The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage

I didn't read this series in my childhood. It seems strange reading a Blyton mystery, instead of the adventures I'm used to, but this is done quite well, with one of her typical group of children as heroes. They investigate a case of arson, trying to find out who set fire to their neighbor's cottage. It's straightforward, but it has everything and everything fits tightly: there are suspects, clues (or "glues", as Bets would say), alibis and red herrings. Think of it like Agatha Christie for children. It has a twist solution which would have fooled me as a kid, but with my adult experience reading mystery novels I saw it from the beginning. Still enjoyed reading it, though.

The characters are likable. Bets is younger than any of the main show more characters in other Blyton series I have read, and needs to have some words explained to her by the other kids, which serves as a way for Blyton to explain those words to her readers. Because of that, it seemed targeted to slightly younger readers, but otherwise can be enjoyed by the same young fans as her other series. Fatty is the more unique and charismatic character, smart and flawed with his need to boast, which doesn't endear him to the other children in the beginning. You cheer for him, though, and he bruises well, which has to count in his favor. I know he is famous for his disguises, but that must be in the next books.

Another highlight is Mr. "Clear-Orf", the village policeman who is a rival of the young find-outers. I almost felt sorry for him, because he is not stupid and he followed his clues, only to have all of his moves anticipated by the children, but in the end, nah, not sorry for him any more. He's kind of a jerk.

I still think I like Blyton's adventures more, because children going on holidays on their own and having adventures is just such a thrilling concept, but that's my personal taste and shouldn't reflect badly on this fine mystery for children. Also, it adds more variety to her stories. show less

It seems incredible to think that Enid Blyton, the world's sixth most popular author (right up there with Shakespeare), is virtually unknown in the United States, but so it is. Whether this strange reality is owing to the anti-American prejudice some have perceived in Blyton's work, or simply to the fact that the U.S. has a long-standing and very prolific tradition of children's series of its own, I couldn't say. But as someone with a great interest in children's literature, I have long thought that I should familiarize myself with her work.

The first entry in her Five Find-Outers and Dog series, also sometimes styled the Mystery series, which began publication in 1943, The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage introduces the reader to five young show more children who, together with Buster the dog, join together in a detective club. Larry and Daisy (Lawrence and Margaret Daykin), Pip and Bets (Philip and Elizabeth Hilton), and Fatty (Frederick Algernon Trotteville), join forces when horrible Mr. Hick's cottage is destroyed by fire, determined to find the culprit. As the children search for clues (or, as Bets would have it, "glues"), and interview suspects, they find themselves one step ahead of their nemesis Mr. Goon, the village bobby. Will the Find-Outers solve the mystery in time? Will the authorities pay any attention if they do?

I found this first foray into the Blyton universe moderately entertaining, and rated it at two and a half star. While I can certainly understand why children's literature scholars criticize her work - the language here was somewhat choppy, the characters rather shallow, and the narrative seemed cookie-cutter convenient - Blyton still delivers a fairly engaging story, that "reads" quickly. Some have argued that the very qualities which especially irk the critics - repetition and easy digestibility - are great aids in the acquisition of reading skills. I tend to agree. show less

Frederick aka "Fatty" is a great character. The mysteries being written for children are a tad easy to figure out and the language is a bit too jolly for me. Nearly every other sentence uttered by one of the Five Find Outers contains an "I say--" which is as bad as the Hardy Boy's over use of "golly." Nonetheless, a very enjoyable read.

Larry, Daisy, Pip, Bets, Fatty and Buster the dog are normal boys and girls until a flare starts up nearby at Mr Hick's workroom. This is when they turn into detectives for the police...

But one annoying policeman Mr Goon is looking for the culprit of the mystery too. Can 'The Five Find-Outers and Dog' solve the mystery before he can? They suspect many, but only at the end is the real prisoner...

Follow Larry, Daisy, Pip, Bets and Buster the doggy by reading this fabulous story including Enid Blyton's wits and hilarious jokes ;)

Great book, really good, some spelling mistakes but they're just typos, but, really, really fabulously great :)

The newly discovered club, The five find-outers and dog- Fatty, Larry, Daisy, Pip, Bets and Buster the dog - are up for their first mystery. One night a fire is lit up. Everyone in the village can sees it but it is arson attack. It is Mr Hicks' cottage where he does all his work. Who set fire to Mr Hicks' cottage?

Novels/novelettes

9788423998890