Best Famous Five Sequels...and the worst

[Moonraker]

It would seem to me that to have a character who wanted to buy up any British treasure/antiques he can lay his hands on, would probably need to be American. I don't think many French people behave in that way. The US has always been in awe of our heritage.

[Courtenay]

The US has always been in awe of our heritage.

True (is there an element of regret there at having ditched it themselves in 1776? ), but it's not always in a bad way. There's a wonderful National Trust house not far from where I live, Ightham Mote - parts of it dating back 700 years - which was saved in the 1950s through being bought by a rich American gentleman who'd always dreamed of owning a grand old English house!

[Lucky Star]

And the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Hever Castle, was also in a state of disrepair at the beginning of the 20th century before being bought and lovingly restored by the Astor family.

[Maggie Knows]

There was a Time Team special about the restoration of Ightham Mote some years ago - it was extremely interesting.

I have always fancied a visit, but it's not handy for where I live (or usually take my holidays), but one day I will visit, for sure.

[Courtenay]

Yes, I gather Ightham Mote was the National Trust's biggest-ever restoration project on one property so far. It really is a fascinating and lovely place to visit, if you ever can.

Hever Castle is near me, too, but I haven't visited it yet. I'd forgotten about the connection with the Astors (including Nancy Astor, who famously became the first female MP in Britain) - I now remember reading that recently when I visited Cliveden, their home in Berkshire.

OK, now I promise to let this thread get back on topic!!

[Rob Houghton]

As far as I can tell from reading other people's likes and dislikes, my list is going to be different to most readers - but here goes!

Top Five -

1 Five On A Hike Together
2 Five Go To Mystery Moor
3 Five Get Into Trouble
4 Five Go To Smuggler's Top
5 Five Go Off In A Caravan

Middle section -

6 Five Go Off To Camp
7 Five Have Plenty Of Fun
8 Five Have A Wonderful Time
9 Five Go To Billy-cock Hill
10 Five On A Treasure Island
11 Five Get Into A Fix
12 Five Fall Into Adventure
13 Five On Kirrin Island Again
14 Five On Finniston Farm
15 Five Go To Demon's Rocks
16 Five Go Down To The Sea

Bottom Five -

17 Five Go Adventuring Again
18 Five Run Away Together
18 Five On A Secret Trail
20 Five Are Together Again
21 Five Have A Mystery To Solve

[Chrissie777]

As far as I can tell from reading other people's likes and dislikes, my list is going to be different to most readers - but here goes!

Bottom Five -

17 Five Go Adventuring Again
18 Five Run Away Together
18 Five On A Secret Trail
20 Five Are Together Again
21 Five Have A Mystery To Solve

Most EBS members seem to dislike "Secret Trail" and I wonder why?
For me it's actually one of the best volumes. The fact that it was the very first FF book that I read in the fall of 1965 might have something to do with it, of course . But I also think that it contains some really good "ingredients" like the twins (I have to admit that I never read something about twins acting as if they are the other twin before), the underground passage and that old leather bag with the blue prints. Not to forget the ruin on the common with the strange lights at night. It was probably one of my first adventure books (until then I read mostly girls' books like Milly-Molly-Mandy and many German girls' books series).

"Secret Trail" is also the book that started my interest in archeology. So to me it appealed on several levels.
And recently in June our dog had to wear such a collar for 12 days like Timmy had to wear (and was laughed at) in "Secret Trail". But we kept him in the garden and spared him unpleasant encounters with other dogs .

[Rob Houghton]

I agree that Secret Trail has some good plot ideas, and some scenes are very well written, but I think the reason why I rate it so low down my list is that compared to the other books it seems like a short story. If you break down the elements, not much happens - Timmy wears a collar, they meet the twins, hear strange noises at night, see people watching them, find a hidden passage. All this takes place in about 2 days, whereas most of the other books seem more 'epic' taking place over a week or longer, which I prefer. When I read 'Secret Trail' recently, I realised that it could easily have been a short story, like 'George's Hair Is Too Long' or 'When Timmy Chased the Cat' rather than a full length novel.

[Chrissie777]

Robert, that thought never entered my mind, but I will pay attention to it when I'll reread it.

[John Pickup]

I agree with Robert 100% about Secret Trail, a book I've never cared for. But I am surprised that Run Away Together features in his bottom five. I thought the story line was excellent, the Sticks, the simmering resentment at Kirrin Cottage, escape to the island and the adventure that followed. One of my favourites.

[Rob Houghton]

I think the main reason I dislike Run Away Together is the unlikely way the trunk of clothes is hidden on the old wreck - what's the point of hiding it there? I quite like the Sticks and the atmosphere at home, but somehow I just feel that setting things on Kirrin Island was a bit false.

[Chrissie777]

I agree with Robert 100% about Secret Trail, a book I've never cared for. But I am surprised that Run Away Together features in his bottom five. I thought the story line was excellent, the Sticks, the simmering resentment at Kirrin Cottage, escape to the island and the adventure that followed. One of my favourites.

"FF run away together" is also one of my favourites. I love all FF sequels that include Kirrin Island.
I would be curious to know why Robert didn't care for it?

[John Pickup]

I think he answered that in the post above yours, Chrissie.

[Chrissie777]

Hi John, I could swear that Robert's post was still not there when I reacted on your post. Now I was able to read it.

[sixret]

So far, Gets Into Trouble is the best, in my opinion. I have just reread 10 titles in order so far.