She whips up mouthwatering beef stroganoff and he ad-libs French themed mashed potatoes based on a restaurant dish he tasted with many herbs and spices. Plus Diana makes delicious Chinese fried rice.
* Poor underprivileged former street kid Dan. I love how he tells his good friend Mart that he didn't recognise any ingredient he rattled off except for cheese, but the combo is to die for!
* The Marvelous Mart's magic act! What a laugh.
* Diana has changed her ambition from airline stewardess (in books 6 & 7) to a tour guide at the United Nations Centre like Betsy Tucker, a former student at their school in Sleepyside.
* Trixie and Honey have a quiet dig at Di for bringing two suitcases of clothes for a three day trip. I see their point, yet I suspect this is Di's way of controlling what she can. Her low self esteem makes her focus on her outer appearance, which is probably the main thing she ever receives praise for. She suffers from vertigo too, and it's extremely brave for her to push on up the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building, rather than losing face.
* The gang hooks up with Dr Joe Reed, a beloved orthopedic paediatric surgeon who has earned their devotion over the years. He set Diana's brother Terry's broken leg and let keen student Brian Belden watch, to his satisfaction. Brian is still a High School kid and not even a medical student yet, but he's had plenty of hands-on experience already by taking part in his sister's adventures.
* Mr Moneybags himself, Honey's dad, Matthew Wheeler, puts in a fairly long appearance toward the end. I find this guy formidable, even though the Belden kids seem to be chill with him. He comes across as friendly, yet there's a distinct, 'Don't mess with me' vibe about him.
* Jim instantly recognises the quirky way Trixie writes the number 4. Okay, everyone chorus with me after one, two, three. 'Awwwww.'
* Quote of the book goes to Miss Trask. 'Maybe Trixie has learned her her lesson, this time. But we always think so until something else happens.'
* It's great to see all the Bob Whites enjoying a trip together for once. Dan has made up his grades to stay abreast of the two brains, Brian and Jim, for now. (He even calls them this himself.) I guess he can make it along only because the destination is close to home and just for a few days. With the addition of their Iowan friends, there are ten young people enjoying time together, and I think it's terrific.
* Although the sole purpose for the trip is to have fun together in the Big Smoke, Trixie's magnetism for danger and adventure can't be switched off. Their Iowan friends claim to love it, but it is disturbing and disruptive for Miss Trask and Diana, at least. Di openly admits that it's not the sort of lifestyle she'd court, if she had the choice. I've got to say neither would I, but it's fun to read about.
* Miss Trask is a lady of many hidden talents. She can translate the gypsy lady's poem from Spanish to English for the girls without sacrificing any of the rhyme. That's some feat.
* A hansom cab driver at Central Park boasts to all the kids that he used to drive Mrs Andrew Carnegie around. This dates the series for sure, even if he was stretching the truth, seeing that Louise Whitfield Carnegie was born in 1847 and died in 1946.
* I guess it could only happen in New York City. A renowned talent scout overhears Bob and Barbara Hubbell entertaining their own small group of friends with folk songs in a private apartment. He comes knocking on their door to see if they'd like to appear on daytime TV. Would this be feasible anywhere else in the world?
* I like the Hubbells, who are actually real twins, unlike Trixie and Mart. Bubbly Barbara has just one all-purpose adjective for everything (wonderful), while her brother Bob's vocabulary is broad enough to give Mart a run for his money. I don't remember if their guest appearance on TV was a career springboard for these singing siblings, but I hope so. Their friend Ned is very cool too.
* Here's a possible inconsistency. The Bob Whites and Co are firmly told no extra tickets are available when they front up at the studio, until they explain that Bob and Barbara are expected on set. Then later our little gang discover the crooks got through to the audience auditorium with seemingly no hitches. What's with that? I'll assume the doormen were instructed there was no more room for nine or ten, but maybe two or three could be squeezed in.
* There really should be a series cookbook. Trixie and Mart give their mother's reputation a run for its money on this trip. She whips up mouthwatering beef stroganoff and he ad-libs French themed mashed potatoes based on a restaurant dish he tasted with many herbs and spices. Plus Diana makes delicious Chinese fried rice.
* Poor underprivileged former street kid Dan. I love how he tells his good friend Mart that he didn't recognise any ingredient he rattled off except for cheese, but the combo is to die for!
* The Marvelous Mart's magic act! What a laugh.
* Diana has changed her ambition from airline stewardess (in books 6 & 7) to a tour guide at the United Nations Centre like Betsy Tucker, a former student at their school in Sleepyside.
* Trixie and Honey have a quiet dig at Di for bringing two suitcases of clothes for a three day trip. I see their point, yet I suspect this is Di's way of controlling what she can. Her low self esteem makes her focus on her outer appearance, which is probably the main thing she ever receives praise for. She suffers from vertigo too, and it's extremely brave for her to push on up the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building, rather than losing face.
* The gang hooks up with Dr Joe Reed, a beloved orthopedic paediatric surgeon who has earned their devotion over the years. He set Diana's brother Terry's broken leg and let keen student Brian Belden watch, to his satisfaction. Brian is still a High School kid and not even a medical student yet, but he's had plenty of hands-on experience already by taking part in his sister's adventures.
* Mr Moneybags himself, Honey's dad, Matthew Wheeler, puts in a fairly long appearance toward the end. I find this guy formidable, even though the Belden kids seem to be chill with him. He comes across as friendly, yet there's a distinct, 'Don't mess with me' vibe about him.
* Jim instantly recognises the quirky way Trixie writes the number 4. Okay, everyone chorus with me after one, two, three. 'Awwwww.'
* Quote of the book goes to Miss Trask. 'Maybe Trixie has learned her her lesson, this time. But we always think so until something else happens.'
May 24, 2008
I liked this one alot even though it is one of the ghost writer books.
July 12, 2008
I love all Trixie Belden books there my favorite but this is got to be the best one I've read.
September 18, 2008
Was this the one where Trixie and Jim hooked up? Probably not...but I still loved it when I was a kid!
November 1, 2008
I loved this whole series my Mom passed them all down to me.
February 12, 2011
I remember these books from when I was younger and regret they have fallen out of favor with libraries.
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