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Super Quick Mysteries, Volume 1
Chuck is a lazybones who works at a sandwich shop. Andy is a reporter who can't quite seem to please his editor. Both have a knack for finding and solving mysteries, and there are plenty in the city of Lesser Redmond! Thirty super quick mysteries you can solve yourself!
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2016
334 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 12, 2017
This was a book of fun little mysteries and brain teasers. Definitely enjoyed it. Didn't love it, but it was fun. :)
Want to read
October 12, 2019DigitalBookSpot
January 28, 2018
Short Mysteries
Enjoyed the short mysteries stories. It was a change from the longer novels. I quite enjoyed being able to start and finish a story in one sitting.
Enjoyed the short mysteries stories. It was a change from the longer novels. I quite enjoyed being able to start and finish a story in one sitting.
July 16, 2016
This book is a perfect fix for a detective-story-junkie! It is a set of short scenarios (or long riddles) with all the clues you need to work it out yourself. If you fail to do so, the answers (and concomitant rush-of-solving-the-mystery) are provided.
I received this as a LibraryThing Member GiveAway
I received this as a LibraryThing Member GiveAway
September 25, 2021
Interesting and easy
These are fun little mysteries that more than once had me shaking my head and laughing for having missed the obvious. The author was able to hide the solution in plain sight, as it were. If nothing else, these little gems clear the cobwebs if read first thing in the morning. So, if it was so much fun, why the three stars rather than four? It was the writing style. Mr. Stanek says this book is for adults, but it reads like it was written for a pre-teen. Simple, short uncomplicated sentences make this volume almost boring. It lacks detail where detail would assist but adds it where unnecessary. For example, in one story he notes a veteran has earned a Purple Heart, and then goes on to example the significance of a Purple Heart. Granted, you might have to explain to an 11-year-old what a Purple Heart is, but to an adult reader? We know this may sound petty but it's the little things like this that detract from this otherwise fun little read. We read this volume while our plane sat in a seemingly endless line awaiting takeoff clearance. It made a perfect diversion. We wouldn't object to reading future volumes, but Stanek needs to decide what age group he is targeting. Here he has Encyclopedia Brown prose wrapped around Agatha Christie solutions. Doesn't work.
These are fun little mysteries that more than once had me shaking my head and laughing for having missed the obvious. The author was able to hide the solution in plain sight, as it were. If nothing else, these little gems clear the cobwebs if read first thing in the morning. So, if it was so much fun, why the three stars rather than four? It was the writing style. Mr. Stanek says this book is for adults, but it reads like it was written for a pre-teen. Simple, short uncomplicated sentences make this volume almost boring. It lacks detail where detail would assist but adds it where unnecessary. For example, in one story he notes a veteran has earned a Purple Heart, and then goes on to example the significance of a Purple Heart. Granted, you might have to explain to an 11-year-old what a Purple Heart is, but to an adult reader? We know this may sound petty but it's the little things like this that detract from this otherwise fun little read. We read this volume while our plane sat in a seemingly endless line awaiting takeoff clearance. It made a perfect diversion. We wouldn't object to reading future volumes, but Stanek needs to decide what age group he is targeting. Here he has Encyclopedia Brown prose wrapped around Agatha Christie solutions. Doesn't work.
July 4, 2017
This book is just what the title says. I really liked the Encyclopedia Brown books growing up and was delighted to find that this book is a lot like those, but the mysteries are a bit harder to solve since the clues are a bit more buried in the stories. I was not surprised to find in the afterword that the author's enjoyment of Encyclopedia Brown was what gave him the idea to write this book.
This book is perfect for people who enjoy reading and solving mysteries but do not have a lot of time to read for pleasure. All of the stories take place in the same small town and there are a recurring cast of quirky characters to tie them together. From petty crime to fraud and ultimately to a murder it all happens in Lesser Redmond. The bad guys all make mistakes and get caught in the end with justice being served. Explanations for the solution of each mystery are provided immediately afterward for the reader's benefit.
This book is easy to read and I was happy to learn only the first book like this one that the author planned to write. Volume 2 is already available.
This book is perfect for people who enjoy reading and solving mysteries but do not have a lot of time to read for pleasure. All of the stories take place in the same small town and there are a recurring cast of quirky characters to tie them together. From petty crime to fraud and ultimately to a murder it all happens in Lesser Redmond. The bad guys all make mistakes and get caught in the end with justice being served. Explanations for the solution of each mystery are provided immediately afterward for the reader's benefit.
This book is easy to read and I was happy to learn only the first book like this one that the author planned to write. Volume 2 is already available.
July 15, 2021
Kindle Customer
HUMOROUS SHORT MYSTERIES
I really enjoyed these humorous short mysteries... Chuck the sandwich guy was my favorite character, because as a pathetic loser, he was also a genius at solving mysteries. (Chuck was in about half of the 30 mysteries.). Andy, the reporter, was the central figure in the rest of the mysteries. His character was much more serious, but his boss was a hoot and is probably a real life editor for the NY TIMES!
I'm looking forward to reading volume 2 of Super Quick Mysteries... RECOMMENDED
HUMOROUS SHORT MYSTERIES
I really enjoyed these humorous short mysteries... Chuck the sandwich guy was my favorite character, because as a pathetic loser, he was also a genius at solving mysteries. (Chuck was in about half of the 30 mysteries.). Andy, the reporter, was the central figure in the rest of the mysteries. His character was much more serious, but his boss was a hoot and is probably a real life editor for the NY TIMES!
I'm looking forward to reading volume 2 of Super Quick Mysteries... RECOMMENDED
May 19, 2017
Short and to the point
This book delivers on the title. The stories are short and quick to read, and the reader should enjoy solving the mystery behind each tale. The reader is introduced to two characters, Chuck and Andy, who are total opposites in every way. Their stories don't seem to overlap, but their detection methods are put to use, sometimes whether they like it or not. A good start.
This book delivers on the title. The stories are short and quick to read, and the reader should enjoy solving the mystery behind each tale. The reader is introduced to two characters, Chuck and Andy, who are total opposites in every way. Their stories don't seem to overlap, but their detection methods are put to use, sometimes whether they like it or not. A good start.
May 22, 2021
These are cases by Chuck, the sandwich guy detective. There really was no real mystery in any of them, and Chuck solves the cases much too easily. There’s no real plot with a solutions page at the end of each mystery. It just felt like it was all thrown in there like “This is the mystery and here’s the answer.”
For being so “short,” some of these sure were long. Not so quick after all—or super for that matter.
For being so “short,” some of these sure were long. Not so quick after all—or super for that matter.
October 25, 2021
Short and sweet
I sometimes listen to the Minute Mysteries on Old Time Radio.
This is the literary version. As I went through the vignettes I even got to the point that some of the clues were apparent to me.
These are fun, short reads, perfect if you have ten minutes to kill for some reason.
I recommend it.
I sometimes listen to the Minute Mysteries on Old Time Radio.
This is the literary version. As I went through the vignettes I even got to the point that some of the clues were apparent to me.
These are fun, short reads, perfect if you have ten minutes to kill for some reason.
I recommend it.
November 6, 2022
Just a few minutes to read.
This is a very fun book which shares mysteries of crimes in a small, intimate town.
You will meet police chief, dine at the local Sandwich shop with a lazy sandwich maker who is good at solving mysteries, and the editor and a writer from small town newspaper who are looking for stories that seek newspapers.
Enjoy!
This is a very fun book which shares mysteries of crimes in a small, intimate town.
You will meet police chief, dine at the local Sandwich shop with a lazy sandwich maker who is good at solving mysteries, and the editor and a writer from small town newspaper who are looking for stories that seek newspapers.
Enjoy!
February 28, 2017
You solve it
Sometimes you just need a quick read. Always a fan of mysteries and puzzles this was the perfect book for break time at work. A "slam, bam, who-did-it make" without having to puzzle out a solution before the next break time.
Sometimes you just need a quick read. Always a fan of mysteries and puzzles this was the perfect book for break time at work. A "slam, bam, who-did-it make" without having to puzzle out a solution before the next break time.
June 13, 2017
Easy light reading!
What's great about this book is its many stories. You can read for a few minutes and then take a break and come right back to pick up the next short. Quick, entertaining tales that aren't too easily solved. Looking forward to book 2!
What's great about this book is its many stories. You can read for a few minutes and then take a break and come right back to pick up the next short. Quick, entertaining tales that aren't too easily solved. Looking forward to book 2!
March 17, 2018
Loads of fun
I really liked that each segment was self-contained. It was easy to pick up when I wasn't sure how long I would have to read (Dr offices). The characters were quirky enough to stay interesting without being taken too seriously.
I really liked that each segment was self-contained. It was easy to pick up when I wasn't sure how long I would have to read (Dr offices). The characters were quirky enough to stay interesting without being taken too seriously.
December 11, 2018
Nice quick stories
This collection of mysteries is well written and amusing. The mysteries are not really complicated and you can figure them out if you work at it. This is the sort of book you can read and enjoy even if you are too busy to read it all at once.
This collection of mysteries is well written and amusing. The mysteries are not really complicated and you can figure them out if you work at it. This is the sort of book you can read and enjoy even if you are too busy to read it all at once.
August 30, 2020
What a fun collection of short mysteries. I want more!
Two different solvers of mysteries feature in these short, enthralling and entertaining stories. Kudos to the author for creating an exciting new way to whet our appetites. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
Two different solvers of mysteries feature in these short, enthralling and entertaining stories. Kudos to the author for creating an exciting new way to whet our appetites. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
July 14, 2021
Quick mysteries
Short stories with a whodunnit subject and a reasonable resolution. Well written and entertaining. Not great literature, or Agatha Christie like, but I liked every one of them. You might too.
Short stories with a whodunnit subject and a reasonable resolution. Well written and entertaining. Not great literature, or Agatha Christie like, but I liked every one of them. You might too.
September 27, 2017
Adult Encyclopedia Brown
If you enjoyed Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, then this is for you. Written for adults, these mysteries have all the fun of Encyclopedia Brown.
If you enjoyed Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, then this is for you. Written for adults, these mysteries have all the fun of Encyclopedia Brown.
January 27, 2018
I read the 1st 2 stories. They didn't hold my interest at all.
January 31, 2018
Great book
I really enjoyed the book and the characters. I liked Each story was a continuation of the last story. I would Definitely suggest this book.
I really enjoyed the book and the characters. I liked Each story was a continuation of the last story. I would Definitely suggest this book.
August 16, 2018
Easy reading.
Nice quick short stories. Quirky characters, fun storylines for each little mystery. Nice touch letting reader try guess outcome of each case before end is revealed.
Nice quick short stories. Quirky characters, fun storylines for each little mystery. Nice touch letting reader try guess outcome of each case before end is revealed.
December 31, 2018
Not as fun as Encyclopedia Brown, but not bad.
January 19, 2019
Quick, fun, and full of humor! I enjoyed reading these short stories between more serious chapters of other books.
January 28, 2019
clever collection of mysteries, solved by sandwich shop worker or newspaper reporter
May 24, 2020
I read a few of these.
December 9, 2020
Great fast reading.
Short and to the point. I tried solving them myself but never did! I too love reading “Encyclopedia Brown” mysteries in my youth. Great job author.
Short and to the point. I tried solving them myself but never did! I too love reading “Encyclopedia Brown” mysteries in my youth. Great job author.
July 20, 2021
Simple, solve-it mysteries with simple characters. Good for young adults or pre-teens.
October 3, 2021
Fun to read
February 11, 2022
Excellent Short Mysteries
I enjoy these short mystery stories! I have limited free time and a short attention span, and these books with the short stories are perfect.
I enjoy these short mystery stories! I have limited free time and a short attention span, and these books with the short stories are perfect.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews