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 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!!