Ghost Beyond the Gate

Penny Parker Mystery Stories #10

by Mildred A. Wirt, Nancy Parker (Translation)

Saboteurs dynamite a bridge, and a man named Burt Ottman is accused of the crime based on evidence supplied by Penny. Penny feels that Burt is innocent, so she plans to find the culprits in order to exonerate Burt. Penny seeks the help of a man named Old Noah who lives in an ark filled with animals while he awaits the second great flood. Old Noah plays a role in bringing the saboteurs to justice.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Fiction, Ebooks

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1943

About the author

Mildred Augustine Wirt Benson (aka: Mildred Benson)

Writing under Stratemeyer Syndicate pen name Carolyn Keene from 1929 to 1947, she contributed to 23 of the first 25 originally published Nancy Drew mysteries. She was one of 28 individuals who helped produce the Syndicate's Nancy Drew mystery books from 1929 to 1984.

Edward Stratemeyer hired Benson in 1926. She was paid a flat fee of $125 for the first Nancy Drew book written using an outline provided by the syndicate.

Other pseudonyms: Frank Bell, Joan Clark, Julia K. Duncan, Alice B. Emerson, Frances K. Judd, Don Palmer, Helen Louise Thorndyke, Dorothy West, Ann Wirt

Reviews

[Norman Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Teenage Penny Parker, who never seems to go to school, stumbles upon yet another mystery. The story takes place in the midst of World War 2 when rubber rationing was mandatory. Penny learns that her newspaper publisher father is about to break a ring of tire thieves, but before he can do so he is in a car accident and then mysteriously vanishes. It's up to Penny to find her father and bring the crooks to justice. This is a short book, so the action moves along briskly and without too many red herrings. The story is flawed with a character who suffers amnesia and then conveniently recovers by a blow to the head. There is also a relatively minor, but creepy, subplot of an older man who seems to want to be romantically involved with Penny. But the biggest flaw is the racist description of a supporting character - luckily, this is a very small part of the book, but it is disturbing for a modern reader. The positive is that this series continues to show a spunky, competent girl who can take care of herself, creating a nice role model.

[Nira Ramachandran · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting story in which teen detective Penny Parker exposes a gang of tyre thieves and black marketers in the days of wartime rationing, runs the newspaper, when her father, publisher-owner of the Star, Anthony Parker mysteriously disappears, and finally rescues her kidnapped father and nurses him back to health, while helping round up the crooks involved. While the police, and the reporters at the Star give up hope of ever seeing Mr. Parker again, Penny remains undaunted and follows even the smallest clues, eventually tracing the missing publisher. Set in wintertime Riverview, the heavy snowfall, iceboat racing across the frozen lake, driving on dangerously iced roads, tramping through woods in near blizzard conditions, Penny supported by her best friend Louise braves all odds and comes out once again, with flying colours. An enjoyable read.

[Katherine Hebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

My aunt’s future (40 years later) mother in law gave this book to her for Christmas in 1945 when she was 14. Somehow it ended up in my collection of old books. Not knowing anything about it, I looked it up. Surprise! Mildred A. Wirt is the original Carolyn Keene of Nancy Drew fame and is also the author of a ton of other book series including the Penny Parker series of which this is #10. Very Nancy Drew-ish and 40s-ish.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

This kindle e-book novella is free from Amazon book 10 of 17

Penny Parker's dad is in a car 🚗 accident and goes missing. Penny and friends search for him without success. They do see 👀 a ghost 👻 or is it her dad? It all comes to a happy ending 😀.

I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of family and friends relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024

[Rhys Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adventure story starts with Penny Parker trespassing because she is curious. After entering a wedding under false pretenses, she manages to intrude upon a family issue which she proceeds to solve. The adventure is written for young adult readers and while the motivations are questionable, the fiction is exciting and fun to read.

[Mark Rabideau · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandsons (6 & 10) and I had such a wonderful time listening to this tale (via Librivox) that we rushed right into another volume in the series. My eldest grandson thought this novel was every bit as good as, if not better than, the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drews we had read.

[Keller Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun series. Similar to Nancy Drew. Fast entertaining read.

[Andria · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far I have loved all the Penny Parker books I've read, and this one was no exception. Anyone who is a fan of the old Nancy Drew books should check out Penny Parker. You'll love them!

[Karen J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining young adult novel.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is #10 in the Penny Parker series by Mildred Wirt. Mr. Parker, Penny's father, is in a car accident and is taken to the hospital by another driver. Mr. Parker never arrives at the hospital,leaving Penny very worried. Penny takes over running the newspaper in her father's absence and discovers a clue to her father's whereabouts at an old abandoned mansion. A "Ghost" has been seen walking the grounds of the mansion. Penny won't stop her investigating until the mystery is solved and her father is found.