a HUGE and most dedicated fan of Trixie and her crew. This is odd, of course, because they were MEANT for teen and pre-teen girls, but I was a young boy that read everything he could get his hands on and when I first stumbled on my first TRIXIE BELDON book I was instantly hooked! I immediately sat about reading them all, as quickly as I could get my greedy little paws on them. Trixie is the star, or "lead" character, followed by Jim and Honey (who quickly became the love of my young life, I had a total crush on a fictional character that only existed in ink) and this brave trio was constantly getting into trouble, solving mysteries and murders; that sort of thing. It falls along the line of the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and other similar series, but the Trixie series carries more of the teenage angst and a subtle love triangle of conflicted who likes whom mystery that battles back and forth throughout the series. All of the while though, the same cheerful, effervescent and energetic positive attitude and domineering never quit/never let them see you down philosophy is the major subtext all through the books. It is simply impossible to read these and NOT feel good about yourself and about LIFE, to have a sense of "all is well" in the world and a cheerful demeanor just naturally permeate your soul. I know, it SOUNDS crazy, but it is true. I lost all of my Trixie books years ago, lending them to friends and that sort of thing. Since then, I have been on a quest to rebuild my collection of hardbacks. I find most of them at "Friends of the Library Sales" and things like that, but I am ever watchful at garage sales and places, for I do not have even a third of them built back
Trixie and the rest of the Bob-Whites are off to spend the Christmas holiday at Di's Uncle Monty's dude ranch in Arizona. At first, Trixie was afraid she would not be allowed to go because her school work wasn't up to par. But after her brothers, Brian and Mart, put in a good word for her, Trixie is allowed to go on one condition: she must work on her algebra and English theme at least one hour every day. Bummer!After a long flight to Arizona, the gang is rearing to go, only there is a problem. Uncle Monty's hired help mysteriously packed up in the middle of the night and left. There is a ranch full of guests and no one to take care of them. It looks like the Bob-Whites will have to turn around and go home! But leave it to Trixie to come up with a plan.Much to the chagrin of the others, Trixie volunteers the Bob-Whites to be the kitchen help and maids. The boys end up cooking and waiting tables, while the girls are left to wash dishes and make beds. Some holiday!Even with all the work to be done, and Trixie's daily homework to complete, there is still time for some riding and picnicking, as well as a mystery to solve.This book is the first time all the Bob-Whites have traveled out of state together, so the change of surroundings was interesting. However, I did miss the escapades of little Bobby and the interaction with Reagan and Miss Trask.
Do You like book Mystery In Arizona (2004)?
Trixie Belden and the Happy Valley Mystery is book number nine in the Trixie Belden mystery series. Trixie Belden and Honey Wheeler are best friends, horse lovers, and detectives who always seem to accidentally find a mystery waiting to be solved. In this book, the pair find themselves at Di Lynch's Uncle Monty's dude ranch. The friends help Uncle Monty with the ranch and earn $200 for their clubhouse because the family that usually manage the ranch mysteriously left.I love the Trixie Belden Mystery Series because it combines two of my favorite things - - horses and mystery!
—Madeline Henricksen
Trixie and the Bobwhites are off to Arizona to visit Uncle Monty on his dude ranch for a pleasant vacation, of course with Trixie around, there's not likely going to be much relaxing going on, not with her penchant for finding mysteries. When the Dude Ranch's help mysteriously take off, leaving the ranch with no help, just before the Christmas holidays, the Bobwhites step in the fill their shoes, becoming, maids, waiter and cooks and of course delving in the the personal problems of the guests and other employees. No secret is safe with the Bobwhites around, so prepare for a real rollicking good time in Mystery in Arizona.Way better than the previous installment of the Trixie Belden Series.
—Miri
This is one of my least favorite early Trixies, and coincidentally, the very last one I owned. The book reads like some crappy Fodor's/history guide for the southwest. The depictions of Native Americans and Mexicans are dated and offensive (HOW many times can Mart call a woman a squaw?). Though I had to wonder, reading this book in 2010 -- would the Orlando family (who left the ranch to return to Mexico to attend a family gathering) be able to get back into Arizona in this day and age, or would poor Uncle Monty be stuck with the Bob-Whites as his ranch crew forever? I could probably overlook the other stuff if the descriptions of Arizona weren't so didactic and BORING.My favorite part of this book was the food (of course) and the description of the dime-store Christmas gifts they gave each other. Honey's tiny sewing basket! Trixie's tiny detective magnifying glass!
—Kelly
