Trixie Belden #5 Mystery Off Glen Road and #6 Mystery in Arizona

In Trixie Belden #5, The Mystery Off Glen Road, Brian plans to purchase a jalopy from Mr. Lytell for $50.  Brian's plans collapse when the Bob-Whites' clubhouse is heavily damaged by a hurricane.  Brian's money is used to repair the roof, so Brian won't be able to buy the jalopy after all.

Trixie comes up with an idea to use the ring that Jim gave her as collateral so that Mr. Lytell won't sell the jalopy.  Meanwhile, the Bob-Whites take over the job of patrolling the Wheelers' game preserve, which only Trixie and Honey know will pay for the jalopy.  Trixie discovers signs of a poacher and fears that the Bob-Whites will lose their job.

On this reading, I found it odd that Trixie thinks that the single-wheel tracks belong to a unicycle.  The tracks lead away from where a dead deer was found, and the carcass has disappeared.  Trixie thinks that the poacher somehow carried the deer on a unicycle.  It's strange that Trixie never thinks of a wheelbarrow or similar contraption. 

This story is really not a mystery at all.  Trixie's scheme is the main plot, but it is hilarious and entertaining.

In Trixie Belden #6, The Mystery in Arizona, Uncle Monty invites the Bob-Whites to spend their Christmas vacation in Arizona at his dude ranch.  Upon the group's arrival, the Bob-Whites discover that the Orlando family has vanished, leaving Uncle Monty without help.  Trixie volunteers the Bob-Whites as replacements, which keeps everyone quite busy.  Trixie soon notices some strange behavior and is convinced that several residents of the dude ranch have strange secrets.

I always loved this book when young, but the story did not hold up well this time.  I was quite bored with all the history and information about Arizona.  I skimmed those parts.