Beverly Hatfield

This Christmas is extra special for girl detective Judy Bolton. She is newly engaged to lawyer Peter Dobbs and wants the perfect present for him. However, finding it leads her to a new mystery. Who is the woman who eavesdropped when Judy placed her order at Franklin Stationery on Judy Lane? This mysterious person seems to be aound every time Judy checks to see if Peter's present has arrived. Is she spying on Judy or simply Christmas shopping? A threatening phone call and broken windows on Judy Lane convince Judy and her friends that the danger is real and not imagined.

Back after 45 years, Margaret Sutton s young detective, Judy Bolton, returns for her 39th mystery adventure. At the end of book #38, The Secret of the Sand Castle, the author gave the title of the next book in the series, The Strange Likeness. However, the series was canceled, and the promised book was not written until now. Beloved author Margaret Sutton (1903 2001) published her first Judy Bolton mysteries in 1932. The original series continued until 1967, making it the longest-lasting juvenile series written by a single author. The books are noted not only for their engaging plots and thrilling stories, but also for their realism and social commentary. To many young girls Judy was an ideal role model smart, capable, courageous, nurturing, and always unwavering in her core beliefs. Based on conversations with Margaret Sutton and her family, plus extensive research, coauthors Kate Duvall and Beverly Hatfield recreate the magic of Judy and her friends, who find themselves pursuing a criminal who resembles Judy s husband. Courage and keen observation are Judy s trademarks, and they prove her up to the task once again."