Penny Nichols Series by Joan Clark

The four book Penny Nichols series was written by Joan Clark which is a pseudonym of the very prolific Mildred Wirt Benson between 1936 - 1939. It's a fast paced and fun little series and it's a shame that there were never any more written. It's unusual in the series book format in that Penny mostly works alone - she has a best friend Susan, but she is a peripheral character and doesn't really get involved in the mystery solving. There is also no 'boyfriend' character, and Penny seems to be a lot closer to her father than to the other sleuths in the genre. It's also a bit odd that Penny is only 15, but she has the freedom of the older sleuths like the Dana's or Nancy Drew - she even has a car and has apparently been driving since she was 12, I could understand this if she lived on a farm or in a rural area, but she lives in the city with her father! I can't imagine that even 80-odd years ago that 12 year old were allowed to drive and own a car:-)

15 year old Penny Nichols get involved with a car parts smuggling ring when two tyres are stolen from her car. Weirdly, she doesn't appear to go to school, and she mentions to her friend that she has had her car for 3 years... which would make her 12??? Also she is very mature, definitely more of a late teenager than 15!!! Thoroughly enjoyable heroine though, she's plucky and smart and more than a little headstrong

Penny befriends a girl in a jewellery store after witnessing a man steal a valuable ring. The girl confides that she has received a letter and a key stating that she has inherited a huge mansion in the hills. The girls travel up there only to discover two very unpleasant other claimants to the property, claimants who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the property. Throw in ghostly music, secret passages and a grumpy yet likeable neighbour, and you've got a fun enjoyable read. The story did remind me of another one I've read so I figured out the ending beforehand, but I can't remember what book it was!!!

Penny and her friend Susan are watching an art award when a valuable Rembrandt is stolen. One of the artists, who Penny has taken a liking to, is accused of the theft. She is the sculptor of the Black Imp. Later at a ball, masked intruders try to steal from the guests but are foiled by Penny's dad. She also overhears information leading her to believe she knows where the stolen painting is. Of course its not quite so simple, there are several bad guys here, a couple of burglaries, and a second Black Imp. Penny resolves this mystery in a hair raising fashion after being captured and nearly burnt to death. Good fun

Penny and her dad go off to a remote place on Knob Hill for a holiday- and to get away from investigations. But en route they help a strange man whose had a car accident. The man mysteriously disappears. The house they are renting is dilapidated, and the landlord a proper crotchety old geezer with a vicious dog and an abused grandson. The Nichols' hire a gossipy housekeeper, and a young man they meet in a storm to do odd jobs, the young man is not entirely truthful, and Penny is determined to find out why. Throw in a few jewellery thefts, which brings a reluctant Mr Nichols off his holiday, a case of mistaken/hidden identity, intruders and some mysterious letters and Penny's quiet holiday turns out to be not so quiet after all. I found this one quite amusing, as all poor Mr Nichols wants to do is have a break from his detective work, and Penny keeps throwing theories and mysteries at his feet