This is the first book in the Secret Seven Series (although Peter and Janet had appeared in an earlier book called “At Seaside Cottage” in 1947 and the formation of the Secret Seven was told in “Secret of the Old Mill” in 1948). The Secret Seven consists of Peter and his sister Janet, and their friends Jack, Colin, George, Pam and Barbara . Peter and Janet’s spaniel Scamper is an unofficial member of the Seven and helps warn them when Jack’s annoying little sister, Susie, is creeping [...]

I read this to Katy (aged 7), here's her review: Dad helped me to choose itwell, I was the one that thought of it! I liked the title but it wasn't my favourite part! My favourite part of the story is that the Secret Seven was amazing and very important. You will get a HUGE surprise when you find out the full mystery! But thanks to Jack and Peter, Kerry Blue was saved.

The Secret Seven is the first book in the series. First published in 1949 there are definitely parts of it that seem dated, especially some turns of phrase that are used (particularly by straight laced Janet). However they were probably also outdated in the mid 1980s when I read these books the first time, and I was never aware that they were so old fashioned through my childhood eyes. The same could well be true for children in modern society, infact I would go as far as to assume that it IS tr [...]

Re-reading the Secret Seven with my eight year old girl and it´s amazing how much I can remember more than thirty-five years after originally reading the books. The characters are clear in my mind, as our the original drawings (not sure if they appear in this edition - certainly not the cover) - what really shocked me was how much of the plot I remembered. There are various bits and pieces of text which have been updated and changed, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn´t, and the world i [...]

While searching for his badge in a snowy field late one night, Jack witnesses a strange van approaching an old house whose only occupant is a deaf and cranky caretaker. Why are two men going to the old house and what is that strange noise coming from inside the van? Is a prisoner being kept in the house against his will? This calls for The Secret Seven to spring into action and solve the case.This is the first of Enid Blyton's Secret Seven books. Originally published in 1949, it seems quite date [...]

Oh what a wonderful adventure! And how lovely it was to take this trip with the Seven :D :DChildhood memories of curling up with their books come back to me as I read this one. Nostalgia is at its peak right now. I remember how much I loved the idea of having a secret society and creating adventures of my own as a child. Reading this book brought back memories of sitting atop a wall with my friends, talking about adventures and queer happenings in our society while going off to 'investigate'. Of [...]

To be honest, I never made the connection of the badge SS with fascist Germany, probably because I've read the Greek translation of the books (and there it's ME). It does make sense however, and since Blyton wrote so soon after WWII the initials are distasteful. Anyway, for me this series is the weakest of all adventure series written by Blyton. The protagonist, Jack, is actually a bossy, arrogant and sexist male in the disguise of a boy. And unlike Fatty from the Five Find-Outers (another serie [...]

I read this first installment of Blyton's Secret Seven series to my children, aged 5 and 7, after having read 5 Famous Five books to them previously. I thought it would bore them because the content is tamer, less thrilling. In fact, they appeared to engage more with the Seven than they did with the Five and I guess it's because the Seven are more age appropriate. How disappointing! Half the joy of reading to your children is it legitimately allows you the indulgence of children's literature tha [...]

This book is really called, I think, The Stupid Seven. I mean, come on!! These guys have peas for brains. I have never heard of kids like this. It's like, "Huh! Here's some tire tracks! I wonder if I should copy them down!" Other person: "No, no, they couldn't be useful at all!" Beware this book. And especially all the other books that follow it in the series. It may cause serious brain damage. BEWARE!

A fine little mystery, the first book in the Secret Seven series. I never really liked this series as much as the Famous Five, because time and time again the girls get left out, or comments are made like it's suprising they could solve mysteries. Even child Kirsti preferred George and her stubborn wish to be 'as good as a boy'. Janet always tries her best, but Peter gets the final word and often makes the girls stay out of things. Annoying. While looking through my read lists I realized I hadn' [...]

Not one of her better mystery novels, to be frank. [edit: oh dear god I just realised 'Frank' was a rally bad unintentional pun here on my part.]And wearing badges with 'SS' on it is a brilliant idea after WWII. Maybe they should also shave their heads and bleach their hair blonde as well.

Much of my childhood reading involved mass produced children's mysteries -- started with The Secret Seven, graduated on to The Famous Five (also Enid Blyton) and then hit Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew. What a way to spend a childhood!

it's the first part of secret seven there are 7 childrens i it peter, janet, jack, barbara, pam, colin and george it's a good book for childrens above age of 6

One of my all time favorites.

not bad i liked the suspense created to make the reader tensed which i actually feltthe story settings was greatcharacters amazing and talented

Author: Enid BlytonIllustrator: George BrookFirst Published: 1949I remember, when I first read these, one was either a Famous Five or a Secret Seven fan. I can't remember which side I fell.Having now read the first of each with my 7yo I find myself in the Secret Seven camp.First up, they're shorter. (*grin*)But also I found the adventure better developed, the characters more intelligent, the problem to be solved less selfish, and the adults (they're parents) more approachable.On the negative, th [...]

Secret seven mysteries aren't as good as Famous Five ones but still they are fun and interesting to read.

The first of the Secret Seven books13 July 2012 Well, there are a few things that I can say about this book: the first being that it seems to be a retelling of an earlier Blyton story, The Mystery of the Secret Room. In many ways it seemed to be the same story with different characters and a slightly different mystery. The reason I say that is because both stories seem to focus around an old abandoned house and in both stories the children go to a real estate agent, where there is a 16 year old [...]

I just finished reading this book to my kids. I think I enjoyed it more than they did as they found the creepy bad guys a bit scary. Other than that I think it was well-written for their level and look forward to reading more of the series with them.

A fun children's mystery by Enid Blyton. 'The Famous Five' is generally more entertaining and captivating series, but while 'The Secret Seven' was more juvenile, the last little bit of the mystery was exciting and fun :)).

I loved the adventures these kids got up to. i grew up reading Enid Blyton Books. unfortunately i never ended up getting the whole series. i loved the freedom and the fact these kids predate scooby doo!

A Quickie ReviewIt had some old school charm going for it, but it was too short to be all that involving. Interestingly enough, my copy was from India; it was in English, and I bought it at a library sale, sowho knows?

Read this book in school in library sessions. Enid Blyton was one of the primary reasons why i took up to reading.

I don't know where all the enthusiasm went while reading this book. Maybe its the fact that am not a kid anymore? :(

The secret seven series *secret seven *Well, this is the first book in the big collection of the secret seven defective kits series by Enid Blyton. It had got facing and humorous characters, suspenseful story and simplistic language which makes it a lot of fun to read. Children around 8-12 years of age will devour it. In the beginning I was unsure about starting with Enid Blyton, but now I'm gonna continue and finish off the entries series within a month easily. The beginning is done very well a [...]

i read these as a child and was debating wether 7 yr old niece would like it think that will be the main attraction that she is also 7 . I at t imes cringed reading it as the girls stayed at home and did very little solving the mystery but did a lot o sewing but still think it has aplace in todays society it is obviously of its its time and is full of jolly hockey sticks type language but really it should be up to the kids of today to decide I remember reading these kind of books and looking for [...]

The first Secret Seven adventure. I wanted to read them again to see how relevant they are to my seven year old daughter. Whilst some things are very dated, the general feel of an adventure story and a secret group of friends who meet to solve mysteries lives on throughout the ages. So glad! Now I know how to keep my daughter reading this summer!

It's a kids book. But still, I chose to read it and had an awesome experience. Just loved it. The story is about seven kids who are very notorious and adventurous and solve a case of animal stealing.I would recommend it to my younger cousins and definitely to my future kids.

Pure nostalgia. Storytelling at it's best.

3.5* I can't believe I didn't read this series as a child; I would have loved it! Perfect mystery series for students in Years 2-4.