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The Secret Seven #16
The Secret Seven Short Story Collection
This is a delightful collection of six Secret Seven short stories, packed with adventure and mystery, featuring a secret store of stolen silver, a surprising view through a telescope, a shrill scream on a night out, a disappearing cash box, a dangerous accident, and a trap for the Secret Seven!
133 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
14 people are currently reading
384 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 17, 2019
Remember reading Enid Blyton's stories to children at the library. Immersed in the adventures of the Secret Seven or Famous Five, there was captivated silence; concentrating faces and little brains sharing in the escapades.
A great children's classic collection from Blyton's fertile mind, the 15-book series was published between 1949 and 1963. Its easy readability and simple style were very British, with "I say", "larder", "box your ears" and "buck up" frequently dotting the text.
These are wonderful stories to read to convalescing children, which equally absorb adults, reminding them of their own distant childhood.
Become a kid again, and read one.
A great children's classic collection from Blyton's fertile mind, the 15-book series was published between 1949 and 1963. Its easy readability and simple style were very British, with "I say", "larder", "box your ears" and "buck up" frequently dotting the text.
These are wonderful stories to read to convalescing children, which equally absorb adults, reminding them of their own distant childhood.
Become a kid again, and read one.
August 26, 2023
I read The Secret Seven series as a child but don't remember reading this short story collection. My son and I read this together and enjoyed it very much.
March 26, 2022
78 and still enjoy Enid Blyton
July 4, 2019
It was an amazing book! I mostly liked it because it shows you how the Secret Seven club was formed and how the club made some mistakes at the start but are an overall great club!
It must be read by all young people between the ages of 9-12 because of its detail and presentation!
Great wrap up of the series!
It must be read by all young people between the ages of 9-12 because of its detail and presentation!
Great wrap up of the series!
Read
December 3, 2022Enjoyed this as an audiobook with the family.
August 26, 2014
A few months back, my son and I made a rare visit to McDonalds for tea. He ordered the obligatory Happy Meal and was chuffed to bits with a mini Enid Blyton book, which happened to be The Secret of the Old Mill, one of the stories in this collection. He finished it in one sitting and asked he could have more Secret Seven books. I found this book on Amazon and it sounded perfect for him to read alone and follow the plot, something he sometimes struggles with in longer books.
I read the stories first, then Zachary read them himself at bedtime. I'd then ask him to recap the story and ask him some questions to see how much he'd understood/taken in. This worked really well as he enjoyed telling the story in his own words (and I enjoyed finding hearing how he interpreted the book!).
They are 'of their time', but there is a reason Enid Blyton books have continued to remain popular with generations of younger readers. The sense of adventure and the clubhouse, passwords and secrecy only adds to the appeal of these stories.
These are definitely a perfect introduction to the series for younger children or newly independent readers.
I read the stories first, then Zachary read them himself at bedtime. I'd then ask him to recap the story and ask him some questions to see how much he'd understood/taken in. This worked really well as he enjoyed telling the story in his own words (and I enjoyed finding hearing how he interpreted the book!).
They are 'of their time', but there is a reason Enid Blyton books have continued to remain popular with generations of younger readers. The sense of adventure and the clubhouse, passwords and secrecy only adds to the appeal of these stories.
These are definitely a perfect introduction to the series for younger children or newly independent readers.
December 22, 2014
I have read that this series is not highly thought of by real Blytoners; the word "infantile" was mentioned more than once in the reviews I saw. I think it is certainly far from Enid Blyton's best, particularly as seven is really too many for a central group of characters and the only ones with any really defined, consistent characteristics are Jack and Peter, but I do think the series has a deal of worth as a "starter" series.
The Secret Seven is the first Enid Blyton adventure series I read to myself when I was young. It serves as a great forerunner to reading alone the "Five" and "of Adventure" series, as it is much lighter and easier to read, and everything happens on a much smaller scale.
I always used to feel slightly dissatisfied when reading the first Secret Seven book (The Secret Seven) as it was obviously not the beginning of the story, so I would recommend that any Secret Seven read-through should start with this more recently published short story collection, which brings the reader in at the very beginning. My favourite story here is the one with the level crossing, although it is a facsimile of one of Blyton's "sleepy-time" stories.
The Secret Seven is the first Enid Blyton adventure series I read to myself when I was young. It serves as a great forerunner to reading alone the "Five" and "of Adventure" series, as it is much lighter and easier to read, and everything happens on a much smaller scale.
I always used to feel slightly dissatisfied when reading the first Secret Seven book (The Secret Seven) as it was obviously not the beginning of the story, so I would recommend that any Secret Seven read-through should start with this more recently published short story collection, which brings the reader in at the very beginning. My favourite story here is the one with the level crossing, although it is a facsimile of one of Blyton's "sleepy-time" stories.
September 23, 2015
And it's the Secret Seven, capturing smugglers, opening boom gates to stop trains from crashing, etc. However, because they're short stories, they skip all the inevitable first few chapters fluff of secret meetings, passwords and getting annoyed with Susie.
The joy of it all, of course, is the smile on my 6yo's face when the happy resolution arrives at the end of each tale. At least in the world of Enid Blyton, everything is always sorted out neatly.
The joy of it all, of course, is the smile on my 6yo's face when the happy resolution arrives at the end of each tale. At least in the world of Enid Blyton, everything is always sorted out neatly.
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February 29, 2016I liked this book because their were many exiting stories that were short. It had all types of stories such as funny stories and mysterious. I recommend this book to people who want to read other secret seven books also because it talks a lot about how the secret seven started in one of the stories.
September 10, 2018
A nostalgic tale that takes me back to my childhood.
May 25, 2019
What a beautiful little collection of stories. Lots of lessons learnt, exciting and interesting. A much love collection of classics.
April 8, 2025
Enid Blyton's Secret Seven series is a charming gateway to mystery fiction for children, mixing straightforward but appealing plots with the magic of childhood adventure. The series is based on a band of seven kids Peter, Janet, Jack, Barbara, Pam, Colin, and George, who are part of a secret society aimed at unraveling mysteries around them through their intellect, collaboration, and exemplary sense of justice.
What is most appealing about this series is its ageless appeal. Although written decades earlier, the issues of friendship, curiosity, and courage are still very much relatable and inspiring to contemporary readers. Every book in the series is a new case, usually involving suspicious characters, secret clues, and risky missions, all handled with the naivety and optimism characteristic of childhood.
The vocabulary is straightforward, and as such, it is accessible to early readers,yet has sufficient suspense to keep them reading. Blyton's writing is uncomplicated and easy to understand, and the use of repeating themes — including passwords, secret gatherings, and badges — introduces a playful consistency throughout the books that early readers appreciate.
But from an adult point of view, the books can seem a bit montonous, and the characterisation is minimal. The seven children tend to get mixed up with each other, with Peter the obvious leader but few individual characteristics marking out the others. Also, some social attitudes and gender roles are based on the period in which the books were published, which may seem old-fashioned now.
Even with these slight disadvantages, The Secret Seven series is a cherished classic. It inspires imagination, fosters problem-solving, and teaches the love of reading. It's perfect for children making the leap from picture books to chapter books, and even now as an adult, there's something comforting and familiar about entering their world.
Whether you’re discovering these books for the first time or returning to them with fond memories, The Secret Seven offers a fun, wholesome
What is most appealing about this series is its ageless appeal. Although written decades earlier, the issues of friendship, curiosity, and courage are still very much relatable and inspiring to contemporary readers. Every book in the series is a new case, usually involving suspicious characters, secret clues, and risky missions, all handled with the naivety and optimism characteristic of childhood.
The vocabulary is straightforward, and as such, it is accessible to early readers,yet has sufficient suspense to keep them reading. Blyton's writing is uncomplicated and easy to understand, and the use of repeating themes — including passwords, secret gatherings, and badges — introduces a playful consistency throughout the books that early readers appreciate.
But from an adult point of view, the books can seem a bit montonous, and the characterisation is minimal. The seven children tend to get mixed up with each other, with Peter the obvious leader but few individual characteristics marking out the others. Also, some social attitudes and gender roles are based on the period in which the books were published, which may seem old-fashioned now.
Even with these slight disadvantages, The Secret Seven series is a cherished classic. It inspires imagination, fosters problem-solving, and teaches the love of reading. It's perfect for children making the leap from picture books to chapter books, and even now as an adult, there's something comforting and familiar about entering their world.
Whether you’re discovering these books for the first time or returning to them with fond memories, The Secret Seven offers a fun, wholesome
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2024
A mixed bag - it ranges from the truly awful An Afternoon with the Secret Seven (Peter is tasked with looking after a hatful of money but chooses to go for a pony ride instead) to the phenomenal Hurry, Secret Seven, Hurry (one of the best children's stories I've ever read). It may not be the most consistent collection, but when it works, it really works.
March 28, 2025
I really enjoyed these short stories. It was a really nice way to round out the series! I actually feel like the first one about how the gang got together would have been a nice book 0.5 if it was more fleshed out with an introduction to each character and their personality. Still - it's nice that there is a short story about the formation of the Secret Seven!
November 1, 2023
Several short stories with the Secret Seven, including the tale of how the club was started. I thought these worked well, because the plot of the Secret Seven novels is always quite slight, and here, because of the shorter extension, the story advances quickly. Entertaining.
November 1, 2023
Ensimmäinen tarina kertoo Salaseura SOS:in perustamisesta. Kivoja, ei liian jännittäviä tarinoita. 3,5 tähteä.
March 3, 2025
A gentle, fun and varied collection of stories from the Secret Seven. There's not much to say here - they're just sweet. I've now read the whole Secret Seven canon. 4 stars.
June 14, 2020
This is certainly a pleasant find, decades after having read and reread all the Secret Seven adventures. These stories provide a prequel to the entire series, and I'm thrilled to have discovered it, even at this late stage.
August 9, 2016
The origin story of Secret Seven. This book is not part of the main series but enjoyable nevertheless.
June 24, 2021
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!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews