Whether testing their own sleuthing abilities by working against the clock or enjoying the intrigue of unraveling the case, readers get lots of spine-tingling mystery in these thrilling puzzlers.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
A Kid's Review
Format:Paperback
Sobol does a great job with these mysteries. They appear challenging at first, but when you think about it, the answer, often a slip of tongue or too much evidence, that gives the culprit away is very simple. When you read this book, read "between the lines" and you will be able to solve some of them right away.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is an extraordinarily entertaining book for older kids. It has an amusing sameness of stylistic conventions throughout, and occasional recurring characters that help make you want more. The other two volumes of two-minute mysteries are equally fun.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By penny gray
Format:Paperback
I bought this book mostly out of nostalgia - I remember reading it when I was younger. The mysteries are fairly easy, although one or two stumped me. A great book for amusement, or an older (11-13) child.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Rosa
Format:Paperback
This reminds me so much of my childhood. I love Donald Sobol mysteries. It challenges young as well adult minds to think. Which so much missing in today society. Which consist of video games and television. Reading has become a lost art. I recommend this everyone. Discover the world of reading again. Read this today.
14 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I first cault wind of these Two Minute Mystery storys in one of my classes at school. They where fun to try and figer out there, but I enjoyed it even more reading them myself amd trying to finde the answer. At first, I couldn't crack a case, not one! Then, as Iread more into the book, i began to key into the way the aouthor thinks, and started getting closer and closer in my answeres. These are very cleaverly written, not only in diolog and charictor personalitys, but in the way the clues are hidden in the text. I came to like reading about the charictors- like Inspector Winters, Cyril Makin,and especialy Dr. Halendjian-as much as the mystery itself.r The Dr.is quite cleaver, both in deduction and speech, and the stories invovling his friends are pleasant and, almost humerous. I must warn you, though, if you're the type who speed reads, go slow! In afew of these, the key is hidded in the rest of the story. Don't let that stop you, though. Just this day I read afew of these stories in a groop, and not only was someone able to figer it out or get close every time, but i belive we all enjoyed it. (I know I did). I only share stoies with people when I think they are enjoyable enough, and beleive me, as far as I'm concerned, these are! Keep up the good work, Mr. Sobol!
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
A Kid's Review
Format:Paperback
I loved this book i've read it about 3-4 times I thought it was soooo good. Donald .J. Sobol has a way of making mini-mystery solving more challenging and fun than ever.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By L. Buxton
Format:Paperback
We bought this book for our eleven year old son. We have seen him with the book in hand more often than we'd imagined. It's currently taken up residence in the car, and our son keeps us all entertained as we travel. The mysteries are a challenge for someone his age, but not too difficult.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
2 minute mysteries
I purchased this and the two minute collection. This is the first half of the collection so I actually purchased this twice.
Published 4 months ago by Roger Alexander
5.0 out of 5 stars
My granddaughter loved it.
I am very glad I bough it. I mailed it to my 11 year old granddaughter and she loved it.
Published 4 months ago by Barbara S. Blann
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun for the whole family
My entire family enjoyed these quick mysteries. It may be a great book to encourage reading with children ranging from 8 and up.
Published 6 months ago by RYT 5
5.0 out of 5 stars
Two Minute Mysteries
I love mysteries and this book is full of cute, fun brain teasers. Children enjoy trying to solve them too, and the writing is very kid friendly. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Bonnie79
4.0 out of 5 stars
Homeroom activity
I am using this book as a way to make homeroom downtime fun for my 7th grade class. The students are enjoying the mysteries and I am too.
Published 9 months ago by V. Dickenson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good for non readers
I have this in my classroom library. I give it to reluctant readers and they love it. The stories are short and keep them interested.
Published 18 months ago by Mom and Teacher
5.0 out of 5 stars
book
The two Minute Mystery arrive on time and in excellent condition. My grandson is having a ball reading it and guessing who did it and why.
Published 20 months ago by Pat Schwartz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Read
I ordered this for my teenage daughter. It is a good read and keeps her interested because it has short stories which are easy to understand.
Published on March 24, 2011 by Cheryl Carney
5.0 out of 5 stars
Your older children will feel like geniuses for solving these...
We are long-time fans of the Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald J. Sobol. My kids have read and re-read those books -- that set always comes on long car trips with us. Read more
Published on January 31, 2011 by M. Heiss
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must for Middle School Classroom Library
I teach 6th grade reading. I bought this book for my classroom library. It is perfect for sustained silent reading. The students can learn critical thinking skills from this book. Read more
Published on January 3, 2009 by J. E. Stephens
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