The Mystery of the Strange Bundle
Book Details...
First edition: 1952
Publisher: Methuen
Illustrator: Treyer Evans
Category: Five Find-Outers
Genre: Mystery/Adventure
Type: Novels/Novelettes
Publisher: Methuen
Illustrator: Treyer Evans
Category: Five Find-Outers
Genre: Mystery/Adventure
Type: Novels/Novelettes
On This Page...
Reprints
1. 1965 Armada, illustrations by Dylan Roberts, cover by Peter Archer
2. 1969 Dragon, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover by Mary Gernat
3. 1972 Dragon, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover by Paul Wright
4. 1973 Methuen, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover by Paul Wright
5. 1979 Methuen, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover by Reginald Gray
6. 1983 Dragon, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover Bruno Elettori
7. 1987 Dragon, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover Mick Austin
8. 1990 Dean, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover by Liz Roberts
9. 1991 Armada, illustrations by Rodney Sutton, cover uncredited
10. 1996 Mammoth, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover by Button Design Co.
11. 1997 Dean, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover by Button Design Co
12. 2003 Egmont, not illustrated, cover by Jason Ford
13. 2004 Dean, not illustrated, cover by Button Design Co.
14. 2010 Egmont, not illustrated, cover by Martin Usborne and Shutterstock
15. 2014 Egmont, not illustrated, cover by Timothy Banks
16. 2016 Hodder, not illustrated, cover by Timothy Banks
17. 2021 Hodder, not illustrated, cover by Timothy Banks
2. 1969 Dragon, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover by Mary Gernat
3. 1972 Dragon, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover by Paul Wright
4. 1973 Methuen, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover by Paul Wright
5. 1979 Methuen, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover by Reginald Gray
6. 1983 Dragon, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover Bruno Elettori
7. 1987 Dragon, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover Mick Austin
8. 1990 Dean, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover by Liz Roberts
9. 1991 Armada, illustrations by Rodney Sutton, cover uncredited
10. 1996 Mammoth, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover by Button Design Co.
11. 1997 Dean, illustrations by Jenny Chapple, cover by Button Design Co
12. 2003 Egmont, not illustrated, cover by Jason Ford
13. 2004 Dean, not illustrated, cover by Button Design Co.
14. 2010 Egmont, not illustrated, cover by Martin Usborne and Shutterstock
15. 2014 Egmont, not illustrated, cover by Timothy Banks
16. 2016 Hodder, not illustrated, cover by Timothy Banks
17. 2021 Hodder, not illustrated, cover by Timothy Banks
Wraparound dustwrapper from the 1st edition, illustrated by Treyer Evans
1st German edition published by Erika Klopp Verlag in 1959,
illustrated by Egbert von Normann with the title Mystery of the Red Shoe
German: Geheimnis um einen roten Schuh
French: Le Mystère du sac magique
Dutch: De Vijf Detectives – Een zak vol geheimen
Spanish: Misterio del Extrano Hatillo
Portuguese: O Mistério do Saco da Roupa
Swedish: Mysteriet med det konstiga byltet
Finnish: Kummallisen nyytin salaisuus
Icelandic: Dularfulli böggullinn
Brief Summary by Julie Heginbotham: Larry is thrilled when the milkman tells him about a robbery at the Cedars, just two doors away from Larry and Daisy's house. The Find-Outers love nothing better than a mystery, and no one knows if Mr Fellows at the Cedars was home when the robbery took place, but he certainly hadn't come back. But when Mr Fellows does come back to his home, he says there had been no robbery and that he was an untidy person and didn't want the police looking into something that didn't happen. Rather puzzled the Find-Outers dig deeper into this unusual mystery, and are even more puzzled by a bundle of dolls clothing that had been hidden in the river! What on earth could all this mean? The Find-Outers have a hard time trying to solve this unusual mystery.
Full Review (This may contain spoilers):
Robert Houghton's Review
The Mystery of the Strange Bundle, the tenth mystery, is one that at the time was heavily criticised for its far-fetched plot. However, the story makes an interesting read, and it full of a wonderfully mysterious atmosphere, similar in many ways to a Secret Seven book. However, it must be said that the story is one of the most unlikely of the series and relies heavily on a series of coincidences, rather than true investigation.
This time, Fatty gives demonstrations in another of his talents — ventriloquism. Quite apt, really, for the main plot revolves around a missing ventriloquist's dummy in which are hidden very important lists of traitors. These are people who are intent on bringing Britain down with strikes and sabotage by purloining secret information. The ventriloquist works undercover for the police. He is kidnapped and throws his doll out of the fast-moving car so that the secrets won't be discovered. To prevent the doll being stolen again, the ventriloquist's servant hides the clothes (in the river in a waterproof bag!!) By chance, Goon finds the bag but thinks it's one of Fatty's tricks and stuffs them down Fatty's neck in temper. By this time the clothes are wet — had the bag sprung a leak?! Then the clothes are stolen from Fatty's shed — but what luck! — Buster has run off with one of the shoes, which just happens to be the one with the hollow heel. The Find-Outers have saved England from some of its worst traitors!! These illustrations are hidden by default to ensure faster browsing. Loading the illustrations is recommended for high-speed internet users only.