Mystery of the Hidden Painting

September 1, 1992
Gr 3-5- -In search of costumes for a surprise birthday party for their grandfather, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny find a portrait of a beautiful young woman wearing a stunning necklace. Curious, they ask their grandfather about the picture's history. He relates how the necklace, specially crafted for their grandmother, was stolen without a clue, and the youngsters are determined to find the missing piece of jewelry. This series entry remains faithful to the bland writing style and convenient coincidences of the originals. The slightly dramatic plot encourages the characters to use some investigative skills but never forces them into dangerous situations. While they are shown to have grown up a bit in the black-and-white illustrations scattered throughout the chapters, their personalities will be familiar to those who have followed their escapades through the years. Fans will not be disappointed with this latest adventure. There are, however, inconsistencies bet-ween the text and cover art. -Jana R. Fine, Clearwater Public Library Sys tem, FL