Talk About Blyton!

Mystery (Five Find-Outer) Series – Continuation books

February 18, 2014 – Lorraine says: Hi everyone, my name's Lori. I was just wondering, has anyone ever thought of a continuation for the Mystery series? Because, personally, I think that Banshee Towers was quite lame. Okay, a LOT lame. What kind of author d'you think should write the continuation books, if any, and why? I think Keith Robinson (the owner of this website) would do a smashing job as his story 'The Mystery of the Stolen Books' was amazing. What do YOU think?
Bets says... Bets says: Keith's story was indeed fantastic. If you look in the fanfic section you'll find continuation stories by Julie Heginbotham. You could also try joining the Enid Blyton Society. Members have exclusive access to several continuation novels written by Trevor Bolton, Lisa Newton and Julie, as well as three fantastic Journals per year.
February 20, 2014 – Tamara says: I totally agree with you, Bets. I was also wondering, what about J. K. Rowling writing the continuation books, huh? Her Harry Potter novels were simply smashing. Also, she might be able to add that little touch of romance and emotional developement that the Five Find-Outers so desparately lack (Also, Buster, I'd like to tell you that my dog George also sends you a loving 'woof woof'!)
Bets says... Bets says: While Rowling's books are indeed good, I don't think you can ever compare her with Blyton's ones. In my opinion romance is not needed in her books at all - they were all written for children while the Harry Potter series was aimed at people who grew up with the books.
March 16, 2014 – Saky says: I vaguely remember reading on another forum somewhere about a present day author continuing EB series and there too, JK Rowling was suggested. I frankly don't get why JK Rowling is the first person everyone considers. True, her Harry Potter books are enjoyed by many but I personally felt that the Cuckoo's Calling, which is not a children's book, is better. Also, there are a lot of other fantastic writers out there. There is, as the OP suggested, Keith Robinson and others, like Eoin Colfer, Rick Riordan, Suzanne Collins, not to mention the authoress (I've forgotten her name) who filled in the blanks in the St. Clare's series.
Bets says... Bets says: Pamela Cox wrote 6 Malory Towers novels and 3 St. Clare's stories.
July 4, 2014 – Farwa says: Tamara, Enid Blyton's books do not need romance at all. How can you even think of such an awful combination? Her stories are magical children's stories and I don't thing we should mar them with silly romance nonsense. As for J. K. Rowling writing the continuation books - I'm not sure if she is the right one to write them. Her style is nice, but it's deeper and more tragic - different from Enid's style.
October 30, 2014 – Evie says: Couldn't we write to or email Pamela Cox and ask her to write continuation books? And Farwa, I agree with you! There are plenty of book about romance, we can easily afford to keep E. B books as they are. Someone on this website once described love stories as 'soppy romantic drivel' I don't know who it was but that sums up love stories pretty well!
October 31, 2014 – Tinky says: Can anyone advise me if the continuation books for Malory Towers and St Clare's are worth reading? Naturally speaking, the idea of continuation books is a bit off putting - there's nothing like the real ones and why add to them etc. I've seen Pamela Cox's ones in bookshops but I have never bought them for fear they might "spoil" the series, or not be as good as EB - does anyone understand? Please advise.
October 31, 2014 – Evie says: Hi Tinky. I have read all the Pam Cox books for both series. They are fantastic! Malory Towers, I found better, but St Clares was pretty good too. Definitely buy them.
August 13, 2017 – Avan N. Cooverji says: Do not think "continuation stories ' a very good. Idea. It seems to take away something from the originals rather than add to them. Somehow does not sound genuine. Feel it best to let be as they are and as all good things come to an end, so be it with this also.
July 23, 2020 – June Johns says: I'd like to see the Find-Outers meet Franklin D Roosevelt, if only to see Bets fuss-potting about about having to wear a fancy dress and Fatty anguishing about having to be Frederick in front of his friends.
February 7, 2021 – S-Dog says: I looked under continuation books on the Enid Blyton Society, and I noticed that there were loads of continuation Famous Five books published (plus others like Secret Seven), but none of the Find-Outers, (Unless you include the 4 solve-it-yourself mysteries). I was wondering if there is a reason for this: Is it just that the Famous Five are much more 'famous', or is there something preventing Find-Outer books being published - political correctness or something?
Daisy says... Daisy says: I would imagine that no author has tried a continuation novel, S-Dog. And maybe if any had been presented to a publisher, they may have been refused. If you join the Enid Blyton Society, you are allowed to read the continuation stories that members have written, and a few are The Find-Outers by Julie Heginbotham, who also wrote the Find-Outers in Retirement on this very site. Enid Blyton Society
February 10, 2021 – Arka says: S-Dog, I also looked out the continuation books for Five Find-Outers, but with finding no luck. I personally don't know why, but as Daisy said, there are many, many continuation books about Five Find-Outers, on this very site ( so much, that I am sure can't name them). Just visit the fan fiction page and you can find many books of the Five Find-Outers (like The Mystery of the Stolen Secrets by Richard Humphreys, The Mystery of Fitzjames Manor by Richard Humphreys, The Mystery of the Stolen Books a full length novel by Keith Robinson etc. , except those by Julie). Thank to those who have written these continuation books because of which, fans like us, can enjoy them. Anyway, I hope this helps. Thank You.
February 10, 2021 – S-Dog says: I wonder if it would be possible to get a new Find-Outers book published these days - or if it just wouldn't be seen as the right style for today's kids. I just feel like the Find-Outers is such a good series, it deserves some published continuation books like the Famous Five and Secret Seven.
Daisy says... Daisy says: As I mentioned in my reply the other day, S-Dog, it would depend on an author writing these books, and if a publisher commissioned them.
February 11, 2021 – Arka says: You know, there are no Find-Outers' continuation books because of these publishers (at least, as far as I am aware of)! They might think that these books are too old and boring for today's kids to read, but actually, they are totally wrong. I will coming to this answer gradually in this answer. Tamara says: "I was also wondering, what about J. K. Rowling writing the continuation books, huh? Her Harry Potter novels were simply smashing. Also, she might be able to add that little touch of romance and emotional development that the Five Find-Outers so desperately lack". To be honest, I also personally think that J. K. R. 's books are very good, but I doubt if she can give the Enid Blyton touch in the books at all. J. K. R. 's style is almost totally different from that of Enid Blyton's as she give an emotional touch, which I personally don't think that children would like in front of Blyton's. Blyton gives a pleasant touch with a thrilling, adventurous and enjoying time, which children usually like. J. K. R. 's give imagination things along with romances and emotional theme in the end, whereas children like mainly a happy ending with 'All's Well'. These things publishers doesn't understand. I hope this helps. Thank You.
February 11, 2021 – Lisa says: Arka, you are totally right about JKR's style being totally different from the late Enid Blyton's style. I'd rather read Enid Blyton's as her books. Er. As you mentioned above give a pleasant touch of thrill, adventure and enjoyment. To be honest, I read only the first Harry Potter book and that was it. I couldn't carry on. I guess JKR's books aren't my cup of tea. Till now, I can't remember a thing about Harry Potter whereas it's different with Enid's books. It all boils down to one's taste.
February 12, 2021 – S-Dog says: I have personally never read any of J. K. Rowling's books, but from what I've heard, I don't really understand why a lot of people compare them to E. B. Books. I believe I am correct in assuming there is a lot of magic and spells invloved in Harry Potter, which is a completely differnt style to Enid's lifelike (if not occasionally far fetched) stories. That's part of the reason I like them - they all technically could have happened; whereas, Harry Potter is a different type of reality. (Also, yes I know E. B. Did write books like the Faraway Tree, although I haven't read any of those type of books).
February 26, 2021 – Arka says: S-Dog, if you want to read a published Five Find-Outers continuation book, then go for 'The Mysterious Boy' by Julie Robinson. It is not particularly the Find-Outers, but is written in that style by a Blytonian of a member of the Enid Blyton Society. I myself haven't read it, but have read many reviews and guess it is good. At least, you can give it a try :). Anyway, Thank You.

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