Tale of the Witch Doll

Penny Parker Mystery Stories #1

by Mildred A. Wirt

With the sometimes reluctant help of her friend Louise Sidell, Penny Parker discovers the secret behind Melvin Osandra's seance establishment, and in turn, helps her friend Nellie Marble out of her difficulties with her doll shop. Additionally, Penny is able to free actress Helene Harmon from the plague of the witch doll that will not disappear. After solving her mysteries, Penny gets the honor of writing up the story for her father's newspaper.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Classics, Ebooks, Middle Grade

210 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1939

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

[Zain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Great American Classic!

Penelope Parker, is a girl who has found herself in the middle of a mystery. She has no time to waste. She must solve it.

The story has a lot happening. There is a man who is evil. There is a woman who is evil. There are people who are keeping the story going. There are some people who are good and many people who are flaky.

There are many people who have helped to get this book the four stars that it deserves.

There is even a doll. A witch doll. It steals the show. Wherever it goes. The doll is a top rate character. Up there with Penny and Louise and her Dad.

The Tale of the Witch Doll, is a fascinating book, full of mysteries and secrets that will make you more alert.

You will notice, however, that the book is an old one, full of misogyny and bigotry. A testament to the times. And I am giving it four stars.

Four stars. 💫💫💫💫

[Michael Finocchiaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great detective story for girls along the lines of Nancy Drew albeit a bit more blue collar. I couldn't convince my daughter to read it with me, so I had to enjoy it on my own. Penny is a high school student who is smart and courageous, whose father has the local paper, and whose mother has passed away (echoes of the Hardy Boys backstory). She falls into a mystery involving an actress and a witch doll and there are lots of great twists and turns before she sleuths her way to solving the case and grabbing the headline story. Original, entertaining - a great empowering story for girls.

[Jessaka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out real slow. A dancer who is performing in town. A doll store. A man who gives seances.

Penny parker becomes friends with a dancer Who had received a witch doll with a note warning her to not give the doll away or it will cause Her harm. Penny parker throws the doll in the river, but another 1 appears on the dancer's dresser. That too is thrown away. Yet, the dancer Receives another doll like it. Penny parker solves the mystery.

NOTE. There is a house in this story that has a river in the basement. It is thought to have been used as an underground railroad to save black slaves. There is also a story of a poor family with a little girl that penny parker helps. Have I read this book before? It is so familiar..

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Mildred A. Wirt — except that, if you were ever a 10-year-old girl, you already know her. That’s the real name of Carolyn Keene, the first and best author of the Nancy Drew novels. Two hundred million Nancy Drew books have been sold, and they’re still popular more than 80 years later. About 10 years after the first Nancy Drew novel, The Secret of the Old Clock, Wirt penned the first Penny Parker novel, Tale of the Witch Doll. Wirt said she preferred Penny Parker to Nancy Drew, and you will, too — especially as the novel is free in the Kindle format.

Penny Parker is a younger and more mischievous version of Nancy Drew. Like Nancy, Penny’s blonde and pretty and talented; however, she’s more realistic than the paragon Nancy Drew, and the novel’s more humorous than the average Nancy Drew fare. Wirt had me hooked from the first few pages. In Penny Parker’s debut, the high-school student stumbled across a mystery involving a professional dancer, a doll shop, and a nefarious con-artist medium.

Too often, reviewers lambast novels for what they’re not: Tale of the Witch Doll, published in 1939 won’t have the hip sensibility or the grittier settings of today’s YA mysteries. But a good mystery plot, a clever resolution — if a bit melodramatic — and a plucky girl detective can stand the test of decades, and Tale of the Witch Doll fits that bill admirably.

[Gary Sites · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of the Penny Parker mystery series, and my introduction to this wonderful character. First published in 1939, it gives the modern reader a good, clean story with a wonderful 16 year-old protagonist who is just a joy to root for as she interacts with other interesting characters while trying to solve a mystery. Exceptional atmosphere and dialogue for a book marketed to youngsters.
A pure pleasure to read. I’m really looking forward to reading more of the series.

[Anne Hawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an old book written by the author we know as Carolyn Keene. She wrote most of the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries. The main character, Penny Parker, is very similar to Nancy Drew, but her father is the editor of the Riverview Star. She isn't as wealthy as Nancy Drew and she isn't as perfect either.

I found the story to be interesting and intriguing enough to be eager to return to the book after putting it down even if it wasn't very sophisticated. I did find Penny's friend's worrying to be annoying.

The reason these books are appealing is because I read them as a kid. It is nice to go back to a simpler time when even a book about a witch doll doesn't involve the sordid life that is found in books today. If you are tired of vampires and evil warlords, this is a refreshing change.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

This kindle e-book novella is free from Amazon

This is a new author for me I saw 👀 a review and decided to try the book.

It reminded me of reading 📚 Nancy Drew at a younger age. It was very interesting with well developed characters lots of action and misdirection leading to the conclusion.

I would recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers of classic mystery novels 👍🔰.

[Miriam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was weird and creepy overall (a witch doll dance, really?), but the heroine seemed a lot more like a real teenager than Nancy Drew ever did, which I liked. I got the rest of the books in the series for really cheap, so I'll keep reading.

[Caro (carosbookcase) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I know how we might get inside, Lou! I remember Nellie once told me that one of these back windows wouldn’t lock. She complained several times to the building owner, but couldn’t get him to do anything about it.”
“Penny, are you aiming to land in jail?” Louise demanded indignantly. “I’m not going to force my way into any shop! If we were caught we’d be arrested!”
“Oh, Dad could bail us out,” Penny grinned. “Besides, there is no policeman in this district.”

It is just that kind of glib remark that makes Penny Parker so likeable! Penny is all of the things that I wish Nancy Drew could be.

Originally published in 1939, Tale of the Witch Doll is the first book in the Penny Parker series, written by Mildred A. Wirt, who is now best known as the ghostwriter of many of the Nancy Drew books.

“Penelope Parker—Penny—to all her friends, had that indefinable thing called personality. Her deep blue eyes, golden ringlets, clear skin, gave one an impression of beauty; and besides, she has sparkle and vivacity. Louise reflected that nearly all the world’s prize packages had been dropped on Penny’s casual little shoulders.”

Penny lives in the city of Riverview with her father, Anthony Parker, editor and owner of the Riverview Star, and Mrs. Maud Weems, the housekeeper who has been with the family since Penny’s mother died many years ago.

Penny is chock full of gumption and sass, which she uses to advantage, especially with her adoring father, who is no pushover, himself!

In this book, actress/dancer, Helene Harmon, is sent a witch doll. The attached note suggests the doll may provide Helene with inspiration for a new dance, but it also contains the warning, “Only beware of the doll’s evil spell, for once accepted the doll cannot be given away.” The note isn’t signed, but Penny recognizes the box the doll came in as being the same as those found at the Marble Doll Shop, owned by a girl she went to high school with, Nellie Marble.

A car accident, a couple of trips to the theatre, a visit or two to a medium called Melvin Osandra, a picnic (watch out for strange men in the bushes!), and a spot of breaking and entering are topped off with a front page story that makes Penny’s dad eat his words! Good thing Penny’s dad has a sense of humour! Otherwise, Penny’s allowance might be at risk and she needs that weekly influx of cash to keep her temperamental junk wagon, Leapin’ Lena, on the road.

Tale of the Witch Doll was well-plotted, and much less predictable than most vintage mystery books for children, and Penny Parker is a relatable girl that you can’t help but admire and root for.

In reading this book, I felt like I was getting to see how great Benson could have made the Nancy Drew series if she had been given complete creative control with plot and character development. Don’t get me wrong! I love Nancy Drew. I still read the books, but despite the joy I get from them, sometimes they drive me a little crazy too! If Nancy Drew was an ice cream flavour, she would be vanilla, especially the Nancy of the revised text editions. But Penny Parker would be tutti fruity! And that goes for their respective fathers too! Benson herself is quoted as saying that Penny Parker was “a better Nancy Drew than Nancy is”. I couldn’t agree more!

It is important to note that this book was originally published in 1939 and, for both better or worse, it contains the language and attitudes of its time.

This is my first foray into the Penny Parker Mystery series by Mildred A. Wirt Benson and oh, my goodness! If I had all of these books on my shelf, I would binge them right now!

[Bonnie_Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun. I was really interested in this book because Mildred A. Wirt, who wrote the original Nancy Drew books, often said she preferred her personal creation over that of Nancy Drew. And I agree with her - I too prefer this version of Penny Parker than that of the original Nancy Drew. Nancy Drew was more homely and sweet-natured. Penny Parker is a sassy spitfire sixteen year-old that can handle herself quite well. Additionally, the original Nancy Drew books were hella racist (every black person is described as either slovenly or a drunk (or sometimes both)). These books are not as racist. I did look up the names of one of the villains (Felice) and that name is Italian and the other villain has a Russian name… maybe it is just a coincidence but still. Unlike the original Nancy Drew books, where the evidence is typically handed to her or she stumbles unto things because of dumb luck, Penny Parker conducts investigations and sniffs around for clues. She talks to people and turns things over in her head and you can follow her reasoning.

Penny Parker and her friend Louise, both sophomores, are close chums. I wonder if they would be coded as gay today because they constantly go on dates together, visit each other houses, and are truly ride or die for each other. Plus, they have no interest in boys at all - at least within this book. I am probably over-reaching, but I do appreciate the strong female friendship in this book.

Anthony Parker is a bit of a d*ck, in my opinion. He decides to destroy evidence, including burning a note, dismisses Nellie (another character who kicks off the story, when she finds her doll store vandalized and much of her stock destroyed) when she goes with a suspicious man very late at night (straight up telling his daughter to forget her!), barely talks to his housekeeper, and then when his daughter is rescued at the very end of the book, does not give her so much as a cat nap to recover but instead plops her in front of a typewriter and has her write the story of what happened. Also, he works hand in hand with cops so you know he is ACAB-adjacent.

The ending felt very clunky for me. I honestly expected something like a vicious ex-boyfriend stalking the main victim, Helene Harmon, but what ends up happening is that the main villain, Ivan, had stolen money from Helene’s and Melvin’s (that’s a name you never hear anymore!) parents. Helene and Melvin testified against him and he was sent to jail for 15 years. He escaped halfway through his sentence and somehow managed to track down Helene, who had become a dancer, and Melvin, who had become a fake medium. Also, the siblings had drifted apart for some reason but somehow landed in the same town and reunited. But Melvin is captured by Ivan, who must have apprenticed under Lon Chaney himself because he managed to create two unique disguises - one of a hunchback assistant and another as an old woman! It feels very rushed, and I wish Mildred had written like another 10-20 pages of padding to further explain herself and develop the plot a bit more but whatever.

Overall, this was a lot of fun and I enjoyed myself quite a bit. Mildred A. Wirt had a lot of fun writing this book and it shows - Penny Parker takes the initiative, is smart and sly, and gives a gosh darn about her friends and acquaintances.

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Knowing that the authoress of this book was one of the first Carolyn Keenes, I was eager to read it, especially as a GR acquaintance said these were better than old Mary Sue Nancy. I can't say I enjoyed it much. Written a whole nine years after the first Nancy Drew, one would think that Wirt had enough writing experience under her belt to do better than this. Maybe it's because the template was the same as Nancy Drew only tweaked. Penny's a bit younger than Nancy, which makes her that much less believable as "girl sleuth." She's stereotypically "gorgeous" with natural blonde curls and blue eyes, and of course she can do whatever she tries, first time. Not so her friend Louise, who has no spine and yet has trouble lifting herself through a window at one point! I say no spine as Louise spends most of her time saying "Oh no, that's dangerous, I won't go along with that...oh, well, okay."

Dad is a newspaper editor instead of a lawyer, which puts them in a slightly lower income bracket than Nancy, so instead of a "snappy roadster" she drives a clunky bucket of bolts that's always breaking down. However, she's still a motherless angel who is looked after by Mrs Weems, a singularly unengaging housekeeper.

I didn't enjoy the story itself much at all. Lots of red herrings--or was it that Wirt changed her mind halfway through about where the story was going? Wouldn't theatrical makeup look funny in the light of day, if you see the person on a regular basis? The business with Nellie Marble didn't make much sense at all; she acted half-witted most of the time, so how could she run a business? The ending was pure 1920s movie serial, ridiculous without the touch of silliness in the ND books that always made me laugh. Here, I was mostly just rolling my eyes. Its only saving grace is that Penny is not already known for her detecting skills and derring-do.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Penny Parker mystery series. I'd first read this back in 2013 and really enjoyed the book so I thought I'd read it again. It's a wonderful story about a teenage sleuth living in a small town. The book was published in 1939.

What makes the story so much fun is the vivid personalities of the characters in the book. While we are not talking as high of a caliber of characterization as found in Charles Dickens, there is a wonderful connection that is developed for the reader as a result of how defined each person in the novel is.

As for the mystery, it's not Agatha Christie level but it's entertaining nevertheless. What brings the story to life is the author's ability to write about everyday things in great descriptive language that adds flavor to a time period long gone. This is why I read books like this. I enjoy the atmosphere and the descriptions probably more than the mysteries.

I highly recommend the Penny Parker series to anyone that enjoys entertaining mysteries told with entertaining and informative writing.

[Andria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to run across the Penny Parker book series. Nancy Drew was my absolute favorite when I was growing up, so to find another mystery series by the same author was almost too good to be true! I love Penny's character. Not quite as goody-two-shoes as Nancy, and much more adventurous and willing to get her hands dirty. If you like Nancy Drew books, I whole-heartedly recommend Penny Parker.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book once before, long before I was using Goodreads to track my reading. At that time I would have given this story 3 stars at the most and that for the simple fact that Mildred Wirt was the original ghostwriter of 23 of the first 30 Nancy Drew books. This time I enjoyed the story more. I'll be reading the books in order over the next couple years in order to discuss them.

[Laurie Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the Penny Parker series. However I didn’t listen to them in order! I gave this one a 3/5 because I felt it really dragged towards the end! I believe it is the first in the series. I enjoyed the rest of the series far more! I think it’s because more characters are introduced and they add to the story. While Penny is probably a better sleuth, Nancy Drew is more polished.

[Vaughn Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining, enjoyable story. I recommend it to anyone who likes an easy to read mystery set in the 1930's or 40's.

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book in the Penny Parker series. Wirt, who wrote most of the early Nancy Drew books as Carolyn Keene, said she liked Penny better. Read if you're a Nancy fan and see if you agree.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book for kids/teens. It's fun to read old books from the 1930's and 1940's to see how people lived in 'simpler times'.

[Bl00dyR0s3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the penny parker books are amazing and they are way then nacy Drew or the hardy boys more people should read these books

[Zainab · Rating 3 out of 5]

A childhood favourite. I'm happy I enjoyed it even after so many years.

[James Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

. Mildred Wirt is the author and is the person that wrote many of the earliest Nancy Drew books.

This particular paperback has no copyright date in it. I found it was first published in 1939. There are some similarities between the character of Penny Parker and the character of Nancy Drew. Both are somewhat similar in age, Penny at 22 and Nancy at either 16 or 18, depending on the book. Both have lost their mothers. Penny's father is editor/owner of a local newspaper while Nancy's is an established lawyer.

Penny has one female friend while Nancy has two. Both are also amateur detectives.

In this first novel a young woman runs a doll shop. Someone wants to buy it. Another character is a dancer who is sent a witch doll. This brings Penny into the situation actively and the rest of the novel involves her trying to find out who is behind what is going on which is made more difficult by the fact that that dancer is not entirely truthful with her. There's also a guy passing himself off as a medium and some robberies that take place during his seances.

Penny, like Nancy (at times) ends up captured and facing death (like Nancy does.)

One problem with the book is that a major villain is evident as early as page 9. I'm reading another of her works and find a major villain obvious even earlier in the story. There are other villains in both stories, fortunately, but still that's awfully early to be able to pick out the main evil in a story.

Other than that it's a fairly good read.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Tale of the Witch Doll" is the first in the Penny Parker Mysteries. It is written by Mildred Wirt, who also wrote for the Nancy Drew syndicate. I believe it was written in the late 1930's. If you like Nancy Drew you will LOVE Penny Parker. The writing seems 'lighter' somehow and Penny is more down-to-earth than Nancy. The story is fast-paced, but more complicated than you would think. I enjoyed the mystery and the humor.

[Nancy Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entire time I was reading this I kept thinkiing how similar it was to the Nancy Drew books I read as a youngster. It was only when I went to write my review that I discovered they were written by the same author. If you like Nancy Drew books, you'll love this first in the Penny Parker series - written in the 40s. I now have to go and see how the series progresses. How wonderful that they are all available for free on Kindle.

[Eric Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needed to take a break from my Nancy Drew reading, so when i saw this series on amazon, and that it was written by the original Nancy Drew author, i decided to check it out. It was good, although the solution to the case was a bit disappointing, and it was a bit far fetched. But, overall, i still enjoyed it, and I found Penny to be a fun main character, so i'll be continuing this series when i get enough money(lol), and see how it goes.

[Robina Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice mystery tale, 1939 vintage, compares well to Nancy Drew and Penny Nichols. Similarities: slim, blue-eyed, golden-haired, super-smart American girl, lives with her widowed father and a housekeeper, spends a lot of money on her car. Newspaper setting makes a change. Don't be fooled by the title - sceptical about the occult.

[Cathe Fein Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this at a yard sale last weekend -- and because of my weakness for old books, picked it up and read it. I could tell immediately that the author of this book also wrote for the Nancy Drew series -- same stereotypical characters, same type of obvious plot -- but a fun, nostalgic read for those of us who grew up with the series.

[Ralph · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting glimpse into life in the U.S. in the late 1930s. Aimed at young readers of that era--it's laughable to think of this book appealing to any of today's teens. The characters are so uncool.

[Jenn Estepp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another girl sleuth from the first author of the Nancy Drew books. There are certainly parallels with the more famous teenaged detective, but Penny is a delightful character in her own right. I suspect I'm going to be binging on these.

[Laura Bang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite delightful. I can definitely see the echoes of Nancy Drew, but Penny Parker still has her own flavor and she's quite fun.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast, enjoyable read. Very much like Nancy Drew but with Penny Parker instead. Similarities include a widowed father and a kindly housekeeper. I look forward to reading more of these.