Meet Encyclopedia first
Start with Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective for the original introduction, then continue in order or choose another collection that is available.
Book Series · 30 Books
Encyclopedia Brown Books
In order from Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective to Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Marshmallow Tower.
Short, solve-it-yourself mysteries starring ten-year-old Encyclopedia Brown, whose careful observations help the children and adults of Idaville crack cases.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Encyclopedia Brown Books
The 29 classic Donald J. Sobol collections are shown in publisher order, but most contain about ten self-contained cases and can be enjoyed independently. Starting with Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective gives children the best introduction to Idaville, Sally Kimball, Bugs Meany, and the answer-in-the-back format.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Marshmallow Tower is an unnumbered 2025 continuation by Eric Sobol, not book #30. The two Encyclopedia Brown record books are optional fact-and-activity companions rather than mystery volumes in the numbered sequence.
Sources: Penguin Random House official series order, Penguin Random House Marshmallow Tower credits.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The cases involve schoolyard bullying, cheating, scams, theft, and other small-town wrongdoing, but the action is puzzlelike and violence is generally mild. Readers are invited to stop before the solution and spot the clue Encyclopedia noticed.
Because the classic books span more than five decades of publication, some editions and stories may include dated language, assumptions, or cultural details. Families can read the cases in small doses and discuss anything that feels out of step with current values.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
The cases are episodic, so children do not have to commit to all 29 books to enjoy the format.
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$674
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1963
Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective
A boy detective solves mysteries and crimes in his neighborhood with the help of his trusty encyclopedia-filled brain.
96 pages· 9,068 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Ten-year-old detective Encyclopedia Brown uses his trivia skills to crack neighborhood mysteries and assist his police chief father with baffling cases. Can you solve the puzzles alongside him?
In reading order
Encyclopedia Brown Series
30 books · Published 1963–2025
#1
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1963
A boy detective solves mysteries and crimes in his neighborhood with the help of his trusty encyclopedia-filled brain.
#2
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret Pitch
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1965
A young detective solves cases for his neighbors and family in a small town.
#3
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown Finds the Clues
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1966
A young detective solves neighborhood mysteries and aids his police chief dad.
#4
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown Gets His Man
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 1967
A young detective tackles baffling mysteries with his sharp mind. Can you solve them too?
#5
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown Solves Them All
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1968
A young detective tackles baffling mysteries with wit and trivia.
#6
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown Keeps the Peace
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1969
A young detective solves baffling mysteries with his trivia skills. Can you crack the cases too?
#7
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown Saves the Day
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1970
A young detective solves baffling mysteries with his trivia skills.
#8
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown Tracks Them Down
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1971
A young detective solves baffling mysteries with his trivia skills.
#9
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown Shows the Way
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1972
A young detective solves baffling mysteries with his trivia skills.
#10
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Case
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1973
A young detective solves baffling mysteries with his trivia skills.
#11
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown Lends a Hand
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1974
Can you solve ten baffling mysteries before the boy sleuth does?
#12
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Dead Eagles
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1975
A young detective tackles baffling mysteries, inviting readers to solve them too.
#13
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Midnight Visitor
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1977
A young detective tackles baffling mysteries, inviting readers to solve them too.
#14
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$474
Encyclopedia Brown Carries On
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1980
A young detective unravels puzzling mysteries in his town.
#15
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$474
Encyclopedia Brown Sets the Pace
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1982
Solve mysteries with a young detective as he uncovers hidden truths in his town.
#16
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$474
Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake!
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1982
Unravel mysteries and enjoy recipes in this thrilling detective adventure.
#17
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$759
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Mysterious Handprints
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1985
A young detective solves mysteries and crimes in his neighborhood with the help of his trusty sidekick.
#18
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Treasure Hunt
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1988
A boy detective solves mysteries in his neighborhood.
#19
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Disgusting Sneakers
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1990
A young detective solves mysteries and crimes in his neighborhood.
#20
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$574
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Two Spies
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1994
Solve ten intriguing mysteries with a young detective.
#21
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of Pablo's Nose
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1996
Solve 10 new mysteries with Idaville's young detective.
#22
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Sleeping Dog
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1998
Can the boy detective outsmart a schemer and solve quirky town mysteries?
#23
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$574
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Slippery Salamander
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1999
A young detective solves various mysteries in his town.
#24
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Jumping Frogs
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2003
A young detective tackles ten new mysteries. Can you solve them before he does?
#25
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$574
Encyclopedia Brown Cracks the Case
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2007
The son of a police chief solves mysteries with the help of his friend Sally, a girl who can punch like a boy.
#26
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown, Super Sleuth
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2009
A boy detective solves various cases in his neighborhood.
#27
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret UFOs
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010
A boy detective solves various mysteries in his town.
#28
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$574
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Carnival Crime
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011
A boy detective solves various mysteries in his town.
#29
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$674
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Soccer Scheme
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2012
A young detective solves cases and mysteries in his neighborhood with the help of his partner and his vast knowledge.
Sale price
$674
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Marshmallow Tower
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025
A boy detective solves town mysteries from his garage.
Fact and activity companions
Encyclopedia Brown Record Books
2 books · Published 1979–1981
Optional record, trivia, and activity books related to the detective series rather than numbered mystery collections.
Encyclopedia Brown's Record Book of Weird and Wonderful Facts
Chapter Book · 1979
Discover hidden truths in a world of forgotten facts.
Encyclopedia Brown's Second Record Book of Weird and Wonderful Facts
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1981
Discover surprising facts about sports, animals, and more.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Encyclopedia Brown series?
There are 30 books in the Encyclopedia Brown series. It began with Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective in 1963, and the newest book, Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Marshmallow Tower, was published in 2025.
What order should you read the Encyclopedia Brown books in?
Start with Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #30.
What ages are the Encyclopedia Brown books best for?
The series is best for ages 7–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Encyclopedia Brown book is the longest?
Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake! (Book #16) is the longest book in the series at 19,307 words (128 pages).
Which Encyclopedia Brown book is the shortest?
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Soccer Scheme (Book #29) is the shortest at 8,317 words (96 pages).
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring Encyclopedia Brown to life.
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