The Barney Mysteries were a series of six children's books written by British author Enid Blyton. They are also sometimes known as the "R" mysteries, because each title involves a word beginning with R.[1]. The series comprised:
Each of the Mysteries begins with the letter "R"... as one of the characters disingenuously points out towards the end of the series.
A theme running throughout the books is that of lost or deceased parents. Roger and Diana are brother and sister, the children of Mr and Mrs Lynton. Their irritating cousin Snubby (whose real name is Peter) comes to stay with them during the school holidays, as he has no parents. During their first adventure, they meet Barney, who makes an appearance in each of the succeeding books. Barney is older than Roger and lives a nomadic lifestyle, working in fairs and circuses (such as Rilloby Fair, which gives the name to the second book in the series). He has a monkey named Miranda who plays an important role in the mysteries. He is on a quest to find his missing father. At the end of the fourth book, The Rubadub Mystery, Barney is reunited with his father, although he is still allowed to meet the others, and enjoy the final two mysteries.
Another character who recurs is Miss Pepper (whose name gives the opportunity for a number of bad jokes). Firm with the children but likable, she often looks after them in the absence of Mr and Mrs Lynton.
In German, the Barney mysteries are known as the "Rätsel um...-Serie", or "Riddle of... series". In addition to translations of the six English titles, there are two additional volumes:
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