Trixie Belden is the title character in a series of children's books published between 1948 and 1986. The most recent editions were the first 15 books being re-released by Random House in 2002.
The series was created by author Julie Campbell. After six books and ten years Julie didn't want to write The Trixie Belden Series anymore so she inked an agreement to give Western Publishing the rights to the Trixie Belden Series and herself royalties for the next 6 books that were written and released. The series ended up consisting of 39 books written by various authors under the pseudonym Kathryn Kenny.
Julie Campbell's first four books were heavily focused on mystery. Her last two however were more relationship and human behaviour focused rather than a typical mystery novel formula. Several of her characters had subtle relationships forming reflective of the 1950's era.
When Nicolete Meredith Stack took over the main writing reigns from Julie in the 1960's the relationship focus became stronger. Characters paired off, jealousy's emerged and even rival love interests were introduced. The 'Mystery' also became the central element again of interactions, with social activities like dances helping the mystery unravel.
In the 1970's the "mystery" element of he books was clearly the focus. Inconsistencies at times developed with the characters
Trixie Belden and the Mystery in Arizona. Here you can se three different editions of the books. From left to right: 1960's Cameo hardcover, middle Random House 2003, Right 1950's Deluxe edition. The books have wonderful illustrations. I particularly love the 1950's deluxe editions.
Main Characters
Coming Soon
plot SUMMARIES AND REVIEWS (Minimal spoilers)
1. The Secret Mansion: (1948)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham
Plot & Review:
The first book in the series, Trixie Belden is a thirteen year old tomboy
who lives on Crabapple Farm, New York. The story starts with the large Manor
House next door seeing the arrival of new neighbors including a rich girl of
Trixie's age, Honey Wheeler. The pair fast become friends and discover a
runaway Jim Frayne. The book is a classic and shows why the series became so
popular. The first book reads even better when reading the second straight
after due to the strong conjunction of the story. Rating:*****
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2. The Red Trailer Mastery (1950)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham
Plot & Review:
Trixie Belden and Honey Wheeler set out on a road trip in a large Motor home
in search of runaway Jim Frayne in the process the girls solve a crime. This
is the first Trixie Belden book I read as a child (even though it is a
continuation of the first book there is enough explanation of events to read
it on its own.) One of the best Trixie books in the series. Rating:*****
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3. The Gatehouse Mystery (1951)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham
Plot & Review:
Trixie and Honey find a diamond and are on the trail of diamond thieves if
only they can find the proof. Although Trixie's brotyhers Brian and Mart are
referred to in the first two books, (they are away from home working at a
Summer Camp) this is the first book that brings Trixie's older brothers into
the story. Together Trixie, Brian, Mart, Honey, & Jim form the club "The Bob
- Whites of Glen." Rating:****
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4. The Mysterious Visitor (1954)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham
Plot & Review:
Rich School Classmate Diana Lynch becomes the sixth member of "The Bob -
Whites of Glen." Diana's 'long lost' Uncle returns and Trixie is convinced
he is an impostor after the family fortunes but has to find proof.
Rating:****
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5. The Mystery off Glen Road (1956)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham
Plot & Review:
"The Bob - Whites of Glen." need to repair their clubhouse after a bad storm
and take jobs to earn the money. Trixie and Honey. This book threw me when I
read it, without giving the ending away there is no real mystery, it's more
a case of the sleuths Trixie and Honey 'out- sleuthing' themselves.
Rating:***
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6. The Mystery in Arizona (1958)
Author: Julie Campbell Tatham
Plot & Review:
"The Bob - Whites of Glen." are invited to spend Christmas holiday's at
Diana Lynch's Uncles "Dude Ranch." in Tucson, Arizona. On arrival they find
that most of the staff have disappeared and they volunteer to work on the
ranch to help out Di's Uncle. The first few chapters are rich in information
on Arizona and American Indians rather than being focused on a mystery and
for mystery lovers they may find it like a history lesson they don't need.
There is mention in the end of the book how Sally, Bob & Billy would make
good "Bob - Whites" when they find out they live near them back home but as
this is the last book that Julie Campbell wrote there was no follow through
with these characters. Rating:***1/2
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7. The Mysterious Code (1961)
Author: Nicolete Meredith Stack a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
Due to vandalism Trixie's school "Sleepside High" bans all clubs and gangs.
Trixie and "The Bob - Whites of Glen" decide to hold an Antiques show and
raise money for UNICEF to show the school that "some" clubs do good work for
the community and should be kept. Unfortunately for Trixie the valuable
Antiques on show also attracts some thieves. The first book written by
another author does have some inconsistencies with things we have already
learnt about Trixie and her friends from the previous books but overall this
is a great read. Rating:****
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8. The Black Jacket Mystery (1961)
Author:
? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
This book introduces the last member to join and the most infrequently seen
"Bob White' Dan Mangan. The mystery in this surrounds theft and Dan appears
to be the main suspect. Rating:***
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9. The Happy Valley Mystery (1962)
Author: Nicolete Meredith Stack a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
Trixie, & Bob White's minus Dan spend two weeks on Trixie's Uncle's Sheep
Farm in Iowa. The mystery involves tracking down stolen sheep but this time
Trixie nearly manages to get herself and her friends Jim & Honey killed.
This book also looks closely at Jim & Trixie's relationship with rival love
interests creating jealousy. In the end Jim gives Trixie an ID bracelet. A
good read. Rating:***1/2
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10. The Marshland Mystery (1962)
Author:
unknown a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
An excellent adventure that gets off to a great start. Trixie & Honey are
trying to gain extra credit in biology class by collecting specimens at the
local marsh. Two stories are entwined into the one book, one of the best
written. Features all Bob Whites except Dan who
is only briefly mentioned. Rating:*****
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11. The Mystery at Bob - White Caves (1963)
Author:
? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
Trixie Belden and The Bob Whites are visiting another relative of Trixie's
for a holiday. This time they go caving in an attempt to find rare fish in
order to claim a $500 reward. Well written though missing the exciting flair
of The Marshland Mystery. Rating:***
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12. The Mystery of the Blinking Eye (1963)
Author: ? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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13. The Mystery on Cobbett's Island (1964)
Author: Virginia Mc
Donnell a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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14. The Mystery of the Emeralds (1965)
Author: Virginia Mc Donnell a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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15. The Mystery on The Mississippi (1965)
Author: Nicolete Meredith Stack a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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16. The Mystery of the Missing Heiress (1970)
Author: Nicolete Meredith Stack a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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17. The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest (1977)
Author: Gladys Baker Bond a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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18. The Mystery of the Phantom Grasshopper (1977)
Author:? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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19. The Secret of the Unseen Treasure (1977)
Author: Carl Henry Rathjen a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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20. The Mystery off Telegraph Road (1978)
Author: Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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21. The Mystery of the Castaway Children (1978)
Author: Gladys Baker Bond a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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22. The Mystery at Mead's Mountain (1978)
Author: Donna Walsh-Shepherd a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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23. The Mystery of the Queen's Necklace (1979)
Author: Owenita Harrah Sanderlin a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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24. The Mystery at Saratoga (1979)
Author: Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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25. The Sasquatch Mystery (1979)
Author: Gladys Baker Bond a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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26. The Mystery of the Headless Horseman (1979)
Author: Joan Chase Bowden a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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27. The Mystery of the Ghostly Galleon (1979)
Author: Joan Chase Bowden a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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28. The Hudson River Mystery (1979)
Author: Kathleen Krull a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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29. The Mystery of the Velvet Gown (1979)
Author: Michaela Muntean a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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30. The Mystery of the Midnight Marauder (1980)
Author: Joan Chase Bowden a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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31. The Mystery at Maypenny's (1980)
Author: Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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32. The Mystery of the Whispering Witch (1980)
Author: Joan Chase Bowden a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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33. The Mystery of the Vanishing Victim (1980)
Author: Carl Henry Rathjen / Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
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34. The Mystery of the Missing Millionaire (1980)
Author: Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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35. The Mystery of the Memorial Day Fire (1984)
Author: Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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36. The Mystery of the Antique Doll (1984)
Author: ? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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37. The Pet Show Mystery (1985)
Author: Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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38. The Indian Burial Ground Mystery (1985)
Author:? a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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39. The Mystery of the Galloping Ghost (1986)
Author: Laura French a.k.a Kathryn Kenny
Plot & Review:
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