Written in the 1939, this is a girls' mystery adventure. Reading it reminded me of reading Nancy Drew mysteries. Looking up the author, I find that Joan Clark is the pen name for Mildred Wirt Benson, who is the original author of the Nancy Drew series along with a number of other kids series under a variety of pen names!

I sat and read this in one evening and enjoyed it. There are a number of characters that all contribute to the story line. Penny Nichols is the daughter of a successful private detective, Christopher Nichols. She has solved a few mysteries on her own, much to her father's surprise and delight.

When Mr. Nichols decides he needs a vacation and wants to get away to the country, Penny is not excited, but she can see he really needs the time off. Along the way to the country cottage, they meet a man who has driven his car into a ditch and needs a lift into town. He tells a strange story of going to see a man about an inheritance and having been cheated out of it. When they stop in town, the fellow disappears. Next they meet their landlord, Mr. Crocker, who is a disagreeable and miserly man. They hire a local lady, Mrs. Masterbrook to be their housekeeper during their stay and find her to be a gossipy and nosy biddy. A young man and a little boy, and a couple of home robberies all come into play. How they all tie together is what the mystery is and Penny is the one to figure it out.

A fun read and a quick read. Gives you a touch of nostalgia if you've been a fan of girl detectives in your youth. ( )