You Be the Detective

by Marvin Miller

Offers young sleuths seven cases to solve, providing clues for readers to put into the jigsaw puzzle at the end of each

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Puzzles

81 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Micky Luo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at my house. This book influence me because I like mysteries books. This mystery book had a lot of sensory details so I could figure out the mysteries before the answer. The quote "Peter Ploop had once been a college professor. No matter what the weather, Peter always dressed in a tweed jacket. He had a pointy pipe in his mouth, even though he didn't smoke. And because he thought it made him look distinguished, Peter carried a walking stick," (Miller 73), shows how Peter Ploop looked like in the book. This quote shows that the book includes plenty of sensory details about the characters in the book and the items around the settings to help you solve the mystery. This helps me write mysteries that include plenty of sensory details to make sure my reader gets the mystery.

[Isabella Burkard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this so many times in a row as a kid that my elementary school teacher just gave it to me.

[Beth McCabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid guided reading book, would read again.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written for youth, the seven short criminal mysteries are easy for some adults to solve. Within the book, they are all solved by Detective Alexander Riddle. He describes himself and each case that he is called to. He makes an artistic rendition of each case. After solving them, he makes a solution picture which he makes into a puzzle for Police Chief Anvil to rearrange and for the reader to do so, also.

The solution jigsaw puzzle pictures are put out of order near the end of each case. They are meant to be cut out and the puzzle solved to find the solution. I suggest photocopying them or keeping them with the book so that they won't be lost. They aren't necessary to solve the mysteries. The solutions are written upside-down at the end of each mystery.

For those who enjoy mysteries that are not bloody, nor involve murder. They involve theft, kidnapping, and breaking-and-entering. Fun for people to sharpen their critical thinking.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a worthy companion to Encyclopedia Brown. All were solvable, some even at the first reveal of the sketch (before the pondering, which is before the answer). But they still make the reader think, and exercise the reader's talents in a way that will serve them in real life situations that call for careful observation.

I was lucky enough to find a copy in a Little Free Library but you can check openlibrary.org.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

DescriptionWho is caught red-handed in "The Case of the Circus Footprints?" Who spooked Mr. Bramble in "The Case of the Haunted House?" Readers solve these crimes and more by examining the evidence provided in seven challenging cases and putting together the jigsaw puzzle at the end of each case.

[Kim Propp · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked about the book is that my son liked the book! My son is not a fan of reading. However, he asked me to read the book to him two nights in a row. When I stopped the first night, he said, "Could we keep reading?" but I was too tired. Each 'case' is about three pages with a sketch of the crime scene and another sketch that forms a puzzle to do. In order to solve the crime you must solve the puzzle. I liked to see the 'aha' moment on my son's face when he began to solve the case.

What I didn't like is that you had to cut the book up to get the puzzle put together which means it couldn't be read by another child at another time unless you photocopy the puzzles and cut the photocopy up. The other thing is sometimes the solution the detective came up with at the end didn't always make sense. He gave a bit more detail in the solution that was not given in the case study. Without that information the case could not have been logically solved.

If you would like me to review your book, please send me an email at kymmeeee@yahoo.com. Thanks and God Bless!

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some really easy solve-it-yourself mysteries. Not as much fun as I remember them being when I was younger. These would be good for a grade-school aged kid who is interested in mystery stories and wants to engage in solving the stories by themselves (I was that kid, but I guess I thought the puzzles were harder). A teacher could easily work these in to a lesson - the stories are very short, and the reading level is not particularly demanding. I do still love the detective's name: Detective Riddle. He was born to solve mystery puzzles.

[Tuan Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Book not just awesome but it also help you to be somewhat smarter all the problem and you have to solve it but of course theres answers after every problem and if you wrong you can look at it and find where is your mistakes.

[Berber frankin · Rating 2 out of 5]

i liked the 1 story the best, its called the story of the circus footprint, it was really hard to solve!!!

[Angeli]

i own the book and cant wait to read it

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was bored, but enjoyed it a lot.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

You be the Detective comprises of seven cases and is a great way for children to sharpened their logic and critical thinking skills.