Scan barcode
readingwithcats's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
5.0
At the end of book one in the series (The Secret of the Mansion) we are left with a cliff-hanger--because Mr. Frayne dies, Jonesy (the nasty step-father)shows up, the mansion is set on fire, and Jim runs away before learning that he really is the heir. So, Honey and Trixie must convince their families to let them head for the boys' camps in the north where Jim had mentioned he'd try for a job if he had to run away again....
Of course, the families agree and Miss Trask--Honey's governess--takes the girls and the Wheelers' camper on their next adventure in The Red Trailer Mystery. While the main objective is to find Jim, tell him about his inheritance, reassure him that the Frayne's family lawyer and executor of his uncle's will won't let Jonesy take him back, and then convince Honey's parents to adopt him, the girls also get caught up two more mysteries. The mystery of the down-trodden family traveling in a red camper and the outbreak of camper thefts that has Miss Trask worried about how long they can stay and look for Jim. The kind-hearted girls just can't help wondering why the family in the red trailer seem so sad and when the oldest girl runs away they can't help but search for her while they look for Jim. Trixie is convinced that if they solve the mystery of the camper thieves then they will find both Jim and Joeanne. It winds up that she's right as usual...though not quite in the way she expects. A happy ending is in store for everyone...
I loved the first two books. I have always enjoyed the stories that introduce us to Trixie and her core group of friends. I loved meeting Jim and Honey and the adventures they all got up to around the mansion. These were definitely two of my favorites of the series while growing up and I was able to enjoy them now as an adult. Overall, a fun reading trip down memory lane.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting review content. Thanks.
Of course, the families agree and Miss Trask--Honey's governess--takes the girls and the Wheelers' camper on their next adventure in The Red Trailer Mystery. While the main objective is to find Jim, tell him about his inheritance, reassure him that the Frayne's family lawyer and executor of his uncle's will won't let Jonesy take him back, and then convince Honey's parents to adopt him, the girls also get caught up two more mysteries. The mystery of the down-trodden family traveling in a red camper and the outbreak of camper thefts that has Miss Trask worried about how long they can stay and look for Jim. The kind-hearted girls just can't help wondering why the family in the red trailer seem so sad and when the oldest girl runs away they can't help but search for her while they look for Jim. Trixie is convinced that if they solve the mystery of the camper thieves then they will find both Jim and Joeanne. It winds up that she's right as usual...though not quite in the way she expects. A happy ending is in store for everyone...
I loved the first two books. I have always enjoyed the stories that introduce us to Trixie and her core group of friends. I loved meeting Jim and Honey and the adventures they all got up to around the mansion. These were definitely two of my favorites of the series while growing up and I was able to enjoy them now as an adult. Overall, a fun reading trip down memory lane.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting review content. Thanks.
elvisneedsboats's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shellyhartner's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
markmeavery's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
divadiane's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book the first time when I was a child my son’s age (9). I was totally obsessed with Trixie Belden, and May have read all 39 books, I’m not sure. At any rate, I basically had no recollection of this one, the second in the series. My son loved the first one so much, I went out (to Amazon) and bought the next 2. We started this one right away, but it got interrupted while he was in Italy with his Nonni.
Anyway, I just finished reading it to him and it was a lot of fun! I recalled random things, but didn’t remember how convoluted the “mystery” was! A regular opera plot! Those girls kept happening upon bits and pieces and how it all came together in the end was quite heart warming.
I was struck over and over how much simpler and kind the world was back in the 50s. It didn’t struck me so much as a kid reading, but life was just different in the US 40-60 years ago. Can kids just wander off on foot or on horseback by themselves at all these days? And people just showing up at a farmhouse asking for work? And the farmer’s wife taking them in (whole families even) “no questions asked???” I’m sure it doesn’t happen that way anymore.
Anyway, I just finished reading it to him and it was a lot of fun! I recalled random things, but didn’t remember how convoluted the “mystery” was! A regular opera plot! Those girls kept happening upon bits and pieces and how it all came together in the end was quite heart warming.
I was struck over and over how much simpler and kind the world was back in the 50s. It didn’t struck me so much as a kid reading, but life was just different in the US 40-60 years ago. Can kids just wander off on foot or on horseback by themselves at all these days? And people just showing up at a farmhouse asking for work? And the farmer’s wife taking them in (whole families even) “no questions asked???” I’m sure it doesn’t happen that way anymore.
hollie313's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
judythereader's review against another edition
4.0
I learned how to save a drowning swimmer from this book. In theory at least.
mvprince's review against another edition
3.0
Fun fact: I seem to have started the Trixie Belden series with book 3, as a kid -- so books 1 and 2 were totally new to me. I enjoyed them, but ... boy howdy, could Julie Campbell have made a bigger deal of the fact that Mrs. Smith was fat? It seemed that every time the character spoke, she referred to her size; Trixie described her as fat but "with such a pretty face"; she was constantly eating and cooking. She was a sweet lady, so at least there's that -- but it was overall a very stereotypical "jolly fat lady" portrayal and I found it problematic.
nday's review against another edition
3.0
The second book in the Trixie Belden series, and I’m not sure if I’d read this one before or not. I didn’t remember the plot, and I really only read what I had available when I was a kid which was a few here and there from the series.
Anyway, this one didn’t carry quite the charm of the first book. I found the characters quite judgemental in this one and not as likeable.
The first half of the book was pretty slow going, but I really liked the way the mystery came together and wrapped up. Most of the clues are pretty darn obvious as a reader, but I’m a bit older these days I guess
Anyway, this one didn’t carry quite the charm of the first book. I found the characters quite judgemental in this one and not as likeable.
The first half of the book was pretty slow going, but I really liked the way the mystery came together and wrapped up. Most of the clues are pretty darn obvious as a reader, but I’m a bit older these days I guess