Trixie Belden #8: The Black Jacket Mystery (Trixie Belden)

Rating:
Summary: 'That black leather jacket! Ugh!' (says stylin' Trixie)
Review: A snarly new kid comes to Sleepyside in a disgusting black leather jacket and impractical black cowboy boots. Turns out he's facing reform school from his misdeeds back on the cruel streets of the big city, unless Sleepyside and the Bob-Whites of the Glen can clean him up and straighten him out. In this 8th book of the series, Trixie acts premenstrually emotional and histrionic, Honey and Di even more bewildered than usual, and little brother Bobby spoiled beyond tolerance (does he remind anyone else of the moronic Phronsie from the 'Five Little Peppers' books? Is this endemic among youngest children with too many older siblings?).

But excitement abounds as Trixie and her loyal chums put on an ice carnival to benefit their Mexican pen pals, trade barbs with the new guy, fix up the clubhouse which gets wrecked by badniks AGAIN, and Brian even puts a few stitches into the head of a clobbered neighbor. Will they be able to rescue Bobby, stuck in a deep hole in the labyrinthine game preserve, before the wildcat gets him? I don't think I'm giving too much away to suggest that the story ends with everyone wreathed in smiles ...


Rating:
Summary: Trixie Saves Lives!
Review: Regan, the Wheeler's groom, has a problem. He's talked to the adults about it, but Trixie is dying to know what's going on.

That's pushed to the back burner when a new kid shows up in school. Dan is living with Mr. Maypenny. Is he a long lost relative? Then things seem to be disappearing around Glen Road and some of the clues point to Dan while others don't. Can Trixie figure it out?

As if that weren't enough, the Bob-Whites are putting on an ice carnival and a catamount is on the loose in the preserve.

There's plenty of action in this book that will keep any reader entertained. The mystery is very good, too, with so much conflicting information. I remember being really confused the first time I read it. True, there are a few series continuity errors, but they're minor and it's easy to get caught up in the story with Trixie and her friends.

The climax from this book is one of my favorites in the series. And the book has some great characterizations in it. This book is a decent introduction to the series, although it's best to read them in order.