The Biff Brewster Series Final Thoughts

The Biff Brewster series was created by and published by Grosset and Dunlap.  The books are travelogues like other Grosset and Dunlap books from the 1960s.  The books were written by at least three different authors.

 #1  Walter B. Gibson (first draft by Edward Pastore, rewritten by Gibson)
 #2  unknown
 #3  unknown
 #4  Walter B. Gibson
 #5  Edward Pastore
 #6  Peter Harkins
 #7  Walter B. Gibson
 #8  Edward  Pastore
 #9  Walter B. Gibson
#10  Peter Harkins
#11  Peter Harkins
#12  Peter Harkins
#13  Walter B. Gibson

The quality of the series was negatively impacted by having several authors.  Biff's personality shifts over the course of the series, and some events don't fit with the events of previous volumes.

Biff has a new friend in nearly every book.  While I do like Biff having a friend who is from the country that Biff visits, I found that Biff having a new friend in every book lessened the impact of the series.  When the friends do show up again, I find that they are interchangeable.  Every friend is like the same person but with a different name and a slightly different manner of speech.

All of the books are travelogues, but the earlier books are quite exciting and the travelogue aspect complements the plot.  Most of the early books are much better than the average travelogue.  I feel that by volumes 9 through 13, the travelogue aspect encroaches upon the plot, thereby detracting from the story.  The final two books, in particular, are lacking like the average Grosset and Dunlap travelogue book of the 1960s.

While I didn't enjoy the final books in the series very much, I greatly enjoyed the middle of the series from #3 up through #8.  #8 is a bit stupid, but I found it nearly as enjoyable as #4-7.

This series is similar to Rick Brant but is not as good as the Rick Brant series.  Some collectors instead compare this series to Tom Quest.  To me, Tom Quest is incomparable and in a category of its own.  Of the series I have read, the Biff Brewster series is most similar to Sandy Steele, which has a very similar premise.

I do recommend this series as one that is likely to appeal to readers of Rick Brant and other similar boys' series. 

Biff Brewster #12 Arabian Stallion and #13 Alpine Pass

In Biff Brewster #12, Mystery of the Arabian Stallion, Biff vacations in Saudi Arabia while his father works on a project with an oil company.  Biff helps his new friend, Ahmed, search for his stolen horse.  Soon, Biff and Ahmed have reason to suspect that the horse thieves are working to sabotage the oil company.

As the book opens, Biff is flippant and joking all the time.  He also complains a lot, although in a joking fashion.  I don't like this Biff.  Once the adventure starts, Biff is more likeable again and is more like the Biff from the other books.

A scene in this book reminds me of a scene in the Rick Brant book, The Veiled Raiders.  In both books, the protagonists are chased by Arabs on horses and throw things at the Arabs in order to slow them down.  Also similar to The Veiled Raiders is the accurate depiction of the intolerance that exists in the Arab world.  Most Americans were not aware of the intolerance when these books were published. 

Page 155 has another series inconsistency.  Biff asks questions about pearl diving, and the prince explains the process to him.  The only problem is that Biff went pearl diving in Mystery of the Caribbean Pearls.  He knows all about it, but he acts like he knows nothing in this book. 

I partly liked and partly disliked this book.

In Biff Brewster #13, Mystery of the Alpine Pass, Biff and Uncle Charlie travel to Switzerland.  Uncle Charlie is up to his latest scheme, which is to learn about funicular railways so that they can be implemented in the United States.  Uncle Charlie seems to think that someone will steal his idea if anyone knows why he is in Switzerland, so his plans are kept secret.  Meanwhile, Biff is mistaken for a famous chess player, Tim Larkin.  Tim wishes to avoid the extra attention, so Biff masquerades as Tim to help Tim and at the same time help Uncle Charlie keep his scheme a secret.

The entire time Biff and Uncle Charlie kept running around with people after them thinking Biff was Tim, I kept wondering why.  It is so stupid.  The early Biff Brewster books are exciting.  These last ones are not that exciting and are a bit pointless.

This book bored me with the travelogue aspect.  The travelogue aspect comes across as the most important part of the plot in these last Biff Brewster books.

It's not clear what the mystery is for much of the book, which caused me to be bored.  I skimmed the second half of the book.

I will give the book this:  I enjoyed it more than I did the last Cherry Ames book, Ski Nurse Mystery.  That's not saying much, however.

Biff Brewser #10 Tibetan Caravan and #11 British Spy Ring Mystery

In Biff Brewster #10, Mystery of the Tibetan Caravan, Biff searches for his father, who has disappeared in Tibet while searching for a Golden Buddha.

A passage on page five states that Biff's family had joined him in India right after the conclusion of Mystery of the Ambush in India.  However, Biff has been to the Caribbean and to Egypt since he left India, so this is another inconsistency.

The book opens with Biff and Taz watching some Bedouins, hoping to steal their food.  They are in Tibet.  Next, Biff recalls what brought them to that point, so the book goes into a lengthy flashback to previous events.  The flashback lasts until page 114, with Biff and Taz at the Bedouins' campsite.  I dislike it when books do this.  I would rather get the story in chronological order rather than get a prevue during the first chapter of events that occur far later in the story.

I overall enjoyed this book, but it's not a favorite.

In Biff Brewster #11, British Spy Ring Mystery, Biff attends school in England,  He goes on a bicycle trip with his friend, Peter, after the term ends.  The boys purchase a book in an antique book store, and the book turns out to be valuable.  Later, the boys realize that several men are after the book, but they cannot fathom why.

We can infer why the men want the book, based on the title of the story, but it seems so stupid.

Biff is a bit flippant in this book, and he jokes a lot.  I got used to serious Biff, so this doesn't set right with me. 

This book is different from the other books.  It's not in an exotic locale.  Like with the later Cherry Ames books, the story reminds me of the typical Grosset and Dunlap travelogue of the middle 1960s, and most of those books are not very good.  The travelogue aspect is excessive and is way too much for me.

This is a strange book.  Two men are following the boys, and they don't know why.  The book is full of coincidences, which makes it a weak story.  The further I read, the more I skimmed.  I became a bit bored. 

I skimmed the last few chapters.

Biff Brewster #8 Caribbean Pearls and #9 Egyptian Scarab Mystery

In Biff Brewster #8, Mystery of the Caribbean Pearls, Biff travels to the Netherlands Antilles in the Caribbean at the request of Uncle Charlie.  During Biff's flight, he meets another boy, Derek, who looks just like Biff.  Once the plane lands, Biff is abducted after the villains mistake him for Derek.  The villains are seeking the location of a pearl fishery found by Derek's father.

During this book, the inconsistencies caused by the series having multiple authors become apparent to the reader.  At the beginning of this book, Biff's mother refers to Charles Keene and the difficult situation in China from the second book rather than what just happened to Biff and his uncle in Mystery of the Ambush in India.  On page seven we learn that Biff has only heard from Uncle Charlie once since China, and that was in a letter.  What about Mystery of the Ambush in India?!  Biff just flew on a plane with Charlie!  These inconsistencies were caused by several different authors writing these books simultaneously.  This thirteen book series was published in just five years.

It's so strange that Biff has a double who happens to be the son of the man Uncle Charlie is helping.  It's a bit too convenient.

Biff is an idiot in this book.  He puts forth great effort in getting away from the villains who think he is Derek.  So what does Biff do?  He goes right back to the villains while pretending to be Derek, thinking the villains will have a chat with him and then let him go.  Biff's purpose is to delay the villains.  Of course Biff is imprisoned, and he can't believe that he and his uncle didn't think of the possibility of the villains keeping Biff prisoner.  Um, they were trying to capture Biff while thinking he was Derek.  Why wouldn't they keep Biff when he goes back pretending to be Derek?

Later, Uncle Charlie shows up to rescue Biff.  Biff invites Charlie to join him as a prisoner.  Yes, you just read that right.  Biff enjoys being a prisoner and wants Charlie to join him!  Biff is actually using a ploy to gain the trust of a simpleminded man, but the events are too stupid.

I enjoyed the travelogue information in this book, especially about the 1902 volcanic eruption.  I took a moment to look up the story of the eruption, as I found it quite interesting.

I greatly enjoyed most of this book, despite how stupid parts of the plot are.  If the book had been edited a bit or partially rewritten, it would have been outstanding.

In Biff Brewster #9, Egyptian Scarab Mystery, Biff and his father travel to Egypt, where they search for the lost tomb of Prince Reth.  Biff is given a scarab for luck before he leaves for Egypt.  Strange men follow Biff around and try to thwart the Brewsters' plan.

I don't get why a valuable scarab was given to Biff.  It plays a minor role in the plot, but it isn't that important.  The result is that this book seems to have come from a rough idea that was not fleshed out properly.  The book is rather forgettable, and I had forgotten most of it by the time I finished reading the Biff Brewster series just days later.

A few parts of the book have too much travelogue information in them, although I greatly enjoyed other parts.  This book is mixed, where I liked some parts and didn't like other parts.  Unfortunately, the book has more parts that I do not like.

Biff Brewster #6 Alaska Ghost Glacier and #7 Ambush in India

In Biff Brewster #6, Alaska Ghost Glacier Mystery, Biff and his father journey to the mine inside the Alaska Ghost Glacier.  A valuable radioactive substance has been discovered at the mine, and Mr. Brewster has been brought in to help.  Enemies of the project seek to prevent the Brewsters from arriving at the mine.  Their plane is sabotaged, and a time bomb has been planted on board.

The action starts quickly in this book with very little expository information.  Biff and Mr. Brewster are in danger from the very beginning and face one threat after another.

The mine is inside the glacier, which makes for a unique setting.  The tunnels in the mine burrow through ice, and coverings have been placed on the sides of the tunnels and on the walls of the rooms inside the mine to insulate them.

On page 75, an old man tells Biff the story of how something "started in '98."  This is the first time I have read an old series book where for just the slightest moment I thought of 1998 and of how 1998 is now far enough ago to be plausible in this context.  Of course in this book, the year referenced is 1898.

On page 78, Biff is "only half listening to the Eskimo's rapid travelogue."  Thank goodness.  The text then gives the reader a very brief mention of the sights, and I greatly appreciated the brevity.  This book depicts Alaska in an interesting fashion that does not get bogged down on lengthy descriptions of historical information. 

This book is unusual in that three people are killed near the end of the story.  Additionally, the book implies that the miner's ghost does linger inside the glacier.  As the book concludes, Biff tells his friend that he now believes the superstition.

This book is outstanding.  The story flows well and is quite suspenseful from start to finish.  The reason I read series books is for books like this one.  It is perfect.

In Mystery of the Ambush in India, Biff arrives in India with his friends, Kamuka and Likake.  Soon, Biff is tasked with safekeeping a priceless ruby, which he must take to the Chonsi Lama.  A new friend, Chandra, helps Biff in his journey.  Later, Biff meets up with Uncle Charlie, Mike, Muscles, and Chuba, who provide additional assistance.

On page 100, Biff chances to meet Mike, who just happens to be looking for Biff because his father just managed to run into Mr. Brewster in India. Consider that India had a population of 462 million in 1962, and these acquaintances just happen to find each other.

On page 105, Biff wishes his uncle, Charlie Keene, were there to fly him to his destination.  Promptly, we learn that Uncle Charlie has been called to India.  How convenient!

Having most of Biff's friends from other countries show up in India is very hard to believe and detracts from the story.  Most of them were invited to come, so that is why they appear, but it is not logical that they would all be able to afford to come.  This also makes for too many characters, and I found that most of them do very little.  Their presence is distracting. 

Two of Biff's friends are used as bait for a tiger, which is just amazing.  The boys somehow agree to be the bait inside a cage while others hope to shoot the tiger when it attacks.  Of course, the tiger does not cooperate, and several people end up in grave danger.

I greatly enjoyed a small part of this book.  Regarding the rest of the book, I enjoyed some parts and found some parts to be a little boring.  The travelogue aspect was too significant for this book, and that took away from my enjoyment.  I also felt that there were a few too many names and people of which to keep track.  Having all of Biff's friends around was a bit confusing.

Biff Brewster #4 Mexican Treasure and #5 African Ivory Mystery

In Biff Brewster #4, Mystery of the Mexican Treasure, Biff's family has driven down to Mexico City where Mr. Brewster is helping with a mining project.  Someone is masquerading as Tizoc, an Aztec ruler, and is using his influence to pull local workers away from the mine.

On page 109, "enchiladas de pollo" are described as "Mexican pancakes stuffed with chicken."  Nowadays, we all know what an enchilada is, and we would hardly describe it as a pancake.

Biff and Mike infiltrate a meeting organized by Tizoc.  The problem is that the boys go in their regular clothes instead of dressing themselves in white like the other men.  They knew the day before that the men dress in white, and I find it strange that the boys make no effort to imitate their clothing.  As you can guess, this infiltration does not end well for the boys.

The Tizoc masquerade somewhat reminded me of the Three Investigators book, The Mystery of the Dancing Devil, which means that I found it silly at first.  Later, I decided that the Tizoc situation was rather believable.  The resolution to the mystery is not quite what the reader expects, so the climax of the story is quite thrilling.  Since the resolution was unexpected, I found the wrap-up of the mystery to be quite interesting.  

In African Ivory Mystery, Biff arrives in Kenya to join his uncle, Warren Becker, on a safari.  Biff learns that he is to aid his uncle in uncovering evidence against an ivory-smuggling ring.  The safari is led by the White Hunter, Mathews.  Another man, Wendell Henderson, joins the safari.  Henderson turns out to be a disagreeable man who views the natives as savages.

I greatly enjoyed this book.  It has everything you would expect in a series book set in Africa including quicksand, dangerous encounters with wild animals, and smugglers.

The book is suspenseful, because several of the participants in the safari behave suspiciously.

The book covers an important issue, the slaughter of elephants for their tusks.  The Brewsters are helping Interpol find the smugglers.  The hope is that by apprehending the smugglers that the sell of ivory can be slowed down, thus saving the elephant herds.  The issue continues to be of utmost importance today, since elephants continue to be slaughtered at an alarming rate, and most elephant species are now endangered.

The book depicts the slaughter of animals as unnecessary and heinous.  The safari happens upon a number of slaughtered carcasses, and Biff feels keenly the plight of the elephants.  More sensitive readers may find the content to be a bit disturbing.

I greatly enjoyed this book.

Biff Brewster #2 Chinese Ring and #3 Hawaiian Sea Hunt

I read the first Biff Brewster book, Brazilian Gold Mine Mystery, several years ago.  I intended to read through all 13 books, but I lost interest.  I overall enjoyed the first book but not enough to want to continue.  Earlier this year, I tried to read the first book again, once again intending to read all 13 books.  I couldn't get through the book, because I remembered the villain and was uninterested in reading the text again.  I then decided to read Cherry Ames.  Once I finished Cherry Ames, I decided to try to read Biff Brewster again, mainly because Cherry Ames didn't go that well.  Since I had just completed a lackluster reading experience, I felt that the time was perfect for reading another series that might prove to be difficult.  This time I didn't make the mistake of trying to read the first book again, which is why I don't have a review of it.

In Biff Brewster #2, Mystery of the Chinese Ring, a rock, with a Chinese ring attached to it, is thrown through Biff's bedroom window.  Biff wonders if the ring has anything to do with his upcoming trip to Burma to visit his uncle.  When Biff arrives in Burma, he learns that his uncle flew into China a few weeks ago and has not returned!  Biff and his new friend, Chuba, journey into China in search of Biff's uncle.

This book reminds me a lot of the Rick Brant books featuring Chahda.  The adventure is similar, and Chuba's personality is similar to Chahda's.  Since this book reminds me of Rick Brant, I greatly enjoyed reading it.

I grew bored around the climax of the book.  I saw parts of it as somewhat ridiculous.  For instance, Biff's Uncle Charlie has been prisoner for a month; yet, he has cigarettes and lights one.  Also, Chuba doesn't speak English that well but he can make statements like "little brook fed by spring."

In Biff Brewster #3, Hawaiian Sea Hunt Mystery, Biff and his family travel to Hawaii.  A scientist has disappeared, and Mr. Brewster fears that someone is after a valuable cache of Cesium.  Biff and his father hope to find Dr. Weber and the clue to the location of the Cesium before it is too late.

On page 50, Mr. Brewster concludes that Biff is in danger because the villains believe Biff knows as much as Dr. Weber did.  Mr. Brewster then decides that he can't tell Biff the secret, because it would endanger Biff.  This reasoning bewilders me.  Mr. Brewster doesn't tell Biff the secret to keep him safe, but he believes that the villains already think Biff knows.  What difference does it make?  As is typical of series books, Biff is soon told the secret.

On page 93, a bomb is found on the boat.  Mr. Brewster is certain it will be okay for him to inspect the bomb because he knows it won't go off.  Wow.  Mr. Brewster has clearly never visited Nancy Drew in River Heights, where bombs always go off and usually rather quickly.  Mr. Brewster seems a bit overconfident and to be lacking good judgment.  On the other hand, the bomb doesn't go off, proving Mr. Brewster to be correct in his assumption. 

I enjoyed both of these books.