Two-Minute Mysteries (Apple Paperbacks)

The mystery solutions do not make sense. A middle school student would not come to the conclusions of most of these mysteries. There should be more clues to build inference on. I put in an extra star because I might be able to use just the story.

I purchased this book to use with summer reading program for 10yr-13yr old kids. We are doing CSI activities and will use the stories for team building. The stories are readable and interesting. Also short, perfect for kids attention spans. It was used, but in great condition.

Donald Sobol is the author of all of those Encyclopedia Brown short mysteries I enjoyed as a kid. These short mysteries are in very much the same style. Each one is a page or two of text in which some detail, often a slip of the tongue by the guilty party, can be used to solve the mystery. For those who don't get it--or who do but want to be sure--the solution is given on the last page in upside-down text.

A sampling of mysteries:

In "The Case of the Dentist's Patient" Dr. Haledjian sends a killer to the electric chair for killing someone in a dentist's chair.

In "The Case of the Book Contract" Dr. Haledjian unmasks an imposter passing himself off as an accomplished author.

In "The Case of the Marathon Runner" Dr. Haledjian matches wits with a cheating marathon runner.

In "The Case of the Three Cucumbers" our recurring sleuth identifies the lookout working for a gang of bank robbers.

In "The Case of the Frightened Playboy" a new maid accidentally reveals too much about her intentions.

This is a fun book which encourages attention to details and careful reasoning. It is really three books in one, collecting stories from Two-minute Mysteries,More Two-Minute Mysteries, and Still More Two Minute Mysteries. I bought it as a Christmas present for my daughter Katie a few years ago and we have both enjoyed it.

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. The books are entertaining, and the "crimes" are never very dangerous or threatening.

"Two Minute Mysteries" have plots that involve more death (lots more death, often in the form of suicide and murder). BUT, the formula for solving the mysteries is familiar to fans of the Encyclopedia Brown books: usually, the guilty characters say too much. The clues given always lead to the solution.

This book is a good stepping stone to the Agatha Christie mysteries -- teens love those.

Nothing super special, but the puzzles are fun little time wasters. Some of the solutions are extremely easy, while others don't make sense, but the majority of stories have good solutions. Definitely fun for kids that like to use their brains!

Read it to third graders following their literature unit on "mysteries". As I was only there for about 1/2 hour, we just read 3-5 stories: I did it more to remind them of points of reading--good readers do re-read for details, thinking "outside the box" etc. After a few stories, they got into the hang of the thinking. I will do this again in the spring, closer to the time of testing, to again remind them of necessary skills. And they loved the stories...asked when I was coming back to read more.

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!

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.

You join Dr Haledjian the famous crimionlogist as he solves crimes, helps out Inspector Winters and friends. The stories take place in (roughly) the 1950's. The stories are simple and mainly projected at American children.
On a personal note: Since i've read the two preceeding books I wasn't impressed with the recycled plot lines.

YOU spot the clues...YOU match wits with famouse detective Dr Haledjian...YOU solve it!
63 quickie mysteries, filled with very tricky clues. Answers are given, so you can score yourself as a slueth. You are the detective!

I bought this book back in my elementary school days and have recently unearthed it. The cover isn't the same so I'm thinking this book has been out for a really long time. Some of the mysteries are pretty easy but a few really made me think. One or two even stumped me! I also own "More Two Minute Mysteries" and it is pretty much more of the same. Great when you have a minute or two sitting down(if you catch my drift.)

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. The books are entertaining, and the "crimes" are never very dangerous or threatening.

"Two Minute Mysteries" have plots that involve more death (lots more death, often in the form of suicide and murder). BUT, the formula for solving the mysteries is familiar to fans of the Encyclopedia Brown books: usually, the guilty characters say too much. The clues given always lead to the solution.

This book is a good stepping stone to the Agatha Christie mysteries -- teens love those.