The Missing Formula

Madge Sterling #2

by Ann Wirt (Narrator: Mary Escano)

Orphan Anne Fairaday faces a life of poverty upon the death of her father. The only thing that can prevent it is finding his latest experiment. She enlisted her new found friend, Madge Sterling, an outdoors girl who has a knack for finding missing things. But they must race against time as there are also several people who will stop at nothing to get it first. (Summary by Mary Escano)

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult

3 pages, Audiobook

First published January 1, 1932

About the author

A pseudonym used by Mildred A. Wirt.

Series:
* Madge Sterling

Reviews

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery relationship listening 🎆🤗✨🤔🎶

This kindle e-book novella is free from Amazon book 2 of 3

They are searching for the formula and everyone else. It all works out in the end.

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

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I got quite a surprise when I started this book. About 4 pages in everything was starting to sound very familiar so I looked up the whole plot online and got a little shock. Turns out this book is the basis for a computer game called Miss Clue - Formula For Danger. I had played the game about a year ago and I thought it was alright, but now after reading the book I think a lot more highly of the game because it's pretty accurate to the book (although there's a few more characters, secret passages, and puzzles involved). It's a free, online game and I really recommend it if you like this book! (It's verrrry similar to the Nancy Drew games if you're familiar with those).

Anyways back to the book; I really enjoyed it. I love how the location was used so much. It's set at a lake in the Canadian wilderness and Madge is always rowing across the lake, trekking through the woods, there's an empty cabin Madge's uncle built that they go into, just lots of atmosphere and I loved it.

Jack French is a great character too, although I couldn't stand his name and since I was reading a digital copy I actually "replace/all" it with something better haha.

The only problems I had with this was the storm on the lake because I've read a good amount of Mildred Wirt books and she used this event a few too many times for my liking. Also didn't like what happened with the culprit in the end.

Overall another lovely book from a lovely author.


Second Reading:
"Orphan Anne Fairaday faces a life of poverty upon the death of her father. The only thing that can prevent it is finding his latest experiment. She enlisted her new found friend, Madge Sterling, an outdoors girl who has a knack for finding missing things. But they must race against time as there are also several people who will stop at nothing to get it first" [x]

- The way Madge's parents are mentioned it seems as tho there could have been plans for her to find her missing father if the series had continued à la the Maxie series.

- Would Anne be legally allowed to remain on Steward Island alone? She is a minor after all.

- When Anne mentions trying to get a loan from the bank Madge remarks that her uncle said banks were reluctant to give loans at the time. That's because it was the great depression. I've remarked before how I love when real life events are worked into these old books.

- It really is great luck Madge just happened to be interested in the Kippling book instead of one of the many books in the Fairaday library.

- After Anne's house gets robbed in the night if her silverware, she thinks someone could be trying to scare her away. She ignores the fact that Clyde had showed up saying she owed him money and then her semi valuable silverware is gone. Also her fathers laboratory is ransacked the same night Clyde says he has Anne's fathers formula. C'mon girls, use your logic.

★You can read the rest of this review on my blog, vintagegirlsbooks.blogspot.com
★ You can see all the art work for this book and many others on my Pinterest.com/nancydrewart

[Vaughn Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was terrific, very enjoyable; I'm very much looking forward to reading book 2 in the series.

[Bryan Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book !! It is an oldie ; published in 1932 !! It was / is a fun read from the first page . It is the first book in the Madge Sterling series , and does a great job in setting up the characters . The story refers to Madge and her friend Anne seeking a hidden formula -- one that prevents rusting on metal . There is evidence of another interested party , whom is also searching for the formula . Who is this mysterious person ?? Could it be Anne's late father's ex - lab partner , who left in disgrace ?? The bank man who is trying to buy Anne's land for a fraction of its true value ?? Or is it the company executive , who is waiting impatiently in order to buy the formula ?? The story races to a good and satisfying conclusion . I will certainly be on the lookout for further books in this series !!

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where Could it Be?

An interesting read by far. Some of the solutions were easy to figure out, but the overall search and the tense ticking of time kept the pages turning. There were a couple of moments that seemed way too coincidental, but can be easily overlooked as the rest of the story was still strong enough to carry on with them. Overall, a good fun adventure, typical of the time period with quick breaks for fishing, picnics, and the like.

[Tamem]

i love the sound of thise book.

[Jennifer Booth]

A fast read

It was great while waiting for my car at the vets. Very simple to follow along. Good book for a short layover