Donald Sobol

Encyclopedia Brown
Donald J. Sobol 

 

Donald J. Sobol (October 4, 1924 -- July 11, 2012) was an award-winning American writer best known for his children's books, especially the Encyclopedia Brown mystery series. Another good source of information.

The Encyclopedia Brown books have been translated into 12 languages, and have sold approximately 50 million copies worldwide. Sobol won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for the series in 1976. In addition to the main books, the series has spawned a comic strip, a TV series, and compilation books of puzzles and games. He was rejected two dozen times before his first Encyclopedia Brown book was published. Sobol gives us a little more background on the genesis of the books in his introduction to book 29, a "best cases" anthology.

Rob Bricken and Bryan Hartzheim wrote The 10 Most Ridiculously Difficult Encyclopedia Brown Mysteries for toplessrobot.com in 2009, which is a good list of mysteries. I've placed their positions next to the story in brackets as "(R)".

Another source for a favorites list is the The Encyclopedia Brown Encyclopedia which chose 25 from the 287 mysteries written by Sobol. I've labeled them with "(E )" below. The author has also calculated that EB solved 136 thefts, 52 cases of fraud, and 10 kidnappings. There were 93 instances of the Idaville Police Department needing his help; nearly one-third of all the stories.

Some of the book titles link to data at Amazon. This is not some sinister ploy to make me money, but as a source of more information, including readers' comments and chapter samples. Other titles link to borrowable books at archive.org.

1 Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective eb01

Aug 1964
  1. The Case of Natty Nat
  2. The Case of the Scattered Cards
  3. The Case of the Civil War Sword (R 10)
  4. The Case of Merko's Grandson
  5. The Case of the Bank Robber
  6. The Case of the Happy Nephew
  7. The Case of the Diamond Necklace
  8. The Case of the Knife in the Watermelon
  9. The Case of the Missing Roller Skates
  10. The Case of the Champion Egg Spinner

2 Encyclopedia Brown Strikes Again; The Case of the Secret Pitcheb02

Oct 1965
  1. The Case of the Secret Pitch
  2. The Case of the Balloon Man
  3. The Case of the Ambushed Cowboy
  4. The Case of the Forgetful Sheriff
  5. The Case of the Hungry Hitchhiker
  6. The Case of the Two-Fisted Poet
  7. The Case of the Wounded Toe
  8. The Case of Excalibur
  9. The Case of the Glass of Ginger Ale (R 3) (E 25)
  10. The Case of the Stomach Puncher

3 Encyclopedia Brown Finds the Clueseb03

Sep 1966
  1. The Case of the Mysterious Tramp
  2. The Case of the Rubber Pillow
  3. The Case of Bags's Kidnapping
  4. The Case of the Boy Bullfighter
  5. The Case of the Divining Rod
  6. The Case of the Bitter Drink
  7. The Case of the Telltale Paint
  8. The Case of the Stolen Diamonds
  9. The Case of the Missing Statue
  10. The Case of the House of Cards

4 Encyclopedia Brown Gets His Maneb04

Aug 1967
  1. The Case of the Marble Shooter
  2. The Case of Bugs Meany, Detective
  3. The Case of the Underwater Car
  4. The Case of the Whistling Ghost
  5. The Case of the Explorer's Money
  6. The Case of the Coffee Smoker
  7. The Case of the Chinese Vase
  8. The Case of the Blueberry Pies (E 18)
  9. The Case of the Murder Man
  10. The Case of the Million Pesos (E 6)

5 Encyclopedia Brown Solves Them Alleb05

Jun 1968
  1. The Case of the Missing Clues
  2. The Case of the Super-Secret Hold
  3. The Case of the Wagon Master
  4. The Case of Sir Biscuit-Shooter
  5. The Case of the Frightened Playboy
  6. The Case of the Hair Driers
  7. The Case of Cupid's Arrow (E 5)
  8. The Case of the Wounded Dog
  9. The Case of the Earthenware Pig
  10. The Case of the Muscle Maker

6 Encyclopedia Brown Keeps the Peaceeb06

Sep 1969
  1. The Case of the Silver Fruit Bowl
  2. The Case of the Dwarf's Beard
  3. The Case of Bugs Meany's Revenge
  4. The Case of the Cave Drawings
  5. The Case of the Wanted Man
  6. The Case of the Angry Cook
  7. The Case of the Missing Ring (E 13)
  8. The Case of the Money-Changer
  9. The Case of the Falling Woman
  10. The Case of the Red Boat

7 Encyclopedia Brown Saves the Dayeb07

Sep 1970
  1. The Case of the Electric Clock
  2. The Case of the Bird Watcher (R 6)
  3. The Case of the Kidnapped Pigs (R 1)
  4. The Case of the Bound Camper (E 10)
  5. The Case of the Junk Sculptor
  6. The Case of the Treasure Map
  7. The Case of the Five Clues
  8. The Case of the Gold Rush
  9. The Case of the Flying Boy
  10. The Case of the Foot Warmer

8 Encyclopedia Brown Tracks Them Downeb08

Oct 1971
  1. The Case of the Champion Skier
  2. The Case of Smelly Nellie
  3. The Case of the Flying Submarine
  4. The Case of the Boy Boxers
  5. The Case of the Model Universe
  6. The Case of the Flower Can
  7. The Case of the Half-White Horse
  8. The Case of the Apple Cider
  9. The Case of the Two-Dollar Bill
  10. The Case of the Ax Handle

9 Encyclopedia Brown Shows the Wayeb09

Nov 1972
  1. The Case of the Growling Dog
  2. The Case of the Red Harmonica
  3. The Case of the Knockout Artist
  4. The Case of the Headless Runner
  5. The Case of the Reward Money
  6. The Case of the Tooth Puller
  7. The Case of the Girl Shortstop
  8. The Case of the Rattlesnake's Rattle
  9. The Case of the World Traveler
  10. The Case of the Lady Ghost (E 1)

10 Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Caseeb10

Sep 1973
  1. The Case of the Stolen Money
  2. The Case of the Talking House
  3. The Case of the Two-Timers
  4. The Case of the False Teeth
  5. The Case of the Skin Diver
  6. The Case of the Barefoot Thieves
  7. The Case of the Dog-Paddle Derby
  8. The Case of the Broken Globe
  9. The Case of the Pet Skunk
  10. The Case of the Seven-Foot Driver

11 Encyclopedia Brown Lends a Hand; Case of the Exploding Plumbingeb11

Dec 1974
  1. The Case of the Runaway Elephant
  2. The Case of the Worn-Out Sayings
  3. The Case of the Skunk Ape
  4. The Case of the Counterfeit Bill
  5. The Case of the Window Dressers (R 2)
  6. The Case of the Silver Dollar (E 24)
  7. The Case of the Litterbugs (E 17)
  8. The Case of the Frightened Witness
  9. The Case of the Exploding Toilet
  10. The Case of the Salami Sandwich

12 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Dead Eagleseb12

Oct 1975
  1. The Case of the Dead Eagles
  2. The Case of the Hypnotism Lesson
  3. The Case of the Parking Meters
  4. The Case of the Hidden Will
  5. The Case of the Mysterious Thief (E 8)
  6. The Case of the Old Calendars
  7. The Case of Lightfoot Louie
  8. The Case of the Broken Window (E 15)
  9. The Case of the Gasoline Pill
  10. The Case of the Pantry Door

13 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Midnight Visitoreb13

Dec 1977
  1. The Case of the Midnight Visitor
  2. The Case of the Hidden Penny
  3. The Case of the Red Sweater
  4. The Case of the Painting Gerbils
  5. The Case of the Time Capsule
  6. The Case of Freddy the Great
  7. The Case of the Tennis Racket
  8. The Case of the Fifty Mosquitoes
  9. The Case of Blue—Point Blackie
  10. The Case of the Hit-Run Car

14 Encyclopedia Brown Carries On eb14

Jan 1981
  1. The Case of the Giant Mousetrap
  2. The Case of Bugs Meany, Thinker
  3. The Case of the Grape Catcher
  4. The Case 70f the Left-Hander's Club
  5. The Case of the Diving Partner
  6. The Case of the Upside-Down Witness
  7. The Case of the Marvelous Egg
  8. The Case of the Overfed Pigs
  9. The Case of the Ball of String
  10. The Case of the Thermos Bottle

15 Encyclopedia Brown Sets the Pace eb15

Feb 1982
  1. The Case of the Supermarket Shopper (E 7)
  2. The Case of the Dinosaur Hunter
  3. The Case of the Used Firecrackers
  4. The Case of the Ugliest Dog
  5. The Case of Hilbert's Song
  6. The Case of the Crowing Rooster
  7. The Case of the Bubble Gum Shootout
  8. The Case of the Boy Juggler
  9. The Case of the Practical Jokers
  10. The Case of the Marathon Runner

15.5 Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake

Co-written with Glenn Andrews, 1982

eb15.5 Seven mysterles and seven recipes give a new "flavor" to Encyclopedia Brown's latest adventures!

  1. The Case of the Missing Garlic Bread
  2. Kitchen Basics
  3. The Case of the Fourth of July Artist
  4. The Fourth of July Party
  5. The Case of the Oven Mitt
  6. Hermes's Birthday Brunch
  7. The Case of the Overstuffed Pinata
  8. A Mexican Fiesta
  9. The Case of the Missing Watch Goose (R 8) (E 21)
  10. An Italian Dinner
  11. The Case of the Secret Recipe
  12. Dinner at the Twittys'
  13. The Case of the Chinese Restaurant
  14. A Chinese Banquet
  15. Snacks and Lunches
  16. Pointers from Pablo

16 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Mysterious Handprintseb16

Sep 1985
  1. The Case ofthe Blond Wig
  2. The Case of the Battle Cries
  3. The Case of the Stolen Tools
  4. The Case of the Angry Girl
  5. The Case of the Albatross
  6. The Case of the Prize Pig
  7. The Case of the Hard—luck Boy
  8. The Case of the Giant Watermelon
  9. The Case of the Fighter Kite
  10. The Case of the Mysterious Handprints (E 11)

17 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Treasure Hunteb17

May 1988
  1. The Case of the Masked Robber
  2. The Case of the Round Pizza
  3. The Case of Bugs's Zebra
  4. The Case of the Treasure Hunt
  5. The Case of the Stolen Jewels
  6. The Case of the Painting Contest
  7. The Case of Orson's Tree
  8. The Case of Lathrop's Hobby (R 4)
  9. The Case of the Leaking Tent
  10. The Case of the Worm Pills

18 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Disgusting Sneakerseb18

Sep 1990
  1. The Case of the Fifth Word
  2. The Case of the Teacup
  3. The Case of the Broken Vase
  4. The Case of the Three Vans
  5. The Case of the Rented Canoes
  6. The Case of the Brain Game
  7. The Case of Black Jack's Treasure
  8. The Case of the Missing Shopping Bag
  9. The Case of the Disgusting Sneakers
  10. The Case of the Smugglers' Secret

19 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Two Spieseb19

Feb 1994
  1. The Case of the Kidnapped Dog
  2. The Case of the Fireflies
  3. The Case of the Duck Derby
  4. The Case of the Sand Castle
  5. The Case of the Telephone Call (E 19)
  6. The Case of the Stolen Wallet
  7. The Case of the Manhole Cover
  8. The Case of the Two Spies (E 3)
  9. The Case of the Violinist's Chair
  10. The Case of the Stolen Coin (E 16)

20 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of Pablo's Noseeb20

Aug 1996
  1. The Case of the Sleeveless Lock
  2. The Case of the Smoke Signals
  3. The Case of the Peace Offering
  4. The Case of the Masked Man
  5. The Case of the Organ-Grinder
  6. The Case of Pablo's Nose
  7. The Case of the Carousel Horse
  8. The Case of the Wilford Whammy
  9. The Case of the Racing Reptiles
  10. The Case of the Unknown Thief

21 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Sleeping Dogeb21

Aug 1998
  1. The Case of the Shower Singers
  2. The Case of the Invisible Writing
  3. The Case of the Stolen Fan
  4. The Case of the Sleeping Dog
  5. The Case of the Fig Thieves
  6. The Case of the Mouse Show
  7. The Case of the Tied—up Twins
  8. The Case of Wilford's Big Deal
  9. The Case of the Fake Soup Can
  10. The Case of the Shoeshine War

22 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Slippery Salamandereb22

Aug 1999
  1. The Case of the Slippery Salamander
  2. The Case of the Banana Burglar
  3. The Case of the Dead Cockroach
  4. The Case of the Roman-Numeral Robber (R 9)
  5. The Case of the Runaway Judge (E 2)
  6. The Case of the Peacock's Egg
  7. The Case of the Umpire's Error (R 7)
  8. The Case of the Calculating Kid
  9. The Case of the Presidential Auction
  10. The Case of the Stolen Surfboard

23 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Jumping Frogseb23

Oct 2003
  1. The Case of the Rhyming Robber
  2. The Case of the Miracle Pill
  3. The Case of the Black Horse (R 5)
  4. The Case of Nemo's Tuba
  5. The Case of the Ring in the Reef
  6. The Case of the Lawn Mower Races
  7. The Case of the Jumping Frogs (E 23)
  8. The Case of the Toy Locomotive
  9. The Case of the Air Guitar (E 14)
  10. The Case of the Backwards Runner

24 Encyclopedia Brown Cracks the Caseeb24

Sep 2007
  1. The Case of the Forgetful Jewel Thief
  2. The Case of the Autogmphed Alice in Wonderland
  3. The Case of the Lemonade Stand (E 22)
  4. The Case of the Revolutionary Treasures
  5. The Case of the Missing Butterfly Brooch
  6. The Case of the Counterfeit Dough
  7. The Case of the Astronaut Duck (E 20)
  8. The Case of the Lucky Catch (E 9)
  9. The Case of the Missing Money
  10. The Case of the Stolen Confederate Stamps

25 Encyclopedia Brown, Super Sleutheb25

Aug 2009
  1. The Case of the Hollow Tree
  2. The Case of the Headless Ghost
  3. The Case of the Stolen Moonstone
  4. The Case of the Disapmg Hundreds
  5. The Case of the Patriotic Volunteer
  6. The Case of the Stolen Watch (E 12)
  7. The Case of the Gym Bag
  8. The Case of the Supercomputer Brain
  9. The Case of the Giggmrg Goldilocks
  10. The Case of Shoeless Sam (E 5)

26 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret UFOeb26

Oct 2010
  1. The Case of the Stolen Stamps
  2. The Case of the Secret UFOs
  3. The Case of the Scrambled Eggs
  4. The Case of the Roman Pots
  5. The Case of Grandma's Cookies
  6. The Case of the Grabbed Groceries
  7. The Case of the Giant Shark Tooth
  8. The Case of the Missing Medallions
  9. The Case of the Shipwreck
  10. The Case of Mrs. Washington's Diary

27 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Carnival Crimeeb27

Oct 2011
  1. The Case of the Vanished Sculpture
  2. The Case of the Glittering Diamonds
  3. The Case of the Tempting Toys
  4. The Case of the Missing Songs
  5. The Case of the Home-run Hitter
  6. The Case of the Lazy Lion
  7. The Case of the Explorer's Map
  8. The Case of the Arrowhead Hunters
  9. The Case of the Courageous Camper
  10. The Case of the Carnival Crime

28 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Soccer Schemeeb28

Oct 2012, three months after the author's death.

  1. The Case of the Friendly Watchdog
  2. The Case of the Red Roses
  3. The Case of the Jelly-Bean Holdup
  4. The Case of the Soccer Scheme
  5. The Case of the Hole in the Book
  6. The Case of the April Fools' Plot
  7. The Case of Wilford's Big Deal
  8. The Case of the Ten-Dollar Bike
  9. The Case of the Hidden Money
  10. The Case of Lovely Lana

29. Encyclopedia Brown and his Best Cases Ever

Jan 2013. The original book numbers are in brackets.
  1. The Case of Natty Nat (Book 1) eb29
  2. The Case of Merko's Grandson (Book 1)
  3. The Case of the Explorer's Money (Book 4)
  4. The Case of the Muscle Maker (Book 5)
  5. The Case of the Stolen Diamonds (Book 3)
  6. The Case of the Super-Secret Hold (Book 5)
  7. The Case of the Stolen Money (Book 10)
  8. The Case of the Skunk Ape (Book 11)
  9. The Case of the Dead Eagles (Book 12)
  10. The Case of Mrs. Washington's Diary (Book 26)
  11. The Case of the Hit-Run Car (Book 13)
  12. The Case of the Secret Pitch (Book 2)
  13. The Case of the Junk Sculptor (Book 7)
  14. The Case of the Gym Bag (Book 25)
  15. The Case of the Champion Skier (Book 8) 
 
Dr. Andrew Davison
E-mail: ad@coe.psu.ac.th
Back to my home page