Hoofbeats on the Turnpike

"Hoofbeats on the Turnpike" by Mildred A. Wirt is a mystery novel written in the mid-20th century. The story follows young Penny Parker, an adventurous girl with a passion for reporting, as she embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic Headless Horseman haunting Sleepy Hollow. Accompanied by her friend Louise, Penny dives into a community rife with secrets, rich landscapes, and a real estate mogul's troubles. At the start of the narrative, Penny is introduced as an enthusiastic and resourceful girl determined to solve the mystery hinted at by an old man she encountered at her father’s newspaper office. After seizing upon an intriguing newspaper advertisement offering a reward for information regarding the Headless Horseman, she convinces her friend Louise to join her on an adventure to Red Valley. Upon their arrival, they encounter a variety of colorful characters, including the peculiar Mrs. Lear and the aloof Mr. Burmaster, all while contending with the uncertainty of lurking dangers. The opening chapters set the stage for mystery and exploration, hinting at deeper themes of community tensions and personal ambition as Penny seeks to make the story her own. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mildred Augustine Wirt Benson was an American journalist and writer of children's books. She wrote some of the earliest Nancy Drew mysteries and created the detective's adventurous personality. Benson wrote under the Stratemeyer Syndicate pen name, Carolyn Keene, from 1929 to 1953 and contributed to 23 of the first 30 Nancy Drew mysteries, which were bestsellers.