The Brown Box Mystery


Book Description

Two leather-jacketed motorcycle gang members ride into town and steer the Sugar Creek Gang into a dangerous adventure. Two mysterious boxes, one from Palm Tree Island and the other offering an anonymous reward, are at the heart of the mystery. Before it's solved, the Gang find themselves held hostage in Old Man Paddler's cabin. Join the Sugar Creek Gang as they see the love of a father in action, the kind that will track down a son who has gone astray.




BROWN BOX MYSTERY.


Book Description




Sugar Creek Gang Set Books 31-36


Book Description

This set includes books 31-36 in the Sugar Creek Gang Series: The Tree House Mystery, The Cemetery Vandals, The Battle of the Bees, Locked in the Attic, The Runaway Rescue, and The Case of the Missing Calf. In The Tree House Mystery, a rainy day gets Bill Collins thinking, "What the Gang needs is a tree house!" So with Poetry's family's old lawn umbrella and some elaborate thatch work, the boys create their own headquarters down by the river. Soon they discover that someone's living in their tree house! And when their guest turns out to be an African American man, prejudice rears it's ugly head within the Gang. Join the Sugar Creek Gang as they learn that the value of people has nothing to do with their skin color. In The Cemetery Vandals, the Sugar Creek Gang swings into action when the boys discover filthy language painted on the bridge abutments, a hole in their rowboat, and Sarah Paddler's tombstone knocked over at the cemetery. A chase ensues when some of the gang find two of the vandals in Old Man Paddler's cabin. Can Bill Collins make it to the cave in time to trap them? See how God works everything out for good as the criminals are captured with the help of the Gang's arch enemy. In The Battle of the Bees, what kind of trouble can Bill Collins get into when he's spending the afternoon babysitting his little sister, Charlotte Ann? Plenty! The Gang find themselves in the middle of a war between two of the beehives in Mr. Collins honey bee yard. A note from Old Man Paddler challenges the Sugar Creek Gang with a riddle that reveals more than they bargained for as they uncover a trespassing boy up at his cabin in the woods. Join the Sugar Creek Gang as they learn a few lessons about loving as Jesus does. In Locked in the Attic, Bill Collins's cousin's dog, Alexander, saved the gang, but lost his own life in a battle with a wildcat. Now Alexander's grave is in danger of being washed away by a flash flood. In relocating Alexander's grave to Tom the Trapper's dog cemetery, the gang discovers the hideout of an escaped criminal. They're trapped! Will evil triumph over good, or will the gang be taken hostage by this dangerous man? See how God protects those who trust in Him. In The Runaway Rescue, Bill and Poetry stumble over a lost red shoe on the way to Old Man Paddler's cabin. Not too much later, they discover who it belong to- a girl who's run away from home. But what this missing girl doesn't know is that she's been bitten by a rabid pet and will die if she doesn't get to a hospital soon! Can the gang track down the girl and get her to safety before it's too late? See how God can uses us when we help others. In The Case of the Missing Calf, the gang springs into action looking for clues when Wandering Winnie, Little Jim's Hereford calf, is nabbed by cattle rustlers. But in chasing down the culprits, Bill and Poetry end up on a wild ride in the back of the thieves' pick-up truck. What if they're discovered? How are they going to escape? Through some quick thinking and footwork, the gang not only captures the cattle rustlers, but learns that giving is better than receiving.




Sugar Creek Gang Set Books 19-24


Book Description

This set includes books 19-24 in the Sugar Creek Gang Series: The Green Tent Mystery, The Bull Fighter, The Timber Wolf, Western Adventure, The Killer Cat, and The Colorado Kidnapping. The Sugar Creek Gang series chronicles the faith-building adventures of a group of fun-loving, courageous Christian boys. These classic stories have been inspiring children to grow in their faith for more than five decades. More than three million copies later, children continue to grow up relating to members of the gang as they struggle with the application of their Christian faith to the adventure of life. Now that these stories have been updated for a new generation, you and your child can join in the Sugar Creek excitement. Paul Hutchen's memories of childhood adventures around the fishing hole, the swimming hole, the island, and the woods that surround Indiana's Sugar Creek inspired these beloved tales. In The Green Tent Mystery, the Sugar Creek Gang stumbles across a woman digging a hole in an abandoned cemetery on a dark summer night. Investigate with the gang as they get to the bottom of the mysterious holes that keep appearing in the fields. Discover the important role that Bill Collins' little sister, Charlotte Ann, plays in solving the mystery. In the end, you'll discover with the gang that "all things work together for good to them that love God". In The Bull Fighter, 10,080 minutes fly fast when Bill's cousin, Wally, and his copper-colored dog, Alexander, come for a visit. Alexander manages to tangle with all kinds of wildlife from skunks and snapping turtles to a giant red bull. A late night visit from some mysterious strangers leads to a priceless gift for Wally. Come along with the Sugar Creek Gang and you'll learn that following Jesus is just as important for city boys as it is for country boys. In The Timber Wolf, a winter vacation for the Sugar Creek Gang at the Snow Goose Lodge is full of surprises. Old Man Paddler's nephew, Barry Boyland, introduces his fianc Jeanne, and she ends up in the middle of a blizzard before the story is over. Along the way, the gang goes ice fishing, checks traps, encounters a wolf, and chases a bear. This Sugar Creek Gang adventure will deepen your appreciation for nature as well as for the importance of a relationship with Jesus. In Western Adventure, hanging the imaginary horse thief, Snaterpazooka, in the Sugar Creek Hills leads to a real-life shoot-out. The adventure includes an out-of-control campfire, a horse-killing thunderstorm, and a runaway boat. As Bill Collins faces trouble with Tom Till, he remembers the sermon about ruling your spirit and being slow to anger. Learn with Bill the importance of choosing the proper boss. In The Killer Cat, a savage-tempered wildcat enters Sugar Creek territory and stirs up lots of trouble. Before the adventure ends, the wildcat kills many prized animals. Bill Collins spends part of the time home alone with only God and his Savage .22 rifle to protect him. In the end, an unlikely hero saves Little Jim from certain tragedy. Follow the Sugar Creek Gang as they walk Jesus' narrow trail and try to avoid the "rabbit trails" that tempt them away. In The Colorado Kidnapping, the Sugar Creek Gang heads west for the Aspen Music Festival in the beautiful Colorado Rockies. They enjoy a world class rodeo, and they even get to meet the famous rodeo cowboy, Cranberry Jones. A scenic, chair-lift ride leads to the solution of a missing woman mystery. Witness with the Sugar Creek Gang God's ability to turn tragedy into triumph when people surrender their lives to Him.




The Haunted House


Book Description

The tales and travels of the Sugar Creek Gang have passed the test of time, delighting young readers for more than fifty years. Great mysteries with a message, The Sugar Creek Gang series chronicles the faith-building adventures of a group of fun-loving, courageous Christian boys. Your kids will be thrilled, chilled, and inspired to grow as they follow the legendary escapades of Bill Collins, Dragonfly, and the rest of the gang and see how they struggle with the application of their Christian faith to the adventure of life.Way up on a hill on Old Man Paddler's property stands an old house that many people think is haunted. A late night raccoon hunt with dogs from Circus's dad help the gang get to the bottom of the mystery. What will the boys discover in the dark attic of the haunted house? Reflect with Bill on the meaning of the Bible verse "... absent from the body... at home with the Lord".




Masters of the "Humdrum" Mystery


Book Description

In 1972, in an attempt to elevate the stature of the "crime novel," influential crime writer and critic Julian Symons cast numerous Golden Age detective fiction writers into literary perdition as "Humdrums," condemning their focus on puzzle plots over stylish writing and explorations of character, setting and theme. This volume explores the works of three prominent British "Humdrums"--Cecil John Charles Street, Freeman Wills Crofts, and Alfred Walter Stewart--revealing their work to be more complex, as puzzles and as social documents, than Symons allowed. By championing the intrinsic merit of these mystery writers, the study demonstrates that reintegrating the "Humdrums" into mystery genre studies provides a fuller understanding of the Golden Age of detective fiction and its aftermath.




Sugar Creek Gang Series Books 1-36


Book Description

This set includes the entire collection of the Sugar Creek Gang Series, books 1-36. The Sugar Creek Gang series chronicles the faith-building adventures of a group of fun-loving, courageous Christian boys. These classic stories have been inspiring children to grow in their faith for more than five decades. More than three million copies later, children continue to grow up relating to members of the gang as they struggle with the application of their Christian faith to the adventure of life. Now that these stories have been updated for a new generation, you and your child can join in the Sugar Creek excitement. Paul Hutchens' memories of childhood adventures around the fishing hole, the swimming hole, the island, and the woods that surround Indiana's Sugar Creek inspired these beloved tales.




Sugar Creek Gang Set Books 7-12


Book Description

This set includes books 7-12 in the Sugar Creek Gang Series: The Mystery Cave, Palm Tree Manhunt, One Stormy Day, The Mystery Thief, Teacher Trouble,and Screams in the Night. The tales and travels of the Sugar Creek Gang have passed the test of time, delighting young readers for more than fifty years. Great mysteries with a message, The Sugar Creek Gang series chronicles the faith-building adventures of a group of fun-loving, courageous Christian boys. Your kids will be thrilled, chilled, and inspired to grow as they follow the legendary escapades of Bill Collins, Dragonfly, and the rest of the gang and see how they struggle with the application of their Christian faith to the adventure of life. In The Mystery Cave, a late night hunting trip for the Sugar Creek Gang leads to a surprise discovery. Later, Old Man Paddler invites them to his cabin for a sassafras tea party. An urgent knock on the door interrupts the party. Soon they find themselves knee-deep in a quicksand rescue. Explore with the gang the effects of sin in one's life and the benefits of following Jesus. In Palm Tree Manhunt, Old Man Paddler sends the Sugar Creek Gang to a beautiful Caribbean island to find his missing twin brother. Circus and Bill find an old man who bears an uncanny resemblance to Old Man Paddler, but then they get separated from the rest of the group. A goat and a lottery ticket become the key to restoring Mr. Paddler. Join the gang as they discover the difference between fate and God's control of the events in our lives. In One Stormy Day, the Sugar Creek Gang's school gets a new teacher- a man. And that spells trouble. When their old teacher shows up to surprise them with a midday sleigh ride, things start looking up for the boys- until Bill Collins throws a snowball that accidentally hits Mr. Black, the new teacher. Learn the importance of self-sacrifice as Little Jim offers to take Bill's punishment, even though he doesn't deserve it. In The Mystery Thief, someone knocks Bill Collins into a snowdrift and steals his suitcase when he goes to spend the night with Poetry. When the boys track the footprints in the snow, they make an amazing discovery. A penmanship test helps to solve the mystery about the mean notes received by Bill and Mr. Black. Find out with the gang how important it is to love and befriend those who hurt us. In Teacher Trouble, the Sugar Creek Gang continues to struggle with their new teacher, Mr. Black. They cause some of the trouble themselves when they build a snowman that looks a lot like him and he stumbles across it. Someone outside the gang tries to frame the Sugar Creek Gang by putting a board over the chimney at school. Learn important lessons about honesty and respect with the Sugar Creek Gang. In Screams in the Night, travel to Pass Lake, Minnesota, with the Sugar Creek Gang. When the gang arrives, they find themselves in the middle of a mystery. Newspaper reports tell of a kidnapped girl who has not been returned even though the ransom was paid. Will they find the girl and help catch the kidnapper? Join the Sugar Creek Gang on their action-packed trip to Minnesota's lake country and learn about becoming fishers of men.







Sugar Creek Gang Set Books 1-6


Book Description

This set includes books 1-6 in the Sugar Creek Gang Series: The Swamp Robber, The Killer Bear, The Winter Rescue, The Lost Campers, The Chicago Adventure, and The Secret Hideout. The tales and travels of the Sugar Creek Gang have passed the test of time, delighting young readers for more than fifty years. Great mysteries for kids with a message, The Sugar Creek Gang series chronicles the faith-building adventures of a group of fun-loving, courageous Christian boys. Your kids will be thrilled, chilled, and inspired to grow as they follow the legendary escapades of Bill Collins, Dragonfly, and the rest of the gang as they struggle with the application of their Christian faith to the adventure of life. In The Swamp Robber, the Sugar Creek Gang discovers a "disguise" hidden in a old tree. Does it belong to the bank robber hiding in the swamp? A mysterious map hidden near the tree proves to be even more exciting than the disguise. Before the adventure ends, the gang encounters the robber, helps Bill Collins welcome a new baby sister, and saves the victim of a black widow spider bite. Join the gang as they learn the lesson of "sowing and reaping". In The Killer Bear, Circus" Brown's father makes a life-changing decision at a revival meeting. Will he be able to stay on the narrow path? Back in the woods, the mean Till boys and the Sugar Creek Gang wrestle over a patch of wild strawberries. This leads to an encounter with an angry black bear. Join the gang as they learn to apply the lesson of forgiving seventy times seven in the face of great danger. In The Winter Rescue, the last swim of the summer ends miserably for the Sugar Creek Gang when someone steals Little Jim's pet baby bear. The search for the missing bear cub takes the gang through the woods to Old Man Paddler's cabin. When winter arrives, the boys return to the cabin, where they receive a startling surprise. Join the gang as they discover the power of prayer. In The Lost Campers, Bill Collins and Little Jim survive a wild ride on the flooded Sugar Creek thanks to the acrobatic efforts of their friend "Circus". When summer arrives, the gang heads to Pass Lake, Minnesota, for a camping trip. There they discover a railroad coach in the middle of a forest without any tracks, and an honest-to-goodness American Indian with beads and a war bonnet. Join the gang as the experience the meaning of being saved, both physically and spiritually. In The Chicago Adventure, the Sugar Creek Gang's adventure to Chicago is full of ups and downs. It starts with an airplane ride over a storm. The adventure includes museum visits, rescue mission ministry, performing on the radio at Moody Bible Institute, and an elevated train ride. A fight between Jim and Bob Till lands one of them in the hospital in critical condition. Join the Gang as they learn again that the only way to heaven is through Jesus. In The Secret Hideout, "Poetry" brings his muddy lamb into Miss Lilly's classroom, and chaos breaks out. The gang later discovers a mysterious cave with a hidden passage near the cemetery. When they spend the night in the cave, they are frightened by two very different visitors dressed in white. Could they be ghosts? Join the gang as Poetry's pet lamb provides a helpful explanation of Jesus' parable of the lost sheep.