This has been nagging me for years and years. I am coming up 63 years of age now and I would be eternally grateful to anyone whom could help me. It is a story that I read when I was about 10 – 12 years old …………… so probably from the 1950’s or 1960’s. It haunts my dreams – although (however hard I try) I cannot recollect a title. It is an English book (I am English – although, now, live in NZ) about a girl called PERDITA and a MOUNTAIN. A mystery story, I think. Hoping for some help!
This is very much a long shot, but it does match on a few points: the date, it is an English book, and the girl’s name is Perdita. I don’t know if a mountain figures into it at all or if there is any mystery, though. You might try ‘The Queen Elizabeth Story’ by Rosemary Sutcliffe. It’s about a nine-year-old girl, Perdita Jane Pettle, who was born on Midsummer’s Eve and can see fairies. She wishes to see Queen Elizabeth up close, and the fairies promise that she will get the chance.
You can read a more detailed review here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6504294-the-queen-elizabeth-story
Oh! I can’t thank you enough for the help. I have just ordered this book to see if it is THE one. I’ll let you know.
I’ve bought it ………… and definitely remember reading it as a child and loving it. I still do love it – but – sadly – it is not THE one. Can’t thank you enough for all trying so hard for me.
I wonder if this could be ‘The Witch’s Daughter’ by Nina Bawden (first published 1966)? One of the central characters is called Perdita, and it is a mystery story featuring jewel thieves. I don’t remember a mountain, however. It’s set on a Scottish island, and caves play a big part in the story.
This sounds so wonderful that I will simply have to get hold of a copy. Don’t think it is about “my” Perdita but will let you know.
Possibly Ski-ing to Danger (also published in the US as Mystery of the Ski Slopes) by Mabel Esther Allan. The UK edition came out in 1966.
“A missing schoolgirl and threats to her scientist father send Perdita on a search for a gang of dangerous men on the ski-slopes of a fashionable resort in the Swiss Alps.”
Hope this is the one. Will borrow a copy and let you know
Will definitely read it and let you know!
mystery of the ski slopes sounds like the one I remember. the girl perdita is missing and her cousin tries to find her. perdita had been kidnapped and drugged due to her scientific father’s secretive work. the cousin trying to find her is in some sort of disguise with a wig.
Thank you all so much for your thoughts and rememberances. Will let you know!
I think the book you want is Mystery of the Ski Slopes by Mabel Esther Allan. Perdita is a girl kidnapped and kept drugged. her kidnappers are holding her in order to get information from her scientific father. her cousin arrives at the lodge where perdita was last seen in a sort of disguise in order to find her.
Will let you know! Can’t thank everyone enough for their help
There is another Perdita and a mountain in “Wilderness”, a novella by Zenna Henderson. It’s one of her People stories and is in the collection Ingathering. Good luck!
Oh! You are all so gorgeous, helping me track down this mystery book. Will definitely read a copy of “Ingathering” and let you know
did the person ever find the book with perdita in it/