Usborne Puzzle Adventure series

The Puzzle Adventure series from Usborne Publishing Ltd was first created in 1984 with the release of Escape from Blood Castle. The first three in the series were originally released under the name "Usborne Solve It Yourself". Each book contains a vividly illustrated story, with a plot-related puzzle to solve on each double-page.

Since its inception, a number of related series have been created: Advanced Puzzle Adventures, Young Puzzle Adventures and Science Puzzle Adventures.

Over the past few years, many of the Puzzle Adventures and Young Puzzle Adventures series have been re-released. The Advanced Puzzle Adventures and Science Puzzle Adventures are still out of print with no plans to revive them in the near future.

Series

Puzzle Adventures

This is the original series of books, aimed at 8 to 13 year-olds.

  1. Escape from Blood Castle (ISBN 9780746080603)
  2. The Curse of the Lost Idol (ISBN 9780746085851)
  3. Murder on the Midnight Plane (ISBN 9780860209522)
  4. The Incredible Dinosaur Expedition (ISBN 9780746080627)
  5. The Intergalactic Bus Trip (ISBN 9780746084366)
  6. Time Train to Ancient Rome (ISBN 9780746080610)
  7. Danger at Demon's Cove (ISBN 9780746088678)
  8. Agent Arthur's Jungle Journey (ISBN 9780746084342)
  9. Agent Arthur on the Stormy Seas (ISBN 9780746084335)
  10. The Ghost in the Mirror (ISBN 9780746088661)
  11. The Haunted Tower (ISBN 9780746088685)
  12. Agent Arthur's Arctic Adventure (ISBN 9780746084359)
  13. The Vanishing Village (ISBN 9780746088319)
  14. Search for the Sunken City (ISBN 9780746088692)
  15. Journey to the Lost Temple (ISBN 9780746088265)
  16. The Pyramid Plot (ISBN 9780746080597)
  17. The Invisible Spy (ISBN 9780746005101)
  18. The Emerald Conspiracy (ISBN 9780746088302)
  19. Agent Arthur's Desert Challenge (ISBN 9780746088241)
  20. Voyage to the Edge of the World (ISBN 0746016905)
  21. Mutiny at Crossbones Bay (ISBN 9780746074985)
  22. Castle of Intrigue (ISBN 9780746068922)
  23. The Dark Dark Knight (ISBN 9780746069110)
  24. Agent Arthur's Island Adventure (ISBN 9780746088258)
  25. The Crimebusters Investigate (ISBN 9780746020968)

Some of these books were re-printed in the following omnibuses:

  1. The Usborne Book of Puzzle Adventures (ISBN 9780746001554)
    Collecting: The Incredible Dinosaur Expedition, The Intergalactic Bus Trip, Time Train to Ancient Rome.
  2. The Second Usborne Book of Puzzle Adventures (ISBN 9780746003107)
    Collecting: Danger at Demon’s Cove, Search for the Sunken City, Journey to the Lost Temple.
  3. The Third Usborne Book of Puzzle Adventures (ISBN 9780746005125)
    Collecting: The Pyramid Plot, The Emerald Conspiracy, The Invisible Spy.
  4. The Usborne Book of Solve Your Own Mystery Stories (ISBN 9780746000151)
    Collecting: Escape from Blood Castle, The Curse of the Lost Idol, Murder on the Midnight Plane.
  5. The Usborne Big Book of Puzzle Adventures (ISBN 9780746054246)
    Collecting: Danger at Demon’s Cove, Incredible Dinosaur Expedition, Ghost in the Mirror, Escape from Blood Castle.
  6. Puzzle Adventure Omnibus Vol.1 (ISBN 9780746087336)
    Collecting: Escape from Blood Castle, The Curse of the Lost Idol, Murder on the Midnight Plane, The Incredible Dinosaur Expedition, The Intergalactic Bus Trip, Time Train to Ancient Rome, Danger at Demon’s Cove.
  7. Puzzle Adventure Omnibus Vol.2 (ISBN 9780746087343)
    Collecting: Agent Arthur’s Jungle Journey, Agent Arthur on the Stormy Seas, Agent Arthur’s Arctic Adventure, The Haunted Tower, The Vanishing Village, The Ghost in the Mirror, Search for the Sunken City.
  8. Puzzle Adventure Omnibus Vol.3 (ISBN 9780746095799)
    Collecting: Mutiny at Crossbones Bay, Agent Arthur’s Island Adventure, The Pyramid Plot, Castle of Intrigue, The Emerald Conspiracy, Journey to the Lost Temple, The Dark, Dark Knight.
  9. Agent Arthur's Puzzle Adventures (ISBN 9780746001479)
    Collecting: Agent Arthur’s Jungle Journey, Agent Arthur on the Stormy Seas, Agent Arthur’s Arctic Adventure.

Advanced Puzzle Adventures

This is a more difficult series aimed at older children, currently out of print.

  1. Codename Quicksilver
  2. Cobra Consignment
  3. Mystery on Main Street

The entire series was reprinted in an omnibus edition.

  1. The Usborne Book of Advanced Puzzle Adventures (ISBN 9780746007532)

Science Puzzle Adventures

The Science Puzzle Adventures series written by Clive Gifford contains science-related puzzles. Each tale pits the wits of Dr. Genius and his resourceful team against the world's most evil criminal superbrains. This series is also currently out of print.

  1. The Flask of Doom
  2. The Time Warp Virus

Young Puzzle Adventures

This series uses softer illustrations and is aimed at younger children.

  1. Chocolate Island (ISBN 9780746088197)
  2. Dragon in the Cupboard (ISBN 9780746087435)
  3. Land of the Lost Teddies (ISBN 9780746088722)
  4. Lucy and the Sea Monster (ISBN 9780746088180)
  5. Lucy and the Sea Monster to the Rescue (ISBN 9780746088715)
  6. Molly's Magic Carpet (ISBN 9780746049211)
  7. Halloween Surprise (previously Spook's Surprise) (ISBN 9780746087725)
  8. Uncle Pete the Pirate (ISBN 9780746087442)
  9. Uncle Pete's Pirate Adventure (ISBN 9780746087459)
  10. Wendy the Witch (ISBN 9780746087466)

Some of these books were re-printed in the following omnibuses:

  1. Young Puzzle Adventures (ISBN 9780746060056)
    Collecting: Molly's Magic Carpet, Wendy the Witch, Uncle Pete the Pirate, Lucy and the Sea Monster.


External links