Type of bind: Paperback
EAN num: 9780583301251
ISBN number: 0583301258
Label: Collins
Manufacturer: Collins
Page Count: 144
Printing Date: April 01, 1968
Publishing house: Collins
Sale Popularity Level: 2729563
Studio: Collins
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
In this Enid Blyton adventure for the 'Five Find-Outers and Dog' - Fatty, Larry, Daisy, Pip, Bets and Buster - the children turn detectives.
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Series Review:
Out of all Enid Blyton's many mystery series, "The Famous Five" (made up of Julian, George, Dick, Anne and Timmy the dog) are certainly the most well-known, whereas "The Five Find-Outers" are virtually unknown. However, there are some interesting similarities and differences between the two groups, and though there are certainly some faults to "The Five Find-Outers" series, they should not be discounted completely. The name "The Five Find-Outers" is rather silly, but children themselves think it is too (Bets thought it up in the very first book, and though they mocked the name, it stuck) and as always there is an element of sexism in the novels (if there is exciting night-time activities to be done, the girls are invariably left at home), but the mysteries themselves are interesting without being too simplistic or too difficult. A mystery is established, clues are carefully considered, suspects are drawn up and discarded through a process of elimination and quick-minded young readers will enjoy the logical process of uncovering the mystery - and perhaps get the thrill of figuring out the solution before the characters do. I well remember feeling exhilaration at guessing the location of the diamonds, or the identity of the criminal, or the whereabouts of the hideaway, or whatever the McGuffin of the particular book was before its completion.
"The Famous Five" all had separate personalities, all contributing something different to the group: Julian was the leader, George was the vivacious tomboy, Anne was the little housekeeper, and Dick was...well, perhaps Dick was a little bland. But on the whole, the children could be enjoyed as individuals and worked together as a team. The same cannot be said of "The Five Find-Outers", which perhaps was part of the reason this series were neither as distinctive nor as popular as "The Famous Five". Instead, the Find-Outers revolved around one core character, Frederick "Fatty" Trotteville, who was more intelligent, more interesting and more colourful than the other four children put together. Indeed the characters of Larry, Daisy, Pip and Bets are hardly relevant, they exist simply as sounding-boards to Fatty's genius and one could argue that the books could have easily been written with the other four children removed entirely from the picture.
Yet at the same time, the lack of character interest in the other children is practically made up for in the figure of Fatty. As robust as his nickname would suggest, Fatty is every child's dream. He can disguise himself into any individual he pleases, is fluent in French, gifted at ventriloquism and storytelling, can spout verses off the top of his head, always has plenty of money and impeccable manners, and has a mind worthy of a young Sherlock Holmes. As one friend says of him; he is accidentally good at most things. In short, he is a fantastic character, and one can only wish that we were like him in some way. The fact that he is not some chiselled boy-model makes him even more extraordinary. When faced with a new mystery (which conveniently pops up in every book), he takes charge of the other children much like a police officer organises his troops in order to solve the crime logically, intelligently and efficiently.
This is of particular note since one reoccurring conceit in all the books is the presence of the local policeman Mr Goon, an aptly-named bullish oaf who despises Fatty and is forever attempting to thwart his attempts at solving the various mysteries they come up against. Given the resources he has at hand Goon certainly has the upper hand, but most of the appeal of the books comes from the fact that Fatty always comes up trumps, embarrassing Goon in the process. The rivalry between them is constantly amusing (though to an older reader, perhaps repetitive) as is Fatty's beloved Scottie-dog Buster's loathing of Goon. By the time Police-Inspector Jenks turns up at the end of every book, any young reader will be anticipating the denouncement of the mystery by a triumphant Fatty and a humiliated Goon.
Book Review:
The school holidays are here again and after a small misunderstanding arises between Bets, Larry, Pip and Daisy and a lost Frenchman (who they believe is Fatty in disguise) the Five are up to their usual mischief, coming up with three pranks for the boys to play (typically enough, the girls are left out). Pip has to shadow Mr Goon like a professional detective, Fatty has to sell a ticket for the village jumble-sale to Mr Goon and Larry has to pretend to be a window cleaner to a bungalow on Holly Lane.
Though all the dares are played for a laugh, it is Larry's that proves to be the most interesting. Whilst doing his task, he looks into the house and notices an elderly man feeling about the furniture - perhaps searching for something? Eventually satisfied, he sits back down again and when Larry retells the ... Read More
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