The Mystery of the Memorial Day Fire

## Plot

"The Bob-Whites are looking forward to a memorable Memorial Day Parade, but what they don't expect is the explosion that shatters the excitement and threatens to ruin the life of one of their school friends, Nick Roberts.  Nick's father's store is ruined in the explosion and his father becomes the prime suspect of arson.  Trixie is determined to find the arsonist and her suspicion turns to Jane Dix-Strauss, a journalist Trixie has taken an immediate dislike to.  When the Bob-Whites attempts to help Mr Roberts and earn some money to repair the clubhouse are thwarted by another fire and the finger is again pointed at Mr Roberts, Trixie accuses Dix-Strauss of arson and starts a chain of events that will reveal the true arsonist and clear Mr Roberts' name."

## Characters

* Trixie Belden
* Jim Frayne
* Honey Wheeler
* Brian Belden
* Mart Belden
* Helen and Peter Belden
* Bobby Belden
* Diana Lynch
* Dan Mangan
* Miss Trask
* Jane Dix-Strauss
* Nick Roberts
* Sergeant Molinson
* Pat Murphy
* Mr. Slettom
* Nicholas Roberts

## Chapter Titles

1. The Torchlight Parade
2. Retreat to Crabapple Farm
3. A Meeting of the Bob-Whites
4. "Arson!"
5. A Trip to Jail
6. At the Scene of the Crime
7. Trixie Has a Plan
8. One Clue Lost... One Clue Found
9. Selling and Sleuthing
10. Was It a Payoff?
11. "We're Going to the Police!"
12. The Right Suspect
13. Who, What, When, Where and Why

## Trivia

* The story commences on Memorial Day in early June.
* The Bob-Whites see Nick and re-tell the story of The Mystery Off Old Telegraph Road, possibly a call-back to the suspected author's first Trixie Belden book.
* A mistake is made where the author states Dan Mangan also had a mean stepfather.
* After the explosion, the Bob-Whites hurry back to the car where 'Di burst into tears and stood sobbing softly against Dan Mangan's shoulder.'
* The Beldens drive a maroon sedan.
* The explosion occurs on West Second Street and the location of the Roberts' store is 431 West Second Street.
* It was the first week of June which means Mart should have celebrated his birthday, but this is not mentioned.
* Trixie suggests that the Bob-Whites sell embroidered shirts and caps made by Nick Roberts to help their business and earn them a commission to repair the clubhouse.
* Mart has his junior driver's license but he is not permitted to drive without an adult.
* The stables are set on fire in this story, but there is no sign of Regan.

## Gallery

Pat Murphy yells at Sgt. Molinson while Jane Dix-Strauss looks onTrixie hands a button to JaneTrixie spies on Jane and a contactThe Bob-Whites, Sgt. Molinson, and JaneTrixie spots Jane in the stablesTrixie saves Jane from the fireTrixie and Honey bike awayTrixie and Honey find a buttonTrixie reads the news with Brian and MartTrixie examines the burned buildingJane snaps a picture of the Bob-WhitesAn explosionThe Bob-Whites survey their clubhouse
## References

1. ↑ "The Mystery of the Memorial Day Fire." Trixie-belden.com. N.d. Retrieved September 5, 2021 from http://www.trixie-belden.com/books/series/book35.htm
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Pg. 17
3. ↑ Pg 11
4. ↑ Pg 29
5. ↑ Pg 31
6. ↑ Pg 36-37
7. ↑ Pg 75
8. ↑ Pg 97
9. ↑ Pg 112