Danger at the Drawbridge

Penny Parker Mystery Stories #3

by Mildred A. Wirt

When the newspaper's society editor becomes ill, Penny gets to cover a society wedding at a mysterious old estate which is surrounded by a moat. Penny discovers quite a mystery when the groom fails to show up for the wedding. Penny also learns about a missing tax evader and searches for both men at the same time. Penny solves the mysteries and earns another scoop for the Riverview Star.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Fiction, Classics, Ebooks, Historical, Mystery Thriller

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1940

About the author

Mildred Augustine Wirt Benson (aka: Mildred Benson)

Writing under Stratemeyer Syndicate pen name Carolyn Keene from 1929 to 1947, she contributed to 23 of the first 25 originally published Nancy Drew mysteries. She was one of 28 individuals who helped produce the Syndicate's Nancy Drew mystery books from 1929 to 1984.

Edward Stratemeyer hired Benson in 1926. She was paid a flat fee of $125 for the first Nancy Drew book written using an outline provided by the syndicate.

Other pseudonyms: Frank Bell, Joan Clark, Julia K. Duncan, Alice B. Emerson, Frances K. Judd, Don Palmer, Helen Louise Thorndyke, Dorothy West, Ann Wirt

Reviews

[Zain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not E Rated.

Penny Parker is a hero. She has solved another case.

As a “reporter,” Penny is assigned the task of covering a society wedding, which turns into a mystery.

The groom, Grant Atherwald, disappears and jilts the bride, Miss Kippenger. Why would he do such a thing? The mystery is on.

Penny is determined to locate Atherwald, but she needs Miss Kippenger’s help. Will she get it?

This book contains a lot of interesting shenanigans and lots of good action.

Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶👒🎎🎶🏚

This kindle e-book novella is free from Amazon book 3 of 15

Penny and the photographer go to cover a wedding and the fun begins. The groom disappeared leading to a mystery.

I would recommend this series and author to readers of family and friends relationships mystery novels. 2024

[Jessaka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Penny Parker book that I have read and while Mildred Benson is my favorite writer for the some of the Nancy Drew and Dana Sister mystery series, this book was quite boring until two-thirds of the way into it. I did like the characters in the book and the fact that Penny’s father runs a newspaper.

I plan to read the other 16 books in this series in this kindle edition called "The Penny Parker Megapack, 15 Complete Novels"

[Gary Sites · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louise, Penny’s best friend says, “It’s amazing how you get into so much adventure.”
That’s what I was thinking as I read this third novel in the Penny Parker Mystery series. Penny’s knack for finding adventure is what makes these books so much fun to read.
She’s pretty good at finding trouble too.
Penny’s Dad says, “What mischief did you get into this time, Penny?”
He certainly knows his daughter.
Another character says to her, "You are an impudent, prying young woman.”
Penny has an answer for all of them.
“My mind is always open to new possibilities and impressions.”

This is a nice little mystery, especially for those who don’t care for unnecessary gore and foul language, which are so prevalent in today’s fiction. What we get here is a 1940s mystery written for teens. A breath of fresh air. Penny is a teenage sleuth/sometimes girl reporter for her Dad’s newspaper. She’s also a ball of fun.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third in the Penny Parker detective series and my second attempt to get on with Mildred Wirt's favorite character (a girl detective that Wirt apparently thought was "a better Nancy Drew than Nancy is". If she says so... I didn't think much of Penny when I first met her in Behind the Green Door, though she did improve as that book went along. I still don't think she's better than Nancy. In this particular adventure, she is trying to get her dad to let her cover the society wedding of the season. Miss Sylvia Kippenberg is set to marry Grant Atherwald and no reporters or photographers are allowed. There's been a mystery surrounding the Kippenberg's ever since Sylvia's father disappeared a few years ago. He was suspected by the Feds of having bought up gold when it was illegal to do so, but disappeared before anything could be proved. Mrs. Kippenberg doesn't want any notoriety marring her daughter's wedding and, so, has barred the newspapers from the event.

But Penny is resourceful and she and Salt, the Riverview Star's photographer manage to get into the grounds of the castle-like family estate...only to discover another mystery: the mystery of the missing groom. Atherwald arrives at the estate on the same boat launch that brings Penny and Salt. He's handed a note by one of the servants, heads down a path in the garden, and disappears into thin air. Penny discovers footmarks that seem to indicate a struggle and also a wedding ring that the bride-to-be says looks like the one Atherwald bought for her. Did someone kidnap the prospective groom? And if so, why? Penny is out to find out...and hopefully get a big scoop for her dad's newspaper.

So...there's quite a bit of action in this one and Penny comes close to a watery grave. I'm not sure what I think of her investigative reporter skills. She seems to have a lot of hunches that manage to pan out. She is brave and willing to put herself in danger for what she thinks is the right thing to do...especially if it will get her a good story for the paper. But given that she's still a high school student, I'm surprised that her dad isn't more worried about the fact that his daughter is nearly drowned by the bad guys. A fairly decent mystery/adventure for girls, but I'm still not convinced that she's in Nancy's league. I'm not sure what I would have thought of her if I had discovered the books at the time I was reading the Nancy Drew books. But now? ★★★--just.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take a millionaire who has disappeared, his publicity-shy dragon of a wife and a runaway groom, and you’ve got the makings of an exceptional mystery.

Young Penny Parker, growing into her rôle as a sometime cub reporter for her dad’s newspaper the Riverview Star, heads to the nuptials of Sylvia Kippenberg, the wedding of the year. Her father, the ostentatious drugstore magnate Clayton Kippenberg (yes, alliteration is big in a Mildred A. Wirt novel) built a literal castle for his family, complete with moat and drawbridge. Talk about conspicuous consumption! Thorstein Veblen would be proud!

Rumors hold that Mr. Kippenberg has disappeared due to pending federal tax-evasion charges. Penny’s dad, editor Anthony Parker, thinks that Mr. Kippenberg will feel compelled to attend his daughter’s big day, and he sends Penny to cover the wedding.

Both Parkers get a bigger scoop than they expected: Groom Grant Atherwald, immediately after arriving at the castle, gets a written message and then takes off. The wedding has to be called off.

What spooked Grant? Where has Clayton Kippenberg gone? Are the two matters related? What other secrets are the Kippenbergs hiding? Wirt is better known for the early Nancy Drew novels she penned under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene; however, fans of girl-detective fiction will find that plucky, sassy Penny Parker provides a better read than the cool, icy Nancy Drew any day.

One quibble though: Mr. Kippenberg’s first name is variously identified as Clayton and James in the bundle I bought. You’d think someone would have proofed the novella before including it in the multi-pack, The Penny Parker Megapack: 15 Complete Novels. Ironically, the stand-alone free Kindle editions of each of the Penny Parker novels have fewer errors than the multi-pack that you have to pay for. Go figure!

[Ellie Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough good things about this book! They did an excellent job making a realistic 16 girl character. It had me laughing at times, worried for characters, on the edge of my seat, and the plot was interesting all the way through. I'll admit I caught onto a major to a part of the plot early on but it did not make the book any less enjoyable! So Glad I bought 15 of them!

[Carol Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently discovered these young adult mysteries when I bought them as a mega pack on Amazon. The author also wrote the first several Nancy Drew books. Though she said these novels about teen sleuth/budding journalist Penny Parker were her favorite.

Penny Parker has several things in common with Nancy Drew they both lost their mothers at an early age and are raised by their fathers and housekeepers. Penny father owns a newspaper and that plays an important part in the novel and how Penny gets on the case to solve the mystery. She is sent to cover a society wedding when the reporter who usually covers society stories can't make it. The bridegroom disappears and Penny ends up knee deep in intrigue and danger.

If you love Nancy Drew these are a must read. They are the originals not updated stories so they are also a slice of American history.

[Laura Bang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun mystery with Penny! Although, in this one, Penny and her friends from the Star are rather horrible reporters (horrible in that they refuse to respect someone's wish for privacy and instead constantly trespass and harass the family).

I think there was only one casually racist comment in this one, so that's a huge improvement over The Vanishing Houseboat.

Also, wow, $10 a night was the rate at a super fancy hotel.

[Sue Ann Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Mysteries!!!!

These books make for Sweet Dreams! I loved this Drawbridge mystery. Fast-paced. Exciting.

So well written. I'm off to buy the next Penny Parker Mystery in the series.

[K.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

not a patch on Nancy Drew, but am going to give the rest of the series a go in the hopes that it improves... same author after all!

[Vaughn Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable 1940's mystery by Mildred A. Wirt. An extremely entertaining easy read. I liked it a lot.

[Ceejay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mildred A. Wirt created a lot of characters for the young adult reading audience for at least three decades, starting in the 1930's. She gave us Penny Nichols, Madge Sterling, a Cub Scout series, Penny Parker, and NANCY DREW. When asked which character was her favorite, She named Penny Parker. This is one of seventeen Parker mysteries that she wrote. It is truly a fun read. What happens when a groom disappears right before wedding? If you're lucky, Penny Parker becomes involved. Penny's Dad owns a newspaper, and Penny uses this connection to get involved in various mysteries. She has help from her best friend Louise, the newspaper photographer "Salt", and a cub reporter, Jerry. And don't worry, this story is a lot more exciting then the idea of a missing groom. A LOT more exciting. Two little tidbits from this 1940 mystery. Penny's allowance was $3 a week, and ponderosa tomatoes were available. This is a great YA mystery!

[shannon Stubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not bad

For its age, this was an enjoyable reD. I forgot how much I enjoyed reading a Penny Parker mystery. My grandma had these on her shelf , along with Nancy Drew, when I was growing up. This book brought back memories. Also not only is there an interesting mystery to solve there is also an Alligator.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

By the ghost writer of the earlier Nancy Drew mysteries, this book is part of another series. The main character is Penny Parker, teenage daughter of a newspaper editor. Like Nancy, Penny is independent and quick witted. She has also lost her mother at a young age.

[Rhys Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thin mystery with an adventure format. One of Penny Parker's mysteries, she deals with disbelieving adults, stumbles upon clues by luck, and invades a wedding out of curiosity.

[5starsafter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable easy read, it's entertaining and fast paced.

[Gerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

My second Penny Parker mystery, and a whole lot more enjoyable than the first I read (number 16 in the Series: Swamp Island, after which I wasn't all that sure I should continue with it).
The way the story unfolds itself is down to the solution remarkable similar, which makes me suspect that the books may have followed a certain repeated formula. However, Penny is a much more active character in this installment, doing her own work and not letting herself be put in place by the men. There's a lot of humour in the exchange between her and her father and the solution to the mystery does have its twist and turns.

Dated and written for a much younger audience, it's still a good read for a bit of a diversion.

[Norman Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun adventure from the writer of the early Nancy Drew mysteries. Penny Parker seems like a spunkier version of Nancy Drew. Penny is able to get into and out of trouble by herself; she is smart and fearless, and doesn't need a man to rescue her. The book passes the Bechdel test, i.e., the female characters talk about something other than men. There is a passing racist comment by one of the characters. The mystery has some interesting twists, although much of it is easily guessable. As a book for girls, this book presents a good role model of a confident, independent young woman.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've found my beloved Penny Parker mysteries! Thank you, Project Gutenberg!

Utterly unworthy of four stars, I'm sure, but these books sustained me through my early adolescence. Purely an emotional rating.

[Beckie Treble · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the first Penny Parker book that I have read. I must say that I loved it. very much like Nancy Drew but honestly I think they are too much alike to figure out which one I like best. fantastic story!!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was even better than the last one! I can't wait to read more! I love how Penny is motivated by getting a story for her Dad's paper. It's nice Nancy was motivated by helping people, but Penny has a lot more dangerous adventures!

[Ralph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quaint.

For example, Penny is excited when her weekly allowance is raised from $2 to $3.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my favorite of the Penny Parker series so far. The bad guys weren't quite as creepy as in the previous two books and there was none of the rampant racism that occurred in #2.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penny convinces her father to let her try to get a story on a fashionable wedding, unaware of the dangers and difficulties in store for her.

[Timothy Darling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brought to you by the real wrighter of nancy drew.