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Encyclopedia Brown #9
Encyclopedia Brown Shows the Way
A ripped-off rattlesnake...
A guard dog that has a nervous breakdown...
A pickpocket with a pet kangaroo...
And a red-haired red herring!
These are just some of the ten brain-twisting mysteries that Encyclopedia Brown must solve by using his famous computerlike brain. Try to crack the cases along with him--the answers to all the mysteries are found in the back!
A guard dog that has a nervous breakdown...
A pickpocket with a pet kangaroo...
And a red-haired red herring!
These are just some of the ten brain-twisting mysteries that Encyclopedia Brown must solve by using his famous computerlike brain. Try to crack the cases along with him--the answers to all the mysteries are found in the back!
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
150 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
About the author
Donald J. Sobol
183 books224 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 56 reviews
March 24, 2020
Neo and I finished another set of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, proving that this series is one worth our time. The kid detective is still in Idaville, USA, keeping the town crime-free. Encyclopedia crosses paths with Bugs Meany, debunks the tales of a bragging traveller, and even encounters a ghost-like apparition. These wonderful five-minute mysteries entertain and exercise the brain of child and adult alike. Neo and I have used them as a before bedtime activity and we are getting much better at piecing the clues together in a timely manner. Young sleuths in the making may want to sharpen their skills with the massive collection of stories.
Neo really likes the stories that keep him thinking. I remember having these stories read to me when I was young as well, helping me want to pass along the tradition. Neo thoroughly enjoys listening to the stories and making an effort to uncover the clues that will help solve the cases. He mentioned that these are perfect stories for parent-child reading, but would be great for a good reader when they have time or are on a road trip. A note to parents: the stories are dated (1960s and 70s) and some of the terminology or word choices might not be as correct as you would like your young reader to use on a daily basis.
Did you know Neo’s has his own GR account for reviews? Check him out: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Neo really likes the stories that keep him thinking. I remember having these stories read to me when I was young as well, helping me want to pass along the tradition. Neo thoroughly enjoys listening to the stories and making an effort to uncover the clues that will help solve the cases. He mentioned that these are perfect stories for parent-child reading, but would be great for a good reader when they have time or are on a road trip. A note to parents: the stories are dated (1960s and 70s) and some of the terminology or word choices might not be as correct as you would like your young reader to use on a daily basis.
Did you know Neo’s has his own GR account for reviews? Check him out: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
May 23, 2020
I DEVOURED these when I was in primary school, and was delighted to buy one day when the school decided to get rid of some of their old copies of Encyclopedia Brown.
But I'm getting ahead of myself here.
Generally, Encyclopedia Brown is about a boy detective, with encyclopaedic knowledge (hence the nickname). His father is a police chief of their town, and would often bring home difficult cases so he could get Encyclopedia Brown to help his solve. Encyclopedia Brown himself, also ran a detective agency for other kids, along with his friend and bodyguard, Sally Kimball.
These books often involved petty theft - if the cases involved his father, larceny as well. They would also involve situations where he'd step in to prevent the antics of the local Tigers leader, Bugs Meany or local slacker, Wilford Wiggins from getting too far.
There was always a chance for the reader to try to pick up clues that Encyclopedia Brown or Sally has spotted, but the solutions were always available at the back of the book.
In any case, this series of books was a great favourite of mine when I was growing up (I have memories of reading through them as soon as I had moved to Australia as a kid). When I found them in my belongings, I brought them home. Turned out that not only were they great for reliving childhood memories, but my 8-year-old daughter absolutely loved reading them too! 😁
But I'm getting ahead of myself here.
Generally, Encyclopedia Brown is about a boy detective, with encyclopaedic knowledge (hence the nickname). His father is a police chief of their town, and would often bring home difficult cases so he could get Encyclopedia Brown to help his solve. Encyclopedia Brown himself, also ran a detective agency for other kids, along with his friend and bodyguard, Sally Kimball.
These books often involved petty theft - if the cases involved his father, larceny as well. They would also involve situations where he'd step in to prevent the antics of the local Tigers leader, Bugs Meany or local slacker, Wilford Wiggins from getting too far.
There was always a chance for the reader to try to pick up clues that Encyclopedia Brown or Sally has spotted, but the solutions were always available at the back of the book.
In any case, this series of books was a great favourite of mine when I was growing up (I have memories of reading through them as soon as I had moved to Australia as a kid). When I found them in my belongings, I brought them home. Turned out that not only were they great for reliving childhood memories, but my 8-year-old daughter absolutely loved reading them too! 😁
March 24, 2020
My dad and I finished another set of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, proving that this series is one worth our time. The kid detective is still in Idaville, USA, keeping the town crime-free. Encyclopedia crosses paths with Bugs Meany, debunks the tales of a bragging traveller, and even encounters a ghost-like apparition. These wonderful five-minute mysteries entertain and exercise the brain of child and adult alike. We have used them as a before bedtime activity and we are getting much better at piecing the clues together in a timely manner. Young sleuths in the making may want to sharpen their skills with the massive collection of stories.
I really like the stories that keep me thinking. My dad had these stories read to him as a kid, helping to pass along the tradition. I like listening to the stories and making an effort to uncover the clues that will help solve the cases. These are perfect stories for parent-child reading, but would be great for a good reader when they have time or are on a road trip.
I really like the stories that keep me thinking. My dad had these stories read to him as a kid, helping to pass along the tradition. I like listening to the stories and making an effort to uncover the clues that will help solve the cases. These are perfect stories for parent-child reading, but would be great for a good reader when they have time or are on a road trip.
April 21, 2013
This time I learned that apparently dogs can have nervous breakdowns... who knew.
My favorite mystery here would probably be The Case of the Headless Runner.
But my favorite thing about this book are two fun quotes:
"You're a squirrel's idea of heaven," retorted Bugs.
and about the substitute pitcher in a pee-wee baseball game:
Warren's lack of control for the rest of the inning was perfect. He never missed hitting a bat except when he hit an arm or a leg. Six runs were scored.
My favorite mystery here would probably be The Case of the Headless Runner.
But my favorite thing about this book are two fun quotes:
"You're a squirrel's idea of heaven," retorted Bugs.
and about the substitute pitcher in a pee-wee baseball game:
Warren's lack of control for the rest of the inning was perfect. He never missed hitting a bat except when he hit an arm or a leg. Six runs were scored.
October 17, 2015
I used to LOVE the Encyclopedia Brown series when I was a kid. I saved my allowance and bought each of the books whenever I had the chance. I would always feel very smart each time I was able to figure out the mystery and inspired to read more and learn more whenever I had to peek at the answers. I've been reading Two Minute Mysteries by the same author to my fifth grade students and they've been enjoying those. So there has been a renewed interest in Encyclopedia Brown in my class. I found this aging paperback copy at a library book sale. I had fun rereading these little mysteries that I enjoyed so many years ago when I was in fourth and fifth grade. A few of the cultural references seem a bit dated for today's kids, but I'm going to put it in my library and see if they like it.
May 19, 2011
I recommend Encyclopedia Brown. I was 8 when I first encountered this series. I loved it. It was recommended by a boy that I liked. What I liked about these books is that it taught me how to think before making wild guesses. Each book had several cases which were easy to read and follow for a child. I recommend this to any parent looking for helping their child to use logic and deductive reasoning. Great on how to look at relevant facts at a child's level.
August 8, 2013
Another Encyclopedia Brown re-read with my dad. I'm having so much fun laughing at the ridiculousness of this series.
Once again, this was filled with some implausible "solutions" but that's most of the fun.
Once again, this was filled with some implausible "solutions" but that's most of the fun.
August 9, 2012
I loved reading these stories when I was a kid, and can't wait to read them to my own.
May 18, 2021
These were okay I guess. I shouldn't be looking for Sherlock or any great mystery in Encyclopedia Brown, but they seemed a little trivial to me.
At one point a guy is guilty because he wore short-sleeves, that is a bit of a stretch.
At one point a guy is lying because of how he personifies animals, or because he didn't sex-check a kangaroo. Pick which one you prefer.
Other people use turns of phrase without a problem. Some of the "mysteries" are cute and clever, but most would never stand up in a court of law. I'd like to see Encyclopedia prove any of the nonsense he claims to just "know."
Whatever, the book was for kids, and they seemed to enjoy it.
At one point a guy is guilty because he wore short-sleeves, that is a bit of a stretch.
At one point a guy is lying because of how he personifies animals, or because he didn't sex-check a kangaroo. Pick which one you prefer.
Other people use turns of phrase without a problem. Some of the "mysteries" are cute and clever, but most would never stand up in a court of law. I'd like to see Encyclopedia prove any of the nonsense he claims to just "know."
Whatever, the book was for kids, and they seemed to enjoy it.
November 26, 2023
It's nice to see these mysteries getting a bit more complicated and complex as the series progresses. In the past couple of books, there have been a few cases that I wasn't able to solve--while it might seems counterintuitive, these are some of the most satisfying mysteries. Some specifics:
Growling Dog: Not my favourite. Not sure how the reader was supposed to get there.
Red Harmonica: Took a bit of thinking. A fun challenge.
Knockout Artist: A decent mystery, although there was a similar solution in a previous book.
Headless Runner: Takes some close reading, but a fun premise and good solution.
Reward Money: Hard to rate this one. I feel like I read it (but not the others) many years ago, or maybe there was a similar case in one of Sobol's Two-Minute Mysteries books. I could see where it was going from near the beginning. A good mystery, but not a challenge because of this memory.
Tooth Puller: I see how he got there. It just seems like a very broad generalization. Is this really the case 100% of the time?
Girl Shortstop: A satisfying solution. Takes some thinking, especially if you've never dealt with the specific situation.
Rattlesnake's Rattle: Again, a bit of close reading or thinking should be enough for the reader.
World Traveler: A fun story with multiple solutions. I didn't realize this, so I thought I figured it out, but then I supposed I must be wrong because another solution stood out later. Turns out I only caught half of the clues.
Lady Ghost: A bit more complex than the other stories. I liked the setup and the different feeling to the story. I didn't solve it, but the solution makes sense and ends the book on an interesting note.
Growling Dog: Not my favourite. Not sure how the reader was supposed to get there.
Red Harmonica: Took a bit of thinking. A fun challenge.
Knockout Artist: A decent mystery, although there was a similar solution in a previous book.
Headless Runner: Takes some close reading, but a fun premise and good solution.
Reward Money: Hard to rate this one. I feel like I read it (but not the others) many years ago, or maybe there was a similar case in one of Sobol's Two-Minute Mysteries books. I could see where it was going from near the beginning. A good mystery, but not a challenge because of this memory.
Tooth Puller: I see how he got there. It just seems like a very broad generalization. Is this really the case 100% of the time?
Girl Shortstop: A satisfying solution. Takes some thinking, especially if you've never dealt with the specific situation.
Rattlesnake's Rattle: Again, a bit of close reading or thinking should be enough for the reader.
World Traveler: A fun story with multiple solutions. I didn't realize this, so I thought I figured it out, but then I supposed I must be wrong because another solution stood out later. Turns out I only caught half of the clues.
Lady Ghost: A bit more complex than the other stories. I liked the setup and the different feeling to the story. I didn't solve it, but the solution makes sense and ends the book on an interesting note.
July 15, 2024
What is Encyclopedia up to this time around? He helps his father prove who stole an electric drill. He helps a kid get his harmonica back from Bugs. When a girl wants to figure out who got her kicked off a baseball team, Encyclopedia Brown takes the case. He figures out who stole a rattlesnake rattle from a display at a museum. And he helps a friend who thinks he saw a ghost.
The ten stories in this book are fairly short, which makes them easy to breeze through. I still find I rarely solve the case before Encyclopedia does, but that’s okay. I have fun with them. There isn’t time for much in the way of twists here, and the characters are fairly thin. I don’t think kids will mind either one. What they might find off putting is the dated elements of the books. Like, what’s an encyclopedia? Still, if they are willing to pick it up, they’ll find these stories fun.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
The ten stories in this book are fairly short, which makes them easy to breeze through. I still find I rarely solve the case before Encyclopedia does, but that’s okay. I have fun with them. There isn’t time for much in the way of twists here, and the characters are fairly thin. I don’t think kids will mind either one. What they might find off putting is the dated elements of the books. Like, what’s an encyclopedia? Still, if they are willing to pick it up, they’ll find these stories fun.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
November 11, 2025
More of the same. A mixed bag, as always. A couple of decent solutions, two or three clunkers with illogical and/or unfair solutions, and the remainder midrange mysteries the average kid has a reasonable shot at figuring out. Agatha Christie this ain’t, but Encyclopedia Brown provides a fairly reliable dose of nostalgia for us parents of a certain age (namely older Gen-Xera) to read to our kids, sparking discussion of what life was like when we were their age. Or in the case of the earlier books, what it was like to read those books when they were already a bit dated.)
The interior illustrations are the originals, so that’s nice. The covers of the current editions are the umpteenth attempt to modernize the look of the series, but I quite like them. They’re far and away superior to any of the other iterations save the originals.
The interior illustrations are the originals, so that’s nice. The covers of the current editions are the umpteenth attempt to modernize the look of the series, but I quite like them. They’re far and away superior to any of the other iterations save the originals.
May 15, 2024
This book is a collection of short mysteries (maybe 2-5 minutes to read; solutions in the back of the book). If a reader reads thoroughly and pays attention to details, plus uses common sense, the mysteries are solvable. Only one mystery in the book took outside knowledge, but not esoteric knowledge. The mysteries are simple and pretty clever, although some of the other Encyclopedia Brown books have better mysteries and explanations. Still, it’s appropriate for kids and adults, and I recommend it for readers who are able to read chapter books.
October 17, 2025
This collection was just OK for me. I think the solution to the first one seems familiar (The Case of the Growing Dog) because I have encountered it elsewhere. Because nothing else seemed familiar. The Case of the Girl Shortstop was a little sad. I was hoping in the end the coach would allow Edwina to play after all. Clearly she was a better player than the rest of the boys.
In my estimation so far, the earlier books are superior puzzle-wise. But I will keep on reading these to the end because I still find them fun to read.
In my estimation so far, the earlier books are superior puzzle-wise. But I will keep on reading these to the end because I still find them fun to read.
August 15, 2020
Not only do these puzzles teach kids to be observant, to pay attention to details, but they teach them to lie better: don't add details that a detective can use to prove you're lying!
Mixed bag of puzzles. Some too easy, and some rely on logic that, arguably, has loopholes. But the one about Bearcat the boxer is excellent, and the one about the stolen carnival tickets is good, too... keep thinking on those before looking at the answer.
Mixed bag of puzzles. Some too easy, and some rely on logic that, arguably, has loopholes. But the one about Bearcat the boxer is excellent, and the one about the stolen carnival tickets is good, too... keep thinking on those before looking at the answer.
November 26, 2022
Whew!!
Almost got the better of this reader: two gotchas and two halves. Still, clever surprises abound. Otherwise, one would be disappointed if any of those tales were that easy. One’s gonna have to figure a little harder. Also, never pick the obvious, or else get the wrong answer. Still, fun times anyways.
Almost got the better of this reader: two gotchas and two halves. Still, clever surprises abound. Otherwise, one would be disappointed if any of those tales were that easy. One’s gonna have to figure a little harder. Also, never pick the obvious, or else get the wrong answer. Still, fun times anyways.
June 10, 2019
Idaville's version of Sherlock Holmes returns in these ten short stories of mystery, and crime. Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown matches wits with tattletales, sneak thieves, con artists, ghosts, bullies, and an assortment of suspects as he continues to keep Idaville crime free.
January 8, 2018
Even thought they become a bit repetitive, there is always something one can learn by reading these books, as well as pure logical exercising of one's mind!
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon, 8 January 2018.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon, 8 January 2018.
May 3, 2019
The cases were good but there wasn't a lot of action and some cases were weird but exciting.
May 9, 2019
Once again, stories are quick but clever.
Recommended 9+ for mentions of bullying.
Recommended 9+ for mentions of bullying.
July 3, 2019
A fun read, as always. A few you could make good guesses at. Nice practice for close and clever reading or listening.
July 13, 2019
Simple,interesting, very Sherlock Holmes like...good for kids
June 29, 2021
It was fun to relive a part of my childhood!
November 8, 2022
Fun puzzle book for an easy read. Definitely looking forward to reading more of these short stories to try and keep my brain firing on all cylinders!
May 26, 2023
Loved these booka when I was a child and saw this one at an antique shop yesterday- I couldn't resist! Just as good as I remembered!
July 8, 2023
This one was kind of strange! Not that the other collections aren't, but the stories continue to be pretty unique, with answers that aren't immediately apparent.
July 20, 2024
Another wholesome book. Such nice memories of reading these books when I was a kid.
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October 14, 2025Okay this one was actually kinda fun :) and NOT OFFENSIVE, SO WIN!
December 9, 2025
really good book, love the book series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews