The Three Investigators

• Title: The Mystery of the Nervous Lion
• wiki: link

Throwback Tuesday takes us back to a mystery involving the Three Investigators whose mantra of “We Investigate Everything” leads them to investigate the odd occurrences at the Jungle Land theme park which are making one of the star attractions, a lion named George, nervous. Also tied to the mystery are seemingly unrelated events at the the Jones Salvage Yard, and all over Rock Beach, involving a sudden run on old iron bars.

Before all is said and done, Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews will have run-ins with the lion, a panther, a gorilla, and smugglers using the cages of animals transported to the United States to smuggle in uncut diamonds. We do see Jupiter making correct deductions, but, not for the first nor last time, laying blame at the wrong party. We also get a couple of red herrings eventually revealed to be government agents also working the case.

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• Title: The Secret of Terror Castle
• wiki: link

Throwback Thursday takes us back to a mystery involving the Three Investigators whose mantra of “We Investigate Everything” leads them in search of a haunted house. The first book in the Three Investigators series introduces us to Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews along with the Jones Salvage Yard, the trademark question marks, and the use of the vintage Rolls-Royce which are all part of the series from the outset.

Using a bit of chicanery to earn their first job of searching for a haunted house for a movie director (originally Alfred Hitchcock and in later additions changed to be Reginald Clarke), the young detectives hope the publicity of the case will help launch their new detective agency. Clarke isn’t exactly thrilled with the arrangement, or introducing the trio’s case for them on its conclusion, but The Secret of Terror Castle does what Jupiter Jones hoped it would do in launching the Three Investigators into business.

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• Title: The Mystery of the Silver Spider
• wiki: link

Throwback Thursday takes us back to a mystery involving the Three Investigators whose mantra of “We Investigate Everything” leads them to the European state of Varania to help out a young prince and prevent the theft of his throne prior to his coronation. In that it takes place almost entirely not only outside of Rocky Beach but overseas in another country, The Mystery of the Silver Spider is an unusual story for the Three Investigators who sneak around castles and sewers to solve a mystery.

A chance encounter with Prince Djaro leads  Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews to be invited to his coronation. The United States Government also thinks this a good idea, covertly reaching out to the three and suggesting they attend and look after the prince among rumblings of trouble brewing in the country.

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