Alfred Hitchcock's Solve-Them-Yourself Mysteries (book)
Alfred Hitchcock's Solve-Them-Yourself Mysteries
- published in 1963 in the USA by Random House (hardback)
- ISBN 0394812425
- ISBN 0394882407
- edited by Robert Arthur
- illustrated by Fred Banbery
Contents
Five exciting cases to test the wits of young detectives — with solutions, by the master of suspense, at the end of each story.
Introduction
Good evening, and welcome to Alfred Hitchcock's Bureau of Investigation. We are now offering a special feature to the public - a book full of new, exciting stories of suspense and mystery on the self-service, solve-it-yourself plan for those who like to test their detective ability against some good, meaty clues. On the other hand, for those of you who like to race after the evildoer with a "tallyho!" and a "there he goes!" we will handle all arrangements. You can enjoy the excitement of the chase and leave the clues to us. We will gather them up after you and arrange them all neatly in place. This is a wonderful form of togetherness if you care to try it. But one thing I do beg of you. Adhere to the stern code of the mystery reader. Don't reveal the answers to anyone when you have read the stories. Make your friends learn the solutions the hard way. See that they read the stories too!
Alfred Hitchcock's Solve-Them-Yourself Mysteries
- published in 1965 in the UK by Max Reinhardt Ltd & Random House (hardback)
- edited by Robert Arthur
- illustrated by Lennie Sak
Contents
- Introduction
- The Mystery of the Five Sinister Thefts
- The Mystery of the Seven Wrong Clocks
- The Mystery of the Three Blind Mice
- The Mystery of the Man Who Evaporated
- The Mystery of the Four Quarters
Introduction
Good evening, and welcome to Alfred Hitchcock's Bureau of Investigation. We are now offering a special feature to the public — a book full of new, exciting stories of suspense and mystery on the self-service, solve-it-yourself plan for those who like to test their detective ability against some good, meaty clues.
On the other hand, for those of you who like to race after the evildoer with a "tallyho!" and a "there he goes!" we will handle all arrangements. You can enjoy the excitement of the chase and leave the clues to us. We will gather them up after you and arrange them all neatly in place.
If this were a preview of my next picture, I would now give you some tantalizing glimpses of the attractions to come. You would see a three-hundred-pound millionaire who lives in an imported castle and collects enemies for a hobby. You would meet a talking skeleton, three witches on broomsticks, and a clock that tells yesterday's time instead of today's. You would encounter a kidnapped — or should I say snake-napped? — snake, a stone midget cane, and a pair of giant shoes that may or may not have walked off by themselves.
Nor would this exhaust the list of jolly entertainments and delicious delights I would let you glimpse. There would be a man who evaporates from a locked room, a house where all the furniture is built half-size, and seven clocks that tell outrageously wrong times with, if you will allow me to say so, straight faces.
Throughout the stories you will see that I have occasionally commented on the clues you may, or may not, have caught. I'm afraid I just can't resist saying something whenever I get the chance. You have undoubtedly noticed me popping up in my television programme to make a few appropriate remarks every time they let me. It seems to be a habit I simply cannot break.
One last word. Some of my fans have experimented with reading these stories aloud, having gathered the whole family around to take turns with the reading. Whoever spots a clue shouts "Clue!" and wins a point. Then the group discusses whether or not it is a clue and, if so, what it means.
This is a wonderful form of togetherness if you care to try it. But one thing I do beg of you, Adhere to the stern code of the mystery reading. Don't reveal the answers to anyone when you have read the stories. Make your friends learn the solutions the hard way. See that they read the stories too!
— Alfred Hitchcock
Notes
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