THE HAWAIIAN BOX MYSTERY

by Alice Cooper Bailey ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1960

To this reader this book for the middle teens deserves attention on two specific counts:- one, that it is something of a relief to have the background and the cast of characters representative of the upper level, socially and economically, presented--, and a way of life other than the native peasant life shown as integral to Hawaii; two, that a psychological issue of a family situation is made of paramount importance, though the emotional values are superficial. Kay's father came from a four generation line of white settlers, plantation owners, living a luxurious life even though they had periods when agriculture and cattle raising suffered depressions. This story is set in just such a period, though the acute reason stemmed back to a manager who was indulging in shady doings to recoup his racing losses. Key's mother was a semi-invalid, who played up her invalidism to keep tight possession of her daughters. But in the course of this story, the oldest daughter breaks away-into matrimony; the third daughter has a chance to go to the States to study under a famous singer; and Kay, whose story this is- finds that she has mixed feelings about going on with her hoped-for study of landscape architecture in Switzerland; Hawaii, and a possible boy-interest in the offing, afford certain opportunities not to be ignored. The mystery of the title plays its part in helping solve the family problems, and a sometimes fortuitious succession of incidents brings new light on the mother's psychological twists. Kay has some quirks of her own that begin to unwind as the story gets under way.

Pub Date: March 1, 1960

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Longmans, Green

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1960

Categories: FICTION