Wanted...Mud Blossom — Betsy Byars / Betsy Cromer Byars

Mud, Pap Blossom's loyal dog, has never before been in such deep trouble. Scooty, the school hamster Junior brought home for the weekend, is missing and the evidence points right to Mud. The only sensible thing for a dog to do is to head under the porch and refuse to come out.

In the meantime more mysteries crop up. Maggie and Ralphie find Mad Mary's bag and cane by the side of the road, and everybody knows she'd never leave them behind voluntarily. Plus, overhearing a phone conversation, Vern and Michael think someone is out to kill them.

With disappearances, a possible kidnapping, and maybe even a murder or two, it's anything but a boring weekend at the Blossoms'.