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Trixie Belden #17
The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest
The Bob-Whites are preparing for the wedding of Juliana and Hans, and Trixie is not impressed by the arrival of a younger cousin, Hallie. With the appearance and disappearance of a wheelchair, food, furniture, bicycles and Juliana's engagement ring, Trixie finds herself with a mystery on her hands and the unwanted assistance of Hallie. Trixie's temper is sorely tested, and she tries to evaluate her own behavior as she attempts to decipher the strange behavior of her close friends and family.
212 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
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429 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Kenny
50 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
***
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 37 reviews
January 23, 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 and pre - cell phone.
Written approximately? – 1977.
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.
Short storyline: Trixie's cousin Hallie visits during preparations for Julianna's wedding. Trixie spends a lot of time on understanding her problems with her cousin, whom she is very much like , and they work together (and against each other at times) to solve Dan's disappearance, a rash of burglaries, and who the unknown person is who invites themselves to Julianna's wedding.
Notes for the reader: A great mystery! No violence (only referred to from the past), no murder.
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 and pre - cell phone.
Written approximately? – 1977.
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.
Short storyline: Trixie's cousin Hallie visits during preparations for Julianna's wedding. Trixie spends a lot of time on understanding her problems with her cousin, whom she is very much like , and they work together (and against each other at times) to solve Dan's disappearance, a rash of burglaries, and who the unknown person is who invites themselves to Julianna's wedding.
Notes for the reader: A great mystery! No violence (only referred to from the past), no murder.
March 18, 2017
What a difference seven years -- and a different ghostwriter? -- makes (between the publication of Trixie #16 and 17). Other than some time inconsistencies (the previous book mentions late corn, cooler weather, and school starting while this one mentions first corn of the season and takes place in July/August), its plot and characterization are much tighter. A solid 4-4.25 stars!
April 15, 2016
The first half of the book was terrible. It started off with Trixie screaming her head off, accusing people of spying, and getting in trouble with her dad - as well as being very unhospitable to Hallie, her cousin, who has just arrived at Crabapple Farm for a visit.
Then there was this whole ordeal with a wheelchair and somebody getting an address mixed up, a truck and a bald person pushing the wheelchair up the road?! I had a hard time following the plot, and the enjoyment that I usually get out of Trixie and her friends having fun together if the mystery is absolutely terrible or predictable was taken out, because Trixie was acting - no, being - a spoiled brat. I'm sorry, but Trixie isn't famous for her high temper. And then there is Trixie trying to "find herself". It sounds so 70's and hip and groovy and stuff, lol. XD
After Trixie made up with Hallie, everything smoothed out. You were actually able to follow the mystery, and it was quite a good one compared to Mississippi or Heiress. Trixie started acting normal again, and there was at least one Jixie moment (which is something the later books in the series lack from what I've read *insert crying emoji here*).
And the wedding was beautiful, of course. I wish I could have just enjoyed it, though - the people getting married and so sweet and loveable, but it was all mixed up with the suspense of THAT person not being at the wedding.
I'm giving this book three stars - the first half of the book was terrible, I would never read this book again if the second half didn't get much, much better (which it did).
Then there was this whole ordeal with a wheelchair and somebody getting an address mixed up, a truck and a bald person pushing the wheelchair up the road?! I had a hard time following the plot, and the enjoyment that I usually get out of Trixie and her friends having fun together if the mystery is absolutely terrible or predictable was taken out, because Trixie was acting - no, being - a spoiled brat. I'm sorry, but Trixie isn't famous for her high temper. And then there is Trixie trying to "find herself". It sounds so 70's and hip and groovy and stuff, lol. XD
After Trixie made up with Hallie, everything smoothed out. You were actually able to follow the mystery, and it was quite a good one compared to Mississippi or Heiress. Trixie started acting normal again, and there was at least one Jixie moment (which is something the later books in the series lack from what I've read *insert crying emoji here*).
And the wedding was beautiful, of course. I wish I could have just enjoyed it, though - the people getting married and so sweet and loveable, but it was all mixed up with the suspense of THAT person not being at the wedding.
I'm giving this book three stars - the first half of the book was terrible, I would never read this book again if the second half didn't get much, much better (which it did).
January 24, 2018
Fun to revisit favorite reads from my youth.
October 23, 2025
The Great Trixie Belden Re-Read of 2025: #17
"I have the feeling that I'm in a glass box. All of the people in the world march past me, but I can't join them because of the glass. I know that when I can tell just one person who I am, the glass will melt and I can join the parade. It's hard being a teenager, isn't it?"
Coming back to this again after reading a lot of angsty painful traumatising books recently has been refreshing once more. This was always one of my favourites as a kid and the mysteries still held up. What I appreciate most about this series as an adult though is the surprisingly nuanced commentary on being a young person trying to make your way in the world. I'm glad I read these as a kid, as I'm sure it would have (perhaps unconsciously) made me feel seen. And I'm pleased I'm re reading them as an adult and a teacher - it's always good to be reminded that being a teenager is fucking hard, and my students are going through that.
"I have the feeling that I'm in a glass box. All of the people in the world march past me, but I can't join them because of the glass. I know that when I can tell just one person who I am, the glass will melt and I can join the parade. It's hard being a teenager, isn't it?"
Coming back to this again after reading a lot of angsty painful traumatising books recently has been refreshing once more. This was always one of my favourites as a kid and the mysteries still held up. What I appreciate most about this series as an adult though is the surprisingly nuanced commentary on being a young person trying to make your way in the world. I'm glad I read these as a kid, as I'm sure it would have (perhaps unconsciously) made me feel seen. And I'm pleased I'm re reading them as an adult and a teacher - it's always good to be reminded that being a teenager is fucking hard, and my students are going through that.
March 25, 2023
Liked it surprisingly well. Read it while holding Haley Mills in mind, especially Haley Mills from That Darn Cat.
March 26, 2018
I loved the Trixie Belden books as a kid (nice to see they got republished). I'm still unsure how they ended up in my corner of the world. I slowly amassed the whole series as first editions (it seemed so glamourous as a kid owning precious books that were older than me!) by saving all my pocket money to buy them from the local secondhand store. I can only guess that some adult (probably having moved to our sleepy town from overseas) had sold them off in bulk. They sat in a back corner of the store, thankfully ignored by everyone else, as I slowly acquired them through pocket money and then in a mass swoop for Christmas. It helped that back then secondhand books sold for anywhere from 10 cents to 50 cents rather than $7-10 as they do these days!
They were wonderful mystery books for children of a similar ilk to Famous Five, Secret Seven, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, The Three Investigators etc.; set in a time long before cellphones when sleuthing into mysterious mansions, smugglers, and strange sounds in the night wouldn't cause any real harm to befall our child investigators.
They were wonderful mystery books for children of a similar ilk to Famous Five, Secret Seven, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, The Three Investigators etc.; set in a time long before cellphones when sleuthing into mysterious mansions, smugglers, and strange sounds in the night wouldn't cause any real harm to befall our child investigators.
May 20, 2022
Wedding bells are in the air, as Jim's cousin Juliana prepares to marry her sweetheart Hans Vorwald, before moving back to live in Holland. The friction of preparing for it takes its toll on everyone, and a spate of robberies adds to the tension. The Lynches' lounge room is stripped clean, all the district bikes are stolen and even Juliana's gorgeous engagement ring goes missing. Meanwhile Trixie is barely tolerating a visit from her cousin Hallie, who she fiercely resents. And a strange lady phones out of the blue to request a wedding invitation. What will happen if everything comes to a climax on the special day?
* The Beldens are hosting their cousin Hallie from Idaho. To call Trixie's grudge against her ginormous is an understatement. It turns out to be based on jealousy and insecurity. Hallie has dark, Indian princess looks, and is totally self-confident with drawling mannerisms. The way Trixie blows up at Hallie, for no real reason at all, is inexcusable and atrocious.
* Aha, it turns out Trixie frequently feels upstaged by Hallie. A shadow side of Trixie's character is revealed. Solving mysteries is more than just a generous impulse. She does seek credit and attention, to boost her own importance. She even admits that getting positive feedback makes her feel as if she matters in the world. When Hallie steps forward to do some sleuthing of her own, Trixie is so disgruntled because she feels sidelined. She's addicted to praise and acclamation. We fans of Trixie wouldn't go so far as to say it's all about her, but it clearly is a lot about her.
* We are directly told 'Trixie was not used to sharing the limelight and she didn't quite know how to make room for a cousin in this fun time.' (Refer back to my observation at the end of Book 14, The Mystery of the Emeralds, when Mart comments that Trixie doesn't want her thunder stolen; Trixie attempts to pulverize him on the spot, and Jim asks him to apologize to her.) She's a good detective but also a spoiled brat.
* It's weird that Moms doesn't mention Hallie's visit in the week leading up to it. Trixie only knows about it because she overhears a phone call, and Brian and Mart have no idea at all until she's there. Perhaps it was meant to be a pleasant surprise. It sure backfires on Trixie.
* Hallie is the daughter of a third Belden boy named Harold, brother of Peter and Andrew. I imagine she was named after her dad. I wonder if it's short for Harriet or if Hallie simply stands alone.
* It turns out Mrs Vanderpoel was married straight after World War One. This continues to date the series. If she married in her twenties and is now in her eighties, this story must be the 1970s at the latest. Mrs Vanderpoel is possibly in her sprightly seventies though, in which case it's set in the sixties, which matches the 1962 publication date.
* There's nothing quite like wedding preparations to bring everyone's deepest character flaws to the surface. Madeleine Wheeler is adept at dodging responsibility and leaving all the details to Miss Trask. And we get the feeling Miss Trask is just about on the edge of her last nerve. She's decidedly shirty at times, to be saddled with all the work.
* Trixie is not the only one whose insecurities are stirred by wedding fever. Diana almost reverts to her old, touchy self as a result of having her wedding invitation swiped from the letter-box. It dredges old feelings of being left out. Sure, her sensible self can reason that there was obviously some mistake. She's in the wedding party, after all! But her sensitive self demands why it had to be her invitation. And Mart virtually admits that he makes a Herculean effort to assert himself as a distinct personality from his virtuous older brother, Brian. He's talking about his male cousins (Hallie's brothers) but we know he's thinking of himself.
* Di's small twin sisters are included in the wedding ceremony, to their great delight. The names of these two are never divulged throughout the whole series, unlike their brothers, Larry and Terry.
* We are told the Lynches re-hired Harrison the butler, along with nannies for the younger kids. Apparently coping with the demands of a rich couple's lifestyle became too overwhelming to manage alone. But Mr Lynch is a fun guy, so why not look for someone a little less anal retentive than Harrison this time round? I get the feeling Mrs Lynch veers to the compulsive, control freak side of the scale, and Harrison is more on her wavelength.
* It's cheeky of a stranger like Miss Ryks to make a phone call, asking to be included on someone's wedding guest list! Did anyone ever really do that, even in the primitive seventies? Whether she's on the level or not, behaviour that pushy crosses an etiquette line in my books. So the title of this book turns out to have a double meaning. Hallie is an uninvited guest at Crabapple Farm as far as Trixie is concerned, and Miss Ryks is an uninvited guest at Hans and Juliana's wedding.
* Circumstantial evidence looks really bad against poor Dan for a while.
* There are a few romantic sparks between Hallie and Dan, or at least the suggestion of them. I get the feeling these could grow stronger if these two get to see more of each other. However, I don't know how well sparks fly across a large continent. Long distance relationships are rough.
* Di catches Juliana's wedding bouquet. Look out, Mart.
* The Turf Show which doesn't take place in the last book is mentioned again. And.... doesn't take place again. Are they really going to prolong it until the next book?
* Juliana and Hans are off to start their lives together in Holland. And all the wedding planners no doubt breathe sighs of relief.
* Quote of the book goes to Mr Lynch. 'My wife is a nut about having things match. Even the children.'
* The Beldens are hosting their cousin Hallie from Idaho. To call Trixie's grudge against her ginormous is an understatement. It turns out to be based on jealousy and insecurity. Hallie has dark, Indian princess looks, and is totally self-confident with drawling mannerisms. The way Trixie blows up at Hallie, for no real reason at all, is inexcusable and atrocious.
* Aha, it turns out Trixie frequently feels upstaged by Hallie. A shadow side of Trixie's character is revealed. Solving mysteries is more than just a generous impulse. She does seek credit and attention, to boost her own importance. She even admits that getting positive feedback makes her feel as if she matters in the world. When Hallie steps forward to do some sleuthing of her own, Trixie is so disgruntled because she feels sidelined. She's addicted to praise and acclamation. We fans of Trixie wouldn't go so far as to say it's all about her, but it clearly is a lot about her.
* We are directly told 'Trixie was not used to sharing the limelight and she didn't quite know how to make room for a cousin in this fun time.' (Refer back to my observation at the end of Book 14, The Mystery of the Emeralds, when Mart comments that Trixie doesn't want her thunder stolen; Trixie attempts to pulverize him on the spot, and Jim asks him to apologize to her.) She's a good detective but also a spoiled brat.
* It's weird that Moms doesn't mention Hallie's visit in the week leading up to it. Trixie only knows about it because she overhears a phone call, and Brian and Mart have no idea at all until she's there. Perhaps it was meant to be a pleasant surprise. It sure backfires on Trixie.
* Hallie is the daughter of a third Belden boy named Harold, brother of Peter and Andrew. I imagine she was named after her dad. I wonder if it's short for Harriet or if Hallie simply stands alone.
* It turns out Mrs Vanderpoel was married straight after World War One. This continues to date the series. If she married in her twenties and is now in her eighties, this story must be the 1970s at the latest. Mrs Vanderpoel is possibly in her sprightly seventies though, in which case it's set in the sixties, which matches the 1962 publication date.
* There's nothing quite like wedding preparations to bring everyone's deepest character flaws to the surface. Madeleine Wheeler is adept at dodging responsibility and leaving all the details to Miss Trask. And we get the feeling Miss Trask is just about on the edge of her last nerve. She's decidedly shirty at times, to be saddled with all the work.
* Trixie is not the only one whose insecurities are stirred by wedding fever. Diana almost reverts to her old, touchy self as a result of having her wedding invitation swiped from the letter-box. It dredges old feelings of being left out. Sure, her sensible self can reason that there was obviously some mistake. She's in the wedding party, after all! But her sensitive self demands why it had to be her invitation. And Mart virtually admits that he makes a Herculean effort to assert himself as a distinct personality from his virtuous older brother, Brian. He's talking about his male cousins (Hallie's brothers) but we know he's thinking of himself.
* Di's small twin sisters are included in the wedding ceremony, to their great delight. The names of these two are never divulged throughout the whole series, unlike their brothers, Larry and Terry.
* We are told the Lynches re-hired Harrison the butler, along with nannies for the younger kids. Apparently coping with the demands of a rich couple's lifestyle became too overwhelming to manage alone. But Mr Lynch is a fun guy, so why not look for someone a little less anal retentive than Harrison this time round? I get the feeling Mrs Lynch veers to the compulsive, control freak side of the scale, and Harrison is more on her wavelength.
* It's cheeky of a stranger like Miss Ryks to make a phone call, asking to be included on someone's wedding guest list! Did anyone ever really do that, even in the primitive seventies? Whether she's on the level or not, behaviour that pushy crosses an etiquette line in my books. So the title of this book turns out to have a double meaning. Hallie is an uninvited guest at Crabapple Farm as far as Trixie is concerned, and Miss Ryks is an uninvited guest at Hans and Juliana's wedding.
* Circumstantial evidence looks really bad against poor Dan for a while.
* There are a few romantic sparks between Hallie and Dan, or at least the suggestion of them. I get the feeling these could grow stronger if these two get to see more of each other. However, I don't know how well sparks fly across a large continent. Long distance relationships are rough.
* Di catches Juliana's wedding bouquet. Look out, Mart.
* The Turf Show which doesn't take place in the last book is mentioned again. And.... doesn't take place again. Are they really going to prolong it until the next book?
* Juliana and Hans are off to start their lives together in Holland. And all the wedding planners no doubt breathe sighs of relief.
* Quote of the book goes to Mr Lynch. 'My wife is a nut about having things match. Even the children.'
March 2, 2014
Trixie's counsin is in town for a visit, but Trixie is distracted by the wheelchair that appears and disappears along Glen Road. Meanwhile, a woman no one knows is trying to get invited to the wedding of Jim's cousin. While one sub-plot falls flat, I enjoy this great mystery that uses all the characters well and actually keeps them in character. A great start to the second half of the series.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
July 27, 2011
Oddly, my biggest beef with this one is the hideous cover, which makes Jim look like Carrot Top (and approximately 25 years old). I also didn't like Trixie's cousin Hallie and the way the two girls didn't get along, then got along. It didn't seem real. Hallie's a great fanfic character because she can be great or so dreadfully awful. Loved Dan saving the day in this one and then having to be saved himself.
February 24, 2017
Trixie Belden's cousin Hallie has arrived just in time for Juliana and Han's wedding. The thing is Trixie and Hallie have never gotten along, they both like to be in control, and this visit is no different, they get off to a terrible start. Trixie and Hallie will have to overcome their differences when an unexpected guest turns up for the wedding, thieves are lurking in the neighborhood and Juliana's wedding ring disappears.
March 16, 2016
Trixie's beautiful cousin Hallie arrives at Crabapple Farm for a visit; she and Trixie have been rivals all their lives. Also, Jim's cousin, Juliana, is planning her wedding to be held at the Wheeler estate. Then, Diana's house is robbed, the first in a string of burglaries. Why does Dan seem so disturbed by it? And who is the mysterious Miss Ryks who wants to be invited to the wedding at Manor House? Trixie's got her work cut out for her.
January 22, 2021
10/17/10-10/21/10: These mysteries seem to be getting more and more difficult to solve. This time Hallie Belden, Trixie's cousin, is here to bother her. Can Trixie solve this strange mystery AND get along with Hallie? I enjoyed finding out.
September 17, 2016
While clearly written by the same person who wrote the last one, not one of my favorites. I don't like that they made Dan be all secretive again, I don't think he would have been. Other than that, story is good over all.
October 8, 2013
Another fun, easy reading mystery ...
December 31, 2022
Really fast paced, though Trixie's teenage angst was a bit annoying! A good strong storyline, with crossdressers, weddings and even Bobby getting himself into some serious trouble!!!
December 26, 2012
book 17
January 10, 2013
This was always one of my favorite Trixie Beldens, and I've probably read it more times than any other one. On yet another re-read I still greatly enjoyed it!
August 6, 2013
I am glad readers have closure to the Juliana/Janie story; and my fave Trixie's are always set at home.
Bobby has an interesting role in this story.
Bobby has an interesting role in this story.
December 14, 2013
Brilliant as always
December 31, 2024
I recently read two Trixie Belden books for the same reasons, so both reviews will be ninety percent the same.
My cousin, J, gave me these, claiming her mother, my late aunt, had read them. J said my late aunt had written notes in them, and wanted me to have them "since I like books". She handed them to me with some other books of my late aunt's. J had been apparently hanging onto these books since her mother's death ten years ago. For some people, that's heartbreaking. For my cousin...this is yet another example of her being a huge jerk for reasons that are beyond this book review. Each book was helpfully marked with the little--I had to look up what these were called. Post-it flag stickers. As I read both books, I realized my cousin had stuck them onto pages capriciously. J has...a history of...she uh...inflates or downplays things severely, according to her worldview and mood. My aunt had actually written no notes. She had underlined things on three pages total in the first book I read. J and me have not spoken for ten years, and only started to a few months ago. She does not know what kinds of books I like and does not care. My cousin just wanted these books off her hands and wanted to tell herself she was doing a nice thing. .
I first heard about Trixie Belden because a librarian mentioned liking her books as a kid. This was a few months ago, and we were talking about library book sales. "Oh, so like Nancy Drew, but earlier," I piped up. The librarian frowned a little.
"She sounds interesting," I assured the librarian, out of social nicety really. I'd outgrown Nancy Drew books and was uninterested in returning, as it were. Then my cousin dropped off books at my apartment. Two Trixie Belden ones and three Xtian romances from the 80s. Each heaped with the little post-it flag stickers.
I read these two Trixie Belden ones because I wanted to know more about my aunt. She would have read and enjoyed these as a kid, maybe even a teenager.
The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest: This holds up after all this time! There's some instances of trying to make fetch happen that are increasingly annoying: "gleeps" again. The rivalry between cousins has probably been around since prehistorical times and haha, it reminded me a little of me and my cousin. This was a far darker book than I had been anticipating. I'm glad I got to read it..
My cousin, J, gave me these, claiming her mother, my late aunt, had read them. J said my late aunt had written notes in them, and wanted me to have them "since I like books". She handed them to me with some other books of my late aunt's. J had been apparently hanging onto these books since her mother's death ten years ago. For some people, that's heartbreaking. For my cousin...this is yet another example of her being a huge jerk for reasons that are beyond this book review. Each book was helpfully marked with the little--I had to look up what these were called. Post-it flag stickers. As I read both books, I realized my cousin had stuck them onto pages capriciously. J has...a history of...she uh...inflates or downplays things severely, according to her worldview and mood. My aunt had actually written no notes. She had underlined things on three pages total in the first book I read. J and me have not spoken for ten years, and only started to a few months ago. She does not know what kinds of books I like and does not care. My cousin just wanted these books off her hands and wanted to tell herself she was doing a nice thing. .
I first heard about Trixie Belden because a librarian mentioned liking her books as a kid. This was a few months ago, and we were talking about library book sales. "Oh, so like Nancy Drew, but earlier," I piped up. The librarian frowned a little.
"She sounds interesting," I assured the librarian, out of social nicety really. I'd outgrown Nancy Drew books and was uninterested in returning, as it were. Then my cousin dropped off books at my apartment. Two Trixie Belden ones and three Xtian romances from the 80s. Each heaped with the little post-it flag stickers.
I read these two Trixie Belden ones because I wanted to know more about my aunt. She would have read and enjoyed these as a kid, maybe even a teenager.
The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest: This holds up after all this time! There's some instances of trying to make fetch happen that are increasingly annoying: "gleeps" again. The rivalry between cousins has probably been around since prehistorical times and haha, it reminded me a little of me and my cousin. This was a far darker book than I had been anticipating. I'm glad I got to read it..
April 18, 2020
Trixie and her family and friends are busy preparing for the upcoming wedding of Jim's cousin, Juliana, to her fiance, Hans. It's during this time that Trixie's cousin, Hallie, comes to stay for a few weeks. Trixie and Hallie have never quite gotten along, and Trixie resents her pretty cousin's presence. There are more pressing concerns, however, when the home of Trixie's friend, Diana, is robbed, along with several other homes in the area. At the same time, Trixie's little brother, Bobby, is acting strangely. He claims to have seen a wheelchair in the woods. When food begins disappearing from the Belden home, and many locals have their bicycles, scooters, etc stolen, Trixie can't help but think everything is connected. Adding to the chaos is a strange woman who claims to be a friend of the family of either Juliana and Hans and insists on being invited to the wedding, and when Juliana's engagement ring disappears, it's up to Trixie and the Bob-Whites, along with some help from Hallie, to save the day.
There was almost too much going on in this book, and it wasn't easy keeping up with it. I put things together before Trixie did, but it was fun to watch her solve the mystery.
There was almost too much going on in this book, and it wasn't easy keeping up with it. I put things together before Trixie did, but it was fun to watch her solve the mystery.
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April 16, 2023The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest is a direct sequel to The Mystery of the Missing Heiress, with a wedding, the appearance of a never-before-seen cousin, Hallie, a slightly jealous Trixie, who is not at her best in this outing, and a minor mystery with Dan, unusual enough in itself to be tantalizing. Dan never gets much page-time but when he does there is bound to be some kind of danger around, something I just realized with this book. I'm never very fond of the titles where Trixie becomes a bit umm...obnoxious, but she's a teenager, with a temper she can't always control. The object of her dislike this time around is the above-mentioned cousin, Hallie, though dislike is probably too strong a word. Hallie just gets on her nerves, and there's some jealousy at play as well because, well, Jim, but the mystery in this outing requires her to find a way to get along with Hallie. The mystery itself is well developed, though the obviousness of a certain plot element is a little annoying. There's danger and threats and kidnappings, making this one of the more action-packed titles.
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October 28, 2023I was luckily able to find this online to read since the library doesn't have most of the books in the series available. It took maybe 4 1/2 hours for me to read it.
In this book and one or two of the others before this, Trixie behaves unpleasantly. I suppose it depends on which ghost writer was writing at the time as to how Trixie is portrayed. I didn't like it.
Honey's eyes are hazel but in this book they're blue. I don't know if that was a continuity error or if it was just an online error since there were multiple words that were wrong, which was frustrating.
I was surprised that the mystery wasn't wrapped up before the wedding since I thought the wedding would have made for a better ending.
In this book and one or two of the others before this, Trixie behaves unpleasantly. I suppose it depends on which ghost writer was writing at the time as to how Trixie is portrayed. I didn't like it.
Honey's eyes are hazel but in this book they're blue. I don't know if that was a continuity error or if it was just an online error since there were multiple words that were wrong, which was frustrating.
I was surprised that the mystery wasn't wrapped up before the wedding since I thought the wedding would have made for a better ending.
September 29, 2020
The 17th adventure in the Trixie Belden series and I liked a lot that this one carried on pretty much directly from the previous book, that gave the side characters a bit more depth than the usual passing parties of interest. This had a good mystery attached to it with a very dramatic storyline. A lot of fun! I’m not sure if I had read this one before, the plot wasn’t one I remembered, so that was nice.
August 23, 2020
One of the better Trixie books. It's more adult-like in its origins and in the conclusion. I can't say more without giving it all away. However, as you read the book and in typical fashion for an adult reading a YA book, you should be able to sleuth it all out, even before the Belden-Wheeler Detective Agency does.
April 6, 2022
This mystery is set at home so you get to learn a bit more about everyone's home life especially the Beldens. All BWG's are present and accounted for also, along with Trixie's cousin. It's a good mystery.
June 20, 2018
My favorite of all the Trixie Belden books!
March 28, 2020
Oh, Trixie, you and your unchecked temper!
Another solid mystery solved by the Belden Wheeler Detective Agency. I think I like these books best when they are based in Sleepyside!
Another solid mystery solved by the Belden Wheeler Detective Agency. I think I like these books best when they are based in Sleepyside!
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