THE MYSTERY OF McCLELLAN CREEK

Thirteen-year-old Mike Peterson has lived all his life in the Texas Panhandle region. Yet each summer that he spends with his family in its lake district with its canyons and plains brings with it the promise of adventure. When Mike's boat is stolen and peculiar messages are flashed across Hidden Lake, Mike anticipates trouble and he and his friends, including Jeraldine, a self ordained member of Mike's masculine triumvirate, find it in the form of a ruthless group of cattle thieves. Much detail of camping life and some humor, mostly centering about Jeraldine's awkward attempts and camaraderie, do not quite fill the gaps in this run-of-the mill adventure story.