The Mysterious Benedict Society: Mr. Benedict's Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious Conundrums

It's difficult to give this high marks because it simply isn't as much a book as it is a gathering of facts and passages from the trilogy. Aside from that is the inclusion of a series of puzzles to be worked out. The puzzles themselves are often fun and challenging. So much so, that I think I would have failed to solve a couple of them without referring to the hints provided. I do enjoy a good word puzzle, but I felt that in some cases the clues were a bit too cryptic. Nonetheless, it's fun for [...]

Yeah for more Mysterious Benedict Society!

First rate! I can't overstate how clever these puzzles were. Honestly I had a few wonderful moments when everything clicked together and I felt so accomplished for having solved a problem in an unexpected way. But even for the more frequent times when I was stumped and flipped to the back for the hints (yes hints, you won't find the actual answers anywhere in the book, which I think makes it better) it was great to have that "ah ha" moment where you slap the side of your head and wonder why you [...]

This short volume makes for a great addition to The Mysterious Benedict Society Collection. While not a story, per say, we do get little snippets of some characters' backstories. However, this is, first and foremost, a puzzle book that contains some truly tough teasers. Make no mistake: this is not a collection of easy puzzles. Things start out simple enough but soon progress to some tougher challenges, and I (as an adult reader) appreciate the fact this book didn't take the easy way out and jus [...]

This was everything I hoped for! The puzzles and hidden messages and codes were so much fun to figure out! Some of them were easy, some more difficult, but there are always the hints in the back of the book if you get stuck. Every puzzle is so different, and some of them really make you think! The design and layout are beautiful, and I loved the quotes from the novels as well as a closer look at each character.A delightful companion book to the series!

More Kid Lit. Loved the book

Big fun for a 5-year-old-and-adult team!

Mr. Benedict's Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious Conundrums I really enjoyed this companion puzzle book. The puzzles range from pretty easy to quite difficult. My favorite part is that the answer key isn't straightforward. It gives you clues that lead you to the correct answer if you're stuck.  You can enjoy this book without reading The Mysterious Benedict Society first, but I think fans of the series will get more out of it than someone just looking for a book of puzzle [...]

I got this to keep my kids amused on a road trip. Didn't really work for that, since a lot of the puzzles are visual and I had to keep my eyes on the road while driving. My kids, sadly, weren't into it nearly as much as I was. So, this is a book I have fun with on rainy days with my cup of tea and the kids off at school. I think I'll try again with the kids later, when the mood is better and there aren't as many distractions vying for their attention. Challenging and fun.

Will be good games and puzzles to do it's my kids once they have finished the books.

It's kind of like a book of puzzles but realy fun at the same time.

This was a fun read with the boys. Elements of mystery, riddle solving & cleverness. Mr. Benedict commissions 4 orphans, who each have an unusual intellect, to help solve an impending world crisis. I liked that it wasn't too scary for Henry. But yet mysterious enough to grab the attention of George & Silas.

It's very surprising to me the reasons why reviewers are rating this book down. I'm fine if you don't like the book, but it seems like so few of these reviewers are thinking like I did when I got this book. Some say they "would have preferred a real book", and that they weren't expecting a puzzle book. To that I say pshaw, don't tell the author what to do and actually read the title and/or description of a book that you're buying if you're planning to complain about what the book actually is. Ot [...]

The book is great. Unfortunately, I was just expecting something else entirely. You know in the beginning of the first book, when you and Reynie solved the puzzles "together"? Well, I was expecting something like that, like a puzzle in the story. Instead, I got a book of (fun) individual puzzles without a story, in the theme of The Mysterious Benedict Society.For examples of puzzles, there are, to name a few: decoding morse code; navigating the maze; or helping Mage (Kate's falcon) find Kate. Th [...]

I greatly enjoyed the Mysterious Benedict Society series that this book goes along with, so I was excited to try my hand at some of the puzzles that so intrigued me in the series. Oh, man, though. Some of these puzzles are super simple or at least ones I've seen before, and some are just fantastically difficult, unless you notice a certain pattern that eluded me. The answers in the back are similarly divergent -- some just give you the answer outright, some give you a good hint that helps a lot, [...]

A fun book for tweens and not bad for a light read for adults also. The beginning of a series along the lines of Harry Potter. It was entertaining, telling the story of a group of young orphans who work together to solve the mystery of what is happening on an island off the coast. There seems to be an evil power who is working to control people's minds as a way to control the world. These young people learn some important lessons on working together, and supporting others. They also learn about [...]

Have you read some of the Mysterious Benedict Society books? Have you ever wanted to have your mind tested? Then this book is for you! Filled to the brim with awesome and challenging puzzles,this book is really good! Plus it has different levels of puzzles for the whole family and a sneak peek of a Mysterious Benedict Society book. Although it already came out. But anyway you will be amazed at how many good puzzles can fit into one little book. So it is really awesome and I really think you shou [...]

I have wanted to have this book for quite a bit of time and I found it yesterday on a trip to Amsterdam. :) What a fun and brilliant book this is. It features puzzles, riddles, conundrums but also a lot of information. About the characters, be them good or be them bad, and also articles, archives and various fun facts about the series. I really enjoyed this book, and am happy that I got it. Now I am just hoping for a new book to come out someday with new mysteries and conundrums!

This book is so much fun! It has so many neat puzzles and quizzes. Some are simple enough for even very young children. Some are more challenging. All of them are fun. The book has hints in the back if you need them. And many of the answers are hidden within the book itself. I did this book with my children (ages 10 and 6), and they both really enjoyed it. Especially great if you've read The Mysterious Benedict Society series.

Okay, now THIS book saved the series somewhat. I've been waiting for full-color illustrations in the twenty-four kids novels I have. What makes it even better is that it's not even a dull version of Homework the Game. Instead, it's filled with mind-bending puzzles and character files, which I don't find present in any other book. Then the book gets a letdown by letting us see Mr. Benedict's horrible backstory. So if there wasn't that preview, then I would've given it three stars.Oh, well.

This book kept me up trying to solve it all. It lives up to its name and then some. I had to use a lot of the hints, which is the only reason I didn't give it full marks. Also, I don't think people who haven't read the series will get it or understand the puzzles. But overall it was very engaging and challenging.

I finished it! End solution: "You are ready 2 be inducted. Follow the transfer protocol to our site" I went to the site and it said that I did it, but when I clicked on the link for getting the certificate, it said: "Heroku | No such appThere is no app configured at that hostname.Perhaps the app owner has renamed it, or you mistyped the URL." :'(

This book wasn't really a story-- it was just a collection of puzzles and riddles, along with a few bits of additional information about the characters in The Mysterious Benedict Society books. I enjoyed the puzzles and word games throughout the book, but I would have enjoyed another narrative volume of the series better.

this book was fabulous it didn't take long to read although it was big because it intrigued me in the first few chapters. It was like you were transported to the world on the Benedict society. I read the first book and then floated right on through to the next books. I would recommend these books for anyone 1 to 100. READ IT NOW!!

This book is a fun complement to the series. I had a great time figuring out the puzzles in these pages. There are some word puzzles, some observational, many that rely on wordplay to know how to figure them outd several that look harder than they really are.So glad I found these books in my 40s -- how I would have *loved* them when I was a kid!

This puzzle book was awesome! I had to use some of the hints (as I am not the best puzzle solver) and ask my mom and brother for 2 or 3 of puzzlesThis is probably one of the best puzzle books I've seen, but it is necessary to have already read the Mysterious Benedict Society trilogy first. I recomend it to any of the Mysterious Benedict Society fans out there!

OH MY GOODNESS! Just got this in the mail!Can't wait to start reading it!UPDATE:This isn't the kind of book you want to read in just one sitting though I would love too.It's got all these different puzzles, and problems, and riddles, so I want to spread them out, make the fun last longer.I am 14 and I highly recommend this book.

A lot of these puzzles seemed more difficult than I remember middle school-ish puzzle books being. Great for a kid who needs a challenge. It helps to have read the Mysterious Benedict Society books. The best (and most frustrating) part is the answers (usually) aren't actually given in the back of the book. Instead there are hints, which are sometimes almost another puzzle in themselves.

This was kind of fun but the puzzles were pretty simple. It was aimed at younger readers of the series. Also, it's been a while since I read the books so I didn't get all of the references to the characters.

Presents puzzles, riddles, and brainteasers related to the mysterious Benedict Society, and profiles the society's members and their adventures.How much fun is this for kids who love the Benedict Society books?!!