Guess the Book from the Blurb

[Fiona1986]

Five have a mystery to solve?

[MJE]

Now Go Ahead Secret Seven comes to mind!

     Yes - that's it. Too obvious perhaps, with my second attempt? I didn't deliberately set out to make my first version too vague; but it can be difficult to find the right balance between being too obscure and too specific.
     Just as a matter of curiosity, Fatty, was there any specific detail that gave it away for you?

Regards, Michael.

[Fatty]

"Stolen items" didn't ring any bells (I'd never have thought of dogs) but "trapped in a very small space that was not intended to hold humans" brought to mind animal cages. I briefly considered -- and eliminated --some circus/fairground books before Go Ahead SS came to mind. (Yes, for some reason I vividly remember all the SS titles and can match them with the stories.) The reference to the absent member who came to the rescue (George) clinched it.

I suppose I shall have to provide a blurb now? Let me think it over -- I like cryptic clues myself, but it may take a little while to devise one!

[MJE]

"Stolen items" didn't ring any bells (I'd never have thought of dogs)

     No, I guess it wouldn't give away much by itself, as stolen items appear in so many books. It does at least eliminate those plots which are about kidnapping, spying, and the like, and maybe also smuggling (you'd call that "smuggled" items rather than "stolen items").

... but "trapped in a very small space that was not intended to hold humans" brought to mind animal cages.

     Blow! Made it too easy. The realization that that level of detail would give it away is why I tried earlier to refer vaguely to "being in a tight corner". Probably should have left it at "trapped in a very small space", without the reference to not intending to hold humans.

I briefly considered -- and eliminated --some circus/fairground books before Go Ahead SS came to mind.

     Well, I'm glad that you had to have at least a few guesses before the correct one.

(Yes, for some reason I vividly remember all the SS titles and can match them with the stories.)

     You make it sound as if that's a bit odd. I can remember the stories, too - although I do occasionally confuse a few titles. I actually Googled "Go Ahead, Secret Seven" just to make sure it was that one, and not "Good Work, Secret Seven".

The reference to the absent member who came to the rescue (George) clinched it.

     Too easy, isn't it? Should have stayed with just the "sudden outside help".

Regards, Michael.

[Moonraker]

... for some reason I vividly remember all the SS titles and can match them with the stories.)

     You make it sound as if that's a bit odd. I can remember the stories, too - although I do occasionally confuse a few titles.

I think that was Fatty's point. He can remember all the titles and the stories they match. I wouldn't have a clue. Not sure I'd even get all the Famous Five ones matched!

[Loony the Dog]

I can never get any of the Secret Seven titles matched right either. There is really nothing very different about titles like Good Work Secret Seven and Well Done Secret Seven.

[Mehul]

Well, I thought Trevor said that it was NOT Missing Necklace.

Wild Guess: Is it Five on a Hike Together?

[Anita Bensoussane]

I think you might have been looking at the wrong page, Mehul. It was Fatty's turn to come up with a blurb, but as he hasn't posted in this thread since May 2012 it's more than time to open up the game to anyone who wants to have a turn!

[Mehul]

Ooops. How did that message come here?

[Daisy]

As it's nearly 2 years since this thread was active I'll take up Anita's suggestion.
Which book is this?
Three children and their parents move from a busy town to the quiet of the countryside. They think life may be dull but it turns out to be very different from what they expected.

[Poppy]

The Enchanted Wood?

[Daisy]

Quite correct Poppy. Over to you.

[Poppy]

Thanks, Daisy!

A lonely stretch of moors, a wealthy farmer, a tunnel and a strange secret ...

[Nair Snehalatha]

Is it Five go off to camp?

[Poppy]

Yes, it is - over to you!