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

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

1. The Usborne Big Book of Puzzle Adventures (9780746054246)
   Collecting: Danger at Demon’s Cove, Incredible Dinosaur Expedition, Ghost in the Mirror, Escape from Blood Castle.
2. Puzzle Adventure Omnibus Vol.1 (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.
3. Puzzle Adventure Omnibus Vol.2 (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.
4. Puzzle Adventure Omnibus Vol.3 (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.

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

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

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

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

External links

• Usborne.co.uk, the official site of Usborne Publishing