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The Secret of the Mermaid's Treasure
A holiday in Cornwall turns into an unexpected adventure when Jo, Sarah and Andrew Lawrence discover an old manuscript containing a strange riddle. The Lawrences join forces with newly-found Cornish friends to try and solve the riddle. But they soon realize that there are enemies about, and they must fight to outwit the opposition, as the treasure hunt hots up. Clues lead them through a chain of Cornish villages; standing stones; amazing coastlines and beaches. But the race is on to reach the treasure first...if they can only solve the riddle and outwit their enemies...
238 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 28, 2015
A Delightful Mystery That Ends Too Soon!
There is only one flaw in Julian Barritt’s “The Secret of the Mermaid’s Treasure” – it ends!
The Secret of the Mermaid’s Treasure is an enchanting, entertaining read with brilliant characters, plot, and action showcased in a delightful setting.
Siblings Sara, Jo, and Andrew Lawrence make plans for a summer camping expedition at their uncle’s farm. Antique shop owner Meg Lewis accidentally leaves an old book on the train and Sarah and Jo discover an old parchment letter in it with a drawing of a mermaid.
Sara and Jo intend to give their find back to Mrs. Lewis. However, when they get to her shop – she is gone. Keeping the shop open for her are her nieces Mary and Hazel Bailey. When they read the parchment dated 1757, Mary and Hazel leap to the same conclusion that Sara and Jo already have: the letter contains clues to a hidden treasure. They must find it!
The five young friends take to their bikes and research libraries, museums, an art gallery and a church in an attempt to discover the secret of the mermaid and recover hidden treasure.
The hunt becomes complicated and dangerous when a criminal element and a bird-watching woman who is really watching them conspire together to find out what they know about the treasure and to follow them. From a string trap around their tents that trips a badger, to getting locked up in a mine shaft, the action and adventure never stop and the spark of interest that attracts the reader never falters.
Is there really a treasure? Are mermaids real? Jo thinks he took a picture of one. Will the five young detectives outsmart the birdwatcher and the criminal who are attempting to stop them?
My only regret in having read this delightful mystery is that I felt sad and lonely when it ended. I wanted to stay in the delightful world the author created for his young heroes.
There is only one flaw in Julian Barritt’s “The Secret of the Mermaid’s Treasure” – it ends!
The Secret of the Mermaid’s Treasure is an enchanting, entertaining read with brilliant characters, plot, and action showcased in a delightful setting.
Siblings Sara, Jo, and Andrew Lawrence make plans for a summer camping expedition at their uncle’s farm. Antique shop owner Meg Lewis accidentally leaves an old book on the train and Sarah and Jo discover an old parchment letter in it with a drawing of a mermaid.
Sara and Jo intend to give their find back to Mrs. Lewis. However, when they get to her shop – she is gone. Keeping the shop open for her are her nieces Mary and Hazel Bailey. When they read the parchment dated 1757, Mary and Hazel leap to the same conclusion that Sara and Jo already have: the letter contains clues to a hidden treasure. They must find it!
The five young friends take to their bikes and research libraries, museums, an art gallery and a church in an attempt to discover the secret of the mermaid and recover hidden treasure.
The hunt becomes complicated and dangerous when a criminal element and a bird-watching woman who is really watching them conspire together to find out what they know about the treasure and to follow them. From a string trap around their tents that trips a badger, to getting locked up in a mine shaft, the action and adventure never stop and the spark of interest that attracts the reader never falters.
Is there really a treasure? Are mermaids real? Jo thinks he took a picture of one. Will the five young detectives outsmart the birdwatcher and the criminal who are attempting to stop them?
My only regret in having read this delightful mystery is that I felt sad and lonely when it ended. I wanted to stay in the delightful world the author created for his young heroes.
May 5, 2013
I obtained this book as a free kindle download, but now it has been published in paperback form. I quite liked it. Written in the way of an Enid Blyton story, it's a good old-fashioned type mystery that takes place in Cornwell among the rugged scenery and picturesque towns, and includes century old secrets. Not to say that the story is old-fashioned because it isn't. My one complaint is that there were many typos and apparently the author forgot the name of the police officer because after first naming him, every other reference to him had a blank in the sentence. Hopefully the paperback book had some editing done before printing. That being said, the story itself had a great plot, well-defined characters, danger, great scenery, and the story was sufficiently tied together by the end.
Teenaged siblings Andrew, Sarah, and Jo Lawrence travel to Cornwall for a camping trip on their uncle's farm. On the way they meet Mrs. Lewis, who accidentally leaves behind an ancient book with a cryptic letter written in the 18th century inside hinting at a treasure. They become friends with Mrs. Lewis' two nieces and the five set out to follow the clues in the letter to a possible treasure. However, they aren't the only ones looking for the treasure; a ruthless man is dogging their every step. It's a race to see who can figure out the clues and get to the treasure first!
Teenaged siblings Andrew, Sarah, and Jo Lawrence travel to Cornwall for a camping trip on their uncle's farm. On the way they meet Mrs. Lewis, who accidentally leaves behind an ancient book with a cryptic letter written in the 18th century inside hinting at a treasure. They become friends with Mrs. Lewis' two nieces and the five set out to follow the clues in the letter to a possible treasure. However, they aren't the only ones looking for the treasure; a ruthless man is dogging their every step. It's a race to see who can figure out the clues and get to the treasure first!
August 13, 2021
3.5 enjoyable mystery in the vein of Blyton, though modernised. Luckily the 5 (Andy, Sarah, Jo and their friends Mary and Hazel) are in Cornwall where mobile signal is rubbish apparently, so this didn't affect the story too much.
The 5 kids are on the hunt for a mysterious treasure guarded by a Mermaid after they discover a strange old parchment. Someone else seems to be after the same thing though, and the kids are determined to figure out the secret before the enemy does. Some pretty good scenes which include being trapped in a mine, and most of Jo's scenes. More adult interaction than is usual in these types of books. Needs a bit more editing for spelling and grammar, but nothing too jarring. Very enjoyable and nice characters
The 5 kids are on the hunt for a mysterious treasure guarded by a Mermaid after they discover a strange old parchment. Someone else seems to be after the same thing though, and the kids are determined to figure out the secret before the enemy does. Some pretty good scenes which include being trapped in a mine, and most of Jo's scenes. More adult interaction than is usual in these types of books. Needs a bit more editing for spelling and grammar, but nothing too jarring. Very enjoyable and nice characters
February 20, 2015
A modern children’s adventure reminiscent of those of the Famous Five.
A chance meeting on a train, a manuscript and a mermaid motivate five intrepid detectives to set out on a quest for hidden treasure.
They logically follow each clue to its ultimate conclusion whilst evading other interested parties out to sabotage their efforts.
The jaunty banter keeps the mood upbeat whilst simultaneously adding humour.
The credible characters and the stunning Cornish scenery give this splendid yarn depth and realism.
A chance meeting on a train, a manuscript and a mermaid motivate five intrepid detectives to set out on a quest for hidden treasure.
They logically follow each clue to its ultimate conclusion whilst evading other interested parties out to sabotage their efforts.
The jaunty banter keeps the mood upbeat whilst simultaneously adding humour.
The credible characters and the stunning Cornish scenery give this splendid yarn depth and realism.
January 7, 2016
I loved this. Read it awhile ago and posted my review on Amazon, I think.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews