The Trixie Belden series is a classic American mystery series for young readers, originally published between 1948 and 1986. Created by Julie Campbell Tatham (who wrote the first six books) and continued by various ghostwriters under the collective pseudonym “Kathryn Kenny,” the series follows the adventures of Trixie Belden, a smart, curious, and resourceful teenage girl from Sleepyside-on-Hudson, New York.
Trixie, along with her older brothers Brian and Mart, and her best friend Honey Wheeler, forms a detective club called the Bob-Whites of the Glen (named after their initials: Brian, Trixie, Honey, Mart, and later other friends like Jim Frayne and Di Whitlock). Together, they solve a wide range of mysteries—from thefts and disappearances to coded messages and hidden treasure—often while camping, horseback riding, or exploring the woods and old estates near their homes.
Originally published by Western Publishing (Golden Press), the series includes 39 official titles. After falling out of print in the 1980s, the books gained a devoted fanbase and were reissued in the early 2000s by Random House, introducing Trixie to new generations. The series is praised for its strong character development, realistic dialogue, and progressive (for its time) portrayal of capable, active young women.
Today, Trixie Belden remains a beloved icon of juvenile mystery fiction—cherished for her warmth, determination, and the enduring camaraderie of the Bob-Whites of the Glen.
