The Sacred Feather

A Kay Tracey Mystery #14

by Frances K. Judd

Sparks shower down upon Kay Tracey as she watches firemen battle a blaze in Brantwood's library. This distraction, however, does not prevent the teen-age detective from spotting two sinister-looking figures intent on stealing valuable art objects from the burning building. Kay hops into their truck as they drive off. From that moment on she becomes entangled in the weird mystery of the Sacred Feather.Unlike many others in Brantwood, Kay cannot believe the signs which point to elusive Abou Menzel as the firebug menacing her home town. Together with the Worth twins, peppy Betty and dreamy Wilma, Kay sets about using her skills as a detective in an effort to solve this baffling case.Surprises—and danger—are Kay's lot as she digs deeper into the mystery. Among other obstacles, she has to contend with her classmate Ethel Eaton, who is jealous of Kay's popularity at Carmont High School. Ethel tries underhanded tricks in an attempt to throw her rival off the trail, but Kay has many friends to help her. Kay has many thrills as she hunts the leader of a strange cult that worships fire.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 1940

About the author

A pseudonym used by several authors: Elizabeth Mildred Duffield Ward (Kay Tracey series #1-2), Mildred A. Wirt Benson (Kay Tracey series #3-12, 14), Edna Stratemeyer Squier (Kay Tracey series #13), and Anna Perot Rose Wright (Kay Tracey series #15-18).

Series:
* A Kay Tracey Mystery

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first read this book as a child I found it mysterious and creepy. It has an Egyptian theme. The Sacred Feather is an evil magician. Suspicious fires are breaking out in the area in libraries and antique stores. Kay suspects two shady men. There are also several mean characters in an Egyptian family who are trying to cheat a widow and her daughter out of their inheritance. Reading it as an adult, it has a fairly good story line but the whole episode of the widow's inheritance is concluded in one sentence saying that Kay was able to devote herself to the mystery of the fires since the other case was settled. The reader isn't told exactly how it was settled or what became of the widow and her daughter, who were living at the Tracey home. There is an honorable Egyptian man in the story.

[K.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The actual character 'Sacred Feather' was a little lame, but the rest of the story really good. The girls investigate several cases of arson and some linked thefts, while trying to help a schoolmate and her mother claim their inheritance.

[Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this hardcover book in an antique store for just $3.00. Hard to believe. The paper was old and very fragile. I had a hard time turning the pages without tearing them. My edition had 25 chapters. I have heard the newer editions have been trimmed down to 20 chapters and the words have been updated. I enjoyed the old original words and meanings. I had to look up some of the words because they have been dropped from our normal language use of the day. This book moves fast. Reminds me of a Johnny Quest episode.

[K.L.]

Kay helps out a young Egyptian who is being accused of arson. She also foills some men who are stealing furniture and goods at the site of the fires under the guise of helping out. She encounters the Iran family who are trying to steal the inheritance of one of Kays classmates, and they in turn are linked to the sinister dancer Sacred feather who is quite insane. Kay is at one point nearly burnt alive by Sacred Feather, and About Mezel turns out to have links to a secret society from which Feather has been banished. Fun.