The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot (The Three Investigators No. 2) [Paperback]

Robert Arthur (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Three Investigators Classics

Hot on the trail of seven talking parrots that have seemingly vanished into thin air, the Three Investigators are in more trouble than ever. Danger lurks at every turn as they search for the birds, each of whom can quote part of a coded message from a mysterious dead man.  

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Originally published in hardcover beginning in 1964, these classic mystery/adventure stories feature three boys--Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews--who establish a detective firm with the motto "We Investigate Anything!" Perfect for summer reading, these suspenseful action stories will appeal to both boys and girls.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

"Help!" The voice was weak and choked.  "Please, someone--help me! Someone--quick, before I--"

Hearing the cries, Jupiter Jones and one of his partners burst into the gloomy old house.  There on the floor lay a haggard man, bound and loosely gagged.

What in the world is going on?  The Three Investigators had been called in to help this man find his lost parrot--an unusual bird that quoted Shakespeare with a stutter.  But a lot more seemed to be at stake than a missing pet!

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (May 21, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679811710
• ISBN-13: 978-0679811718
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #666,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Three Investigators Mystery, August 4, 2001

By 

Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot (The Three Investigators No. 2) (Paperback)

In this second book about the Three Investigators, Robert Arthur has exceeded the achievements of the first. Whereas The Secret of Terror Castle detailed the boys' attempt to prove their investigative powers, The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot relates the story of the boys' first real case. Having been charged with finding a missing parrot, they soon find themselves intimately involved in a search for a valuable work of art. The story is much fuller and more satisfying than that of the first book. Here we see the case evolve from a seemingly simple, far from dangerous search for a missing pet to an expanded search for seven mysterious parrots (the significance of which are not at first apparent) and finally to a race against an international art thief to acquire a lost masterpiece. Along the way, they face mysterious foreigners working against them, make sense of an enigmatic coded message, and ultimately triumph (albeit somewhat by accident). Admirably, they also go out of their way to generously help a young Mexican immigrant and his uncle establish a more comfortable life for themselves.

This is the Three Investigators at their finest. The mental acumen of Jupiter Jones is put to the test, and once again his mental prowess proves up to the task. For an adult such as myself, some of the obvious clues are not picked up on in as timely a fashion as I would expect, but one must remember that even Jupiter Jones, genius that he is, is only a lad. This book is an unqualified success, eminently enjoyable to both young and old alike. I feel just as I felt twenty years ago upon first reading these books--anxious to read about the boys' next case.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars SECOND TIME IS A REAL CHARM!, October 17, 2001

By 

M. Grant "MacGyver of the Books" (Detroit, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot (The Three Investigators No. 2) (Paperback)

The Three Investigators series is MUST reading for all kids. As a teacher I encourage all of my students to delve into the adventures of Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews. None of my young readers has ever been disappointed!

This (the second book in the series) mystery is one of the best. It's a fast moving story that gives readers a lot of mystery and action. All the familiar Investigators charms are here: bad guys galore, red herrings, riddles and clues, chases, and the fun of the revelations in the last pages.

I strongly encourage anyone who reads (no matter their age) to pick up this series. It'll put a smile on your face and make you glad that you shut off the TV and dove into a book.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS FOR YOUR KIDS!!!, June 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot (The Three Investigators No. 2) (Paperback)

I know I am not the only reader who grew up thrilling to the adventures of the Three Investigators only to graduate on to Sherlock Holmes as an adult. Now I'm forever reminded of that stuttering parrot (to-to-to-be) whenever Holmes and Watson cross their threshold. Robert Arthur created ideal, escapist reading for kids who love to read (and, believe it or not, for those who don't) when he took us to Rocky Beach, CA. This book stands as one of the very best in the long line of Three Investigator books. Three Investigator fans can only hope that the entire series is reissued! BUY THIS FOR YOUR KIDS!!!