The Marathon Race Mystery
Author: Robert McNear
Illustrator: Jackie Rogers
First Published: 1985
ISBN: 0-8167-0445-7
Length: 121 pages
Number of Endings: 21
Library of Congress Summary: The reader, a school reporter and amateur
detective, overhears a suspicious conversation in a sporting goods store
that may affect an upcoming marathon. A course of action must be decided
on right away.
My Thoughts: While this book is by no means groundbreaking, it is
competently constructed and fairly entertaining.
The Missing Rock Star Caper
Author: R. Parker McVey
Illustrator: Jackie Rogers
First Published: 1985
ISBN: 0-8167-0399-X
Length: 117 pages
Number of Endings: 27
Library of Congress Summary: The reader follows clues and directs the
course of the investigation into the mysterious disappearance of a famous
rock star.
Translation: Spanish
My Thoughts: This is a pretty good gamebook; the continuity is above
average for this series and the choices are interesting.
Mystery at the Ball Game
Author: R. Parker McVey
Illustrator: Jackie Rogers
First Published: 1985
ISBN: 0-8167-0337-X
Length: 120 pages
Number of Endings: 20
Library of Congress Summary: The reader, overhearing a conversation
about a plot to kidnap a millionaire's son at a Little League game, makes
decisions which determine the outcome of the story.
My Thoughts: This is a fairly well-constructed gamebook, though it's
not very original or engaging. The characters and situations in the book
are all familiar cliches, most of which seem out of place in the 80s (where
the story is set). There's also some space wasted describing a ball game
in great detail without allowing the reader any choices; it could have been
an opportunity to emulate the Play-It-Your-Way Sports
Books (though I can see why that might not be desirable).
Mystery at the Bike Race
Author: Frank Topper
Illustrator: Jackie Rogers
First Published: 1985
ISBN: 0-8167-0455-4
Length: 122 pages
Number of Endings: 24
Library of Congress Summary: As you, the reader, work on a newspaper
story about your town's annual bicycle race, your suspicions are aroused that
something sinister is happening involving the new electronics plant.
My Thoughts: The gameplay is uninspired and the story is even more
cliched than usual, so this really isn't a wonderful book. It reminds me of
the Top Secret-based Endless Quest books.
