Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective

Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective, by Donald J. Sobol (Puffin, 1963.)

I loved Encyclopedia Brown as a kid, and read whatever was available in my school or classroom library. My brother also had a copy, which I read multiple times.

In this, the first in the series, Encyclopedia helps his dad, the chief of police in Idaville, to solve a case involving "Natty Nat," a ne'er-do-well who supposedly held up The Men's Shop. One clue allows Encyclopedia to crack the case. Mr. Dillon said he only saw the front of Natty Nat. Yet he described the back of his coat, based on earlier reports of Nat. As it turns out, Mr. Dillon is stealing from his own store--and the co-owner. Recognizing his talent, Encyclopedia decides to start his own detective agency.

The remainder of the book is comprised of short mysteries that Encyclopedia solves, always based on one crucial clue. At the back of the book, that one clue is explained.

These stories are calisthenics for mystery readers' minds. There is always that one crucial clue--no matter how long or short the story. This series trains young readers to recognize details that whisper, "Something's amiss."

With the latest Encyclopedia Brown book, Super Sleuth, having come out in 2009, this series appears to be going strong. I'll have to read that title to see if the detective has raised his rates (which started at 25 cents per day) to account for inflation. Don't let those clients rob 'ya, Brown!

The verdict: Fun stuff for mystery readers in training.