Mystery at Chilkoot Pass

This is book number 17 in the History Mysteries series and is about Hetty, a young girl is going with her family to the Klondike gold rush in 1897.

It's an interesting book for a variety of reasons. For one thing, it shows just how hard it was for people to act on their desire for easy gold. A great deal of carrying heavy loads was one thing they had to do; numerous trips back and forth to move supplies; trying to avoid bad weather and dangerous avalanches, and the ever-present risk of diseases were things they had to endure all the time.

It also shows just how wild some people became over the idea of gold “just for picking it up” rumors. The people did not, in general, really have any idea of just what they were getting into, and the riches they sought were not going to be gotten easily by any means.

This story examines Hetty, her family and friends of her family as they make the difficult journey. The mystery part centers around a series of thefts that the family and friends encounter, thefts that involve money, but also involve small personal items like a locket.

It also shows that theft can sometimes grow from an incredibly dumb reason. At least in the novel the people involved in the thefts did own up to their actions, they made good for them, and they improved as people along the way.

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