The Mystery Hunters at The Haunted Lodge
~The Mystery Hunters at The Haunted Lodge
~Written by Capwell Wyckoff (1903-1953)
~Edition in photos published by The Saalfield Publishing Company (a cheaper re-publication, with one illustration)
~Originally published by A. L. Burt Company (with multiple illustrations, and better quality paper)
~Original Publication Date; 1934
Four chums set out on a rural winter camping trip to solve the mystery of the “ghost” that is driving the real estate price down on an elderly woman’s deserted rental lodge. They’re determined to settle the mystery over a ten day Christmas break–in the snowy blizzards of Vermont…with two rifles and a sled loaded with food...
This tale reads like a Hardy Boys book. It’s one of the ever-popular mysteries from the Golden Era of children’s mystery series. The four main characters are good friends from the local high-school. Although not named Hardy, that is what these young men are–to the hilt. They live and love the strenuous life and never shun discomfort, hardship, or a long cold tramp through the wilderness–even when a short trip of ease by a cozy automobile could have been acquired.
They do appreciate and relish comfort, as seen in their going to very great lengths just to acquire a comforting cup of steaming coffee, and by changing an entire campsite simply to get a cozier bed. But—because they live the rugged life meanwhile—when they wrest their hot drinks, soft beds, and glowing fires from a life filled with the frosty physical exertions of work and adventure, they enjoy it to a satisfying degree never experienced by those who live in luxury and comfort by habit.
The Mystery Hunters are typical of their type of the 20s, 30s, and 40s boy detectives: neat, brave, manly, game, respectful, fun loving, and hearty. They’re also good shots and armed, which isn’t as typical. And they have the usual gift of seeing humor in life, unusual slang exclamations of their era, and of course good-natured teasing.
One thing that sets this gang of boys apart from your average mystery chums in the 30’s is their sharp attunedness to beauty out in the wilderness. Often these authors will describe the beauty, but seldom does he have the boys comment and be affected by it as in this book.
“…Accordingly he stepped out onto the hard-packed snow before the cabin, his eyes quickly taking in the lake and the surrounding country. For a moment he paused, taking in the beauty of it all, unconsciously drawing a breath of deep satisfaction.
The sun was rising over the tops of the spruce and hemlocks and striking fire on the sheet of ice. Icicles gleamed from the roof slope of the big hunting lodge. At the edge of the timber a rabbit hopped out into the clearing, looked around with a jerk of his brown head, and then streaked off into the undergrowth.
‘By ginger, it’s a dandy morning. And those sleepyheads in there!’
Tim knew it was warm and comfortable in the sleeping bags, but the beauty of the new morning was worth looking at.”
Page 69
The Mystery Hunters At The Haunted Lodge is book #1 in a series of four:
#1. The Mystery Hunters at The Haunted Lodge (1934)
#2. The Mystery Hunters at The Lakeside Camp (1934)
#3. The Mystery Hunters at Old Frontier (1934)
#4. The Mystery Hunters on Special Detail (1936)
Although enjoyable for a large age range, this series was written for boys, about ages 10 to 16.
This tale is a great gift for any adventure loving boy’s library–just the sort I’d give to my nephews (and nieces too, for that matter)! My own copy has a permanent place on the shelves of my personal library. It’s a very simple tale, but a good one. A perfect winter mystery!
