What do you think?
Rate this book
Vicki Barr Flight Stewardess #14
The Clue of the Carved Ruby
Girls' air stewardess series.
- GenresYoung AdultMystery
179 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1961
61 people want to read
About the author
Helen Wells
111 books74 followersOriginal name: Helen Weinstock. Social worker turned full-time young adult writer, born in Illinois but moved with family to New York City when she was seven. In 1934 Wells graduated from New York University [where she'd been the first female editor of the literary quarterly], with a major in philosophy and a minor in sociology and psychology.
During World War II, she served as a volunteer with the State Department's Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, escorting Latin American visitors in the United States.
Author of Cherry Ames, Nurse books, a series for young teens.
She was also the author of the Vicki Barr books, about a young mystery-solving flight attendant. And, as Francine Lewis, she penned the short-lived Polly French series (1950s), aimed at a younger readership.
After writing the first eight books of the Cherry Ames series and the first three Vicki Barr books, Wells decided to abandon both series to write for television and radio, and Julie Tatham took over (however, both the ninth Cherry Ames book and the fourth Vicki Barr book were published under Wells's name). Tatham later returned the Vicki Barr books to Wells in 1953 and the Cherry Ames books in 1955.
During World War II, she served as a volunteer with the State Department's Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, escorting Latin American visitors in the United States.
Author of Cherry Ames, Nurse books, a series for young teens.
She was also the author of the Vicki Barr books, about a young mystery-solving flight attendant. And, as Francine Lewis, she penned the short-lived Polly French series (1950s), aimed at a younger readership.
After writing the first eight books of the Cherry Ames series and the first three Vicki Barr books, Wells decided to abandon both series to write for television and radio, and Julie Tatham took over (however, both the ninth Cherry Ames book and the fourth Vicki Barr book were published under Wells's name). Tatham later returned the Vicki Barr books to Wells in 1953 and the Cherry Ames books in 1955.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 29, 2019
Vicki has just completed training for a new job at Worldwide Airlines and a Swedish classmate is sharing a room with her in a small New York City hotel between flights to Europe. The girls mistakenly receive a key followed by a wrong number phone call. Some sleuthing takes Vicki to Grand Central Station where her key fits one of the lockers there. It's full of stolen jewelry! Another robbery takes place and Vicki is intrigued by the description of an unset ruby with a carved rose on its face. On her flights she discovers "clues"- just odd things that make her suspicious. A shop in Paris, a couple that she dislikes, etc. There is also a young man whom she continuously runs into. One time he is warm and the next time he ignores her. This frustrates her. Eventually Vicki solves the case but only after being kidnapped, and she does get to hold the carved ruby in her hand.
This is a typical series book of the 50s and 60s. It is interesting reading but isn't too deep.
This is a typical series book of the 50s and 60s. It is interesting reading but isn't too deep.
July 11, 2023
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews