The Rubadub Mystery

[Timmy The Dog]

I found this in a charity shop in Newark yesterday and just had to buy it to read again.

Even at 34 years old I still found bits that Snubby did hilarious which I think is a real credit to Enid and her writing!

[Poppy]

I agree, Timmy: it is a fantastic book. It is not necessarily my favourite of the series, but the humour and plot packed into the story never fails to delight me, and the ending is very satisfying. Snubby is a really great character - and I think both he and Barney really make the series original. Have you read the rest of the series before?

[Timmy The Dog]

I remember getting the Ring O Bells mystery as a sunday school prize many years ago and really enjoying it.

I think I've also read the Rat a Tat mystery but I'm not sure about the others

[Julie2owlsdene]

A great book Rubadub, one of the better ones from that series I think.

[Moonraker]

I agree. Some of the titles are pretty dire in my opinion.

[Poppy]

I always enjoy the Barney mysteries: especially the unique locations, and the humorous, and colourful characters that the books feature. I think The Rat-a-Tat Mystery, The Ring O'Bells Mystery and The Rubadub Mystery are the strongest of the series, but each book has something interesting to offer.

[Moonraker]

Maybe.

[Timmy The Dog]

The line quite early on where Snubby is referred to as "The worlds worse nuisance" cracked me up!!

[John Pickup]

The Barney books are my favourites and The Rubadub Mystery is the star of them all for me. Enid writes some quite emotional scenes, especially about Barney's callous treatment at the hands of Mr Marvel and the subsequent reunion with his father. I also think this is one series that ought to be read in the order they were written.

[Lucky Star]

I agree. Some of the titles are pretty dire in my opinion.

Really? I like them all. The last two are less good than the first four but those first four are all high quality in my opinion. Rubadub in particular has one of Blyton's most intricate and emotional plots ever as we have duscussed extensively on the "Most Complex Plot" thread.

[Timmy The Dog]

I also think this is one series that ought to be read in the order they were written.

Yes I'd agree with that, especially as one of the on going plots os Barney and finding his father, I think reading them in the wrong order would make the plot much harder to follow

[walter raleigh]

The ''R' Mysteries' are some of Blyton's best books in my opinion. Those and the 'Adventure' series are among only a few of her books that work as well for adults as they do for children. Although the last two aren't as strong as the first four they're all still fantastic reads.

[Courtenay]

Interesting to hear such, er, diverse opinions on the Barney Mystery series. I've only ever read the first one (Rockingdown) and have to admit I can barely remember a thing about it. I think I liked Barney, but seem to recall finding Snubby a bit annoying, and the plot just didn't grab me. But then, it might be worth trying again so I can at least give an informed opinion.

[Rob Houghton]

As I've often said, Rubadub Mystery is for me, the best in the Barney Mystery series, and in my opinion probably the best book Enid ever wrote. I agree with John totally that it's definitely the pinnacle of the series. I agree the series is best read in order...but personally I would stop at Rubadub. I recently read Rilloby Fair, Ring O'Bells and Rubadub, then started Rat A Tat, but gave it up halfway through, as I feel it's so weak. For me, Rubadub and Rilloby Fair are the two best in the series.

[Lucky Star]

then started Rat A Tat, but gave it up halfway through, as I feel it's so weak.

rat-a-Tat and Ragamuffin feel very different because of the change in Barney's status. This makes them obviously "add ons" to the series. Despite that I like them both. Rat-a-Tat is particularly suited to this time of year as it is set in bitterly cold snowy weather.