Five Great Mysteries for Younger Readers

Once upon a time the late great John W. Campbell Jr. (former editor of Astounding/Analog Science Fiction during SF's Golden Age), said that the great thing about science fiction was that because its scope was the whole universe past and present; you could write any type of story you wanted to inside the genre. Except mysteries. His thinking was that the writer would do something along the lines of describe the perfect locked room mystery that has the investigators (and readers) stumped and then just conjure up a teleporter or something similar to explain it away (which would be unsatisfying to say the least).

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When the equally late great Hal Clement heard this, he took it as a challenge. In answer he wrote Needle.

In it the equivalent of an alien cop (called the Hunter), comes to earth chasing a fugitive. The alien is a symbiotic organism who requires a host to live. Unfortunately his ship was destroyed, and his host killed, in attempting to apprehend the fugitive. As a result the Hunter is forced to take up residence in the nearest acceptable host. This turns out to be 15 year-old Robert Kinnaird. Eventually the Hunter figures out how to communicate with his new host and is able to convince him to help in tracking down the fugitive.

Where this gets tricky is that the fugitive is of the same species as the Hunter, and therefore could be. or rather, could be inside anybody.

2. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

There were numerous stories written about this brilliant detective and friend and chronicler Dr. Watson. There are several excellent collections which could serve as a start. Whether it's investigating the 'Red-Headed League' or battling Professor Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls be ready for riveting adventure on Baker St.

3. The Three Investigators by Robert Arthur Jr.

The Hardy boys may be more famous, but for my money the teen investigators you want on your case will be the Three Investigators. Come join Jupiter Jones (you just gotta love that name), Pete Crenshaw and Bob Andrews as they solve cases and catch criminals. You'll feel your blood pumping as you follow along with the trio on their cases.

4. Two-Minute Mysteries by Donald J. Sobol

This is a collection of very short mysteries starring master-detective Dr. Haledjian, where you the reader get to play Watson. The solutions are printed upside down at the end of each mystery. Match wits with the good Doctor, and see if you can solve the case.

5. Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol

Until I started researching for this article I didn't remember that these two childhood favorites of mine were written by the same author. I must say Sobol really knows how to put a mystery together in a way that will capture and hold a young mind, without in anyway talking down to them.

This series stars the eponymous boy detective and his own 'Watson', Sally Kimball. Come along with them as they foil the likes of Bugs Meany and Wilford Wiggins.

Sobol is a mystery writer who doesn't 'cheat', all the clues are given the reader so see if you can solve the mystery before Brown.

These books are engaging enough to be enjoyed by adults as well; which is why in 1975 The Mystery Writers of America gave Encyclopedia Brown a special Edgar Award (the MWA's annual award named after Edgar Allen Poe).

http://www.thrillingdetective.com/eyes/encyclopedia.html
http://www.elizabetharthur.org/bio/rarthur.html
http://www.sherlockholmesonline.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_W._Campbell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Clement
http://www.mysterywriters.org/