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The New Famous Five #1
Five and the Forgotten Treasure
'A rip-roaring delight. Captures the spirit of Blyton with a fresh, fun new story.' Anna James, author of Pages and Co and Alice With a Why
Can the new Famous Five catch the thief and find the forgotten treasure before it's too late? Join the original Famous Five and a new group of children in this thrilling adventure series by bestselling author Chris Smith, inspired by Enid Blyton.
When Fran, Tom, Maddy and Gilbert the dog stay with Professor George Kirrin for the holidays, they soon find themselves caught up in a robbery of a top-secret treasure map. Professor George will have to tell them about an old case of the Famous Five if they're ever going to catch the thief and rescue the forgotten treasure...
The Famous Five by Enid Blyton was one of Chris Smith's favourite series as a child. Now, this bestselling author weaves the action, adventure and danger of this thrilling and exciting world into a brand-new story, perfect for every generation of readers, with artwork by James Lancett. Join the adventure!
Can the new Famous Five catch the thief and find the forgotten treasure before it's too late? Join the original Famous Five and a new group of children in this thrilling adventure series by bestselling author Chris Smith, inspired by Enid Blyton.
When Fran, Tom, Maddy and Gilbert the dog stay with Professor George Kirrin for the holidays, they soon find themselves caught up in a robbery of a top-secret treasure map. Professor George will have to tell them about an old case of the Famous Five if they're ever going to catch the thief and rescue the forgotten treasure...
The Famous Five by Enid Blyton was one of Chris Smith's favourite series as a child. Now, this bestselling author weaves the action, adventure and danger of this thrilling and exciting world into a brand-new story, perfect for every generation of readers, with artwork by James Lancett. Join the adventure!
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2025
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16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 3, 2024
I really appreciate that this is an attempt to reboot the Famous Five series for a modern era (huge kudos for the lack of racism and sexism) but the adventure aspect of this book fell completely flat. The charm of the original series lies in the fact that a bunch of unsupervised kids were out in the wild, living in this strange idyllic holiday space. This book just didn’t have that, it felt too connected to reality and the modern day.
July 21, 2025
Bought a paperback for my god daughter and felt I should it read it first for quality assurance and nostalgic purposes.
February 7, 2025
Although the idea of new writers taking up Enid Blyton's characters is dubious, I'm willing to read these novels with an open mind. I have said elsewhere, and I maintain it, that Pamela Cox's Malory Towers and St. Clare's continuation novels are really good, and if people didn't know they are written by a different author they might pass as part of the original series.
This one... not so much. It's not awful by any means, but it does not feel like something Enid Blyton might have written. It does make some effort to recreate some of the same sensations, but it's never really successful.
Let's see... this takes place 55 years after the original series. Maddy, Fran and Tom, along with their dog, are sent by their grandfather Dick (the one from the original Famous Five) to spend their holidays with a mysterious relative. Dick has refused to tell them anything about her so as not to 'spoil the surprise'. That relative is an old professor who lives alone in Kirrin village, and we soon realize she is none other than George, also from the original Famous Five.
Once the children get there, they soon get involved in an adventure. This adventure in modern times is related to an old adventure the original Famous Five had back in the days, and the middle part of this book is a long flashback where we are told that old adventure.
This is an interesting narrative choice, which, I suppose, could serve as an introduction to the original Famous Five for modern readers. First it introduces us to a group of modern children and then, when it's appropriate for the story, both the characters and the readers are told about an adventure the original Famous Five had.
So far so good, but there are some problems. First, the original Famous Five novels by Enid Blyton were not long (about 40K words). This one is shorter than that, around 30K words in total. About half of it is in modern times, and the other half, the middle part of the book, is the flashback with the original Famous Five. That means that each of the two interconnected stories is only about 15K words, and there's no room there for a lot of mystery or adventure, or for spending much time with the characters before the adventure. As a result, compared to the originals, the two stories are rather basic and straightforward. This happened, the characters did this and that, and it's over.
The writing style is not really the same as Enid Blyton's. While in the modern part the children, understandably, use modern expressions, in the old-time part there's some effort to reproduce the way Blyton's characters speak. Nevertheless, the style still didn't feel to me like something Blyton might have written.
The characters were OK, and I had fun reading about George as a grumpy but still adventurous old professor (even if the actual George never felt like the type who might want to follow her father's footsteps as a scientist). However, her involvement in the modern adventure had the problem that it took away some of the modern children's agency. After all, part of the fun in Blyton's novels is seeing how the children deal with the danger and the mystery on their own, and here they basically accompanied George, who, fun as she may be, is still an adult here. It's never clear what this book wants to be in its modern part, the adventure of a group of children, or adult-George's adventure with a group of young sidekicks. It feels more like the second.
In some ways, I felt that the author lacks subtlety. For example, at several points we are told that George dries tears from her eyes when making an oblique reference to Timmy. While I liked how she didn't want dogs around, because she did not feel that Timmy could be substituted, I think there are more subtle ways to portray that wistful emotion that having her repeatedly pouring tears so many decades later.
This lack of subtlety extends to the adventure and also to the style. In the words of a goodreads reviewer: "It's a nice mix of ye olde Blyton stories, with the problematic bits removed and updated for a modern audience". Oh boy, those fateful words... In this case, it seems to me that the problematic bits that offend this reviewer is that Enid Blyton often gave the leading or dangerous roles in the adventure to male characters. I do not mind that the author here reverts that by having the female children in the modern part be older and braver than their younger male sibling, but in my opinion he over-corrects when he also makes the old part George's and Anne's show. George is my favorite character of the Famous Five, and most fans of the series won't mind Anne having her moments to shine, but, again, more balance and subtlety would not be amiss.
I tried to read this with an open mind, and I left with some mixed feelings. I thought it was OK, and I'm not sorry I read it, but I never felt this was something more than a decent fan-fiction.
At the end of the book, a second book in the series is announced: "The New Famous Five will return in Five and the Smuggler's Code".
This one... not so much. It's not awful by any means, but it does not feel like something Enid Blyton might have written. It does make some effort to recreate some of the same sensations, but it's never really successful.
Let's see... this takes place 55 years after the original series. Maddy, Fran and Tom, along with their dog, are sent by their grandfather Dick (the one from the original Famous Five) to spend their holidays with a mysterious relative. Dick has refused to tell them anything about her so as not to 'spoil the surprise'. That relative is an old professor who lives alone in Kirrin village, and we soon realize she is none other than George, also from the original Famous Five.
Once the children get there, they soon get involved in an adventure. This adventure in modern times is related to an old adventure the original Famous Five had back in the days, and the middle part of this book is a long flashback where we are told that old adventure.
This is an interesting narrative choice, which, I suppose, could serve as an introduction to the original Famous Five for modern readers. First it introduces us to a group of modern children and then, when it's appropriate for the story, both the characters and the readers are told about an adventure the original Famous Five had.
So far so good, but there are some problems. First, the original Famous Five novels by Enid Blyton were not long (about 40K words). This one is shorter than that, around 30K words in total. About half of it is in modern times, and the other half, the middle part of the book, is the flashback with the original Famous Five. That means that each of the two interconnected stories is only about 15K words, and there's no room there for a lot of mystery or adventure, or for spending much time with the characters before the adventure. As a result, compared to the originals, the two stories are rather basic and straightforward. This happened, the characters did this and that, and it's over.
The writing style is not really the same as Enid Blyton's. While in the modern part the children, understandably, use modern expressions, in the old-time part there's some effort to reproduce the way Blyton's characters speak. Nevertheless, the style still didn't feel to me like something Blyton might have written.
The characters were OK, and I had fun reading about George as a grumpy but still adventurous old professor (even if the actual George never felt like the type who might want to follow her father's footsteps as a scientist). However, her involvement in the modern adventure had the problem that it took away some of the modern children's agency. After all, part of the fun in Blyton's novels is seeing how the children deal with the danger and the mystery on their own, and here they basically accompanied George, who, fun as she may be, is still an adult here. It's never clear what this book wants to be in its modern part, the adventure of a group of children, or adult-George's adventure with a group of young sidekicks. It feels more like the second.
In some ways, I felt that the author lacks subtlety. For example, at several points we are told that George dries tears from her eyes when making an oblique reference to Timmy. While I liked how she didn't want dogs around, because she did not feel that Timmy could be substituted, I think there are more subtle ways to portray that wistful emotion that having her repeatedly pouring tears so many decades later.
This lack of subtlety extends to the adventure and also to the style. In the words of a goodreads reviewer: "It's a nice mix of ye olde Blyton stories, with the problematic bits removed and updated for a modern audience". Oh boy, those fateful words... In this case, it seems to me that the problematic bits that offend this reviewer is that Enid Blyton often gave the leading or dangerous roles in the adventure to male characters. I do not mind that the author here reverts that by having the female children in the modern part be older and braver than their younger male sibling, but in my opinion he over-corrects when he also makes the old part George's and Anne's show. George is my favorite character of the Famous Five, and most fans of the series won't mind Anne having her moments to shine, but, again, more balance and subtlety would not be amiss.
I tried to read this with an open mind, and I left with some mixed feelings. I thought it was OK, and I'm not sorry I read it, but I never felt this was something more than a decent fan-fiction.
At the end of the book, a second book in the series is announced: "The New Famous Five will return in Five and the Smuggler's Code".
December 25, 2024
As a child, I devoured the entire Famous Five series and often daydreamed about embarking on adventures of my own. I think the Famous Five were the books that really got me into reading. I’d also read the newer versions written by French author Claude Voilier which really kept close to the spirit of the original books. At the time, I didn’t even know which were the originals and which were the new versions! So I was happy to hear that a brand new series was coming out!
In this new version of the Famous Five, the children and their dog are not the same as the originals, though there is a connection between the two generations. Some familiar faces, such as George, make an appearance early on, and seeing her as an adult scientist still filled with a sense of adventure was lovely.
One small downside for me was the story within a story. A flashback to events from 50 years ago was an interesting touch, but I found myself wishing for a more nostalgic feel—perhaps a tale that more closely mirrored the adventures of the original Famous Five.
That said, I’m excited to see where this new series goes. It’s a great alternative for modern-day children, and it is still filled with treasure hunts and mystery maps. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for further titles!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This is my honest opinion of the book.
In this new version of the Famous Five, the children and their dog are not the same as the originals, though there is a connection between the two generations. Some familiar faces, such as George, make an appearance early on, and seeing her as an adult scientist still filled with a sense of adventure was lovely.
One small downside for me was the story within a story. A flashback to events from 50 years ago was an interesting touch, but I found myself wishing for a more nostalgic feel—perhaps a tale that more closely mirrored the adventures of the original Famous Five.
That said, I’m excited to see where this new series goes. It’s a great alternative for modern-day children, and it is still filled with treasure hunts and mystery maps. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for further titles!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This is my honest opinion of the book.
January 25, 2025
Five and the Forgotten Treasure by Chris Smith, is the first book in The new Five series and these books have been brought up to date and they have given us an exciting adventure, and with a new group of children, When I was a child I adored the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton and read them several times with my 3 sisters, they were our go to books. So I was so glad they have been updated.
This book is Brilliant and I am back in my childhood bedroom with my sisters re-reading these books all over again!
But this time I am reading this with my nephew O, we both enjoyed reading Five and the Forgotten Treasure together especially as it helped O read out aloud to me and his mum. It was a great read and a kick start for a new generation of readers and a great introduction to Enid Blyton in this a modern world. Thank you Chris x
Fran, Tom, Maddy and Gilbert the dog stay with Professor George Kirrin for the holidays, they soon find themselves caught up in a robbery of a top-secret treasure map. Professor George will have to tell them about an old case of the Famous Five if they're ever going to catch the thief and rescue the forgotten treasure. . . . . . . .
I highly recommend this new series and O loved it and just started to read the very first Famous Five books.
Big Thank you NetGalley and Hodder Children's Books for this eCopy.
This book is Brilliant and I am back in my childhood bedroom with my sisters re-reading these books all over again!
But this time I am reading this with my nephew O, we both enjoyed reading Five and the Forgotten Treasure together especially as it helped O read out aloud to me and his mum. It was a great read and a kick start for a new generation of readers and a great introduction to Enid Blyton in this a modern world. Thank you Chris x
Fran, Tom, Maddy and Gilbert the dog stay with Professor George Kirrin for the holidays, they soon find themselves caught up in a robbery of a top-secret treasure map. Professor George will have to tell them about an old case of the Famous Five if they're ever going to catch the thief and rescue the forgotten treasure. . . . . . . .
I highly recommend this new series and O loved it and just started to read the very first Famous Five books.
Big Thank you NetGalley and Hodder Children's Books for this eCopy.
January 23, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Hodder Children's Books for this eCopy to review
Five and the Forgotten Treasure by Chris Smith is a delightful and thrilling adventure that brings a fresh twist to the beloved Famous Five series by Enid Blyton. The story follows Fran, Tom, Maddy, and their dog Gilbert as they spend the holidays at Kirrin Cottage with their cousin, Professor George Kirrin.
The adventure kicks off when a top-secret treasure map goes missing, and a mysterious man bursts into George's study with a wooden club. The children must use their wits and bravery to catch the thief and save Kirrin Island from thieves.
Smith masterfully captures the essence of Blyton's classic storytelling while updating it for modern readers. The prose is brisk and engaging, filled with suspense and excitement. The characters are well-developed, each bringing their unique strengths to the team. Maddy's map-reading skills and Anne's detective instincts stand out, making the group a formidable force against the villain.
The book is a perfect blend of nostalgia and new adventures, appealing to both fans of the original series and new readers alike. The plot twists are clever and keep the reader on their toes, making it a page-turner from start to finish.
Five and the Forgotten Treasure by Chris Smith is a delightful and thrilling adventure that brings a fresh twist to the beloved Famous Five series by Enid Blyton. The story follows Fran, Tom, Maddy, and their dog Gilbert as they spend the holidays at Kirrin Cottage with their cousin, Professor George Kirrin.
The adventure kicks off when a top-secret treasure map goes missing, and a mysterious man bursts into George's study with a wooden club. The children must use their wits and bravery to catch the thief and save Kirrin Island from thieves.
Smith masterfully captures the essence of Blyton's classic storytelling while updating it for modern readers. The prose is brisk and engaging, filled with suspense and excitement. The characters are well-developed, each bringing their unique strengths to the team. Maddy's map-reading skills and Anne's detective instincts stand out, making the group a formidable force against the villain.
The book is a perfect blend of nostalgia and new adventures, appealing to both fans of the original series and new readers alike. The plot twists are clever and keep the reader on their toes, making it a page-turner from start to finish.
February 13, 2025
Five and the Forgotten Treasure was a book that my daughter, aged 10, enjoyed and as a way to introduce children to Enid Blyton it will probably be successful. Certainly, as we finished, she wanted to read some more Famous Five (we have all the Secret Seven, so it reignited her interest in that!). I can understand that if you were a fan when you were a kid why you’d want your kids to read this, it avoids some of the dodgy ideas of Blyton but has lashings of good clean fun where children fight against the baddies and win. I was more of a Mallory Towers girl myself so I’m not exactly the target audience and I do wonder if there really is a place for Enid Blyton anymore and if this kind of thing is really necessary. As it is, she already has a room of books, good, interesting books that are written by people who are not celebrities or jumping on someone else’s fame. As an adult this left me cold, with too many plot holes and not enough tying up at the end. So, I’d say buy it for your kids if they are a voracious reader but perhaps let them read it on their own?
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for giving me an ecopy of this novel in exchange for a honest review.
My daughter's rating was five stars and mine three so I've split the difference.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for giving me an ecopy of this novel in exchange for a honest review.
My daughter's rating was five stars and mine three so I've split the difference.
January 25, 2026
Five & The Forgotten Treasure by Chris Smith is a marvellous children’s book and just perfect for eight years and older. It is the first book in a brand-new series called The New Famous Five which promises to be fabulous.
I grew up on Enid Blyton’s original Famous Five books so I was excited to read this new version. Of the original famous five, we meet George who is now a professor. Just like her father.
The book is set fifty-five-years after the original. We meet three new children and their dog who go to stay with George. She is the cousin of their grandpa Dick who was in the original series.
A new adventure awaits but it is linked to an old one, fifty-five-years ago. Blending old and new, Chris Smith has created the perfect tale for old and new readers alike.
There is a feeling of familiarity to the book as locations, as well as characters, are familiar. There are picnics and lashings of ginger beer – a nod to the originals.
The book is simply, but effectively, illustrated by James Lancett.
Five & The Forgotten Treasure is a wonderful book introducing a new generation of readers to a tried and tested set of characters and adventures. I look forward to more books in the series.
I grew up on Enid Blyton’s original Famous Five books so I was excited to read this new version. Of the original famous five, we meet George who is now a professor. Just like her father.
The book is set fifty-five-years after the original. We meet three new children and their dog who go to stay with George. She is the cousin of their grandpa Dick who was in the original series.
A new adventure awaits but it is linked to an old one, fifty-five-years ago. Blending old and new, Chris Smith has created the perfect tale for old and new readers alike.
There is a feeling of familiarity to the book as locations, as well as characters, are familiar. There are picnics and lashings of ginger beer – a nod to the originals.
The book is simply, but effectively, illustrated by James Lancett.
Five & The Forgotten Treasure is a wonderful book introducing a new generation of readers to a tried and tested set of characters and adventures. I look forward to more books in the series.
February 5, 2025
I was obsessed with The Famous Five when I was younger and my eldest daughter (who happens to be named after my favourite character, George!) is just starting to enjoy the series too. So I was super excited for this book and it did not disappoint!
The story begins with siblings Maddy, Fran, Tom and their dog Gilbert, arriving in Kirrin to stay with George, who is now a professor carrying out strange experiments just like her father.
On the children's first night at the cottage they are dragged into adventure as a man breaks in to steal George's sea chart of Kirrin Island. To help the children understand why the man has taken the map, George tells them of an adventure that happened 55 years ago. This story within the story was a nostalgic treat as it reintroduced the original five on an adventure involving smugglers and buried treasure.
I loved the way this book combined the original Famous Five with the new modern day characters. The adventure was fast-paced and thrilling without being overly scary for children.
A fun, nostalgic read for grown-up fans of The Famous Five, and a wholesome adventure story for younger readers.
The story begins with siblings Maddy, Fran, Tom and their dog Gilbert, arriving in Kirrin to stay with George, who is now a professor carrying out strange experiments just like her father.
On the children's first night at the cottage they are dragged into adventure as a man breaks in to steal George's sea chart of Kirrin Island. To help the children understand why the man has taken the map, George tells them of an adventure that happened 55 years ago. This story within the story was a nostalgic treat as it reintroduced the original five on an adventure involving smugglers and buried treasure.
I loved the way this book combined the original Famous Five with the new modern day characters. The adventure was fast-paced and thrilling without being overly scary for children.
A fun, nostalgic read for grown-up fans of The Famous Five, and a wholesome adventure story for younger readers.
March 10, 2025
So, who was going to tell me there was a new Famous Five book?! I stumbled across this in asda living, and I HAD to have it! I grew up reading and loving the Famous Five, feeling like I spent my weekends at Kirrin Village myself. So what was it like coming back? Let's get into the review.
🏝
I won't lie, as excited as I was to read this, i was a bit hesitant and worried, would this new author be able to make new readers love The Famous Five and Kirrin? And could they make an older fan still feel the same? The answer is simply yes.
🏝
Three siblings, Maddy, Fran, Tom and their dog, Gilbert, are sent to Kirrin Village by their grandfather, Julian, to stay at Kirrin Cottage, and the Professor, who turns out to be George (NEVER Georgina!) from the original Five, and it's not long before bad guys show up, and it's adventure time once again at Kirrin!
🏝
The book jumps from the current day to fifty-five years prior, linking a past mystery and present-day mystery together.
The book was a perfect mix of Enid Blyton, and Chris Smith, and I'm excited for a new generation to fall in love with The Famous Five, and i cannot wait for the next installment.
🏝
🏝
I won't lie, as excited as I was to read this, i was a bit hesitant and worried, would this new author be able to make new readers love The Famous Five and Kirrin? And could they make an older fan still feel the same? The answer is simply yes.
🏝
Three siblings, Maddy, Fran, Tom and their dog, Gilbert, are sent to Kirrin Village by their grandfather, Julian, to stay at Kirrin Cottage, and the Professor, who turns out to be George (NEVER Georgina!) from the original Five, and it's not long before bad guys show up, and it's adventure time once again at Kirrin!
🏝
The book jumps from the current day to fifty-five years prior, linking a past mystery and present-day mystery together.
The book was a perfect mix of Enid Blyton, and Chris Smith, and I'm excited for a new generation to fall in love with The Famous Five, and i cannot wait for the next installment.
🏝
August 16, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Having read the original series as I was growing up—and falling in love with the characters—it was a real treat to see a new group of children introduced in an updated version. And it doesn’t disappoint.
This is a perfect read for a new generation, offering the same sense of adventure and mystery that so many of us grew up with.
When Fran, Tom, Maddy, and Gilbert the dog go to stay with Professor George Kirrin for the holidays, things don’t start off well. The Professor isn’t keen on having Gilbert in the house and sees the children as a distraction from her work. But soon everything changes when they become caught up in the robbery of a top-secret treasure map.
To help them, Professor George shares an old case from the days of the Famous Five—knowledge they’ll need if they’re going to catch the thief and rescue the long-forgotten treasure.
If you have children who are of reading age, I highly recommend this. The original series helped spark my love of reading—who knows, this one might just inspire your young ones too.
This is a perfect read for a new generation, offering the same sense of adventure and mystery that so many of us grew up with.
When Fran, Tom, Maddy, and Gilbert the dog go to stay with Professor George Kirrin for the holidays, things don’t start off well. The Professor isn’t keen on having Gilbert in the house and sees the children as a distraction from her work. But soon everything changes when they become caught up in the robbery of a top-secret treasure map.
To help them, Professor George shares an old case from the days of the Famous Five—knowledge they’ll need if they’re going to catch the thief and rescue the long-forgotten treasure.
If you have children who are of reading age, I highly recommend this. The original series helped spark my love of reading—who knows, this one might just inspire your young ones too.
January 11, 2025
I was a little hesitant about a reboot of The Famous Five, especially being brought up to date, but this couldn't have been more perfect! Three children are sent to holiday with a hitherto unknown relative and get tangled up in righting a 50yo wrong.
It sublimely weaves the old stories into a new story so that nothing seems out of place. I hope there are many more to enjoy,after this glorious start.
It sublimely weaves the old stories into a new story so that nothing seems out of place. I hope there are many more to enjoy,after this glorious start.
January 13, 2025
The famous five are back, but in a modern world. It was a good story and liked the link between the old famous five to the new age one, but it lacked adventure for me. It had the mystery that the children had to solve, but it was lacking for me. I would have wanted to see the new five to more, but I suspect that will come in the next book. It would appeal to children and I would recommend it. 3.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy,
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy,
January 29, 2025
I was given early access to read this on NetGalley
Very nostalgic and I'm so happy that I read it. I am an old school Famous Five lover and it was so good! Obviously I'm a lot older now so the plot is not as deep as I thought it would be - but for the age range of the book, it's perfect!
I LOVE how it shows the past and present and how those link together. Loved seeing all the older characters as well as new ones.
Very nostalgic and I'm so happy that I read it. I am an old school Famous Five lover and it was so good! Obviously I'm a lot older now so the plot is not as deep as I thought it would be - but for the age range of the book, it's perfect!
I LOVE how it shows the past and present and how those link together. Loved seeing all the older characters as well as new ones.
December 30, 2024
What a throwback to The Famous Five from my childhood! New characters are off on an adventure, skillfully aided by a familiar face. It has all of the usual: picnics, dogs, mystery, adults doing things they shouldn't be doing and plans. A brilliant story for fans of the originals and I'm positive it will encourage new readers to pick up the old stories.
January 11, 2025
Loved the Famous Five as a child and Chris Smith’s nostalgic blast from the past is fabulous. I really enjoyed the clever link to the original series, the familiar setting and characters alongside a host of new explorers. A great story, felt a tad rushed at the end so not a perfect 5 stars for me but one I know that lots of children will enjoy reading.
January 31, 2025
Rating: 3.75-4/5 ⭐
Review:
✨Thank you to Hachette Children’s Group and NetGalley for this ARC! This review was voluntarily written by me.
✨Inspired by Enid Blyton and set a few decades after the original series, the story is about the new generation of Famous Five solving a mystery that is a continuation of an old case of the Famous Five.
✨I think I read several Malay translations of Famous Five during my childhood but I don’t remember the stories. So, I read this book with an open mind.
✨In terms of writing, it is good for me and suits the targeted audience. Plot-wise, the story is good with the mystery and adventure, but I am ambivalent about the flashback.
✨I understand that the flashback part is to link the old and new Famous Five and to get the new kids to understand what is happening, but I still think the flashback part is a little bit too long for me.
✨The ending makes me wonder if there is any second book in the near future?
✨Currently, the link between the old and new Famous Five is Professor George or George. However, I see her as more of a mentor figure in the group. Hence, I actually prefer that another cousin become another part of the new team in the future. But, this is only my opinion.
✨Plus, I also want to see Julian, Anne, and Dick in the next sequel please…*insert pleading eyes*
✨I do recommend this story for anyone who wants to read an adventure story but in my opinion it's still a gentle one.
✨Lastly, can you guess who Fran, Tom, and Maddy’s grandparent is?
Review:
✨Thank you to Hachette Children’s Group and NetGalley for this ARC! This review was voluntarily written by me.
✨Inspired by Enid Blyton and set a few decades after the original series, the story is about the new generation of Famous Five solving a mystery that is a continuation of an old case of the Famous Five.
✨I think I read several Malay translations of Famous Five during my childhood but I don’t remember the stories. So, I read this book with an open mind.
✨In terms of writing, it is good for me and suits the targeted audience. Plot-wise, the story is good with the mystery and adventure, but I am ambivalent about the flashback.
✨I understand that the flashback part is to link the old and new Famous Five and to get the new kids to understand what is happening, but I still think the flashback part is a little bit too long for me.
✨The ending makes me wonder if there is any second book in the near future?
✨Currently, the link between the old and new Famous Five is Professor George or George. However, I see her as more of a mentor figure in the group. Hence, I actually prefer that another cousin become another part of the new team in the future. But, this is only my opinion.
✨Plus, I also want to see Julian, Anne, and Dick in the next sequel please…*insert pleading eyes*
✨I do recommend this story for anyone who wants to read an adventure story but in my opinion it's still a gentle one.
✨Lastly, can you guess who Fran, Tom, and Maddy’s grandparent is?
January 27, 2026
3.5 stars. This didn’t quite live up to the original novels (outdated language aside), but in all fairness this is only the first instalment in what is obviously going to be a series.
That being said, this was still enjoyable with a couple of twists that I didn’t see coming and which promise exciting adventures ahead!
That being said, this was still enjoyable with a couple of twists that I didn’t see coming and which promise exciting adventures ahead!
January 18, 2025
Loved this
It's a nice mix of ye olde Blyton stories, with the problematic bits removed and updated for a modern audience
This would be lovely for a parent/grandparent, who grew up with the originals, to read to their kid/grandkid
It's a nice mix of ye olde Blyton stories, with the problematic bits removed and updated for a modern audience
This would be lovely for a parent/grandparent, who grew up with the originals, to read to their kid/grandkid
March 14, 2025
3.75 stars. Lots of fun and nostalgia!
January 26, 2025
When Fran, Tom, Maddy and Gilbert the dog go to stay with Professor George Kirrin for the holidays, they are not prepared for the adventures they are about to face. Finding themselves caught up in the theft of a treasure map, they soon find out that the professor has an interesting past, one that also involved their grandfather. In order to solve the mystery, the children must find out about an old problem faced by the Famous Five and how it links to what is happening to them now.
Growing up, Enid Blyton was my favourite author and so I was immediately drawn to this new Famous Five series, inspired by the originals. I was happy to see that the author has not merely written a book featuring the same characters but has, instead, set this in the present day with brand new protagonists, albeit the grandchildren of one of the original five. I did like the inclusion of George Kirrin, however, providing a link back to the stories that we all know and love.
This is written very much in the vein of Enid Blyton’s classics with the children undertaking a dangerous adventure, using their wits to try to outsmart the adults who are definitely on the wrong side of the law! The inclusion of the original characters in a flashback was a nice touch and, hopefully, will encourage new readers to look up copies of the older books.
This brought back lots of memories and I will definitely be reading the rest of this new series.
Growing up, Enid Blyton was my favourite author and so I was immediately drawn to this new Famous Five series, inspired by the originals. I was happy to see that the author has not merely written a book featuring the same characters but has, instead, set this in the present day with brand new protagonists, albeit the grandchildren of one of the original five. I did like the inclusion of George Kirrin, however, providing a link back to the stories that we all know and love.
This is written very much in the vein of Enid Blyton’s classics with the children undertaking a dangerous adventure, using their wits to try to outsmart the adults who are definitely on the wrong side of the law! The inclusion of the original characters in a flashback was a nice touch and, hopefully, will encourage new readers to look up copies of the older books.
This brought back lots of memories and I will definitely be reading the rest of this new series.
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