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Encyclopedia Brown #15.5
Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake!
Solve Encyclopedia's mysteries and then try his favorite recipes. With an updated cover look!
Match wits with Encyclopedia Brown and see if you can solve these mysteries before he does, in this exciting compilation featuring Encyclopedia's favorite recipes that you can make at home!
- Figure out if Willford's painting of the Liberty Bell is a fake, then celebrate with red, white, and blue shortcake.
- Prove that Bugs stole Tim Gomez's pinata, then make a Mexican fiesta.
- Solve the Case of the Secret Recipe, then serve up some Idaville Apple Pie.
Match wits with Encyclopedia Brown and see if you can solve these mysteries before he does, in this exciting compilation featuring Encyclopedia's favorite recipes that you can make at home!
- Figure out if Willford's painting of the Liberty Bell is a fake, then celebrate with red, white, and blue shortcake.
- Prove that Bugs stole Tim Gomez's pinata, then make a Mexican fiesta.
- Solve the Case of the Secret Recipe, then serve up some Idaville Apple Pie.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
12 people are currently reading
742 people want to read
About the author
Donald J. Sobol
181 books222 followersDonald J. Sobol was an award-winning writer best known for his children's books, especially the Encyclopedia Brown mystery series. Mr. Sobol passed away in July of 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
May 12, 2025
Well, unlike the majority of my classmates, I actually did not enjoy Donald J. Sobol's Encyclopaedia Brown mysteries all that much when we collectively as a class read the first six series books in grade five (in November 1977, when I was eleven). For even though I was able to figure out many if not even most of the mysteries without needing to turn to the solution pages at the back, sorry, but I just did not really enjoy the short little whodunnit snippets in and of themselves since I wanted (and actually even needed) longer tales with more narrative meat to them (as well as more developed, less on the proverbial surface characters and stereotypical nasties), and I equally found the set-ups of the Encyclopaedia Brown books and having to flip to the back to check if my hunches etc. were correct rather tedious and distracting (although I do have to admit that I seemed to be pretty much the outlier amongst my classmates, that I was kind of the only student in my grade five class who did not totally adore Encyclopaedia Brown).
And furthermore, that because Sobol's Encyclopaedia Brown character did kind of remind eleven year old me a bit of Astrid Lindgren's Kalle Blomkvist (Kalle Blomquist in German, Bill Bergson in English) but that Lindgren's Kalle Blomkvist novels show oh so much more than simply mysteries to be solved, I guess me in 1977 comparing Kalle Blomkvist and his friends (from the German translations I read in the early 1970s) to Encyclopaedia Brown and his friends and their very simple cases to be solved, their stereotypical bullies, villains etc., yes, at least for me, this certainly ended up leaving the latter rather hugely wanting, and so much so that I also did not bother continuing with Donald J. Sobol's Encyclopaedia Brown series and only decided to now and in 2025 read the published in 1982 mystery and cookbook combo Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! (penned by Sobol and with Glenn Andrews) because Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! is available on Open Library and we are doing a food and food preparation theme for the Fiction Club of the Children's Literature Group (and that the food thematics and recipes for Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake!thus totally and thematically fit the proverbial bill so to speak).
And yes, the same issues I had with Donald J. Sobol's penmanship (both thematically and also stylistically) with the Encyclopaedia Brown stories in 1977, these have unfortunately once again been glaringly and specifically there for me regarding Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! (see above as to the whys and hows), that while I have enjoyed a select few of the mysteries (and could figure all of them out without needing help from the solutions pages), well, the only parts of Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! I really could enjoy without reservations and hesitation have been the food related contents and in particular the presented recipes as well as the kitchen basics (which truly feature some very handy and necessary cooking tips and kitchen safety concerns). So yes, for dedicated Encyclopaedia Brown fans, for readers both young and old who have enjoyed and do enjoy Donald J. Sobol's Leroy Brown as a character, as an amateur detective who always seems to outsmart everyone and the short, generally decently easy to figure out whodunnits Sobol (and sometimes with coauthors) provide in the Encyclopaedia Brown stories, the combination of food-themed mysteries and recipes (including that basic outline concerning cooking and kitchen safety) encountered in Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! should probably or would probably rate as solidly four stars (but that for me, since I have never been a huge fan of the Encyclopaedia Brown books, my rating for Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! can thus be only three stars and that my three star rating for Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! is also and in my humble opinion pretty generous as well).
And furthermore, that because Sobol's Encyclopaedia Brown character did kind of remind eleven year old me a bit of Astrid Lindgren's Kalle Blomkvist (Kalle Blomquist in German, Bill Bergson in English) but that Lindgren's Kalle Blomkvist novels show oh so much more than simply mysteries to be solved, I guess me in 1977 comparing Kalle Blomkvist and his friends (from the German translations I read in the early 1970s) to Encyclopaedia Brown and his friends and their very simple cases to be solved, their stereotypical bullies, villains etc., yes, at least for me, this certainly ended up leaving the latter rather hugely wanting, and so much so that I also did not bother continuing with Donald J. Sobol's Encyclopaedia Brown series and only decided to now and in 2025 read the published in 1982 mystery and cookbook combo Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! (penned by Sobol and with Glenn Andrews) because Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! is available on Open Library and we are doing a food and food preparation theme for the Fiction Club of the Children's Literature Group (and that the food thematics and recipes for Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake!thus totally and thematically fit the proverbial bill so to speak).
And yes, the same issues I had with Donald J. Sobol's penmanship (both thematically and also stylistically) with the Encyclopaedia Brown stories in 1977, these have unfortunately once again been glaringly and specifically there for me regarding Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! (see above as to the whys and hows), that while I have enjoyed a select few of the mysteries (and could figure all of them out without needing help from the solutions pages), well, the only parts of Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! I really could enjoy without reservations and hesitation have been the food related contents and in particular the presented recipes as well as the kitchen basics (which truly feature some very handy and necessary cooking tips and kitchen safety concerns). So yes, for dedicated Encyclopaedia Brown fans, for readers both young and old who have enjoyed and do enjoy Donald J. Sobol's Leroy Brown as a character, as an amateur detective who always seems to outsmart everyone and the short, generally decently easy to figure out whodunnits Sobol (and sometimes with coauthors) provide in the Encyclopaedia Brown stories, the combination of food-themed mysteries and recipes (including that basic outline concerning cooking and kitchen safety) encountered in Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! should probably or would probably rate as solidly four stars (but that for me, since I have never been a huge fan of the Encyclopaedia Brown books, my rating for Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! can thus be only three stars and that my three star rating for Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! is also and in my humble opinion pretty generous as well).
January 24, 2013
Saw this in the thrift store and for 20 cents I figured it was worth that in nostalgia value alone.
I loved the Encyclopedia Brown books as a kid and read a number of them. This one however is kinda different. It's more than half cookbook.
While the recipes all seem like foods kids would like (and like to make), this is an odd combination kind of book. It's a bit like one of those knives with all the added tools and attachments, kinda neat as a novelty item and potentially useful in some unusual situations but kind of a poor substitute for the real things.
I loved the Encyclopedia Brown books as a kid and read a number of them. This one however is kinda different. It's more than half cookbook.
While the recipes all seem like foods kids would like (and like to make), this is an odd combination kind of book. It's a bit like one of those knives with all the added tools and attachments, kinda neat as a novelty item and potentially useful in some unusual situations but kind of a poor substitute for the real things.
July 12, 2019
If you enjoy the strange combination of youth detective stories and recipes, then you'll love "Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake" (notice the catchy title for cooking); however, for me this book was an arduous read at best. That being said, on the other hand, "The Case of the Missing Watchgoose" showed a wonderfully darker side to Donald J. Sobol's writings. That case was actually quite funny and was better than most in the entire series.
August 15, 2022
You know, I was having a terrible week, so I found this in a used bookstore, bought it, and enjoyed it about as much as I did when I first read it... in second grade, with my mom. To my knowledge (a.k.a. after 5 minutes of googling), the covers have been revamped in the last 25+ years, but once I saw that 1983 Scholastic edition, hot damn.
And yes, I am just as proud of solving the Case of the Missing Garlic Bread as second-grader Kerstin, lol
Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! is a little different from the other books in the series. For one, it has a bunch of recipes, cooking advice for kids, and all the mysteries revolve around food. Each "case" is around three pages long, and the solutions are in the back of the book. Great, wholesome fun for kids.
Nothing gets past Encyclopedia Brown, lol
And yes, I am just as proud of solving the Case of the Missing Garlic Bread as second-grader Kerstin, lol
Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! is a little different from the other books in the series. For one, it has a bunch of recipes, cooking advice for kids, and all the mysteries revolve around food. Each "case" is around three pages long, and the solutions are in the back of the book. Great, wholesome fun for kids.
Nothing gets past Encyclopedia Brown, lol
March 23, 2010
The mysteries in this one are pretty enjoyable, the recipes are generally pretty good, and the way the two tie together is especially satisfying. To this day I'm still unable to prepare garlic bread without thinking of Bugs Meany and his crew attempting to hide their dastardly garlic bread theft by chewing copious amounts of parsley, since parsley will sweeten even a camel's breath. So how did Encylopedia finally expose their crime? SPOILER ALERT. He smelled their hands.
February 23, 2007
While good, I thought Bugs Meany was a predictable foil in this one.
December 19, 2018
You would not regret reading these types of stories.
Read
March 28, 2009I learned that the bullies are always guilty, and by reading the back of the book first you can feel really smart when you know just how to solve the mystery.
I loved these in first grade. I still remember taking nosefuls of their stale paper smell. These books were part of my first library experience, and I remember thinking that a library was like a church but better, because there were bean bags. I still think that, but have given up on bean bags.
I loved these in first grade. I still remember taking nosefuls of their stale paper smell. These books were part of my first library experience, and I remember thinking that a library was like a church but better, because there were bean bags. I still think that, but have given up on bean bags.
April 11, 2021
Lots of these recipes are right up my alley - straightforward, common ingredients, wholesome (lots of veggie recipes for a kids' book!). The cases are harder than most EB books though. LFL discovery.
May 17, 2010
About half of my class enjoyed this book. It wasn't the best choice for read aloud time because it has many recipes in it.
Read
March 10, 2012Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake is one of several books in the Encyclopedia Brown series. It was a cute, easy read, mystery for about ages 3rd and 4th grades. In this book Encyclopedia must solve the mystery of who is stealing all of his friends' cooking supplies. He also must solve who is the thief of the school clubs' money. Throughout the book Encyclopedia and his friends enjoy different meals while finding clues to the mysteries. The book also provides all the recipes for every meal they have, which I thought was a great idea to give children something to do.
April 24, 2021
RATING: 4.5 STARS
I loved this mystery series as a kid, but have not read them since so this review is based on my memories. My love of mystery started pretty early and Encyclopedia Brown was among my first series. Each book has several mysteries that you can solve along with Encyclopedia, complete with clues. I could not get enough of these books, and didn't realize that this series started in 1963.
These are easy to read chapter books for young kids.
***This is a series Review***
I loved this mystery series as a kid, but have not read them since so this review is based on my memories. My love of mystery started pretty early and Encyclopedia Brown was among my first series. Each book has several mysteries that you can solve along with Encyclopedia, complete with clues. I could not get enough of these books, and didn't realize that this series started in 1963.
These are easy to read chapter books for young kids.
***This is a series Review***
May 14, 2018
this is a mystery book by Donald j. sobol. I do not recommend this book this book was on the more boring side of mystery. this book did give some good recipes for desserts. I do like mysteries books but this one did not do well.
May 28, 2009
I read all of Encyclopedia Brown books. I loved them all. So clever! I wonder if I read them again if I'd be able to solve the mysteries better than I did back then.
September 20, 2010
I learned that geese have darker meat than chicken, and there were some interesting recipes!
July 31, 2012
This one was fun since each mystery was followed by a set of recipes. My son is excited to try a few of them.
March 3, 2013
not my favorite book.
May 11, 2014
Mystery and food! What else could I possibly need?
April 13, 2024
I remember not liking this book back in the day, because it has half of the usual number of cases (10). Rechecking, I found that's a false impression, because there are 7 cases, with recipes/food preparation chapters between each, and the book is longer than usual to accommodate the extra chapters. So yes, less than half the book is case work, but that's fine, because the cases aren't the point of this book.
I also didn't like the book back in the day because the recipes (and cooking in general) did not interest me. They... still don't, haha, but because—I realised when I thought about other recipes I've tried—the majority of recipes, period, are "assemble and/or heat" a list of ingredients.
These seem... more so, though:
Also, a "fruit platter" that consists of "Get a bunch of fruits you like. Arrange on a platter." I wasn't going to photograph that one because it's two pages, though (bottom third of one and top third of the other).
The cases are fine, though. I wish there were more of them, but then this wouldn't be book "15.5" if so, haha. At least one chapter reminds me of why Bugs Meany gives up so easily when caught (Sally Kimball), though I don't know why ADULTS who get caught don't just skip town (for instance, )... probably hurts the credibility of Encyclopedia Brown never losing a case.
The subplot of Sally liking Pablo is weird to me, though, I suppose because EB is openly jealous. I guess it's weird because it never goes anywhere—it's just a throwaway paragraph here and there in a series where nearly every case is self-contained like in a sitcom.
Still recommended for fans of the series, although if you for what reason can only get ONE EB book, maybe pass if cooking doesn't interest you.
I also didn't like the book back in the day because the recipes (and cooking in general) did not interest me. They... still don't, haha, but because—I realised when I thought about other recipes I've tried—the majority of recipes, period, are "assemble and/or heat" a list of ingredients.
These seem... more so, though:
Also, a "fruit platter" that consists of "Get a bunch of fruits you like. Arrange on a platter." I wasn't going to photograph that one because it's two pages, though (bottom third of one and top third of the other).
The cases are fine, though. I wish there were more of them, but then this wouldn't be book "15.5" if so, haha. At least one chapter reminds me of why Bugs Meany gives up so easily when caught (Sally Kimball), though I don't know why ADULTS who get caught don't just skip town (for instance, )... probably hurts the credibility of Encyclopedia Brown never losing a case.
The subplot of Sally liking Pablo is weird to me, though, I suppose because EB is openly jealous. I guess it's weird because it never goes anywhere—it's just a throwaway paragraph here and there in a series where nearly every case is self-contained like in a sitcom.
Still recommended for fans of the series, although if you for what reason can only get ONE EB book, maybe pass if cooking doesn't interest you.
January 18, 2024
Such a bizarre combination--mysteries and recipes. And yet, that sort of unexpected crossover brings back some fun 80s nostalgia.
I went into it thinking that it was going to be 2 stars or 5 stars. I settled on 4, though. I actually quite enjoyed most of the mysteries. The recipes felt dated, but I'm sure they were fine for their time, and it there was clearly some thought into the target age range for the recipes. I found it amusing that one of the recipes gave alternative suggestions in case you can't find a store that sells taco shells. Was 1983 really that long ago?
Anyhow, to the mysteries.
Missing Garlic Bread - First of all, I love the idea of those sneaky Tigers sitting around eating parsley to hide their crime. I overthought the solution, though, and was frustrated with myself for not solving a relatively simple case.
Fourth of July Artist - I caught this one. A bit short for an Encyclopedia Brown mystery, but nice redemption for me after the first case.
Oven Mitt - I knew who did it, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. That's probably the sign of a well-written mystery.
Overstuffed Piñata - A decent mystery, but it felt short and anticlimactic.
Missing Watchgoose - What a story. The sort of thing you just can't ever forget.
Secret Recipe - Again, this felt like good redemption after the Oven Mitt story. I saw this solution right away, and it's actually a satisfying mystery.
Chinese Restaurant - I don't honestly know if this solution still holds up. I had the solution correct in a general way.
I enjoyed the idea of celebrating every case with a feast. It seemed a bit far-fetched, but that's a 1980s crossover for you. A strange book, but the watchgoose case alone would have made it worthwhile.
I went into it thinking that it was going to be 2 stars or 5 stars. I settled on 4, though. I actually quite enjoyed most of the mysteries. The recipes felt dated, but I'm sure they were fine for their time, and it there was clearly some thought into the target age range for the recipes. I found it amusing that one of the recipes gave alternative suggestions in case you can't find a store that sells taco shells. Was 1983 really that long ago?
Anyhow, to the mysteries.
Missing Garlic Bread - First of all, I love the idea of those sneaky Tigers sitting around eating parsley to hide their crime. I overthought the solution, though, and was frustrated with myself for not solving a relatively simple case.
Fourth of July Artist - I caught this one. A bit short for an Encyclopedia Brown mystery, but nice redemption for me after the first case.
Oven Mitt - I knew who did it, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. That's probably the sign of a well-written mystery.
Overstuffed Piñata - A decent mystery, but it felt short and anticlimactic.
Missing Watchgoose - What a story. The sort of thing you just can't ever forget.
Secret Recipe - Again, this felt like good redemption after the Oven Mitt story. I saw this solution right away, and it's actually a satisfying mystery.
Chinese Restaurant - I don't honestly know if this solution still holds up. I had the solution correct in a general way.
I enjoyed the idea of celebrating every case with a feast. It seemed a bit far-fetched, but that's a 1980s crossover for you. A strange book, but the watchgoose case alone would have made it worthwhile.
July 15, 2023
I know that this is intended for children, but I absolutely loved the Encyclopedia Brown series when I was a kid (far too long ago, it seems like). So when I bought this book at a library booksale for a nephew, I couldn't resist reading it myself.
While each of the "cases" themselves are pretty good, it seems incredibly strange that it would have a cookbook mixed throughout the mysteries. Not really sure that having recipes all through the book is really a bonus.
While each of the "cases" themselves are pretty good, it seems incredibly strange that it would have a cookbook mixed throughout the mysteries. Not really sure that having recipes all through the book is really a bonus.
November 27, 2024
A unique cook and case book in the series where Encyclopedia and Sally discover they like cooking. Each of the seven mysteries is about food and the book contains over fifty recipes (grouped into seven parties related to each mystery) from Glenn Andrews that cover main dishes, sides, desserts, snacks, and themed foods. The recipes are simple, straightforward, and include kitchen basics and safety. Not only did several of the mysteries stump me but I found foods I want to try making.
June 11, 2019
Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown is back to solve ten mysteries involving thieves, swindlers, stolen property, and various other crimes. This book also reveals Encyclopedia's love of cooking as all these cases have something to do with food, and is also chocked full of some of his favorite recipes through out the book, and many more at the back of the book.
October 12, 2023
I'm actually an Encyclopedia Brown fan ... but this one just isn't one of the best. Some of the recipes are pretty good. However the whole theme feels very, very fake and forced - even for the EB world.
April 29, 2019
I liked the cases the reason I did four stars is because I didn't like there was cooking things when there should be more cases but beside's that I liked it!
June 16, 2019
At a certain age, I loved reading Encyclopedia Brown detective stories. Finding this cookbook version at the library was a fun trip down nostalgia lane...and the recipes sound pretty good, too.
March 7, 2020
you know I love a good novelty cookbook. also love being reminded of the existence of Sally Kimbal and how constantly ready to throw down she was. god bless!!
July 2, 2020
Working through a few more bedtime Encyclopedia Brown mysteries to pass the time...
This one was particularly fun due to the recipes.
This one was particularly fun due to the recipes.
July 2, 2021
Nostalgia lives on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews