The Midnight Visitor (1952) is the 12th installment in the beloved Judy Bolton mystery series by Margaret Sutton, featuring the intrepid teenage sleuth Judy Bolton. In this suspenseful tale, Judy investigates eerie occurrences at the historic Roulsville Church, where a phantom-like intruder, mysterious fires, and a hidden treasure legend converge. Unlike many series of its era, Judy’s character evolves over time—here, she balances sleuthing with her career as a secretary-turned-nurse and her engagement to Honey Dobbs, adding depth to the classic whodunit formula.
Praised for its realistic small-town setting and darker twists than competitors like Nancy Drew, the novel blends gothic atmosphere (midnight chases, secret passages) with postwar Americana. The original 1952 hardcover (Grosset & Dunlap, orange spine) is coveted by collectors, especially with its dust jacket depicting Judy holding a lantern—a nod to the titular visitor.
For fans of vintage girl sleuths, try Sutton’s The Vanishing Shadow (Judy’s first case), Trixie Belden, or Beverly Gray’s Career for grown-up intrigue.
