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Dana Girls Mystery #2
The Secret at Lone Tree Cottage
Miss Tisdale, Jean and Louise Dana's favorite teacher, disappears mysteriously one afternoon. The Danas search for clues and discover her car abandoned on a nearby road. The key is still in the ignition, and there are signs of a struggle. Miss Tisdale has been abducted!
Jean and Louise learn that Miss Tisdale has been supporting her widowed twin sister, who has been disowned by their parents ever since she married. Mrs. Brixton is being threatened by her husband's former partner, and the Danas suspect that this man is responsible for Miss Tisdale's strange disappearance.
The police cannot be contacted, because Miss Tisdale's father is in frail health and the shock of her disappearance could kill him. The Danas seek Uncle Ned Dana's help in tracking down Miss Tisdale, and the three Danas undertake their difficult mission without assistance.
Jean and Louise learn that Miss Tisdale has been supporting her widowed twin sister, who has been disowned by their parents ever since she married. Mrs. Brixton is being threatened by her husband's former partner, and the Danas suspect that this man is responsible for Miss Tisdale's strange disappearance.
The police cannot be contacted, because Miss Tisdale's father is in frail health and the shock of her disappearance could kill him. The Danas seek Uncle Ned Dana's help in tracking down Miss Tisdale, and the three Danas undertake their difficult mission without assistance.
218 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1934
12 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,121 books3,905 followersCarolyn Keene is a writer pen name that was used by many different people- both men and women- over the years. The company that was the creator of the Nancy Drew series, the Stratemeyer Syndicate, hired a variety of writers. For Nancy Drew, the writers used the pseudonym Carolyn Keene to assure anonymity of the creator.
Edna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. It was Mildred Benson (aka: Mildred A. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.
Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts. The role of the writer of "Carolyn Keene" passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.
Edna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. It was Mildred Benson (aka: Mildred A. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.
Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts. The role of the writer of "Carolyn Keene" passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 23, 2023
Nancy Drew vibes, anyone??
It’s a fun easy-read, no-blood mystery with all of the character cliches and lack of actual character development that knock a couple of stars off for me personally.😅I remember loving a Dana Girls book as a kid and am comfortable handing them off to my little sisters, but I think my TBR is just too long to waste time on them at present.🙈
(Also, it DROVE ME CRAZY that teenage detectives were keeping information from a professional detective and the police.🙈)
It’s a fun easy-read, no-blood mystery with all of the character cliches and lack of actual character development that knock a couple of stars off for me personally.😅I remember loving a Dana Girls book as a kid and am comfortable handing them off to my little sisters, but I think my TBR is just too long to waste time on them at present.🙈
(Also, it DROVE ME CRAZY that teenage detectives were keeping information from a professional detective and the police.🙈)
August 27, 2023
This was my first Dana Girls Mystery book and I really liked it! Very similar in style to a Nancy Drew mystery, though perhaps a little less exuberant. Since I haven't read the first book in this series, I didn't have a good idea of Jean and Louise as characters. Though their appearances are described, they don't seem too different in personality, so I kept forgetting who was who. Maybe after I read the first book, things might become clearer.
The mystery was suitably interesting, even if the plot was pretty predictable. I'm sure I would have enjoyed this book more if I'd read it first as a young adult. Either way, it was light and entertaining and I'm glad I tried it. I have a few more vintage Dana Girls books in my collection, so I might give those a try, too.
I still prefer the Nancy Drew series, but I'm open to reading more of Dana Girls. Maybe this particular book was just one of the less thrilling adventures. If you have a favorite in this series, I'd love to know which one it is. Just comment on this review :)
The mystery was suitably interesting, even if the plot was pretty predictable. I'm sure I would have enjoyed this book more if I'd read it first as a young adult. Either way, it was light and entertaining and I'm glad I tried it. I have a few more vintage Dana Girls books in my collection, so I might give those a try, too.
I still prefer the Nancy Drew series, but I'm open to reading more of Dana Girls. Maybe this particular book was just one of the less thrilling adventures. If you have a favorite in this series, I'd love to know which one it is. Just comment on this review :)
February 6, 2018
This book contains a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The Dana girls, Jean and Louise, attend an all girls school and find themselves wrapped up in the mystery of how their teacher had, for some unknown reason, disappeared. All the students adored the English teacher, but after one quick incident, the teacher had vanished into thin air and had not been heard of until the Dana girls start their search for answers. They make good friends with the young teacher's parents, her widowed sister, and little niece. Not only do they help bring back a wonderful teacher back to the school, but they also reunite a very broken up family, and bring happiness for everyone. The search for the teacher puts the girls in a few life-threatening situations where only a miracle could get them out of the sticky situation. I give this book five stars and would recommend this book to any age group and anyone who enjoys a suspenseful, medium-length, easy read that has many good vocabulary words.
January 29, 2021
Wow! The Dana girls are such fun characters! I enjoyed the mystery and can't wait to read another Dana girls book!
January 31, 2017
Synopsis:
The Secret at Lone Tree Cottage is the second book in the Dana Girls Mystery Stories. It was published in 1934 and was "written by" Carolyn Keene which was a pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate. The series was written by a few ghostwriters and this particular title was written by Leslie McFarlane. In this book the Dana Girls are at Starrhurst Academy the entire time as they are in the midst of their school year. They are immediately thrust into a new mystery when their beloved English teacher Miss Tisdale disappears. They realize she has been kidnapped and held for ransom and they are determined to find her. At the same time they discover some family secrets of hers and get involved with her family to try to trace her whereabouts.
Storyline:
The story was just ok in this book. I feel like not a lot happened actually. It was fine and I enjoyed it, but I think that the first book in the series had a much better story to be honest.
Setting:
Same goes for the setting as for the story. It wasn’t that interesting and stayed the same the entire time. In the first book of the series the setting changed a few times and was more exciting. I liked the setting of course, just wanted something more exciting.
Characters:
The characters were pretty good. I like the two Dana girls and their Uncle featured in this one a bit and I like him a great deal. Their teacher Miss Tisdale was a nice character and her family I liked as well. Her Dad was pretty comical with his obsession with illness. Character wise there was nothing to complain about. Of course the characters in these type books are never too fleshed out, but I liked them. This one had a bit of a family drama in it, so there were some more interesting character dynamics .
Did I Like It?:
Yes I enjoyed The Secret of Lone Tree Cottage. I just enjoyed the first book in this series more, so I have given this a lower rating. I won’t be continuing with the series because these were the only two books I had because my brother gifted them to me for Christmas. I enjoyed them though and they were quite cozy and nostalgic.
Do I Recommend It?:
Well this is a second book in a series, but if you enjoy vintage children’s mystery series I suggest you pick up the first book in this series and give it a go. They are out of print though, so you just have to find a used copy.
The Secret at Lone Tree Cottage is the second book in the Dana Girls Mystery Stories. It was published in 1934 and was "written by" Carolyn Keene which was a pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate. The series was written by a few ghostwriters and this particular title was written by Leslie McFarlane. In this book the Dana Girls are at Starrhurst Academy the entire time as they are in the midst of their school year. They are immediately thrust into a new mystery when their beloved English teacher Miss Tisdale disappears. They realize she has been kidnapped and held for ransom and they are determined to find her. At the same time they discover some family secrets of hers and get involved with her family to try to trace her whereabouts.
Storyline:
The story was just ok in this book. I feel like not a lot happened actually. It was fine and I enjoyed it, but I think that the first book in the series had a much better story to be honest.
Setting:
Same goes for the setting as for the story. It wasn’t that interesting and stayed the same the entire time. In the first book of the series the setting changed a few times and was more exciting. I liked the setting of course, just wanted something more exciting.
Characters:
The characters were pretty good. I like the two Dana girls and their Uncle featured in this one a bit and I like him a great deal. Their teacher Miss Tisdale was a nice character and her family I liked as well. Her Dad was pretty comical with his obsession with illness. Character wise there was nothing to complain about. Of course the characters in these type books are never too fleshed out, but I liked them. This one had a bit of a family drama in it, so there were some more interesting character dynamics .
Did I Like It?:
Yes I enjoyed The Secret of Lone Tree Cottage. I just enjoyed the first book in this series more, so I have given this a lower rating. I won’t be continuing with the series because these were the only two books I had because my brother gifted them to me for Christmas. I enjoyed them though and they were quite cozy and nostalgic.
Do I Recommend It?:
Well this is a second book in a series, but if you enjoy vintage children’s mystery series I suggest you pick up the first book in this series and give it a go. They are out of print though, so you just have to find a used copy.
August 29, 2019
Written in 1934, by Carolyn Keene, a pen name shared by several different authors, who also wrote the original Nancy Drew series, The Dana Girls Mysteries are about teen sleuths, sisters Jean and Louise Dana, headquartered at their all-girls boarding school. The girls are orphans, in the care of their Uncle Ned and his unmarried sister Harriet. Mrs. Crandell, the school headmistress, is another ally of the sisters. Lettie Briggs and Ina Mason are the Danas' antagonists, two classmates who try to either one-up the sisters, or think they can solve the mystery at hand first (but they're always foiled).
In The Secret of Lone Tree Cottage, the Danas' favorite English teacher, Miss Tisdale, goes missing. It's quickly established that she's been kidnapped and held for ransom. The girls, with assistance from Uncle Ned, are doggedly pursuing the case. The culprit is fairly quickly identified, but the slithery snake slips through their fingers more than once. The trio goes on a whirlwind adventure of solving the case, while revealing an old family secret.
As it was written in the 1930s, a much simpler time, the suspense isn't quite what we're used to nowadays, but rest assured, there is suspense, albeit a bit milder than most of today's YA lit. I remember reading this when I was around 6 years old or so, and liking it better than the more popular Nancy Drew. I still enjoyed it as an adult. It was well-written, and the twists and turns kept me interested. Not many 15-16 year old girls spend their afternoons after school chasing down kidnappers without a second thought. Louise and Jean are smart, independent, determined young women.
I'd recommend this for advanced readers who are beyond ready to read full-fledged novels, but aren't interested in tackling the more heady works of Dickens or Dostoyevsky. This would also be great for sensitive children, since there's no violence. Anyone looking for YA that doesn't include romance, or teens who are interested in older stories might also find The Dana Girls Mystery Series enjoyable.
In The Secret of Lone Tree Cottage, the Danas' favorite English teacher, Miss Tisdale, goes missing. It's quickly established that she's been kidnapped and held for ransom. The girls, with assistance from Uncle Ned, are doggedly pursuing the case. The culprit is fairly quickly identified, but the slithery snake slips through their fingers more than once. The trio goes on a whirlwind adventure of solving the case, while revealing an old family secret.
As it was written in the 1930s, a much simpler time, the suspense isn't quite what we're used to nowadays, but rest assured, there is suspense, albeit a bit milder than most of today's YA lit. I remember reading this when I was around 6 years old or so, and liking it better than the more popular Nancy Drew. I still enjoyed it as an adult. It was well-written, and the twists and turns kept me interested. Not many 15-16 year old girls spend their afternoons after school chasing down kidnappers without a second thought. Louise and Jean are smart, independent, determined young women.
I'd recommend this for advanced readers who are beyond ready to read full-fledged novels, but aren't interested in tackling the more heady works of Dickens or Dostoyevsky. This would also be great for sensitive children, since there's no violence. Anyone looking for YA that doesn't include romance, or teens who are interested in older stories might also find The Dana Girls Mystery Series enjoyable.
December 4, 2011
I ran into the Dana Girl mysteries almost twenty years ago while browsing in a small library in Michigan with my daughter. We both truly enjoyed the series. However, one does not find them at the used bookstores very often. The Dana Girl mysteries were written in the 1930s by the same syndicate which wrote Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, but the Dana Girls never caught on as well as the other two series.
In the series, Louise and Jean, sisters who have been adopted by their uncle and who are now in a boarding school, go about solving mysteries similar to Nancy Drew. However, the writers apparently did not like writing this series because they felt that they were limited by the fact that the girls were in boarding school. The girls' uncle is doing well for himself as a captain of a ship, and is well enough off to send the girls to a good school. Such was not the case for many families in the 1930s.
In this book, 'The Secret at Lone Tree Cottage,' the girls work to find their English teacher who has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. They enlist the aid of both their headmistress and their uncle to find their teacher and solve the mystery. I found this story both delightful and entertaining, though it is a bit dated, as are many children's' mysteries written in this era.
In the series, Louise and Jean, sisters who have been adopted by their uncle and who are now in a boarding school, go about solving mysteries similar to Nancy Drew. However, the writers apparently did not like writing this series because they felt that they were limited by the fact that the girls were in boarding school. The girls' uncle is doing well for himself as a captain of a ship, and is well enough off to send the girls to a good school. Such was not the case for many families in the 1930s.
In this book, 'The Secret at Lone Tree Cottage,' the girls work to find their English teacher who has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. They enlist the aid of both their headmistress and their uncle to find their teacher and solve the mystery. I found this story both delightful and entertaining, though it is a bit dated, as are many children's' mysteries written in this era.
January 16, 2016
This is the second book in the Dana Girls series. The main mystery starts with the disappearance of Mrs. Tisdale, the girls' favorite teacher. She seems to have been kidnapped. Later her sister is found, and a tale of family difficulty is given. There's also another kidnapping involved, that of a very young girl.
Uncle Ned plays a pretty major role in the story, and there's also the ever-humorous Lettie and her attempt to cause the Dana girls trouble.
The girls use about every way to get around in this story, including walking, riding a horse, driving a car, and being in a boat (and nearly getting killed in the process.) There's a pack of vicious dogs that they have to deal with and, of course, the main baddie.
One of the odd references to us, but not necessarily for that time the book was written, was a reference to 'excitable females,' used when some guy didn't want to believe what a women were saying.
This is another good story in the series.
Uncle Ned plays a pretty major role in the story, and there's also the ever-humorous Lettie and her attempt to cause the Dana girls trouble.
The girls use about every way to get around in this story, including walking, riding a horse, driving a car, and being in a boat (and nearly getting killed in the process.) There's a pack of vicious dogs that they have to deal with and, of course, the main baddie.
One of the odd references to us, but not necessarily for that time the book was written, was a reference to 'excitable females,' used when some guy didn't want to believe what a women were saying.
This is another good story in the series.
October 8, 2018
This is a re-read for me since I read the book last in my youth. I really enjoyed the story. As in all s3eries books of an earlier era, once must suspend a little belief to the coincidences and f course, realize that these books had a certain "formula" that the Statemeyer Syndicate ghost writers followed when writing the books.
The Dana Girls are thrust into this second mystery when their beloved English teacher is kidnapped. Not only do they need to find her, but they also need to reunite a family that was torn apart some years ago by a stubborn old man (sometimes I wonder just how old these "old" men are). The perpetrator doesn't seem to be especially intelligent or even all that dangerous, but this is a children's series book, and all eventually ends well, as usual.
The Dana Girls are thrust into this second mystery when their beloved English teacher is kidnapped. Not only do they need to find her, but they also need to reunite a family that was torn apart some years ago by a stubborn old man (sometimes I wonder just how old these "old" men are). The perpetrator doesn't seem to be especially intelligent or even all that dangerous, but this is a children's series book, and all eventually ends well, as usual.
June 26, 2016
This book was bad. I was not amused, I was not excited, I was not anything other than disgruntled. I paid good money for this series and now I am regretting it.
The Dana girls spend the entire book chasing their tales trying to solve an uninteresting mystery. Miss Tisdale could have stayed missing for all I cared. Her father could have fell out somewhere and I wouldn't have blinked.
The dogged instance that Mr. Tisdale be kept in the dark about his daughter's kidnapping was eye-roll inducing. Perhaps if it had just been because of his health, I could have stood it, but the wife acted like a scared little woman who couldn't even leave the house without his permission.
The Dana girls spend the entire book chasing their tales trying to solve an uninteresting mystery. Miss Tisdale could have stayed missing for all I cared. Her father could have fell out somewhere and I wouldn't have blinked.
The dogged instance that Mr. Tisdale be kept in the dark about his daughter's kidnapping was eye-roll inducing. Perhaps if it had just been because of his health, I could have stood it, but the wife acted like a scared little woman who couldn't even leave the house without his permission.
August 6, 2008
Jean and Louise Dana's second mystery and adventure
November 3, 2011
Fairly good, but a little slower and more predictable than some.
February 28, 2012
The original versions of these stories are SO much better than the more modern versions and later editions to the series!
March 21, 2013
I loved this series of books that I read back in junior high. They are from the same syndicate that wrote the Nancy Drew books and the Hardy Boys, but I much preferred the Dana Girls.
April 14, 2013
The 2nd Dana girls mystery. Written in 1934 and republished in 1949 it still holds up pretty well. Postal service and telephone use were obviously a bit different then.
Want to read
October 12, 20131954
February 17, 2016
If you are a fan of Nancy drew then you will love this!
December 27, 2020
The Secret at Lone Tree Cottage finds the detective sisters on a rescue mission for their beloved teacher, who seems to have been mysteriously kidnapped. In addition to a captivating plot, the storyline has a good amount of twists, some interesting characters, and a surprisingly emotional impact on the reader. I did find, however, that there isn’t as much suspense and action throughout the book there could have been, which is why I didn’t give a 5-star rating. Even so, the climax is thrilling. Louise and Jean have pleasant chemistry, as usual, and I enjoyed Uncle Ned’s presence more than I did in the previous volume. The writing is superb, but I noticed several flubs where the text mentioned Jean, for example, and then it said Louise when that was obviously incorrect. All in all, I give this installment 4 out of 5 stars – a very nice book with an intriguing adventure.
February 24, 2019
I’ve been very busy, but I finally got around to finishing this book. The Dana girls series is very nostalgic for a kid who grew up reading Nancy drew, so I’m probably overlooking a lot of flaws in the series because of that..but..like I don’t care. This book would honestly be recommended as purely a guilty pleasure read, the mystery is good although sometimes it’s kinda hard to defy my belief on the villains rationale, and the characters are VARY Mary Sue like. BUT sometimes I just want to turn my brain off to read and just read purely because I enjoy it for what it is.
May 22, 2018
Jean and Louise are concerned when their favorite teacher, Miss Tisdale, does not return to Starhurst school one afternoon. So they undertake to search for her. Their concern grows when they discover her car on the side of the road. A visit to her parents provides more information, so using the clues they have gathered they continue their search, which takes them (among other places) to Lone Tree Cottage. Enjoyable.
January 2, 2021
I picked this up to add to the ‘grandkids shelf’ thinking it was a Nancy Drew. (No cover picture). I’d never heard of the Dana Girls series but I loved Nancy Drew. I liked this one better. ☺️
It was written and published in 1934 so it feels very lighthearted, with no actual violence of any sort. It’s 1934 so I’ll forgive the police for ignoring the girls until Uncle Ned tells them (police) what’s happened.
Part of KidLit January for me.
It was written and published in 1934 so it feels very lighthearted, with no actual violence of any sort. It’s 1934 so I’ll forgive the police for ignoring the girls until Uncle Ned tells them (police) what’s happened.
Part of KidLit January for me.
October 15, 2023
Not bad but not wildly compelling either. I liked that the mystery was realistic, with few of the really zany twists typical of later Nancy Drew books. I couldn’t tell the two Dana girls apart so having two of them just seemed to be an easy way to give them someone to talk to. Something comforting about a world where it’s easy to tell the good people apart from the bad people, and to know that the good people will end well.
August 1, 2024
I found this old mystery book when cleaning out some boxes, and having loved Nancy Drew as a girl, decided to read it. The Dana Girls mystery series was written by the same ghostwriter that did Nancy Drew. Two sisters live at a boarding school. When their teacher disappears they are determined to solve the mystery.
July 26, 2020
Greatest book ever!!!!
Thisis my first Book of the Dana series and I loved it!!! I love how this book has all the right amounts of everything!!!! The wit is so sharp, it's like I am witnessing it with my own eyes!! I love this book and will continue to do so!!😄😄😚
Thisis my first Book of the Dana series and I loved it!!! I love how this book has all the right amounts of everything!!!! The wit is so sharp, it's like I am witnessing it with my own eyes!! I love this book and will continue to do so!!😄😄😚
December 5, 2022
3.5 stars
I loved Nancy Drew when I was a kid. Funny to read these books now, married to a police officer, and realize how illogical it is for these young girls to try to solve mysteries on their own. Still kinda entertaining though.
I loved Nancy Drew when I was a kid. Funny to read these books now, married to a police officer, and realize how illogical it is for these young girls to try to solve mysteries on their own. Still kinda entertaining though.
December 3, 2023
eponymous sentence:
p146: "...She'll want to know all about the secret at Lone Tree Cottage, and we'd better not keep her waiting much longer."
So far so good. The Nancy Drew books better blow me away as these less popular ones are already setting up a high enough bar.
p146: "...She'll want to know all about the secret at Lone Tree Cottage, and we'd better not keep her waiting much longer."
So far so good. The Nancy Drew books better blow me away as these less popular ones are already setting up a high enough bar.
October 15, 2024
I was honestly shocked at how good this was. A really lovely fall read (takes place in November and has really nice late fall/early winter academia vibes). I wonder why I’ve never heard of this “Carolyn Keene” franchise before, but I’d definitely love to read more Dana Girl mysteries 😀
June 25, 2020
Some kidnaps the Dana sisters' favorite teacher, and the teacher's niece. The Dana sisters investigate and rescue her.
August 2, 2020
Such fun nostalgia!
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January 24, 2021read about 14 of these; I think that was all of the titles I could find
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews