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The Five Find-Outers #6
The Mystery of the Hidden House
La mítica serie de misterios de Enid Blyton, actualizada para los lectores de hoy en una atractiva edición ilustrada.
Goon recibe en casa a su sobrino Ern de visita, un chico con una curiosa afición a la poesía. Tras una divertida confusión, Los cinco detectives deciden crear un misterio con pistas falsas para engañar a Ern, pero acaban encontrando un verdadero enigma.
Goon recibe en casa a su sobrino Ern de visita, un chico con una curiosa afición a la poesía. Tras una divertida confusión, Los cinco detectives deciden crear un misterio con pistas falsas para engañar a Ern, pero acaban encontrando un verdadero enigma.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1948
86 people are currently reading
931 people want to read
About the author
Enid Blyton
5,132 books6,299 followersSee also:
Ένιντ Μπλάιτον (Greek)
Enida Blaitona (Latvian)
Энид Блайтон (Russian)
Inid Blajton (Serbian)
Інід Блайтон (Ukrainian)
Enid Mary Blyton (1897–1968) was an English author of children's books.
Born in South London, Blyton was the eldest of three children, and showed an early interest in music and reading. She was educated at St. Christopher's School, Beckenham, and - having decided not to pursue her music - at Ipswich High School, where she trained as a kindergarten teacher. She taught for five years before her 1924 marriage to editor Hugh Pollock, with whom she had two daughters. This marriage ended in divorce, and Blyton remarried in 1943, to surgeon Kenneth Fraser Darrell Waters. She died in 1968, one year after her second husband.
Blyton was a prolific author of children's books, who penned an estimated 800 books over about 40 years. Her stories were often either children's adventure and mystery stories, or fantasies involving magic. Notable series include: The Famous Five, The Secret Seven, The Five Find-Outers, Noddy, The Wishing Chair, Mallory Towers, and St. Clare's.
According to the Index Translationum, Blyton was the fifth most popular author in the world in 2007, coming after Lenin but ahead of Shakespeare.
See also her pen name Mary Pollock
Ένιντ Μπλάιτον (Greek)
Enida Blaitona (Latvian)
Энид Блайтон (Russian)
Inid Blajton (Serbian)
Інід Блайтон (Ukrainian)
Enid Mary Blyton (1897–1968) was an English author of children's books.
Born in South London, Blyton was the eldest of three children, and showed an early interest in music and reading. She was educated at St. Christopher's School, Beckenham, and - having decided not to pursue her music - at Ipswich High School, where she trained as a kindergarten teacher. She taught for five years before her 1924 marriage to editor Hugh Pollock, with whom she had two daughters. This marriage ended in divorce, and Blyton remarried in 1943, to surgeon Kenneth Fraser Darrell Waters. She died in 1968, one year after her second husband.
Blyton was a prolific author of children's books, who penned an estimated 800 books over about 40 years. Her stories were often either children's adventure and mystery stories, or fantasies involving magic. Notable series include: The Famous Five, The Secret Seven, The Five Find-Outers, Noddy, The Wishing Chair, Mallory Towers, and St. Clare's.
According to the Index Translationum, Blyton was the fifth most popular author in the world in 2007, coming after Lenin but ahead of Shakespeare.
See also her pen name Mary Pollock
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
May 7, 2017
Ern Goon makes his first appearance in this book. For that alone, I enjoyed it. And the 'portry' is a real treat too.
TO MY DEAR UNCLE
Oh how I love thee, Uncle dear,
Although thine eyes like frogs' appear,
Thy body is so fat and round,
Thy heavy footsteps shake the ground.
Thy temper is so sweet and mild,
'Twould frighten e'en the smallest child,
And when thou speakest, people say,
Now did we hear a donkey bray?"
Dear Uncle, how...
TO MY DEAR UNCLE
Oh how I love thee, Uncle dear,
Although thine eyes like frogs' appear,
Thy body is so fat and round,
Thy heavy footsteps shake the ground.
Thy temper is so sweet and mild,
'Twould frighten e'en the smallest child,
And when thou speakest, people say,
Now did we hear a donkey bray?"
Dear Uncle, how...
Read
November 15, 2017Findouters Challenge: Book 6. This is where Ern Goon makes his first appearance in the series. Bets and Pip and Larry and Daisy head off to the station to receive Fatty (who’s spent Christmas away from Peterswood) and find who they think is Fatty in one of his disguises. But “Fatty” reacts quite funnily when they call to him, and heads off to Mr Goon’s house to their surprise. Soon they realise that “Fatty” wasn’t Fatty at all but Mr Goon’s nephew Ern (Ernest) and Mr Goon has been to each of their parents to make sure that they don’t lead Ern into any mystery-solving, resulting in Pip and Bets and Larry and Daisy being “banned” from solving any mysteries those holidays. Ern they soon find wants to be their friend and is a great admirer of Fatty and his talents. They decide to create a mystery for Ern to solve which they hope will be passed on Goon, leading him on another wild goose chase. But when Ern makes a mistake in finding Christmas Hill (where the Findouters sent him and had further tricks planned) and ends up taking another path, he stumbles onto an actual mystery, with suspicious goings on at midnight. The Findouters now have to keep Ern from finding out about the real mystery while solving it before Goon gets any hint of it.
This was probably my least favourite of the books so far. The mystery element was fun enough, some disguising involved, but not one of the “creative” ones in the sense of its solution. I did of course also enjoy Ern’s “portry” and trademark way of talking with his “swatisaids” and “lovaducks”. I’d forgotten that he was plump like Fatty and that nearly all his “pomes” began with “pore”. What made me not like it so much was the Findouters themselves and their treatment of Ern. While creating a mystery for him to solve and perhaps even trying to trick Goon may be all in good fun and by which they meant no harm, they think nothing of doing things that will get Ern into trouble with Mr Goon including Fatty writing a nasty “pome” about Goon in Ern’s handwriting (using a skill he has acquired in the previous book) in Ern’s notebook where Goon is sure to find it, which results in poor Ern getting a caning (a practice deplored but not considered impermissible in those days). They are penitent when they find out but I didn’t think sufficiently so. They are also a little too arrogant about their own “brains” and contemptuous of Ern’s, being ever-ready to take advantage of his gullibility. Ern is no doubt terrified of Goon’s cane, and reveals all as a result, but I found Pip insisting on calling him a “coward” because of this quite harsh considering how he and Bets are themselves terrified of their very strict parents. They are happy to correct his behaviour, but what about their own? Even on the foodmeter, this ranked fairly low (not that this would have improved the other aspects for me). So yes, just an ok-ish read for me.
This was probably my least favourite of the books so far. The mystery element was fun enough, some disguising involved, but not one of the “creative” ones in the sense of its solution. I did of course also enjoy Ern’s “portry” and trademark way of talking with his “swatisaids” and “lovaducks”. I’d forgotten that he was plump like Fatty and that nearly all his “pomes” began with “pore”. What made me not like it so much was the Findouters themselves and their treatment of Ern. While creating a mystery for him to solve and perhaps even trying to trick Goon may be all in good fun and by which they meant no harm, they think nothing of doing things that will get Ern into trouble with Mr Goon including Fatty writing a nasty “pome” about Goon in Ern’s handwriting (using a skill he has acquired in the previous book) in Ern’s notebook where Goon is sure to find it, which results in poor Ern getting a caning (a practice deplored but not considered impermissible in those days). They are penitent when they find out but I didn’t think sufficiently so. They are also a little too arrogant about their own “brains” and contemptuous of Ern’s, being ever-ready to take advantage of his gullibility. Ern is no doubt terrified of Goon’s cane, and reveals all as a result, but I found Pip insisting on calling him a “coward” because of this quite harsh considering how he and Bets are themselves terrified of their very strict parents. They are happy to correct his behaviour, but what about their own? Even on the foodmeter, this ranked fairly low (not that this would have improved the other aspects for me). So yes, just an ok-ish read for me.
March 18, 2023
A disappointing one from Blyton. The mystery doesn't happen until the last few chapters and then it's almost something they stumble upon. It's not very interesting.
This whole book is about Mr Goon and his nephew, Ern, who comes to stay with him during the holidays. I read her books on the basis they were written in a completely different time, however, this one was an uncomfortable read for me. Mr Goon was extremely cruel to Ern and the Find Outers were downright nasty to him, even young Bets, which appalled me! They had no mystery to solve so made up one for Ern to follow, just to make fun of him. He was portrayed as a simple lad and needed a friend and the children played on this. I'm also tired of Fatty being almost superhuman, who is best at everything and as if he wasn't pompous enough now the rest of the children are bigging him up themselves.
I remember loving this series as a child, maybe I didn't see the cruelty then but I certainly do now.
A let down!!
This whole book is about Mr Goon and his nephew, Ern, who comes to stay with him during the holidays. I read her books on the basis they were written in a completely different time, however, this one was an uncomfortable read for me. Mr Goon was extremely cruel to Ern and the Find Outers were downright nasty to him, even young Bets, which appalled me! They had no mystery to solve so made up one for Ern to follow, just to make fun of him. He was portrayed as a simple lad and needed a friend and the children played on this. I'm also tired of Fatty being almost superhuman, who is best at everything and as if he wasn't pompous enough now the rest of the children are bigging him up themselves.
I remember loving this series as a child, maybe I didn't see the cruelty then but I certainly do now.
A let down!!
March 30, 2024
“There’s a mystery a-moving
Away on Christmas Hill,
Where kidnappers and robbers
Are waiting for the kill.
But when kidnappers are napping
And robbers are asleep,
We’ll pounce on them together
And knock them in a heap”
Excerpt From
The Mystery of the Hidden House
Enid Blyton
Away on Christmas Hill,
Where kidnappers and robbers
Are waiting for the kill.
But when kidnappers are napping
And robbers are asleep,
We’ll pounce on them together
And knock them in a heap”
Excerpt From
The Mystery of the Hidden House
Enid Blyton
October 13, 2016
This book is terrible. All the characters demonstrate horrible and/or irresponsible behaviour throughout, particularly with their treatment of Ern, who is constantly abused both physically and emotionally by everyone for no reason. (The fact that Enid seems to think this is okay because Ern is what might be termed "common" is disgusting.)
The contrivances and coincidences leading to the discovery and unravelling of the mystery are the most annoying and unbelievable I have yet come across, from Fatty randomly deciding to disguise himself as Ern but then giving the baddies his own name so that Ern will get kidnapped instead of him, to the convenient farm girl who happens to be swinging on the gate just when Fatty needs her to be, and has apparently seen Ern getting kidnapped but not told anyone about it.
Awful!
The contrivances and coincidences leading to the discovery and unravelling of the mystery are the most annoying and unbelievable I have yet come across, from Fatty randomly deciding to disguise himself as Ern but then giving the baddies his own name so that Ern will get kidnapped instead of him, to the convenient farm girl who happens to be swinging on the gate just when Fatty needs her to be, and has apparently seen Ern getting kidnapped but not told anyone about it.
Awful!
April 12, 2019
In this sixth entry in her fifteen-book Five Find-Outers and Dog series, originally published in 1948, Enid Blyton returns to the story of Fatty, Larry, Daisy, Pip and Bets, who (together with Buster the dog) spend their school-breaks solving mysteries. When Pip and Bets, and Larry and Daisy, are all forbidden to "look for mysteries" by their respective parents, it seems as if the children will pass a very boring holiday. But the arrival of Ern, nephew to Peterswood's very own police bobby, Mr. Goon, provides an unexpected source of amusement. As the Find-Outers set out to lead Ern (and Mr. Goon) into a fake mystery, they are surprised to discover that they have stumbled onto a real one...
Read as part of an ongoing project to familiarize myself with the work of Enid Blyton, who, despite being virtually unknown here in the United States, is the sixth most popular author in the world, The Mystery of the Hidden House was very much in the style of the preceding five books in the Five Find-Outers series. The writing is somewhat choppy, and the plot shallow and conveniently resolved, but it "reads" quickly, and will appeal to young fans of series-work.
That said, although I have erred on the side of generosity with the previous books, awarding them between two and a half and three stars, I opted for the two-star rating here. This sixth title has all the flaws and virtues of the others, but it also has a much stronger dose of classism, in the characterization of Ern. Notions of class are never entirely absent from the series, as witnessed by the contrast between the slow-witted Mr. Goon and the friendly, "high-up" Inspector Jenks. Even the sympathetic working-class characters - whether it's under-gardener Luke in The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat , or maid Gladys in The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters - are depicted as somewhat simple. But the centrality of Ern to the plot here means that the reader has the "simplicity" of the working class before her eyes continuously. Reading about how Fatty and the other Find-Outers made fun of Ern's pronunciation, or giggled at his stupidity, soon grew tiresome.
Read as part of an ongoing project to familiarize myself with the work of Enid Blyton, who, despite being virtually unknown here in the United States, is the sixth most popular author in the world, The Mystery of the Hidden House was very much in the style of the preceding five books in the Five Find-Outers series. The writing is somewhat choppy, and the plot shallow and conveniently resolved, but it "reads" quickly, and will appeal to young fans of series-work.
That said, although I have erred on the side of generosity with the previous books, awarding them between two and a half and three stars, I opted for the two-star rating here. This sixth title has all the flaws and virtues of the others, but it also has a much stronger dose of classism, in the characterization of Ern. Notions of class are never entirely absent from the series, as witnessed by the contrast between the slow-witted Mr. Goon and the friendly, "high-up" Inspector Jenks. Even the sympathetic working-class characters - whether it's under-gardener Luke in The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat , or maid Gladys in The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters - are depicted as somewhat simple. But the centrality of Ern to the plot here means that the reader has the "simplicity" of the working class before her eyes continuously. Reading about how Fatty and the other Find-Outers made fun of Ern's pronunciation, or giggled at his stupidity, soon grew tiresome.
January 20, 2018
It was irritating to read about cruel children
February 14, 2023
Shit, the Find-Outers are really quite horrible to Ern! Didn't realise they could be quite so snobby and cruel, without realising in the slightest how bad their behaviour is.
But the book was quite good otherwise, actually, and made me laugh.
'Oh,' said Ern [...] 'I always tell them what you say. They like to hear. But it's not right of Pip to say you're a flat-footed bull-frog, I did tell him that.' !!!
and
'Your uncle's in a bit of a rage,' said Fatty. 'It's not good for him to ride a bike at such a speed. [...] It must be bad for his heart.'
'It would be, if he had one,' said Ern
Priceless!
But the book was quite good otherwise, actually, and made me laugh.
'Oh,' said Ern [...] 'I always tell them what you say. They like to hear. But it's not right of Pip to say you're a flat-footed bull-frog, I did tell him that.' !!!
and
'Your uncle's in a bit of a rage,' said Fatty. 'It's not good for him to ride a bike at such a speed. [...] It must be bad for his heart.'
'It would be, if he had one,' said Ern
Priceless!
July 17, 2022
Listened to in audio format.
I have given this book 2 stars because I was disappointed that the Five Find-Outers mocked Ern, Mr Goon's nephew. He was also badly treated by Mr Goon. It broke my heart that Ern hero worshipped Fatty when Fatty and the other children were laughing behind his back.
The mystery itself was actually rather exciting but it was spoiled by the bullying.
I have given this book 2 stars because I was disappointed that the Five Find-Outers mocked Ern, Mr Goon's nephew. He was also badly treated by Mr Goon. It broke my heart that Ern hero worshipped Fatty when Fatty and the other children were laughing behind his back.
The mystery itself was actually rather exciting but it was spoiled by the bullying.
August 17, 2021
Fatty and Co. invent a mystery to dupe Goon’s nephew, who then stumbles upon the real thing. Blyton takes the story into more adult territory (corporeal punishment, kidnapping) and hints at a lesson in consequences, though never quite bringing out the moral.
January 17, 2020
This Five Find-Outers novel introduces a new character, Ern, who is Mr Goon's nephew. The rivalry between the find-outers and Mr. Goon is the heart of this series, along with the mysteries investigated. Ern, a big and not very bright boy, is not an antagonist here, but sort of an unwitting ally of the find-outers. As always, a lot of the fun is the children outsmarting and misleading the unpleasant policeman. In this case, they use Ern to misinform his uncle, by feeding him false information that the overeager Mr Goon is sure to hear about, as he spies and extorts the information from poor Ern.
The mystery itself was less interesting to me than the shenanigans involving Mr Goon and Ern. After all, there's not a lot of investigating and making deductions from the clues. The mystery basically falls into their laps accidentally. Still, I had a good time. Let's face it, Mr Goon, Ern and Fatty are hilarious when they interact. Curiously, the ending turned into an adventure rather than a mystery, reminding me of the situations the famous five get themselves into.
I did feel sorry for Ern, though. Between his unsympathetic uncle (who uses corporal punishment on him several times in this novel) and the find-outers pretending to take him into his confidence but actually using him and covertly laughing at him... I was glad he distinguished himself in the end.
The mystery itself was less interesting to me than the shenanigans involving Mr Goon and Ern. After all, there's not a lot of investigating and making deductions from the clues. The mystery basically falls into their laps accidentally. Still, I had a good time. Let's face it, Mr Goon, Ern and Fatty are hilarious when they interact. Curiously, the ending turned into an adventure rather than a mystery, reminding me of the situations the famous five get themselves into.
I did feel sorry for Ern, though. Between his unsympathetic uncle (who uses corporal punishment on him several times in this novel) and the find-outers pretending to take him into his confidence but actually using him and covertly laughing at him... I was glad he distinguished himself in the end.
December 27, 2021
Once more- nostalgia re-reads! Don't buy this for your children, go pick one of the live, non-terfy, inclusive authors for children out there!
Oh boy I hated Fatty in this one. I hated the kids. I hated everyone but poor Ern who's done nothing wrong except want to be good to his uncle and make friends with these snotty kids, and got mercilessly mocked, beaten and mistreated for it. The amount of violence Goon puts him through is near unbearable and had me close to skipping the book at points... I also had to read the whole thing in one go because I had to know the kid would be alright lol.
In fact the only reason I didn't give this a zero rating is that I did absolutely love the character of Ern, and his poetry, and how he's hard-working and decent. It's not his fault the FFO are a bitchy clique okay.
Oh boy I hated Fatty in this one. I hated the kids. I hated everyone but poor Ern who's done nothing wrong except want to be good to his uncle and make friends with these snotty kids, and got mercilessly mocked, beaten and mistreated for it. The amount of violence Goon puts him through is near unbearable and had me close to skipping the book at points... I also had to read the whole thing in one go because I had to know the kid would be alright lol.
In fact the only reason I didn't give this a zero rating is that I did absolutely love the character of Ern, and his poetry, and how he's hard-working and decent. It's not his fault the FFO are a bitchy clique okay.
March 26, 2019
Before giving away my old copy of this book to a second hand shop I wanted to re-read it since Enid Blyton's books are a good part of my childhood reading. I was curious since I did not remember anything from her books more than I liked them very much.
No wonder - both the plot and the characters here are very week. There is no difference at all of Larry, Daisy, Pips and company. The mystery solving kids come as a group, not as individuals.
And the plot in this book is pretty terrible. It is built upon a bullying and practical joking of a lonely boy depicted as stupid and annoying. Even though the tempo of the plot's development is high, and the book never boring I don't recommend parents giving it for their kids to read.
No wonder - both the plot and the characters here are very week. There is no difference at all of Larry, Daisy, Pips and company. The mystery solving kids come as a group, not as individuals.
And the plot in this book is pretty terrible. It is built upon a bullying and practical joking of a lonely boy depicted as stupid and annoying. Even though the tempo of the plot's development is high, and the book never boring I don't recommend parents giving it for their kids to read.
June 5, 2025
(Of this series, I've also read The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage, The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat, The Mystery of the Secret Room and The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters)
(Heads up that I read the 1966 edition - this was most recently republished in 2016. Lovaduck, I bet the editors for modern audiences had a bloody field-day with this one.)
It's another school break in southern England! Perhaps the rest of the citizens of Peterswood are just gullible, but Fatty continues to fool all and sundry with disguises - so much so that his friends Pip, Bets, Larry and Daisy have a rather awkward introduction to our guest child, Ernest. He's the nephew of the infamous, irritable Constable Goon, here to stay for a short while so each child is forewarned that they aren't to get him involved in any hijinks. Will Ern be friend or foe? And will the Find Outers' tricks result in uncovering any real mysteries?
Fatty is not just Finder Outerer Number 1 at this point, the others are practically his disciples. When he's not there, they talk about him or wait for him. When he is there, he holds the room. He's witty and charming enough to just about pull it off, especially some of the improv comic poetry he comes out with, but I can understand if the reader's eyes are rolling like marbles at this imbalance.
The mystery itself was quite fun and possibly had the most peril so far but look, I'm just going to put it out there: the treatment of Ern is horrible. He's central to the plot so it's constantly in focus how this boy has nobody on side. Even Mrs Hilton's only words to the poor lad are an admonishment when he forgets to take his cap off indoors. The Find Outers not only constantly mimic Ern's 'common' accent (represented by phonetic spellings) or pretend to misunderstand him, they also show absolutely no interest in who Ern is as a person. We know he's into writing poetry, but we don't get to read a single one as the Find Outers refuse to hear him recite any of it. While all this is bad enough, they drip-feed Ern a fake mystery to frustrate Goon with, which it does... hugely. No apologies are made by the Find Outers when it all goes pear-shaped. Only Bets and Daisy are openly repentant for their part in the trolling after hearing that Ern's seemingly run away - which leads rather well onto the next thing.
Adults smacking their own kids with the skin of their hands wasn't unheard of when I grew up (90s Britain) but I'm always quite shocked when I remember that corporal punishment was only banned in schools in the mid-80s. I expect to and have seen references to it in Blyton's other works so the mention of it isn't what bothers me, but reading Goon's treatment of Ern - caning his hands, boxing his ears resulting in swelling - was one of those times where I had to sit and stare blankly at a wall afterwards for a bit. Goon, up until this point, has been a 'love to hate' pantomime baddie so it's bloody jarring when he starts abusing a child in his care.
I don't believe Blyton would have intended to portray it as acceptable behaviour*, as Goon is an established antagonist, but nor are any of the characters particularly shaken either aside from Ern himself (a 'coward') and Bets (who is 'soft'). Fatty is all too aware that the village policeman is a nasty bloke, but he still scrawls his trick poem about Goon into Ern's notebook knowing that it could get the latter into further bother**. After hearing about said further bother, Fatty's first concern is the trouble he could get into with his own parents. Pip spits a few disparaging comments towards Ern for divulging the fake mystery under duress. Goon feels some panicked remorse during Ern's disappearance, but it seems to be rooted in the fear of other adults finding out what he did.
In conclusion, I really liked Ern as a character and found myself hoping he'd return for more adventures, but I do hope the next one will be less mean-spirited. I get the impression that if Fatty had decided to treat Ern with some respect, the other Find Outers would've also followed suit. Perhaps that's to come? After all, one of the main things that keeps Fatty so likeable is his kindness towards those less fortunate than him (which is, to be honest, everyone else) so this left a sour taste. From another GR review I've seen, it sounds as if they might eventually get a rollocking off the Inspector, and they might just well deserve it too.
Hard to rate, honestly. I'll go for 2/5.
* all unedited depictions of corporal punishment in Blyton's work that I've come across (and this is probably the most graphic thus far) are intentionally unpleasant and would be quite frightening for young readers
** the kicker is that Ern ends up liking the poem and remains convinced he wrote it in his sleep. Fatty considers 'fessing up but doesn't... and Ern would have sadly forgiven him if so.
(Heads up that I read the 1966 edition - this was most recently republished in 2016. Lovaduck, I bet the editors for modern audiences had a bloody field-day with this one.)
It's another school break in southern England! Perhaps the rest of the citizens of Peterswood are just gullible, but Fatty continues to fool all and sundry with disguises - so much so that his friends Pip, Bets, Larry and Daisy have a rather awkward introduction to our guest child, Ernest. He's the nephew of the infamous, irritable Constable Goon, here to stay for a short while so each child is forewarned that they aren't to get him involved in any hijinks. Will Ern be friend or foe? And will the Find Outers' tricks result in uncovering any real mysteries?
Fatty is not just Finder Outerer Number 1 at this point, the others are practically his disciples. When he's not there, they talk about him or wait for him. When he is there, he holds the room. He's witty and charming enough to just about pull it off, especially some of the improv comic poetry he comes out with, but I can understand if the reader's eyes are rolling like marbles at this imbalance.
The mystery itself was quite fun and possibly had the most peril so far but look, I'm just going to put it out there: the treatment of Ern is horrible. He's central to the plot so it's constantly in focus how this boy has nobody on side. Even Mrs Hilton's only words to the poor lad are an admonishment when he forgets to take his cap off indoors. The Find Outers not only constantly mimic Ern's 'common' accent (represented by phonetic spellings) or pretend to misunderstand him, they also show absolutely no interest in who Ern is as a person. We know he's into writing poetry, but we don't get to read a single one as the Find Outers refuse to hear him recite any of it. While all this is bad enough, they drip-feed Ern a fake mystery to frustrate Goon with, which it does... hugely. No apologies are made by the Find Outers when it all goes pear-shaped. Only Bets and Daisy are openly repentant for their part in the trolling after hearing that Ern's seemingly run away - which leads rather well onto the next thing.
Adults smacking their own kids with the skin of their hands wasn't unheard of when I grew up (90s Britain) but I'm always quite shocked when I remember that corporal punishment was only banned in schools in the mid-80s. I expect to and have seen references to it in Blyton's other works so the mention of it isn't what bothers me, but reading Goon's treatment of Ern - caning his hands, boxing his ears resulting in swelling - was one of those times where I had to sit and stare blankly at a wall afterwards for a bit. Goon, up until this point, has been a 'love to hate' pantomime baddie so it's bloody jarring when he starts abusing a child in his care.
I don't believe Blyton would have intended to portray it as acceptable behaviour*, as Goon is an established antagonist, but nor are any of the characters particularly shaken either aside from Ern himself (a 'coward') and Bets (who is 'soft'). Fatty is all too aware that the village policeman is a nasty bloke, but he still scrawls his trick poem about Goon into Ern's notebook knowing that it could get the latter into further bother**. After hearing about said further bother, Fatty's first concern is the trouble he could get into with his own parents. Pip spits a few disparaging comments towards Ern for divulging the fake mystery under duress. Goon feels some panicked remorse during Ern's disappearance, but it seems to be rooted in the fear of other adults finding out what he did.
In conclusion, I really liked Ern as a character and found myself hoping he'd return for more adventures, but I do hope the next one will be less mean-spirited. I get the impression that if Fatty had decided to treat Ern with some respect, the other Find Outers would've also followed suit. Perhaps that's to come? After all, one of the main things that keeps Fatty so likeable is his kindness towards those less fortunate than him (which is, to be honest, everyone else) so this left a sour taste. From another GR review I've seen, it sounds as if they might eventually get a rollocking off the Inspector, and they might just well deserve it too.
Hard to rate, honestly. I'll go for 2/5.
* all unedited depictions of corporal punishment in Blyton's work that I've come across (and this is probably the most graphic thus far) are intentionally unpleasant and would be quite frightening for young readers
** the kicker is that Ern ends up liking the poem and remains convinced he wrote it in his sleep. Fatty considers 'fessing up but doesn't... and Ern would have sadly forgiven him if so.
September 6, 2016
Ern is a great addition (who I very much doubt attends a boarding school)... and it's the winter hols so no ices in this story. Larry, Daisy and Pip continue as character shadows to Fatty and Bets. As a historical read I like the two references to the 'Last War'.
April 1, 2021
Poor Ern is at the mercy of his uncle Mr Goon and the five find outers led by Fatty. As you’d expect there’s a mystery to solve , a Scottie dog called Buster and lots of adults shouting ‘clear off ‘ . Perfect holiday reading .
September 28, 2015
The fake becomes real .
June 20, 2023
This one starts of with the classic Pip, Bets, Larry and Daisy mistaking someone as being Fatty in disguise. You'd have thought they might start to express a small bit of caution before calling someone Fatty, but where's the fun in that.
We also get to meet Ern for the first time. It being him that gets the four insult when mistaking him for Fatty. (Not the last time they insult him - but all the other times it's because they are insulting him for being him, which is much better of course. (Well insulted for not being as proper or as educated as the ideal Blyton middle class child.))
Because Ern happens to be Mr Goon's nephew and they insulted him, Mr. Goon tells the children's parents to ban them from solving another mystery. So the five, mad with rebellion, make up a mystery about kidnappers and robbers. They go all out, sneaking about, flashing lights and setting up Ern.
In a shocking turn of events Mr Goon finds out! This leads to him falling for the made up mystery and starts to investigate it himself. When Ern tries to investigate Mr Goon investigating but goes the wrong way and ends up discovering a real mystery. (Not forgetting there being a few poems (one rude one) in between.)
This all leads to Fatty being in disguise (quite frankly the best bit about the Finder Outer books) and Inspector Jenks appearing (insert description of how big and brilliant he is) and children solving the mystery.
It's all quite entertaining - and there's even a bit where Mr Goon is portrayed as being nice (think Enid forget herself).
We also get to meet Ern for the first time. It being him that gets the four insult when mistaking him for Fatty. (Not the last time they insult him - but all the other times it's because they are insulting him for being him, which is much better of course. (Well insulted for not being as proper or as educated as the ideal Blyton middle class child.))
Because Ern happens to be Mr Goon's nephew and they insulted him, Mr. Goon tells the children's parents to ban them from solving another mystery. So the five, mad with rebellion, make up a mystery about kidnappers and robbers. They go all out, sneaking about, flashing lights and setting up Ern.
In a shocking turn of events Mr Goon finds out! This leads to him falling for the made up mystery and starts to investigate it himself. When Ern tries to investigate Mr Goon investigating but goes the wrong way and ends up discovering a real mystery. (Not forgetting there being a few poems (one rude one) in between.)
This all leads to Fatty being in disguise (quite frankly the best bit about the Finder Outer books) and Inspector Jenks appearing (insert description of how big and brilliant he is) and children solving the mystery.
It's all quite entertaining - and there's even a bit where Mr Goon is portrayed as being nice (think Enid forget herself).
December 18, 2017
#thehiddenhouse
#pasukanmautahu ketemu Ern. Ern adl ponakan Pak Goon. Jika Pak Goon tidak suka dgn PMT, Ern sebaliknya. Ern ingin ikut berpetualang dgn mereka. Sebenarnya saat liburan ini tidak ada kejadian apa-apa, karena itu Fatty dkk membuat 'kejadian' sendiri dgn mengerjai Ern. Karena kesalahpahaman, Ern mengalami kejadian tidak menyenangkan dgn komplotan penjahat.
.
.
Ern lucu sekali. Dia gemar membuat 'bantun', plesetan dr pantun. Ern suka menciptakan 'pome, portry', kalau ngomong disambung-sambung kayak 'swatisaid', 'goanborlyered' (go and boil your head).
.
.
Nih yg lucu;
"What's your name?"
"Ern."
"Urn?" (Urn--> Aren)
"Short for Ernest, see?"
Fatty yg usil ikut-ikutan memplesetkan "Smazing! Smpossible! Spitty (it's a pity) Swunderful!"
.
.
Di buku ini yg berkesan malah Ern, bukan anggota #findouters Ern lucu, polos sekaligus ember. Ern bilang apa yg dikatakan pamannya pada anggota PMT, dan sebaliknya. Fatty, Larry dan Pip sampai bilang, Ern tidak seharusnya mengatakan apa yg diucapkan Pak Goon. Yah, ini pelajaran ya, ada hal-hal yg memang tidak perlu diungkapkan pada orang lain.
#pasukanmautahu ketemu Ern. Ern adl ponakan Pak Goon. Jika Pak Goon tidak suka dgn PMT, Ern sebaliknya. Ern ingin ikut berpetualang dgn mereka. Sebenarnya saat liburan ini tidak ada kejadian apa-apa, karena itu Fatty dkk membuat 'kejadian' sendiri dgn mengerjai Ern. Karena kesalahpahaman, Ern mengalami kejadian tidak menyenangkan dgn komplotan penjahat.
.
.
Ern lucu sekali. Dia gemar membuat 'bantun', plesetan dr pantun. Ern suka menciptakan 'pome, portry', kalau ngomong disambung-sambung kayak 'swatisaid', 'goanborlyered' (go and boil your head).
.
.
Nih yg lucu;
"What's your name?"
"Ern."
"Urn?" (Urn--> Aren)
"Short for Ernest, see?"
Fatty yg usil ikut-ikutan memplesetkan "Smazing! Smpossible! Spitty (it's a pity) Swunderful!"
.
.
Di buku ini yg berkesan malah Ern, bukan anggota #findouters Ern lucu, polos sekaligus ember. Ern bilang apa yg dikatakan pamannya pada anggota PMT, dan sebaliknya. Fatty, Larry dan Pip sampai bilang, Ern tidak seharusnya mengatakan apa yg diucapkan Pak Goon. Yah, ini pelajaran ya, ada hal-hal yg memang tidak perlu diungkapkan pada orang lain.
December 18, 2023
[Granada] (1982). SB. Reprint. 156 Pages. Purchased from Gareth Price.
Book 6 (1948) in a series of 15 (1943-1961).
Illustrated with Mary Gernat’s poorly executed line drawings; these are vastly inferior to Joseph Abbey’s fine work in the original.
Chapter 1 lazily shares a great deal with The Mystery of Holly Lane.
We’re introduced to Ern, nephew of Theophilus Goon, an eccentric but sweet and kindly young boy.
Grimly, we soon see one of his primary functions, being working class and thus an outsider, to be absorbing cruel mockery and other torment from the pompous protagonists.
The ‘heroes’ are a pack of self-satisfied bullies.
He’s said to be an “oaf”, a “clod”, a “lump"… to not have “…a brain in his head…”
I would classify this as ‘nostalgic horror’ for adults; unsuitable for children.
Book 6 (1948) in a series of 15 (1943-1961).
Illustrated with Mary Gernat’s poorly executed line drawings; these are vastly inferior to Joseph Abbey’s fine work in the original.
Chapter 1 lazily shares a great deal with The Mystery of Holly Lane.
We’re introduced to Ern, nephew of Theophilus Goon, an eccentric but sweet and kindly young boy.
Grimly, we soon see one of his primary functions, being working class and thus an outsider, to be absorbing cruel mockery and other torment from the pompous protagonists.
The ‘heroes’ are a pack of self-satisfied bullies.
He’s said to be an “oaf”, a “clod”, a “lump"… to not have “…a brain in his head…”
I would classify this as ‘nostalgic horror’ for adults; unsuitable for children.
July 21, 2024
What on earth?
First of all the actual mystery is the most ridiculous thing ever.
Second of all I never thought Gary Stus were real until Fatty, this guy just gets more irritating with every book. I liked it better when everyone hated him for being good at everything, you’re telling me they’re gonna sit there fawning over him for the rest of the series?
Finally the meanness and classicism (and corporal punishment!) against Ern is pretty terrible. I know it was a different time but that’s still a pretty shocking thing to put in a children’s book, especially as that behaviour isn’t particularly challenged.
I think I remember the inspector actually telling them off for their nonsense in a future book instead of encouraging them, I literally can’t wait for these five pompous ****s and dog to be taken down a peg.
First of all the actual mystery is the most ridiculous thing ever.
Second of all I never thought Gary Stus were real until Fatty, this guy just gets more irritating with every book. I liked it better when everyone hated him for being good at everything, you’re telling me they’re gonna sit there fawning over him for the rest of the series?
Finally the meanness and classicism (and corporal punishment!) against Ern is pretty terrible. I know it was a different time but that’s still a pretty shocking thing to put in a children’s book, especially as that behaviour isn’t particularly challenged.
I think I remember the inspector actually telling them off for their nonsense in a future book instead of encouraging them, I literally can’t wait for these five pompous ****s and dog to be taken down a peg.
April 24, 2021
For young minds, these books proved to be so thrilling, the zest, the tumble into adventures, cracking puzzles, finding clues and finally putting criminals and robbers behind bars!
The mystery series were one of the best series in the Enid Blyton collection.
The mystery series were one of the best series in the Enid Blyton collection.
December 8, 2018
Sedikit agak kecewa dengan karakter pak Goon pada buku kali ini yang digambarkan sangat keras terhadap Ern, keponakannya.
December 26, 2019
I am really enjoying reading this series again. This series was a big part of my childhood reading and i still love the writing style and characters now.
January 3, 2020
I was less interesting than the other books though.
February 12, 2020
Kniha pro menší ale ujde.
February 12, 2020
Packed with action
June 18, 2020
The book helps you rediscover yourself
September 17, 2020
ceritanya mau ngerjain malah ketemu misteri betulan.
kisah pasukan mau tahu selalu menghibur
kisah pasukan mau tahu selalu menghibur
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