The Secret Pact

By: A. Wirt, Mildred

An abandoned newspaper plant becomes the headquarters for a bold experiment: a student-run paper managed by Penelope "Penny" Parker, a Riverview high-school student determined to practise journalism rather than merely dream about it. Supported by the practical resources of her father's newspaper, Penny must master the demands of production while deciding which leads deserve pursuit, which claims require proof and how far an aspiring reporter should go to uncover the truth. A veiled woman and a suspected shipboard theft draw her attention towards a mystery that reaches beyond an ordinary newspaper story. Sailors bearing distinctive octopus tattoos, hidden messages, disguises and physical clues suggest connections that remain stubbornly concealed. As surveillance and investigation bring Penny closer to guarded secrets, adult caution repeatedly collides with her independent initiative. Yet curiosity alone is not enough: every discovery tests her persistence, courage and sense of journalistic responsibility. Newspaper work gives this juvenile mystery-adventure its distinctive momentum, turning headlines, evidence and observation into instruments of detection. Penny's friendship and compassion temper her determination, while threats surrounding the disused press and unexplained activity near the river deepen the tension between youthful enterprise and genuine danger. The combination of reporting, seafaring intrigue and clue-led investigation creates a story concerned not only with exposing deception, but also with justice and the obligations that accompany the search for facts. This book was out of print for decades and is now republished by Alpha Editions. It has been restored for today's and future generations. This edition is not just a reprint - it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9378416209
• ISBN13: 9789378416200
• Release Date: March 2027
• Publisher: Alpha Edition
• Length: 116 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"