Za razliku od tadašnje dječje literature, radnja je smještena u stvarni, moderni Berlin.
Emil se budi na kolodvoru u Berlinu i shvaća da je pokraden. Primjećuje lopova kako bježi i odlučuje ga slijediti umjesto da ode baki, jer se boji da će razočarati majku i da mu policija neće vjerovati. Emil I Detektivi Knjiga Pdf 66
The detectives track Mr. Grundeis to a hotel and then to a bank where he attempts to exchange the stolen money. The boys manage to expose the thief by proving that the banknotes have a small pinprick, the mark of the pin with which Emil had secured the envelope. When the thief tries to flee, a group of boys surrounds him, preventing his escape. The thief is arrested, and it turns out he is a notorious criminal wanted by the police. Emil gets his money back, gives it to his grandmother, and even receives a reward for capturing the criminal. With part of that reward, he buys gifts for his mother and organizes a celebration for all the friends who helped him. Za razliku od tadašnje dječje literature, radnja je