The Mystery of Wreckers' Rock

My first three investigators book that

was a gift at a time when English books had seemed nightmare. But when I reread it after ageing a bit, I realized what treasure it was. Now when I read it, this seems rather simple story yet not a bit less thrilling. As a boat is found with signs of a possible drowning near an age old rock that seems to be den of ghosts and werewolves the plot seems a bit thick. Also when the investigating trio is hunted for some innocent snaps there is no turning back. The mystery closes the series yet remains one of the most enticing.

The Mystery of the Two-Toed Pigeon

A nervous winking man, a caged pigeon, a murdered magpie that used to bring pearls, some dead hawks, a message scripted with Japanese letters, Jupiter, Pete and Bob have to find who is killing the birds and why is their pigeon swapped suddenly. Traversing thru the nostalgia, the story was savoured with its gentle yet firm pace. Recommended for the young people, the elders can also enjoy the rationale that clears away all the queries which were posed. Clues abound there is a chance that part of the mystery may be guessed a bit early.

The Mystery of the Talking Skull

An age old trunk left by a magician who had vanished "from the world of men" reveals more than a magician's items. A talking skull that sneezes and boo's leaves a trail for the investigators to follow. It seems that the trunk contains clue to some old crime that had remained unsolved. Thus the investigators are presented with more than a single mystery that seems to border the supernaturals. To solve they not only required to know the history but also about those who were related with the trunk and its contents. With this comes a curious threat that leaves no option but to solve the case no matter what. So again there is excitement in the menu but adventure takes a backseat while analysing clues keep the suspense alive.

The Secret of Skeleton Island

The legend of a pirate treasure, frequent theft from a movie location, ghost in a merry go round, chance to act in a movie, the investigators could not have wished for more. But as they are stranded the first day in a deserted island at the mercy of nature by a seemingly normal fellow it seemed that somebody did not want detectives on the Skeleton Island. So though the detectives start their acting stunts and their investigations of the thefts there seems to be something very fishy going on. A young Greek boy seemed to be the common suspect of all though this particular kid appears at all the odd hours to help these three. The local police don't seem to bother much about the thefts but the investigators sense something more serious. But the secret seems fathoms deep as the investigators tries to hunt for clues in vain.

This childhood favourite among the series seemed still to hold the same appeal as always. As the story closes, the revelations are both thrilling and satisfying.

The Mystery of the Vanishing Treasure

A baffling theft in a museum and an inexplicable case of gnome sighting, the investigators were presented with a double mystery though the former was not officially handed over to them until quite some time. But even then, Jupe could not have been so easily put off from nosing but for the second case that sounded ominous and intriguing enough. So though Hans, one of the two Bavarian brothers and helping hands of the Jones Salvage Yard, advised otherwise, Jupe and slightly reluctant Pete and Bob ultimately agreed for solving these mysterious gnome sightings. However they never realized that underneath the sightings of these creatures of the fairy tales, a sinister plot was unfolding. Also they never knew that a very important clue to the jewel robbery of the museum also was coming their way. So the investigators were set for yet another exciting ride of detection and thrill with clues that were all there but wisely hidden by their simplicity. The narrative is fast paced, intelligent and sure to bring hours of enjoyment to readers of any age.

The Mystery of the Shrinking House

When I had bought the book, the queerness of the title attracted me though the strangeness vanished very quickly going thru the first few chapters but when I again read through this time, it seemed to appeal in a rather different way. The central plot revolves round the twenty paintings of a late artist whcih suddenly seems to become valuable after he had passed away. As his final possessions change hands, Uncle Titus playing a  major role in that, the three investigators are called to trace the same by a distant relative of the artist. Though most of them are traced but the painting seemed elusive. It seemed to catch hold of the attention of several queer persons, one of them possessing a live leopard too, the second appeal to me from its title page. Infact several twists in the final pages also takes the breath away which though becomes a bit repeated but is still exciting. But not only for the story but for its old world charm that it seemed to attract me once more. That nostalgic feeling of the young, when the mind seeks adventure, this again brought back the fun memories of childhood.

The Mystery of the Wandering Caveman

This was the thirty fourth case of the three sleuths. A scientist meets a sudden death right at Jones Salvage Yard which leaves a dormant trail for the three investigators to follow that turns up to be a curious case. Prehistoric creature is reported to come to life and bones of a newly discovered fossil is stolen. An entire town goes to sleep and all seem to have solid alibi. But the lead comes unexpectedly with a twist so like good mystery novels and in between businessmen and scientists figthing for the fossil the investigators faces a challenging riddle. I seem to find the case more intriguing than when I read it first but with that too I found an apparent mistake of the plot. The simplicity of manufacturing of a chemical that required a deal of research seemed to be unconvincing. But except for this it will find a place among the moderately good.

The Mystery of the Purple Pirate

These mystery stories had been my favourite during my school days and now I find that though the stories are meant for the young readers their simple style has an appeal that entertains readers of mysteries of all ages. Nostalgic memories seemed to cloud the mind as I went thru the exciting adventures and more than once it reminded me of the enjoyable reading moments during my younger days. The three investigators penned by several authors throughout the series and introduced by some famous men always had a storehouse for wonder for us. The mystery lovers who were not satisfied with adventures but longed for unabridged uncensored whodunits for the young used to find the same here.

This time the case, thirty third in the series, presented itself in the form of an odd advertisement and an even odder interview that followed. The respondents included Jupiter Jones, Peter Crenshaw and Robert Andrews. Smelling something fishy in the entire business the detectives right off started enquiry of their own. With gadgets developed by the leader of the trio what followed was yet another exciting turn of events that led to unmasking of villains no less than the infamous pirate whose legacy seemed to have reappeared.

The Mystery of the Whispering Mummy

What will an investigator do when approached with two cases simultaneously? On one hand is a 3000 year old mummy whispering ancient Arabic and in the other an Abyssinian cat with mismatched eyes go missing! The trio of Investigators - Jupe, Pete and Bob - will take both at once. Thus they get involved in a curious mystery filled with adventures inside mummy case, strange disguises, Oriental clients, speedy car chases and eerie accidents. How Jupe with his new innovation - walkie talkie sets - and with the help of the other investigators, catches the villains remains to be seen in this exciting adventure that are truly enjoyable for the young minds. Quite unlike the other stories, the strangeness of the central plot is masked quite early but the excitement remains throughout.

The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot

Have you heard of a parrot who stutters? If you haven't, then you must read this one. Add to this is a treasure hunt with a trail of riddles and the trio named Jupe, Pete and Bob. The second in their series and turning mature at every step of crime solving the three investigators will take the young readers through a frightful yet enjoyable ride of mystery and secrecy. Clues held by avian allies, the trio launches on a terrifying ride dodging art thieves to reach the place where the treasure is hidden. The feathery friends talk in riddles and it is upto the research and intel of the three friends to solve the puzzle. Full of mystery and suspense, this is one of my schooltime favourites that is intensely enjoyable and is full of twists. The most important part is that coincidences are so tactfully handled that the readers will not feel themselves cheated of the suspense and will no doubt love these adventures as do Worthington, the chaeuffer who misses the mystery a bit.

The Secret of Terror Castle

In my school days when adventure started to unfold its truest meaning to our young souls, the books that mostly gave a thrilling company comprised mainly of adventures shrouded in a veil of mystery. Thus it was no doubt the Three Investigators franchise held a special place in my mind and still now I continue being a fan of the Jupiter Jones, Peter Crenshaw, Robert Andrews and the ever-friendly Worthington, the chaeffeur of the gold plated Rolls Royce that Jupe won as a free rental service in a competition that challenged everyody's intelligence. The apparently spooky phenomenon they were introduced to appealed to my fascination even more.

Initially, I was under the misconception that Alfred Hitchcock was the writer and my young mind was even more confused when several author's name cropped up in various volumes. But finally I understood that the serial was continued by various author at different times.

The Secret of Terror Castle was penned by Robert Arthurr Jr., who created the sleuths and engaged them to a case for investigating a haunted castle purportedly for Alfred Hitchcock. The brainy Jupe, the athletic Pete and the researcher Bob thus form the group and tries to hunt the ghosts of a castle whose owner, a renowned movie star of the silent movie era specializing in scary movies, had apparently committed suicide. As they started investigating they are threatened by eerie messages and the ghostly activities inside the castle itself seem too much for all except Jupe whose motto was to solve anything and everything. Thus the investigation are sure to thrill the young minds and also are enjoyable even today when I took the opportunity to go through it once more.

The novel finishes off with a promise for the next case which was again presented to them apparently by Alfred Hitchcock and thus even when the final chapters are done with the excitement remains for the next!!