Mary Virginia Carey

Mary Virginia Carey kind of flies under the radar for most folks, but if you grew up loving suspense and a dash of the bizarre, you probably stumbled across her work—even if you didn’t realize it. She’s the mind behind “Die drei ??? und der Karpatenhund” (2025) and also had her hands in the original “Die drei ???” back in 1979. The whole “Die drei ???” thing is a pretty big deal, especially in German-speaking countries. We’re talking about a trio of young detectives—Justus, Peter, and Bob—who somehow attract more weird crimes and mysteries in a single summer than most people do in a lifetime. The “Karpatenhund” story? It’s got this wild, almost gothic vibe, all shadowy mansions and creepy statues with glowing eyes. The boys get pulled into this mess when some fancy art pieces start getting snatched and a weird dog statue seems to be at the heart of it all. There’s suspense, there’s humor, and there’s that classic “kids outsmarting the adults” energy. Carey’s writing doesn’t just hand you clues on a silver platter—she makes you work for it. Expect red herrings, secret codes, and a few moments where you’ll actually laugh out loud (or groan at the boys’ antics, both are valid). Her knack for building tension is honestly underrated, and she nails that sweet spot between creepy and fun. Mary Virginia Carey might not be a household name everywhere, but her mysteries stick with you long after you’ve closed the cover.