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The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage by Enid Blyton

The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage by Enid Blyton

Reviewed by Kilkee Children’s Book Club

This is the first book in the series of the Five Find Outers and Dog. It introduces us to Larry and his sister Daisy, Bets and her brother Pip, and Fatty (Frederick Algernon Trotter) and his dog Buster.

Fatty is new to the village of Peterswood and, at first, the other children think he is a show off and aren’t so very nice to him. However, as they get to know him they become good friends.

This story begins with a fire. Mr Hick’s shed has been burnt down. Mr. Goon, the local constable (who really dislikes all ‘meddling children’), has a big list of suspects – from the housekeeper to a tramp. The children decide that they are much cleverer than old ‘Clear Orf’ (Mr Goon) and begin their first investigation.

It’s surprising just how many people were at the scene of the crime on the night of the fire and the children have to try to sort out who the real culprit is.

This book was first published in 1943. It’s a classic read and was enjoyed immensely by the children of the Kilkee book club. They enjoyed the twists in the story and said they would definitely read more Find Outers books, as it was a really good mystery story.

Rating 8 out of 10.

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