By Margaret Sutton

Dr. Bolton patted his black-haired daughter on the shoulder…”I have a quotation that may help you get through today…It’s this: A trouble either can be remedied or it cannot. If it can be, then set about it. If it can not be…bear it so bravely that it may become transfigured to a blessing.”
‘Today I’m setting about it,” Judy said. “I’m not ready to bear it bravely and I’m the one who’s transfigured-or disfigured. I can’t decide which.”

I had to take a break from this book because of other commitments, so my memory is a little weak about some of the particulars. This was pretty exciting and suspenseful due to Peter’s disappearance while chasing a highjacked truck. At first, there is a real danger that he was buried in a landslide. When we learn that he probably got away from that, we know he is still in danger because he never comes back. Judy is frantic, and can’t help but think that the worst has happened. At the urging of Peter’s boss, Mr. Trent, she does some undercover work in a factory. The scenes in the factory are interesting, especially dealing with the notorious Twila North. What a piece of work she is!

Judy hides away in a truck, which leads to her finally finding Peter. He has been wrapped up in a sheet for 5 days unable to hardly move with only an occasional drink of water. He hasn’t eaten or, as Peter subtly hints, been able to use the bathroom.

Despite the grim proceedings and Peter’s life being really feared for, there is some good amusing banter between Judy and Horace including some banter regarding how she looks with her new disguise of black dyed hair and glasses. I also like the brief appearances of Holly, Honey, Lois, and Lorraine.

July 14, 2021

By Margaret Sutton

Judy sets out to prove that her new friend Holly did not steal some valuable glassware from her aunt Cleo and Uncle Fred. Along the way, she meets a “poor little rich boy,” Harold Wilson, who is the Number One suspect. Once Judy meets his abominable parents Judy’s heart is touched and she does what she can to prove both suspects innocent. We are treated to a secret underground fort, a forbidden chest that disappears seemingly into thin air, a cross-country train ride (with prisoners headed to “The Rock!”), and a visit to a horse ranch arranged by the FBI.

We also see some charming glimpses of Peter and Judy together and are re-introduced to people we met in The Black Cat’s Clue, including Aunt Cleo the Drama Queen, and her phlegmatic husband. When we learn why Holly’s dead mother made her promise never to open it, it is quite poignant. Once the chest is opened it is quite the shocker! No body parts though, I promise! 

May 19, 2021

By Margaret Sutton

Although I did like some aspects of this book, it also had some problems for me as well. I liked the twist at the end and the introduction of Holly Potter. I also liked that her difficult family was somewhat redeemed at the end.

Judy meets a 15 year old orphan, Holly, and befriends her. She has run away from an unhappy home to live with her beloved uncle, David Potter. Upon her arrival, she learns that her uncle has recently come into some money but has been killed and his relatives are now ensconced in his house. Very suspicious, no?

One of the characters. I can’t say who, because it would be a spoiler, really rubbed me the wrong way. I did not like his personality at all. And one of the characters who I don’t think I was supposed to like (because Judy didn’t), was really a hoot, so I did like him.

The major problem I had was with one of the keys to the mystery, the existence of which was totally unbelievable bordering on the bizarre. Usually, Margaret Sutton does manage to make the happenings fairly believable and tie everything up and together for a very satisfying end. Although she did explain the ghosts or “transparent people” at her home to my satisfaction, the solution of the mystery to the haunting of David Potter’s house was lame. All of the dots did not seem to connect in this story.

March 20, 2021

by Margaret Sutton

**Spoilers**

One of the best Judy Boltons in which we learn that Roberta, Judy’s little boarder cum-surrogate daughter-cum-little sister who saved Judy and Peter’s life on their wedding day is actually a semi-famous cold case kidnap victim. She wandered out of her beautiful garden when she was 3 years old and was picked up by a man who had just lost his wife and daughter. She was held for ransom which was paid by her well-off parents, but meanwhile the kidnapper was arrested on another charge. 5 years went by. She was handed off to one unloving person after another and her name was changed. Eventually, she made her way to Judy’s loving care. This is all discovered while Judy and Peter are chasing down the hot money that was paid for the ransom which started to reappear once her kidnapper, whom Roberta thought was her father, got out of prison.

Roberta sees her old garden on a seed packet and she starts to remember her old life. The scene where Roberta (Barbara) is returned to her loving family in Chicago and says goodbye to Judy is pure gold. I defy anyone to get to the third to the last chapter and be able to put this book down. 

December 11, 2020

By Margaret Sutton

He was escorted to the police car a short time later. Judy watched, her gray eyes as cold as steel.

And no wonder. She just escaped from and triumphed over the man who almost killed her husband, Peter. Some very clever sleuthing by Judy catches the dangerous criminals out FBIing the FBI. Her friend Arthur’s housing development is being ruthlessly sabotaged. There are two good twists at the end, but there also are good clues prior to the reveal as to who the evil mastermind is and the purpose behind it. Full of domestic drama as Peter lies on death’s door in the hospital and loads of action, the book ends very dramatically in a blaze of glory (literally).

October 23, 2020