Intruders at Rivermead Manor is a Historical Character Mystery that is part of Kit's books.
Characters
From the Central Series
- Kit Kittredge
- Margaret Kittredge
- Jack Kittredge
- Hendrick Frosbythe
- Ruthie Smithens
- Stirling Howard
- Mr. Peck
- Miss Finney
- Miss Hart
- Mr. Bell
- Lily Smithens
Introduced
- Elsie Mundis
- Jessamine Porter
- Mrs. Addison
- Reginald West
- Mr. Leiser
- Mrs. Newcomb
- Annie-Dot
- Joey
- Mr. McGregor
Chapter By Chapter Summary
Chapter One: A Cry for Help
Chapter Two: A Desperate Woman
Chapter Three: The Underground Railroad
Chapter Four: The Time Portal
Chapter Five: A Dinnertime Interruption
Chapter Six: Secret in the Attic
Chapter Seven: Stirling Smells a Rat
Chapter Eight: Footprints in the Dust
Chapter Nine: The Hidden Room
Chapter Ten: A List of Suspects
Chapter Eleven: Little Orphan Annie
Chapter Twelve: No Place Like Home
Chapter Thirteen: Mysterious Uncle Hendrick
Chapter Fourteen: "The Pore and Needy Ones"
Chapter Fifteen: Out of Darkness into Light
Looking Back
Discusses the Underground Railroad and the popularity of science fiction during the 1930s. Topics covered:
- The runaway slaves that headed towards Cincinnati on their way up North, as the city was located across a river that bordered states that legalized slavery.
- The Underground Railroad, which helped many slaves escape to freedom, and the use of secret rooms and tunnels to help hide slaves.
- Prejudice African Americans faced during the Great Depression, with many employers, landlords and charities refusing to hire or serve black families.
- The treatment of children at various orphanages, with some having children work in order to earn their keep and punishing children for breaking minor rules.
- Desperation people had with finding ways to distract themselves from the harshness of the Depression, with some turning to science fiction novels for solace.
- The War of the Worlds radio broadcast of 1938, which had many people believing the events of the story were actually happening in real life.
- Science fiction stories providing a feeling of hope for people during the Depression by showing inventions that could solve serious problems.
Book Covers
First cover from 2014-2016
References
- ↑ Pg. 2: For the past two years there had been lodgers to feed, rooms to clean, and extra laundry to do, but the whole [Kittredge] family pulled together now. Meet Kit is set in 1932.
- ↑ Pg. 4: Over a year ago, Kit had taken in a stray dog - a large basset hound that she named Grace. Kit adopted Grace during the events of Happy Birthday, Kit!, in 1933.