Ripley's Bureau of Investigation is a series of children's fiction books published by Ripley Publishing in the United States and distributed by Random House in the United Kingdom and Icewater Press in Australia. It consists of eight published books. Two later books in the series, Danger Underground and Haunted Hotel, remained unpublished until they appeared on the children's Pickatale reading app. The series was intended to have twelve books in total, but was discontinued.
The series follows seven extraordinary pupils at the fictional 'Ripley High' school, based on "Ripley's Believe it or Not!" founder Robert Ripley's real-life mansion on a private island in Long Island Sound on the East Coast of the United States. In the books Robert Ripley is represented by a supercomputer. The chosen pupils, each with unique powers and skills, form the Ripley's Bureau of Investigation, tasked with investigating unusual stories and facts around the world.
Characters D.U.L. Agents The "Department of Unbelievable Lies" are mysterious villains in the RBI stories who work against the RBI agents.RBI book Ripley Publishing (2010) Ripley's Bureau of Investigation: Secrets of the Deep
RBI Agents and other characters Agent Age Nationality Powers Alek Filipov 15 Russian Gymnast, incredibly strong and flexible. Kobe Shakur 15 Kenyan Physical endurance and tracking skills, as well as telepathic abilities.RBI book Ripley Publishing (2010) Ripley's Bureau of Investigation: A Scaly Tale. Ripley Publishing. Kate Jones 14 English Photographic memory and can learn languages in minutes. Max Johnson 14 American Technology genius, creates robots and hacks computers. Li Yong 15 Chinese Musical genius, expert hearing, can identify and imitate any sound. Jack Stevens 14 Australian Able to communicate with animals. Zia Mendoza 13 Venezuelan Ability to conduct high levels of electricity, may be able to influence the weather.
Other regular characters include the teachers Mr Cain and Dr Maxwell, who assist the RBI in their missions.RBI book Ripley Publishing (2010) Ripley's Bureau of Investigation: The Dragon's Triangle. Ripley Publishing.
Titles Title Subject Agents Involved Book 1 A Scaly Tale Creature in the swamps of the Florida Everglades Kobe, Jack, Zia Book 2 The Dragon's Triangle Reports of a dragon off the coast of Japan Max, Alek, ZiaRBI book Ripley Publishing (2010) Ripley's Bureau of Investigation: The Dragon’s Triangle. Ripley Publishing. Book 3 Running Wild Feral child in the mountains of China Jack, Kate, KobeRBI book Ripley Publishing (2010) Ripley's Bureau of Investigation: Running Wild. Ripley Publishing. Book 4 Secrets of the Deep Search for an underwater city in the Mediterranean Kate, Li, Alek Book 5 Wings of Fear Unidentified flying object over London Max, Jack, LiRBI book Ripley Publishing (2010) Ripley's Bureau of Investigation: Wings of Fear. Ripley Publishing. Book 6 Sub-Zero Survival Hunt for an artifact left by Robert Ripley in the ice of Antarctica Alek, Kate, MaxRBI book Ripley Publishing (2010) Ripley's Bureau of Investigation: Sub-Zero Survival Book 7 Shock Horror Investigating mysterious blackouts and exploding trees in Canada Zia, Li, Max Book 8 Lost Island Tracking down a furry two-trunked elephant and an island filled with unbelievable animals on an island in East Africa Jack, Li, KobeBook 9 Danger Underground (unpublished, ebook)Mysterious explosion at an isolated gas station in the Australian OutbackZia, Alek, Jack, KobeBook 10 Haunted Hotel (unpublished, ebook)Ghostly happenings at Castle Warden in FloridaMax, Kate, Li
References
External links RBI website BBC Newsround review Random House Bin Weevils Feature