"Guilt of the Brass Thieves" by Mildred A. Wirt is a mystery novel likely written in the mid-20th century. The story centers around a young girl named Penny Parker and her father, Anthony Parker, as they visit Shadow Island, where they become embroiled in a series of mysteries, including a potential case of theft occurring at Mr. Gandiss’ airplane factory. Through engaging characters and a compelling storyline, the book promises suspense, adventure, and the challenges of young friendships. The opening of the novel introduces Penny and her father as they arrive at the island, initially frustrated by their late host, Jack Gandiss, who ultimately greets them with an apology. As Penny learns more about the island and its residents, she discovers a simmering rivalry between Jack and another girl, Sally Barker, arising from a sailing competition. The narrative quickly leads to a stormy adventure where Penny, Jack, and her father become stranded on the river, reinforcing themes of teamwork and resilience. This humor-filled beginning sets the stage for deeper mysteries as they all prepare for the sailboat race, hinting at themes of rivalry, friendship, and the search for the truth behind the thefts plaguing the factory. (This is an automatically generated summary.)