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The Boxcar Children #12
Houseboat Mystery
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny used to live alone in a boxcar. Now they have a home with their grandfather and are spending a vacation traveling down the river on a houseboat.
Throughout their journey, the Boxcar Children have the feeling they're being watched. Little do they know, someone is looking for something on their houseboat - and he'll stop at nothing until he gets it.
Throughout their journey, the Boxcar Children have the feeling they're being watched. Little do they know, someone is looking for something on their houseboat - and he'll stop at nothing until he gets it.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
79 people are currently reading
1295 people want to read
About the author
Gertrude Chandler Warner
536 books767 followersGertrude Chandler Warner was born in Putnam, Connecticut, on April 16, 1890, to Edgar and Jane Warner. Her family included a sister, Frances, and a brother, John. From the age of five, she dreamed of becoming an author. She wrote stories for her Grandfather Carpenter, and each Christmas she gave him one of these stories as a gift. Today, Ms. Warner is best remembered as the author of THE BOXCAR CHILDREN MYSTERIES.
As a child, Gertrude enjoyed many of the things that girls enjoy today. She loved furnishing a dollhouse with handmade furniture and she liked to read. Her favorite book was ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Often on Sundays after church, Gertrude enjoyed trips to visit her grandparents' farm. Along the way, she and Frances would stop to pick the wildflowers they both loved. Gertrude's favorite flower was the violet.
Her family was a very musical one. They were able to have a family orchestra, and Gertrude enjoyed playing the cello. Her father had brought her one from New York ---a cello, a bow, a case and an instruction book. All together, he paid $14. Later, as an adult, she began playing the pipe organ and sometimes substituted for the church organist.
Due to ill health, Ms. Warner never finished high school. She left in the middle of her second year and studied with a tutor. Then, in 1918, when teachers were called to serve in World War I, the school board asked her to teach first grade. She had forty children in the morning and forty more in the afternoon. Ms. Warner wrote, "I was asked or begged to take this job because I taught Sunday School. But believe me, day school is nothing like Sunday School, and I sure learned by doing --- I taught in that same room for 32 years, retiring at 60 to have more time to write." Eventually, Ms. Warner attended Yale, where she took several teacher training courses.
Once when she was sick and had to stay home from teaching, she thought up the story about the Boxcar Children. It was inspired by her childhood dreams. As a child, she had spent hours watching the trains go by near her family's home. Sometimes she could look through the window of a caboose and see a small stove, a little table, cracked cups with no saucers, and a tin coffee pot boiling away on the stove. The sight had fascinated her and made her dream about how much fun it would be to live and keep house in a boxcar or caboose. She read the story to her classes and rewrote it many times so the words were easy to understand. Some of her pupils spoke other languages at home and were just learning English. THE BOXCAR CHILDREN gave them a fun story that was easy to read.
Ms. Warner once wrote for her fans, "Perhaps you know that the original BOXCAR CHILDREN. . . raised a storm of protest from librarians who thought the children were having too good a time without any parental control! That is exactly why children like it! Most of my own childhood exploits, such as living in a freight car, received very little cooperation from my parents."
Though the story of THE BOXCAR CHILDREN went through some changes after it was first written, the version that we are familiar with today was originally published in 1942 by Scott Foresman. Today, Albert Whitman & Company publishes this first classic story as well as the next eighteen Alden children adventures that were written by Ms. Warner.
Gertrude Chandler Warner died in 1979 at the age of 89 after a full life as a teacher, author, and volunteer for the American Red Cross and other charitable organizations. After her death, Albert Whitman & Company continued to receive mail from children across the country asking for more adventures about Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny Alden. In 1991, Albert Whitman added to THE BOXCAR CHILDREN MYSTERIES so that today's children can enjoy many more adventures about this independent and caring group of children.
Books about Gertrude: https://www.goodreads.com/characters/...
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February 16, 2014
It’s still summer in Aldenland. I think it’s been the same summer for about 4 books now, and we’ve only made it to July. I want to say that it was the end of summer back in Mountain Top Mystery, but I can’t really remember, and honestly, continuity errors are the least of our worries these days because the mysteries are getting more and more ridic. Just wait. This book opens with the four kids and their grandfather whining about how hot it is. They’re sitting in the yard under the trees because it’s the coolest place they can find. I suspect that they’re wearing their usual color-coded wool sweaters and this is playing a large part in why they’re sweltering. I also wonder why they’re not sitting under ceiling fans like regular people do. Or installing air conditioning and a swimming pool like rich people do. I’d think it would be especially appealing to a fabulously wealthy tycoon who wants some quality time to himself without a herd of kids yammering on about how hot it is, but what do I know? Anyway, of course it’s Benny who has the brilliant plan that they should ride around in the car to cool off because no one else ever has an idea. They just sit around and wait for Benny to come up with something for them to do, passing the time by daydreaming about cooking supper (Jessie), rambling on about college (Henry), and looking for something that needs hemming (Violet). Everyone agrees that a car ride is the most brilliant idea since sliced bread. Jessie says (I shit you not), “Let’s ride until it gets cooler. The weather report says this heat is going to last for a week.” Did she just suggest that they ride around in the car for a week? I’m still reeling from her stupidity when Violet declares that this family has the BEST ideas. Seriously, Violet? You could achieve the same effect with an oscillating fan and you wouldn’t have to get into a car that surely feels like an oven inside. When Jessie chimes in to agree with her (“Things always seem to happen to this family when we don’t expect them. I was thinking I’d never feel cool again.”) I want to beat both of them with a stick for subjecting me to this inane conversation. It’s really unsurprising that Grandfather is always drunk.
Jessie doesn’t like to let Henry have too much fun, so she makes him drive slower. Good thing too, because otherwise they wouldn’t have noticed the houseboat and we wouldn’t have been subjected to this wondrous bit of literature.
Of course the Aldens have to do a full inspection before deciding that a houseboat adventure is their cup of tea. Is there room for storing milk and bread? Is the water cold enough? Done deal. Strangely out of character, Grandfather points out that none of them actually know anything about boats and maybe this might not be the safest idea. I am shocked, SHOCKED that Grandfather is concerned about such inane things such as ‘safety’ or ‘experience’ needed to pilot a boat. Luckily for all of us Henry spent some time with a ‘friend’ on his ‘boat’ and so he knows all about trimming the jib or tacking the sail or starting an engine. I don’t believe for a moment that Henry has friends, or any boat experience, and I’m even more dubious that if this was true, that his fellow Aldens wouldn’t have heard this story ad nauseam for weeks. After expressing their surprise (and underlying doubt) over his story, it is unanimously agreed that they should start out tomorrow.
MYSTERY ALERT:
A big black car almost runs Henry’s station wagon off the road. We don’t see the drivers, but I assume they have mustaches and tattoos, and have committed some sordid crime. The driver has let his hands slip from the ten-and-two positions and is lolling his left out the window as if it’s okay. He’s wearing a black ring that is described and noted and committed to Benny’s memory in such detail that you can be certain that it’s integral to the mystery.
The next day, we are treated to a long conversation about why Watch cannot accompany the family on the houseboat. I’m gratified to see this, as we haven’t heard about why Watch must stay at home in the last several books. Gertrude must have just remembered he exists. The Aldens visit the grocery store (a pre-requisite to every adventure thus far), and purchase a boat-load (haha) of accouterments, including several cans of meat. Benny doesn’t voice his excitement, but I believe we know him well enough now that it’s implied.
Benny’s big moment comes when he gets to change the name on the boat to the The James H Alden. We all know how much Benny enjoys naming things, undoubtedly this is the highlight of the summer for him. Finally on the boat and on their way, we are treated to a detailed description of Nature, and every water bird that exists. Apparently the smell of money attracts them to the Aldens. Then, disaster strikes when Jessie, startled by the Beauty of Nature drops the salt into the water. It is a total calamity. How is Jessie to feed the family without a necessary nutrient like salt?! Fortunately, there is another landing about a half an hour down the river that also has a store. I suspect that Jessie flung the salt in the river because she realized that if she didn’t, they were going to pass a grocery store and NOT BUY ANY GROCERIES. Or stop to talk to the storekeeper to let him know that rich folks were about. All of their food is in cans, so you know that it’s salty enough that they could get by for a bit, but we all know that Jessie can’t miss an opportunity to shop. Benny decides that they need the salt quick like a fox, so he runs headlong up the path and trips. Jessie’s face lights up with joy when she sees the grass stains on his clothes. LAUNDRY! She’s been without housework all day, and you know that it’s killing her.
Benny doesn’t care about the grass stains, but Violet jumps into the fray. There’s no way that she’s going to let Benny’s lack of vanity stop her from helping Jessie wash some clothes. MAYBE THERE ARE HOLES TO MEND, TOO. This fall is the gift that keeps on giving. Item: at this point, we realize that it’s quite possible that the Aldens only brought one outfit each for their houseboating adventure because Benny will have to put on his swimsuit while the girls fight over who gets to wash out grass stains in the river. While they were planning this little vacay, Jessie mentioned that they could live in swimsuits and sweaters (I KNOW. I can’t even) since there was limited storage on the houseboat, but it’s possible that they’ve actually gone on a long-ish outdoor boat trip with just one outfit apiece.
This laundry calamity just gets more and more exciting when Henry buys some clothesline and string (“but we ALREADY have clothesline!” the rest of the Aldens exclaim in thinly veiled anger). But Henry has a secret plan that we’ll learn right after the Aldens finish their two hour lunch.
At lunch the Aldens sit across from two men. Benny, with his flawless intuition, immediately knows that they’re ‘bad.’ Grandfather also internally hates them. Since the Aldens are on a higher plane of goodness, as the reader I can be assured that these men are probably some type of scum. This theory is solidified by Benny seeing the waitress slip an envelope to one of the strangers, while the other natters on about ‘no one finding out.’ This is the least discrete drug deal I’ve ever witnessed.
Oh, and they get into a big black car, too–big surprise.
Henry, lovable dumbass that he is, misses all the intrigue. He’s too busy planning his mysterious clothesline surprise. It’s a laundry chair that Violet can float out in the water— while scrubbing Benny’s clothes. They manage to turn washing one shirt into an entire afternoon of bustling activity.
The next day, Henry tries his hand at fishing. Predictably, he fails miserably, until Benny takes the rod, and immediately lands an enormous bass. Is it just me, or is Benny the wunderkind in this family? I’m starting to feel bad for Henry, with Benny/Wil Wheaton stealing his thunder all the time. Anyway, worn out from all the fish excitement, the family has to go into town. Benny sees the black car again, and a lady buying only one stamp. This is such an anomaly, that the children track the poor woman down to her candy shop so they can harass her at their leisure, whilst enjoying chocolates. She gives them the candy for free, probably hoping that they will GO AWAY, but she underestimates the tenacity of these kids once they sink their teeth into a “mystery.” Such as only purchasing one stamp. Maybe this is just pre-forever stamp, and she doesn’t want to bother with all those penny stamps when the postage inevitably goes up. YOU DON’T KNOW HER LIFE, BENNY. MAYBE YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO CORNER HER AND GRILL HER FOR INFORMATION.
When Benny presses about the big black car, Candy Lady gets flustered, and mutters something about ‘her boy.’ I can’t make a guess to the significance of this, as I am still dumbfounded by Benny APOLOGIZING for bothering her. All this fresh river air is making him crazy.
The next day is a red letter occasion as Jessie doesn’t have to purchase food. Instead, they stop in at an auction. It’s just a normal type auction where they are selling rare vases worth thousands of dollars, as well as cardboard boxes of old clothes for $5. Pretty typical Sotheby’s affair. Mysteriously the rare vase disappears.
I am a big fan of Grandfather’s reaction here– he books it as soon as they realize the vase is missing. You’d think this would look fishy, but the cop waves him out, ‘I’m sure you didn’t steal the vase,’ he says, ‘being that you are an old rich white man, you are above my suspicions.’
Benny spots the mysterious ‘bad’ men again, this time they are clearly the drivers of the black car, and one is wearing the heavy black ring. Everything is coming together. When the family gets back to the houseboat, it smells like cigarette smoke. All the doors and windows were locked, so this is yet another mysterious instance to be pondered. It is never suggested that the cigarette smoke could possibly originate from college-age, experimenting-with-gateway-drugs Henry, but I’ll freely admit it’s the first thing that came to my mind. It was hella crowded in that auction house. Henry could have easily slipped away for a quick smoke, and no one would have been the wiser. Of course, once Jessie smelled smoke on his best wool sweater, she would have had to wash it out in the special laundry chair, so EVERYONE WINS.
Obviously, Henry’s emancipation is not where this story is going. Only Benny notices that the ship’s clock is missing, but he keeps it to himself, namely so he can solve the mystery on his own and garner all the glory.
The next day the Aldens float by a sign (this is what, the sixth exciting sign on the river?) for the April Center–which happens to be some sort of commune run by one of Grandfather’s ‘best’ friends. Dubious, as Grandfather has never seen the April Center, and actually seems blown-away by it’s close proximity. I am guessing that the Aldens have probably only traveled about ten miles away from their actual house, so the fact that all-seeing all-knowing Grandfather, with his fancy cars and personal jets hasn’t seen this podunk roadside attraction (one that people come from ‘around the world’ to visit) stretches my credulity. Regardless, I am positive Gertrude is only beginning to crank of the ridiculosity, so I continue.
Once inside this ‘poor man’s’ Disneyland, the family is invited to take a carriage ride with Sam and Dolly, the anorexic Thoroughbred. There is a moment’s hesitation when it’s apparent that this clearly starved horse shouldn’t pull a carriage with six people, but we know from Mystery Ranch that they have little sympathy for old, broken-down horses and what they can or can’t handle. Plus, Sam assures them that Dolly is just ‘naturally thin,’ (“honestly folks, her bones are supposed to jut out like that!) and that she loves working hard in hot weather (really, he says this).
The Aldens are quickly distracted by the wonders of the doll museum (small tea sets! automated toys!) and forget all about Dolly and Sam until they see another carriage and driver that look identical. This premise–a set of identical twin men with identical twin horses used to piss me off to no end as a child. The improbability of twin horses is so low; in addition to the chances of them being identical; paired with the odds of them being owned by identical twins–I don’t know why it makes my blood boil but it does. Gertrude, if you’re not going to have any respect for basic biology and logic, you should have just made them unicorns.
Benny can tell something’s afoot with the matching drivers and their sickly horses, and he’s basically given up on any sort of sleuthing pretext, and just gone straight to asking. “What’s wrong with your horse?” he demands, “Are you in trouble with the law? Tell me everything. You don’t know how powerful my family is, but you will Sam, oh, yes, you will.”
With this kind of interrogation technique, it’s not long before we discover that Sam and Jeff are being blackmailed, independently, no doubt by men in a black car. Sam thinks Jeff has done something bad, and Jeff thinks Sam has done something bad, and both of them are paying some strangers in a car to keep them from going to the police. The obvious solution here would be to ASK YOUR STUPID BROTHER IF HE’S IN TROUBLE instead of arbitrarily paying someone off to keep quiet about something that involves literally no explanatory story, facts, or proof. From my multiple readings of this story, I can draw no other conclusion but that a stranger approached Sam, told him they would tell the police ‘what Jeff did’ unless he paid them half his salary, and then HE DID. But he never asked any questions about what this nefarious dirt entailed?? And then rinse, repeat with twin brother.
Later, back on the river, Henry manages to take some photos of men hiding in the woods, spying on them. I’d give credit to Henry here, but I’m pretty positive he was just trying to take a picture of an egret and the men happened to be in the background. When the Coast Guard drops in to give them some fish (true story), the family lays out the clues.
Thin horses. Waitress with an envelope. Sad Candy Lady. Boy with a red hat. Oh, boy with a red hat you say?! From that description alone, Mr. Coast Guard identifies him as sad Candy Lady’s son, who is probably in some sort of gang.
After a relaxing evening of fish and instant mashed potatoes, Henry accidentally tosses the house key into the river. Jessie, who missed the whole thing–probably while doing dishes–still dives in instantly at Henry’s command. Unfortunately, during the excitement, Henry threw fish heads in the emergency fire-putting-out-sand. The pull over to empty the sandbox and get new sand (this is the most scintillating story ever, I’m suddenly reminded), and OH MY GOD THE MISSING VASE IT WAS IN THE SANDBOX NO ONE SAW THIS COMING.
After this discovery, it’s just a small matter of tricking the thiefs into returning to the scene of the crime while hiding out with the policeman. Then it all falls into place. And by ‘falls into place,’ I mean, the guys in the black car get arrested, and we just assume they were also blackmailing everyone as well? Why did they steal the clock in the houseboat? Are we just never going to hear about that again? What was the waitress up to? Just don’t ask too many questions, I guess. Like those blackmailing victims. Even though I will just reiterate, this was truly the stupidest case of blackmailing I’ve ever heard of. These river people must all be on crystal meth.
Oh and Benny names the houseboat again and everyone laughs. The end.
Jessie doesn’t like to let Henry have too much fun, so she makes him drive slower. Good thing too, because otherwise they wouldn’t have noticed the houseboat and we wouldn’t have been subjected to this wondrous bit of literature.
Of course the Aldens have to do a full inspection before deciding that a houseboat adventure is their cup of tea. Is there room for storing milk and bread? Is the water cold enough? Done deal. Strangely out of character, Grandfather points out that none of them actually know anything about boats and maybe this might not be the safest idea. I am shocked, SHOCKED that Grandfather is concerned about such inane things such as ‘safety’ or ‘experience’ needed to pilot a boat. Luckily for all of us Henry spent some time with a ‘friend’ on his ‘boat’ and so he knows all about trimming the jib or tacking the sail or starting an engine. I don’t believe for a moment that Henry has friends, or any boat experience, and I’m even more dubious that if this was true, that his fellow Aldens wouldn’t have heard this story ad nauseam for weeks. After expressing their surprise (and underlying doubt) over his story, it is unanimously agreed that they should start out tomorrow.
MYSTERY ALERT:
A big black car almost runs Henry’s station wagon off the road. We don’t see the drivers, but I assume they have mustaches and tattoos, and have committed some sordid crime. The driver has let his hands slip from the ten-and-two positions and is lolling his left out the window as if it’s okay. He’s wearing a black ring that is described and noted and committed to Benny’s memory in such detail that you can be certain that it’s integral to the mystery.
The next day, we are treated to a long conversation about why Watch cannot accompany the family on the houseboat. I’m gratified to see this, as we haven’t heard about why Watch must stay at home in the last several books. Gertrude must have just remembered he exists. The Aldens visit the grocery store (a pre-requisite to every adventure thus far), and purchase a boat-load (haha) of accouterments, including several cans of meat. Benny doesn’t voice his excitement, but I believe we know him well enough now that it’s implied.
Benny’s big moment comes when he gets to change the name on the boat to the The James H Alden. We all know how much Benny enjoys naming things, undoubtedly this is the highlight of the summer for him. Finally on the boat and on their way, we are treated to a detailed description of Nature, and every water bird that exists. Apparently the smell of money attracts them to the Aldens. Then, disaster strikes when Jessie, startled by the Beauty of Nature drops the salt into the water. It is a total calamity. How is Jessie to feed the family without a necessary nutrient like salt?! Fortunately, there is another landing about a half an hour down the river that also has a store. I suspect that Jessie flung the salt in the river because she realized that if she didn’t, they were going to pass a grocery store and NOT BUY ANY GROCERIES. Or stop to talk to the storekeeper to let him know that rich folks were about. All of their food is in cans, so you know that it’s salty enough that they could get by for a bit, but we all know that Jessie can’t miss an opportunity to shop. Benny decides that they need the salt quick like a fox, so he runs headlong up the path and trips. Jessie’s face lights up with joy when she sees the grass stains on his clothes. LAUNDRY! She’s been without housework all day, and you know that it’s killing her.
Benny doesn’t care about the grass stains, but Violet jumps into the fray. There’s no way that she’s going to let Benny’s lack of vanity stop her from helping Jessie wash some clothes. MAYBE THERE ARE HOLES TO MEND, TOO. This fall is the gift that keeps on giving. Item: at this point, we realize that it’s quite possible that the Aldens only brought one outfit each for their houseboating adventure because Benny will have to put on his swimsuit while the girls fight over who gets to wash out grass stains in the river. While they were planning this little vacay, Jessie mentioned that they could live in swimsuits and sweaters (I KNOW. I can’t even) since there was limited storage on the houseboat, but it’s possible that they’ve actually gone on a long-ish outdoor boat trip with just one outfit apiece.
This laundry calamity just gets more and more exciting when Henry buys some clothesline and string (“but we ALREADY have clothesline!” the rest of the Aldens exclaim in thinly veiled anger). But Henry has a secret plan that we’ll learn right after the Aldens finish their two hour lunch.
At lunch the Aldens sit across from two men. Benny, with his flawless intuition, immediately knows that they’re ‘bad.’ Grandfather also internally hates them. Since the Aldens are on a higher plane of goodness, as the reader I can be assured that these men are probably some type of scum. This theory is solidified by Benny seeing the waitress slip an envelope to one of the strangers, while the other natters on about ‘no one finding out.’ This is the least discrete drug deal I’ve ever witnessed.
Oh, and they get into a big black car, too–big surprise.
Henry, lovable dumbass that he is, misses all the intrigue. He’s too busy planning his mysterious clothesline surprise. It’s a laundry chair that Violet can float out in the water— while scrubbing Benny’s clothes. They manage to turn washing one shirt into an entire afternoon of bustling activity.
The next day, Henry tries his hand at fishing. Predictably, he fails miserably, until Benny takes the rod, and immediately lands an enormous bass. Is it just me, or is Benny the wunderkind in this family? I’m starting to feel bad for Henry, with Benny/Wil Wheaton stealing his thunder all the time. Anyway, worn out from all the fish excitement, the family has to go into town. Benny sees the black car again, and a lady buying only one stamp. This is such an anomaly, that the children track the poor woman down to her candy shop so they can harass her at their leisure, whilst enjoying chocolates. She gives them the candy for free, probably hoping that they will GO AWAY, but she underestimates the tenacity of these kids once they sink their teeth into a “mystery.” Such as only purchasing one stamp. Maybe this is just pre-forever stamp, and she doesn’t want to bother with all those penny stamps when the postage inevitably goes up. YOU DON’T KNOW HER LIFE, BENNY. MAYBE YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO CORNER HER AND GRILL HER FOR INFORMATION.
When Benny presses about the big black car, Candy Lady gets flustered, and mutters something about ‘her boy.’ I can’t make a guess to the significance of this, as I am still dumbfounded by Benny APOLOGIZING for bothering her. All this fresh river air is making him crazy.
The next day is a red letter occasion as Jessie doesn’t have to purchase food. Instead, they stop in at an auction. It’s just a normal type auction where they are selling rare vases worth thousands of dollars, as well as cardboard boxes of old clothes for $5. Pretty typical Sotheby’s affair. Mysteriously the rare vase disappears.
I am a big fan of Grandfather’s reaction here– he books it as soon as they realize the vase is missing. You’d think this would look fishy, but the cop waves him out, ‘I’m sure you didn’t steal the vase,’ he says, ‘being that you are an old rich white man, you are above my suspicions.’
Benny spots the mysterious ‘bad’ men again, this time they are clearly the drivers of the black car, and one is wearing the heavy black ring. Everything is coming together. When the family gets back to the houseboat, it smells like cigarette smoke. All the doors and windows were locked, so this is yet another mysterious instance to be pondered. It is never suggested that the cigarette smoke could possibly originate from college-age, experimenting-with-gateway-drugs Henry, but I’ll freely admit it’s the first thing that came to my mind. It was hella crowded in that auction house. Henry could have easily slipped away for a quick smoke, and no one would have been the wiser. Of course, once Jessie smelled smoke on his best wool sweater, she would have had to wash it out in the special laundry chair, so EVERYONE WINS.
Obviously, Henry’s emancipation is not where this story is going. Only Benny notices that the ship’s clock is missing, but he keeps it to himself, namely so he can solve the mystery on his own and garner all the glory.
The next day the Aldens float by a sign (this is what, the sixth exciting sign on the river?) for the April Center–which happens to be some sort of commune run by one of Grandfather’s ‘best’ friends. Dubious, as Grandfather has never seen the April Center, and actually seems blown-away by it’s close proximity. I am guessing that the Aldens have probably only traveled about ten miles away from their actual house, so the fact that all-seeing all-knowing Grandfather, with his fancy cars and personal jets hasn’t seen this podunk roadside attraction (one that people come from ‘around the world’ to visit) stretches my credulity. Regardless, I am positive Gertrude is only beginning to crank of the ridiculosity, so I continue.
Once inside this ‘poor man’s’ Disneyland, the family is invited to take a carriage ride with Sam and Dolly, the anorexic Thoroughbred. There is a moment’s hesitation when it’s apparent that this clearly starved horse shouldn’t pull a carriage with six people, but we know from Mystery Ranch that they have little sympathy for old, broken-down horses and what they can or can’t handle. Plus, Sam assures them that Dolly is just ‘naturally thin,’ (“honestly folks, her bones are supposed to jut out like that!) and that she loves working hard in hot weather (really, he says this).
The Aldens are quickly distracted by the wonders of the doll museum (small tea sets! automated toys!) and forget all about Dolly and Sam until they see another carriage and driver that look identical. This premise–a set of identical twin men with identical twin horses used to piss me off to no end as a child. The improbability of twin horses is so low; in addition to the chances of them being identical; paired with the odds of them being owned by identical twins–I don’t know why it makes my blood boil but it does. Gertrude, if you’re not going to have any respect for basic biology and logic, you should have just made them unicorns.
Benny can tell something’s afoot with the matching drivers and their sickly horses, and he’s basically given up on any sort of sleuthing pretext, and just gone straight to asking. “What’s wrong with your horse?” he demands, “Are you in trouble with the law? Tell me everything. You don’t know how powerful my family is, but you will Sam, oh, yes, you will.”
With this kind of interrogation technique, it’s not long before we discover that Sam and Jeff are being blackmailed, independently, no doubt by men in a black car. Sam thinks Jeff has done something bad, and Jeff thinks Sam has done something bad, and both of them are paying some strangers in a car to keep them from going to the police. The obvious solution here would be to ASK YOUR STUPID BROTHER IF HE’S IN TROUBLE instead of arbitrarily paying someone off to keep quiet about something that involves literally no explanatory story, facts, or proof. From my multiple readings of this story, I can draw no other conclusion but that a stranger approached Sam, told him they would tell the police ‘what Jeff did’ unless he paid them half his salary, and then HE DID. But he never asked any questions about what this nefarious dirt entailed?? And then rinse, repeat with twin brother.
Later, back on the river, Henry manages to take some photos of men hiding in the woods, spying on them. I’d give credit to Henry here, but I’m pretty positive he was just trying to take a picture of an egret and the men happened to be in the background. When the Coast Guard drops in to give them some fish (true story), the family lays out the clues.
Thin horses. Waitress with an envelope. Sad Candy Lady. Boy with a red hat. Oh, boy with a red hat you say?! From that description alone, Mr. Coast Guard identifies him as sad Candy Lady’s son, who is probably in some sort of gang.
After a relaxing evening of fish and instant mashed potatoes, Henry accidentally tosses the house key into the river. Jessie, who missed the whole thing–probably while doing dishes–still dives in instantly at Henry’s command. Unfortunately, during the excitement, Henry threw fish heads in the emergency fire-putting-out-sand. The pull over to empty the sandbox and get new sand (this is the most scintillating story ever, I’m suddenly reminded), and OH MY GOD THE MISSING VASE IT WAS IN THE SANDBOX NO ONE SAW THIS COMING.
After this discovery, it’s just a small matter of tricking the thiefs into returning to the scene of the crime while hiding out with the policeman. Then it all falls into place. And by ‘falls into place,’ I mean, the guys in the black car get arrested, and we just assume they were also blackmailing everyone as well? Why did they steal the clock in the houseboat? Are we just never going to hear about that again? What was the waitress up to? Just don’t ask too many questions, I guess. Like those blackmailing victims. Even though I will just reiterate, this was truly the stupidest case of blackmailing I’ve ever heard of. These river people must all be on crystal meth.
Oh and Benny names the houseboat again and everyone laughs. The end.
September 10, 2015
I really liked this book.
I think it was the best in the series so far.
I even made Mom read on her own.
I think it was the best in the series so far.
I even made Mom read on her own.
May 5, 2021
Review to come 😊
July 7, 2021
Fun read with the kids.
July 10, 2016
I always loved the Boxcar children books, and all my kids did too. They are classic
June 4, 2023
One of the original Boxcar Children books written by GCW herself, Houseboat Mystery is a fun look at another adventure for the Aldens, this time with Grandfather in tow. There are a lot more holes to this mystery, and the focus is more on the mystery itself, but the background of a houseboat floating down the river makes for an enchanting setting. Most kids (the target audience for this book) won't notice the plot holes and will be intrigued by the idea of a houseboat. As a kid - I was!
While this re-read wasn't quite as enjoyable as Surprise Island or The Yellow House Mystery, it would still be one I'd recommend to any young reader.
While this re-read wasn't quite as enjoyable as Surprise Island or The Yellow House Mystery, it would still be one I'd recommend to any young reader.
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January 20, 2021it was surprising what happened the end was sweat i think you should read it.
January 9, 2024
I love this book it was so good I highly recommend it
December 20, 2024
*desperately starts reading short books to finish the goodreads challenge* lol These books are my childhood. :)
June 4, 2020
I love this book because i love the children and mystrys.
January 20, 2023
I’ve never read a Boxcar children book so I just wanted to try one. Very perfect and clean for elementary school children, just rather predictable.
September 6, 2023
5 stars from Austen. Also, these books really are cheesy, but starting to grow on me.
February 2, 2017
This book had a bit more excitement than the others generally do, and it was mildly entertaining-I'm reading these more out of duty than anything else now, as I'm reading them cover to cover in just under an hour without getting any true thrill out of it. Perhaps I'm reading these books too close together. Still fun enough to read, and I'm committed to finishing all those stories that Warner actually wrote-after that, I'm out.
February 18, 2020
This one takes place in July on a river in Connecticut. The family spends a week on a houseboat. They make stops along the river and meet new people. There is a museum, horses, shops, and an auction. The mystery involves the theft of an object at the auction.
June 24, 2024
I have books 1 12 and 13 of this series
July 31, 2025
This is one of my favorites in this series. I would love to do a trip like that!!
July 14, 2019
This is the best of the series since the first book! It's still pretty basic, and the girls are still stuck with all the housework (do your own damn washing, Benny!), but the magic words have finally been learnt: "Oh, I'm awfully sorry," said Benny. "It's none of my business." It's like the child is finally cottoning on to the idea of manners. I know. I'm shocked too. Of course it doesn't last, but still. Baby steps.
I liked the focus on nature as they were boating down the river. I liked that, while they were curious, the kids only really got into solving the mystery when they were faced with horses who weren't being fed enough. I liked that there were actually some competent adults in on solving the mystery for once, and that Benny chose to keep out of the final capture because he was more interested in feeding the horses than capturing the villains. I do wish, though, that the girls would get something interesting to do themselves rather than worry about food and clothing, but 12 books in and I don't think that's ever going to happen. Warner just doesn't seem that interested in them.
I liked the focus on nature as they were boating down the river. I liked that, while they were curious, the kids only really got into solving the mystery when they were faced with horses who weren't being fed enough. I liked that there were actually some competent adults in on solving the mystery for once, and that Benny chose to keep out of the final capture because he was more interested in feeding the horses than capturing the villains. I do wish, though, that the girls would get something interesting to do themselves rather than worry about food and clothing, but 12 books in and I don't think that's ever going to happen. Warner just doesn't seem that interested in them.
September 12, 2024
The boxcar children mysteries are similar to the nancy drew mysteries in the fact that the reader can't figure out what is going on. Either because the missing piece is never shown, or we know what is going on but the characters don't.
What I like best about the boxcar series is the way that the kids interact. They all have their strong suits and as a reader we know who would be best suited for each task. It's kind of like watching Superfriends as a kid, you just know when its a Batman episode or a Wonder woman episode.
This one was a Benny/Henry episode. Benny is the funny little one that people feel comfortable telling things to, so he is the one to help get more pieces to put the mystery together. Henry is the oldest so he always gets to be the adult lead even knowing their isca grandfather.
I thought that maybe the keys going in the water was foreshadowing, and I wasn't wrong. Maybe I should have read as much as a kid as I do now, then the things teachers think we all see would be more obvious to me.
What I like best about the boxcar series is the way that the kids interact. They all have their strong suits and as a reader we know who would be best suited for each task. It's kind of like watching Superfriends as a kid, you just know when its a Batman episode or a Wonder woman episode.
This one was a Benny/Henry episode. Benny is the funny little one that people feel comfortable telling things to, so he is the one to help get more pieces to put the mystery together. Henry is the oldest so he always gets to be the adult lead even knowing their isca grandfather.
I thought that maybe the keys going in the water was foreshadowing, and I wasn't wrong. Maybe I should have read as much as a kid as I do now, then the things teachers think we all see would be more obvious to me.
February 29, 2024
The Boxcar Childrn - #12 - Houseboat Mystery is quite delightful. I am so glad that I got to read it.
My husband buys children's books to give away to parents who have children that like to read. So, this book is going to the daughter of a friend. But before he sends them off to new homes, I get to read them first.
This is #12 in a series of books about the Boxcar Children - Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny. They now live with their grandfather - Mr Alden. They have adventures.
The adventure they are on in this book involves a houseboat. Mr Alden rents the houseboat from Mr Rivers and they set sail down a river and have various adventures - involving helping the police to solve crimes.
One day I hope that my husband will buy more of the boxcar children books. They are a delight.
My husband buys children's books to give away to parents who have children that like to read. So, this book is going to the daughter of a friend. But before he sends them off to new homes, I get to read them first.
This is #12 in a series of books about the Boxcar Children - Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny. They now live with their grandfather - Mr Alden. They have adventures.
The adventure they are on in this book involves a houseboat. Mr Alden rents the houseboat from Mr Rivers and they set sail down a river and have various adventures - involving helping the police to solve crimes.
One day I hope that my husband will buy more of the boxcar children books. They are a delight.
September 26, 2025
I could definitely tell that this one was from the original author and not one of the newer ones. I don't usually pay attention to what number the books are, but I didn't realize how much of a difference the older vs newer books are. I enjoyed this one and I was finally glad to see that the culprits actually got in trouble this time! One tiny little pet peeve was when one of the girls said "I'm going to grab bananas because they make great dessert." I couldn't roll my eyes any bigger. I do not know why, but someone talking about fruit being a good substitute for dessert or sugar just annoys me so bad. Not unless you're putting that in some pudding and wafers, do not give me a banana and call it dessert.
March 12, 2018
The Alden family take a trip in a Houseboat down the river and stop in small towns along the way. After meeting a few families they realize that everyone seems worried and something is bothering them. They also notice a cigarette smell in their Houseboat and realize someone had been there while they were gone. While cleaning out the boats sandbox they find a stolen vase and figure out that someone is probably trying to get back the vase. They make a plan with the local police and ambush the thieves as they are sneaking back into the boat. After they are apprehended the thieves reveal that they had also been intimidating the locals into giving them money. A nice story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2022
Several months ago, my daughter asked if I still had my Boxcar Children's books I had when I was small. She wanted them to pass on to her children (in process of adoption). I had the first eleven of the original books, eight in hardcover. I was delighted to pass them on to her. I have since purchased the remaining original books by Warner. I finally read books #12-19 (counting as one book).
Reliving my childhood, I read them before I turned them over to the next generation to enjoy. This and the other TBC books are great for the younger crowd to read. I would highly recommend them to anyone asking.
Reliving my childhood, I read them before I turned them over to the next generation to enjoy. This and the other TBC books are great for the younger crowd to read. I would highly recommend them to anyone asking.
June 4, 2024
Overall, it was a good book, though I did find some of it coincidental. They sometimes jumped to conclusions assuming it was a part of the mystery.
There aren’t very creative names in this book. They’re funny, though: Mr. Rivers.
Henry just has hidden talent he didn’t share with the family? He didn’t think to tell them what he did when he visited “a fellow in school?”
Things to be aware of in “Houseboat Mystery”
Language:
- 2 “dumb”
Additional Notes:
- A mention of “a big man.”
There aren’t very creative names in this book. They’re funny, though: Mr. Rivers.
Henry just has hidden talent he didn’t share with the family? He didn’t think to tell them what he did when he visited “a fellow in school?”
Things to be aware of in “Houseboat Mystery”
Language:
- 2 “dumb”
Additional Notes:
- A mention of “a big man.”
April 20, 2019
I enjoy the boxcar children's books. The children have adventures, and work together to make the most of what they have. In this book, the grandfather is the only adult on their trip in a houseboat. They observe that things aren't quite, right with people, on their trip down the river, and they are determined to find out the cause. They make friends a long the river, and end up helping those friends.
May 11, 2020
A mystery on a houseboat? Sure! That actually sounds like a really fun vacation.
Grandfather's still just throwing his money around (what does he even do for work anyways?) and the kids are impressively meddlesome. But you know what? It works.
The idea that the entire mystery revolves around someone who happens to have a key to the houseboat and they happen to hide something on it, rather than just running, and no one talks to anyone else... It's a really thin plot. But it works, barely.
Grandfather's still just throwing his money around (what does he even do for work anyways?) and the kids are impressively meddlesome. But you know what? It works.
The idea that the entire mystery revolves around someone who happens to have a key to the houseboat and they happen to hide something on it, rather than just running, and no one talks to anyone else... It's a really thin plot. But it works, barely.
February 16, 2022
Traveling on a houseboat sounds like a nice relaxing way to spend some time during a hot summer. I can imagine sitting or laying reading a book while you are going down a river, listening to the water and the wind. What would it be like to spend a couple of days without electronics? Turns out, the people in the black car was looking for something they stole. They hid it in the bucket of sand that is on the houseboat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2022
Grandfather and the children are taking a rented houseboat down the river. It seems everywhere they pull in, they see the same black car. At once place they go to an auction and a valuable vase disappears. In fact, all the people they meet at stops along the way seem to have some kind of trouble. When someone breaks into their houseboat, they begin to figure things out. This was better than some of the others!
April 13, 2020
Giving it 4 stars because my children are mysteriously addicted to these books.
In the 12th Boxcar Children adventure, the Aldens rent a houseboat and go up and down a river, catching a couple of grifters and hopefully teaching the denizens of the small river towns the value of open communication.
In the 12th Boxcar Children adventure, the Aldens rent a houseboat and go up and down a river, catching a couple of grifters and hopefully teaching the denizens of the small river towns the value of open communication.
December 16, 2021
The Alden kids are in a deep mystery this time. This was a little more like a mystery than the early books. Again these feel less cheesy and more like a fun mystery. Are they still age appropriate for the young ones? Absolutely yes. If you have a kid that is struggling to read. This would be a good one for them to try.
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
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