Mystery of the Singing Serpent

Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators #17

by M.V. Carey

The Three Investigators become involved in witchcraft when they try to rescue a woman from the influence of snake worshipers.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Adventure, Detective, Audiobook

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Also known as Mary V. Carey
Personal: Born May 19, 1925, in New Brighton, Cheshire (now Merseyside), England; brought to the United States in 1925, naturalized citizen in 1955; daughter of John Cornelius (an engineer) and Mary Alice (Hughes) Carey. Home address in 1993 was 3748 Birch St., Ventura, CA.

Ms Carey passed away in 1994.

Education: College of Mount St. Vincent, B.S., 1946.

Religion: Roman Catholic

Career: Coronet, New York City, editorial associate, 1948 - 55; Walt Disney Productions, Burbank, CA, assistant editor of publications, 1955 - 69; free-lance writer 1969 - 1994.

Member: PEN; Mystery Writers of America; Society of Children's Book Writers; Women in Communications.

Awards, Honors: Southern California Council on Literature for Children and Young People Award, 1986, for "A Place for Allie".

Hobbies and Interests: Walking on the beach.

Writings:
Novelizations of Walt Disney Motion Pictures:
(With George Sherman) WD's "Babes in Toyland" Golden Press, 1961.
WD's "The Sword in the Stone" Whitman, 1963.
The Story of Walt Disney's Motion Picture "Mary Poppins" Whitman, 1964.
WD's "The Misadventures of Merlin Jones" Whitman, 1964.
WD's "Donald Duck and the Lost Mesa Ranch" Whitman, 1966.
The Story of WD's Motion Picture "Jungle Book" Whitman, 1967.
The Story of WD's Motion Picture "Blackbeard's Ghost" Whitman, 1968.
"Mrs. Brisby's Important Package" (adapted from film "The Secret of NIMH), Golden Press, 1982.

Juveniles:
"Raggedy Ann and the Glad and Sad Day", Golden Press, 1972.
"Little Lulu and the Birthday Surprise, Whitman, 1973.
"The Tawny, Scrawny Lio and the Clever Monkey" Golden Press, 1974.
"Alonzo Purr, the Seagoing Cat", Western Pub., 1974.
"The Owl Who Loved Sunshine", Golden Press, 1977.
"The Gremlin's Storybook", Golden Press, 1984.

The Three Investigators Mystery Series (Random House):
"The Mystery of the:
#15 Flaming Footprints, 1971.
#17 Singing Serpent, 1972.
#20 Monster Mountain, 1973.
#21 The Secret of the Haunted Mirror, 1974.
#23 Invisible Dog, 1975.
#24 Death Trap Mine, 1976.
#27 Magic Circle, 1978.
#29 Sinister Scarecrow, 1979.
#31 Scar-Faced Beggar, 1981.
#32 Blazing Cliffs, 1981.
#34 Wandering Cave Man, 1982.
#36 Missing Mermaid, 1984.
#39 Trail of Terror, 1984.
#41 Creep-Show Crooks, 1985.
#43 Cranky Collector, 1987
FYF#8 The Case of the Savage Statue, 1987.

Other:
(Editor) Jane Black, "The Indispensables", Hewitt House, 1971.
"Step-by-step Candlemaking", Golden Press, 1972.
"Step-by-step Winemaking", Golden Press, 1973.
"Love Is Forever" (collection of prose and poetry), C.R. Gibson, 1975.
(With George Sherman) "A Compendium of Bunk", C.C. Thomas, 1976.
(Editor) "Grandmothers Are Very Special People", C.R. Gibson, 1977.
"A Place for Allie" (young adult novel), Dodd, 1985.

Sidelights: Carey told Contemporary Authors: "I began writing late; my first articles and stories were published after I was thirty, and I was motivated by money. Money is not a bad motivation. The need to eat keeps us from laziness, and the fact that someone is willing to pay to read what we write assures us that we have indeed written."

"I think that writing should be honest and simple, and it should say something about what it means to be a person. When God is good to us, we write in such a way that the act of reading becomes a pleasure to those who buy our books. This experience doesn't happen all the time, but when it does it is at least as heady as winning the Irish sweepstakes. It makes mere competence seem dull. It is probably also what makes writing a compulsive occupation; some of us are uncomfortable when we are away from our typewriters for any length of time."

"My lifelong ambition, aside from writing, is to finish exploring the American West. This should keep me busy for at least another thirty years, since there is a

Reviews

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Justus, Peter und Bob haben es in diesem Band mit einem sehr sonderbaren Fall zu tun.
Beauftragt wurden sie von Allie, die zurzeit von ihrer Tante Patricia betreut wird, da die Eltern verreist sind. In Allies Haus ist zudem ein sehr sonderbarer Mann eingezogen, der Tante Patricias Hang zu allerhand Aberglauben ausnutzt.
** Die Geschichte wird eigentlich durch die ziemlich schrägen Charaktere interessant und unterhaltsam. Hier tummeln sich wirklich die merkwürdigsten Figuren, so dass ich es schon fast wieder lustig fand :)

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of my favourites in this series! Of course I loved the addition of Allie to the main group, it was very important to have a girl to identify with when I read this book; I was 10 or so. Although it was a bit of a "Smurfette Principle" trope, which I only recognize now, it still made the book extra special for me.

That, and all the hustling involved. So good.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was one of the better volumes because it dealt with witchcraft. Of course, there's a twist to it but it still was a pretty cool set up. There was a also a first here in that the "other" teenager involved in the case was a girl. Now, what I did find unusual was how little the guys reacted to her being a girl. These are guys in their early teens, and they basically just treated her like...well, like a guy. There was no romantic tension to speak of. I'd have thought them to either be like "Oh man, it's a girl" or "Oh Man! It's a girl!" but there was none of that. I'm guessing the target audience is too young to notice such things but it stuck out to me.

A good volume for fans of the series for sure.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ein echter Landstreicher würde wohl kaum ein Transistorradio besitzen!" - Sätze, bei denen man merkt, dass man ein Buch von 1972 liest.

---------
Ich bin einer groß Fan von Allie Jamison und fand das Hörspiel schon als Kind toll. Auch die Thematik Sekten & Zauberei mag ich bei den drei ??? sowieso sehr gerne.

Auch das Buch ist wunderschön nostalgisch, spannend und atmosphärisch. Gewundert habe ich mich über die Szene, in der eine "Zigeunerin" gerufen wird, um Allies Tante von ihrem Fluch zu befreien. Das las sich ein bisschen befremdlich.

Insgesamt aber bisher eines meiner liebsten Bücher der alten ???-Reihe. Auf Englisch finde ich die Art, wie die drei reden übrigens immer wieder sehr süß. Diese altmodischen Sätze sind einfach toll :D

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

original 2009 review - This is great fun and a cleverly plotted mystery . Allie Jameson is a neighbour of the Jones’, her parents are in Europe and her aunt is in charge, but she’s a member of a cult that includes new house-guest Ariel. The boys are drawn in when they witness one of the ritual meetings, where the cult invokes the power of Belial, which appears in smoke as a snake and makes a sound that is “singing, but not”. Filled with some great set-pieces - infiltrating the cult’s mansion, breaking and entering the butlers flat and the bombing of a deli - and nice observations - the reasons why people are in the cult and what they want out of it - this is sharply written, with great characterisation and a pace that never flags. Highly recommended.
2014 update - My original review stands, but I would add that this has a great atmosphere to it, that makes the reading process that much more fun. A lot of the action takes place during twilight or after dark and there’s a real sense of adventure to it and some nice touches - the wisteria on the patio - make it all the more stronger. The singing of the serpent is very well described and eerie, as is the moment they first see it in the flame. Allie is a great character - very strong and independent - and she and Pete bicker well (though he’s very protective of her). In fact, there’s quite a few moment of humour sprinkled through the book and Pete carries most of them, giving him a bigger part than usual (occasionally to the detriment of Bob). Great fun, a cracking read, highly recommended.
2017 update - As before, a terrific read with some great characterisation and set-pieces. Very much recommended.
2020 update - still an excellent read with a very busy climax (it has more happening in the last third than most books get in the whole thing!)

[Nadja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Allie ist klar das Highlight der Folge. :)

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

original 2009 review - This is great fun and a cleverly plotted mystery . Allie Jameson is a neighbour of the Jones’, her parents are in Europe and her aunt is in charge, but she’s a member of a cult that includes new house-guest Ariel. The boys are drawn in when they witness one of the ritual meetings, where the cult invokes the power of Belial, which appears in smoke as a snake and makes a sound that is “singing, but not”. Filled with some great set-pieces - infiltrating the cult’s mansion, breaking and entering the butlers flat and the bombing of a deli - and nice observations - the reasons why people are in the cult and what they want out of it - this is sharply written, with great characterisation and a pace that never flags. Highly recommended.
2014 update - My original review stands, but I would add that this has a great atmosphere to it, that makes the reading process that much more fun. A lot of the action takes place during twilight or after dark and there’s a real sense of adventure to it and some nice touches - the wisteria on the patio - make it all the more stronger. The singing of the serpent is very well described and eerie, as is the moment they first see it in the flame. Allie is a great character - very strong and independent - and she and Pete bicker well (though he’s very protective of her). In fact, there’s quite a few moment of humour sprinkled through the book and Pete carries most of them, giving him a bigger part than usual (occasionally to the detriment of Bob). Great fun, a cracking read, highly recommended.
2017 update - As before, a terrific read with some great characterisation and set-pieces. Very much recommended.
2020 update - still an excellent read with a very busy climax (it has more happening in the last third than most books get in the whole thing!)
2024 update - A much needed re-read, still hugely enjoyable with a couple of nice touches of humour. Highly recommended.

[Robert Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was MV Carey's second 3I book and it is one of her best, if not the best. Here we come across her greatest creation, Allie Jamison, a rich girl who rides an Appaloosa horse and is not daunted by Jupiter's air of superiority and brainy deductions. She is very charismatic and a very good judge of character, often proving the boys wrong. The story centres around a group of fake snake worshipers who have dug their claws into Allie's aunt, extorting money from her and other gullible rich people who long for some sort of power. But the criminals are willing to go to dangerous lengths to convince their victims that the power of the serpent is for real. All the characters are strong and the story is very well plotted and written, with an exciting finale. Great story.

[Nadja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein weiteres gelungenes Hörbuch Abenteuer mit den drei ???. Kein Wunder mit Katrin Fröhlich als Erzählerin. Sie hat die Jungs und natürlich ihre Allie super rübergebracht. Der Fall selbst hat mir gut gefallen, es blieb spannend bis zum Schluss.

MAMMAMIATHON 2020: Dads, voulez-vous, read whatever book you “want”!

Becca’s Bookoplathon Sept. 2020: Ebook or Audio.

[selvansoa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ich kannte den Fall schon als Hörspiel dementsprechend war es jetzt nicht so spannend aber trotzdem nostalgisch und es hat mir Spaß gemacht es zu lesen.
Besonders mit den kurzen Alfred Hitchcock Kommentaren 🥰

[Girish Narayan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first ever novel - introduced to me by my brother Harish in my summer vacations when I was 11 years young. We borrowed this book from Yuvaraj Lending Library in West Mambalam , Chennai. I fell in love with books every since. Thanks bro ! I would rate this interesting investigative thriller as one of my favorites simply because this is my first one ! I have forgotten the story line but still remember the three investigators - Jupiter Jones , Bob Andrews and Pete Crenshaw. Hope I will read this book sometime soon.

[Sebastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

In dieser Episode müssen die drei ??? einem betrügerischen Kult das Handwerk legen, welcher die leichtgläubige Tante der jungen Allie Jamison auszunehmen versucht. Während Patricia Osborne nämlich ohne Argwohn geheimnisvollen Sitzungen beiwohnt, bei denen ominöse Dämonen angebetet werden, ahnt ihre aufgeweckte Nichte, dass hier nicht alles mit rechten Dingen zugeht.

Bei diesem Fall sind die Schurken zwar schnell ausgemacht, dennoch kann die Folge inhaltlich und atmosphärisch überzeugen. Gerade die mysteriösen Versammlungen des Kultes sind stimmungsvoll und auch ein wenig unheimlich umgesetzt und die Handlung präsentiert sich durchweg schlüssig und nachvollziehbar und hat für die knapp 45 Minuten der Hörspielfolge auch ein passendes Maß an Komplexität. Mit u.a. Lutz Mackensy als zwielichtiger Dr. Shaitan ist die Episode zudem auch stimmlich prominent und hochklassig besetzt.

Insgesamt eine gelungene Folge, die zwar wenig Überraschungen bietet, aber auch kaum störende Schwächen offenbart.

[reese roettger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie was a partial slay. I kind of liked her, but sometimes she was just SO OBSESSED with her HORSE it was annoying.

my ranking of the three investigators' characters
1. Pete ( the comedic relief always has a special place in my heart)
2. Worthington ( Pete, Bob, and Jupe have this poor chauffeur scared for his life most of the time)
3. Bob (genius, deserves more love)
4. Aunt Matilda ( MWUAH! ICON! LOVE)
5. Allie (send it up there, it gives pick-me-girl vibes)
6. Jupiter Jones. ( ALWAYS LEAVES HIS FRIENDS IN THE DUMP, NEVER TELLS THEM ANYTHING, THINKS HE'S ALL THAT, AND THINKS JUST BECAUSE HE IS SMART HE CAN IGNORE HIS FRIENDS.

i hope from this review you can see my hatred for Jupe. i don't know why i hate him so much but yeah i do.

THANK YOU

I'm sorry for writing all this, im really bored

[Jeff Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

AH&T3I Update: 17 read, 11 hardbacks to go (and all those 15 additional paperbacks!)

The Mystery of the Singing Serpent was the second T3I book written by Mary Virginia (M.V.) Carey. I mentioned that I heard a female narrator when I read her first book. With this second attempt, I heard the normal voice in my head telling me the story. It did not have that same female quality that the first M.V. Carey book seemed to have. However, this title did have an admittedly more female take on the Three Investigators series. Of course, almost all Three Investigators stories contain the normal T3I elements. For example, all three boys work the case. The Jones Salvage Yard and Worthington with the Rolls-Royce is present in the story. Alfred Hitchcock and many of the supporting family member characters make an appearance as well, but the difference that makes this title special was the enhanced female presence in the book. Aunt Mathilda plays a stronger role, but her role is eclipsed by Allie, a girl about the age of the three boys, and it is Allie who employs the Three Investigators to help her and her aunt solve a problem involving witchcraft. This is the first time that females play a large role in the plot. It is also the first time that witchcraft and the occult figure into the story line. The book is fun and I enjoyed reading about the expanding world of the Three Investigators as they treat Allie more or less as an equal. Of course, they need to do that because Allie is full of spunk and demands that they treat her as an equal. This was an enjoyable plot and despite the witchcraft aspect of the tale, the book is appropriate readers as well. Three cheers for the Three Investigators plus one girl!

[Paul Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

M.V. Carey's second outing as scribe for the now 17 book long Three Investigators series. Good job. The characterisation is essentially indistinguishable from that of Arthur, Arden and West, and the story is solid. It's hard reading juvenile fiction through an adult lens. The plots are never as complex as you remember, but the tone and feelings this novel evokes remain the same. An enjoyable afternoon read.

[Joe Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best book since the series transitioned from the original author to a series of other authors. Carey seemed to have a fine feel for the three investigators and her addition of a young lady as a client, co-investigator and a tomboy pain in the butt worked very well. The book was well plotted with some clever callbacks and a touch of humor.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh yes. These are as good as I remember from a kid and borrowing them from my uncle's house. Can't wait for my kids to read them. I like how this one brings out how you must believe in things for them to happen. Although the poor aunt was so gullible...

[Rosa Dracos99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha entretenido leer este libro, me ha recordado mi niñez, en la que tenía algunos libros de la colección y siempre quería ser como los protagonistas, corriendo aventuras y resolviendo misterios.

[Inga · Rating 4 out of 5]

M.V. Carey (1925-1994) ist eine amerikanische Schriftstellerin, die in den 1970er und 1980er Jahren etwa 15 Bände für die "Three Investigators"-Reihe verfasste. In der Reihe der deutschen Hörspiele ist Die drei Fragezeichen und die singende Schlange der Band 25.

Die in der Nachbarschaft wohnende Allie bittet Justus, Peter und Bob um Hilfe, denn ihre Tante hat einen merkwürdigen Mann namens Asmodi in ihr Haus einziehen lassen. Bei den okkulten Versammlungen Asmodis ertönt der grässliche Gesang einer tanzenden Schlange. Doch es geht um mehr, denn diese Gemeinschaft ruft auch noch den Teufel an, um den Gegnern einzelner Mitglieder Schaden zuzufügen. Was steckt dahinter? Und auf wessen Seite steht eigentlich der merkwürdige Bentley, den Allie kurzerhand als Haushaltshilfe eingestellt hat?
Der Roman ist an manchen Stellen ausführlicher und komplexer als das Hörspiel. Vor allem das Ende zeigt noch deutlicher die psychischen Auswirkungen, die der Kult auf Allies Tante hat. So muss erst noch eine "weiße Zauberin" gerufen werden, die den bösen Zauber der Schlange für sie aufhebt. Hier lesen wir geflissentlich darüber hinweg, dass diese Zauberin eine Zigeunerin ist (das Original erschien 1972). Das fügte sich gut zusammen mit der Rolle Bentleys und klärt dadurch über die Wirkungsweise von Aberglauben und schwarzer Magie auf.

[Cliff · Rating 3 out of 5]

M.V. Carey has a clear understanding of the Three Investigators and it shows. I'm not certain, but I think that Pete has conveniently lost his ability to deal with horses (which was mentioned in the Mystery of the Moaning Cave).

This volume also includes the first female teenaged character, I believe. Though she will be unlikely every to re-occur, it is something noteworthy in this series which has been dominated by male characters.

For a series that draws upon the supernatural so frequently for its mysteries, however, you'd think that the writers would try to hint that perhaps there is something inexplicable at times. But alas, this one doesn't try to buck the trend. As a result, the reader is faced with a case that is expected to turn out to be a sham. Keeping the reader guessing was not part of their playbook.

[sonofabook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Justus prallt mit seinem Fahrrad mit einer jungen Reiterin, Allie, zusammen.
Kurze Zeit später ist es eben diese, welche die drei Detektive engagiert einen ungebetenen Mitbewohner aus dem Haus zu entfernen, einen Herrn Asmodi.
Eben dieser Herr ist es, welcher Vorsteher einer Sekte ist, die Allies Mutter ebenfalls mut in den erlesenen Kreis aufnimmt.
Schnell stellt sich allerdings heraus, dass vielleicht doch noch weitere Absichten und Motive Herr Asmodi bewegen.
Doch als die drei Fragezeichen bei den Untersuchungen aufgescheucht werden, müssen sie Vorsicht walten lassen.

Eine durchschnittliche Folge. Nicht besonders spannend, aber auch nicht schlecht.
Heraussticht der Sekten Aspekt, welcher immer eine ausladende Eindringlichkeit besitzt, die eine gruselige Seite mit sich bringt.

Also für alle Fans von Sekten ein Muss. Ansonsten eine gute Folge zum Einschlafen oder nebenbei hören.

[Danielle Routh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Three Investigators favorite that also spooked me silly! The illustrations had a big hand in that, but this one also stands out due to the appearance of one Allie Jamison, a girl down the block who works with T3I on the mysterious happenings in her house. I wouldn't have minded if Allie showed up in other stories--she isn't intimidated by the boys, least of all Jupe, and she's just treated like one of the gang. Like The Talking Skull, this one is a bit disappointing with how much time is actually devoted to the inner workings of the title matter, but the plot itself is great with a really realistic ending.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's fascinating that this book was written in 1972, before the Satanic Panic in the 80s. Maybe if some of those people had read this book, they wouldn't have gone off the deep end. I always appreciated the 3I for their rational thought in the midst of creepiness. I don't remember reading this one as a child/teen. Maybe that's because it was removed from the shelves in the 80s.

An excellent, complex story with red herrings that will keep kids guessing. Love the addition of Allie. So nice to see the guys treating her like a human being, not as a damsel in distress or romantic interest--almost as the fourth investigator. Thank you, Ms. Carey.

[Joaquin del Villar · Rating 3 out of 5]

En esta ocasión, una vecina de los investigadores, Ellie Jamison contrata a los investigadores por un asunto de una tía suya que vive en su casa y es aficionada al esoterismo, un misterioso personaje que ha venido a vivir con ellos y un collar de diamantes que anda en la caja fuerte de la casa. Todo aderezado con un culto de adoradores de Belial y de la serpiente. Nada del otro mundo. Lo destacable es el personaje de Ellie que compite con los investigadores en muchas facetas, lo que hace algo de mas ameno el libro.

[mo (sie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

allie the legend
dieser band war echt nice, mal abgesehen vom z-wort (immerhin waren die rassistischen vorurteile nicht gänzlich negativ, aber halt dennoch rassistisch). die auflösung war irgendwie ganz nice, aber halt auch weniger überraschend, weil die bösewichte recht schnell feststanden. der umgnag mit dem okkulten und die auseinandersetzung mit suggestion waren echt unterhaltsam und für kinder bestimmt auch lehrreich.

[Charley Schnuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

In diesem Teil der Reihe gab es Momente, die ich richtig klasse fand, da man sich sogar ein wenig gruseln konnte. Ich denke da an die singende Stimme, die wirklich durch Mark und Bein ging. Was mir nicht so gut gefallen hat war die Auflösung. Irgendwie war das ein wenig schnell und ich hatte am Ende das Gefühl, die Geschichte hätte noch zehn Minuten länger gehen müssen. Ansonsten für zwischendurch wieder ein sehr schöner Fall.

[Anni. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ich hab mir die Folge gestern als Hörspiel im Planetarium Berlin angehört – echt coole Erfahrung! Ich find’s immer wieder spannend, wie viele verschiedene Altersgruppen bei den Drei ??? am Start sind.

Die Folge selbst war jetzt nicht ganz mein Favorit, aber das Thema rund um Sekten und Zauberei fand ich trotzdem richtig interessant.

[FlySirius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again we get the Three Investigator in action! This time they had to involved with 'serpent'. I personally think serpent is creepy and throughout the book I just know that my hunch is true. Serpent is dangerous, creepy, and the singing is just terrible. Watch out!

[LobsterQuadrille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting and entertaining T3I story by M.V. Carey! It was fun getting back into this one, especially since Allie is such a great side character and stays in the spotlight for much of the book. And as usual there are even more surprises along the way!

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick fun read, loved these growing up. Still tickle my funny bone!!!