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The Farm Mystery Series

Join Jason and Andy as they try to solve the mysterious happenings on the Nelson family's farm. These are books that the whole family will enjoy. In fact, many have used them as read-aloud-to-the-family books. Parents can be assured that there are no murders or other objectionable elements in these books. The boys learn lessons in obedience and responsibility while having lots of fun. There are no worldly situations or language, and no boy-girl relationships. Just happy and wholesome Christian family life, with lots of everyday adventure woven in.

Our Farm Mystery Series is often used as read-aloud to the family time by many of our customers. The recommended ages for young readers who are reading on their own is about 9 to 13 – however, some readers are a little younger or a little older, depending on their reading ability, interests, and maturity levels.

Although the books can be read individually and in any order, we are providing a recommended reading order for those who wish to read all the books in the series.

Book 1: Footprints in the Barn

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Who is the man in the green car? What is going on in the hayloft? Is there something wrong with the mailbox? And what's for lunch? The answers to these and many other interesting questions are found in the book Footprints in the Barn. Paperback. 2001. $8.50 (plus shipping). ISBN 1-891907-11-5

"I want to tell you what I like best about your books. The story lines are interesting and they are well-written but what I appreciate the most is the interplay between family members in your books. I think it is the most powerful message of each of your books—that presentation of a godly family working together cheerfully." Canada

"I really liked it and so did my kids! I hope you keep the books coming--I'm anxious for the next one! I'm excited about having such wholesome materials to offer at our meetings." A mother and speaker at homeschool conventions

"Very well written. Good suspense!!...Should make a great series!!" Indiana

Book 2: The Mysterious Message

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The Great Detective Agency is at it once again, solving mysteries on the Nelson farmstead. Why is there a pile of rocks in the woods? Is someone stealing gas from the mill? How could a railroad disappear? And will Jason and Andy have to eat biscuits without honey? You will have to read this second book in the Farm Mystery Series to find out. Paperback. 1997. $8.50 (plus shipping). ISBN 1-891907-04-2

"My husband read The Mysterious Message to the family before bedtime. We never wanted him to stop! He would read until he was hoarse." South Carolina

"This is another wholesome book by Mr. and Mrs. Castleberry . . . The authors intentionally weave strong Christian family values, as well as teach some deductive reasoning, as the boys solve the mysteries in the book. This book is not just entertainment, but rather your children will learn how to solve problems by thinking and using research materials to come up with solutions." from a review in In Keeping With the Faith, Sept-Oct 1997, p. 20.

"Thank you for writing The Mysterious Message. Our family loved it! The added bonus to a great family story was the science lesson (s). My kids have done further research (on the mysteries)." Ohio

"Thank you for taking the time and effort to produce literature that parents can trust, yet children enjoy!" Minnesota

Book 3: Midnight Sky

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What is that sound in the woods? Has someone been stealing Dad's tools? Why is a strange dog barking at midnight? And will the Nelsons be able to adopt Russian children? Midnight Sky provides the answers. Paperback. 1998. $8.50 (plus shipping and handling). ISBN 1-891907-06-9

"I recently purchased Midnight Sky and Footprints in the Barn for use in our church library. I am happy to have found another source to obtain good books for the young people of our assembly. As church librarian I have found out quickly that this is not always an easy thing to accomplish." New York

"Your books are like a ‘breath of fresh air' to our family. So innocent, uplifting and encouraging for those of us who yearn to raise up godly children." Michigan

"Please continue writing godly material for our youth. The Lord blessed you with an ability to put on paper what we have always wanted to." Illinois

"My boys love your Farm Mystery Series." Virginia

Book 4: Who, Me?

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Who (or what) has taken Dad's watch and all the other things missing on the Nelson family farm? Should Dad invest in that fantastic money-making opportunity? And who are those new neighbors through the woods? Are they somehow responsible for the Nelsons' troubles? Join Jason and Andy as they try to solve these and other mysteries in Who, Me? Paperback. 2001. $8.50 (plus shipping and handling). ISBN 1-891907-10-7

"We just picked up your book Who, Me? at the home school fair and our children loved it. Thanks for the great book you put out." Texas

"Just finished reading your latest mystery to my students. They loved it!" New Jersey

“We have so much enjoyed your books. We’re back to searching for good books to read as a family because we’ve read all of yours! (Can you write two chapters a day? That’s about our reading speed!)” Ohio

“Thank you for quality, wholesome, family-oriented books. We have enjoyed all that we have ordered.” Nebraska

Book 5: Weighty Matters

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A thousand nails in a barn? Why is there a mess in the kitchen at midnight? Who is Molly Buford, anyway? Will the boys figure out why there are leeches in a firetruck? And does Dad have to give up blueberry cream pie forever? Weighty matters, to be sure, but not too hard for the Great Detective Agency! Join Jason and Andy as they try to solve these and other mysteries in Weighty Matters, the fifth in the Farm Mystery Series. Paperback, 2003. $8.50 (plus shipping and handling). ISBN 1-891907-13-1.

“We got the latest Farm Mystery Series book, Weighty Matters, for Christmas and it is the most exciting yet. I enjoy reading these thrilling books because the mysteries are baffling, and I can relate to the characters.” Virginia

Book 6: Where There's Smoke . . .

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Jason and Andy are puzzled again. Does smoke always mean there’s a fire? Will that mysterious key unlock something exciting? What could cause such strange clouds? And how does Cathy come up with such hard clues, anyway? Of course, you’re going to have to read Where There’s Smoke..., the latest in the Farm Mystery Series, to find out. Paperback. 2004. $8.50 (plus shipping and handling). ISBN 1-891907-14-X.

“We have your entire Farm Mystery Series and we think they are great!" Missouri

“Hope you’re writing more of these. The kids love them!” Vermont

"When I opened the email to find that there was a new book in the Farm Mystery Series, I just had to order it right away!  Our 12 year old son and 13 year old daughter have every one of the other books in the series and have read them more than once!" Missouri  

Book 7: The History Mystery

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Join Jason and Andy as the Nelson family listens to letters from the past. What did Grandfather really see in the war years ago? What does barbed wire have to do with mice? Those mysterious tire tracks near the barn . . . who made them? And how many batches of chicken salad will Mom have to make before they solve the egg mystery? Read The History Mystery to find the answers! Paperback, 2005. $8.50 (plus shipping and handling) ISBN 1-891907-16-6.

"I appreciate your family for standing firmly by your Christian standards, and in so doing writing Biblically based books. They are very hard to find today." New York

"It seems such a short time ago our 17 year old son was reading Footprints in the Barn and now we are studying courtship together! Our youngest son is now enjoying your books." Oklahoma

Book 8:Lights Out!

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There are new mysteries at the Nelson farm, as well as lots of fun. Lights go out and come back on, Mom keeps playing with flashlights and candles, and Cathy does a short disappearing act. Is Andy sleepwalking again? Why is there water on the bedroom floor at midnight? Who’s going to win the contests they’ve come up with? And will Grandad ever find his way out of that maze? To find out the answers, you’ll have to read our latest mystery, Lights Out! Paperback, 2007. $8.50 (plus shipping and handling) ISBN 1-891907-21-2.

“I am 12 and currently homeschooling with seven siblings. All of us who can read enjoy your Farm Mystery Series books. We have read almost all of them! I just wanted to say I enjoy them very much, and hope you write even more.” Florida

“My brother (age 9) and I (age 12) love reading your Farm Mystery Series. I enjoy the excitement and suspense. I can’t stop reading them – I can’t put them down. There are lots of reasons I like them so much. Some reasons are they aren’t creepy (like some mystery books are), they aren’t rude, or worldly. Most of all the biggest reason is they are written about a Christian home!” New York

“[My son and I] both thoroughly enjoyed this series as a read aloud, sharing precious moments together, usually around the breakfast table. Each morning Caleb was anxious for me to read to him and usually asked for one more chapter – please! Thank you for writing and publishing such godly, wholesome and character building books!” North Carolina

"I am working on re-reading all of your previous 7 mysteries to my younger four children. I read them years ago to the older four. They've been hoping for a new one, so they were pleased to hear about number 8!" Alabama

Book 9: Trapped

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The Nelson family is busy on the farm, and Jason and Andy are busy solving new mysteries. Who has been trespassing on their land? Will a hidden camera tell them the answer? Mom and Cathy have a mystery of their own to solve, caused by Dad and the boys. And who is that old man at the party, the one who says he is 85, but is really much younger? Trapped will tell you the answers to these questions! Paperback, 2009. $8.50 (plus shipping and handling) ISBN 1-891907-23-9.

“I am eleven years old and I absolutely love your Farm Mystery Series. I have the whole series and I have read each one multiple times! When I start to read your Farm Mystery Series I don’t want to stop. They are great. They are my favorite book series.” Texas

“Our nine year old daughter loves to read and I have been having great difficulty finding good reading material to keep up with her appetite. Upon receiving your book, I was a bit skeptical and began to pre-screen it as I usually do before giving it to our daughter. I was so pleasantly surprised!! There was not one thing in the entire book that I saw that we would not want her to read. I did not have to censor anything out, which is a rarity for us! I so appreciated the conservative family values, Christian character traits and just plain Biblical message woven through the entire book! What peace and comfort to know she is reading something that not only encourages her love for learning, but is also pleasing to Jesus. Our daughter enjoyed reading the book so much, she couldn’t wait until her next reading time to find out what happened next (actually I had a hard time putting down the book myself as well!).” West Virginia

“Our daughters have enjoyed reading your Farm Mystery books and Courtship books. It’s great to know there is another Christian family who teaches their children at their house and trains them in the ways of the Lord.” Virginia

Book 10: The Case of the Missing Man

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Click to read the first chapter

Dad and other firefighters turn out to search for a missing man. Is there some way Jason and Andy can help them? Why can’t Mom get up to speed in her car? And then the boys’ room begins shaking one night . . . why? What’s all this about beating bushes? Join the Nelson family in the tenth of our Farm Mystery Series to find out the answers, as well as to join in on some fun. Paperback, 2012, $8.50 (plus shipping and handling), ISBN 10: 1-891907-50-6