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Trixie Belden #4
Trixie Belden and the Mysterious Visitor
Trixie Belden, a 13-year-old girl from upstate New York and her friends try to uncover the mystery surrounding a newly found uncle of one of her friends.
236 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1954
32 people are currently reading
787 people want to read
About the author
Julie Campbell
56 books178 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Julie Campbell Tatham
aka
Julie Campbell, Julie Tatham and Julie C. Tatham
Julie Campbell was born on the 1st of June 1908 in Flushing, New York and shares the same birthday as her character, Mart Belden. As the daughter of an Army Officer, she travelled widely during her childhood and, at the age of eight, won her first short story contest while living in Hawaii.
Campbell married Charles Tatham Jr. on the 30th March 1933 and they worked together on many magazine stories and articles. Campbell lived in a remodelled farmhouse in the Hudson River Valley with her husband and two sons when she began writing the Trixie Belden series.
She had her own literary agency in the 1940s when Western Publishing invited literary agents to find authors who could produce mystery and adventure books that would be marketed to children at an affordable price. Campbell proposed four series, two that would be written by herself and the others by two of her authors Hal Burton and John Henry Cutler.
Both series were published under her maiden name, Julie Campbell. The Ginny Gordon series consisted of five books published between 1948 and 1956, while her contribution to the Trixie Belden series consisted of six books between 1948 and 1958. At the same time, Campbell stepped in to take over the Cherry Ames and Vicki Barr series and wrote twelve books in total for these series over the same time period. It is believed that Campbell wrote Cherry Ames, Cruise Nurse in three weeks during the same period she was also writing the first Trixie Belden and Ginny Gordon books.
Campbell wrote the series under her married name of Julie Tatham. There are several similarities to the Trixie Belden series. Cherry Ames: Dude Ranch Nurse is set in Tucson, Arizona which is the setting of Campbell's last Trixie Belden Mystery. The last Cherry Ames book Campbell wrote in 1955, Cherry Ames: Country Doctor's Nurse, is set in Sleepyside-on-the-Hudson, the setting of the Trixie Belden mysteries. So is a wonderful book called To Nick from Jan, which has many similarities to Trixie Belden except the main character is almost 17 years old.
She is also credited for writing "Rin Tin Tin's Rinty" for Whitman in 1954, but in an article Campbell denied having written that book and wonders why Whitman credited her with the title.
The Trixie Belden series was set in "Sleepyside" but was based on the town Campbell was living in at the time in the Hudson River Valley near Ossining. Her home, "Wolf Hollow", was the model for Crabapple Farm and Campbell actually lived on Glendale Road.
After completing Trixie Belden and the Mystery in Arizona, Campbell decided to stop. Her experience as a literary agent assisted her in negotiating a royalty on the next six books of the series as she owned the characters, but it meant her giving up the originator rights to this series. Western Publishing decided to continue the books under the pseudonym Kathryn Kenny.
Campbell also relinquished the Cherry Ames and Vicki Barr series when Helen Wells decided to return to writing them. The Ginny Gordon series was not continued.
There is evidence that Campbell sought a writing position with the Stratemeyer Syndicate in 1957. Timothy P. O'Herin spent an afternoon going through the Stratemeyer archives and found correspondence between Campbell and Harriet Adams, the daughter of Edward Stratemeyer.
"The letters occurred around 1957 and they consisted of Ms. Tatham seeking a writing position with the syndicate. Mrs. Adams responded with glowing praise for her work, but questioning whether Julie would want to relocate for the job. Julie indicated she would be willing to commute. There were only a few letters in this brief correspondence..."
Julie Campbell Tatham
aka
Julie Campbell, Julie Tatham and Julie C. Tatham
Julie Campbell was born on the 1st of June 1908 in Flushing, New York and shares the same birthday as her character, Mart Belden. As the daughter of an Army Officer, she travelled widely during her childhood and, at the age of eight, won her first short story contest while living in Hawaii.
Campbell married Charles Tatham Jr. on the 30th March 1933 and they worked together on many magazine stories and articles. Campbell lived in a remodelled farmhouse in the Hudson River Valley with her husband and two sons when she began writing the Trixie Belden series.
She had her own literary agency in the 1940s when Western Publishing invited literary agents to find authors who could produce mystery and adventure books that would be marketed to children at an affordable price. Campbell proposed four series, two that would be written by herself and the others by two of her authors Hal Burton and John Henry Cutler.
Both series were published under her maiden name, Julie Campbell. The Ginny Gordon series consisted of five books published between 1948 and 1956, while her contribution to the Trixie Belden series consisted of six books between 1948 and 1958. At the same time, Campbell stepped in to take over the Cherry Ames and Vicki Barr series and wrote twelve books in total for these series over the same time period. It is believed that Campbell wrote Cherry Ames, Cruise Nurse in three weeks during the same period she was also writing the first Trixie Belden and Ginny Gordon books.
Campbell wrote the series under her married name of Julie Tatham. There are several similarities to the Trixie Belden series. Cherry Ames: Dude Ranch Nurse is set in Tucson, Arizona which is the setting of Campbell's last Trixie Belden Mystery. The last Cherry Ames book Campbell wrote in 1955, Cherry Ames: Country Doctor's Nurse, is set in Sleepyside-on-the-Hudson, the setting of the Trixie Belden mysteries. So is a wonderful book called To Nick from Jan, which has many similarities to Trixie Belden except the main character is almost 17 years old.
She is also credited for writing "Rin Tin Tin's Rinty" for Whitman in 1954, but in an article Campbell denied having written that book and wonders why Whitman credited her with the title.
The Trixie Belden series was set in "Sleepyside" but was based on the town Campbell was living in at the time in the Hudson River Valley near Ossining. Her home, "Wolf Hollow", was the model for Crabapple Farm and Campbell actually lived on Glendale Road.
After completing Trixie Belden and the Mystery in Arizona, Campbell decided to stop. Her experience as a literary agent assisted her in negotiating a royalty on the next six books of the series as she owned the characters, but it meant her giving up the originator rights to this series. Western Publishing decided to continue the books under the pseudonym Kathryn Kenny.
Campbell also relinquished the Cherry Ames and Vicki Barr series when Helen Wells decided to return to writing them. The Ginny Gordon series was not continued.
There is evidence that Campbell sought a writing position with the Stratemeyer Syndicate in 1957. Timothy P. O'Herin spent an afternoon going through the Stratemeyer archives and found correspondence between Campbell and Harriet Adams, the daughter of Edward Stratemeyer.
"The letters occurred around 1957 and they consisted of Ms. Tatham seeking a writing position with the syndicate. Mrs. Adams responded with glowing praise for her work, but questioning whether Julie would want to relocate for the job. Julie indicated she would be willing to commute. There were only a few letters in this brief correspondence..."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
November 23, 2022
So, now having read the first four in the series in order and to my son, I still see the appeal. I could live without the complaining first Honey and then Di do about being rich. Even When they talk about how little the money means to them. Well, yeah! Poor little rich girls! And now so magnanimous.
I can see it now, but it didn’t bother me at all when I was reading them as a child. I identified more with Trixie probably because she was the main character, but also because her family is solidly upper middle class, which is how it was in my family until I got to middle school (when my father’s business failed and we had serious money issues). All the kids felt it was important that they all contribute equally, financially and work-wise to their club and clubhouse The Bob-Whites and they all did odd jobs to earn money, even Di.
That is all just backdrop though. In this story, Trixie’s sixth sense is working overtime and she is suspicious of Di’s long lost uncle from the very beginning. Things get quite exciting there at the end and it makes me wonder what it was really like in the 50’s in smallish town America. It surprises me now that Sleepyside-on-the-Hudson (the fictitious town where Trixie lives) has a seedy part of town at all. My parents both were about the same age as Trixie’s brothers growing up in very small towns (under 1000 people) in Iowa and I don’t think there were enough people for a bad neighborhood. And many things were in many ways much simpler then. They don’t watch TV (although in this one the adults do!) and they don’t have phones or computers of course. They ride horses, garden, sew, repair various things and are counselors at summer camp. Even reading these in the early 80’s it was idyllic.
At any rate, the writing is good and the stories compelling. My son loves them.
Original review when added to GR without rereading. It’s really just a review of the series as a whole:
Strangely, this no. 4 in the series was my introduction to all that is Trixie Belden. I was enchanted! I loved how spirited she is, how close-knit and loving, her family is, yet she and her brothers bicker all the time, just like me and mine do. That she hung out and played with the "neighborhood" kids and all over the area where she lived, made her feel like she could've been one of my own friends. And what a cool friend she would've been. I wanted to have red hair like hers, but violet eyes, like Di.
I'm afraid I don't remember the details of any of the books in the series that I read (which was very many of them), but I loved them all. I couldn't understand why everyone preferred Nancy Drew!
I can see it now, but it didn’t bother me at all when I was reading them as a child. I identified more with Trixie probably because she was the main character, but also because her family is solidly upper middle class, which is how it was in my family until I got to middle school (when my father’s business failed and we had serious money issues). All the kids felt it was important that they all contribute equally, financially and work-wise to their club and clubhouse The Bob-Whites and they all did odd jobs to earn money, even Di.
That is all just backdrop though. In this story, Trixie’s sixth sense is working overtime and she is suspicious of Di’s long lost uncle from the very beginning. Things get quite exciting there at the end and it makes me wonder what it was really like in the 50’s in smallish town America. It surprises me now that Sleepyside-on-the-Hudson (the fictitious town where Trixie lives) has a seedy part of town at all. My parents both were about the same age as Trixie’s brothers growing up in very small towns (under 1000 people) in Iowa and I don’t think there were enough people for a bad neighborhood. And many things were in many ways much simpler then. They don’t watch TV (although in this one the adults do!) and they don’t have phones or computers of course. They ride horses, garden, sew, repair various things and are counselors at summer camp. Even reading these in the early 80’s it was idyllic.
At any rate, the writing is good and the stories compelling. My son loves them.
Original review when added to GR without rereading. It’s really just a review of the series as a whole:
Strangely, this no. 4 in the series was my introduction to all that is Trixie Belden. I was enchanted! I loved how spirited she is, how close-knit and loving, her family is, yet she and her brothers bicker all the time, just like me and mine do. That she hung out and played with the "neighborhood" kids and all over the area where she lived, made her feel like she could've been one of my own friends. And what a cool friend she would've been. I wanted to have red hair like hers, but violet eyes, like Di.
I'm afraid I don't remember the details of any of the books in the series that I read (which was very many of them), but I loved them all. I couldn't understand why everyone preferred Nancy Drew!
October 8, 2017
Trixie Belden and her best friend, Honey Wheeler, notice that a friend from school seems quite unhappy. Di Lynch's family recently came into money and they now own a large home and have a new, luxurious life. So what does Di have to be sad and depressed about? To cheer her up, they invite her to spend the night at the Wheeler's estate. Di tells them that she is unhappy with some of the changes in her family's life (like servants controlling when she can see her little sisters and brothers). And she also explains that suddenly her mother's long lost brother Monty has appeared. Di doesn't like him and says she doubts he is really her uncle. The girls are on a mission to help Di cheer up so they get together and plan a Halloween party. At the last minute, Uncle Monty swoops in and takes over everything, to the chagrin of the girls. Trixie starts to think that maybe Uncle Monty really is an imposter. But, the man is such an impressive emcee at the party that Trixie can't get Honey, Di or any of their friends to listen to her suspicions. She needs to find evidence that proves Uncle Monty is a fake. Can she sneak around and find proof without getting caught, or hurt?
Trixie Belden & The Mysterious Visitor is the 4th book in the series and was first published in 1954. There are 39 books in all. This was my favorite book series in middle school. I had the entire set! I remember this book was one of my favorites. The storyline has great suspense -- Trixie really does get herself into some major hot water with all her sleuthing and sneaking about this time! I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading this book!
Set in the 1950s the series is a bit dated, but still one of my favorites. With the help of OpenLibrary, I'm reading my way back through the series. So enjoyable to re-visit my old friends from Sleepyside, NY! I always liked Trixie better than Nancy Drew! I happily babysat my spoiled nephew back in the day to earn the money I needed to buy new paperbacks in this series. Nice memories!
Trixie Belden & The Mysterious Visitor is the 4th book in the series and was first published in 1954. There are 39 books in all. This was my favorite book series in middle school. I had the entire set! I remember this book was one of my favorites. The storyline has great suspense -- Trixie really does get herself into some major hot water with all her sleuthing and sneaking about this time! I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading this book!
Set in the 1950s the series is a bit dated, but still one of my favorites. With the help of OpenLibrary, I'm reading my way back through the series. So enjoyable to re-visit my old friends from Sleepyside, NY! I always liked Trixie better than Nancy Drew! I happily babysat my spoiled nephew back in the day to earn the money I needed to buy new paperbacks in this series. Nice memories!
January 12, 2009
I recently brought home an old box of books my mom had been storing in her basement, so I'm working my way through some childhood treasures, including 4 Trixie Beldens. I'm not sure what happened to the other 20-some volumes, because when I was about 9 or 10, I had the entire set. A comment on another online forum made me wonder - would they hold their charm? Could the adult me experience whatever it was I loved so much then, 30 years later?
Of the four books I have re-read for review, this one has the quintessential Trixie Belden elements. Oh, not the mystery, who cares about the mystery? No, Trixie has a lot more than sleuthing to recommend her. She lives in rural beauty. Her family is modest and simple, yet happily their friends and neighbors are millionaires who have gorgeous horses that need exercise. She and her [millionaire:] friends have a "secret club" with its own language and red and white jackets. Did I mention the cute older guys who belong to the club? Oh, and there are good works. Of course there are good works. Plus, people keep rewarding them. A free clubhouse here, a free car there, a few free vacations . . .
Total fantasy fulfillment. And yes, still kind of appealing all these years later. Damn it (or as the Bob Whites might say, Gleeps!) I still want Trixie's life.
Of the four books I have re-read for review, this one has the quintessential Trixie Belden elements. Oh, not the mystery, who cares about the mystery? No, Trixie has a lot more than sleuthing to recommend her. She lives in rural beauty. Her family is modest and simple, yet happily their friends and neighbors are millionaires who have gorgeous horses that need exercise. She and her [millionaire:] friends have a "secret club" with its own language and red and white jackets. Did I mention the cute older guys who belong to the club? Oh, and there are good works. Of course there are good works. Plus, people keep rewarding them. A free clubhouse here, a free car there, a few free vacations . . .
Total fantasy fulfillment. And yes, still kind of appealing all these years later. Damn it (or as the Bob Whites might say, Gleeps!) I still want Trixie's life.
May 21, 2023
4.5 stars (5/10 hearts). This may be one of my least fav Trixie Belden books? Somehow, it’s a lot scarier than the other books, and I’m not as crazy about the plot.
I liked Mr. Lynch, and Mrs. Lynch and Diana were nice enough. And did I mention the villain was totally freaky? But Spider is epic. B) I loved Mart in this one; but I would have liked to see more of Jim, Brian, and Bobby… ;) Honey was awesome though.
The story was pretty interesting and intense. I was frustrated that Trixie kept doing stuff she shouldn't do, or just plain dumb things that got her in dumb situations. (Seriously… she showed extreme lack of common sense in here!) However, the ending made up for the shortcomings of the rest of the book, and I am looking forwards to the next book!
Content: euphemisms; Halloween party
*Quotes to follow upon reread*
I liked Mr. Lynch, and Mrs. Lynch and Diana were nice enough. And did I mention the villain was totally freaky? But Spider is epic. B) I loved Mart in this one; but I would have liked to see more of Jim, Brian, and Bobby… ;) Honey was awesome though.
The story was pretty interesting and intense. I was frustrated that Trixie kept doing stuff she shouldn't do, or just plain dumb things that got her in dumb situations. (Seriously… she showed extreme lack of common sense in here!) However, the ending made up for the shortcomings of the rest of the book, and I am looking forwards to the next book!
Content: euphemisms; Halloween party
*Quotes to follow upon reread*
May 23, 2018
This is one of the "Trixie's wild imagination turns out to be correct" stories which are only sort of fun to read because usually there's plenty of evidence that only Trixie (and sometimes Honey) takes seriously. So the other teen characters come off as slightly stodgy and, in this case, dismissive of Trixie as hyper-imaginative.
On the other hand, Uncle Monty is a great character--really very clever in his approach to getting the Lynches to get rid of him, and a nice mix of smarmy and funny depending on who he's talking to. I liked that Regan had enough of a sense of humor to be amused by his claiming to be a horse expert, because that added to the pile of "evidence" that Monty was just a blowhard.
This book also introduces Diana Lynch, and I like her a lot. Her wealth is enough different from Honey's (or Jim's, come to think on it) that it allows for some interesting discussions about the nouveau-riche and why being rich isn't anything to be ashamed of. Diana's mother's reaction to becoming wealthy strikes me as not unusual for someone who has no idea how "the wealthy" actually behave and is trying to live up to some expectations no one really has of her. (Though with two sets of young twins, I'd hire nannies too.)
It's not my favorite, but it does have one of the more memorable scenes in the series, Di Lynch's Halloween party and Uncle Monty's attempt to ruin it. And we get the first hint that Mart isn't as dismissive of his sister as it seems, though there's still a lot of supposedly good-natured ribbing that strikes me as almost cruel. Overall, though, this is still setting up a lot of the relationship between Trixie and her brothers that I think is realized in the next book.
On the other hand, Uncle Monty is a great character--really very clever in his approach to getting the Lynches to get rid of him, and a nice mix of smarmy and funny depending on who he's talking to. I liked that Regan had enough of a sense of humor to be amused by his claiming to be a horse expert, because that added to the pile of "evidence" that Monty was just a blowhard.
This book also introduces Diana Lynch, and I like her a lot. Her wealth is enough different from Honey's (or Jim's, come to think on it) that it allows for some interesting discussions about the nouveau-riche and why being rich isn't anything to be ashamed of. Diana's mother's reaction to becoming wealthy strikes me as not unusual for someone who has no idea how "the wealthy" actually behave and is trying to live up to some expectations no one really has of her. (Though with two sets of young twins, I'd hire nannies too.)
It's not my favorite, but it does have one of the more memorable scenes in the series, Di Lynch's Halloween party and Uncle Monty's attempt to ruin it. And we get the first hint that Mart isn't as dismissive of his sister as it seems, though there's still a lot of supposedly good-natured ribbing that strikes me as almost cruel. Overall, though, this is still setting up a lot of the relationship between Trixie and her brothers that I think is realized in the next book.
October 29, 2020
The Bob-Whites grow in number as they add neighbor Diana Lynch to the mix. She's unhappy because of her uncle. He's just shown up after being missing for years, and Diana is sure something is off. Could he be an impostor? A good mystery and the characters are still at their best. Another great read in a series I love.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
August 6, 2022
This was very enjoyable. The story introduces Trixie and Honey's friend Diana Lynch into the series, and has a decently plausible plot. I liked that it involved friends and relations rather than random stranger-crooks -- the stakes felt higher with the closer intimacy.
May 18, 2022
Vejam a minha opinião em vídeo, AQUI.
January 2, 2020
This book brings in another member of the Bob Whites, Diana Lynch. Diana is the original poor little rich girl. Since her father became suddenly rich with some shrewd business deals, she has withdrawn from all her friends. She thinks nobody likes her because her life has changed so much and they can't have fun at her fancy new home which is over-run with servants. Trixie, Honey, and the Bob Whites decide to be extra nice to Diana and make her one of their secret club.
Trixie immediately senses a mystery when it becomes evident that Diana is very afraid of her Uncle Monty. Mrs. Lynch's long-lost brother has shown up and is throwing his weight around--influencing the family's choices in all sorts of things that affect Di. He becomes especially annoying when he takes over the planning for Diana's Halloween party. Trixie becomes convinced that the man is an impostor, but lacks proof. And even if Di is afraid of him, she doesn't take too kindly to Trixie investigating her family. Will Trixie lose her newest friend over her sleuthing habits? Or will she be able to curb her curiosity so she won't offend Di? Or...will she find out the truth about Uncle Monty and save the day again? [Anyone who reads (or ever read) these series books on the regular knows the answer...]
I loved the first two books. I have always enjoyed the stories that introduce us to Trixie and her core group of friends. I loved meeting Jim and Honey and the adventures they all got up to around the mansion. These were definitely two of my favorites of the series while growing up and I was able to enjoy them now as an adult. On the other hand, The Mysterious Visitor has always been one of my least favorite Trixie books. I never liked Uncle Monty and I didn't care much for the way Diana defended him even when she obviously didn't like him and was afraid of him. It would be one thing if he were an uncle she had grown up with and adored and Trixie thought he was suspicious. But Diana is the one who starts Trixie's curiosity going by telling them that she's afraid of Monty. Then she gets upset when Trixie thinks there's a mystery to solve. But I do appreciate the fact that it is another book that helps establish the group of friends and Trixie does do some good detective work tracking down the clues around Uncle Monty. Overall, a fun reading trip down memory lane.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting review content. Thanks.
Trixie immediately senses a mystery when it becomes evident that Diana is very afraid of her Uncle Monty. Mrs. Lynch's long-lost brother has shown up and is throwing his weight around--influencing the family's choices in all sorts of things that affect Di. He becomes especially annoying when he takes over the planning for Diana's Halloween party. Trixie becomes convinced that the man is an impostor, but lacks proof. And even if Di is afraid of him, she doesn't take too kindly to Trixie investigating her family. Will Trixie lose her newest friend over her sleuthing habits? Or will she be able to curb her curiosity so she won't offend Di? Or...will she find out the truth about Uncle Monty and save the day again? [Anyone who reads (or ever read) these series books on the regular knows the answer...]
I loved the first two books. I have always enjoyed the stories that introduce us to Trixie and her core group of friends. I loved meeting Jim and Honey and the adventures they all got up to around the mansion. These were definitely two of my favorites of the series while growing up and I was able to enjoy them now as an adult. On the other hand, The Mysterious Visitor has always been one of my least favorite Trixie books. I never liked Uncle Monty and I didn't care much for the way Diana defended him even when she obviously didn't like him and was afraid of him. It would be one thing if he were an uncle she had grown up with and adored and Trixie thought he was suspicious. But Diana is the one who starts Trixie's curiosity going by telling them that she's afraid of Monty. Then she gets upset when Trixie thinks there's a mystery to solve. But I do appreciate the fact that it is another book that helps establish the group of friends and Trixie does do some good detective work tracking down the clues around Uncle Monty. Overall, a fun reading trip down memory lane.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting review content. Thanks.
August 3, 2013
Yes, I know I'm too old for these books, but I still love them anyway. According to the Goodreads rating system, three stars means "I like it," and I do. The story was simple, but perfect for a quick, light read. I love that this series is much better written than many children's series and doesn't have any dating clogging up the story. Just good, clean cut adventure.
May 23, 2023
3.5/5
I love Trixie Belden, I love her adventures, I love her siblings and friends, I love the illustrations, and I love each story. I love rereading this series every once in a while — onto the next!
I love Trixie Belden, I love her adventures, I love her siblings and friends, I love the illustrations, and I love each story. I love rereading this series every once in a while — onto the next!
July 28, 2019
Libro muy bueno como todos los de la colección
March 25, 2019
Probably my favorite of the series.
June 2, 2025
Not something I would enjoy today, but my cousin and I DEVOURED these books in the long series as a kid. Loved them then.
June 16, 2009
Trixie Belden stands the test of time. I wore out my sister's copies as a young girl, and re-read this one for old times sake.
Trixie still manages to charm me after almost 40 years. She's more down to earth then Nancy Drew, and isn't the Mary Sue that Nancy seems to be.
Flaws and all, Trixie is a delight.
Trixie still manages to charm me after almost 40 years. She's more down to earth then Nancy Drew, and isn't the Mary Sue that Nancy seems to be.
Flaws and all, Trixie is a delight.
November 8, 2016
I enjoyed the mystery and found it intriguing with looking for the facts and deciding when things were suspicious or coincidence. Love the Bob Whites! Trixie is spunky and I like that she was brave to speak up. Didn't like any arguing. Really suspenseful at the end and I like how that worked out.
February 17, 2025
This is instalment #4 of The Great Trixie Belden Re-Read of 2025, and I'm here to say that lowkey Mart Belden is my goat! And also I think he's gay.
This book introduces one of the last remaining members of the core gang that needs to be introduced, Diana Lynch - who actually really annoyed me for most of this book. Oh, its so hard to be rich, boo frickin' hoo. But by the end of the book I had come around, once she stopped acting like the world was out to get her.
To be fair, it felt pretty realistic for the 13 year old girl who had been thrust into wealth. In fact, something I think this series does very well is that all the teenagers feel like teenagers. The dialogue, the tiffs, that it all kind of feels like the end of the world when they have homework to complete instead of plans. Lots of fun. I don't remember the next book at all so it will be an interesting read.
This book introduces one of the last remaining members of the core gang that needs to be introduced, Diana Lynch - who actually really annoyed me for most of this book. Oh, its so hard to be rich, boo frickin' hoo. But by the end of the book I had come around, once she stopped acting like the world was out to get her.
To be fair, it felt pretty realistic for the 13 year old girl who had been thrust into wealth. In fact, something I think this series does very well is that all the teenagers feel like teenagers. The dialogue, the tiffs, that it all kind of feels like the end of the world when they have homework to complete instead of plans. Lots of fun. I don't remember the next book at all so it will be an interesting read.
August 3, 2020
Diana Lynch is beautiful and rich and seemingly has it all. Why then is she so unhappy?
Trixie and Honey reach out to a lonely girl and find a mystery in the form of a long-lost relative. Con man in disguise or is Trixie seeing things again? It's hard to say (maybe she should quit getting clunked over the head...ah the life of a mystery series heroine...)
Another great Trixie story, involving Halloween, a new club member, and a fair bit of danger. Trixie is on the case once again. Thankfully so are the rest of the BWGs!
Trixie and Honey reach out to a lonely girl and find a mystery in the form of a long-lost relative. Con man in disguise or is Trixie seeing things again? It's hard to say (maybe she should quit getting clunked over the head...ah the life of a mystery series heroine...)
Another great Trixie story, involving Halloween, a new club member, and a fair bit of danger. Trixie is on the case once again. Thankfully so are the rest of the BWGs!
October 15, 2018
3.5
So fun
So fun
January 24, 2024
Gleeps! A taxi ride is 75 cents and Trixie gets 25 cents an hour for babysitting. Things have changed! :D
Read
February 29, 2024for nostalgic purposes :)
November 4, 2016
I haven't re-visited any Trixies in awhile. Since I started with them at age nine, the early ones are pretty much set in stone in my brain, I re-read them so many times. This one is full of famous lines referenced still....eyes like olive pits....if you can't blow a spot of dust off the table top, put something on top of it...If you want my CANDIED opinion... and "So, Mr. Britten, you ARE an imposter after all!" (a spoiler, but was there any doubt?!)
September 2, 2013
Good again ... I always enjoy this one.
August 2013 ... another re-read, and another enjoyment. I think this was the first Trixie Belden book I read as a kid, although not the first in the series. Brings back many good memories.
August 2013 ... another re-read, and another enjoyment. I think this was the first Trixie Belden book I read as a kid, although not the first in the series. Brings back many good memories.
May 27, 2019
The Bob-Whites help a fellow student, Di (who is a precious person), with her problems and intiate her into their group.
Also, the Belden parents are amazing.
Recommended 9/10+ for scary situations
Also, the Belden parents are amazing.
Recommended 9/10+ for scary situations
June 4, 2022
I have loved the Trixie Belden set since I was about 12 years old ... and this was the first one I ever read ... so it has some nostalgia along with a good mystery for kids. Loved it again!
2022 - enjoying another re-read of this favorite series!
2022 - enjoying another re-read of this favorite series!
February 5, 2009
My second-favorite Trixie (after MYSTERIOUS CODE) - I love the Halloween party and the dress shopping!
August 27, 2010
I liked this series too. I'm surprised there aren't more of the Trixie Beldon books on Good Reads.
February 11, 2022
Honey and Trixie are concerned about their classmate, Diana Lynch, who's grappling with an awkward problem. Di's parents have recently made a fortune, and her long-lost Uncle Monty has shown up on their doorstep from out of the blue. Now he's a permanent house guest, and an overbearing, controlling nuisance, which compounds the angst Di has been dealing with, coming to terms with her family's sudden wealth. Suspicious circumstances lead Trixie and the Bob Whites to wonder whether Uncle Monty is on the level. If he's not who he claims to be, what are his reasons for sweeping into the Lynch family? And how can they unmask him?
* I sense Diana is more prone to melancholia and blues than Trixie and Honey. She's a non-academic, pretty girl, but she's no fool. Di recognises physical beauty for the transient asset it is. Some of her remarks and her general attitude indicates low self-worth and social anxiety. Sometimes she just feels bewildered, as the fringe-dweller who doesn't get the 'in' jokes yet. She craves acceptance and belonging, which she's beginning to get with the Bob Whites.
* Jim thinks that Diana has a phobia about being rich. I guess it takes one to know one, since Jim tends to be a bit sensitive about his own reversal of fortune, especially when he's nettled.
* Di is simply disillusioned by the pomp and pretentiousness of the new lifestyle that's been thrust upon her. She was never born to it like Honey, so all the showy bull dust is a source of grief and great loss to her. Although Trixie rebukes her for being depressed that she's rich, it's far more complex than simply getting over it. But Trixie doesn't really understand all the identity angst and bereavement involved. It's short-sighted of her to tell Diana how she should feel, however well meant. Trixie can be such a know-it-all at times.
* Trixie and Diana both have good reason to envy each other. Each of them has all sorts of things which the other wishes they had. It adds unspoken tension, even though they are genuinely good friends.
* Regan is a legend! I wondered why the kids get so anxious he'll resign as Wheeler's groom, just because some opinionated stranger breezes in to give his opinion. But I think I get it. They suppose that Uncle Monty is a horse expert, and fear Regan will quit out of pessimism and insecurity if his methods are questioned. Naw, he's made of far cooler stuff than that.
* Trixie is her over-confident, know-it-all self. Tom Delanoy warns her not to go exploring a seamy section of Sleepyside unless her brothers accompany her. So what does Trixie do? She heads straight to dodgy Hawthorne Street alone. What an eye roll.
* As far as I see it, Trixie owes Mart big time. He saves her life! (He surely has issues of his own, feeling unconsciously lower in the Bob White hierarchy than Brian and Jim. That's probably one motivation behind his large vocabulary. It's attention seeking behaviour. And in the same vein, wearing his hair in a crew cut rather than letting it curl like Trixie's and Bobby's is all a grasp for individuality.)
* Some of the recurring cop characters are introduced for the first time. We get Spider Webster, the popular guy, and Sergeant Molinson, who seems to be just a regular officer at this stage. Spider's crucial role in this story dates the series a bit. It was written back in the time when policemen still stood at intersections, directing traffic on foot.
* Wow, Tom and Celia are jolly lucky to be given a free trailer! What an over-sized reward for a very small tip-off. Surely it should be more of a permanent loan than an outright gift. In my opinion, Tom should gradually pay off its new owners. (Can't identify who they are without being too big a plot spoiler.)
* We are told the Lynches fire Harrison the butler toward the end of the book. I'm guessing that must change before long, because I clearly remember his presence in later books in this series.
* There is perhaps a slight continuity glitch, but nothing major. The story has skipped to late October, yet there's still a feeling the Bob Whites have only just returned to school. The last book ends in late August, when they were discussing their imminent return. Now, this story clearly needs to be late October, to include the infamous Halloween party, but I think it might have worked better without the inclusion of the school assignment about how they spent their holidays.
* Bring on more! You can surely see I'm loving all the implicit psychological subtleties motivating the Bob Whites. Who even needs to discuss the actual mysteries.
* I sense Diana is more prone to melancholia and blues than Trixie and Honey. She's a non-academic, pretty girl, but she's no fool. Di recognises physical beauty for the transient asset it is. Some of her remarks and her general attitude indicates low self-worth and social anxiety. Sometimes she just feels bewildered, as the fringe-dweller who doesn't get the 'in' jokes yet. She craves acceptance and belonging, which she's beginning to get with the Bob Whites.
* Jim thinks that Diana has a phobia about being rich. I guess it takes one to know one, since Jim tends to be a bit sensitive about his own reversal of fortune, especially when he's nettled.
* Di is simply disillusioned by the pomp and pretentiousness of the new lifestyle that's been thrust upon her. She was never born to it like Honey, so all the showy bull dust is a source of grief and great loss to her. Although Trixie rebukes her for being depressed that she's rich, it's far more complex than simply getting over it. But Trixie doesn't really understand all the identity angst and bereavement involved. It's short-sighted of her to tell Diana how she should feel, however well meant. Trixie can be such a know-it-all at times.
* Trixie and Diana both have good reason to envy each other. Each of them has all sorts of things which the other wishes they had. It adds unspoken tension, even though they are genuinely good friends.
* Regan is a legend! I wondered why the kids get so anxious he'll resign as Wheeler's groom, just because some opinionated stranger breezes in to give his opinion. But I think I get it. They suppose that Uncle Monty is a horse expert, and fear Regan will quit out of pessimism and insecurity if his methods are questioned. Naw, he's made of far cooler stuff than that.
* Trixie is her over-confident, know-it-all self. Tom Delanoy warns her not to go exploring a seamy section of Sleepyside unless her brothers accompany her. So what does Trixie do? She heads straight to dodgy Hawthorne Street alone. What an eye roll.
* As far as I see it, Trixie owes Mart big time. He saves her life! (He surely has issues of his own, feeling unconsciously lower in the Bob White hierarchy than Brian and Jim. That's probably one motivation behind his large vocabulary. It's attention seeking behaviour. And in the same vein, wearing his hair in a crew cut rather than letting it curl like Trixie's and Bobby's is all a grasp for individuality.)
* Some of the recurring cop characters are introduced for the first time. We get Spider Webster, the popular guy, and Sergeant Molinson, who seems to be just a regular officer at this stage. Spider's crucial role in this story dates the series a bit. It was written back in the time when policemen still stood at intersections, directing traffic on foot.
* Wow, Tom and Celia are jolly lucky to be given a free trailer! What an over-sized reward for a very small tip-off. Surely it should be more of a permanent loan than an outright gift. In my opinion, Tom should gradually pay off its new owners. (Can't identify who they are without being too big a plot spoiler.)
* We are told the Lynches fire Harrison the butler toward the end of the book. I'm guessing that must change before long, because I clearly remember his presence in later books in this series.
* There is perhaps a slight continuity glitch, but nothing major. The story has skipped to late October, yet there's still a feeling the Bob Whites have only just returned to school. The last book ends in late August, when they were discussing their imminent return. Now, this story clearly needs to be late October, to include the infamous Halloween party, but I think it might have worked better without the inclusion of the school assignment about how they spent their holidays.
* Bring on more! You can surely see I'm loving all the implicit psychological subtleties motivating the Bob Whites. Who even needs to discuss the actual mysteries.
July 16, 2017
Another good mystery by Julie Campbell. This adventure solved by Trixie Belden and the Bob-Whites was a interesting one but not one of my favorites due to lack of ,well, I don't really know. It just wasn't as good as the others. The series follows the intrepid lives of Trixie Belden, her brothers Mart and Brian, her friend Honey Wheeler and Honey's adopted brother Jim. Together they make up the B.W.G's (Bob-Whites of the Glen). The fourth book by Campbell introduces Di Lynch, another to be member of their club. Honey notices Di is lonely so Trixie and her try to get to know her by inviting Di over for a sleepover at Honey's. Together they plan Di's upcoming Halloween party. While they are discussing this the girls discover that Di has had an unexpected visitor...
A mysterious Uncle Monty has turned up claiming to be Di's mothers long lost brother. Diana does not like him and Trixie suspects him of fraud but struggles to convince the others. With Marts help she manages to discover the truth.
My favourite part of this book is when they plan the Halloween party because it was a fun moment. Campbell only wrote the first 6 books in this series before handing it over to a publishing company. The following 33 books were written by the ghost author Kathryn Kenny. Even though this was not the best book I still enjoyed (devoured it) the story line.
A mysterious Uncle Monty has turned up claiming to be Di's mothers long lost brother. Diana does not like him and Trixie suspects him of fraud but struggles to convince the others. With Marts help she manages to discover the truth.
My favourite part of this book is when they plan the Halloween party because it was a fun moment. Campbell only wrote the first 6 books in this series before handing it over to a publishing company. The following 33 books were written by the ghost author Kathryn Kenny. Even though this was not the best book I still enjoyed (devoured it) the story line.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2022
My copy of “Trixie Belden and the Mysterious Visitor” authored by Julie Campbell is book #4 in the Belden Mystery Series and released by Whitman Publishing in 1970. The book is about a long lost brother of a very wealthy married sister. The brother’s name is Monty. Thirty years after his separation from their parents, Monty suddenly discovers he has a sister he never knew existed. Monty and his sister were separated at birth when their parents both died at the same time. Based on a succession of events, Trixie strongly suspects that her close friend Diana (Di) Lynch’s “Uncle Monty” is in fact not related to Di’s mother; and Trixie also believes Monty is trying to scam Di’s parents of their money and valuable possessions. Trixie’s suspicions are reinforced by a number of mean spirited events that lead to Trixie and her brother Mart’s entrapment by the imposter uncle after Monty receives cash and assets from Di’s parents. The story’s ending is very captivating and full of unexpected surprises. While reading the mystery, I decided to not judge the “veracity” of the story plot lines until I reached the final pages of the book. This decision helped me better enjoy the reading experience. (P)
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