Encyclopedia Brown Books in Order
Part ofDonald J Sobol Books in OrderSee the Encyclopedia Brown books in order by Donald J Sobol, with quick summaries, series background, and an easy guide to where new readers should begin.
Last updated: July 5, 2026
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Encyclopedia Brown books in publication order
30 books
Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective
by Donald J Sobol
1963
Idaville's ten-year-old detective opens his garage agency and starts solving baffling neighborhood cases. Each short mystery gives readers a fair shot at spotting the clue before Encyclopedia Brown explains it.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret Pitch
by Donald J Sobol
1965
Encyclopedia Brown tackles ten brisk mysteries that range from a remarkable baseball pitch to everyday scams and tricks. The clues are all there, if readers can catch them before he does.
Encyclopedia Brown Finds the Clues
by Donald J Sobol
1966
A stolen necklace, a missing statue, and even Bugs Meany's supposed kidnapping land on Encyclopedia's desk. Ten short cases invite readers to follow the clues and test their own logic.
Encyclopedia Brown Gets His Man
by Donald J Sobol
1967
Leroy Brown keeps Idaville honest in ten compact mysteries involving cons, thefts, and impossible-sounding stories. Readers get every fact they need, then can flip to the back to see how he got his man.
Encyclopedia Brown Solves Them All
by Donald J Sobol
1968
Ten new Idaville puzzles send Encyclopedia after liars, thieves, and neighborhood troublemakers. The fun is in noticing the tiny inconsistency that turns an ordinary story into a solved case.
Encyclopedia Brown Keeps the Peace
by Donald J Sobol
1969
Encyclopedia tries to keep the peace as fresh scams and petty crimes break out around Idaville. These short cases are clever, fast, and built for readers who like solving the puzzle first.
Encyclopedia Brown Saves the Day
by Donald J Sobol
1970
From schoolyard tricks to real police problems, Encyclopedia keeps stepping in when a case needs cool thinking. Each chapter is short, fair, and ends with a satisfying explanation in the back.
Encyclopedia Brown Tracks Them Down
by Donald J Sobol
1971
A flying submarine, a valuable half-dollar, and several very shaky alibis keep Encyclopedia busy in Idaville. Ten short mysteries let readers track the clues right alongside him.
Encyclopedia Brown Shows the Way
by Donald J Sobol
1972
A ripped-off rattlesnake, a guard dog with strange nerves, and a pickpocket with a kangaroo are just the start. This volume delivers ten oddball mysteries with answers tucked in the back.
Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Case
by Donald J Sobol
1973
Encyclopedia takes on another round of quick mysteries for classmates, neighbors, and his police chief father. Sobol keeps the cases light, logical, and just tricky enough to make readers feel smart.
Encyclopedia Brown Lends a Hand
by Donald J Sobol
1974
Idaville's young sleuth is back with ten more cases involving missing items, bad stories, and small-town mischief. The clues hide in plain sight, waiting for sharp readers to catch them.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Dead Eagles
by Donald J Sobol
1975
Dead eagles, a hypnotism lesson, and other strange reports land on Encyclopedia's desk in this ten-case collection. He cuts through the confusion with observation, logic, and a little patience.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Midnight Visitor
by Donald J Sobol
1977
A surprise visitor, a bank holdup, and other suspicious events give Encyclopedia plenty to untangle. Readers can stop after each mystery and see if they can beat him to the answer.
Encyclopedia Brown Carries On
by Donald J Sobol
1980
Encyclopedia carries on with ten more kid-sized mysteries, each built around one small detail that does not fit. The tone stays playful, but the logic is sharp.
Encyclopedia Brown Cracks the Case
by Donald J Sobol
1982
This volume serves up ten short puzzles that start with ordinary situations and turn unexpectedly tricky. Encyclopedia's calm reasoning keeps the cases moving and the answers satisfying.
Encyclopedia Brown Sets The Pace
by Donald J Sobol
1982
New cons, new clues, and new chances to embarrass Bugs Meany keep Idaville's boy detective on the move. These quick mysteries reward close reading and common sense.
Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake!
by Donald J Sobol
1982
Part mystery book and part cookbook, this collection pairs Encyclopedia Brown cases with recipes readers can try at home. It is a playful spin on the series, with puzzles, food, and plenty of Idaville charm.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Mysterious Handprints
by Donald J Sobol
1985
Handprints, stolen tools, a prize pig, and other odd clues send Encyclopedia hunting for the one fact that does not add up. Ten short mysteries keep the pace quick and inviting.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Treasure Hunt
by Donald J Sobol
1988
Identical twins, a leaking tent, magical worm pills, and a missing treasure trail all turn suspicious. As always, Encyclopedia gives readers every clue before the answers appear in back.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Disgusting Sneakers
by Donald J Sobol
1990
Encyclopedia and Sally Kimball sort through ten mysteries, including broken objects, brain games, and one very suspicious sneaker contest. The cases are brisk, funny, and fun to outthink.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Two Spies
by Donald J Sobol
1994
Two spies are only the beginning in this set of ten short Idaville mysteries. Encyclopedia follows crooked stories, planted clues, and everyday deceptions until the real answer clicks into place.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of Pablo's Nose
by Donald J Sobol
1996
Idaville's secret weapon against bad logic returns with ten more mysteries, topped by the case of Pablo's nose. The stories are short, strange, and built to make readers think twice.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Sleeping Dog
by Donald J Sobol
1998
A sleeping dog and nine other puzzlers give Encyclopedia fresh chances to expose scams and sloppy lies. The clues are simple, but spotting the right one is the whole challenge.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Slippery Salamander
by Donald J Sobol
1999
This collection keeps the classic formula humming, with ten mysteries centered on one slippery clue after another. Encyclopedia wins the day by noticing what everyone else ignores.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Jumping Frogs
by Donald J Sobol
2003
Jumping frogs headline another batch of fast, fair mysteries from Idaville. Sobol mixes humor, schoolyard tension, and neat little logic traps that invite readers to solve along.
Encyclopedia Brown, Super Sleuth
by Donald J Sobol
2009
Encyclopedia earns the super sleuth title in ten more short cases for kids, neighbors, and the police. It is a great pick for readers who like mysteries they can actually crack.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret UFOs
by Donald J Sobol
2010
Rumors of UFOs are only one part of this late-series collection of ten new mysteries. Encyclopedia still solves everything the old-fashioned way, by paying attention and asking the right question.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Carnival Crime
by Donald J Sobol
2011
Giant diamonds, lazy lions, a country singer, and a trip to the carnival all hide fresh problems for Idaville's young detective. Ten short mysteries keep the book lively and easy to binge.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Soccer Scheme
by Donald J Sobol
2012
An African killifish, a vandalized library book, and a nail-biting soccer match are among Encyclopedia's final cases. The format stays classic, giving readers ten chances to solve the puzzle first.
Encyclopedia Brown and his Best Cases Ever
by Donald J Sobol
2013
This greatest-hits collection gathers standout Encyclopedia Brown cases in one handy volume. It works as both a nostalgic revisit for fans and an easy first stop for curious new readers.
Encyclopedia Brown books in chronological order

Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective
by Donald J Sobol
1963Encyclopedia Brown, Book 1
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret Pitch
by Donald J Sobol
1965Encyclopedia Brown, Book 2
Encyclopedia Brown Finds the Clues
by Donald J Sobol
1966Encyclopedia Brown, Book 3
Encyclopedia Brown Gets His Man
by Donald J Sobol
1967Encyclopedia Brown, Book 4
Encyclopedia Brown Solves Them All
by Donald J Sobol
1968Encyclopedia Brown, Book 5
Encyclopedia Brown Keeps the Peace
by Donald J Sobol
1969Encyclopedia Brown, Book 6
Encyclopedia Brown Saves the Day
by Donald J Sobol
1970Encyclopedia Brown, Book 7
Encyclopedia Brown Tracks Them Down
by Donald J Sobol
1971Encyclopedia Brown, Book 8
Encyclopedia Brown Shows the Way
by Donald J Sobol
1972Encyclopedia Brown, Book 9
Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Case
by Donald J Sobol
1973Encyclopedia Brown, Book 10
Encyclopedia Brown Lends a Hand
by Donald J Sobol
1974Encyclopedia Brown, Book 11
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Dead Eagles
by Donald J Sobol
1975Encyclopedia Brown, Book 12
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Midnight Visitor
by Donald J Sobol
1977Encyclopedia Brown, Book 13
Encyclopedia Brown Carries On
by Donald J Sobol
1980Encyclopedia Brown, Book 14
Encyclopedia Brown Sets The Pace
by Donald J Sobol
1982Encyclopedia Brown, Book 15
Encyclopedia Brown Cracks the Case
by Donald J Sobol
1982Encyclopedia Brown, Book 16
Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Cake!
by Donald J Sobol
1982Encyclopedia Brown, Book 17
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Mysterious Handprints
by Donald J Sobol
1985Encyclopedia Brown, Book 18
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Treasure Hunt
by Donald J Sobol
1988Encyclopedia Brown, Book 19
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Disgusting Sneakers
by Donald J Sobol
1990Encyclopedia Brown, Book 20
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Two Spies
by Donald J Sobol
1994Encyclopedia Brown, Book 21
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of Pablo's Nose
by Donald J Sobol
1996Encyclopedia Brown, Book 22
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Sleeping Dog
by Donald J Sobol
1998Encyclopedia Brown, Book 23
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Slippery Salamander
by Donald J Sobol
1999Encyclopedia Brown, Book 24
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Jumping Frogs
by Donald J Sobol
2003Encyclopedia Brown, Book 25
Encyclopedia Brown, Super Sleuth
by Donald J Sobol
2009Encyclopedia Brown, Book 26
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret UFOs
by Donald J Sobol
2010Encyclopedia Brown, Book 27
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Carnival Crime
by Donald J Sobol
2011Encyclopedia Brown, Book 28
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Soccer Scheme
by Donald J Sobol
2012Encyclopedia Brown, Book 29
Encyclopedia Brown and his Best Cases Ever
by Donald J Sobol
2013Encyclopedia Brown, Book 30
Series background & context
At the center of the Encyclopedia Brown series is Leroy Brown, a fifth-grader in the small town of Idaville. Everyone calls him Encyclopedia because he remembers facts the way other kids remember batting averages. In Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective, he sets up shop in his family's garage and charges 25 cents a day, plus expenses, to solve neighborhood problems. He also helps his father, Chief Brown, untangle cases that stump the local police.
The hook is simple: each book offers ten short mysteries and then invites readers to solve them before checking the answers in back.
That structure gives the series its snap. Some cases turn on observation, some on logic, and some on everyday knowledge, but the stories usually play fair. Sobol wants readers to pause, go back, and notice the one detail that does not fit. The chapters are short enough for quick reading, but they still feel like complete little mysteries.
A lot of the fun comes from the people around Encyclopedia. Sally Kimball is his closest friend, partner, and unofficial bodyguard, tough enough to scare off the older boys who think brains should be easy to push around. Bugs Meany is the town bully and chief troublemaker, always ready with a scam, a bet, or a revenge plan. Wilford Wiggins adds a different kind of chaos, forever cooking up bad ways to make money.
Idaville matters, too. It is an ordinary small town, which means the mysteries grow out of bikes, baseball, pets, found money, broken windows, and kids telling stories that do not quite add up. The stakes are usually kid-sized, but they feel real to the people inside the books. That keeps the tone light without making the puzzles feel flimsy.
From Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret Pitch to later books like Encyclopedia Brown Tracks Them Down, Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret UFOs, and Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Soccer Scheme, the formula stays steady in the best way. Readers know they will get quick setup, a clever snag, and a clean solution. That consistency is a big reason the books work so well as first mysteries for younger readers and as rereads for older ones.
The series also reached beyond the page, with an HBO adaptation and a run of related puzzle and trivia books. But the heart of Encyclopedia Brown never really changed. This is a detective world where thinking hard, noticing details, and standing up to bullies still feels like a superpower.
Edited by
Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.
Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.















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