Hoofbeats on the Turnpike

Penny Parker Mystery Stories #11

by Mildred A. Wirt

Penny Parker starred in a series of 17 books written by Mildred A. Wirt Benson and published from 1939 through 1947. Penny was a high school sleuth who also occasionally moonlighted as a reporter for her father's newspaper. Benson favored Penny Parker over all the other books she wrote, including Nancy Drew. Her obituary quoted her as saying, "I always thought Penny Parker was a better Nancy Drew than Nancy is," Mrs. Benson said in 1993.

Genres: Mystery, Ebooks

146 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1944

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

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery relationship listening 🎧🤔🎶🤗🎵👒

This kindle e-book novella is from Amazon for $0.99. Book 11 of 17

Penny and her friend are off to find Sleepy Hollow and the Headless Horseman. They meet a number of interesting people. Then the dam collapses and they are caught in the middle. It has a happy ending.

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

[Harron68 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very satisfying, if dated. The life-lessons taught (bravery, self sacrifice, etc) are also dated in this era where cleverness in getting rich is more the ideal. Give me these values instead!
The reference to Washington Irving's short story of Sleepy Hollow and a headless horseman in this 200th year since "The Legend..." was written, the threat of a dam break and flood (as in Sayers' THE NINE TAILORS) and the lifestyle of rural 1940s America combine to make for a fast-paced trip back in time.
Some of the Parker mysteries are free at the internet archive site and the audiobooks there are a real treat. Four stars, chums!

[Norman Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably one of the better Penny Parker books because it deviates from the established formula. No murder or theft, just an adventurous trip to a small town going through some intriguing politics. The finale is an exciting and harrowing escape from a natural disaster.

I'm not sure what age Penny is supposed to be. In previous books she was in high school, but there is no mention at all of school in this one. The book starts with her working in her father's newspaper office. There is one short scene with a racist depiction of a train porter.

[Laura Bang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penny and Lou investigate a headless horseman and get to know some disgruntled villagers in a valley in the hills outside Riverview. A wealthy dude bought a bunch of property in the valley and had an estate built that he called Sleepy Hollow, after the Irving short story, and then he ended up being haunted by a headless horseman too! In addition, a nearby dam is in danger of breaking. This ended up being a perfect Halloween read!

[Rhys Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Penny Parker mystery is a thinly disguised detective fiction with the pacing for an adventure story. No one ever seems to believe Penny's claims which I find incredulous since she is always proven right. Meant for young adults, the story is entertaining and fast to read.

[Gail Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another charming Penny Parker mystery from Margret Witt Benson the original author of the Nancy Drew books which she wrote under a pen name.

[Regina Pride · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best if not the best so far by Ms Wirt in the Penny Parker series of mysteries. This one had great action, a wealth of good characters and a good ending.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best of the Penny Parker books - more of an adventure story than a mystery.

[MarilynLovesNature · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite an amazing story.

[Pat Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penny Parker, girl Wonder Woman. The stories are always a stretch, but so entertaining.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Penny and her best friend Louise travel to Red Valley to discover the identity of the headless horseman and to win the $500 reward. There is much conflict amongst the neighbors and Penny has a good idea who is behind the whole scheme. While Penny and Louise are there, a tragedy occurs. A dam breaks and there is much destruction. Penny is almost swept away trying to get to safety. Penny gets the scoop over every other reporter and has a great story to turn in to her father.
I like this series, but so far, I have enjoyed this book the most. I think it's because I love the story of the headless horseman!

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've only read a few of the Penny Parker books so far, but this is my least favorite at this point. It felt more predictable than the others I've read (Drawbridge, Secret Pact, Cry at Midnight).