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The Thirteenth Ring: Mystery Stories for Girls
In 'The Thirteenth Mystery Stories for Girls,' Roy J. Snell weaves a tapestry of intrigue and adventure, crafted especially for the young female audience of his era. His prose, resonant with the sensibilities of early 20th-century literature, serves as both a reflection of and an escape from the era's social norms. As DigiCat Publishing breathes new life into this classic collection, readers will find themselves immersed in a series of compelling narratives, rich in period detail and enlivened by a strong current of empowerment and youthful curiosity. The literary context of Snell's work situates it neatly within the traditions of junior detective and mystery stories, offering a combination of suspense and deductive challenge that remains beloved by audiences to this day.Roy J. Snell, a prolific author of children's literature, was highly attuned to the imaginative needs and the moral landscape that shaped young minds of his time. Drawing inspiration from the accelerating changes and the burgeoning women's movement during his active years, Snell's tales often feature intrepid heroines who defy expectations and exhibit resourcefulness. His decision to target a female readership with 'The Thirteenth Ring' underscores a progressive inclination to engage and inspire girls in roles of problem-solving and leadership.This carefully curated edition by DigiCat Publishing is a commendation to the enduring relevance of Snell's storytelling. 'The Thirteenth Ring' is recommended for readers young and old who appreciate the charm of vintage mysteries and the timeless value of wit and bravery. DigiCat's commitment to preserving literary history allows a new generation to experience Snell's work, ensuring that the light of his literary contributions continues to shine. Enthusiasts of classic children's mystery will find 'The Thirteenth Ring' a delightful and edifying addition to their personal libraries.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2014
About the author
Roy J. Snell
245 books9 followersRoy Judson Snell wrote more than 84 novels for young adults under his own name and also using the pseudonyms David O'Hara, James Craig and Joseph Marino.
His tales were mostly directed at boys, though he wrote at least one series of mysteries for girls. He also wrote some animal fantasy tales for younger children and they began with 'Little White Fox and His Artic Friends' (1916). He was later to say that he sold the book for "the great sum of $6.24".
He also wrote a series entitled 'Radio- Phone Boys', which began with 'Curly Carson Listens In' (1922).
Born in Laddonia, Missouri, Snell moved to the Sycamore area and there he learned his father's trade of erecting windmills. He entered Wheaton academy after his 19th birthday, graduated, and then worked his way through Wheaton College, finishing with the class of
1906.
His brother's death led to him entering the ministry and he accepted the pastorate of a small church in rural Southern Illinois. After only a year he became principal of a church supported
school in the Cumberland Mountains of Kentucky. "A person could just as
likely get shot as not there," Snell once remarked, and he added, "It was a constant struggle to see who would
take over the school — the big boys or me." He eventually won and gained the respect of his students and their parents alike.
He then spent two semesters' graduate study at Harvard, after which he went as a Congregationalist missionary to Alaska. While there he was responsible for over 350 Eskimos and 2,500 reindeer. He returned to
the area the following year, and afterwards he earned his B.D. degree at Chicago Seminary and his master's degree from the University of Chicago.
He briefly served in France with the Y.M.C.A. during World War 1, service which interrupted his new-found writing
career. Once he returned to the United States he began to write in earnest.
A dozen books flowed from his pen, most of them on adventure and mystery themes for youngsters, and then the author began lecturing and for the following 30 years he gave illustrated talks about his many travels.
He had a lengthy career as a novelist, claiming that he often wrote 2,000 words per hour, and was later to say, "You have to develop a second personality to write. It's a hard thing to do. Oftentimes I felt like giving up the whole business."
He continued, "I had all the luck on my side. If I were a young man today, I'd hesitate going into a writing career. I wouldn't know where to start. Kids don't read as much today with TV and movies. No I've had my day and I got out of it just what I wanted."
Readers also got what they wanted for as a testimony to his skill, more than one and one-half million copies of his books were sold.
He died in Wheaton, Illinois.
His tales were mostly directed at boys, though he wrote at least one series of mysteries for girls. He also wrote some animal fantasy tales for younger children and they began with 'Little White Fox and His Artic Friends' (1916). He was later to say that he sold the book for "the great sum of $6.24".
He also wrote a series entitled 'Radio- Phone Boys', which began with 'Curly Carson Listens In' (1922).
Born in Laddonia, Missouri, Snell moved to the Sycamore area and there he learned his father's trade of erecting windmills. He entered Wheaton academy after his 19th birthday, graduated, and then worked his way through Wheaton College, finishing with the class of
1906.
His brother's death led to him entering the ministry and he accepted the pastorate of a small church in rural Southern Illinois. After only a year he became principal of a church supported
school in the Cumberland Mountains of Kentucky. "A person could just as
likely get shot as not there," Snell once remarked, and he added, "It was a constant struggle to see who would
take over the school — the big boys or me." He eventually won and gained the respect of his students and their parents alike.
He then spent two semesters' graduate study at Harvard, after which he went as a Congregationalist missionary to Alaska. While there he was responsible for over 350 Eskimos and 2,500 reindeer. He returned to
the area the following year, and afterwards he earned his B.D. degree at Chicago Seminary and his master's degree from the University of Chicago.
He briefly served in France with the Y.M.C.A. during World War 1, service which interrupted his new-found writing
career. Once he returned to the United States he began to write in earnest.
A dozen books flowed from his pen, most of them on adventure and mystery themes for youngsters, and then the author began lecturing and for the following 30 years he gave illustrated talks about his many travels.
He had a lengthy career as a novelist, claiming that he often wrote 2,000 words per hour, and was later to say, "You have to develop a second personality to write. It's a hard thing to do. Oftentimes I felt like giving up the whole business."
He continued, "I had all the luck on my side. If I were a young man today, I'd hesitate going into a writing career. I wouldn't know where to start. Kids don't read as much today with TV and movies. No I've had my day and I got out of it just what I wanted."
Readers also got what they wanted for as a testimony to his skill, more than one and one-half million copies of his books were sold.
He died in Wheaton, Illinois.
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
June 26, 2016
This is one of Roy Snell's better mystery stories. His "Mystery Stories for Girls" is a series in that some of the same girls appear in each story, or one that is introduced in one story will appear in the next one.
Florence Huyler, a girl who is in many of the books, stars in this one. She buys a box lot at a postal auction containing 13 used wedding rings tied together on a bit of velvet ribbon. 10 of the rings are ordinary; 3 are different, and ring number 13, that is thick with a line running around the middle, seems to be sought after by many people. A friend named Betty (who appears in the next book as the protagonist) works in a newspaper office and she writes a human interest story on the rings. soon Florence and Betty, who pass the rings back and forth, are having adventures with trying to escape men interested in the 13th ring. The secret of the ring is unusual. At the end two of the rings are claimed by their previous owners. This book can be read for free on the gutenberg.org site.
Florence Huyler, a girl who is in many of the books, stars in this one. She buys a box lot at a postal auction containing 13 used wedding rings tied together on a bit of velvet ribbon. 10 of the rings are ordinary; 3 are different, and ring number 13, that is thick with a line running around the middle, seems to be sought after by many people. A friend named Betty (who appears in the next book as the protagonist) works in a newspaper office and she writes a human interest story on the rings. soon Florence and Betty, who pass the rings back and forth, are having adventures with trying to escape men interested in the 13th ring. The secret of the ring is unusual. At the end two of the rings are claimed by their previous owners. This book can be read for free on the gutenberg.org site.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review