Two-Minute Mysteries (Apple Paperbacks)

I remember this from when I was a kid. Got a copy for my nieces and they have enjoyed it! Enough mysteries in there to keep them entertained for a while, but short enough to match the small attention span kids have.

This takes me back to when I was a kid reading riddles and little mysteries like these. My Fiancé and I were having a blast reading these and solving them...or coming up with ridiculous conclusions as to how the crimes occurred. But really, what I wanted to review is the employees of Amazon. I chose the same day delivery and I got just that. I do not doubt that the Amazon employees are way over worked, under paid and given very stressful time lines to fulfill orders. Well they kicked some serious ass getting us this book the same day, thanks a million folks! You squashed our bordem and brought me to back in the day

In 2019 , I had a rosy outlook for the new year to come. To this point in 2020, I thought there wasn’t much out there that could make me feel so dumb as that naïveté until I ordered this quick mystery book. Are you a fast reader? You’ll probably have to read each mystery a few times before sleuthing it out then. A slow reader? This book probably won’t be good for your confidence. Either way, if you have an easy time solving these (and aren’t a filthy cheater) then get back on the chess boards Bobby fisher and leave us average people in peace.

I bought this as a gift for a coworker, as we discovered that we had a mutual childhood love for the Encyclopedia Brown series, but he had never read the Two Minute Mysteries series, which is basically a version of the children’s book Encyclopedia Brown for an older audience. I was flooded with memories when it arrived, and my coworker loves it. Fast shipping, arrived in perfect condition.

I use this to teach my sixth graders to pay attention to details. We used it as part of a ReadWorks unit on the Westing Game. I did have to read ahead with sixth graders because they don't have the background knowledge to understand some of the mysteries. I also very much enjoyed reading it myself.

I used a previous edition when I was teaching to use up the last few minutes of class time. This time I purchased the book to read to my grandson when FaceTiming/Skyping. It is a short story that requires him to listen for the clues and solve the mystery.

I have been reading my son (and having him read) Encyclopedia Brown books for several months. We've read at least 5 or 6 of them, each with several stories in them. I began to feel that my son was getting a little tired of the formula of Encyclopedia Brown and began looking for a new, non-Encyclopedia Brown book of short mysteries. There are many out there, but I felt some were above the head of a 7-8 year old or too old or too acedemically-focused. Since I knew that Donald Sobol had written mysteries at just the right level for my son, I thought it was perfect that he had another, non-Encyclopedia Brown series. Unfortunately, as soon as I opened it to the first story, I realized these stories are just recycled, abridged versions of the Encylopedia Brown stories! (I don't know which one came first, but they are the same mysteries, nevertheless). This was a big disappointment, as I was looking for *new* stories. As it is, I will not be reading any of these to my son because he either already knows the answers or I wouldn't want to ruin the longer Encyclopedia Brown stories we haven't read yet. So the book is essentially useless to me. I realize my situation is probably not usual, but I thought it important to share this information with others who might want to choose between these condensed stories or the fuller Encyclopedia Brown stories. As for the mysteries themselves, they share the same plusses and minuses as the Encyclopedia Brown stories (clever, concise, but dated and sometimes obtuse). The only difference is the stories are shorter and you get 79 of them in one book than about 9 or 10. Each story is about 1/3 to 1/4 as long as the Encyclopedia Brown stories, with an adult inspector and no illustrations.

Granddaughter loved it. We’ve made a game out of it by reading each mystery out loud and the first to guess the answer wins. Lots of fun for whodunnit gamers.

Just like the original!

Each story is relatively short and easy to start reading. As an English teacher I have used the book in my class and the students really enjoyed it :)

Bought this for my 9 year old daughter as I had remembered enjoying reading it when I was young, in hindsight it might be better for teens, bit more voilent than I remember. Still a great book though.

loved these when I was a kid, and now read them with my kids. Great short mysteries to grease the mental wheels and test your attention to detail. Donald J Sobol was always one of my favorite authors with his Encyclopedia Brown series and these are just as enjoyable from him. I highly recommend to all

These stories are much easier and more interesting than the five minute ones that seem to go too long we use this at dinner parties with friends