Spökande gruvans gåta

Left: 1 ed, 1977, Tord Nygren. Right: the same but with a printed price-ticket.

Below: 4 ed, 1992, Miralles.

The Three Investigators travel with Allie Jamison to Twin Lakes in New Mexico to help Allies` uncle (Harrison Osborne) cutting Christmas-trees. In Twin Lakes there is an old silver mine where mystical things happen. After many years away from the native village the new owner of the mine, Mr Wesley Thurgood (John Manchester), has returned. Allie and the boys decide to investigate the mine and find a dead man. The mystical mine is related to a bank robbery that happened five years ago.

The book is not bad and it has a rather nice atmosphere because of the mine. There also are some highlights. For example when they find the dead man in the mine. I also like the scene in the beginning when Allie is hidden in the headquarter. Unfortunately it is rather easy to find out who the villain is, and I am afraid that he is not worth remembering.

I have no special feelings of nostalgia when I read this book. In Sweden they destroyed the cover of the first printing with a printed priceticket! (not a label that You could remove). Of course that took away the atmosphere before You did start the reading. In Sweden the title of this book is The Mystery of the Haunted Mine, but I can´t find any ghosts in this story. On the contrary, I don´t think there are any allusions to supernatural phenomenons at all in this story (no reason to get irritated!) To summarize: The Mystery of Death Trap Mine is a good story worth reading, but it makes me neither irritated nor extremely happy.

Summarize:

The Story: 7 (10)

Characterization: 7

Atmosphere: 8

Thrilling factor: 7

Environment: 8

Original cover: 7

Swedish cover: 5

Cult status: 5

Nostalgia: 4

Total Rating: 7 (10)

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