The Bob-Whites find an abandoned baby in Reddy's doghouse one night. It doesn't take long to discover he belongs to a family nearby. Both their small sons are missing, and the parents are worried sick over a ransom note that tells them not to get the police involved. Somehow Trixie manages to talk Sergeant Molinson into letting her and Honey help out, since the kidnappers won't be expecting a couple of teenage girls to be doing a policeman's job (and for good reason...). Trixie realizes the ransom notes are fake when they still refer to "children" as being missing after the baby has been returned to his parents. It was fun to see the Bob-Whites caring for an infant, fighting over who got to feed him and take care of him. ( )

There is a baby in the doghouse!

Trixie, her friends and family help find the baby's missing brother and foul the crooks.

A very good mystery. ( )

A childhood favorite re-visited.

Is the story as good as I remember? – Yes

What ages would I recommend it too? – Ten and up.

Length? – Most of a day’s read.

Characters? – Memorable, several characters.

Setting? – Real world, pre - computer and pre - cell phone.

Written approximately? – 1978.

Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more.

Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? Yes. A slight mention of the time frame of the story - as the teens are given far more freedom to come and go as they please than would be safe today. Also, the absence of computers, cell phones.

Short storyline: Trixie Belden is startled when Reddy finds a baby in his doghouse. During the search for the baby's mother they find he has a missing brother and pony. The search leads them through various areas of Sleepyside and with the sergeant's permission, except for, one thing.


Notes for the reader: A great mystery! No violence (only referred to from the past), no murder. ( )