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Freddy the Detective (The Freddy Books) Paperback – November 11, 2010

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 251 ratings

Freddy the pig, stimulated by reading Sherlock Holmes, sets up in a business as a detective.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The American versions of the Pooh Books or "The Wind in the Willows"."
-"The New York Times"

"Freddy is blessed with courage, wit, agility and a Sherlock Holmes-like capacity for detective work."
-"Newsday"



Praise for Freddy the Pig:
"Freddy's readers have called him a porcine prince... Walter R. Brook's gentle genius shines even brighter."--Nicholas Kristoff, "The New York Times"
"At my funeral, in lieu of flowers, I'd prefer that people give money to the Friends of Freddy fan club."--Deirdre Donahue, "USA Today"
"Freddy is blessed with courage, wit, agility and a Sherlock Holmes-like capacity for detective work."--"Newsday"
"Freddy's fame is growing--just not on his home turf. With that in mind, we suggest you find one of the books. After a few pages, guaranteed, you'll be proud he's our pig."-- "Syracuse Post Standard"
"The American version of the great English classics such as the Pooh books or "The Wind in the Willows.""--"The New York Times Book Review"
"[Walter Brooks'] prose was simple but elegant, without being dumbed down, and that the characters weren't plaster saints. Freddy was a bit lazy, a little vain, and not much of as

About the Author

Walter R. Brooks was born in Rome, New York on January 9, 1886, and died in Roxbury, New York on August 17, 1958. Brooks attended the University of Rochester and, after graduation, worked for the American Red Cross and the Woodrow Wilson Foundation. He became associate editor of Outlook in 1928 and subsequently was a staff writer for several magazines, including The New Yorker. The short stories he began writing at this time were published in The Saturday Evening Post, Atlantic Monthly, and Esquire. Brooks's short story "Ed Takes the Pledge" was the basis for the 1950s television series Mr. Ed, but his most lasting achievement is the Freddy the Pig series, which began in 1928 with To and Again (Freddy Goes to Florida). He subsequently wrote twenty-five more delightful books starring "that charming ingenious pig" (The New York Times), all of which are now available from The Overlook Press.

Kurt Wiese (1887-1974) illustrated over 300 children’s book and wrote and illustrated another 20 books. He received two Newbery Awards and two Caldecott Honor Book Awards.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harry N. Abrams; 1st edition (November 11, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1590204182
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1590204184
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 10 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 830L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.63 x 7.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 251 ratings

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Walter R. Brooks
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
251 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2020
I loved the "Freddy" series in my early teens, and bought this to re-read it many years later. It requires, as many books do, a willing suspension of disbelief - in this case that animals are capable of rational discourse among one another and that they can interact with human beings in a creative way, although without using human language. The author makes this willing suspension of disbelief easy, and as a result the books are charming, fun, and easy to read.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2020
I bought this book on a special one day, remembering how much I loved the Freddy books as a child. Given all that's going on now, I wanted to read something light and fun, and Freddy fit the bill. I'm happy to say my memories were right, the book is just as fun to read now. Fairly short and easy (it is a children's book after all), the use of language in the writing is terrific. Brooks is great at giving each character a distinctive personality.

If you're looking for something deep and philosophical you are in the wrong place. If you want something fun to read, and maybe even read with your kids, you won't do better than this.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2014
Freddy the Detective
(1932)
This is the third book in the Freddy the Pig Saga following 
Freddy Goes to the North Pole (Freddy Books) . The first book in this series is  Freddy Goes to Florida (Freddy the Pig) . After reading a book about Sherlock Homes, the famous detective, Freddy decides to become a detective. It seems simple enough; all he has to do is find the "bad guy". Eventually he figures out that finding the bad guy isn't enough, he then, needs to capture or arrest them and then have a system of jurisprudence to adjudicate them, In case you are not familiar with Freddy, please order Freddy the Pig and catch up. If you go to Amazon's Listmania and key in "WALTER R. BROOKS, FREDDY THE PIG BOOKS" you'll get my list of twenty-seven Freddy books.
It is my understanding that Disney was all set to make a movie about Freddy and then changed their mind at the last hour for that Winnie character.
.
Eventually Freddy organizes an election where the Charles, the Roster is elected Judge.
Freddy, also, establishes a portion of the barn as a jail. The jail becomes so entertaining that the Judge sentences himself to serve time for a long forgotten pseudo crime (Freddy believes it is just to get away from his wife). This has a semi-serious side to it. Are prisons so nice that they do not "punish anymore? I actually had a young man tell me that he would NOT mind being in prison, you got to sleep late, didn't have to go to school, got to shoot some hoops, watch HBO on a big screen TV, etc.
On one of his cases Freddy discovers that some bank robbers are staying at a hermit's house. Those bank robbers play an important role in the story eventually.

I highly recommend this series for those interested in an anthropomorphic series setting with other very interesting characters.
The next book in this series is 
The Story of Freginald .
Gunner June, 2014
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2018
I thought this was a very cute book. It should help a child to look for clues/evidence in a story. My grandson (9) was not as impressed as I was.
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2017
Wonderful classic. Although this is the third book in the 26 book series, it's the best one for a newcomer to read first. Other favorites are Freddy and the Ignormous, Freddy the Politician, and Freddy and the Poppinjay. Once hooked on the characters, you'll want to read them all. The first book in the series is Freddy Goes to Florida, which is also a wonderful story, but the character of Jinx the cat is not quite in its finalized form yet in that one.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2016
My wife recently asked me what books I liked as a child, and without hesitation, I said Freddy the Pig. I should note, I am 66. I remembered loving the books, but not much about them. My wonderful wife decided that she wanted to see what I was like, and started to read them. Her frequent laughter and recurring smiles made me return to the Freddy books. They are wonderful, funny, charming and just plan amusing. I don't know why they are not more widely read today. They show little age.
10 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2021
What I liked about this book was the details and characters. The author also added lots of dialogue and explained every character.

I recommend this book to people who like detectives or solving mystery books.
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2013
I grew up on Freddy the Pig. In fact, it was the Freddy books that made me want to become a writer. The humor in the books is appropriate for children and adults (which is why so many adults still read them). Although Freddy the Detective isn't my favorite of the series (they get so much better once the animals start talking to the humans), it's still a classic. While I own the hardcovers, I'm anxious to see the rest of the series come out as e-books. I'll definitely buy them all.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Ken Dickson
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved by my 8-year old who insisted I keep reading
Reviewed in Canada on July 6, 2018
Loved the Freddy books as a kid. Was delighted to seem them available again. Bought if for my 8 year old grandson, and read it with him. He's used to all the current kids titles, especially superheroes and other high-impact, exciting titles so I was a little worried he might not get into it.

Guess what? He loved it! The characters are well drawn, full of foibles. These circa 1930s stories will hold up for a long time. Couldn't wait for the next chapter, and now we're done. Wants more Freddy stories.So, on their way.

Just one negative - there's a touch of anti-semitism in this book, since the villainous rats in one sub-plot all have Jewish names and are burdened with the usual nasty character stereotypes. Otherwise nothing overtlly anti-semetic, No mention of "Jews" or "Jewish." For most youngsters, I doubt they'll make the connection. Was never influenced this way as a kid myself. Don't recall this being a trend in the Freddy series, which are otherwise really, really good.
One person found this helpful
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Joanna L.
5.0 out of 5 stars So glad this book is back in print
Reviewed in Canada on August 18, 2017
So glad this book is back in print. I loved it when I was in Grade 2 and it still appeals to young readers. Makes a nice non-demanding birthday present!
R. C. Cooper
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
Reviewed in Canada on February 10, 2013
I bought this as a gift for an 11 year old, who loved it and is keen to read all the Freddy books.
KCB
4.0 out of 5 stars Old Fashion in the best way
Reviewed in Canada on August 25, 2019
Freddy the Pig books are the “analogue” equivalent of children’s books: clear but occasionally challenging language; honesty, integrity and a clear-eyed sense of community as values; an awareness of animals and rural life that encourages compassion; and an undercurrent of skepticism that never forgets there are dishonorable and selfish folks around all communities. Worthwhile reading for all book-minded children say eight and up. I read them all over and over in childhood and have reread a couple this week after passing on Freddy in Space to my granddaughter. As I say, “old fashioned” but still very good. In these times, check out Freddy and Simon the Dictator . . . .