From the back of the book - "The commotion inside the house became bedlam... a combination of falling furniture, cries of "Where are the lights?". Bobby's shrieks, doors slamming and rushing feet. "Where are you Trixie?" her fathers voice called. "Trixie!" Brian echoed. "The lights are out all over the house. What is happening?" "He must have cut the wires"..."
Book 16 is sometimes viewed as the end of a "Trixie cycle" and I can see why, other than the contents there was a gap of 7 years between it being published and the next finally coming out, the longest gap between Trixie books. The book also brings things full circle, giving Jim the blood relative he's been wanting since we first met him in book 1 and finally Jim's evil stepdad, Jonesy, gets his comeuppance.
This book starts with some swamp land near the Belden and Wheeler properties planned to be drained by the state as it's last known owners died many years ago. It turns out that the owners were Jim's mothers sister and Dutch her family, so Jim could lay a claim to it. With the help of Trixie it is discovered that Jim's family isn't dead as first thought, his cousin survived!
Jim's cousin, Julianna, arrives in Sleepyside and ends up staying with Mrs Vanderpoel (remember her from book 7? She donated some antiques?). Despite her best efforts Trixie just can't seem to make herself like Julianna. Trixie is quickly distracted from Julianna by "Janie" a lady at the hospital where Trixie and Honey volunteer. Poor Janie was in some kind of accident and she is now suffering from amnesia.
Eventually it is revealed (through Trixie's dedication) that Julianna is an imposter, brought in by Jim's evil stepdad who knew about the family and was hoping to cash in on the situation. Janie is the real Julianna! Due to the fact he tried to kill Janie multiple times it looks like old Jonesy is finally going to go away for a LONG time. Also involved with Jonesy's plan were the Thompson's, the bad guys from book 7!
Of course everything works out and the book ends with the real Julianna and her fiancé, Hans, deciding to get married in Sleepyside, with Trixie as Julianna's maid of honor and Jim as Hans' best man.
This book is a good fun one, it has a little mystery, a little action, a little humour, Dan and Di both appear (though neither are essential to the story), most of the regular cast of extras act just as they should, everything seems just normal and, bonus, Spider Webster makes an appearance. All in all it's a good fun book, it's probably not the best but it's still one that really encapsulated what the books are all about.
Next book is the Mystery of the Uninvited Guest where we get to see Hans and Julianna's wedding :). Make sure you're here for that :)
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