The Mystery of the Indian Carvings

by Gloria Repp
Available from Amazon
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Julie knew she wasn’t wanted at home. At least, her stepmother didn’t want her there. She was sent to Uncle Nate on Canadian Bartlett Island; maybe he would let her stay for the summer. Julie hoped so: it was either that or some camp.

When she arrived, no one was there to meet her, and when a friendly islander did take her to her uncle’s pier, a frosty welcome from her aunt and cousin Karin only increased her nervousness. Karin obviously disliked Julie from the beginning, and did her best to get her into trouble. Julie does make friends, and learns something of her uncle’s work and research. Her uncle trusts her enough to tell her of his secret tutoring of a young Indian boy, Robert. Uncle Nate told Julie that her aunt and cousin wouldn’t be happy if they heard of it, so she kept her information to herself. Her aunt didn’t ask too many questions anyway. She seemed very anxious, and with her sullen daughter, the home wasn’t a happy place for Julie to spend time. She stayed away from the nosy “reporter” that arrived at the same time she did. There seemed to be something fishy about her.

When Julie came to Bartlett Island, she was a brand new Christian. She used to have a fiery temper, but her Bible told her that God was not pleased with her anger. She turned to Jesus Christ in her uncomfortable and sometimes frightening situations, and He gave her comfort, peace and direction. Julie prayed for a love for her cousin, and the Lord even gave her that, as difficult as it was.

In the midst of the tangled relationships, Julie becomes involved in a confused adventure. In the end, everything is made plain; the mystery is solved, Uncle Nate realizes he has neglected his daughter, his wife and daughter understand his love for them, and Julie is accepted into the family for the summer.