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The Secret of the Mansion (Trixie Belden) Hardcover – June 24, 2003

by Julie Campbell (Author)

4.7 998 ratings

Book 1 of 8: Trixie Belden

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Trixie’s summer is going to be sooo boring with her two older brothers away at camp. But then a millionaire’s daughter moves into the next-door mansion, an old miser hides a fortune in his decrepit house, and a runaway kid starts hiding out in Sleepyside!

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Trixie s summer is going to be sooo boring with her two older brothers away at camp. But then a millionaire s daughter moves into the next-door mansion, an old miser hides a fortune in his decrepit house, and a runaway kid starts hiding out in Sleepyside!

About the Author

Julie Campbell (1908-1999) was from Flushing, New York, and shares the same birthday as her character, Mart Belden. As the daughter of an Army Officer, she travelled widely during her childhood. When she was eight years old, she won her first short story contest while living in Hawaii. In 1933, Campbell married Charles Tatham Jr., and they worked together on many magazine stories and articles. Campbell lived in a remodeled farmhouse in the Hudson River Valley with her husband and two sons when she began writing the Trixie Belden series. The series was set in fictional “Sleepyside,” but was based on the town Campbell was living in at the time in the Hudson River Valley near Ossining. Her home, “Wolf Hollow,” was the model for Crabapple Farm, and Campbell actually lived on Glendale Road. Julie Campbell passed away in 1999 at the age of 91. Even at 91 she was still spirited and determined, just like Trixie.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Ten minutes later, Trixie and Bobby began the long climb up the Manor House driveway with Reddy racing ahead of them. At the turn in the road, a fat little cocker spaniel rushed down to meet them. Right behind the puppy was a tall thin girl whose pale face was framed in shoulder-length, light-brown hair. She cringed as Reddy, disdainfully ignoring the black puppy, raced around her in circles, barking furiously.
“Don’t pay any attention to him,” Trixie cried quickly, seeing that her new neighbor was really frightened. “He’s just showing off. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. I’m Trixie Belden,” she went on hurriedly. “My kid brother and I live in the hollow in that little white frame house–Crabapple Farm, you know.”
The girl stared solemnly from Trixie to Bobby and back again. “How do you do?” she said, holding out her slender hand. “My name is Honey–Honey Wheeler.”
Trixie shook hands, feeling rather foolish at such a display of formality. Oh, my, she thought, almost sick with disappointment, she’s stuck-up. Who would go around in a white linen dress and stockings and sandals unless there’s a party? Aloud she asked, without much hope, “Do you ride horseback?”
Honey smiled, then. “Oh, yes,” she said. “Do you?”
Trixie shook her head ruefully. “No, but I want to learn like anything. The only thing I have to ride is a babyish old bike. But I’m earning the money now to buy a horse just as soon as I can.”
“A bike?” Honey’s smile widened, and Trixie had to admit that the girl was really pretty in a pale sort of way. “I wish I had a bike,” she said wistfully. “Mother wouldn’t let me have one in the city because of traffic, and the rest of the time I was at boarding school and camp where they’re not allowed.” Timidly she moved a step nearer to Trixie. “I’ll teach you how to ride horseback,” she offered. “Then perhaps you would show me how to ride a bike.”
Trixie could hardly believe her ears. “That’s great,” she gasped. “Let’s start right away. I mean the horseback part. I can teach you how to ride a bike any time.” She turned impatiently to Bobby, who was joyously cuddling the cocker spaniel puppy. “You go home now, Bobby, and play in the sandpile.”
Bobby ignored her and grinned up at Honey. “Are you rich?” he demanded. “Hey! What’s it like to be rich?”
Trixie felt her cheeks flame hotly, but Honey merely smiled and said, “It’s not nice at all, Bobby. I can’t remember when I didn’t want to be like other people.” She turned shyly toward Trixie and added, “When I was little, my nurses never let me play in the dirt the way Bobby is now, and I was never allowed to go any place by myself for fear of being kidnaped.” She stopped suddenly as her enormous hazel eyes filled with tears. “I hardly ever saw my father and mother until I got sick. And now they’ve bought this big old place just for me. But what good is it? What good is anything if you’re never allowed to have any fun?”
Trixie could never bear to see anyone unhappy. “Gee,” she said, putting her arm sympathetically around Honey’s thin shoulders. “I never thought about it like that. I always thought it would be wonderful to have a lot of money.” She stopped as the word money gave her an idea. “I tell you what let’s do.” She whirled Honey around and pointed across the woods to Ten Acres, which she called Miser’s Mansion in her own mind. “See that big old gray and yellow house on the opposite hill?”
Honey nodded and dabbed at her eyes with a dainty handkerchief.
“Well,” Trixie went on excitedly, “a crazy old man lives there all alone. Dad took him to the hospital this morning, so this is a swell time to explore. I’ve always wanted to see what the inside of the house was like.”
“Trixie Belden!” Honey gasped in a shocked voice. “You wouldn’t really break into somebody’s house!”
“Of course not.” Trixie grinned. “Old Mr. Frayne would probably have me thrown in jail if I did such a thing. But there’s no reason why we couldn’t peek in through a window. You know what they say in the village?” she demanded. “They say there’s a half million dollars hidden there. Let’s go!”
“I wouldn’t go near that creepy old place,” Honey said firmly. “And I don’t believe there’s any money hidden there. Why, the house is practically falling to pieces, and it hasn’t been painted in ages.”
“How do you know all that?” Trixie demanded impatiently. “You can’t see it that clearly from here.”
“I was there early this morning,” Honey explained. “Daddy and I were out riding, and we went up that old driveway thinking it was a road to the woods. We didn’t realize that it led to the Mansion until we were halfway up. Then, of course, we knew we were trespassing, so we turned around. It looked like a deserted house to me, and I was glad to get away from there. Nobody would want to live in such a horrible, run-down place.”
Trixie bent down and fumbled with her shoelace to hide the disappointment on her face. She’s worse that I thought she was at first, she thought. A silly old fraidy cat. Aloud she said coldly, “Of course, a lot of people think old Mr. Frayne went crazy after his wife died, and he lost all his money. That’s why the place is run-down. Anyway, I’m going to look around there while Mr. Frayne’s in the hospital. You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
“Are you sure he’s in the hospital?” Honey asked, suddenly.
Trixie straightened up. “Of course. Dad took him in early this morning. He’s not expected to live.”
“That’s funny,” Honey said slowly. “We were there about an hour ago. As we rode down the hill, I got the creepy feeling you get when you know somebody you can’t see is watching you. I looked back over my shoulder quickly, and I saw a face at one of the windows.” She shivered slightly. “I’ll bet that house is haunted!”

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House Books for Young Readers (June 24, 2003)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 037582412X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0375824128
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 12 years, from customers
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.93 x 8.56 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #89,929 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #723 in Children's Mystery, Detective, & Spy
- #2,050 in Children's Friendship Books
- #3,091 in Children's Action & Adventure Books (Books)

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4.7 998 ratings

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4.7 out of 5

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Sarah.

Memories of childhood

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2018

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I read these as a kid and loved them. It’s childhood from a simpler time when kids went off exploring and everything wasn’t brand placement, advertising and electronics. Kids did chores and rode horses and had manners and I hadn’t turned into my grandmother yet. Forty years later I am reading these again. It makes me miss living with a yard and garden and being an indestructible kid again. These are great stories for young girls and even boys if they like reading about girl characters who help solve mysteries. They were originally written in the late 40s but didn’t show their age when I was a kid since no one had cellphones when I was young thank goodness! Technology is wonderful, I am reading these books digitally after all, but I do miss the time when our lives weren’t ruled by all our gadgets and people actually spent time outside and doing things. I hear my grandmother laughing at me from the great beyond at how I have become the old fart talking about the “olden days”. Touché grandma, touché.

(Added late)
The only problem with these books is a racial/sexist slur in some of them where Trixie's brother calls her "squaw" to tease her. That may offend some folks. If you can overlook this as it came from a different time, and forgive that kids call each other names they don't completely understand then you can enjoy the books still. You might explain it to your young reader that folks didn't take racism and sexism in the way they do today. It might be an opening for a bigger talk if you're so inclined.

47 people found this helpful

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K. Laitinen

Delightful mystery

Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2023

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Great mystery and introduction to an amazing, fun, and well developed group of characters that continue to develop as the series continues.

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Book in excellent condition

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2024

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I loved Trixie Belden books as a child and was thrilled to find this book for my granddaughter. The book was in excellent condition and was received sooner than expected. Very pleased with seller.

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bloominglilacs2

Audible version is absolutely superb for family travel!

Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2014

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I loved these as an 11 year old in the 70's and shared them with my daughters in the 90's and beyond. I also work in a public library and will frequently recommend them to 9 and 10 year olds who have read all the Nancy Drew books and are looking for something similar. I enjoy watching the kids get hooked and we end up putting holds on the rest of the series. The stories are timeless. Even though the first one was written in the late 40's, it never enters my head to compare them to today's culture. They stand alone. The personalities of the kids are so vivid and just plain fun - and they have problems that kids today could encounter.

I was especially glad to see the first 4 books made available for audio book. My husband enjoyed them as much as the kids! Ariadne Myers does a superb job covering such a wide variety of voices, from the governess, to the girls, to the villains and Trixie's brothers. Sure would love it if all of the series were made available for audio. I would buy every single one of them.

12 people found this helpful

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WelshDragon

Loved it

Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024

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This story reminds me of the late 50's when I was a young boy. I started reading seriously when I was 8 and that was 1960. The scenes described in the books would have been like the farm where my stepfather's Grandmother was living. This is a great story and the characters in it were much like the people I met in the country. The plot is straightforward and easily followed and the premise was finding out if the old man had left a treasure hidden in the house. I definitely recommend this book to anyone of any age who values making friends, having adventures, and doing what is right.

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Amazon Customer

A great book for 10-14-year-old girls.

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2022

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A classic adventure series from my girlhood, over 50 years ago. I keep buying the initial one for 11 or 12-year olds, and it keeps being a hit. I loved these books, while I found the Nancy Drew series tedious.

Trixie and her friends have adventures finding crooks and solving mysteries and there are none of the foul language or sexual escapades that have invaded young adult literature in recent decades. This is not a fantasy series, either, a genre which has almost been overdone for kids.

Depending on the reading abilities and interests of the child you’re buying for, a girl from 10 to 14 might find it fun.

9 people found this helpful

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E.A. Eyre

Almost 50 years later and I still love these books!

Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2022

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The Tixie Belden series was my favorite growing up. I always made sure I had reserved enough of my baby sitting money to buy the next book as soon as it became available. A recent move left me digging thru a box of old books looking for something to read when I came across the old series. I thought it might be fun to read them again all these years later. What fun it has been rediscovering Trixie, Honey and all the other characters!

6 people found this helpful

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kathleen bradshaw

great experience

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2023

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very quick delivery right to my front door, book was in near new condition as expected

One person found this helpful

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Natália

Como infância

Reviewed in Brazil on February 28, 2022

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Esbarrei nessa série de livros infantojuvenil pela Internet e só vi gnt de todas as idades rasgando elogios. Estou no terceiro capítulo mas já amando, mesmo não sendo mais criança. Me lembra muito filmes da sessão da tarde com histórias de aventura e que trazem nostalgia. Este retrata a infância de uma garotinha sagaz que vive em uma fazenda com pais e irmãos e tem a oportunidade de fazer uma nova amizade com uma recém chegada vizinha da mesma idade. As duas com personalidades bem distintas exploram os arredores junto com o leitor e se metem em encrenca. Uma pena que o restante da série esteja tão cara para nós do Brasil.

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Rajwinder kaur

It has a fantastic story and is fun to read.

Reviewed in India on June 26, 2022

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The language is easy to understand and the amazing pictures make it more interesting.

G F H

A Christmas present for my granddaughter.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2021

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I loved Trixie Belden books when I was growing up. This is a Christmas present for my granddaughter. I look forward to seeing if it stands the test of time.

Darlene

Great stories for the young and young at heart.

Reviewed in Canada on January 22, 2020

Verified Purchase

I have loved the Trixie Blenden books since I was little. I've read them all and given them to my granddaughters to read.

Ceres

Zeitlose Abenteuer - das ungekürzte Original

Reviewed in Germany on April 19, 2013

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The Secret of the Mansion (bzw. Trixie Belden und das Geheimnis des Landhauses) ist der Beginn der Trixie Belden Reihe und aller Abenteuer, die Trixie und ihre Freunde erleben.
Trixie Belden ist zu Beginn 13 Jahre alt und davon überzeugt einen langen und öden Sommer vor sich zu haben. Doch dann ziehen neue Nachbarn in die abgelegende Gegend und zu Trixies Freude gibt es dort nicht nur ein Mädchen in ihrem Alter sondern auch Pferde!
So freundet sich Trixie mit der zurückhaltenden Honey (Brigitte) an und gemeinsam entdecken sie das Versteck von Jim (Ulli) in dessen Großonkels Haus. Jim ist vor seinem gewaltätigen Stiefvater auf der Flucht und hofft dabei auf die Hilfe seines Großonkels, doch nicht nur, dass der mit dem Leben ringt, er ist ebenfalls als ein 'Mean old mister' verschrieen....
Die Story wird in Band 2 (The Red Trailer Mystery) fortgesetzt und führt erst mit Ende des zweiten Bandes zu einem zufriedenstellenden Ende.

Die Story mag vorwiegend ältere Kinder und Teenies ansprechen, aber nicht ausschließlich.
Die Geschichten sind interessant erzählt, die Abenteuer spannend und unterhaltsam! Die Bücher wirken zeitlos.

Ich bin mit den, in den 50er Jahren von Julie Campbell veröffentlichten Bänden, groß geworden, habe sie seit Ende der Grundschulzeit für eine Weile jährlich gelesen und habe auch heute noch meinen Spaß daran. Irgendwann (als ich ausreichend Englisch konnte...) habe ich zu den Originalbänden gewechselt und habe einige Überraschungen erlebt:
Die deutsche Version ist nicht nur geändert (Namen, Schauplätze, Familienverhältnisse, etc.) sondern hier und da auch schlichtweg gekürzt! Obendrein wurde alles herausgestrichen, was darauf hinweist, dass die Geschichte in den USA spielt.
Julie Campbell wird in der kompletten deutschen Trixie Reihe als Autorin genannt, was auch nicht ganz korrekt ist.
Es ist richtig, dass sie die Geschichte erschaffen hat, aber tatsächlich stammen nur 6 Bücher von ihr (ähnlich wie bei Hanni & Nanni).
Ende der 60er Jahre übernahm Kathryn Kenny die Bücher, wird im Deutschen aber nicht einmal genannt... Trixies Persönlichkeit und die Dinge, die im Vordergrund stehen, verändern sich dadurch.
Vollzählig ist die deutsche Reihe auch nicht.
Ich rate jedem, der der englischen Sprache mächtig ist, zu der amerikanischen Version, die Liste der Gründe zu dieser Empfehlung scheint endlos...genauso wie der Spaß!

Die Kindle Version ist selbstverständlich vollständig, leicht zu lesen und für alle, die hin und wieder ein Wörterbuch benötigen, obendrein praktischer, bzw. zeitsparender.
Dieses Buch ist auf Englisch, aber nicht allzu schwer zu verstehen!
Eine klasse Story! ^-^

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The Secret of the Mansion (Trixie Belden) Hardcover – June 24, 2003

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