Mystery and More Mystery

by Robert Arthur

Book by Robert Arthur

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Short Stories, Horror, Young Adult

Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Robert 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.

Reviews

[James Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember loving this book, as a child. One of those that stick with you, in some ways, even if you can't recall the details.

Note: author of "The Three Investigators" series.

[Jeff Hobbs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Contents:

Mr. Manning's money tree --
Larceny and old lace --
The midnight visitor --
The blow from heaven --
The glass bridge --
Change of address --
The vanishing passenger --
Hard case --
The adventure of the single footprint --
The mystery of the three blind mice --

[Cheryl Gatling]

I recently read Robert Arthur’s Ghosts and More Ghosts, a favorite from my childhood, and decided to read more of an author I enjoyed. I did not enjoy this book as much. I did find here Arthur’s cleverness, and occasional humor, and his liking for a twist at the end, but without the supernatural angle, the plot twists seemed mostly far-fetched.

Most of the stories are murder mysteries, except the first, which is about theft. That first story, “Mr. Manning’s Money Tree,” was one of my favorites. A bank employee knows he is about to be caught for stealing from the bank. But he wants to quickly hide the cash so he can find it when he gets out of jail. He throws a thermos containing $10,000 into a hole where a tree is being planted. He does his time, learns a new trade, earns an honest living, and eventually marries the ex-wife of the man who once lived in the house with the tree, and moves into the house himself. Years pass, while he bides his time, contemplating the money under the tree, only to discover he has gained something better than the money.

The second story, “Larceny and Old Lace,” was also delightful. Two old ladies who have spent their lives reading mystery novels, inherit a rundown house in a bad part of town from their no-good nephew. Of course there’s crime involved, but the old ladies aren’t as dumb as they look, nor easily scared off. I loved how they outsmarted the bad guys without losing their innocent, yet goofy demeanor.

I also enjoyed the story “Change of Address,” where a man with an overbearing wife rents a house for them to live in. She hates it. He loves it and wants to stay. He thinks the house would be perfect if only it weren’t so damp. Maybe with a little digging, he could improve the drainage in the basement. There is a lightness to it, what I have come to think of as Arthur’s trademark cleverness and humor.

The remaining stories struck me as less fun, and more of a strain to believe. One of the best parts is that the author included an afterward where he explained where he got the ideas for his stories. Most of the time he saw something, and said, “Hmm, I wonder what would happen if,” and then worked it into a story. But I won’t discuss any of those things.

I liked the ghost stories better, but if more books by Robert Arthur showed up, I would read them. This book is marketed as being for young people, but I really don’t know why. They are stories about adults, and adults can enjoy them.

[Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book used at a Friends for the Library book sale in the 90's. I finally got around to reading this book. Yes, enjoyed this book very much. Robert Arthur was quite the writer. He wrote so much. I have always enjoyed anything he has written. Each of these stories are different than the rest. He wrote them over long time span and somehow they got published together in this book. Worth the time to read. Never out of date. No cell phones in this book!

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tried to read this when I was way too young... I soldiered on, but I remember being very confused and not liking the stories. A few years later, I tried again, and that time I not only really enjoy them, I was left baffled at how my memory of the stories was COMPLETELY different! Just goes to show how your mind will fit misshapen pieces together to make a picture no matter how badly they fit. I happily found this book at my mother's house a few years ago and retrieved it to enjoy again.

[Raquel (Silver Valkyrie Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my childhood I thought this book was odd, and I was kind of surprised to realize I'd never gotten rid of it. On re-reading it, yes, parts of it are quite odd or disturbing, and the writing is only okay, but there are also some rather clever parts and fabulous characters. I guess I'll continue to keep it around.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short stories of mystery and will delight you.

[Jeremy]

The Glass Bridge