The Young Detective's Handbook

by William Vivian Butler

"Would-be detectives will revel in this intriguing book, crammed full of crime-detection ideas, hints, and activities. Beginning with suggestions (and safety precautions) for becoming involved in actual crime-spotting, Butler then turns to "detecting-for-fun" - showing how to develop skills in fingerprinting, devise and solve secret codes, analyze clues, prepare disguises, and conceal secret messages. Tips on organizing a detective club are given along with rules for sleuthing games." --Booklist

Genres: Young Adult, Childrens

Paperback

First published October 1, 1981

About the author

He also wrote under the pseudonym 'Vivian Butler'.
Most of his books feature characters created by John Creasey.

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been trying to remember what this book was for FOREVER. I had it as a kid and it was well-loved. I reread it several times. I finally figured out the title and took a trip down memory lane by reading it again. It’s dated, but it was really fun to revisit.

[Noelani · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5 magnifying glasses.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is one of the coolest books ever, not to mention actually pratical. while telling you how to start your own neighborhood spy group and stalk people, it also shows you how to move through the world paying a little more attention than the average person, use deductive reasoning, and gives real life examples of kids (safely from afar) thwarting crime with techniques mentioned in the book. plus after you go through the whole book honing your spy-thinking, the book gives you an encyclopedia brown-esque scenario to work through as a final test. i still think of this book every time i write a lower-case j with a loop.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book went hand in hand with my love and desire to be Harriet the Spy. I just found some old notebooks with detailed detective notes about the people who lived across the street from our backyard. I was spying on them from our playground tower.

"Suspect A= Woman
Suspect B= Man

Suspect B runs out of house. Suspect A opens door and begins shouting cuss words at Suspect B. Suspect A slams door. Suspect B gets in driver's side of blue pick-up truck. Suspect A gets in passenger side of pick-up. Suspect A and B sit in pick-up for approximately 4 minutes. Suspect A slams door. Suspect B starts engine and drives off..."

you know, real crime solving sort of thing...

[Aldean · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a dangerous cliché to call a book "life-changing" (or any media, for that matter), but it is certiainly true of this book for this reader. Not that I grew up to become a distinguished investigator, but I took a lot of the little habits to heart, most notably never leaving home without a notebook of some kind. The perfect book for an inquisitive child.

[michelle]

i read this book dozens of times when i was a kid (mostly in 1st-2nd-3rd grades). DOZENS. i didn't even own it, but i would check it out from the library week after week. i was going to be a detective.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to be a super sleuth!!!

[Meitantei Conan]

I think it's good.