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Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories #1
The Black Dog Mystery
A gang of young sleuths and a trusty terrier put their noses to a bank robbers’ trail Ellery Queen’s young apprentice, Djuna, is preparing for an afternoon of fishing when a stranger leans out of his car window and asks for directions to Canada. A few minutes later, Djuna watches as the man’s friends come running out of the local bank and into the getaway car, guns blazing, before taking off for the Canadian border. It is a mystery that could baffle even Djuna’s famous boss, but with the help of a ferocious black Scottie named Champ and a few crime-solving friends, he will find the culprits. It will be the greatest adventure of his life. Ellery Queen is one of the world’s finest detectives, but his adventures are nothing compared to the Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories. Join Queen’s apprentice, Djuna, and his trusty Scottie, Champ, on adventures filled with danger, suspense, and thrills. The Black Dog Mystery is the first book in the Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1941
42 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Ellery Queen Jr.
18 books8 followersA house pseudonym used by James Holding, Samuel McCoy, Frank Belknap Long.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 18, 2024
This book was an accidental read for us. My wife bought it thinking it was part of an entirely different series because the cover and trade dress was so similar. Discovering the mistake, we were unperturbed and read it anyway.
I have to say this was an enjoyable read. A kid detective story along the same lines as the Famous Five or the Hardy Boys, it moves along at a fair old clip, isn’t short of excitement and even has some moments of genuine peril.
Despite it being an accidental read, I think we’re going to continue with the series.
I have to say this was an enjoyable read. A kid detective story along the same lines as the Famous Five or the Hardy Boys, it moves along at a fair old clip, isn’t short of excitement and even has some moments of genuine peril.
Despite it being an accidental read, I think we’re going to continue with the series.
September 22, 2023
The Black Dog Mystery is #1 in the Ellery Queen, Jr. Mystery Series published in 1941 for children. The book is a folksy look at a time of quaint innocence in small town America, where most people knew each other, spoke to each other, and valued each other like neighbors.
Here, Djuna is a typical middle school kid, with two friends and a dog named Champ. He and his friend, Tommy, decide to go fishing when they witness the exiting of a bank by hooded robbers and their getaway. When the robbers apparently escape, Djuna decides to investigate the robbery, believing the thieves to somehow still remain sequestered within the town limits. He also believes that an older gentleman, neighbor, and adult friend named Mr. Boots has been acting strange and may have something to do with the robberies.
The novel is very similar to the Encyclopedia Brown stories, although more folksy like the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, which always seemed more mature because the situations were more perilous than what a youthful reader might experience nowadays. Also, I would give a trigger warning for the lack of cultural sensitivity (1942 after all) in the fact that a character wears black face during an episode.
I felt the cultural aspect to be antiquated along with others. Although there were other aspects that aged well. The mystery is very easy to figure out, because after all it is a kids book. I liked it. Felt classic to me, so in the end I chose to call it right down the middle. I enjoyed it, even with my caveats.
Here, Djuna is a typical middle school kid, with two friends and a dog named Champ. He and his friend, Tommy, decide to go fishing when they witness the exiting of a bank by hooded robbers and their getaway. When the robbers apparently escape, Djuna decides to investigate the robbery, believing the thieves to somehow still remain sequestered within the town limits. He also believes that an older gentleman, neighbor, and adult friend named Mr. Boots has been acting strange and may have something to do with the robberies.
The novel is very similar to the Encyclopedia Brown stories, although more folksy like the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, which always seemed more mature because the situations were more perilous than what a youthful reader might experience nowadays. Also, I would give a trigger warning for the lack of cultural sensitivity (1942 after all) in the fact that a character wears black face during an episode.
I felt the cultural aspect to be antiquated along with others. Although there were other aspects that aged well. The mystery is very easy to figure out, because after all it is a kids book. I liked it. Felt classic to me, so in the end I chose to call it right down the middle. I enjoyed it, even with my caveats.
May 2, 2020
An adorable, quaint, vintage mystery! The reason I enjoyed it the most was probably due to the presence of the cute little Scottie that helps to solve the big mystery around town about the bank robbers.
Good, clean, fun reading material for kids!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest opinion.
Good, clean, fun reading material for kids!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest opinion.
March 27, 2020
Audible has a bunch of free listens during all this social distancing, so I opted to listen to this one. My grandma had a bunch of Ellery Queen books when I was little- I didn’t realize they ever wrote “junior” stories. That was one reason I picked it. Also I love mysteries, YA or not.
It’s a good read for a young tween or teen- it reminded me of Encyclopedia Brown or The Hardy Boys. It was written in the 1940s but the story still holds up even today. It was entertaining and a good listen. Some of it was predictable but it was written towards a younger audience, so that’s probably why. An easy listen while you are working or sitting around the house.
It’s a good read for a young tween or teen- it reminded me of Encyclopedia Brown or The Hardy Boys. It was written in the 1940s but the story still holds up even today. It was entertaining and a good listen. Some of it was predictable but it was written towards a younger audience, so that’s probably why. An easy listen while you are working or sitting around the house.
April 30, 2020
3.5 stars
March 11, 2015
A Ripping Mystery That Stands the Test of Time
This book was the first in what would eventually become the eleven book "Ellery Queen, Jr." series. Nine of those books, including this one, featured Djuna, the Romany gypsy orphan boy who was adopted by Inspector Queen and played the role of jack-of-all-trades in the Queen household. The Djuna series of juvenile mysteries was originally published between 1942 and 1966. A number of writers produced books for the series under the house name "Ellery Queen, Jr.", and it appears that this particular volume, from 1942, is the first of the six series books written by Samuel (Duff) McCoy, (a novelist, biographer and author who won a Pulitzer in 1922 as an investigative journalist).
I mention all of this for a reason. If you recall having read this, or any, Djuna book as a kid, well, nostalgia is never a bad excuse for rereading something and you don't need any reviews to bring back your memories. But, if you've never read any Ellery Queen, Jr. books, this book is a wonderful representative of 1940's American Boys Own mystery/adventure and an excellent example of the Ellery Queen "fair play" mystery style reimagined at a juvenile adventure level. And, the book is well written. Grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and so on is sharp and top drawer. These books were not carelessly written, and their authors treated even young readers with respect. The books don't aim for great literary heft; there are no hidden deep messages. But they are honest and well-crafted. (For what it's worth this is also one of the few kids books from the 40's that has a "colored man" character who isn't written or described in a way that makes you cringe. Well, not too much.)
NO SPOILERS HERE, but we have a robbery and chases, odd characters, suspicious doings, gangsters, escapes, obvious and not-so-obvious clues, adventure and detection and deduction. And more chases. and some sneaking around. And peril. This is all handled in a very underplayed and matter-of-fact, but still engaging, fashion by our hero Djuna. (Think Sherlock Homes meets Tom Sawyer, with a sparky canine companion.)
Bear in mind that this was written in 1942. It's very Mayberry. Djuna's home, Edenboro, has about ten houses and everyone knows everyone. It's all bicycles and fishing and talking about the case with pals, (candy eating Tommy and sharp as a tack Clarabelle). Lots of "for Pete's sake" and "gee whiz", and it never occurred to the author to slip in any teen drama or angst. But this bucolic setting is deceptive. The book is reasonably fast paced and skulking around cornfields and peering into sheds almost seems exotic now. And the finish is socko.
So, the upshot is that this is a well written, well plotted, appealing, fair and professionally crafted example of golden age kids' adventure/mystery thrillers. It's nice to see it back and readily available.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
This book was the first in what would eventually become the eleven book "Ellery Queen, Jr." series. Nine of those books, including this one, featured Djuna, the Romany gypsy orphan boy who was adopted by Inspector Queen and played the role of jack-of-all-trades in the Queen household. The Djuna series of juvenile mysteries was originally published between 1942 and 1966. A number of writers produced books for the series under the house name "Ellery Queen, Jr.", and it appears that this particular volume, from 1942, is the first of the six series books written by Samuel (Duff) McCoy, (a novelist, biographer and author who won a Pulitzer in 1922 as an investigative journalist).
I mention all of this for a reason. If you recall having read this, or any, Djuna book as a kid, well, nostalgia is never a bad excuse for rereading something and you don't need any reviews to bring back your memories. But, if you've never read any Ellery Queen, Jr. books, this book is a wonderful representative of 1940's American Boys Own mystery/adventure and an excellent example of the Ellery Queen "fair play" mystery style reimagined at a juvenile adventure level. And, the book is well written. Grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and so on is sharp and top drawer. These books were not carelessly written, and their authors treated even young readers with respect. The books don't aim for great literary heft; there are no hidden deep messages. But they are honest and well-crafted. (For what it's worth this is also one of the few kids books from the 40's that has a "colored man" character who isn't written or described in a way that makes you cringe. Well, not too much.)
NO SPOILERS HERE, but we have a robbery and chases, odd characters, suspicious doings, gangsters, escapes, obvious and not-so-obvious clues, adventure and detection and deduction. And more chases. and some sneaking around. And peril. This is all handled in a very underplayed and matter-of-fact, but still engaging, fashion by our hero Djuna. (Think Sherlock Homes meets Tom Sawyer, with a sparky canine companion.)
Bear in mind that this was written in 1942. It's very Mayberry. Djuna's home, Edenboro, has about ten houses and everyone knows everyone. It's all bicycles and fishing and talking about the case with pals, (candy eating Tommy and sharp as a tack Clarabelle). Lots of "for Pete's sake" and "gee whiz", and it never occurred to the author to slip in any teen drama or angst. But this bucolic setting is deceptive. The book is reasonably fast paced and skulking around cornfields and peering into sheds almost seems exotic now. And the finish is socko.
So, the upshot is that this is a well written, well plotted, appealing, fair and professionally crafted example of golden age kids' adventure/mystery thrillers. It's nice to see it back and readily available.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
March 11, 2015
A Ripping Mystery That Stands the Test of Time
This book was the first in what would eventually become the eleven book "Ellery Queen, Jr." series. Nine of those books, including this one, featured Djuna, the Romany gypsy orphan boy who was adopted by Inspector Queen and played the role of jack-of-all-trades in the Queen household. The Djuna series of juvenile mysteries was originally published between 1942 and 1966. A number of writers produced books for the series under the house name "Ellery Queen, Jr.", and it appears that this particular volume, from 1942, is the first of the six series books written by Samuel (Duff) McCoy, (a novelist, biographer and author who won a Pulitzer in 1922 as an investigative journalist).
I mention all of this for a reason. If you recall having read this, or any, Djuna book as a kid, well, nostalgia is never a bad excuse for rereading something and you don't need any reviews to bring back your memories. But, if you've never read any Ellery Queen, Jr. books, this book is a wonderful representative of 1940's American Boys Own mystery/adventure and an excellent example of the Ellery Queen "fair play" mystery style reimagined at a juvenile adventure level. And, the book is well written. Grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and so on is sharp and top drawer. These books were not carelessly written, and their authors treated even young readers with respect. The books don't aim for great literary heft; there are no hidden deep messages. But they are honest and well-crafted. (For what it's worth this is also one of the few kids books from the 40's that has a "colored man" character who isn't written or described in a way that makes you cringe. Well, not too much.)
NO SPOILERS HERE, but we have a robbery and chases, odd characters, suspicious doings, gangsters, escapes, obvious and not-so-obvious clues, adventure and detection and deduction. And more chases. and some sneaking around. And peril. This is all handled in a very underplayed and matter-of-fact, but still engaging, fashion by our hero Djuna. (Think Sherlock Homes meets Tom Sawyer, with a sparky canine companion.)
Bear in mind that this was written in 1942. It's very Mayberry. Djuna's home, Edenboro, has about ten houses and everyone knows everyone. It's all bicycles and fishing and talking about the case with pals, (candy eating Tommy and sharp as a tack Clarabelle). Lots of "for Pete's sake" and "gee whiz", and it never occurred to the author to slip in any teen drama or angst. But this bucolic setting is deceptive. The book is reasonably fast paced and skulking around cornfields and peering into sheds almost seems exotic now. And the finish is socko.
So, the upshot is that this is a well written, well plotted, appealing, fair and professionally crafted example of golden age kids' adventure/mystery thrillers. It's nice to see it back and readily available.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
This book was the first in what would eventually become the eleven book "Ellery Queen, Jr." series. Nine of those books, including this one, featured Djuna, the Romany gypsy orphan boy who was adopted by Inspector Queen and played the role of jack-of-all-trades in the Queen household. The Djuna series of juvenile mysteries was originally published between 1942 and 1966. A number of writers produced books for the series under the house name "Ellery Queen, Jr.", and it appears that this particular volume, from 1942, is the first of the six series books written by Samuel (Duff) McCoy, (a novelist, biographer and author who won a Pulitzer in 1922 as an investigative journalist).
I mention all of this for a reason. If you recall having read this, or any, Djuna book as a kid, well, nostalgia is never a bad excuse for rereading something and you don't need any reviews to bring back your memories. But, if you've never read any Ellery Queen, Jr. books, this book is a wonderful representative of 1940's American Boys Own mystery/adventure and an excellent example of the Ellery Queen "fair play" mystery style reimagined at a juvenile adventure level. And, the book is well written. Grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and so on is sharp and top drawer. These books were not carelessly written, and their authors treated even young readers with respect. The books don't aim for great literary heft; there are no hidden deep messages. But they are honest and well-crafted. (For what it's worth this is also one of the few kids books from the 40's that has a "colored man" character who isn't written or described in a way that makes you cringe. Well, not too much.)
NO SPOILERS HERE, but we have a robbery and chases, odd characters, suspicious doings, gangsters, escapes, obvious and not-so-obvious clues, adventure and detection and deduction. And more chases. and some sneaking around. And peril. This is all handled in a very underplayed and matter-of-fact, but still engaging, fashion by our hero Djuna. (Think Sherlock Homes meets Tom Sawyer, with a sparky canine companion.)
Bear in mind that this was written in 1942. It's very Mayberry. Djuna's home, Edenboro, has about ten houses and everyone knows everyone. It's all bicycles and fishing and talking about the case with pals, (candy eating Tommy and sharp as a tack Clarabelle). Lots of "for Pete's sake" and "gee whiz", and it never occurred to the author to slip in any teen drama or angst. But this bucolic setting is deceptive. The book is reasonably fast paced and skulking around cornfields and peering into sheds almost seems exotic now. And the finish is socko.
So, the upshot is that this is a well written, well plotted, appealing, fair and professionally crafted example of golden age kids' adventure/mystery thrillers. It's nice to see it back and readily available.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
May 29, 2020
This was a freebie from Audible. I'm not sure that I'd listen to more in this series, simply because it wasn't my favourite thing in many ways. I did like how prominent of a character Champ (the main character's dog) was, without being terribly anthropomorphized. The plot was predictable, with a slight twist near the end. It was also pretty slow-going overall. It was written in the 1940s or so, so you have to anticipate that, as well as the fact that some parts don't stand the test of time, but having someone dress up in blackface and perpetuate stereotypes is not something I accept. That dropped it down by at least a star (and I'd probably give it 1.5 stars because of that).
May 27, 2015
In the same vein as Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, the Black Dog Mystery is the first in the Ellery Queen Junior Mystery Stories for boys and girls
When there’s a bank robbery in the village where Djuna lives and one of his dog’s best friends gets shot in the escape, Djuna decides to find out who did it. Djuna is a very clever boy and along his powers of deduction and his dog, Champ, solve the robbery.
One of the reasons also I like to book is that Champ is a Scottie. You can never go wrong with a Scottie.
I approve heartily!
My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for letting me review this book.
When there’s a bank robbery in the village where Djuna lives and one of his dog’s best friends gets shot in the escape, Djuna decides to find out who did it. Djuna is a very clever boy and along his powers of deduction and his dog, Champ, solve the robbery.
One of the reasons also I like to book is that Champ is a Scottie. You can never go wrong with a Scottie.
I approve heartily!
My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for letting me review this book.
September 3, 2020
Thank you too audible stories for allowing us to stream this for free during the pandemic.Great story for a classic novel. It was a story of the bungling crooks being outsmarted by the young detective that no one believes because they're very trusting adults etc. But for the audience and the age it is for it's a great story great series starter. Not the best in the series by any means
June 29, 2010
An enjoyable light read, written for preteen to teen. The characters are well established and the small town he lives in described simply but clearly so you feel like you are a part of it.
August 27, 2016
A good YA mystery featuring Djuna from the early EQ books. Som elf the deductions are a tad easy, but the ending is tense and well-done.
July 14, 2018
Old friend
Read this book & the series 60 years ago. Enjoyed them then & enjoyed this book now. Bygone era that would not be appreciated by youths of today.
Read this book & the series 60 years ago. Enjoyed them then & enjoyed this book now. Bygone era that would not be appreciated by youths of today.
February 15, 2024
Champ, the eponymous Black Dog of the title lived with his young owner Djuna in a house, also occupied by Djuna's elderly friend Miss Annie Ellery, in a small village named Edenboro. The village had only one street, a dozen houses and one shop and the nearest town was Riverton, which Djuna visited occasionally, usually taking Cham with him.
George Boots was a carpenter, builder and housepainter who lived in the village and Djuna persuaded him to make a dog house for Champ. They began the project but had to cease when Mr Boots realised that he had no planks for the roof of the dog house. He went off to buy some while Djuna and a friend went into Riverton, catching a lift in a farmer cart.
Excitement was rife while they were there and they witnessed a robbery, which resulted in another dog being shot and Champ just managing to avoid the same fate. Djuna had seen suspicious men sat in a car and one of them called him over and asked the road to Canada. Djuna told him but did not catch sight of the other two men in the car as they kept their heads turned away from him.
It turned out that they were the robbers and thereafter Djuna sets out to find where they have gone but the police were slow to react so he set about investigating himself. This led him into danger and at one time his life was threatened and then Champ disappeared. Miss Annie wanted him to give up his crusade and let the police handle it but Djuna was determined to find out where the robbers had gone for he felt strongly that the police were on the wrong trail.
Plenty more intrigue takes place until the robbers are eventually captured with Champ reappearing and playing a hero's part in the capture in an exciting book that is very much of its time (1940s) but I wonder if it would suit the young adults of today ... for an old fogey like me, it is fine!
George Boots was a carpenter, builder and housepainter who lived in the village and Djuna persuaded him to make a dog house for Champ. They began the project but had to cease when Mr Boots realised that he had no planks for the roof of the dog house. He went off to buy some while Djuna and a friend went into Riverton, catching a lift in a farmer cart.
Excitement was rife while they were there and they witnessed a robbery, which resulted in another dog being shot and Champ just managing to avoid the same fate. Djuna had seen suspicious men sat in a car and one of them called him over and asked the road to Canada. Djuna told him but did not catch sight of the other two men in the car as they kept their heads turned away from him.
It turned out that they were the robbers and thereafter Djuna sets out to find where they have gone but the police were slow to react so he set about investigating himself. This led him into danger and at one time his life was threatened and then Champ disappeared. Miss Annie wanted him to give up his crusade and let the police handle it but Djuna was determined to find out where the robbers had gone for he felt strongly that the police were on the wrong trail.
Plenty more intrigue takes place until the robbers are eventually captured with Champ reappearing and playing a hero's part in the capture in an exciting book that is very much of its time (1940s) but I wonder if it would suit the young adults of today ... for an old fogey like me, it is fine!
December 5, 2024
Not a Dannay / Lee mystery but one commissioned by Lee for younger readers. Nevertheless a really nice old style boy's own adventure. The boy hero sees the bank robbery set up much more clearly than the adults around him including the police but is at the same time a really nice kid who likes hanging around with his buddy, fishing etc and is on good terms with the grown ups in his community including the old boy who owns the hardware store. And of course his brave black scotty dog , Champ helps too. Despite his intelligence, his niceness makes him a trusting sort and he fails to spot the ringleader of the robbers, a supposed fishing tourist staying with a local character at a remote shack in the woods by a large pond that it would be all too easy to drown in.
March 6, 2022
3,5 stars rounded up to 4.
Although this is my first time reading the series, it gave me nostalgic feelings because it was so much like Enid Blyton mystery series that I loved as a child. I liked the main character and his friend group. His relationship with Miss Annie was especially cute.
Although this is my first time reading the series, it gave me nostalgic feelings because it was so much like Enid Blyton mystery series that I loved as a child. I liked the main character and his friend group. His relationship with Miss Annie was especially cute.
April 15, 2020
Was free on Audible during Quarentine. Probably best for young tweens not older ones. I would give it a 2.5.
February 5, 2022
When I picked up this audiobook, I didn't realize it was quite so old. However, it was a fun read and I'll be looking forward to Djuna's next adventure.
August 21, 2023
Relaxed holiday reading. You can’t beat a story with a Scottie dog in it.
July 7, 2024
It was alright, probably won't read any more in the series, the story jumped around and was just to implausible even for fiction...
August 4, 2024
It was just okay.
October 27, 2024
I read this out of curiosity. It’s ok considering it was first written in 1941.
February 1, 2025
Cute story set in the 1920's or 30's about a boy and his dog catching bank robbers.
October 14, 2016
it's fun to read these type of who done it mystery.
i like the simplicity of the story. Love the old style if writing.
only downside is , we know who is the bad guys too soon.
nevertheless it was an enjoyable reads
i like the simplicity of the story. Love the old style if writing.
only downside is , we know who is the bad guys too soon.
nevertheless it was an enjoyable reads
August 9, 2024
Oops, accidentally ready a kids book but it was a nice story
March 29, 2015
Readers who enjoy classic mystery stories such as Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, or the Bobbsey Twins will enjoy this young detective and his spunky little dog. Djuna lives in a small town called Edenboro. He and his dog, Champ, are free to explore the woods and fields around town, fish in Lost Pond, and spend time with his friends Tommy and Mr. Boots. If he wants, he can even hang out with Clarabelle, Mr. Pindler's niece. Picture a sleepy little town, even quieter than Mayberry, and you might come close to envisioning Edenboro. But things don't stay quiet for long. Mr. Boots gets a letter in the mail and suddenly changes from pleasant and friendly to nervous and grumpy. When Tommy and Djuna get a ride into nearby Clinton to buy some fish hooks, they see a bank robbery and Champ is almost shot by the robbers for chasing their getaway car. Clarabelle hears a truck driving around town in the middle of the night when everyone should be in bed. Someone breaks into the shop where Mr. Boots keeps his carpentry and house-painting supplies and steals over a dozen cans of paint. What in the world has gotten into everyone? And why can't the police find the robbers when they have a description of their car and know they were headed up the highway to Canada? It's all very strange and Djuna's mind can't help turning the facts over and over, trying to make sense of everything.
If you know a young mystery lover who doesn't mind a story set in the 1940s, you should have them try out this first in the adventures of Djuna and his friends. And who wouldn't love a story where a trusty little Scottie grabs a bank robber by the ankle and chases him out of town?
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
If you know a young mystery lover who doesn't mind a story set in the 1940s, you should have them try out this first in the adventures of Djuna and his friends. And who wouldn't love a story where a trusty little Scottie grabs a bank robber by the ankle and chases him out of town?
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
October 22, 2016
This was the first in the Ellery Queen Junior Mystery Stories I read as a boy. Djuna must solve a bank robbery in the town where he lives. He is pretty smart and will figure it out even after one of his dog's best friends gets shot in the escape. Djuna does figure it out. This was an exciting msytery for kids.
October 17, 2015
Great story for a pre-teen.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews