Shock for the Secret Seven

The Secret Seven #13

by Enid Blyton

Product Condition: Yellow Pages.

Genres: Childrens, Mystery, Fiction, Adventure, Young Adult, Classics, Middle Grade

140 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

See 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

Reviews

[Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is 13 actually an unlucky number? The debate regarding the superstition associated with 13 won't end soon. But the number 13 was indeed an unlucky number for the secret seven.

This 13th book of the series is where the unthinkable happens when Peter and Jack have a big argument, resulting in Jack's resignation from the squad. The Secret Seven becomes Secret Six here. Moreover, to make things worse, Scamper and many other dogs in the locality go missing.

Is this the end of the Secret Seven? What will happen to Jack? Will they find Scamper? The author answers all these questions through this book.
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[David Sarkies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scamper Goes Missing!
4 November 2015

Well, fortunately there is only one more Secret Seven (and one more Famous Five) book for me to read so I guess I should be looking forward to the fact that I don't have to read any more Enid Blyton books (and can start churning into some other books that I have been itching to read for a while, such as Red Dwarf). Don't get me wrong, I have really enjoyed my travel back in time by rereading these books that I read when I was a kid (though with these Secret Seven books it is the first time that I have read them – I only had the first three when I was a kid), however I guess I'm starting to get a little bit over them by now (and I've still got a heap of Fighting Fantasy books to get through as well).

Anyway, there happens to be a dog thief on the prowl, and as can be expected he is only going after pedigree breeds (namely because mutts are pretty worthless, though I'm sure there is a dog show somewhere that showcases mutts, but the fact that I haven't heard about it – actually I can't think of any dog show, except for maybe Crufts, and I only know that from an episode of the Goodies). As it turns out little Scamper happens to be a pedigree, so the Secret Seven are all worried that he is going to go missing – which he does.

There is a little bit of a problem though – Jack has quit so the Secret Seven are one short, which doesn't matter all that much because they can still used their SS logo (for the Secret Six). This happens pretty much right at the beginning, and unlike a lot of the other Secret Seven books this one seems to jump straight into the action with dogs going missing all over the village, a mysterious man in big boots, and of course the mystery as to how this guy managed to get Scamper without the dog making a single noise.

Of course everything works out in the end, the Secret Seven solve their mystery (and as you can probably guess, the fact that Jack has actually left the group sets it up for him to work everything out) and they end up getting Scamper back. Mind you, the twist at the end was a little hard to swallow, but then Enid Blyton is writing a mystery book for kids, and this little plot point probably serves to throw both us, the reader, as well as the Secret Seven (and the police) off the scent of the bad guy. Anyway, it probably doesn't matter if we work it out before they do because it isn't as if we could jump into the book and tell them.

[Shreyas · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Shock for the Secret Seven' (The Secret Seven #13) by Enid Blyton.


Rating: 4.5/5.


Status: Definitely a first read. I don't recall reading this particular book during my childhood. [I had first read some of the Secret Seven books about 20 years ago. At present, I'm not sure which of these I had read earlier and which I haven't.]


Review:
Loved it! This book was perfect for various reasons.

Although the culprit was obvious, the plot was interesting enough more for the journey rather than the destination.

Every single member of the Secret Seven gets to shine in this book. Colin, who has mostly been overshadowed by the other boys in the stories so far, gets a solo adventure of his own while trying to tail a probable culprit. And it was got to see Pam and Barbara doing some snooping around for the Secret Seven.

The book is aptly named Shock for the Secret Seven' as Scamper becomes the latest victim of a dog-thief. But above all, it should have been called - 'Secret Seven: Civil War'.


‘I’ll glare at you all I like!’ said Peter. ‘I tell you, you don’t deserve to be . . .’
‘All right, all right. You’ve said that already,’ said Jack, glaring back. ‘If I don’t deserve to belong, I won’t belong! I’ll resign! I’ll walk out! Here’s my badge—take it, or I’ll throw it away. I don’t want it any more. I can’t help having a sister like Susie, can I? Well—now you can be the Secret Six! Goodbye!’


Although it is heart-shattering to see the members of the Secret Seven Society quarrelling, it was quite satisfying to see someone (Jack in this case) growing a spine and giving it back to Peter. Peter is a good lad, but he sometimes is bossy and a control freak. It was good to see Jack tear him down for raging over things Jack couldn't control.

But no, that's not all. After a couple of meetings after the one mentioned above, George too gives it back to Peter.


‘Oh, do shut up, George,’ said Peter. ‘I’m doing the talking. You can make your comments later.’
‘Ha ha!’ said George, in a hollow kind of voice. ‘You’ve gone all high and mighty now. “Make your comments!” Who’s going to propose a vote of thanks today, Peter? And is anyone going to...’


You go, Jack and George. Kudos to standing up for yourselves and not blindly following your leader.

In the end, the story was interesting because of emotions running high among the Secret Seven members. And when Scamper gets stolen, the mission gets too personal for them to dwell further on these petty arguments. Jack, in the end, gets his moment of glory over the Secret Six (yeah, you read that right) by acting out on his own and solving the mystery.

Apart from all these, I found the ending to be the best one. When Shadow the dog finally meets his master, Matt the shepherd, that was the best way to end a book. *chef's kiss*



Disclaimer: Ratings reflect the enjoyability factor of these books considering they are intended mostly for children. Not to be compared with my ratings and reviews for books primarily intended for YA and adults.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every great dictatorship must topple. So it was for the Soviet Union, so it is for Peter's iron-clad ruling of the Secret Seven. After a particularly nasty display of autocracy from Peter, Jack finally throws in the towel and quits the club, presumably so he can grow as a person and find some independence. Maybe that's the reason Suzie is the only one with any spunk in these books, because she is not under the poisonous authority of Peter, it really is the only way to go.

This was a great start to the book and sadly a plot-line which wasn't followed through with as much as I would have liked. Let me take the reins for a second Enid, we could have had a coup rise up among the remaining members who are intent to topple Peter from his position of power. Meanwhile Jack and Suzie start their own club and war rages across the village as the two institutions battle it out. Oh well, that one might be regulated to fanfic.org for now.

I really did like this book, just a few continuity mistakes I noticed... why are you having ice creams in the snow, you will catch your deaths. Peter says they have never gone up against a dog thief before, clearly having forgotten doing exactly that in 'Go Ahead Secret Seven'. The spelling of Binky's name changes from book to book. That old lady (can't remember her name) is terrified of dogs one minute and brings titbits for Scamper the next. You need to fire your proofreader.

Loved in none the less.

[Maria Carmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an anguishing story, when one by one all the best and most valuable dogs start getting stolen, including good old Scamper!
Jack helps to solve the mystery...

Maria Carmo,

Lisbon 16 January 2020.

[Saino · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4

The story takes time to pick up but I am sure it is promising
It takes about 60 pages to get intresting so you need to have patience while reading it
It's about dogs getting stolen
Recommended for age of 12-15
It will be nice experience while reading it

[Reyansh Passari · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an amazing book to read. I felt sad when Scamper got stolen and everybody else's dog.

[Jake Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series has hit the doldrums a couple of books sooner than I expected. The narrative is slow, rambling and meandering, which I suspect mirrors the state of poor old Enid Blyton's mind as she nears the end of her life. The detective skills of the gang (and the police, quite frankly) have never been so conspicuous by their absence.

The only reason I am not giving this book one star is that it contains a long overdue event in the Secret Seven saga - Jack (who has always been the only decent character and has more balls and gumption than the rest of them put together) finally stands up to Peter's fussy, totalitarian ways and leaves the club, only to go off and solve the mystery on his own.

The fact that there is no action from Jack between storming out of the shed and tying up the threads of the mystery is a shame - I would have preferred to see the story written from Jack's point of view, and also twenty years earlier, then it probably would have earned four stars!

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Famous Five and Secret Seven about the same time. I do not know if it is just me, but I found the Secret Seven mysteries to be a bit more mysterious… if you know what I mean.
But yes, all the early lessons I have learnt about friendships and life are from reading Enid Blyton Books early on. So I thoroughly encourage all children to read them. It is like passing a passage of life and the secret seven series is no different.

[Sean Harding · Rating 2 out of 5]

More adventure and mystery from the seven youngsters here as the series begins to look tired and old - this time dognappers and Scamper is at risk. Oh no - and why is Scamper not a member of the group but Timmy a member of the five? He must not be a member of the union perhaps. Anyway - the usual formula is followed here pretty much to precision even to the password saga of each book.

[Sahil (w7) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a little bit boring at the starting but it was a exciting story at the end.

[Thakshila Jayasinghe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had my Covid 2nd jab and feeling kind of unwell. What better to read than some good old Enid Blyton! So here I am, re-reading the Secret Seven. Absolutely super, the whole lot of them!

[Midnight Sun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scamper was adorableeee

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good grief, not Scamper! Imagine if someone stole Timmy! Wait, did anyone ever steal Timmy?

[Martyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shock for the Secret Seven, the thirteenth instalment in Enid Blyton's venerable series, where our intrepid child detectives once again grace us with their unparalleled sleuthing prowess—or lack thereof. In this episode, we are treated to the spectacle of internal discord, canine capers, and the ever-persistent nuisance that is Susie. Truly, a recipe for riveting adventure.

The narrative kicks off with a spat between Peter, the self-appointed autocrat of the group, and Jack, whose perpetual forgetfulness of the password becomes the catalyst for conflict. Peter's reaction is nothing short of dictatorial, chastising Jack for his security lapse and his association with the "awful" Bony, a French boy on a school exchange programme whose primary crime appears to be his Frenchness. Jack, displaying a rare glimmer of backbone, resigns from the Secret Seven, reducing their number to the Secret Six.

Meanwhile, the village is besieged by a spate of dognappings, a crisis that somehow nearly escapes the notice of our vigilant detectives, preoccupied as they are with their internal squabbles. It is only when the shepherd's collie, Pam's grandmother's poodle and then Scamper, the honorary eighth member and arguably the most competent of the lot, goes missing that the Secret Six are jolted into action.

In a twist that surprises no one, it is Jack—now operating as a solo agent—who uncovers the vital clue leading to the resolution of the mystery. His discovery not only reunites him with his former comrades but also reinstates the group's original headcount, allowing them to reclaim their illustrious title. One could argue that the true shock in this tale is the revelation that the Secret Seven are more effective apart than together.

Enid Blyton's portrayal of the group's dynamics is as sharp as ever, highlighting the pettiness and power struggles that often characterize childhood friendships. Peter's authoritarian tendencies are on full display, as he berates Jack with such fervour that even Mr. Goon would be impressed. The other members, notably Pam, contribute to the discord with ill-timed remarks, suggesting that perhaps Susie, Jack's meddlesome sister, would make a better member—a notion that sends Peter into apoplexy.

The resolution of the dognapping plot is almost incidental, serving more as a backdrop to the group's interpersonal drama than as the central focus. The thief, connected to the crime by his large footprints, is apprehended, and the stolen dogs are returned to their grateful owners. Scamper's safe return is, of course, the highlight, prompting a collective sigh of relief from the Secret Seven and their readers alike.

Shock for the Secret Seven offers a candid look at the fragility of group cohesion under the strain of egos and external threats. While the mystery itself is pedestrian, the real intrigue lies in the group's internal dynamics and the ever-entertaining antics of Susie, who continues to outshine the official members in both wit and resourcefulness. It's a tale that reminds us that sometimes, the greatest adventures are not the mysteries we solve, but the friendships we navigate along the way.

[Farseer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one, even though the mystery itself was nothing to write home about. Then again, Secret Seven mysteries are usually very simple. But I enjoyed that there was certain internal drama among the group of friends. Peter gets some overdue pushback for his too authoritarian ways and Jack leaves the club. He'll be back eventually, of course, but in the meantime we get to see some emotional reactions. Also, the stakes are higher because the mystery hits close to home: Scamper is stolen.

I liked that characters who don't often get the spotlight get some mini-adventures. Susie was much more awful than she usually is. She normally is annoying but not as spiteful as she was here, taunting the Seven about Scamper's disappearance.

I didn't like that Bony, the French boy, is introduced and seems to be set up to play a role in the resolution of the mystery, with his gift for befriending dogs and all, but in the end he is left unused, so he's quite a pointless character.

[Ofer · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a kid I used to love Enid Blyton's books. So it was a pleasant surprise for me to find that my oldest picked an ancient copy and began reading it on her own. Reading this book now as an adult I find Enid Blyton's views on gender and class to be absolutely ridiculous but it makes for interesting discussions with the kids and the story itself is pretty good. My seven year old self would have given this book five stars, while the adult in me gives this book two stars. We settled for three.

[Rannjay Goyal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book!
The best part are the Chapters- Colin does a little trailing and Jack puzzles his brains.

Book revolves around the story of missing dogs. Postie, the postman, captures all the dogs and the police was not sure whom to arrest. They were doubting an uncanny man who was big and burly with enormous feet.
It was a trap set by someone for the big burly.man which was later found out by Jack, the great!

[Isha Rajendra Rokade]

It is the story of seven schoolchildren named Peter, Janet, Jack, Barbara, Pam, Colin and George.
They were working as a team to solve mysteries around them. They were planning for Christmas and its presents. For that they decided a password “Toad -in- the- hole”” to enter in there shed. However, Jack's sister Susie and a French boy Jean cheated secret seven and entered in their shed. Because of that, Peter and jack had fight. Now they became secret six. While all these things were happening, they found that somebody was stealing dogs from their village. Janet’s dog named Shadow and Peter’s dog Scamper was also stolen by the thief. Even police could not find thief except huge footprint. Though Jack was not in the secret seven decided to help Peter and to solve the mystery of dog thief. All of them where following the visitors of peters home when scamper was stolen. Jack suspected on a postman and followed him to his house. In absence of postman Jack entered in his house through window. There he found enormous pair of boots. He informed this to police and finally they caught postman his sister, and veterinary with all dogs.

[Vinay Leo]

The Secret Seven series was the first “series” of Enid Blyton I came across, thanks to a book being passed on to me by my cousin. For a child, I think the series was fun. It made me want to explore the idea of forming secret clubs with badges and passwords and such. It is a box set I’ve acquired since then, and hope to reread soon.

[Saffron Mavros · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book series is meant for a younger age group, but thrilling and exciting nonetheless.

New plots, stunning escapes, and chilling mysteries keep you hanging on every word! And of course the descriptions of the elaborate meals that the seven have. Let's not forget the official "seven" meetings that each of us, deep down, wanted to be a part of, like those eavesdropping intruders.

[Tanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was interesting. I really loved the secret meeting of the seven and the secret password. It is a really outstanding book.Shock for the secret seven is the best and I loved the idea of Enid Blyton secret seven story. I swear children like me above the age of 8 will really love the story. Thanks for Good Reads to give this opportunity to give ratings about the book. Thank you.

[Jenna Black]

I enjoyed the mystery of this instalment. I think including some more depth to the relationships between the kids in the form of an explosive argument was interesting. I was pleased to see how the kids dealt with their big emotions and came to make up.

I'm also really glad Scamper is OK. He always was going to be, but I'm still glad lol.

[Manya · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun to read. One can complete it in single sitting. So fast and engaging. Secret Seven will never bore you. Books like these can help overcome reading slumps. Even after turning 20 SECRET SEVEN, FAMOUS FIVE are books that I look upto.

[Nethra Saravanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A valuable member from the secret seven resigns because of a conflict. Then after a few days some adorable puppies which are worth a lot of money were stolen by a dog-thief. After some investigation by the secret seven they find out that Postie-the postman is the reason for these thefts.

[Saino · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good timepass read while waiting for 8 hours in a hospital. i know that its made for children and i think it delivers good for every age reader i guess. it was fun reading it and never actually felt bored. would recommend if you have a child(under 13) or you dont have anything in world to do

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful ending to the tale. The secret seven’s first tiff is really just Peter being a turd!

[Suhotra Tripathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book ever, the book that got me into reading. That's all I have to say

[Ananya]

Reading old Enid Blytons because I'm in that mood.

[Dawin (DawinTheBookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oopssie wooopsie!! I was kinda dismayed when I saw Scamper did not have a huge part in the story so I'm kind of mad!!

But overall, it was a gorgeous and an enthralling story!!