The Mystery on Cobbett's Island (Trixie Belden)

I've read them all - I own them all. Trixie Belden has been one of my favorites since I was very young.

When Honey and Jim invited the Bob-Whites to vacation on Cobbett's Island, Trixie announces she just wants to relax. None of her friends believe her, and it turns out they are right. On the night they arrive, a fierce storm hits the island, and the Bob-Whites find a letter in the library of the house they are staying in. It sounds like some money was hidden years ago. But who hid it? Is it still there? And where might they find the map? Meanwhile, they've befriended their neighbor Peter who introduces them to the wonderful sport of sailing. Might his knowledge help them find the money? I knew this was a favorite in the series, but I had forgotten just how much I enjoyed it until I reread it. Yes, the plot gets a little slow at times, but all in all, it's a lot of fun and comes together in the end for a very satisfying solution. The characters are the best versions of themselves without some of their flaws being over exaggerated like in other books in the series. Even Diana is able to contribute and doesn't come across as a fraidy cat. The only thing that could make it better is if Dan had been able to go. This adventure in the series is certainly not to be missed.

The fun is back, with this thirteenth adventure of the Trixie Belden series. This time the gang is off to the seashore for 10 days of "relaxation." But, before the first day is over, Trixie is knee-deep in a new mystery.This one grabbed me from the beginning. Unlike adventures #7-#12, this one is written by a "new" Kathryn Kenny, and she infuses the series with the life that was dying out by #11 and #12. I laughed out loud at the humorous lines (very similar to Julie Campbell's delightful prose in the first 6 books) and the characters were true throughout (we even get a few sparks flying again between Trixie and Jim). The mystery is more of an adventure than a criminal-chasing frenzy.If there is any drawback here, it is the small details that are inconsistent with the other books, especially in the recaps. This author mixes up who did what in previous books and this is the beginning of the frustrating "temporal flux" (where the various authors cannot keep straight what time of year it is and who is what age in relation to everyone else). Also, this author has left Dan out of the adventure. That guy just always has to work and never gets to have fun with the rest of the Bob-Whites!