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Encyclopedia Brown #13
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Midnight Visitor
An unexpected midnight quest...
A holdup at the First City Bank...
A stolen tennis racket...
Gerbils who paint in pairs...
and fifty mosquitoes netted at the Oddball Olympics!
These are just some of the ten brain-twisting mysteries that Encyclopedia Brown must solve by using his famous computerlike brain. Try to crack the cases along with him--the answers to all the mysteries are found in the back!
A holdup at the First City Bank...
A stolen tennis racket...
Gerbils who paint in pairs...
and fifty mosquitoes netted at the Oddball Olympics!
These are just some of the ten brain-twisting mysteries that Encyclopedia Brown must solve by using his famous computerlike brain. Try to crack the cases along with him--the answers to all the mysteries are found in the back!
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
141 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
Donald J. Sobol
181 books223 followersDonald J. Sobol was an award-winning writer best known for his children's books, especially the Encyclopedia Brown mystery series. Mr. Sobol passed away in July of 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
April 13, 2020
Neo and I cannot stop reading these sets of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries. We tackled this collection, filled with some wonderful stories we can process in a few minutes, connecting with one another as we guess the all but obvious solutions. The kid detective still works his magic in Idaville, USA, keeping the town crime-free and collecting his fee from those who can pay. Encyclopedia battles the pre-teen bully (Bugs Meany), solves the case of a mosquito swatter, and assists with a hit and run accident. These wonderful five-minute mysteries seek to entertain and exercise the brain of both child and adult, but require some keen sleuthing. Neo and I have used them as a before bedtime activity and we are getting much better at piecing the clues together in a timely manner. Young sleuths in the making may want to sharpen their skills with the massive collection of stories.
Neo really likes the stories that keep him thinking. I remember having these stories read to me when I was young as well, helping me want to pass along the tradition. Neo thoroughly enjoys listening to the stories and making an effort to uncover the clues that will help solve the cases. He mentioned that these are perfect stories for parent-child reading, but would be great for a good reader when they have time or are on a road trip. A note to parents: the stories are dated (1960s and 70s) and some of the terminology or word choices might not be as correct as you would like your young reader to use on a daily basis.
Did you know Neo’s has his own GR account for reviews? Check him out: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Neo really likes the stories that keep him thinking. I remember having these stories read to me when I was young as well, helping me want to pass along the tradition. Neo thoroughly enjoys listening to the stories and making an effort to uncover the clues that will help solve the cases. He mentioned that these are perfect stories for parent-child reading, but would be great for a good reader when they have time or are on a road trip. A note to parents: the stories are dated (1960s and 70s) and some of the terminology or word choices might not be as correct as you would like your young reader to use on a daily basis.
Did you know Neo’s has his own GR account for reviews? Check him out: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
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September 4, 2023File this one under "Things I Read to My Kids". Not sure I can add much that hasn't been said about Encyclopedia Brown. The stories and cases are of varying quality, some... not so good. But they're kids' stories, and the kids got real joy from some of them, so they've done what they set out to do, right? A good introduction for kids into the joys of ratiocination.
June 27, 2017
This is a book review written by my tutee, Erik. Please feel free to comment your thoughts!:
The Case of the Painting Gerbils is a mystery where Encyclopedia has to find who ratted on the gerbils. Some good things that I liked were there was three suspects and each one has a reason to stop the gerbils. I liked this because you could have three different answers that you could like better than the real answer. Some things I did not like about the story was that there was not enough clues and the author could have fixed that by giving a little backstory about the suspects. In one scene, he could have given more details. A reader who would like this book is someone who likes analyzing all of the little details and enjoys hard mysteries, but for me the mystery was a little too hard. In conclusion, this story was OK,not the best and not the worst either.
The Case of the Painting Gerbils is a mystery where Encyclopedia has to find who ratted on the gerbils. Some good things that I liked were there was three suspects and each one has a reason to stop the gerbils. I liked this because you could have three different answers that you could like better than the real answer. Some things I did not like about the story was that there was not enough clues and the author could have fixed that by giving a little backstory about the suspects. In one scene, he could have given more details. A reader who would like this book is someone who likes analyzing all of the little details and enjoys hard mysteries, but for me the mystery was a little too hard. In conclusion, this story was OK,not the best and not the worst either.
April 13, 2020
My dad and I cannot stop reading these sets of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries. We tackled this collection, filled with some wonderful stories we can process in a few minutes, connecting with one another as we guess the all but obvious solutions. The kid detective still works his magic in Idaville, USA, keeping the town crime-free and collecting his fee from those who can pay. Encyclopedia battles the pre-teen bully (Bugs Meany), solves the case of a mosquito swatter, and assists with a hit and run accident. These wonderful five-minute mysteries seek to entertain and exercise the brain of both child and adult, but require some keen sleuthing. We use them as a before bedtime activity and we are getting much better at piecing the clues together in a timely manner. Young sleuths in the making may want to sharpen their skills with the massive collection of stories.
I cannot help enjoying these stories, as they keep me thinking. There’s nothing like listening to the stories and making an effort to uncover the clues that will help solve the cases. Always perfect stories for parent-child reading, but would also be great for a good reader when they have time or are on a road trip. Some of the talk is a little old-fashioned and terms could be a problem if you used them outside the house, or inside too.
I cannot help enjoying these stories, as they keep me thinking. There’s nothing like listening to the stories and making an effort to uncover the clues that will help solve the cases. Always perfect stories for parent-child reading, but would also be great for a good reader when they have time or are on a road trip. Some of the talk is a little old-fashioned and terms could be a problem if you used them outside the house, or inside too.
July 6, 2023
Idaville is such a wack town. E.B. And Sally forever!
October 20, 2013
Instead of reviewing the book as a whole, I'd like to list the individual mysteries and say which ones I solved without looking at the answer in the back and which ones stumped me.
The Case of the Midnight Visitor: Surprisingly, this case completely stumped me, and the answer wasn't all that obvious either!
The Case of the Hidden Penny: Well, I knew Bugs had the penny, but I didn't guess where.
The Case of the Red Sweater: Got it mostly, except for the how.
The Case of the Painting Gerbils: Threw me for a loop, because I originally guessed correctly who had tattled, but then one of the facts confused me. So I got it mostly.
The Case of the Time Capsule: Solved it.
The Case of Freddy the Great: Stumped me!
The Case of the Tennis Racket: Mostly solved. I knew who it was and the general idea of what gave that person away, but I didn't know every detail.
The Case of the Fifty Mosquitoes: Solved it.
The Case of Blue-Point Blackie: Actually, was pretty stumped with this one until .
The Case of the Hit-Run Car: Solved it .
The Case of the Midnight Visitor: Surprisingly, this case completely stumped me, and the answer wasn't all that obvious either!
The Case of the Hidden Penny: Well, I knew Bugs had the penny, but I didn't guess where.
The Case of the Red Sweater: Got it mostly, except for the how.
The Case of the Painting Gerbils: Threw me for a loop, because I originally guessed correctly who had tattled, but then one of the facts confused me. So I got it mostly.
The Case of the Time Capsule: Solved it.
The Case of Freddy the Great: Stumped me!
The Case of the Tennis Racket: Mostly solved. I knew who it was and the general idea of what gave that person away, but I didn't know every detail.
The Case of the Fifty Mosquitoes: Solved it.
The Case of Blue-Point Blackie: Actually, was pretty stumped with this one until .
The Case of the Hit-Run Car: Solved it .
May 7, 2023
More a note to myself here, as Encyclopedia Brown is a long-standing part of our bedtime routine and I get them out of the library all of the time and they are hard to keep straight. This is one of the more outdated feeling collections. Donald Sobol takes another chance to dump on modern art. And speaking of art, it's clear the illustrator didn't take time to read "The Case of the Hit-Run Driver" before drawing for it. There are so many inconsistencies of text vs. illustration it's like a bonus "spot the errors" mystery.
May 6, 2019
Just your average EB stories; fun but if you're not paying attention you'll miss the clues.
Recommended 10+ for mild violence, bullying, and people committing crimes.
Recommended 10+ for mild violence, bullying, and people committing crimes.
December 28, 2023
This collection had a couple of high points, but it wasn't as engaging as some previous books (particularly #10). Some specifics:
Midnight Visitor - The story was fine. I felt like it was unlikely that someone would leave that clue. I figured it out, but it feels like the same idea has been used in other detective stories.
Hidden Penny - One of many blanket statements found in solutions "No ___ would ever..." I suppose this one is probably true, more for logistical reasons than gourmet rules, as the solution implies.
Red Sweater - This felt a bit too straightforward, like there wasn't enough to actually build a story.
Painting Gerbils - I remember this one from decades ago. I didn't understand the solution then, and I don't think I buy it now.
Time Capsule - Not much deduction needed here.
Freddy the Great - Finally, a story that gets the reader thinking and might stump them if they don't know the specific fact needed for the solution. This seems like a return to the formula that has worked in most of the more successful Encyclopedia Brown cases.
Tennis Racket - Sure, it we are to take everything that is said literally, this works. Otherwise, the incriminating statement could have been an exaggeration. Not all that conclusive.
Fifty Mosquitoes - A fun premise. A decent story. This one came together well. The type of story that might have a reader thinking they just can't quite put their finger on the solution, even though they can see it right in front of them.
Blue-Point Blackie - The story itself is fine, but the setup is a bit unrealistic. I know that most of the kids in Idaville have some sort of eccentricity, but this might be one where it's just a little too convenient.
Hit-Run Car - A strange title. Why not Hit-and-Run? Anyhow, it's probably the best story in the book. The premise is amusing----and it takes a careful reading and some prior knowledge to solve it. A strong finish to an otherwise okay book.
Midnight Visitor - The story was fine. I felt like it was unlikely that someone would leave that clue. I figured it out, but it feels like the same idea has been used in other detective stories.
Hidden Penny - One of many blanket statements found in solutions "No ___ would ever..." I suppose this one is probably true, more for logistical reasons than gourmet rules, as the solution implies.
Red Sweater - This felt a bit too straightforward, like there wasn't enough to actually build a story.
Painting Gerbils - I remember this one from decades ago. I didn't understand the solution then, and I don't think I buy it now.
Time Capsule - Not much deduction needed here.
Freddy the Great - Finally, a story that gets the reader thinking and might stump them if they don't know the specific fact needed for the solution. This seems like a return to the formula that has worked in most of the more successful Encyclopedia Brown cases.
Tennis Racket - Sure, it we are to take everything that is said literally, this works. Otherwise, the incriminating statement could have been an exaggeration. Not all that conclusive.
Fifty Mosquitoes - A fun premise. A decent story. This one came together well. The type of story that might have a reader thinking they just can't quite put their finger on the solution, even though they can see it right in front of them.
Blue-Point Blackie - The story itself is fine, but the setup is a bit unrealistic. I know that most of the kids in Idaville have some sort of eccentricity, but this might be one where it's just a little too convenient.
Hit-Run Car - A strange title. Why not Hit-and-Run? Anyhow, it's probably the best story in the book. The premise is amusing----and it takes a careful reading and some prior knowledge to solve it. A strong finish to an otherwise okay book.
April 20, 2021
Every few years or so, I pick one of these up to read (okay, make fun of) with my dad.
I've been searching for years for the book that I always remembered having the must absurd solution of all time, and I finally found it with this one! I refer, of course, to the hot dog solution, where we are informed that NO ONE would EVER put mustard ON TOP of sauerkraut. I remember my dad and I first reading that one years ago, and we quoted it for years as being the dumbest "solution" ever. Reading it again after all these years was so worth it, and it's still as stupid as I remember.
Besides that solution, I found every single one of these either absolutely absurd, and/or featuring facts that no kid would ever know. Thus, this is one of the worst books in the series by far - but because it's so bad, I kind of love it.
I've been searching for years for the book that I always remembered having the must absurd solution of all time, and I finally found it with this one! I refer, of course, to the hot dog solution, where we are informed that NO ONE would EVER put mustard ON TOP of sauerkraut. I remember my dad and I first reading that one years ago, and we quoted it for years as being the dumbest "solution" ever. Reading it again after all these years was so worth it, and it's still as stupid as I remember.
Besides that solution, I found every single one of these either absolutely absurd, and/or featuring facts that no kid would ever know. Thus, this is one of the worst books in the series by far - but because it's so bad, I kind of love it.
February 10, 2023
For those unfamiliar with the concept of Encyclopedia Brown, he is a kid who loves solving mysteries and has not just a good instinct for them, but what appears to be a photographic memory for anything he reads. Hence the nickname Encyclopedia. His real name is Leroy BTW. The book contains multiple stories, each one around 7 - 10 pages each.
The length of the mysteries is perfect for reading to younger kids at bedtime. They are simple, yes, but they can definitely spark an interest that leads to the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden and so many more amazing series out there for kids as they grow up.
Encyclopedia has a partner in Sally, who is easily as tough as Nancy Drew or one of the Hardy brothers. Sally is also nearly as smart as Encyclopedia, so she makes a good partner and 'muscle' of the team.
Find it! Buy it! Read it!
The length of the mysteries is perfect for reading to younger kids at bedtime. They are simple, yes, but they can definitely spark an interest that leads to the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden and so many more amazing series out there for kids as they grow up.
Encyclopedia has a partner in Sally, who is easily as tough as Nancy Drew or one of the Hardy brothers. Sally is also nearly as smart as Encyclopedia, so she makes a good partner and 'muscle' of the team.
Find it! Buy it! Read it!
November 26, 2024
The more I read the more I disliked the attitudes and behaviors it showed. pg 16 disparages mom [“Mothers,” he grumbled. “They don’t understand kids.” Same conversation on next page “She told me I’d have to practice outdoors. That was mean.”], pg 17 “After Bugs kicked me, he yanked off the blanket and begged my pardon,” recalled Elmo. “He said he thought I was an Arab” (illustration of this on pg 18), pg 25 [Bugs] longed to smack Encyclopedia so hard the boy detective would have to stand on his head to turn things over in his mind.”, pg 29 10 yr old girl to 12 yr old bully “You’re so crooked you have to screw on your socks.”, pg 30 pretends to have girlfriend (5th grade, possibly 7th as the bully is 2 years older than MC), pg 37 “find out which one is the dirty snitch,” pg 58 stupid, pg 61 girl punches older boy, pg 107 implied gave black eye to 4th grader
August 4, 2019
Idaville's top detective returns with ten cases involving kidnapping, petty theft, jewels thieves, bank robbery, and several other cases. Using his knack for trivia, and using the clues provided and with help from his assistant Sally kimball, Leroy" Encyclopedia" Brown helps keep crime at a low rate.
July 27, 2021
read these avidly when I was a kid. Each book contains several short (2 page) mysteries that 5th grader Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown helps to solve. The fun part is the solutions are all in the back of the book, so the reader gets to try to solve the mystery too. (I was also obsessed with Koalas as a kid. This is one from my collection.)
January 9, 2018
And so I end my Encyclopedia Brown volumes! I know there are more, but I believe in Portugal only these have become available. Overall, it was a nice exercise in logic and I enjoyed the two detectives! Sally was also amazing!
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 9 January 2018.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 9 January 2018.
January 2, 2019
There is a racist moment in here on page 22. ""After Bugs kicked me, he yanked off the blanket and begged my pardon," recalled Elmo. "He said he thought I was an Arab."" Definitely not appropriate. I used white-out and wrote 'ghost' instead.
The puzzles were great though I enjoyed them.
The puzzles were great though I enjoyed them.
July 24, 2020
Mixed bag as usual. Some didn't show us everything the detective saw. Some required knowledge of trivia that I don't know, and that a kid isn't likely too, either. Otoh, it's a fun series and I will both read all I can find, and recommend them to age 9 up.
November 21, 2024
Short and sweet and to the point. I enjoyed reading Encyclopedia Brown growing up. He symbolizes a good person and a hero whose superpower is his mind. I think it is a harmless character that I would hope inspires children to read and to analyze. America needs more critical thinkers.
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October 27, 2025surprisingly the MOST pc ency brown i've read (for work) so far, which is weird, considering they DID through around one word that felt mildly offensive for no reason? but, a fairly safe option for kids
November 2, 2018
Most are so obscure that I could only guess who he was thinking but not the reasoning.
May 31, 2019
Encyclopedia does it again!
April 28, 2021
My brother told me to read this cuz it was a part of his childhood...
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January 4, 2022I love all the Encyclopedia Brown books, and this one was no different!
November 29, 2022
Fun puzzle book for an easy read. Definitely looking forward to reading more of these short stories to try and keep my brain firing on all cylinders!
January 23, 2023
It's interesting reading these silly stories as an adult and seeing just how much has changed in children's entertainment. Don't like this one as much as I did as a kid.
March 7, 2023
About average with the other Encyclopedia Brown books.
October 17, 2023
The ambulance case (The Case of the Hit-Run Car) was really interesting. I learned something new (but no spoilers!)
March 10, 2024
2.5 stars
Nothing new or specific add in terms of reviews for this - I really like Sally Anne though haha.
Nothing new or specific add in terms of reviews for this - I really like Sally Anne though haha.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews