Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators in The Mystery of the Fiery Eye
1970s Nostalgia Adventure Juvenile Mystery Detective Boys' Fiction Vintage Children's Fiction Collector's Item
Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators in The Mystery of the Fiery Eye is the pulse-pounding 1974 first-edition hardcover that vintage juvenile-mystery collectors actively hunt. Written by series creator Robert Arthur and bearing the original Collins imprint, this copy delivers the complete, camp-free adventure that made the Three Investigators the thinking-kid’s answer to the Hardy Boys. A cryptic rhyme, a cursed ruby, and a night-time break-in at a California museum send Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw and Bob Andrews on a trail of hidden tunnels, secret panels and coded messages—every chapter ending on a cliff-hanger that keeps 9- to 12-year-olds (and nostalgic adults) turning pages long after lights-out.
What elevates this particular title above later reprints is its unabridged 1974 text and the atmospheric line drawings that only appear in these early UK Collins issues—illustrations that heighten the suspense without spoiling the surprises. The book is steeped in 1970s detail: reel-to-reel tape recorders, library card catalogues, and Hitchcock’s famously quirky introductions that frame each case. For collectors, “Fiery Eye” is a key volume in the canon, introducing the red-masked jewel that becomes a continuing plot thread throughout the series, making it essential for anyone building a complete set.
Physically, this hardcover has survived the decades with pages still tightly bound and free of any inscriptions or ex-library markings—important for collectors who want an un-stamped copy. While the Acceptable-grade jacket shows age-appropriate edge-wear and the pages carry the warm cream tone that signals a true vintage read, there is no writing, underlining, or internal damage to compromise readability or display value. For parents searching for a smart, boy-friendly mystery to share, or for grown-up fans completing a shelf of beloved childhood favourites, this edition offers both nostalgic charm and the satisfaction of owning a genuine first printing that continues to appreciate in collector value.
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