This is the second Famous Five novel in the series, and of course is packed full of action and excitement. George (Georgina), Anne , Dick, Julian and the dog Timothy find themselves once again tackling baddies, this time over Christmas.
As the schools break up for Christmas George is supposed to spend the holidays with her cousins, but when their mother is taken ill with scarlet fever so plans are altered. Thus George’s cousins go back with her to her home, where they went in the first book. It is felt by the parents that apart from Anne the others need a bit more tuition, and so George’s father Quentin employs a tutor. But this man, Mr Roland doesn’t seem to like the dog, and the feeling is mutual. With a couple of artists staying at the nearby Kirrin Farm could one of these three be responsible when some of Quentin’s research papers go missing?
With secret passages, loads of action and daring, will the children (and the dog of course) be able to locate the missing papers? Children should love this, both boys and girls, and I must admit that this could bring back some nostalgia for older readers. I may not be young anymore, but I still enjoy reading of the escapades of the Famous Five.