Trixie Belden #1: The Secret of the Mansion (1948) is the debut novel in the beloved Trixie Belden mystery series by Julie Campbell (pseudonym for Julie Campbell Tatham). Aimed at young readers, this classic mid-century children’s book introduces Trixie Belden, a spunky 13-year-old farm girl with a nose for adventure, and her wealthy new neighbor Honey Wheeler, who together form the original members of the Bob-Whites of the Glen club.
The story kicks off when Trixie discovers that the abandoned Frayne Mansion near her home might hold a hidden fortune. Along with Honey and her adopted brother Jim Frayne (a runaway with a mysterious connection to the mansion), Trixie investigates secret passages, suspicious strangers, and a possible family inheritance—all while outsmarting local troublemakers.
Campbell’s wholesome yet spirited storytelling (think Nancy Drew meets Little House on the Prairie) made Trixie an enduring icon of girl detective fiction. The book’s 1940s charm—saddle shoes, rural sleuthing, and post-war optimism—still resonates with collectors and nostalgic readers today.
