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mickeymole's review against another edition
5.0
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.
A pure pleasure to read. I’m really looking forward to reading more of the series.
wagmore's review against another edition
3.0
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.
quietjenn's review against another edition
3.0
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.
barefootsong's review against another edition
4.0
Quite delightful. I can definitely see the echoes of Nancy Drew, but Penny Parker still has her own flavor and she's quite fun.
manwithanagenda's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
3.0
'Tale of the Witch Doll' is the first book in the Penny Parker Mystery series written by Mildred A. Wirt. Wirt is most famous these days for having been the original writer of the early Nancy Drew novels as well as many other titles under different names. Wirt, with reasonable bias, later claimed that the Penny Parkers were her favorite creation. She has complete control over this series and could openly talk about it without threat from a certain publishing syndicate.
In the story, Penny is on an errand with her best friend Louise Sidell to buy a doll for Mrs. Sidell to give to a child in need. Their old school chum Nellie Marble has opened up a doll shop in town and is their natural first choice. Nellie's shop is in a run-down section of town, but it is freshly painted and the merchandise is lovely. That is, the merchandise that wasn't vandalised. Nellie informs the girls that there had been a break-in the night before and she was waiting for the police. The girls make their purchase, insisting on giving full payment. As it is the 1930s and people still knew about merchandising, Nellie wraps up the girls' order in a box custom-made for her store. No plain brown wrapper or reused Wal-Mart bag for this girl!
This isn't the last we see of the Marble Doll Shoppe, of course, but Penny soon gets involved with a starlet performing at the local theater, a medium hoodwinking her housekeeper, and yes, a certain witch doll appears to be causing mischief.
The story is typically over-stuffed with dramatic events, but I enjoyed the plotting. This book is everything I could want from a juvenile mystery of the era. Penny is capable and intelligent and only just a little snobbish in her behavior. A young woman of the 1930s has standards, you understand.
Penny Parker Mysteries
Next #2: 'The Vanishing Houseboat'
In the story, Penny is on an errand with her best friend Louise Sidell to buy a doll for Mrs. Sidell to give to a child in need. Their old school chum Nellie Marble has opened up a doll shop in town and is their natural first choice. Nellie's shop is in a run-down section of town, but it is freshly painted and the merchandise is lovely. That is, the merchandise that wasn't vandalised. Nellie informs the girls that there had been a break-in the night before and she was waiting for the police. The girls make their purchase, insisting on giving full payment. As it is the 1930s and people still knew about merchandising, Nellie wraps up the girls' order in a box custom-made for her store. No plain brown wrapper or reused Wal-Mart bag for this girl!
This isn't the last we see of the Marble Doll Shoppe, of course, but Penny soon gets involved with a starlet performing at the local theater, a medium hoodwinking her housekeeper, and yes, a certain witch doll appears to be causing mischief.
The story is typically over-stuffed with dramatic events, but I enjoyed the plotting. This book is everything I could want from a juvenile mystery of the era. Penny is capable and intelligent and only just a little snobbish in her behavior. A young woman of the 1930s has standards, you understand.
Penny Parker Mysteries
Next #2: 'The Vanishing Houseboat'
silver_valkyrie_reads's review
4.0
I can't really say it was *good* writing, but it was so much fun!
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