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Classic Three Investigators #4
Misterio del fantasma verde
Rare Book
474 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 1965
33 people are currently reading
1074 people want to read
About the author
Robert Arthur
346 books298 followersRobert Arthur (1909-1969) was a versatile mystery writer born November 10, 1909, on Corregidor Island, where his father served as a U.S. Army officer. He is best known as the creator of The Three Investigators, a mystery book series for young people, but he began his career writing for the pulps, and later worked in both radio and television. He studied at William and Mary College for two years before earning a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Journalism from the University of Michigan. In 1931, he moved to New York City, where he wrote mysteries, fantasies, and horror stories for magazines like Weird Tales, Amazing Stories, Detective Fiction Weekly, and Black Mask throughout the 1930s.
Later, with David Kogan, he co-created and produced The Mysterious Traveler radio show (1944-1952), earning a 1953 Edgar Award. He and Kogan also won an Edgar, in 1950, for Murder By Experts. In 1959, Arthur relocated to Hollywood, scripting for The Twilight Zone and serving as story editor and writer for Alfred Hitchcock Presents, while ghost-editing numerous "Alfred Hitchcock" anthologies for adults and children.
In 1963, Arthur settled in Cape May, New Jersey, where he created The Three Investigators series with The Secret of Terror Castle (1964). He wrote ten novels in the series before his death in Philadelphia on May 2, 1969. The 43-title series, continued after his death by writers-for-hire working for Random House, was published in over twenty-five languages and thirty countries. (Originally branded as "Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators", Random House dropped the Hitchcock name from the series after Hitchcock's death.)
In June of 2024, Hollow Tree Press reissued Robert Arthur's original ten novels as a sixtieth anniversary edition. Those editions have end notes written by his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth Arthur and Steven Bauer, and Hollow Tree Press is also publishing a twenty-six book New Three Investigators series written by Arthur and Bauer.
Later, with David Kogan, he co-created and produced The Mysterious Traveler radio show (1944-1952), earning a 1953 Edgar Award. He and Kogan also won an Edgar, in 1950, for Murder By Experts. In 1959, Arthur relocated to Hollywood, scripting for The Twilight Zone and serving as story editor and writer for Alfred Hitchcock Presents, while ghost-editing numerous "Alfred Hitchcock" anthologies for adults and children.
In 1963, Arthur settled in Cape May, New Jersey, where he created The Three Investigators series with The Secret of Terror Castle (1964). He wrote ten novels in the series before his death in Philadelphia on May 2, 1969. The 43-title series, continued after his death by writers-for-hire working for Random House, was published in over twenty-five languages and thirty countries. (Originally branded as "Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators", Random House dropped the Hitchcock name from the series after Hitchcock's death.)
In June of 2024, Hollow Tree Press reissued Robert Arthur's original ten novels as a sixtieth anniversary edition. Those editions have end notes written by his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth Arthur and Steven Bauer, and Hollow Tree Press is also publishing a twenty-six book New Three Investigators series written by Arthur and Bauer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
March 11, 2022
It is always the most action filled movies which are the worst. I rarely read a book that is action packed, but then came across this book. Its beginning reminded me of the start of Infinity War, the Marvel movie.
Le Chinois qui verdissait was released at a time when spooky tales were very popular in all ways and shapes. I immediately thought that there ought to be a good explanation for the appearance of the ghost. There ought to be a satisfactory subterfuge concerning the special effects of the apparition. Sadly the explanation was very underwhelming.
The ending was as disappointing as the beginning and the middle. The culprits were not caught. This could have been epic and real life like. Instead it came off as if the author had run out of ideas. This is the shortest book I have read so far this year, but I regret wasting my time on it.
The earthquake was one trick too many. The book became expert in frustrating my reading experience and I cannot help but give an otherwise capable book 1 star. My scientific mind refused to believe in the magic properties of the pearls but the characters kept skirting this issue. Too bad. There was a good story within this book. It just was lost and became very dated as a result.
Le Chinois qui verdissait was released at a time when spooky tales were very popular in all ways and shapes. I immediately thought that there ought to be a good explanation for the appearance of the ghost. There ought to be a satisfactory subterfuge concerning the special effects of the apparition. Sadly the explanation was very underwhelming.
The ending was as disappointing as the beginning and the middle. The culprits were not caught. This could have been epic and real life like. Instead it came off as if the author had run out of ideas. This is the shortest book I have read so far this year, but I regret wasting my time on it.
The earthquake was one trick too many. The book became expert in frustrating my reading experience and I cannot help but give an otherwise capable book 1 star. My scientific mind refused to believe in the magic properties of the pearls but the characters kept skirting this issue. Too bad. There was a good story within this book. It just was lost and became very dated as a result.
February 25, 2023
3 stars
Jag läste den här boken på svenska för Läsutmaningen på Främmande Språk 2023. (I read this book in Swedish for the Foreign Language Reading Challenge 2023.)
This fourth instalment of the middle grade mystery series “The Three Investigators” starts well, but then runs a little off the rails towards the end. For the intended audience, it was - and probably still is - a fun adventure on the level of a better done episode of Scooby Doo. (And if it weren’t for those meddling kids….!)
The biggest problem I had with it was that adults would NEVER be as inclusive of kids as they are in this book, especially when objects of great value are involved. They'd be told to go home and play detective there.
This is the first Three Investigators story I’ve read- missed it when I was a kid, but then it was new then and my mom was strictly yard sale books - but I don’t think I’d have liked it better when I was 10 than I did today.
My favourite series, “Encyclopedia Brown,” was far more realistic and focused on the intellectual mystery than this series seems to be.
3 stars, Scooby!
Jag läste den här boken på svenska för Läsutmaningen på Främmande Språk 2023. (I read this book in Swedish for the Foreign Language Reading Challenge 2023.)
This fourth instalment of the middle grade mystery series “The Three Investigators” starts well, but then runs a little off the rails towards the end. For the intended audience, it was - and probably still is - a fun adventure on the level of a better done episode of Scooby Doo. (And if it weren’t for those meddling kids….!)
The biggest problem I had with it was that adults would NEVER be as inclusive of kids as they are in this book, especially when objects of great value are involved. They'd be told to go home and play detective there.
This is the first Three Investigators story I’ve read- missed it when I was a kid, but then it was new then and my mom was strictly yard sale books - but I don’t think I’d have liked it better when I was 10 than I did today.
My favourite series, “Encyclopedia Brown,” was far more realistic and focused on the intellectual mystery than this series seems to be.
3 stars, Scooby!
October 28, 2024
Ein neuer Fall für Justus, Peter und Bob, der diesmal ein bisschen unheimlich ist, denn es geht um eine Geistererscheinung.
Peter und Bob besichtigen das Haus eines verstorbenen Mannes, als dort ein grünlich schimmernder Geist auftaucht. Was hat das zu bedeuten?
Der Anfang des Buches war sehr vielversprechend, denn die Sache mit dem Geist war schon sehr stimmungsvoll. Es flachte dann aber etwas ab, konnte mich aber immer noch gut unterhalten.
Peter und Bob besichtigen das Haus eines verstorbenen Mannes, als dort ein grünlich schimmernder Geist auftaucht. Was hat das zu bedeuten?
Der Anfang des Buches war sehr vielversprechend, denn die Sache mit dem Geist war schon sehr stimmungsvoll. Es flachte dann aber etwas ab, konnte mich aber immer noch gut unterhalten.
January 3, 2017
This book is one of my most favourites in the "Three Investigators" series. I love mystery stories in which not everything is rationally explained (meaning: there's only a paranormal "explanation" after all, or "The monster lived after all!") at the end, and this one does have that element.
So it gets a 5 star rating because I personally love it, not because it's a literary masterpiece or extremely complicated or highly recommended by me or anything. But 5 stars it is, it has a special place in my heart. More books in the series will get this rating for this same reason.
So it gets a 5 star rating because I personally love it, not because it's a literary masterpiece or extremely complicated or highly recommended by me or anything. But 5 stars it is, it has a special place in my heart. More books in the series will get this rating for this same reason.
January 30, 2014
Jupiter Jones,Pete Crenshaw,Bob Andrews what an awesome childhood we had!
September 2, 2015
Another good three investigators mystery, but they honestly are all ready getting a bit predictable. Although I suppose in a young adult mystery series, you will end up with several "Scooby Doo" type stories.
We have a haunted house, a spooky ancient chinese guy, some valuable Ghost Pearls, and a huge mystery for the boys to solve. Even when predictable, these books always entertain. I suppose some of them is the power of nostalgia, but the books are also pretty well written.
We have a haunted house, a spooky ancient chinese guy, some valuable Ghost Pearls, and a huge mystery for the boys to solve. Even when predictable, these books always entertain. I suppose some of them is the power of nostalgia, but the books are also pretty well written.
July 10, 2014
This was a fun read and very entertaining, even fifty years after it was written. Definitely not Pulitzer Prize-winning material, but then it isn’t intended to be. I debated whether to review this as I review most books – meaning, my thoughts and point of view right now, just having finished reading the book – or to look at it as my 12 or 13 year-old self might have done. To me, book reviews are best when I get my current thoughts and impressions down, so that’s what I’m going with and why this gets 4 stars. If I had read this when I was 12 or 13 (as I did read some of the other Three Investigators books at that time) I probably would’ve given it a resounding 5 stars.
The adventure, the exploration, and the settings were totally top-notch. Great stuff there, all around, and this is the kind of stuff a preteen or teen kid would focus on (or, at least, I did when I was that age). Cool, slightly creepy “off limits” type places to explore are to be found on almost every page of this book, starting off with a bang in front of an abandoned, sprawling old mansion, and goes from one cool place to the next. Although it was given very little “screen time” (or, more appropriately, page time), the hideout/headquarters of the Three Investigators – a forgotten mobile home in a forgotten corner of a junkyard, hidden beneath piles of scrap, with an office, a laboratory, and a darkroom inside – wow. Totally the type of thing my 11, 12, 13 year-old self would have been over the moon about, and a thrill to read. And the rest of the settings were equally as awesome: It is all completely the type of stuff that makes the best adventure stories and movies, and the stuff I used to fantasize about as a kid. Loved it.
The characters were decent, too. The focus in this book is on the excitement, the adventure, the exploration, which is exactly where it should be in a book for preteen readers. Characterization and plot pacing probably aren’t first and foremost on their minds, though they do sit pretty high on my list. And in regard to the characters, they were OK. As this is a series, reading multiple books would, I’m sure, provide more insight and depth into the three main characters: Jupiter, Pete, and Bob. They avoid being too flat and stereotypical (something that tends to befall a lot of protagonists in young adult fiction, especially from that time period)...Jupiter is smart, but instead of being the nerdy type, he’s more of the bumbling “stocky” type (think of Chunk from The Goonies, only having Data’s mind and personality…and interesting mix of character and archetype); Pete is the tall, athletic, good-looking jock type, but with a touch more brains and more sympathy and empathy than usually present in such a character; and Bob is more of the nerd (and I say that lovingly, as I like nerds), the smaller kid who isn’t quite as fast as strong, but who is very persistent and always ready and willing…his smarts are in more of a persistent, hard work type of way than the confident (sometimes overconfident) smarts of Jupiter that just come easily to him. I’m sure that Jupiter and Bob would both get straight As in school…but Bob’s straight As would come from diligent studying, whereas Jupiter would just stride into the room to take a test without having studied a minute.
The secondary characters are for the most part interesting, as well. Chang Green being the most prominent of the secondary characters, of course; a boy the same age as our Three Investigators, one-quarter Chinese and three-quarters American, but having been raised nearly his entire life in China. That brings some interesting background and allows him for a much richer backstory than a secondary character might normally have had. Chang is a nice guy, who forms easy, fast friendships with Bob and Pete, and isn’t at all a “fourth” wheel; he blends seamlessly with the group and is a welcome asset. And the others, such as Miss Lydia Green, are also given a fair amount of backstory and personality, a bit more than in some other contemporary books/series. The background characters (assorted policemen, servants, employees, hangers-on, etc) are pretty flat and one-dimensional, but since they all have bit parts and appear only on one or two pages, that isn’t really surprising.
Overall the presentation reminded me very much of a Scooby Doo episode (and I say that fondly) …although the “thought pictures” in my mind were live action, it still felt a bit like a mystery cartoon from the 1960s or ‘70s, and I could almost hear the creepy orchestral music with strings and oboes and horns and all that. Pretty neat.
The pacing of the story and the logic behind the plot is what I found most lacking of all (again, it wouldn’t be an emphasis for a preteen reader, perhaps, but it is for me.) The author’s great ideas for the settings, events, adventure, exploration, and dangerous predicaments were written well, but trying to string them all together into a plausible and logical sequence of events…well, that left a bit to be desired. I didn’t really feel like the story flowed smoothly all the way; it was more like jumping from one exciting event to the next, even when the prior event hadn’t really finished. A well-paced story (in my humble opinion) intersperses moments of excitement and intensity with short periods of dénouement or reflection or just contemplative “down time.” While this story had both of those elements, sometimes it felt like they were just rammed up against each other like a bunch of toy building blocks to string them up in an order but without much finesse in making the whole thing seamless. Having cool story elements is half the battle – but you also need to stitch them together in a way that makes sense.
However the mystery aspect of the writing was quite well done. I loved how clues were dangled in front of the reader’s eyes at various points (though not necessarily all of the meaning of the clue), enough to make your ears perk up – sometimes you really had to be paying attention, as it was more what wasn’t said, than what was (and I’m not just referring to the dog, here, but to several other things/events).
I was a little amused and bemused by the whole Alfred Hitchcock connection thing. I know the anonymous editor also worked in some capacity on the Hitchcock TV shows, and that Alfred Hitchcock apparently blessed his name being used with this book series, but he really didn’t have anything to do with the story or with the editing. The whole “introduction” by the editor sounded more like something you’d see on a TV show of that time period – why is it necessary to introduce characters in a book, when the introduction of characters is always part of the story itself? And the “summary/paraphrase” scene at the end, where the boys supposedly sat with the writer/editor and told him their story, was just a little gimmicky to me. Not really needed, in my opinion.
Overall, I had a blast reading this book, and I’m going to go back to my local used bookstore (who has several of the Three Investigators books for sale) and get some more of them. Really fun to read, and although written a half-century ago, they are just as exciting and entertaining now as they must have been back then.
The adventure, the exploration, and the settings were totally top-notch. Great stuff there, all around, and this is the kind of stuff a preteen or teen kid would focus on (or, at least, I did when I was that age). Cool, slightly creepy “off limits” type places to explore are to be found on almost every page of this book, starting off with a bang in front of an abandoned, sprawling old mansion, and goes from one cool place to the next. Although it was given very little “screen time” (or, more appropriately, page time), the hideout/headquarters of the Three Investigators – a forgotten mobile home in a forgotten corner of a junkyard, hidden beneath piles of scrap, with an office, a laboratory, and a darkroom inside – wow. Totally the type of thing my 11, 12, 13 year-old self would have been over the moon about, and a thrill to read. And the rest of the settings were equally as awesome: It is all completely the type of stuff that makes the best adventure stories and movies, and the stuff I used to fantasize about as a kid. Loved it.
The characters were decent, too. The focus in this book is on the excitement, the adventure, the exploration, which is exactly where it should be in a book for preteen readers. Characterization and plot pacing probably aren’t first and foremost on their minds, though they do sit pretty high on my list. And in regard to the characters, they were OK. As this is a series, reading multiple books would, I’m sure, provide more insight and depth into the three main characters: Jupiter, Pete, and Bob. They avoid being too flat and stereotypical (something that tends to befall a lot of protagonists in young adult fiction, especially from that time period)...Jupiter is smart, but instead of being the nerdy type, he’s more of the bumbling “stocky” type (think of Chunk from The Goonies, only having Data’s mind and personality…and interesting mix of character and archetype); Pete is the tall, athletic, good-looking jock type, but with a touch more brains and more sympathy and empathy than usually present in such a character; and Bob is more of the nerd (and I say that lovingly, as I like nerds), the smaller kid who isn’t quite as fast as strong, but who is very persistent and always ready and willing…his smarts are in more of a persistent, hard work type of way than the confident (sometimes overconfident) smarts of Jupiter that just come easily to him. I’m sure that Jupiter and Bob would both get straight As in school…but Bob’s straight As would come from diligent studying, whereas Jupiter would just stride into the room to take a test without having studied a minute.
The secondary characters are for the most part interesting, as well. Chang Green being the most prominent of the secondary characters, of course; a boy the same age as our Three Investigators, one-quarter Chinese and three-quarters American, but having been raised nearly his entire life in China. That brings some interesting background and allows him for a much richer backstory than a secondary character might normally have had. Chang is a nice guy, who forms easy, fast friendships with Bob and Pete, and isn’t at all a “fourth” wheel; he blends seamlessly with the group and is a welcome asset. And the others, such as Miss Lydia Green, are also given a fair amount of backstory and personality, a bit more than in some other contemporary books/series. The background characters (assorted policemen, servants, employees, hangers-on, etc) are pretty flat and one-dimensional, but since they all have bit parts and appear only on one or two pages, that isn’t really surprising.
Overall the presentation reminded me very much of a Scooby Doo episode (and I say that fondly) …although the “thought pictures” in my mind were live action, it still felt a bit like a mystery cartoon from the 1960s or ‘70s, and I could almost hear the creepy orchestral music with strings and oboes and horns and all that. Pretty neat.
The pacing of the story and the logic behind the plot is what I found most lacking of all (again, it wouldn’t be an emphasis for a preteen reader, perhaps, but it is for me.) The author’s great ideas for the settings, events, adventure, exploration, and dangerous predicaments were written well, but trying to string them all together into a plausible and logical sequence of events…well, that left a bit to be desired. I didn’t really feel like the story flowed smoothly all the way; it was more like jumping from one exciting event to the next, even when the prior event hadn’t really finished. A well-paced story (in my humble opinion) intersperses moments of excitement and intensity with short periods of dénouement or reflection or just contemplative “down time.” While this story had both of those elements, sometimes it felt like they were just rammed up against each other like a bunch of toy building blocks to string them up in an order but without much finesse in making the whole thing seamless. Having cool story elements is half the battle – but you also need to stitch them together in a way that makes sense.
However the mystery aspect of the writing was quite well done. I loved how clues were dangled in front of the reader’s eyes at various points (though not necessarily all of the meaning of the clue), enough to make your ears perk up – sometimes you really had to be paying attention, as it was more what wasn’t said, than what was (and I’m not just referring to the dog, here, but to several other things/events).
I was a little amused and bemused by the whole Alfred Hitchcock connection thing. I know the anonymous editor also worked in some capacity on the Hitchcock TV shows, and that Alfred Hitchcock apparently blessed his name being used with this book series, but he really didn’t have anything to do with the story or with the editing. The whole “introduction” by the editor sounded more like something you’d see on a TV show of that time period – why is it necessary to introduce characters in a book, when the introduction of characters is always part of the story itself? And the “summary/paraphrase” scene at the end, where the boys supposedly sat with the writer/editor and told him their story, was just a little gimmicky to me. Not really needed, in my opinion.
Overall, I had a blast reading this book, and I’m going to go back to my local used bookstore (who has several of the Three Investigators books for sale) and get some more of them. Really fun to read, and although written a half-century ago, they are just as exciting and entertaining now as they must have been back then.
July 14, 2023
Story: ★★★★/5
Narrator: ★★★★★/5
Narrator: ★★★★★/5
May 30, 2022
Auch in Hörbuch-Format finde ich den Fall schwächer wie die anderen Klassiker. Es ist zwar stimmungsvoll zum Teil, aber nicht wirklich viel wird ermittelt, sondern 2/3 der Jungs gelangen von einer Situation einfach in die nächste.
March 23, 2017
Irgendwie musste ich mich zu Beginn des Buches ganz schön durchzwängen. Das liegt vielleicht auch daran, weil mir in den Hörspielen die Darstellung des alten chinesischen Mannes immer als leicht rassistisch vorkam und ich befürchtete, das würde in diesem doch recht altmodischen Buch noch stärker so sein. Aber im Gegenteil, ohne die lächerliche Aussprache beschränkt sich das Ganze auf ein paar Stereotypen.
Der Fall selbst nahm für mich in der Mitte des Buches Fahrt auf und war spannender als er mir vom Hörbuch in Erinnerung blieb. Und auch gefährlicher - ich erinnere mich nicht, dass Peter & Bob im Buch so direkt und oft mit dem Tode gedroht wurde.
Ein ziemlich solider Klassiker.
Der Fall selbst nahm für mich in der Mitte des Buches Fahrt auf und war spannender als er mir vom Hörbuch in Erinnerung blieb. Und auch gefährlicher - ich erinnere mich nicht, dass Peter & Bob im Buch so direkt und oft mit dem Tode gedroht wurde.
Ein ziemlich solider Klassiker.
December 13, 2023
I listened to this as an audiobook from youtube. It was so nostalgic because I had read this in Finnish a long time ago. The reader was very good. I'll probably listen more of these.
May 19, 2018
This series (and this book in particular) was one of those I remember ordering from Scholastic Book Club, when I was a kid. I remember getting the box of books, a couple times a year, like a little Christmas at school.
I re-read this for nostalgia's sake, The Three Investigators being among my most remembered youth reads. I dreamed of being a member of this group. Their clubhouse is an abandoned motorhome hidden in the back of the junkyard that Jupiter Jones's (the boy genius) family owns. And there are secret tunnels, covered by junk, that the boys use to get to it. It even has its own telephone line.
Not to mention the periscope they rigged, to see what's happening beyond their hiding space. Ahhh... the stuff of legends, for a young boy.
Like in most of their investigations (that I can recall) they have an apparent supernatural mystery that they put their minds to and expose as a hoax, covering up a crime.
Basically, Scooby-Doo ripped them off. They would have got away with it, if not for Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews.
(as an additional amusement for fans of this series who may be interested in an ironic take on the concept, check out the Donald Glover film "Dream Team", which is basically what happens if the Three Investigators grow up, without changing a bit. Incredibly funny.)
And I'm not kidding about Scooby-Doo. The concept for that series was ripped from the pages of The Three Investigators.
I re-read this for nostalgia's sake, The Three Investigators being among my most remembered youth reads. I dreamed of being a member of this group. Their clubhouse is an abandoned motorhome hidden in the back of the junkyard that Jupiter Jones's (the boy genius) family owns. And there are secret tunnels, covered by junk, that the boys use to get to it. It even has its own telephone line.
Not to mention the periscope they rigged, to see what's happening beyond their hiding space. Ahhh... the stuff of legends, for a young boy.
Like in most of their investigations (that I can recall) they have an apparent supernatural mystery that they put their minds to and expose as a hoax, covering up a crime.
Basically, Scooby-Doo ripped them off. They would have got away with it, if not for Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews.
(as an additional amusement for fans of this series who may be interested in an ironic take on the concept, check out the Donald Glover film "Dream Team", which is basically what happens if the Three Investigators grow up, without changing a bit. Incredibly funny.)
And I'm not kidding about Scooby-Doo. The concept for that series was ripped from the pages of The Three Investigators.
October 12, 2024
* I hate hollow ‘like button’ clicks. I write publically for COMMENTS. Please skip the button until you have time to write.*
The BEST REVIEWS share what books mean to us. These are the stories I tell. This was my favourite series since grade 6. The only time I borrowed from a library, resulted in me avoiding them thereafter. These went out of print. The Stratemeyer products were more popular, even though the Hardys etc, were inferior to Robert A. Arthur’s work.
With a detailed mind like Jupiter Jones’, I follow series in order and could not find second-hand copies *fairly priced*, of volumes #2 and #4 from 1965: “The Mystery Of The Green Ghost”. I paused after volume #1. My New Zealand friend, Kerri has released the hold! E-readers will never know the reward of opening a book that was awaited for FORTY YEARS!
These are utterly unique, intelligent, colourful (excuse the pun), and well crafted mysteries. They raise suspense instantly and are fast-paced but brim with humanity, humour, and heart. They rock at what Nancy Drew etc, lack. Jupiter, Bob, and Pete are determined and smart and there are no meaningless boat chases, tire blowouts, or clues falling into laps.
I hate “Scooby Doo” conclusions: paranormal titles amounting to nothing. However, when you know there will be no ghosts, you enjoy these characters and their mysteries. The gem is meeting and helping all walks of people.
I gave four stars because spurring attention with a spook in the city was outrageously circuitous. Criminals had acres of caves in which to hide; nor should they be able to find the boys among them.
Much younger than the Drews and Hardys: they are resourceful, work their asses off, and show their methods. Asking California children to watch for certain events and phone a list of additional kids, is one approach demonstrating immense ingenuity. The three investigators (“???”) put 2020s technology to shame!
The BEST REVIEWS share what books mean to us. These are the stories I tell. This was my favourite series since grade 6. The only time I borrowed from a library, resulted in me avoiding them thereafter. These went out of print. The Stratemeyer products were more popular, even though the Hardys etc, were inferior to Robert A. Arthur’s work.
With a detailed mind like Jupiter Jones’, I follow series in order and could not find second-hand copies *fairly priced*, of volumes #2 and #4 from 1965: “The Mystery Of The Green Ghost”. I paused after volume #1. My New Zealand friend, Kerri has released the hold! E-readers will never know the reward of opening a book that was awaited for FORTY YEARS!
These are utterly unique, intelligent, colourful (excuse the pun), and well crafted mysteries. They raise suspense instantly and are fast-paced but brim with humanity, humour, and heart. They rock at what Nancy Drew etc, lack. Jupiter, Bob, and Pete are determined and smart and there are no meaningless boat chases, tire blowouts, or clues falling into laps.
I hate “Scooby Doo” conclusions: paranormal titles amounting to nothing. However, when you know there will be no ghosts, you enjoy these characters and their mysteries. The gem is meeting and helping all walks of people.
I gave four stars because spurring attention with a spook in the city was outrageously circuitous. Criminals had acres of caves in which to hide; nor should they be able to find the boys among them.
Much younger than the Drews and Hardys: they are resourceful, work their asses off, and show their methods. Asking California children to watch for certain events and phone a list of additional kids, is one approach demonstrating immense ingenuity. The three investigators (“???”) put 2020s technology to shame!
August 19, 2017
I read a few of the "Three Investigators" books when I was a kid and remembered them fondly. A few years back I found a bunch of them at a book sale and picked them up. This is one of those and I really enjoyed revisiting my childhood. In this one, an old house is being torn down when a mysterious green ghost appears. Two of the investigators, Bob Andrews and Pete Crenshaw are on hand for that first appearance. Later, the third member of the trio, brainy Jupiter Jones, joins in. The boys solve the case, of course, after some adventures and close calls. I won't give the plot away here. I liked it. An easy, fun read.
February 5, 2018
What a great young adult story....written in 1965.
The Mystery of the Green Ghost had a strong plot, excellent characters, and overall was an engaging story.
Loved this story when I was 12 and love it now forty years later.
The Mystery of the Green Ghost had a strong plot, excellent characters, and overall was an engaging story.
Loved this story when I was 12 and love it now forty years later.
September 29, 2015
I remember liking this book quite a bit when I was a boy. It is still good, but not as good as I remember it. I associate it quite a bit with the early Scooby Doo cartoons - the ones with actual ghosts or phantoms (people in sheets) were may favorites, so I think that is why this book was also a favorite.
Re-reading it to my kids, I found it not quite as engaging as Terror Castle or the Stuttering Parrot. Lots of interesting characters though, with a couple neat locations and an engaging mystery as well.
Re-reading it to my kids, I found it not quite as engaging as Terror Castle or the Stuttering Parrot. Lots of interesting characters though, with a couple neat locations and an engaging mystery as well.
October 31, 2020
Charming in its antiquity and fairly appropriate to the Halloween season. It's like a novelized Scooby Doo episode. "Gleeps!" should have been Fred's catchphrase.
November 14, 2020
Im unteren Mittelfeld der Hörbücher. Generell hat Bastian Pastewka eine wirklich gute Sprecherleistung abgegeben, aber an manchen Stellen hat mir noch was gefehlt. Der Fall selber ist einiges dramatischer wie ich es ihn Erinnerung hatte. Danke aber, dass ich nun endlich schnalle, was genau der grüne Geist war. :)
Believathon III: The Mystery of the Missing Maleficarum. The Torn Page: A book with a supernatural element & The Chain: A book with a colourful cast of friends.
(Momentane Rangliste der Hörbücher:
1. Karpatenhund
2. Fluch des Rubins
3. Gespensterschloss
4. Super-Papagei
5. singende Schlange
6. lachende Schatten
7. grüne Geist
8. Phantomsee)
Believathon III: The Mystery of the Missing Maleficarum. The Torn Page: A book with a supernatural element & The Chain: A book with a colourful cast of friends.
(Momentane Rangliste der Hörbücher:
1. Karpatenhund
2. Fluch des Rubins
3. Gespensterschloss
4. Super-Papagei
5. singende Schlange
6. lachende Schatten
7. grüne Geist
8. Phantomsee)
July 31, 2024
2008 review - Starting with one of the better opening sequences of the series, this mystery maintains its initial pace and interest well. Splitting the team in a well-written fashion, all of the characters are given a chance to shine and show their strengths, right up to the climax. Well told and well put together, this is another sterling Robert Arthur effort (and nicely follows the timeline, with Bob having his brace removed just before the story begins).
2014 update - Bob Andrews and Pete Crenshaw decide to investigate Green House, an old mansion in Rocky Beach that is being torn down. Hearing a ghastly scream, they bump into a group of men from the neighbourhood, who are also there to look at the house. Together, they investigate and see a green ghost moving through the old, dusty hallways. After they leave, the ghost is spotted around Rocky Beach by several eye-witnesses, one of whom happens to be Chief of Police Reynolds. When the house is investigated by the police the next day, with the Three Investigators and Bob’s father in tow, a hidden room is discovered, which contains a skeleton - the remains of Matthias Green’s wife - and a string of ghost pearls. Bob & Pete are then invited to the Verdant Valley winery, near San Francisco, which is run by Matthias Green’s only living relative where, very soon, they encounter a mysterious aged Chinaman called Mr Won, people who aren’t who they appear to be, scary caves and the re-appearance of the green ghost. This has one of the better opening sequences of the series and manages to maintain the pace and intrigue well, with a good supporting cast and excellent use of location (the ‘haunted house’, the desolate canyons, Chinatown). Splitting the team is a masterstroke, giving each character a chance to shine and show their strengths, right up to the climax and the interplay between the three lads is well handled. Well told and constructed, this is one of the better Arthur novels and follows the timeline nicely (it mentions Bob having his brace removed just before the story begins and this is the book where the Investigators get their ‘Volunteer Junior Assistant Deputy’ cards from Chief Reynolds). My only niggle is the final chapter, which can’t seem to decide if it’s part of the story or just a simple catch-up of action, though it does end on a high in Hitchcock’s office. Good fun, with a cracking pace, this is highly recommended.
2018 update - completely agree with the above, an excellent read and it’s worth mentioning that this is the story to introduce Chief Reynolds to the series. A cracking story.
2014 update - Bob Andrews and Pete Crenshaw decide to investigate Green House, an old mansion in Rocky Beach that is being torn down. Hearing a ghastly scream, they bump into a group of men from the neighbourhood, who are also there to look at the house. Together, they investigate and see a green ghost moving through the old, dusty hallways. After they leave, the ghost is spotted around Rocky Beach by several eye-witnesses, one of whom happens to be Chief of Police Reynolds. When the house is investigated by the police the next day, with the Three Investigators and Bob’s father in tow, a hidden room is discovered, which contains a skeleton - the remains of Matthias Green’s wife - and a string of ghost pearls. Bob & Pete are then invited to the Verdant Valley winery, near San Francisco, which is run by Matthias Green’s only living relative where, very soon, they encounter a mysterious aged Chinaman called Mr Won, people who aren’t who they appear to be, scary caves and the re-appearance of the green ghost. This has one of the better opening sequences of the series and manages to maintain the pace and intrigue well, with a good supporting cast and excellent use of location (the ‘haunted house’, the desolate canyons, Chinatown). Splitting the team is a masterstroke, giving each character a chance to shine and show their strengths, right up to the climax and the interplay between the three lads is well handled. Well told and constructed, this is one of the better Arthur novels and follows the timeline nicely (it mentions Bob having his brace removed just before the story begins and this is the book where the Investigators get their ‘Volunteer Junior Assistant Deputy’ cards from Chief Reynolds). My only niggle is the final chapter, which can’t seem to decide if it’s part of the story or just a simple catch-up of action, though it does end on a high in Hitchcock’s office. Good fun, with a cracking pace, this is highly recommended.
2018 update - completely agree with the above, an excellent read and it’s worth mentioning that this is the story to introduce Chief Reynolds to the series. A cracking story.
January 23, 2014
2008 review - Starting with one of the better opening sequences of the series, this mystery maintains its initial pace and interest well. Splitting the team in a well-written fashion, all of the characters are given a chance to shine and show their strengths, right up to the climax. Well told and well put together, this is another sterling Robert Arthur effort (and nicely follows the timeline, with Bob having his brace removed just before the story begins).
2014 update - Bob Andrews and Pete Crenshaw decide to investigate Green House, an old mansion in Rocky Beach that is being torn down. Hearing a ghastly scream, they bump into a group of men from the neighbourhood, who are also there to look at the house. Together, they investigate and see a green ghost moving through the old, dusty hallways. After they leave, the ghost is spotted around Rocky Beach by several eye-witnesses, one of whom happens to be Chief of Police Reynolds. When the house is investigated by the police the next day, with the Three Investigators and Bob’s father in tow, a hidden room is discovered, which contains a skeleton - the remains of Matthias Green’s wife - and a string of ghost pearls. Bob & Pete are then invited to the Verdant Valley winery, near San Francisco, which is run by Matthias Green’s only living relative where, very soon, they encounter a mysterious aged Chinaman called Mr Won, people who aren’t who they appear to be, scary caves and the re-appearance of the green ghost.
This has one of the better opening sequences on the series and manages to maintain the pace and intrigue well, with a good supporting cast and excellent use of location (the ‘haunted house’, the desolate canyons, Chinatown). Splitting the team is a masterstroke, giving each character a chance to shine and show their strengths, right up to the climax and the interplay between the three lads is well handled.
Well told and constructed, this is one of the better Arthur novels and follows the timeline nicely (it mentions Bob having his brace removed just before the story begins and this is the book where the Investigators get their ‘Volunteer Junior Assistant Deputy’ cards from Chief Reynolds). My only niggle is the final chapter, which can’t seem to decide if it’s part of the story or just a simple catch-up of action, though it does end on a high in Hitchcock’s office.
Good fun, with a cracking pace, this is highly recommended.
2014 update - Bob Andrews and Pete Crenshaw decide to investigate Green House, an old mansion in Rocky Beach that is being torn down. Hearing a ghastly scream, they bump into a group of men from the neighbourhood, who are also there to look at the house. Together, they investigate and see a green ghost moving through the old, dusty hallways. After they leave, the ghost is spotted around Rocky Beach by several eye-witnesses, one of whom happens to be Chief of Police Reynolds. When the house is investigated by the police the next day, with the Three Investigators and Bob’s father in tow, a hidden room is discovered, which contains a skeleton - the remains of Matthias Green’s wife - and a string of ghost pearls. Bob & Pete are then invited to the Verdant Valley winery, near San Francisco, which is run by Matthias Green’s only living relative where, very soon, they encounter a mysterious aged Chinaman called Mr Won, people who aren’t who they appear to be, scary caves and the re-appearance of the green ghost.
This has one of the better opening sequences on the series and manages to maintain the pace and intrigue well, with a good supporting cast and excellent use of location (the ‘haunted house’, the desolate canyons, Chinatown). Splitting the team is a masterstroke, giving each character a chance to shine and show their strengths, right up to the climax and the interplay between the three lads is well handled.
Well told and constructed, this is one of the better Arthur novels and follows the timeline nicely (it mentions Bob having his brace removed just before the story begins and this is the book where the Investigators get their ‘Volunteer Junior Assistant Deputy’ cards from Chief Reynolds). My only niggle is the final chapter, which can’t seem to decide if it’s part of the story or just a simple catch-up of action, though it does end on a high in Hitchcock’s office.
Good fun, with a cracking pace, this is highly recommended.
September 12, 2024
I grew up on this series back in the 70's and whenever I see one on ebay for a decent price I pick it up, add to my collection and do a re-read.
This one was just as great as it was the first time I read it. The characters are all back, they've got a nice mystery, tons of action, Alfred Hitchcock and ghosts. Good stuff.
Obviously my rating is based on my enjoyment and not the actual literary merit of the book :)
This one was just as great as it was the first time I read it. The characters are all back, they've got a nice mystery, tons of action, Alfred Hitchcock and ghosts. Good stuff.
Obviously my rating is based on my enjoyment and not the actual literary merit of the book :)
July 27, 2011
I loved these books when I was a kid. I was never into Nancy Drew or the The Hardy Boys. The Three Investigators series was it for me. I still like them as much now as I did then. I wish I owned the whole series.
February 14, 2024
'The Mystery of the Green Ghost' (The Three Investigators #4) by Robert Arthur.
Rating: 4.25/5.
Review:
The Mystery of the Green Ghost is yet another of the Three Investigators books that I remember reading, but it is one that I remember nothing of. Well, except for the appearance of the green ghostly apparition that is self-evident from the book's title. As such, this current re-read of this mystery novel felt equivalent to a fresh first read of it.
Despite being a highly entertaining adventure, most of the mystery elements of the book turned out to be highly predictable. With barely a few clues and within a few pages, I was able to deduce how the ghostly apparition trick was played, the identity of the person behind such a subterfuge, and the thievery of the Ghost Pearls. Neither did I anticipate nor remember Mr. Won's appearance in this book, and it turned out to be a plot twist that added flavor to the somewhat predictable storyline.
The three investigators are separated for a major chunk of this book, with Pete and Bob carrying on their investigation at Verdant Valley, while Jupiter does the same back at Rocky Beach. As a result, there was a risk of missing the rapport among the three chums, but thanks to the introduction of Chang Green, we did get someone as brilliant as Jupiter over at the Verdant Valley part of the investigation. Chang was a delightful addition to the cast of characters, and I seriously hope for him to feature as the unofficial 'fifth' investigator in one of the future mysteries (which, as far as I remember, doesn't seem to be the case, unfortunately).
As soon as Mr. Won made his appearance in the story, I was reminded of my disbelief regarding his prolongation of life using the ghost pearls during my first read. Being a child fascinated with science back then, it was hard for me to reconcile with the fact that these seemingly grounded books were taking a supernatural turn. But now, years later, I think the book does try not to venture into the supernatural territory but keeps the explanation of ancient Chinese medicine and “So who can say if the gray pearls really prolong life? Mr. Won believes it, and sometimes belief alone is medicine strong enough to cure the ill or save the dying.” ambiguous enough to get away with the fantastical nature of this particular plot device.
The only drawback to this adventurous mystery was that the villains never get their due. Jensen and Mr. Won escape the clutches of the authorities and are never to be found again. All of which, I must admit, diluted the enjoyment of this story in the final segments.
Nonetheless, 'The Mystery of the Green Ghost' was an engrossing addition to the Three Investigators canon. Despite its predictable plot, it had me hooked from the first paragraph. I'm not sure what awaits next as I continue with the chronological read of this series, but if the next book is as good as the previous ones have been, I'm surely in for a treat!
“You and Jupiter Jones would get along great,” Bob told him. “I wish you lived down in Rocky Beach so you could join The Three Investigators.”
“I would like that,” Chang said wistfully. “Verdant Valley is quite lonely. In Hong Kong, there were always many other people around, many boys to talk to and play with.”
Rating: 4.25/5.
Review:
The Mystery of the Green Ghost is yet another of the Three Investigators books that I remember reading, but it is one that I remember nothing of. Well, except for the appearance of the green ghostly apparition that is self-evident from the book's title. As such, this current re-read of this mystery novel felt equivalent to a fresh first read of it.
Despite being a highly entertaining adventure, most of the mystery elements of the book turned out to be highly predictable. With barely a few clues and within a few pages, I was able to deduce how the ghostly apparition trick was played, the identity of the person behind such a subterfuge, and the thievery of the Ghost Pearls. Neither did I anticipate nor remember Mr. Won's appearance in this book, and it turned out to be a plot twist that added flavor to the somewhat predictable storyline.
The three investigators are separated for a major chunk of this book, with Pete and Bob carrying on their investigation at Verdant Valley, while Jupiter does the same back at Rocky Beach. As a result, there was a risk of missing the rapport among the three chums, but thanks to the introduction of Chang Green, we did get someone as brilliant as Jupiter over at the Verdant Valley part of the investigation. Chang was a delightful addition to the cast of characters, and I seriously hope for him to feature as the unofficial 'fifth' investigator in one of the future mysteries (which, as far as I remember, doesn't seem to be the case, unfortunately).
As soon as Mr. Won made his appearance in the story, I was reminded of my disbelief regarding his prolongation of life using the ghost pearls during my first read. Being a child fascinated with science back then, it was hard for me to reconcile with the fact that these seemingly grounded books were taking a supernatural turn. But now, years later, I think the book does try not to venture into the supernatural territory but keeps the explanation of ancient Chinese medicine and “So who can say if the gray pearls really prolong life? Mr. Won believes it, and sometimes belief alone is medicine strong enough to cure the ill or save the dying.” ambiguous enough to get away with the fantastical nature of this particular plot device.
The only drawback to this adventurous mystery was that the villains never get their due. Jensen and Mr. Won escape the clutches of the authorities and are never to be found again. All of which, I must admit, diluted the enjoyment of this story in the final segments.
Nonetheless, 'The Mystery of the Green Ghost' was an engrossing addition to the Three Investigators canon. Despite its predictable plot, it had me hooked from the first paragraph. I'm not sure what awaits next as I continue with the chronological read of this series, but if the next book is as good as the previous ones have been, I'm surely in for a treat!
June 24, 2022
#4 in the Three Investigators series and some experiments with the team dynamic (e.g. the "smart one" Jupiter Jones is left behind on part of the adventure and the other two investigators need to do their own detective work, leave their own secret messages to help the others etc).
Perhaps a small amount of casual racism towards the Chinese this time (companion their age called Chang with some broken English, sinister hundred year old Chinese villain wearing long silks in a Ming the Merciless fashion). Mexican grape pickers with superstition regarding ghosts. None of it is hateful, but a sign of its time, as they say. I wouldn't remove it from a library or anything like that.
Plot itself is fairly solid (mysterious ghost, ancient pearls) and some great heightened drama/intrigue at the end. Ending is very abrupt, a sentence or two on what happened to all the supporting cast and a brief meeting with Hitchcock himself - it feels like the author was tired of the piece and didn't want a lesiurely wrap up or slice of life aspect to round it all out. Peculiar - I will be laying attention to see if this starts to be a trend in the series..
Perhaps a small amount of casual racism towards the Chinese this time (companion their age called Chang with some broken English, sinister hundred year old Chinese villain wearing long silks in a Ming the Merciless fashion). Mexican grape pickers with superstition regarding ghosts. None of it is hateful, but a sign of its time, as they say. I wouldn't remove it from a library or anything like that.
Plot itself is fairly solid (mysterious ghost, ancient pearls) and some great heightened drama/intrigue at the end. Ending is very abrupt, a sentence or two on what happened to all the supporting cast and a brief meeting with Hitchcock himself - it feels like the author was tired of the piece and didn't want a lesiurely wrap up or slice of life aspect to round it all out. Peculiar - I will be laying attention to see if this starts to be a trend in the series..
June 29, 2018
I read the original version (with Hitchcock in the final chapter) probably 40 years ago. This reissue from 1985 replace Hitchcock with Hector Sebastian, but little else was changed that I could see.
The actual mystery is quite good, and even a jaded mystery lover should have a surprise or two before the end. The ghost is explained without any suspension of belief needed, and the danger the boys are placed is clearly explained so even young readers understand. In fact, one or two lines should have parents really think about letting a child under ten read it.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this with my youngest child, and recommend it to other parents.
Find it! Buy it! Read it!
The actual mystery is quite good, and even a jaded mystery lover should have a surprise or two before the end. The ghost is explained without any suspension of belief needed, and the danger the boys are placed is clearly explained so even young readers understand. In fact, one or two lines should have parents really think about letting a child under ten read it.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this with my youngest child, and recommend it to other parents.
Find it! Buy it! Read it!
October 23, 2025
Somehow I've retained a single copy of a book from this ten-book series from my youth. I thought it was pretty fun, even though I can't remember being a fan of it or of the series when I was young. (I was probably too busy reading Nancy Drew).
This book has a lot of the same kinds of elements as Nancy Drew. It's so funny to see where words are spent; explaining the logistics of where all the main characters are and how they travel to and from places and how they alert the adults in their life - for example. I was interested in the action here; some of it happened in Chinatown, some in an old mine, and the boys got to ride horses too!
At the end, they get to recap their adventures and methods of solving the mystery with Alfred Hitchcock, who had some part in promoting the original series. He also wrote the forward in this book and I thought that was pretty fun.
I'm interested to know if any of my reading friends remember this series.
Physical copy from my library.
This book has a lot of the same kinds of elements as Nancy Drew. It's so funny to see where words are spent; explaining the logistics of where all the main characters are and how they travel to and from places and how they alert the adults in their life - for example. I was interested in the action here; some of it happened in Chinatown, some in an old mine, and the boys got to ride horses too!
At the end, they get to recap their adventures and methods of solving the mystery with Alfred Hitchcock, who had some part in promoting the original series. He also wrote the forward in this book and I thought that was pretty fun.
I'm interested to know if any of my reading friends remember this series.
Physical copy from my library.
October 3, 2023
I loved Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators novels as a youth, and felt like reading one. I noticed our library system has very few titles any more
I loved reading a novel that was written in the 60s. It was a quieter time, a time when two boys were allowed to fly by themselves from an imaginary town near Los Angeles to a town near San Francisco; a time when you got a meal on a flight; a time when you had to communicate using long distance calls —and they were expensive.
The mystery was engaging, and the adventuresome boys were fun to read about.
I loved reading a novel that was written in the 60s. It was a quieter time, a time when two boys were allowed to fly by themselves from an imaginary town near Los Angeles to a town near San Francisco; a time when you got a meal on a flight; a time when you had to communicate using long distance calls —and they were expensive.
The mystery was engaging, and the adventuresome boys were fun to read about.
February 5, 2019
This one might have been part of the two-and-a-half investigators. It was nice, as the books often seem to he centered around Jupiter Jones to see the other two getting to take a more prominent role in the story. The mystery itself didn’t go anywhere necessarily unforeseen but the setup was executed well enough and it kept me entertained throughout.
July 26, 2025
2.5/5
Die Ausgangssituation mit dem Geist im verlassenen Haus hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Allerdings verläuft der Fall dann in eine etwas andere Richtung. Ich finde es schade, dass Justus so selten auftritt und allgemein wenig Investigation stattfindet.
Die Ausgangssituation mit dem Geist im verlassenen Haus hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Allerdings verläuft der Fall dann in eine etwas andere Richtung. Ich finde es schade, dass Justus so selten auftritt und allgemein wenig Investigation stattfindet.
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