The Mystery of Holly Lane (by Enid Blyton)

(Amazon UK link)

Having thoroughly enjoyed re-reading ‘The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat’ by Enid Blyton, after at least twenty-five years, I decided to end the year by re-reading another book in the ‘Find-outers and dog’ series which I enjoyed so much as a young teenager. I couldn’t remember the plot of ‘The Mystery of Holly Lane’ at all (11th in the series) so decided to try that one.

Alas, I found it a bit rambly, and not nearly as interesting or well-written as ‘The Disappearing Cat’. The first chapters are mainly discussions by the ‘find-outers’ about whether or not there will be a new mystery when ‘Fatty’ gets back. And then they are convinced he will be in disguise at the station, so they’re on the lookout for a strange looking character….

Inevitably there is a mystery, but at first it just seems like an ordinary burglary. It’s hard to work out who could possibly have committed it, but Mr Goon the local policeman is involved, and there’s nothing much the children can do. An old man kept his money inside his furniture because he didn’t trust the banks - this was first published in 1953 so the amount mentioned seems relatively small, but the idea of not trusting banks seems to prevail even today. Other than the obvious lack of all technology, and the formality of the children’s homes (where bells are rung for meals and bedtimes) the book could easily have been written in modern times.

The plot thickens when the old man’s furniture is stolen, and the author did well describing his bewilderment mixed with anger. She also managed the list of suspects well, and it looks, at first, as if quite a likeable person is the only person possible to be guilty. Naturally enough the children are convinced it’s someone else, and they have one or two clues that the police haven’t found… but still it takes some risky exploring, and something of a coincidence in leaping to the right conclusion before the mystery is solved.

Perhaps by the 11th book in the series Enid Blyton was getting a bit stale; I don’t remember whether the later books are any better; there are 15 in all, and I liked them much better than her various adventure series (such as the well-known ‘Famous Five’). It feels as if there’s more of a plot, and a reason for the story. But this book didn’t really do anything for me - the story works well, and the interactions between the children mostly work, even if they’re a bit spurious at times. There’s also quite a poignant section when it looks as though Buster the dog is going to be in trouble for something he didn’t do.

But although I was pleased I acquired this back in 1971 and probably read it several times as part of the series, it wouldn’t make a good introduction to the ‘Find-Outers’ - and it’s not one I’m likely to pick up again.

Still, older children and younger teens who like this genre would probably enjoy it.

Review copyright 2021 Sue's Book Reviews