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Trixie Belden #9
El misterio del Valle Feliz
"We'd better get out of here in a hurry," Jim said. Trixie nodded, unable to say anything.
A rush and a roar of water followed the collapse of the bridge. About fifty or seventy-five feet from them, water swirled angrily. Big tree branches floated by out in the current, then the bloated body of a cow, and half a dozen chickens.
"Turn the car around as fast as you can," Honey urged, terrified. "Oh, you can't turn around, Jim! There isn't any road anymore!"
A rush and a roar of water followed the collapse of the bridge. About fifty or seventy-five feet from them, water swirled angrily. Big tree branches floated by out in the current, then the bloated body of a cow, and half a dozen chickens.
"Turn the car around as fast as you can," Honey urged, terrified. "Oh, you can't turn around, Jim! There isn't any road anymore!"
209 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1962
6 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Kenny
50 books98 followersThe Kathryn Kenny pseudonym was created by Western Publishing House in 1961, three years after Julie Campbell wrote her last book (#6) of the Trixie Belden series. There were several ghost writers who wrote Trixie Belden stories under this pseudonym. Some have been identified and later credited but some are still unknown.
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http://www.trixie-belden.com/books/Ka...
The Kathryn Kenny pseudonym was born in 1961, three years after Campbell wrote her last book of the Trixie Belden series. Did it take Western Publishing several years to find a suitable author? The answer is unknown and the identity of the authors of the 33 Kathryn Kenny books are not known for sure but there is some information about the ghost writers.
Nicolete Meredith Stack
Nicolete Meredith StackStack is thought to be the first author to tackle the Trixie Belden series, although there is much debate about which books were actually written by her. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1896 but lived in Webster Groves in St. Louis, Missouri for most of her adult life. Stack wrote other children's books under her own name and various pen names, including the Robin Kane series by Eileen Hill for Whitman between 1966 and 1971.
Stack is said to have written five books in the Trixie Belden series between 1961 and 1971, but Who's Who in the Midwest claims that she wrote eight titles between 1961 and 1966. There were eight Trixie Belden titles published between 1961 and 1966, but it is doubtful that she wrote them all.
James Keeline in his article, Trixie Belden "Schoolgirl Shamus", believes that books 7, 9 and 16 can be attributed to Stack but there are others that may have been written by her.
Virginia McDonnell
Virginia Bleecher McDonnell was born in 1917 and was a registered nurse who trained at Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. McDonnell wrote the Nurses Three series from 1963 to 1965 using the pen name Jean Kirby, and the Kim Aldrich series as Jinny McDonnell, both for Whitman. She is also wrote volume six of The Waltons.
McDonnell and her husband were avid skiiers and many of her books featured details of nursing or skiing. It seems likely that she wrote three Trixie Belden books, The Mystery of Cobbett's Island (1964), The Mystery of the Emeralds (1965) and The Mystery of Mead's Mountain (1978). Skiing is mentioned early in The Mystery of Cobbett's Island, although this is not the theme of the book.
McDonnell also wrote another book called Country Agent that has a number of similarities with The Mystery at Happy Valley, although her book was published in 1968. Read a review of this book, and see what you think.
There is little biographical information available on McDonnell, but the three books attributed to her are three of the most widely loved books in the Trixie Belden series.
Gladys Baker Bond
Gladys Baker BondGladys Baker Bond was born in Berryville, Arkansas on the 7th of May, 1912. On September 2, 1934, she married Floyd James Bond and had one son, Nicholas Peter. Bond's childhood years were spent in the Ozarks of Arkansas. She lived in Idaho and Washington all her adult life and was an officer of the Idaho Writers League between 1952-54.
Bond's books for children cover a wide range of subjects and are often autobiographical. Mrs. Bond wrote under the pseudonymns, Jo Mendel (The Tucker series) and Holly Beth Walker (the Meg series), as well as her own name. She also wrote volume five of The Waltons.
She is credited with writing The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest (1977), The Mystery of the Castaway Children (1978), and The Sasquatch Mystery (1979). However, with her childhood spent in the Ozarks, she could be the author of The Mystery at Bob-White Cave (1963).
Carl Henry Rathjen
Carl Henry RathjenRathjen was born on the 28th of August 1909 in Jersey City, New Jersey and died in 1984. His ambition was to become a mechanical engineer, but when things didn't go
***
http://www.trixie-belden.com/books/Ka...
The Kathryn Kenny pseudonym was born in 1961, three years after Campbell wrote her last book of the Trixie Belden series. Did it take Western Publishing several years to find a suitable author? The answer is unknown and the identity of the authors of the 33 Kathryn Kenny books are not known for sure but there is some information about the ghost writers.
Nicolete Meredith Stack
Nicolete Meredith StackStack is thought to be the first author to tackle the Trixie Belden series, although there is much debate about which books were actually written by her. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1896 but lived in Webster Groves in St. Louis, Missouri for most of her adult life. Stack wrote other children's books under her own name and various pen names, including the Robin Kane series by Eileen Hill for Whitman between 1966 and 1971.
Stack is said to have written five books in the Trixie Belden series between 1961 and 1971, but Who's Who in the Midwest claims that she wrote eight titles between 1961 and 1966. There were eight Trixie Belden titles published between 1961 and 1966, but it is doubtful that she wrote them all.
James Keeline in his article, Trixie Belden "Schoolgirl Shamus", believes that books 7, 9 and 16 can be attributed to Stack but there are others that may have been written by her.
Virginia McDonnell
Virginia Bleecher McDonnell was born in 1917 and was a registered nurse who trained at Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. McDonnell wrote the Nurses Three series from 1963 to 1965 using the pen name Jean Kirby, and the Kim Aldrich series as Jinny McDonnell, both for Whitman. She is also wrote volume six of The Waltons.
McDonnell and her husband were avid skiiers and many of her books featured details of nursing or skiing. It seems likely that she wrote three Trixie Belden books, The Mystery of Cobbett's Island (1964), The Mystery of the Emeralds (1965) and The Mystery of Mead's Mountain (1978). Skiing is mentioned early in The Mystery of Cobbett's Island, although this is not the theme of the book.
McDonnell also wrote another book called Country Agent that has a number of similarities with The Mystery at Happy Valley, although her book was published in 1968. Read a review of this book, and see what you think.
There is little biographical information available on McDonnell, but the three books attributed to her are three of the most widely loved books in the Trixie Belden series.
Gladys Baker Bond
Gladys Baker BondGladys Baker Bond was born in Berryville, Arkansas on the 7th of May, 1912. On September 2, 1934, she married Floyd James Bond and had one son, Nicholas Peter. Bond's childhood years were spent in the Ozarks of Arkansas. She lived in Idaho and Washington all her adult life and was an officer of the Idaho Writers League between 1952-54.
Bond's books for children cover a wide range of subjects and are often autobiographical. Mrs. Bond wrote under the pseudonymns, Jo Mendel (The Tucker series) and Holly Beth Walker (the Meg series), as well as her own name. She also wrote volume five of The Waltons.
She is credited with writing The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest (1977), The Mystery of the Castaway Children (1978), and The Sasquatch Mystery (1979). However, with her childhood spent in the Ozarks, she could be the author of The Mystery at Bob-White Cave (1963).
Carl Henry Rathjen
Carl Henry RathjenRathjen was born on the 28th of August 1909 in Jersey City, New Jersey and died in 1984. His ambition was to become a mechanical engineer, but when things didn't go
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December 17, 2017
Trixie Belden and her group of family & friends from Sleepyside, NY return in this teen sleuth mystery, #9 in the Trixie Belden series.
The BWGs (Bob Whites of the Glen) are on spring break from Sleepyside Junior-Senior high school. After holding an antique show to benefit UNICEF and a winter ice carnival to help earthquake victims in Mexico, the group is bored at the thought of an entire break from school with nothing exciting to do. Trixie's Uncle Andrew saves the day. He travels through town before leaving on a trip to Scotland and invites the kids to spend spring break at his farm in Iowa. And there's a mystery afoot -- sheep are mysteriously disappearing from Happy Valley Farm. And of course, the BWGs are on the case to find the evil sheep-nappers!!
The first thing that struck me about this story is that the newest member of the BWGs is left entirely out of the story. Dan Marsden joined the club after the Black Jacket Mystery was solved.....he appears for one page at the start, stating he can't travel to Iowa because he's being tutored at school over break. I read an old hardback copy of this book from the 70s....and Dan's picture hasn't been added to the drawings of the BWGs that appear on the leaves at the begnning of the book. Hmmmmm. I'm not sure that bodes well for the newest member of the gang. Will Dan become a regular character? Or perhaps he will just disappear with no explanation. I read every book in this series in middle school....but I can't remember whether Dan became a "real' member of the group or not. Everyone forgot poor Dan....even me. ha! :)
Also in this book it is stated that Di Lynch's house is located "just past" The Manor, the large estate owned by Honey Wheeler's family (Trixie's BFF). In prior books, the Lynch house was not located that close to the Wheelers or the Belden farm. Another Hmmmmmm moment.
I think perhaps those discrepancies might be due to the fact that after book six the series was written by various authors all using the pen name Kathryn Kenny. One author added a new character.....but the next one didn't want to include the new kid? Who knows.....but the discrepancies jumped out at me as I re-read this book. When I was in middle school and collected this entire series, I didn't notice. I just wanted to know what mystery the kids were going to get involved in next. :) As an adult, I can't help but notice when they move someone's house.....or drop a new club member. In an earlier book when Trixie's grades were hurting, she didn't miss out on a trip with the gang....the older boys offered to help tutor her over break. Nobody spoke up for Dan Marsden......he was just left at home without another mention by the other club members. There was no "Geepers, I really wish Dan was here.'' or "Boy, I'm really sorry Dan is missing this cool trip.'' They didn't mention him once. Not once. Poor Dan. Even when they were returning home, nobody mentioned poor Dan slaving over his school books.
My guess -- the book was written at the same time as Black Jacket Mystery by another author....and the few sentences giving Dan an excuse for not being there were added for continuity, leaving poor Dan at home sitting through tutoring sessions while his "friends' gallivanted off into the Iowa countryside without a backward glance to look for disappearing sheep. Poor Dan.
Those little things aside.....this was another fun read for me. I loved this series when I was young, and I'm happily re-reading them again now. :) I do see things a bit differently as an adult....but that doesn't make the stories any less enjoyable.
The Trixie Belden series was written from 1948-1986. There are 39 books in the series. The first six books were written by Julie Cambell. The rest of the series was written by various authors all using the name Kathryn Kenny. The differences in writing style are apparent to me as an adult, but it doesn't change my love of this series.
There was one cute scene at the end of this story between Trixie and Jim...... awwwwwww. :) Made me smile.
On to the next book!!! The Marshland Mystery!
The BWGs (Bob Whites of the Glen) are on spring break from Sleepyside Junior-Senior high school. After holding an antique show to benefit UNICEF and a winter ice carnival to help earthquake victims in Mexico, the group is bored at the thought of an entire break from school with nothing exciting to do. Trixie's Uncle Andrew saves the day. He travels through town before leaving on a trip to Scotland and invites the kids to spend spring break at his farm in Iowa. And there's a mystery afoot -- sheep are mysteriously disappearing from Happy Valley Farm. And of course, the BWGs are on the case to find the evil sheep-nappers!!
The first thing that struck me about this story is that the newest member of the BWGs is left entirely out of the story. Dan Marsden joined the club after the Black Jacket Mystery was solved.....he appears for one page at the start, stating he can't travel to Iowa because he's being tutored at school over break. I read an old hardback copy of this book from the 70s....and Dan's picture hasn't been added to the drawings of the BWGs that appear on the leaves at the begnning of the book. Hmmmmm. I'm not sure that bodes well for the newest member of the gang. Will Dan become a regular character? Or perhaps he will just disappear with no explanation. I read every book in this series in middle school....but I can't remember whether Dan became a "real' member of the group or not. Everyone forgot poor Dan....even me. ha! :)
Also in this book it is stated that Di Lynch's house is located "just past" The Manor, the large estate owned by Honey Wheeler's family (Trixie's BFF). In prior books, the Lynch house was not located that close to the Wheelers or the Belden farm. Another Hmmmmmm moment.
I think perhaps those discrepancies might be due to the fact that after book six the series was written by various authors all using the pen name Kathryn Kenny. One author added a new character.....but the next one didn't want to include the new kid? Who knows.....but the discrepancies jumped out at me as I re-read this book. When I was in middle school and collected this entire series, I didn't notice. I just wanted to know what mystery the kids were going to get involved in next. :) As an adult, I can't help but notice when they move someone's house.....or drop a new club member. In an earlier book when Trixie's grades were hurting, she didn't miss out on a trip with the gang....the older boys offered to help tutor her over break. Nobody spoke up for Dan Marsden......he was just left at home without another mention by the other club members. There was no "Geepers, I really wish Dan was here.'' or "Boy, I'm really sorry Dan is missing this cool trip.'' They didn't mention him once. Not once. Poor Dan. Even when they were returning home, nobody mentioned poor Dan slaving over his school books.
My guess -- the book was written at the same time as Black Jacket Mystery by another author....and the few sentences giving Dan an excuse for not being there were added for continuity, leaving poor Dan at home sitting through tutoring sessions while his "friends' gallivanted off into the Iowa countryside without a backward glance to look for disappearing sheep. Poor Dan.
Those little things aside.....this was another fun read for me. I loved this series when I was young, and I'm happily re-reading them again now. :) I do see things a bit differently as an adult....but that doesn't make the stories any less enjoyable.
The Trixie Belden series was written from 1948-1986. There are 39 books in the series. The first six books were written by Julie Cambell. The rest of the series was written by various authors all using the name Kathryn Kenny. The differences in writing style are apparent to me as an adult, but it doesn't change my love of this series.
There was one cute scene at the end of this story between Trixie and Jim...... awwwwwww. :) Made me smile.
On to the next book!!! The Marshland Mystery!
May 12, 2024
Where else can you read words like "gleeps" and "jalopy" and smile at the memories?
June 14, 2018
For some reason, the set of Whitman editions my parents bought me when I was ten didn't include this one, so this is the first time I've ever read it. I can't believe I missed out on the budding romance between Trixie and Jim! There are hints of it in earlier books, but this is where it really gets going. On the other hand, it's more of a 3.5 star rating, because that romance is handled pretty awkwardly. I'm not sure what I think about Trixie's emotional landscape here. She's realistically torn between wanting to be more traditionally feminine like Di and Honey and wanting to be herself, but it's, again, very awkwardly portrayed, and there's an underlying sense that she ought to be traditionally feminine even though Jim and...can't remember his name, the young man they befriend...both tell her they're attracted to the girl she is, the one who can shoot free throws better than most of the guys. Anyway, overall it was a lot of fun, and I liked the way the mystery unraveled, with Trixie's deductions being proved right after a long string of looking like they were wrong.
October 14, 2025
5+ stars (6/10 hearts). Lots of the Trixie books start off slowly and seem to have zero connection to any mystery for the first 80 pages, and then suddenly you're on the edge of your seat until page 200. This wasn't one of them. The mystery began in the very first chapter, and it was in the middle of the book, instead, that the mystery faded into the background. However, I was really whiplashed at first, expecting to pick up where book 8 left off, and instead finding myself in a plane ride that slowly explained what was going on. I reaaaally missed the village and everyone in it!!!
But the mystery was very puzzling and suspenseful (though I read too fast to understand how Trixie figured it out—it felt very skippy and unconcrete to me) but I hate how everyone made fun of Trixie for stumbling across a few false trails, nor how she ended up basically alone trying to solve the mystery. I expected more of the Bob-Whites than that—and I didn't like Mr. Gorman for a while. ;) I did like that Jim's “girlfriend” and Trixie's “boyfriend” turned out really just party-partners for an evening and you didn't end up hating either—even Trixie and Jim didn't, which was awesome! And Jim was so gallant and Trixie was so cute. ;) Their relationship was so realistic and natural and sweet.
Finally, the climax was S U S P E N S E F U L L L and ohhh did I ever love it. Gave this book an extra two stars. And the ending was awesome. <3 Jim & Trixie forever!
Content: Euphemisms; dancing; a hand-holding.
A Favourite Quote: "'I guess ... the good Lord intended people to love the young of any animal--even man's, and he's the orneriest of all animals--because there never was a young one born of bird or beast that you didn't first laugh at and then give your heart to.’"
A Favourite Humorous Quote: "'Someone tell them what to do.... Jim, call the sheep!'
Jim cupped his hands around his mouth. 'Soooooo--sheep!' he called.
The Beldens doubled up, laughing.
'Hush!' Jim said. 'Oooo--baaaa--aaaa! Sooooo--sheep!'
It must not have sounded funny to the sheep, even if it did to the Bob-Whites, for their heads went up, and when two ewes started toward Jim's voice, the rest obediently followed."
But the mystery was very puzzling and suspenseful (though I read too fast to understand how Trixie figured it out—it felt very skippy and unconcrete to me) but I hate how everyone made fun of Trixie for stumbling across a few false trails, nor how she ended up basically alone trying to solve the mystery. I expected more of the Bob-Whites than that—and I didn't like Mr. Gorman for a while. ;) I did like that Jim's “girlfriend” and Trixie's “boyfriend” turned out really just party-partners for an evening and you didn't end up hating either—even Trixie and Jim didn't, which was awesome! And Jim was so gallant and Trixie was so cute. ;) Their relationship was so realistic and natural and sweet.
Finally, the climax was S U S P E N S E F U L L L and ohhh did I ever love it. Gave this book an extra two stars. And the ending was awesome. <3 Jim & Trixie forever!
Content: Euphemisms; dancing; a hand-holding.
A Favourite Quote: "'I guess ... the good Lord intended people to love the young of any animal--even man's, and he's the orneriest of all animals--because there never was a young one born of bird or beast that you didn't first laugh at and then give your heart to.’"
A Favourite Humorous Quote: "'Someone tell them what to do.... Jim, call the sheep!'
Jim cupped his hands around his mouth. 'Soooooo--sheep!' he called.
The Beldens doubled up, laughing.
'Hush!' Jim said. 'Oooo--baaaa--aaaa! Sooooo--sheep!'
It must not have sounded funny to the sheep, even if it did to the Bob-Whites, for their heads went up, and when two ewes started toward Jim's voice, the rest obediently followed."
January 27, 2015
The ninth book in the Trixie Belden series, and another trip away for the BWG’s. I’m not sure what it is about the books when the characters are away from Sleepyside-on-Hudson but I find the characters they meet generally quite horrid.
The Gorman’s, who were meant to be the parental homely-type farm folk who are looking after the BWG’s on the Belden’s uncles farm were pretty much awful for most of the book.
Everyone spent most of the book making fun of or being mean to Trixie and yeah, that wasn’t enjoyable.
What I did like was the end of the book – that had to be the most action-packed finish to a Trixie Belden book to date. While I had serious doubts about the circumstances building to their predicament, I really enjoyed reading it and had trouble putting it down wanting to know what happened next.
Then, to cap it off, one of my all time favourite Trixie Belden moments is right at the end of this book between Jim and Trixie with the bracelet. So sweet.
So, I utterly disliked about two thirds of the book, and loved the ending. Just not sure if the ending was enough to salvage this one.
The Gorman’s, who were meant to be the parental homely-type farm folk who are looking after the BWG’s on the Belden’s uncles farm were pretty much awful for most of the book.
Everyone spent most of the book making fun of or being mean to Trixie and yeah, that wasn’t enjoyable.
What I did like was the end of the book – that had to be the most action-packed finish to a Trixie Belden book to date. While I had serious doubts about the circumstances building to their predicament, I really enjoyed reading it and had trouble putting it down wanting to know what happened next.
Then, to cap it off, one of my all time favourite Trixie Belden moments is right at the end of this book between Jim and Trixie with the bracelet. So sweet.
So, I utterly disliked about two thirds of the book, and loved the ending. Just not sure if the ending was enough to salvage this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2016
Okay, so this is the book where it is confirmed: Jim is in love with Trixie. xD The mystery was not very well-rounded, the ending seemed a bit rushed, however I loved the parts about the parties and when Jim almost calls Trixie his girlfriend but then catches himself. Oh, and obviously THE ENDINGGGGG <3
Four stars out of five.
Four stars out of five.
August 23, 2017
The Bob Whites (minus new member Dan Mangan, who must work hard to catch up on schoolwork so he can stay in the same class as Jim and Brian) are off to Iowa for a Spring Break adventure. The Beldens' Uncle Andrew stops by Sleepyside for a visit on his way to Scotland. When he finds that his niece, nephews, and their friends will be at loose ends during their school holiday, he offers to send them all to his sheep farm in the Midwest.
Uncle Andrew expects the kids to learn about sheep, have some fun helping out around the farm, and maybe enjoy a dance at the local high school. But as soon as Trixie hears that her uncle's sheep have been disappearing at regular intervals, she knows that she and the Bob Whites have another job to do...and another mystery to solve. There's a mysterious bearded man to check out, a hired hand who acts a bit suspiciously, and the men who are selling sheep carcasses on the cheap for the school's barbecue. And what about the mysterious lights in the dark and dangerous Walnut Woods nearby?
Trixie's curiosity lead her, Jim, and Honey into a dangerous situation when the river starts rising and the bridge washes out behind them. But the brave threesome manage to get themselves to safety atop a barn and Trixie spots the sheep-rustlers from their perch. Once she and her fellow Bob Whites are rescued, she convinces her uncle's manager to send the police after the crooks and saves the day for Uncle Andrew's farm.
This was one of my all-time favorite Trixie Belden stories when I was growing up. Iowa is close enough to Indiana that it brought the story into familiar territory for me and, of course, I loved that it ends with Jim presenting Trixie with the silver ID bracelet and telling her that she's his special girl. The added danger at the end made it all the more exciting--but safely exciting because we all knew that Trixie, Jim, and Honey would be okay in the end. When I spotted this vintage edition at an antique mall last year, I knew I had to get it and revisit the adventure with the Bob Whites. The stroll down memory lane was well worth it and I enjoyed going back to a simpler time in my mystery reading. It was a lot of fun to visit again with Trixie and the Bob Whites. ★★★★★ then and now--for nostalgia's sake.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
Uncle Andrew expects the kids to learn about sheep, have some fun helping out around the farm, and maybe enjoy a dance at the local high school. But as soon as Trixie hears that her uncle's sheep have been disappearing at regular intervals, she knows that she and the Bob Whites have another job to do...and another mystery to solve. There's a mysterious bearded man to check out, a hired hand who acts a bit suspiciously, and the men who are selling sheep carcasses on the cheap for the school's barbecue. And what about the mysterious lights in the dark and dangerous Walnut Woods nearby?
Trixie's curiosity lead her, Jim, and Honey into a dangerous situation when the river starts rising and the bridge washes out behind them. But the brave threesome manage to get themselves to safety atop a barn and Trixie spots the sheep-rustlers from their perch. Once she and her fellow Bob Whites are rescued, she convinces her uncle's manager to send the police after the crooks and saves the day for Uncle Andrew's farm.
This was one of my all-time favorite Trixie Belden stories when I was growing up. Iowa is close enough to Indiana that it brought the story into familiar territory for me and, of course, I loved that it ends with Jim presenting Trixie with the silver ID bracelet and telling her that she's his special girl. The added danger at the end made it all the more exciting--but safely exciting because we all knew that Trixie, Jim, and Honey would be okay in the end. When I spotted this vintage edition at an antique mall last year, I knew I had to get it and revisit the adventure with the Bob Whites. The stroll down memory lane was well worth it and I enjoyed going back to a simpler time in my mystery reading. It was a lot of fun to visit again with Trixie and the Bob Whites. ★★★★★ then and now--for nostalgia's sake.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
January 3, 2011
I'm waiting for my hold on this one to come in...
1/3/11
The book arrived, and it was a little cheesier than the rest (aka I snorted when I read the last two lines). I want to recheck the Trixie Belden fan website I found to see which ghost writer is suspected for this one...I hope she didn't write too many!
1/3/11
The book arrived, and it was a little cheesier than the rest (aka I snorted when I read the last two lines). I want to recheck the Trixie Belden fan website I found to see which ghost writer is suspected for this one...I hope she didn't write too many!
January 5, 2019
Still adjusting to the change in writing styles. If I remember correctly, it evens out in a bit, or I just get further away from the first six books and forget how they read.
Trixie and the Bob-Whites are headed to the most exotic of locations: Iowa. As a midwestern girl, this one hits home for me. I grew up just across the border, Trix. You're gonna love your sheep farm adventure. Uncle Andrew invites the Bob-Whites to stay at his farm while he is in Scotland. Ok...a little weird on the host's side, and kinda crappy on his farm help team, but whatever. They hop on a plane and boom, Iowa, folks. And there is a mystery, natch, about missing sheep which Trixie is bound and determined to solve. Will she? Let's hope so, or no one will buy book 10.
We get some fun references to life in the midwest - 4-H, school dances in the gym, skating on the pond - and a scary flood, plus a little teen romance at the end. Not gonna lie, I've been waiting for this. Still enjoyable, even with the writing change. 3 stars.
Trixie and the Bob-Whites are headed to the most exotic of locations: Iowa. As a midwestern girl, this one hits home for me. I grew up just across the border, Trix. You're gonna love your sheep farm adventure. Uncle Andrew invites the Bob-Whites to stay at his farm while he is in Scotland. Ok...a little weird on the host's side, and kinda crappy on his farm help team, but whatever. They hop on a plane and boom, Iowa, folks. And there is a mystery, natch, about missing sheep which Trixie is bound and determined to solve. Will she? Let's hope so, or no one will buy book 10.
We get some fun references to life in the midwest - 4-H, school dances in the gym, skating on the pond - and a scary flood, plus a little teen romance at the end. Not gonna lie, I've been waiting for this. Still enjoyable, even with the writing change. 3 stars.
June 3, 2022
Vejam a minha opinião em vídeo, AQUI.
February 28, 2017
I don't know why I especially like this one in the series ... perhaps the travel, perhaps because Iowa is closer to my "back yard" ... anyway, I've always liked this one.
September 2013 ... read again ... one of my favorites, but I don't really know why. I really enjoy this story.
September 2013 ... read again ... one of my favorites, but I don't really know why. I really enjoy this story.
March 9, 2008
Book 9. This book ticked me off. In book 8 Dan was introduced and I had a HUGE girly crush on him. And he was LEFT BEHIND in this one!
March 12, 2010
This is the one I read over and over and over. Jim and Trixie hold hands on the airplane.
March 7, 2025
The Great Trixie Belden Re-Read of 2025: #9 had me giggling and twirling my hair and kicking my feet. Like, who the hell was writing a children's series in the 1950s about a girl detective and decided to write in one of the most elite ships of all time?? This book was sooo Jim and Trixie centric and I ate it up. I honestly thought they weren't going to be such a big aspect of the plot as I remember them being when I was a kid. Like - dude. "I hate to think of my sister and my... well - you, Trixie, getting into such tight places all the time." HELLO?? Life or death situation together? Him giving her a BRACELET WITH HIS NAME ON IT???? CALLING HER HIS "SPECIAL GIRL"?? Yeah. This book rocked. These two would have been one of my first ever proper ships, and they are not disappointing me.
October 29, 2023
Me ha encantado este libro. Se meten en un buen lío pero acaban resolviendo el misterio. Además vemos cómo va aflorando también el amor entre los personajes como adolescentes que son
April 8, 2025
All Trixie Beldens are a five star!
April 22, 2020
see review on other edition
May 2, 2021
This is a fairly bleh entry in the series. There's nothing technically wrong with it but Trixie doesn't come off very well here. Having been invited to Uncle Andrew's Iowa sheep farm Trixie and the rest of the Bob-Whites, minus poor Dan, of course, arrive and quickly discover a mystery. Someone is stealing Uncle Andrew's sheep. Trixie just as quickly starts accusing people left and right, with absolutely no evidence. It's not a good look for our intrepid detective, and the fact that she gets angry when people don't take her seriously just makes it worse. Maybe they would take her seriously if she would stop jumping to conclusions about people with nothing to back up her theories. The "bleh" part of the story is the fact that they are on vacation, and yet most of their day to day activities pretty much mirror what they would be doing at home. They help the Gormans run their Uncle's farm. The girls help Mrs. Gorman clean and cook. They go skating. There is a neat scene at the local high school where Trixie shows everyone that girls can play basketball just as well as boys, but nothing really extraordinary happens until near the end of the book. We also get to see a jealous Trixie having a few unhappy thoughts about a girl that Jim is apparently interested in, but it's Jim and Trixie all the way. The last quarter of the book picks up a bit with a flood and imminent danger, and Trixie, Honey and Jim in peril, but the denouement of the mystery is IMO rather haphazard. There's no real detecting, just Trixie accusing one person after another until she hits on the correct villains, and the capture of the villains happens off-screen and has little to do with our heroes. 3 and a half stars, because the budding romance between Trixie and Jim has been a long time coming.
May 3, 2015
a HUGE and most dedicated fan of Trixie and her crew. This is odd, of course, because they were MEANT for teen and pre-teen girls, but I was a young boy that read everything he could get his hands on and when I first stumbled on my first TRIXIE BELDON book I was instantly hooked!
I immediately sat about reading them all, as quickly as I could get my greedy little paws on them. Trixie is the star, or "lead" character, followed by Jim and Honey (who quickly became the love of my young life, I had a total crush on a fictional character that only existed in ink) and this brave trio was constantly getting into trouble, solving mysteries and murders; that sort of thing.
It falls along the line of the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and other similar series, but the Trixie series carries more of the teenage angst and a subtle love triangle of conflicted who likes whom mystery that battles back and forth throughout the series. All of the while though, the same cheerful, effervescent and energetic positive attitude and domineering never quit/never let them see you down philosophy is the major subtext all through the books.
It is simply impossible to read these and NOT feel good about yourself and about LIFE, to have a sense of "all is well" in the world and a cheerful demeanor just naturally permeate your soul. I know, it SOUNDS crazy, but it is true.
I lost all of my Trixie books years ago, lending them to friends and that sort of thing. Since then, I have been on a quest to rebuild my collection of hardbacks. I find most of them at "Friends of the Library Sales" and things like that, but I am ever watchful at garage sales and places, for I do not have even a third of them built back
I immediately sat about reading them all, as quickly as I could get my greedy little paws on them. Trixie is the star, or "lead" character, followed by Jim and Honey (who quickly became the love of my young life, I had a total crush on a fictional character that only existed in ink) and this brave trio was constantly getting into trouble, solving mysteries and murders; that sort of thing.
It falls along the line of the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and other similar series, but the Trixie series carries more of the teenage angst and a subtle love triangle of conflicted who likes whom mystery that battles back and forth throughout the series. All of the while though, the same cheerful, effervescent and energetic positive attitude and domineering never quit/never let them see you down philosophy is the major subtext all through the books.
It is simply impossible to read these and NOT feel good about yourself and about LIFE, to have a sense of "all is well" in the world and a cheerful demeanor just naturally permeate your soul. I know, it SOUNDS crazy, but it is true.
I lost all of my Trixie books years ago, lending them to friends and that sort of thing. Since then, I have been on a quest to rebuild my collection of hardbacks. I find most of them at "Friends of the Library Sales" and things like that, but I am ever watchful at garage sales and places, for I do not have even a third of them built back
October 10, 2013
-This was always one of my favorite Trixie books growing up. I am not surprised to learn that ghostwriter Nicolete Meredith Stack was originally an Iowegian, because the Iowa sheep farm setting always seemed like it must be someone's personal interest.
- All of a sudden everyone makes a lot of Biblical references. This wouldn't be strange if it weren't the first time that any of them had done so. Well, aside from the characters who are new in this book, and were presumably making Biblical references before the Bob-Whites arrived.
- The Obligatory Romance Subplot is at least handled a little more subtly than in The Mysterious Code. Trixie has obviously internalized the idea that being a tomboy is bad and reproaches herself for it all the time, which makes me sad, but I like that she tries some new things and then decides what she's comfortable with. When a local boy she meets tries to police her from the opposite perspective and says that he was interested in her until she started acting like a girl and makes unfavorable comparisons with Honey and Di, Trixie shuts him right down. Jim, by contrast, affirms her choices and is a much better Obligatory Heterosexual Love interest, even though the scene with the ID bracelet is weirdly possessive and ends the book on a sour note to me.
- Unlike Trixie/Jim, Honey/Brian and Di/Mart are completely implausible pairings and I don't seriously believe they would really date each other.
- All of a sudden everyone makes a lot of Biblical references. This wouldn't be strange if it weren't the first time that any of them had done so. Well, aside from the characters who are new in this book, and were presumably making Biblical references before the Bob-Whites arrived.
- The Obligatory Romance Subplot is at least handled a little more subtly than in The Mysterious Code. Trixie has obviously internalized the idea that being a tomboy is bad and reproaches herself for it all the time, which makes me sad, but I like that she tries some new things and then decides what she's comfortable with. When a local boy she meets tries to police her from the opposite perspective and says that he was interested in her until she started acting like a girl and makes unfavorable comparisons with Honey and Di, Trixie shuts him right down. Jim, by contrast, affirms her choices and is a much better Obligatory Heterosexual Love interest, even though the scene with the ID bracelet is weirdly possessive and ends the book on a sour note to me.
- Unlike Trixie/Jim, Honey/Brian and Di/Mart are completely implausible pairings and I don't seriously believe they would really date each other.
March 29, 2015
Just like all other Trixie Belden books, The Happy Valley Mystery was suspenseful and cleverly written. I love this series because it's right in the middle of "too confusing to understand" and "so easy that I could figure it out myself." I think this book is more realistic because normally, Trixie and Honey find a clue or two their first day on the job. Whereas in this book it took them a whole week to find something. In this book I really found Trixie annoying. All she wanted to do was solve the mystery and that is good ambition but not when you're on vacation! At least I was able to relate to Mart who also noticed this fact in the book. If you have read this series before, then you will like this one. Also, if you haven't read this series before this is a great place to start. Though it is number nine in the series, it actually gives some background information about Trixie and Honey's success as detectives. This isn't the type of serried that you have to go in order. You can jump in anywhere and understand what's going on. There is a part in the book that takes up a couple of chapters that are really suspenseful. If you're into that, I rally suggest this book!
December 30, 2012
A childhood favorite re-visited.
Is the story as good as I remember? – Yes
What ages would I recommend it too? – Ten and up.
Length? – Most of a day’s read.
Characters? – Memorable, several characters.
Setting? – Real world, pre - computer pre - air conditioning, pre - cell phone.
Written approximately? – 1962.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? Yes. A slight mention of the time frame of the story - as the teens are given far more freedom to come and go as they please than would be safe today. Also, the absence of computers, cell phones, and air conditioning in homes, especially the mansion.
Short storyline: Trixie Belden, Honey, Jim, Diana, and her brothers work to catch the sheep thieves on Trixie's Uncle's ranch in Iowa. After a few false leads, she, Jim, and Honey finally catch the thieves, as well as a lost puppy.
Notes for the reader: A great mystery! No violence (only referred to from the past), no murder.
Is the story as good as I remember? – Yes
What ages would I recommend it too? – Ten and up.
Length? – Most of a day’s read.
Characters? – Memorable, several characters.
Setting? – Real world, pre - computer pre - air conditioning, pre - cell phone.
Written approximately? – 1962.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? Yes. A slight mention of the time frame of the story - as the teens are given far more freedom to come and go as they please than would be safe today. Also, the absence of computers, cell phones, and air conditioning in homes, especially the mansion.
Short storyline: Trixie Belden, Honey, Jim, Diana, and her brothers work to catch the sheep thieves on Trixie's Uncle's ranch in Iowa. After a few false leads, she, Jim, and Honey finally catch the thieves, as well as a lost puppy.
Notes for the reader: A great mystery! No violence (only referred to from the past), no murder.
July 22, 2020
This was one of my favorites. I would pull this one out over and over to read it! It shows the closeness of the friends and just how precious life and love and family and friendship really is!!!
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RE-READ~November 27, 2013
5 Stars
Even though [of course] I knew what was going to happen, it was still a great and exciting read. And being older, I pick up more references to the time period that I surely skipped over when I was younger because I didn't know what they were talking about. :-)
Trixie gets them in a HUGE mess this time and it almost causes a tragedy they would never recover from. Excellent read about friendship, family and the power of determination!
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RE-READ~November 27, 2013
5 Stars
Even though [of course] I knew what was going to happen, it was still a great and exciting read. And being older, I pick up more references to the time period that I surely skipped over when I was younger because I didn't know what they were talking about. :-)
Trixie gets them in a HUGE mess this time and it almost causes a tragedy they would never recover from. Excellent read about friendship, family and the power of determination!
April 16, 2010
During this adventure, Trixie and the Bob-Whites are headed for Iowa to the Belden's Uncle Andrew's farm - Happy Valley Farm.
When they arrive, they discover Uncle Andrew's sheep have been disappearing. Being the detective that she is, Trixie is determined to find out what's going on. Her main suspect is a man with a black beard. In addition to this book's mystery, there is a flood which also endangers Uncle Andrew's sheep. These sheep end up being major trouble for the Bob-Whites.
In another storyline, Trixie impresses a boy, Ned Schulz, with her basketball skills. The gang also meets twins Barbara and Bob Hubbell and Trixie becomes jealous of a pretty girl's interest in Jim. That green-eyed monster is finally rearing its ugly head ...
When they arrive, they discover Uncle Andrew's sheep have been disappearing. Being the detective that she is, Trixie is determined to find out what's going on. Her main suspect is a man with a black beard. In addition to this book's mystery, there is a flood which also endangers Uncle Andrew's sheep. These sheep end up being major trouble for the Bob-Whites.
In another storyline, Trixie impresses a boy, Ned Schulz, with her basketball skills. The gang also meets twins Barbara and Bob Hubbell and Trixie becomes jealous of a pretty girl's interest in Jim. That green-eyed monster is finally rearing its ugly head ...
December 31, 2022
When the gang go off to visit Uncle Andrew on Happy Valley Farm, Trixie immediately butts her nose in to try and find out who is stealing his precious sheep. After a few disastrous false accusations, and Trixie making wild statements all over the place, Trixie, Jim, and Honey are stranded in the middle of a flood in the few actual minutes of tension in the book. This was probably about the only part of the book that was actually good, as the resolution to the mystery came about in the most ridiculous of ways, though the touching scene of Mart finding his sister definitely gets a thumbs up! Another score for the Bob-Whites!
July 16, 2012
Trixie Belden and the Happy Valley Mystery is book number nine in the Trixie Belden mystery series. Trixie Belden and Honey Wheeler are best friends, horse lovers, and detectives who always seem to accidentally find a mystery waiting to be solved. In this book, the pair find themselves at Trixie's Uncle Andrew's farm, trying to find the sheep that have suddenly gone missing.
I love the Trixie Belden Mystery Series because it combines two of my favorite things - - horses and mystery!
I love the Trixie Belden Mystery Series because it combines two of my favorite things - - horses and mystery!
March 15, 2014
While visiting her Uncle Andrew, Trixie decides to find the sheep thieves who are targeting the farms in the area. I liked this book as a kid, but I find it annoying now. Trixie says, "It's because too much of the story is narrated via dialogue! And because all of us seem to speak in exclamation points!!!!"
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
May 21, 2014
The Bob-whites are off to Iowa to visit the Belden's uncle's farm. They go for spring break to have a good time, but Trixie is only interested in finding out who is stealing her uncles sheep! The Bob-whites have tons of fun and dances and skating, but run into trouble when a huge flood hits area and Trixie, Honey and Jim are trapped. Will the gang rescue them and find out who has been stealing Uncle Belden's sheep before they have to return home?
July 27, 2011
The Bob-Whites (minus Dan...of course) go to Iowa to visit the Beldens' Uncle Andrew on his sheep farm. Loved the setting, though the basketball game, dance, and ice skating never appealed to me. I was all about the mystery in this one. And the collies, Tip and Tag. I always wanted a collie. Too much "Lassie" growing up.
September 18, 2008
It's hard to write reviews for each book in this series, since it's been about 20 years since I read them and there's almost 40 books in the series...but, I did truly love this series. Obviously, since I'm still thinking enough about it to put them all on my Goodreads list!
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