This kid’s name is Leroy but everyone in his small town calls him Encyclopedia because he’s so smart and remembers all the facts he reads. His father is police chief and Encyclopedia likes nothing better than to help his dad solve a crime. He also runs a small enterprise, charging a quarter to help kids solve problems. Usually things like finding a missing item, catching a thief or determining who’s lying in a disagreement. The mysteries to solve are presented in very short chapters, just a few pages each, not much story to them, barely enough written to set up the scene. Then Encyclopedia declares his answer to the case but leaves it up to the reader to figure out how he knew or arrived at the solution. In the back they’re all explained, if you couldn’t figure them out. Some I saw the answer right away, others I had to think a bit, and a few honestly stumped me (which I feel silly for). Most of the scenarios were vaguely familiar, so I think I must have read this book at least once, probably decades ago. It just didn’t have enough substance to interest me now, though I suppose kids who like mental puzzles would enjoy it.
Borrowed from the public library.
