The Unfinished House

Judy Bolton Mysteries #11

by Margaret Sutton

Judy Bolton and her friend Peter work to expose and outsmart a group of real estate swindlers. The Piper family has won a piece of property in Roulsville which is 15 feet by 100 feet. Since the property is not wide enough for a house, Mrs. Piper must purchase the adjoining property at a much higher than usual price so that she can build a house. Peter is determined to help Mrs. Piper, so the young people design a home that can be built on a narrow lot of land and hire men to begin building the home. Soon after construction begins, the young people are warned to beware of the Red Circle. Strange sounds are heard at night as the Piper home is built. Several people become sick with a strange illness apparently caused by the Red Circle. Judy's search for the mysterious culprit becomes even more desperate when her beloved cat Blackberry falls ill!

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

250 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1938

About the author

Margaret Sutton was born Rachel Irene Beebe in Odin, Pennsylvania in 1903. She was the daughter of Victor Beebe, a well-known historian, and Estella Andrews Beebe. Being a spirited nonconformist, she dropped out of high school, but in 1920, graduated from the Rochester Business Institute. After graduation, she worked for several years as a secretary and in printing. During that time, she met William Sutton at a church dance in New York City. After a courtship exchanging poems and playing chess, they were married in 1924, and she began writing stories for her husband's daughter, Dorothy. Her first Judy Bolton Mystery was published in 1932 under the pen name Margaret Sutton. Ms. Sutton wove many real events and places into the Judy Bolton stories through the 35-year history of the series. She also wrote numerous stories for children and young adults. She was also active in social causes, joining the historic March on Washington in 1964. In 1965, her husband of more than 40 years died. In 1975, after traveling extensively, she married a long-time family friend, Everett Hunting. They moved to Berkeley, California and made their home there until 1993 when they moved back to Pennsylvania. Mr. Hunting died shortly after they moved. In 2001, at the age of 98, Margaret Sutton died in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, not far from her native Potter County.

Reviews

[MARLENE RANTZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Genette Kates, I also read Nancy Drew mysteries, but so many years later, I have discovered Margaret Sutton's books, and I am really enjoying them. The only problem might be that they are hard-to-find in the library.

[Mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery was nice a fun. I enjoyed Judy's inventive way to get around problems, but for the second time in this series Judy misconstrued a Bible verse. Also the series beginning to get a little too predictable: Judy has a mystery to solve, Judy quarrels with someone and she goes off in a huff, it turns out Judy was all wrong about the person and they have a key part of the mystery she needed but she was to stubborn to ask forgiveness in the first place so she could have it. I wish the authors would have switched things up for a bit.
But, I still enjoy this series.

[Nancy Bandusky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of many delightful Judy Bolton mysteries. I read this one many times during my childhood and picked it up again for a quick read. It is family friendly and, of course, a little old-fashioned.

For fans of Peter Dobbs this story allows the character to play a bigger role and even allows for a misunderstanding between him and Judy. Since time does have an impact in this series, this book sets the stage for Peter's law office and Judy assisting him.

[LuAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

While again Judy's reticence about discussing her feelings with a significant guy in her life (this time Peter) that carried a misunderstanding throughout the whole story were both puzzling and irritating, this was an interesting story that saw Peter begin his law practice and Raulsville being rebuilt. It would be interesting to know which events of the story are based on true incidents.

[Genette Kates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much more realistic portrayal of a teenage girl. Sadly as a child I grabbed the latest Nancy Drew on the shelf. 40 years later I am finding a thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judy is confused and disappointed when it seems like Peter is not keeping his promises to her. But Peter's sister Honey convinces her to have faith. The town of Roulsville, where both the Bolton and Dobbs family lived before it was destroyed in a flood, is being rebuilt, and Judy's friend Arthur's company is building many of the houses. But when another company gives away narrow lots, Judy takes up the challenge, first to design "half-houses" to fit these lots, and then to expose the company for the swindlers they are. In the process she befriends the Piper family, and eventually discovers their connection to Peter's absences.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the fun moments that occurred in the last few chapters, but that didn't make up for the frustration I felt with Judy for most of the book. The mystery itself seemed obvious, and I hated the Big Misunderstanding between her and Peter, which could easily have been avoided with a little communication.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good story line, a couple of nice twists.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story line

[Cobygirl517 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry, but Judy is not that bright. And she's rather annoying. Her lack of ability to communicate rather than jump to conclusions and sulk for an entire book really got on my nerves.