The Midnight Visitor

Judy Bolton Mysteries #12

by Margaret Sutton

When Judy and Peter become stranded in an abandoned house during a storm, the last thing they expect is to meet a ghost. The ghost turns out to be a girl named Sally who insists that she is being plagued by ghosts. While Judy and Peter hardly believe the girl, they do like her and want to help her. Judy takes her home, only to have her disappear during a party. Later, Judy and Peter learn that Sally's full name is Sally Vincent, of the crooked Vincent family. Sally is fortunately not like the rest of the family. She is to receive an inheritance in a will but the rest of the family is contesting it. Peter agrees to be Sally's attorney even though fighting against the Vincent family could prove to be dangerous. As the case unfolds in court, Judy makes a shocking discovery that will mean everything to Sally and will thwart the plans of the rest of the Vincent family.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Childrens

249 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1939

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

[Mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was so much better then the last one. I guess it was because there was a lot of plot in the short book, and not a lot of time for Judy to be annoying. I espechilly enjoyed at the very end where Judy says that being Peters wife would be more important than mysteries or a job to her.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book in the Judy Bolton Mystery Series, my favorite YA series. The author knew how to create a scene and promote the suspense. In this book Judy and her lawyer-boyfriend Peter get lost on a lonely road in a rainstorm. When the car gets stuck in the rain they go into a nearby deserted house that's set up exactly like Judy's own house. Or is the house deserted? This is a many times re-read for me that I read for a trivia contest.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I like the fact that Margaret Sutton lets her characters grow up. In this novel Judy has now graduated from high school and is working in Peter's law office. I would love to be able to read volumes 6-11 to see how her graduation from high school went, and to see how her relationship with Peter grew to this point.

[LuAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good mystery. It's fun to see the former town of Raulsville coming back to life. I'm beginning to enjoy Judy's on-going circle of friends more as they age out of high school and the cliquey stuff gets left behind. Another interesting mystery with a car over an embankment, missing corpses, a contested will and a mysterious girl.

[Deana David Lissenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just cannot stop reading this series. I am so glad the writer was so prolific, because there are quite a few more AND the stories aren't going downhill as the series progresses. This was one of my favorites- I love the ones that take place in Judy's own town the best. Really, really sweet.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

We visited my parents, so I downed another Judy Bolton. Still love that series, no matter what anyone says.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and interesting story very similar to Nancy Drew, about a young girl detective who enjoys solving mysteries. This book was written in 1939 and some of it may be a bit dated (no cell phones, etc) but it was a pleasure to read. The writing was just wonderful and the story moved smoothly.

This particular story centers around a will, a young woman named Sally, her missing Uncle Lou...who might be dead or maybe is a ghost...plus her mean spirited cousin who is after money. Judy Bolton and her two friends take on the case and are very determined to find out what happened to Sally after she vanished. The story includes a few creepy scenes like exploring an old abondoned house that may be haunted.

It took me a little time to get into the story, as I had no idea who the characters were but once I did I read the rest quickly. It kept me entertained. I actually found this book more interesting than the last Nancy Drew book I had read (the one about the clock).

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably 3.5 stars. have read several times, but not for a long time, so did not remember the story in any detail. This is a very quick read, but still quite enjoyable. It all begins when Judy and Peter are caught in a storm on their way home, and take refuse in what seems to be a deserted house. But is it? They see lights, and hear noises, and they find food to make a meal. But why is the furniture hidden under sheets? And what is behind the locked doors? A girl suddenly appears and joins them, but won't explain who she is, beyond her first name, Sally. They end up taking her home to Judy's, where she disappears again during a spirited game of Murder. But Judy not only uncovers her identity, but also solves the mystery around her, and reunites two fractured families. Enjoyable.

[Nancy Bandusky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my top favorite Judy Bolton Mysteries. There are plenty of twists and surprises as well as the old favorite (annoying) Kay Vincent. Peter continues to play a major role in Judy's life; she is now working as Peter's secretary in his law office. An enjoyable introduction to a little bit of law, dealing with contested wills. Moves quite quickly and fun to read again and again.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story.

[Carol Hooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been one of my favorite Judy Bolton books so far. There were still a lot of coincidences to fit the story, but not so unbelievable as in some of the books.

[Emma Gallacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite Judy so far... spooky setting and mysterious characters! Excellent!