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Judy Bolton Mysteries book cover 1
Judy Bolton Mysteries book cover 2
Judy Bolton Mysteries book cover 3
Judy Bolton Mysteries
Series · 39
books · 1932-2012

Books in series

The Vanishing Shadow book cover
#1

The Vanishing Shadow

1932

In the first book of this mystery series, Judy Bolton is resigned to spending several boring weeks at her grandparents' farm near Dry Brook Hollow. Her summer suddenly becomes interesting when she overhears some men talking about the Roulsville dam. Although, Judy does not understand the conversation, the men fear that she does and threaten her. Judy also becomes reacquainted with her childhood friend, Peter Dobbs, who gives her a cat that she names Blackberry, and meets the wealthy siblings, Arthur and Lois Farringdon-Pett. As the days pass, Judy learns that the Roulsville dam is cracked and may break during the next rain. The moment of truth arrives when a torrential downpour threatens the dam and Judy must rely on her seemingly cowardly brother Horace to warn the people of Roulsville of the danger. All Judy can do is hope that the dam holds long enough for Horace to warn the townspeople in time.
The Haunted Attic book cover
#2

The Haunted Attic

1932

The Boltons move into a large rambling house reputed to be haunted. Even the brave Judy is thoroughly frightened by the eerie ""crying ghost.""
Invisible Chimes book cover
#3

Invisible Chimes

1932

""Doctor, I can't remember. I can't recall-a-single-thing."" The strange girl whom Judy calls 'Honey' appears to have no memory of her past. Honey's sweet disposition endears her to both the Bolton and the Dobbs families, but Judy begins to wonder if Honey is hiding something. Honey's behavior is strange, and she is evasive when questioned about her actions. Adding to Judy's suspicion is the fact that Honey was in the company of thieves when she had the accident that caused her memory loss. There is also the matter of the invisible chimes, which ring from an invisible source, and usually when Honey is around. The source of the invisible chimes is soon revealed, and Judy's faith in Honey is greatly shaken. In a bizarre twist, Honey learns a startling secret about her past that will change her life forever.
Seven Strange Clues book cover
#4

Seven Strange Clues

1932

Kay Vincent dances around singing the school song as Girls' Farringdon High burns to the ground. Kay's behavior is appalling to the other girls who are devastated about the loss of their school. Many girls, including Judy, have lost their posters which had already been submitted for an upcoming contest. The fire leads to several unsolved mysteries. Several people suspect Honey of starting the fire out of maliciousness, and while Judy cannot believe the accusations, she admits that she doesn't know Honey that well. Judy vows to exonerate Honey of all blame. The mystery deepens when Judy learns that she is the winner of the poster contest! Judy is mystified, since her poster burned in the school. When Judy sees the winning poster, it is not her poster, but someone else's, with Judy's name on it! Judy must discover who the real artist is, who submitted the poster in her name, and repair a strained friendship.
The Ghost Parade book cover
#5

The Ghost Parade

1933

Judy regrets that she is leaving Farringdon for a vacation in the Thousand Islands just as life in Farringdon gets interesting. The police are on the trail of counterfeiters, but Judy won't be around to help them. Excitement does follow Judy, however, when she impulsively purchases seven Indian masks at an auction. Judy learns that the masks are rumored to be cursed and that misfortune befalls whomever owns the monster heads. At first Judy refuses to believe the nonsense, but after the young people arrive at camp, the heads begin to appear and disappear and change location within the storage box. Mysterious sounds are heard at night. The monster heads appear to be alive! As with all mysteries, there is a logical explanation for the movement of the monster heads, and Judy's search for the solution proves to be more exciting and dangerous than she could ever have imagined.
The Yellow Phantom book cover
#6

The Yellow Phantom

1933

Judy Bolton and Irene Lang travel to New York City for a visit with Pauline Faulkner. While on their way into the city, the girls meet a handsome young author named Dale Meredith. The girls, especially Irene, become intrigued with the idea of meeting him again. By a stroke of luck, Judy secures a position in his agent's office. When Dale's agent, Emily Grimshaw, sees Irene for the first time, she reacts as though she has seen a ghost. Irene clearly looks just like someone from Emily Grimshaw's past, but who? Complicating the situation, a stack of important papers is stolen, and soon after, Irene disappears as well. Judy, Pauline, and Dale are worried sick about Irene, and it is not until after a long and difficult search that they learn the truth. Irene Lang's life reads like a fairy tale, and like a fairy princess, Irene, now the 'Golden Girl,' receives an inheritance and captures the heart of Dale Meredith.
The Mystic Ball book cover
#7

The Mystic Ball

1934

Judy Bolton, Irene Lang, and the rest of their friends attend the presentation of a fortune teller at the Farringdon theater. Irene is called to the stage, and the fortune teller warns Irene not to go to New York to marry Dale Meredith. Irene becomes nervous and worried after her consultation with the fortune teller, and Judy fears that Irene will ruin her life based on the dire prediction. Judy knows that the fortune teller is tricking the audience in some fashion, but how can she prove that the fortune teller has some unscrupulous means of acquiring information? And how does the fortune teller determine which people to ask on stage for a consultation? Judy's wits are put to the test as she struggles to find a solution to this complex mystery in time to prevent superstitious Irene from making a drastic mistake.
The Voice in the Suitcase book cover
#8

The Voice in the Suitcase

1935

The girls from Farringdon High have a picnic in the country, and during the picnic, two unkempt men arrive and ask for food. They have a suitcase with them from which comes a strange wailing noise. Judy is intrigued and wonders what kind of device is hidden in the suitcase. Later, Judy and Honey are accidentally left behind when the buses leave the picnic grounds. As they walk along a country road, they encounter a man lying in a ditch with a suitcase next to him. Judy feels certain that this man is somehow connected to the other two men and that the suitcase is the same suitcase. Judy and Honey are rescued by Peter and Horace, who also take the man home to his family. Judy learns that his name is Brady, and when she meets a new neighbor, Selma Brady, she feels certain of a connection. Judy travels with Selma to help clean house for her grandparents wedding anniversary. She once again meets the strange man from the ditch and becomes involved in a new and dangerous mystery.
The Mysterious Half Cat book cover
#9

The Mysterious Half Cat

1936

Judy is thrilled when she learns that her old friend, Dora Scott, is returning to Farringdon. The girls plan a huge welcoming party for Scottie at the railroad station, but Judy realizes that their plans were a mistake when she sees Scottie's reaction. Scottie is tired and impatient and has her little sister Carol in tow. Carol is a very unusual child who is unresponsive to all sound except music and whistling. Scottie expects Judy to help her find a way to help Carol. Judy is uncertain how to proceed and feels that Scottie expects too much of her. Judy also has two other mysteries to solve. Something mysterious is happening at the Chinese laundry in Farringdon, and objects keep disappearing from the houses on Grove Street. How Judy solves Carol's problem and how it relates to the other mysterious happenings makes for a thrilling story.
The Riddle of the Double Ring book cover
#10

The Riddle of the Double Ring

1937

Judy is surprised when Arthur Farringdon-Pett slips an engagement ring, a pigeon's blood ruby, on her finger. She forces Arthur to keep the engagement secret, as she still feels torn in her feelings between Arthur and Peter and needs more time to think. Meanwhile, Lorraine Lee guesses that Arthur has proposed to Judy. Lorraine decides to try to capture the thieves who robbed a fur store in Farringdon in an attempt to prove to Arthur that she can be just like Judy. When Lorraine disappears Judy and Arthur begin a desperate search for her, with no clue as to where she has gone. Judy and Arthur fly in Arthur's plane, which crashes. Arthur is hurt, and Judy knows what must be done, if only she can locate Lorraine. Judy's search for Lorraine also leads her to the fur thieves and an exciting confrontation.
The Unfinished House book cover
#11

The Unfinished House

1938

Judy and Peter work to expose and outsmart a group of real estate swindlers. The Piper family has won a piece of property in Roulsville which is 15 feet by 100 feet. Since the property is not wide enough for a house, Mrs. Piper must purchase the adjoining property at a much higher than usual price so that she can build a house. Peter is determined to help Mrs. Piper, so the young people design a home that can be built on a narrow lot of land and hire men to begin building the home. Soon after construction begins, the young people are warned to beware of the Red Circle. Strange sounds are heard at night as the Piper home is built. Several people become sick with a strange illness apparently caused by the Red Circle. Judy's search for the mysterious culprit becomes even more desperate when her beloved cat Blackberry falls ill!
The Midnight Visitor book cover
#12

The Midnight Visitor

1939

When Judy and Peter become stranded in an abandoned house during a storm, the last thing they expect is to meet a ghost. The ghost turns out to be a girl named Sally who insists that she is being plagued by ghosts. While Judy and Peter hardly believe the girl, they do like her and want to help her. Judy takes her home, only to have her disappear during a party. Later, Judy and Peter learn that Sally's full name is Sally Vincent, of the crooked Vincent family. Sally is fortunately not like the rest of the family. She is to receive an inheritance in a will but the rest of the family is contesting it. Peter agrees to be Sally's attorney even though fighting against the Vincent family could prove to be dangerous. As the case unfolds in court, Judy makes a shocking discovery that will mean everything to Sally and will thwart the plans of the rest of the Vincent family.
The Name on the Bracelet book cover
#13

The Name on the Bracelet

1940

The Name on the Bracelet is the thirteenth entry in the Judy Bolton Mystery series. The story begins when Judy is awakened one night by a noise. When she and her brother Horace investigate, they discover a broken window in their father's office and some food missing from the refrigerator. Was the intruder merely hungry, or did he take something? Then the news arrives that Judy's friend Irene has had a baby, and named her Judy Irene. Naturally, Judy can't wait to visit. When she arrives, Irene's husband Dale takes Judy to the hospital to pick up Irene and the baby. There she meets Irene's roommate Jane, and thus another mystery begins. Between caring for the new baby and searching for a nursemaid, Judy is kept busy, but still finds time to follow the few clues she has to find the solution. Enjoyable and fast-paced.
The Clue in the Patchwork Quilt book cover
#14

The Clue in the Patchwork Quilt

1941

Judy Bolton is thrust into an intriguing mystery when a stranger rushes up to her and gives her a purse that is not hers. Unable to catch up with the stranger to return it, Judy searches the purse and finds a note written by someone named Blackie. The note has a picture of a gun and requests that the bearer meet Blackie after a certain lecture. After Peter contacts the FBI, an agent meets with Judy and Peter and confirms that Blackie is a wanted criminal. Judy and Peter feel that the criminal has mistaken Judy for someone else, but the agent contends that with Judy's red hair it isn't likely that someone else looks just like her. But amazingly, Judy does have a double. Judy faces danger and intrigue as she helps the FBI capture Blackie and receives a pleasant surprise when she comes face to face with a cousin she never knew she had, a young woman by the name of Roxy.
The Mark on the Mirror book cover
#15

The Mark on the Mirror

1942

Judy's relationship with Lorraine Lee is once again strained after she receives a mirror as a present at Judy and Lorraine's wedding shower. Lorraine is convinced that Arthur sent the present to Judy so that Judy would know he still cares about her. Judy is certain that Arthur did not send the mirror, but who did? Even stranger is the note that came with the mirror stating "...which perhaps unwittingly, Birdie's little winglike fingers marked especially for me." A mysterious image of a bird had appeared on the mirror in the Bolton house shortly before it broke. But who put the image on the mirror? Can there be a connection to the young girl named Birdella who lives across the street? Birdella's mother and father are fighting for her custody in court. Judy suspects that there is much more to this case than meets the eye and that some unknown person is the one who sent the mirror as a present.
The Secret of the Barred Window book cover
#16

The Secret of the Barred Window

1943

After Judy buys her wedding dress in New York City, she and Pauline Faulkner run an errand for Pauline's employer, literary agent Emily Grimshaw. Judy and Pauline try to locate missing author Alice Bradley at her home in a remote area. Judy leaves her wedding dress on the porch while she and Pauline search the house. They find the house empty, and when they emerge, they discover that Judy's wedding dress has disappeared! Judy is heartsick over the loss of the dress. Adding to her frustration is the fact that their trip to Miss Bradley's home has been fruitless. Nobody even seems to know what Miss Bradley looks like. Their only meager information comes from a little girl named Roberta who likes to play in Miss Bradley's house. Judy's wedding date is now in doubt after the loss of her dress, and to make matters worse, Lorraine Lee finally learns that her ruby ring was originally given to Judy by Arthur before Arthur proposed to her. Judy must help Pauline find Miss Bradley, recover her wedding dress, and repair Lorraine's relationship with Arthur in the very few days left before the planned double wedding.
The Rainbow Riddle book cover
#17

The Rainbow Riddle

1946

Judy Bolton and Lorraine Lee's double wedding day has finally arrived. It proves to be a day of surprises, for Roberta suddenly arrives at the Bolton home, warning Judy not to open a wedding present sent to her by Dale and Irene Meredith. Judy assumes that Roberta is telling stories since she claims that the present is a radio that will explode, and surely Dale and Irene would do nothing to harm Judy. Shortly after the wedding, Roberta is seen running into the woods with the package, and then an explosion is heard. Apparently the radio was indeed wired with an explosive device. Fortunately, Roberta is unharmed and is later dropped off at her home by Judy and Peter. Mysterious events follow Judy and Peter at each place they stop during their honeymoon vacation. They discover that the Griggs are involved in the plot and that they are not actually related to Roberta. The criminals are brought to justice, and Roberta comes to live with Peter and Judy.
The Living Portrait book cover
#18

The Living Portrait

1947

"She's trying to get out of the frame," declares Roberta. For some strange reason, Roberta insists that the portrait hanging over the mantel is alive. Roberta also claims that the lady in the portrait is her teacher, Miss Gray, but Judy dismisses Roberta's claim as a make-believe story. Roberta also relates the story of how a man came to the door wanting to buy the portrait. He was quite insistent, but Roberta refused to let him inside the house. Roberta believes the man would have paid a great deal of money for the portrait. Why is the portrait so important to the man? Why does Roberta believe the portrait is alive? These questions mystify Judy. The case becomes even more puzzling when Judy and Roberta hear an intruder in the house, and when they investigate they discover that the girl's face has changed expression! The explanation for this unbelievable event makes for a thrilling solution to the mystery of the living portrait.
The Secret of the Musical Tree book cover
#19

The Secret of the Musical Tree

1948

Twice in one day Judy Bolton is mistaken for her cousin, Roxy Zoller—first by a clerk and next by her friend, Hugh Spencer. Judy learns that Roxy and her father were in a plane crash and that Hugh is worried about her since Roxy broke a date with him. Judy calls Roxy's house, and a strange woman answers the phone. At first, she refuses to let Judy speak to Roxy, but when Roxy finally comes to the phone, Roxy is vague and mysterious in her answers. Judy knows that something is wrong. At home, Judy receives an early Christmas present from Roxy which Roxy marked to be opened before Christmas. A note inside leads Judy to believe that Roxy wants Judy to switch places with her. Judy travels to Roxy's home and uses a ladder to climb into Roxy's bedroom. Roxy and her father are being held prisoner in her home by a group of criminals. Roxy and Judy trade places so that Roxy can take care of a certain bit of business and also fetch Peter. Judy is left alone with the criminals and must fool them about her true identity until help comes.
The Warning on the Window book cover
#20

The Warning on the Window

1949

Someone is trying to sabotage the rebuilding of Roulsville, which was destroyed after the flood caused by the breaking of the Roulsville dam. Mysterious accidents have injured workers and set back the construction of the new homes. Peter is called by the foreman to investigate the sabotage. While he is on the premises, Peter is attacked by an unknown assailant and is nearly buried alive underneath a pile of dirt. Peter is hospitalized in serious condition, and Judy devotes her energy into uncovering who is responsible for the accident. A piece of plastic that Roberta found at the construction site may be the key to uncovering the culprit behind the accident. As Judy investigates this lead, she comes face to face with the suspect and must use all of her wits to survive!
The Clue of the Stone Lantern book cover
#21

The Clue of the Stone Lantern

1950

Judy wonders what has happened to Roberta's father, a sea captain, who writes letters to Roberta. It has been quite some time since Roberta received a letter from Captain Dunn. Roberta suddenly begins to remember snatches of her past-a garden with a stone lantern, flowers, her mother and father. When a strange man and woman show up at the Dobbs home asking about Roberta, Judy instantly dislikes them and wonders about their motive. They claim to be related to Roberta's father and claim that he has died in a shipwreck. After they leave, Judy tries to find Roberta but discovers that Roberta has disappeared. Judy and Peter search for answers to Roberta's strange past, a search that finally leads them to Chicago where they are able to reunite Roberta with her parents.
The Spirit of Fog Island book cover
#22

The Spirit of Fog Island

1951

Read but complete with no missing or loose pages. Original binding is intact with no damage.
The Black Cat's Clue book cover
#23

The Black Cat's Clue

1952

Fifteen year old Holly Potter has returned to visit her Uncle David Potter during a family reunion he planned at his home, only to learn that he was recently killed in a train wreck in Florida. Holly is afraid to face her relatives alone so she convinces Judy to pretend to be her redheaded older sister Doris. Judy plans to masquerade as Doris until she and Holly can learn why Holly's relatives are searching Uncle David's house and whether Uncle David is really the person who planned the family reunion. Soon Judy has more to investigate than scheming relatives. Is Uncle David's ghost haunting his house, or is Uncle David still alive? Judy has several thrilling adventures in the Potter home until she learns the answer.
The Forbidden Chest book cover
#24

The Forbidden Chest

1953

Judy helps Holly Potter pick up her things from her Cousin Cleo's house, including a chest that Holly refuses to open because it is "forbidden." Cousin Cleo is not at home when Judy and Holly arrive, but since Holly does not care to wait, they leave without seeing Cousin Cleo. The next day Cousin Cleo accuses Holly of theft because all of her valuable antiques have been stolen. Judy knows that Holly did not take the antiques since Judy was with Holly at Cousin Cleo's home. Cousin Cleo is convinced that Holly has hidden her antiques inside the locked forbidden chest, but Holly refuses to open the chest to prove her innocence. Holly's mother's last words before she died were "Don't open it!" and so Holly will not open the chest. Unfortunately, Cousin Cleo continues to suspect Holly of the theft. Judy must prove Holly's innocence and the only way is to find the real thief, even though Judy has very few clues.
The Haunted Road book cover
#25

The Haunted Road

1954

Criminals dress up as ghosts along a lonely country road in order to scare truck drivers so that they can hijack their vehicles. The purpose is to gain possession of valuable radio and television parts that are being transported in the trucks. When Peter learns that Frank Caffero's father has been threatened, he goes with Frank to try to prevent a hijacking. The hijacking occurs anyway, and Frank, Peter, and the truck all disappear without a trace. The only witness is Frank's father who only remembers something white coming down from above and shutting out his vision. Judy fears that Peter is dead and searches frantically for a clue as to what happened to him.
The Clue in the Ruined Castle book cover
#26

The Clue in the Ruined Castle

1955

Horace plans to write a follow-up story to his feature article about the ruined castle owned by John Dent. It has long been rumored that John Dent and Hilma Joerg, former owner, are in the midst of a feud. Since Horace is sick, Judy and Peter visit the castle to see what they can discover. While outside the castle walls, Judy and Peter hear mysterious violin music playing from within the castle. They speak to Granny Joerg and her family and learn that nobody has seen John Dent in a long time and fear that caretaker Hiram Boggs may have concealed his death. They also learn that Granny Joerg's grandchildren have been missing for several hours. Judy and Peter speak to Hiram Boggs who claims that he has not seen the children. Uncertain whether to believe the man, they decide that they must find a way inside the castle to find John Dent and the children in case they are being held captive by the mean caretaker.
The Trail of the Green Doll book cover
#27

The Trail of the Green Doll

1956

Don't look for it! The voice startles Judy and Honey as it seems to come out of nowhere. The girls search the area but cannot discover the source of the voice. The strange voice is the first in a series of events drawing Judy into her latest mystery. Judy takes in Helen Riker and her children Penny and Paul as boarders at her home in Dry Brook Hollow. Penny speaks of a green doll but is scolded by her brother. What Judy does hear leads her to believe that some men stole some type of green doll from Mrs. Riker and that it has something to do with their Uncle Paul Riker. Judy and Horace go with the Rikers to visit Uncle Paul, but he has disappeared, his house has burned to the ground, and his entire collection of jade has been stolen. Judy has quite a mystery to solve. She must find the thieves and Uncle Paul and help Mrs. Riker through a difficult time.
The Haunted Fountain book cover
#28

The Haunted Fountain

1957

The one unsolved mystery from Judy's childhood is that of the haunted fountain on the Brandt estate. Judy visited the fountain one time and it told her to make a wish. She never did learn how the fountain spoke.After relating the story to Lois and Lorraine, the three girls visit the Brandt estate to see the fountain. After ignoring a "No Trespassing" sign, they are confronted by two men who threaten them. The girls leave but sneak back so they can visit the fountain. Judy finds a diamond in the fountain and wonders how it came to be there. Something is also bothering Lorraine, and it is apparently connected to the mysterious events at the Brandt estate. Judy wants to help Lorraine, but her biggest obstacle is getting proud Lorraine to speak about her problems.
The Clue of the Broken Wing book cover
#29

The Clue of the Broken Wing

1958

The thirty-eight volume Judy Bolton series was written during the thirty-five years from 1932-1967. It is one of the most successful and enduring girls' series ever published. The Judy Bolton books are noted not only for their fine plots and thrilling stories, but also for their realism and their social commentary. Unlike most other series characters, Judy and her friends age and mature in the series and often deal with important social issues. To many, Judy is a feminist in the best light-smart, capable, courageous, nurturing, and always unwavering in her true beliefs; a perfect role model.
The Phantom Friend book cover
#30

The Phantom Friend

1959

"What do you mean?" Judy asks her new friend, Clarissa Valentine. "How could you look in a mirror and not see your reflection?" When Clarissa insists that this strange thing has happened to her, Judy and the other girls think she is teasing them. But when Clarissa disappears in the middle of a television show, even Judy has to admit something peculiar is going on. The three other girls are angry, because with Clarissa went the twenty dollars they had loaned her. But Judy still believes in Clarissa, though something certainly is very wrong. Judy wishes her FBI husband, Peter Dobbs, would complete his mysterious mission and join her in New York City. She wants him to help her find the young girl, who might be in real danger. What Judy does not know is that Peter himself is in danger. The next time she sees him, he is lying injured in a hospital bed. But by a weird combination of circumstance, what happens to Peter gives Judy her first clue to what might have happened to Clarissa. When Judy, with Peter's help, finally learns what really did happen, she uncovers a mystery far more exciting than she could possibly have imagined.
The Discovery at the Dragon's Mouth book cover
#31

The Discovery at the Dragon's Mouth

1960

Discovery at the Dragon's Mouth by Margaret Sutton (A Judy Bolton Mystery)
The Whispered Watchword book cover
#32

The Whispered Watchword

1961

No sooner do Judy and her FBI husband Peter Dobbs arrive in Washington, D.C., than Judy is knee-deep in mystery and suspense. It all begins quite innocently—the old Senate Office Building is being plagued by mice, and Judy's beloved cat Blackberry, rejected at the motel where she and Peter are staying, is elected official mousecatcher. There is only one problem—Blackberry has disappeared. Who let Blackberry out of the motel room and why? The owner, paralyzed by fear, refuses to talk—that is, until his own daughter vanishes—then he readily agrees to cooperate with the FBI and a Senate Committee investigating organized crime. But there is more involved in this labyrinth of intrigue than even Judy suspects. As she tours the Capitol building, she overhears a strange whisper which only can mean one thing—more danger! The life of a prominent Senator has been threatened, and Judy is suddenly faced with a great challenge to her cherished ideals of freedom and democracy. As the intricate pattern of the situation begins to emerge, Judy finally finds a solution both to her own dilemma and to a far larger and more perplexing situation.
The Secret Quest book cover
#33

The Secret Quest

1962

The thirty-eight volume Judy Bolton series was written during the thirty-five years from 1932-1967. It is one of the most successful and enduring girls' series ever published. The Judy Bolton books are noted not only for their fine plots and thrilling stories, but also for their realism and their social commentary. Unlike most other series characters, Judy and her friends age and mature in the series and often deal with important social issues. To many, Judy is a feminist in the best light-smart, capable, courageous, nurturing, and always unwavering in her true beliefs; a perfect role model.
The Puzzle in the Pond book cover
#34

The Puzzle in the Pond

1963

The thirty-eight volume Judy Bolton series was written during the thirty-five years from 1932-1967. It is one of the most successful and enduring girls' series ever published. The Judy Bolton books are noted not only for their fine plots and thrilling stories, but also for their realism and their social commentary. Unlike most other series characters, Judy and her friends age and mature in the series and often deal with important social issues. To many, Judy is a feminist in the best light-smart, capable, courageous, nurturing, and always unwavering in her true beliefs; a perfect role model.
The Hidden Clue book cover
#35

The Hidden Clue

1964

corrected title, series, publisher, changed photo
Pledge of the Twin Knights book cover
#36

Pledge of the Twin Knights

2001

As Judy and Honey watch the stony-faced stranger choosing between a plastic and an ivory chess set, Judy has no idea that she is making the first move in a dangerous game with cold-blooded criminals. In fact, she doesn't even realize that there is a mystery—not until twelve hours have passed and still there is no word from her father. Why hasn't Dr. Bolton phoned? Where is he? With an emergency case? Or could the prison break have something to do with the doctor's disappearance? Judy finds a clue concealed in one of the twin knights with which she and the sinister "Seal" have been playing a game of chess. But this clue leads only to another puzzle. Why did "Seal" fly into a rage at her innocent question? Obviously, there is more to this chess game than can be seen on the chessboard. Peter, Honey, and Horace help Judy all they can. But it is Blackberry, Judy's strong-minded cat, who eventually shows her the secret in the barn. With this knowledge, Judy now knows how to move the pieces on the "chessboard," and in a thrilling final move, checkmates a gang of desperate criminals.
Search for the Glowing Hand book cover
#37

Search for the Glowing Hand

2001

Who set the suspicious fire over the furniture store? And who turned in the false alarm that sent the fire engines to the opposite end of town just when they were needed most? Judy's lively curiosity is working overtime as she considers these questions while waiting for Peter to come home. But curiosity gives way to real concern when Judy, telephoning Horace, hears the telltale click of the upstairs extension phone. She is not alone in the house! It takes courage to face the dark stairway, but Judy has what it takes; and what she discovers leads her into a deeper mystery. Judy discovers that the intruder is a young boy who is afraid of being arrested for something that he did not do. As Judy and Peter work to help Ken, they become deeply involved in fighting against social and religious persecution. A group of young people who call themselves the Wasps are fighting against change and against everyone who is different. Judy and Peter must find a way to stop the Wasps before the entire city is divided.
Secret of the Sand Castle book cover
#38

Secret of the Sand Castle

1967

When Judy's cousin Roxy asks her to inspect some ocean-front property, part of which has been left to Roxy in her stepmother's will, Judy is only too glad to do it. It will be fun, she thinks, to go Sunday with Irene, Flo, and Pauline on the boat over to Fire Island, off the Long Island shore, and see how a resort looks in November. Even when they reach the apparently deserted, windswept island with its boarded-up cottages and incessant pounding surf, the girls are still in high spirits. The make their way to "The Sand Castle," the cottage Irene and her husband had occupied the previous summer; and Judy is delighted with the tower room, whose windows look out upon the vast expanse of ocean. But soon it seems as if some subtle evil force is at work, hidden in the gathering fog, threatening the apprehensive girls. They are horrified to learn that there will be no boat to take them back to the mainland until the following Sunday! Thoroughly uneasy now, Judy nevertheless refuses to believe that the mysterious woman in black, whom she glimpses momentarily, is the ghost of the woman who used to come back to the island to dig for her jewels, lost in the worst of the big hurricanes. How Judy, by keeping her head and using courage and common sense, protects her friends from harm and solves the mystery, makes a lively and spine-chilling story.
The Strange Likeness (A Judy Bolton Mystery, #39). book cover
#39

The Strange Likeness (A Judy Bolton Mystery, #39).

2012

After 45 years, Margaret Sutton's young detective, Judy Bolton, returns for her 39th mystery adventure. At the end of "Secret of the Sand Castle", the author gave the title of the next book in the series. It was never written until now. Based on conversations with Margaret Sutton and her family, plus extensive research, the magic of Judy and her friends was recreated by co-authors Kate Duvall and Beverly Hatfield in this book. Judy and her friends find themselves pursuing a criminal who resembles Judy's husband. Courage and keen observation are Judy's trademarks, and they prove her up to the task once again.

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