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The Mystery of the Fiery Eye (Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators, #7)

The Mystery of the Fiery Eye by Robert Arthur

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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With one day left in the month, I cheated a bit and chose to read a YA book, which I knew I could knock back in short order. One more book for the month, huzzah! I read The Mystery of the Fiery Eye by Robert Arthur, which is the 7th in the “Three Investigators” series of classic, young adult mysteries. The main characters are boys Jupiter Jones, Bob Andrews, and Pete Crenshaw.

There’s been a dearth of mysteries for the Three Investigators to solve, until a former detective turned mystery writer calls them to help the son of a friend of his. The son, Gus, has been left an inheritance by his reclusive great-uncle, but the only clue is a cryptic letter sent to him. The boys eagerly take on the case, which they learn involves an infamous gem and the gang of thugs who are intent on claiming it first. The race is on for the boys to solve the clues hidden in the letter and secure the Fiery Eye before Gus’ inheritance is lost forever.

This was a quick read, not only because it was novella length, but also because the plot zipped along. There were red herrings, mysterious characters, and a dash of danger. It was fun, in a nostalgic way, to see the boys pedaling their bikes all over, making (and waiting for) telephone calls, and doing research at the library.

Favorite line: “I am fighting an enraged chair, and I think I’m winning.”

Fun story, four stars

The Mystery of the Shrinking House (Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators, #18)

The Mystery of the Shrinking House by William Arden

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Now that Shark Week is over, I've resumed reading. On Sunday, I read The Mystery of the Shrinking House, by William Arden, cover to cover. It's the 18th part of "The Three Investigators" vintage young adult mystery series. The main characters are friends (and investigators!) Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews.

Jupiter accompanies his Uncle Titus on a buying trip for the salvage yard that Titus owns. There, Jupe is convinced he saw someone in black climbing up the side of the house. Everyone assures him he must have merely seen the play of light and shadow, but when several people show a keen interest in the several paintings that Titus buys, Jupiter senses a mystery and gets his friends involved. The paintings were all the same, except that the house in each of them seemed to become smaller and smaller. Convinced the series of paintings hold the key to something far more valuable, The Three Investigators turn their attention to solving the mystery of the shrinking house.

The books in this series are difficult to find, so reading this one was a delight. My enjoyment was tempered somewhat by the rather serious scrapes the boys got into, however, including being abducted and tied up, and getting locked into rooms or buildings at various times. At what point do you call the police?! Nevertheless, it was a fun read.

Favorite line: "Well, here goes. Geronimo, fellows!"

I wish I could give this 3 1/2 stars, but I'll be magnanimous and round it up to four.