 The front cover art for The Absent Author, the first book in the A to Z Mysteries series | |
A to Z Mysteries (26 titles) A to Z Mysteries Super Edition (continuing) Calendar Mysteries | |
| Author | Ron Roy |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | John Steven Gurney |
| Country | United States |
| Genre | Children's, mystery novels |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Published | September 23, 1997-April 26, 2005 (main series) 2006–present (sequel and spinoff) |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
A to Z Mysteries is a popular series of mysteries for children, written by Ron Roy, illustrated by John Steven Gurney, and published by Random House. The series is generally considered among the best "easy readers" for young children.[1][2] There are twenty-six books in the original series; one for each letter of the alphabet. The series begins with The Absent Author (1997) and ends with The Zombie Zone (2005).
The books follow the adventures of three child detectives, Donald David "Dink" Duncan, Josh Pinto, and Ruth Rose Hathaway. They are nine years old and live in Green Lawn, a fictional town in Connecticut and they become friends.
Other characters include Pal, a dog who once belonged to criminals and now lives with Josh; Wallis Wallace, a mystery writer and sometime participant; and Mr. Linkletter, the local hotel receptionist. Others include Officer Fallon, Josh's younger twin brothers Bradley and Brian, Ruth Rose's younger brother Nate, and Mr. Pasky, owner of the local bookstore in Green Lawn.
The success of the original series inspired a follow-up series called A to Z Mysteries Super Edition with the same characters. The first book in this series, Detective Camp, was published in May 2006. In addition, Roy and Gurney created a spin-off series titled Calendar Mysteries, beginning with "January Joker" on December 22, 2009.
An article in The Horn Book Magazine states that one reason for the series' popularity may be that the main characters "are about as cool as oatmeal", offering relief to readers who may feel burdened by peer pressure.[3]
- ^ "Best Easy Readers" Archived December 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Scholastic Magazine, May 10, 2007.
- ^ "Book Reviews: Preschool to Grade 4", School Library Journal, August 1, 2007.
- ^ Beram, Nell (January–February 2004). "Paperback Books for Young People: The Beaten Path". The Horn Book Magazine. LXXX (1). Boston: 53. ISSN 0018-5078.