Even as a kid, I thought the whole, “my life is over!” opening chapter was a bunch of nonsense. How was anyone at school going to keep the kids from hanging out together? Why would their respective parents honor a request from the school that they not be friends any more? What difference did it make that they couldn’t be an official club at school? So right off the bat, I was grumbling about this book and wishing JC had continued the series herself.I think a lot of Trixie fans forgave a lot with this story because this KK cranked the romance aspects up a few notches; I, OTOH, felt betrayed. Trixie was special because she did NOT get all sappy and gooey and start thinking romantic thoughts around a good-looking guy, and I felt like she was going gooey on me. However, I loved Mrs. Vanderpoel and Brom, appreciated Spider, and the more formulaic mystery plot was familiar and I liked those, so despite the romance, and despite the fact that the characters no longer bantered as brilliantly as they did under JC’s hand, I decided I’d stick with Trixie a while longer.Reading it as an adult, I really notice a drop in the overall quality of the writing. JC’s writing was smooth, her characters witty, the whole effect of an expert effortlessly doing a brilliant job. I griped when I read Arizona about the info dumps, but in Mysterious Code we have smaller bits of info much more awkwardly introduced. Since when is Mart an expert on old swords, and why is Mart an expert on them? Regan shows just long enough to haul Bobby off stage, and never so much as greets the other kids, let alone banter with them as he usually does. Julie Campbell could tell a story with no real mystery at the heart and still hold my interest; this Kathryn Kenny could spiel out a neatly plotted mystery with the best of them, but I missed the deeper characterization and the feel of the environment. This KK does a lot of “description by listing” and other tricks common to the Stratemeyer Syndicate and those who copied that style. Gets the job done, I suppose, but can’t compare to JC’s much more integrated writing style.But, there’s the supper at the Belden’s, and the original characters (Mrs. Vanderpoel, Brom) get some attention and are interesting concepts, and I do have a weakness for plain ol’ mysteries. So even as an adult, I’m going to keep reading the series. I do wish that, after Julie Campbell quit, the publishers would have given the other authors their own individual pseudonyms, so the reader would have a better idea going in what the book was going to be.
The Bob-Whites are holding an antique show and auction to raise money for UNICEF. While returning from a neighbour with a wooden laptop desk for the show, Trixie and Bobby are attacked by three masked men and the desk is taken. Trixie discovers a key in the Wheeler attic with a code on the attached tag, and finds the code in an old magazine. This leads her to find a beautiful jewelry and music box hidden in the bricks by the chimney. The group is actively collecting and restoring furniture and valuable collectables, and strangers keep appearing in a menacing way - Trixie is so afraid they will be robbed again that she insists on going into town the night before the auction with Brian and Jim. While they play cards in the neighbouring viewing point, Trixie goes to the venue to finish pricing some items - there she learns that her suspicions are correct as robbers are stealing the valuables out the back door. She hastily marks SOS in code on some price tags and when Jim comes to find out where she is, she tucks them into his pocket. This brings the police - the robbers are arrested and the show is saved.This is the first in the series by a different author. Trixie has become a much more polite girl, less of a tomboy.
Do You like book The Mysterious Code (2004)?
This was my first experience with a Trixie Belden book. I wanted to read something different, and while I thought it was a decent and quick read it lacked a bit of substance for me (yes, I know this book is geared towards a younger audience) The mystery wasn't quite as intriguing as I had hoped, and while I wasn't bored by the story I wasn't compelled to read it either. I found it interesting to read a book from a "simpler" time (this book being written in the early 60's) It was fun to see the different between phrases used back then, that would never be used today. I do think that I would read some more Trixie Belden novels if I come across them (got this one at a library book sale), but at the same time I'm not running out to get more. I do want to reread some Nancy Drew (haven't read any since childhood) but would love to see how they compare!
—Laura
Oh boy!! To go back to the days of Trixie, Nancy Drew, & the Hardy Boys!! Those were good old days with some great fun adventures & mysteries. I loved collecting the series but sadly I don't have them anymore :-( wish I did!! You have gotten me to go down memory lane :-)
—Diane Vallere
In this Trixie Belden Book, the school board is threatening to shut down all clubs and "secret organizations" and the Bob-White's must do something to prove they are a worthwhile organization so their club won't be forbidden. (Obviously the school couldn't really keep them from having a club outside of school, but this is the whole premise of the story, aside from this ridiculous idea for the plot, the rest of the story is interesting.)To prove they are a worthwhile club Trixie comes up with the idea of hosting an antique show and selling donated antiques to raise money for UNICEF. The trouble starts when someone takes off with one of the donated antiques, the Bob-White's are certain someone is going to try and steal the rest of the valuable antiques, but of course the adults and local police generally dismiss their fears.Follow Trixie and the Bob-White's as they track down the vandals and thieves!
—Miri
