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Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators Series
Bob, Peter and Jupiter help a young English boy find a legendary ruby that his uncle willed him
Hardcover
First published September 1, 1964
11 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Robert Arthur
342 books301 followersRobert Arthur (1909-1969) was a versatile mystery writer born November 10, 1909, on Corregidor Island, where his father served as a U.S. Army officer. He is best known as the creator of The Three Investigators, a mystery book series for young people, but he began his career writing for the pulps, and later worked in both radio and television. He studied at William and Mary College for two years before earning a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Journalism from the University of Michigan. In 1931, he moved to New York City, where he wrote mysteries, fantasies, and horror stories for magazines like Weird Tales, Amazing Stories, Detective Fiction Weekly, and Black Mask throughout the 1930s.
Later, with David Kogan, he co-created and produced The Mysterious Traveler radio show (1944-1952), earning a 1953 Edgar Award. He and Kogan also won an Edgar, in 1950, for Murder By Experts. In 1959, Arthur relocated to Hollywood, scripting for The Twilight Zone and serving as story editor and writer for Alfred Hitchcock Presents, while ghost-editing numerous "Alfred Hitchcock" anthologies for adults and children.
In 1963, Arthur settled in Cape May, New Jersey, where he created The Three Investigators series with The Secret of Terror Castle (1964). He wrote ten novels in the series before his death in Philadelphia on May 2, 1969. The 43-title series, continued after his death by writers-for-hire working for Random House, was published in over twenty-five languages and thirty countries. (Originally branded as "Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators", Random House dropped the Hitchcock name from the series after Hitchcock's death.)
In June of 2024, Hollow Tree Press reissued Robert Arthur's original ten novels as a sixtieth anniversary edition. Those editions have end notes written by his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth Arthur and Steven Bauer, and Hollow Tree Press is also publishing a twenty-six book New Three Investigators series written by Arthur and Bauer.
Later, with David Kogan, he co-created and produced The Mysterious Traveler radio show (1944-1952), earning a 1953 Edgar Award. He and Kogan also won an Edgar, in 1950, for Murder By Experts. In 1959, Arthur relocated to Hollywood, scripting for The Twilight Zone and serving as story editor and writer for Alfred Hitchcock Presents, while ghost-editing numerous "Alfred Hitchcock" anthologies for adults and children.
In 1963, Arthur settled in Cape May, New Jersey, where he created The Three Investigators series with The Secret of Terror Castle (1964). He wrote ten novels in the series before his death in Philadelphia on May 2, 1969. The 43-title series, continued after his death by writers-for-hire working for Random House, was published in over twenty-five languages and thirty countries. (Originally branded as "Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators", Random House dropped the Hitchcock name from the series after Hitchcock's death.)
In June of 2024, Hollow Tree Press reissued Robert Arthur's original ten novels as a sixtieth anniversary edition. Those editions have end notes written by his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth Arthur and Steven Bauer, and Hollow Tree Press is also publishing a twenty-six book New Three Investigators series written by Arthur and Bauer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 29, 2012
These books were so formative I cannot begin to describe it.
They're the reason I'm such a sucker for crime and mystery - although this taste has mostly, later on, translated into the movies and shows I watch. Still, I have a deep rooted love for this genre, and this series is a large part of the reason.
There was just something magical and compelling about random kids solving weird, sinister crimes and having a great deal of fun doing it. To my quiet, ignored, melancholy self it was a safe-haven, it was the perfect escape. Someday I'll probably buy them all and dump them on my own kids.
They're the reason I'm such a sucker for crime and mystery - although this taste has mostly, later on, translated into the movies and shows I watch. Still, I have a deep rooted love for this genre, and this series is a large part of the reason.
There was just something magical and compelling about random kids solving weird, sinister crimes and having a great deal of fun doing it. To my quiet, ignored, melancholy self it was a safe-haven, it was the perfect escape. Someday I'll probably buy them all and dump them on my own kids.
September 9, 2019
My brother gave me The Secret of Terror Castle as a gift. That evening I started to read. And I haven´t stopped till now. This Serie woke up my inner man. :)
June 19, 2009
A really good set of stories.
Especially the stuttering parrot.
A clever storyline that kept you going until the end.
Especially the stuttering parrot.
A clever storyline that kept you going until the end.
October 28, 2012
This is a fantastic series. I have read all but one of the 43 books, which is why I didn't take the time to list every single one individually. The basic premise is three boys have their own detective firm they run out of a trailer hidden in a junkyard. They solve crimes of any sort, big or small. They've run into everything from haunted houses to screaming clocks to live Kachinas. The books are well-written, funny, and sometimes contain unexpected twists. One reason I liked them so much was because they weren't as predictable as Nancy Drew, yet not as insanely hard as Sherlock Holmes. I collected them for about three years from various websites, and am now missing only the very last book. The series was written from 1964 to 1986, though the boys never age; they were kept current for the times. I highly reccommend these books for any young readers who are ready for the next step up in mysteries from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, and for anyone of any age who just likes a good fun story.
P.S. Don't get these confused with the T3I Crimebusters series; that was a not-so-great spin-off.
P.S. Don't get these confused with the T3I Crimebusters series; that was a not-so-great spin-off.
January 5, 2013
This series of books was my all-time favorite reading up into about the seventh grade. The title includes Alfred Hitchcock but he really isn't a part of the stories and the books are nothing like the Alfred Hitchcock movies that were on TV. What was fun was imagining a hideout like the three investigators had where they repeatedly took on cases in similar fashion that people would come to them to have a mystery solved. The boys, three of them, had well defined characteristics that were used to move the action, there was plenty of that, as well as good dialogue. The cases were original although the stories followed the same pattern most of the time. There were two different authors of this series but the books credibility remained intact. These are fun books for young readers. I read almost all of the cases that were originally written.
December 8, 2014
I'm not sure which of those I read when I was about 9, but I tremendously enjoyed them.
October 2, 2021
The three investigators series has 43 books, all of which have their own charm. All the authors who contributed to this series have stood up to the mark. The books never disappoint you. Every book is a treat to the readers. While I read these books, I was so involved in them I would have no idea of what happened around me. There were times when I stayed up the whole night just so I could complete the book.
The idea of the author to create characters who searched for mystery and thrill, instead of waiting for it come their way is unique. The books that were written before this were all about how the mysteries found the kids, not about how the kids found the mysteries. Jupiter, Peter and Robert are always in search of new mysteries to occupy themselves with.
The way these books are based on real life locations, mysteries, theories and facts is what I likes the most about this series. It helps the reader to relate to the story.
In all the books that involved supernatural presence or activities, there is a good satisfying and proved scientific explanation provided in the end. This is one reason why I don't believe in paranormal activities today. I would rather search for a scientific explanation for it than to believe what everyone else does. These books inculcate a knowledge seeking habit in the readers especially the children who read these. They also inculcate the reading habit.
Over all the books are a must read for everyone who loves thrill and suspense. Also the people waiting to increase their knowledge should give it a try. Any one who reads these books are sure to love them. A person, whatever age they are, can connect to the story and have fun along with the three investigators. Even today if this series was reprinted I would go buy them just so I could read them again and refresh the memories of the past when I had read them the first time.
The idea of the author to create characters who searched for mystery and thrill, instead of waiting for it come their way is unique. The books that were written before this were all about how the mysteries found the kids, not about how the kids found the mysteries. Jupiter, Peter and Robert are always in search of new mysteries to occupy themselves with.
The way these books are based on real life locations, mysteries, theories and facts is what I likes the most about this series. It helps the reader to relate to the story.
In all the books that involved supernatural presence or activities, there is a good satisfying and proved scientific explanation provided in the end. This is one reason why I don't believe in paranormal activities today. I would rather search for a scientific explanation for it than to believe what everyone else does. These books inculcate a knowledge seeking habit in the readers especially the children who read these. They also inculcate the reading habit.
Over all the books are a must read for everyone who loves thrill and suspense. Also the people waiting to increase their knowledge should give it a try. Any one who reads these books are sure to love them. A person, whatever age they are, can connect to the story and have fun along with the three investigators. Even today if this series was reprinted I would go buy them just so I could read them again and refresh the memories of the past when I had read them the first time.
September 22, 2014
These were some of my favorite books as I was growing up. The earliest books by Robert Arthur are the best. The later ones vary in quality. Subsequent versions of the series, one where they rewrote the books with a fictional character taking the place of Alfred Hitchcock and one where they presented the boys as teenagers, were both sad shadows of the original books that could be described, at best, as mundane. But the earlier books had a unique charm, memorable characters, and a rich atmosphere.
April 2, 2019
My wife’s father, Robert Arthur, created this much-loved series, and my wife @E_A_Arthur and I have a plan to bring Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews into the modern world. Please follow news of our progress on Twitter @RockyBeach2019.
August 2, 2012
(This review is for the whole series.) This was my favorite series as a kid. I read all 40-something books at least two or three times and did several school book reports on them.
December 14, 2012
As a kid, I have absolutely enjoyed this entire series. I loved every mystery and I just cannot put it down whenever I open one, even now!
January 14, 2013
Upon finding out there were 43 titles: maybe there are a few I haven't yet read. Squee!
December 19, 2014
Grew up mesmerized with this mystery series
January 25, 2016
Excellent mystery series; the kind in which the kids actually use their heads to solve the crimes. The earlier books, written by Robert Arthur, are the best.
July 5, 2020
The three investigators were probably the first series I completed. The very idea of 3 teenagers solving crimes, catching criminals and being independent enough to tackle so many challenges was ground-breaking for me growing up in India. I remember drawing question marks on walls hoping someone would ask me what it stood for:)
I recently found some of the books at a used books place, and it brought back so many warm, happy memories. These books probably set me on the path that I am today, and I have developed a lifelong addiction to crime thrillers. Unfortunately, the books are out of print, and the ones available online cost a bomb.
I am saddened to see a whole generation of kids growing up without discovering this gem and the pure exhilaration of finding adults thwarted by kids.
I recently found some of the books at a used books place, and it brought back so many warm, happy memories. These books probably set me on the path that I am today, and I have developed a lifelong addiction to crime thrillers. Unfortunately, the books are out of print, and the ones available online cost a bomb.
I am saddened to see a whole generation of kids growing up without discovering this gem and the pure exhilaration of finding adults thwarted by kids.
December 1, 2018
Read all of these when I was a kid. They were my favorites!
June 6, 2019
These books have opened up a whole world of teen mystery to me when I was a middle schooler. I was obsessed. Many other series followed:)
April 25, 2022
I grew up reading these! Good memories. :)
June 8, 2019
Read about the first 9 or so books up to the Silver Spider one, which I thought was really weak without any true deep or interesting mystery, so I stopped reading, but I did enjoy the first three quite a bit and bits of the next few as well. Not many series where I read so many in a series and liked/appreciated it still as an adult.
Thoughts as of Three Invesitgators Book 9 which I dropped: I did start this book, but overall, I feel burnt out with the Three Investigators series. I liked the initial books, but I felt they became more mediocre and lower quality as they went on with repeated tropes, such as the foreigner kid they teem up with. I appreciate them starting with action-y scenes and being relatable to a young boy but some of the mysteries and tricks become really dumb or obvious, such as the Silver Spider case which didn't really have a mystery and was super obvious about the spider fake being hidden amongst real spiders.
The other thing I think is unfortunate is that for a series, it doesn't do much to a) develop the 3 - they stay the same traitwise for just about all the books up to this ninth one I reached, and b) they waste/squander their series potential only reusing Huganay for an antagonist/deuteragonist in two books and not really repeating other side characters much or showing more of their Rocky Beach city world. Lastly, there are some convenient things happening such as the rich boy paying for more of Worthington's Rolls Royce Ride right as their contract ended up expiring. I would've preferred something more hard-earned, such as the boys needing to bike more or making some contraption in the scrapyard to get around better or using money earned from cases to pay for clever cheap rides or so.
Anyway, overall, it was a fun enough series while it lasted, and I have all or almost all the books on my kindle (about 40 something books, of which I read the first 8 entirely and reread the 2nd and 3rd a few times I think), so I might revisit one day if I'm bored, but I doubt it. Part of the issue is that I've outgrown this series since I was a kid. If I had read this over a decade ago, I mightve gotten more of a blast out of it and could even tolerate how it became more lukewarm/mediocre. As it is though, its not good enough to make me want to keep going and doesn't feel as fresh anymore as of this ninth book.
Thoughts as of Three Invesitgators Book 9 which I dropped: I did start this book, but overall, I feel burnt out with the Three Investigators series. I liked the initial books, but I felt they became more mediocre and lower quality as they went on with repeated tropes, such as the foreigner kid they teem up with. I appreciate them starting with action-y scenes and being relatable to a young boy but some of the mysteries and tricks become really dumb or obvious, such as the Silver Spider case which didn't really have a mystery and was super obvious about the spider fake being hidden amongst real spiders.
The other thing I think is unfortunate is that for a series, it doesn't do much to a) develop the 3 - they stay the same traitwise for just about all the books up to this ninth one I reached, and b) they waste/squander their series potential only reusing Huganay for an antagonist/deuteragonist in two books and not really repeating other side characters much or showing more of their Rocky Beach city world. Lastly, there are some convenient things happening such as the rich boy paying for more of Worthington's Rolls Royce Ride right as their contract ended up expiring. I would've preferred something more hard-earned, such as the boys needing to bike more or making some contraption in the scrapyard to get around better or using money earned from cases to pay for clever cheap rides or so.
Anyway, overall, it was a fun enough series while it lasted, and I have all or almost all the books on my kindle (about 40 something books, of which I read the first 8 entirely and reread the 2nd and 3rd a few times I think), so I might revisit one day if I'm bored, but I doubt it. Part of the issue is that I've outgrown this series since I was a kid. If I had read this over a decade ago, I mightve gotten more of a blast out of it and could even tolerate how it became more lukewarm/mediocre. As it is though, its not good enough to make me want to keep going and doesn't feel as fresh anymore as of this ninth book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2016
Best Child mystery novels. Amazing read.
April 5, 2015
This series started me on reading. I had near failing grades in reading and writing through the middle of fourth grade. My teacher insisted that I read one of these books that she had checked out of the school Library for me. That was it, I was hooked.
The Three Investigators is a fun and imaginative set of books. Their is enough reality built into the storyline such that it allows the young reader to identify with the main characters. The plots always moved right along and the mysteries to be solved seemed relevant. The books encourage deductive reasoning and present thinking as an advantage over brute strength. Good reading for any kid, though the books are pretty male-centric.
The Three Investigators is a fun and imaginative set of books. Their is enough reality built into the storyline such that it allows the young reader to identify with the main characters. The plots always moved right along and the mysteries to be solved seemed relevant. The books encourage deductive reasoning and present thinking as an advantage over brute strength. Good reading for any kid, though the books are pretty male-centric.
July 30, 2015
I read all these books when I was in school. They are one of the many reasons I am such a bookworm! I've been looking for them for years! I found them on Amazon and now my next orders are going to be pretty awesome! Can't wait to read them again.... 20 years later!
June 22, 2013
Favorite series as a kid!
November 29, 2013
Brilliant children's books. Better than the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew.
March 15, 2014
These books are what started me wanting to read, not just for school but for fun!!! I wish they we're still in print for my kids to read now!!!
May 5, 2014
Loved reading these books when I was a kid!
June 23, 2014
As a child I read this series completely every novel. This is a young adult mystery series.
June 15, 2016
This my first books. I read about 20 books from the series back in elementary school. They were my first introduction to my favorite genre...
August 28, 2014
Nice detective for yourth.
February 24, 2015
Read these during my early teenage years. All I can remember is I liked them! Kinda like the hardy boys but better in my opinion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews