This was a change from the normal adventures that this gang get up on, this time they are very much based at home at Kirrin Cottage and the trouble comes to them. A good half of the book is based around their new visitor Berta and getting her settled in, appearance changed, and witness protection set up. The second half of the book is chasing after the kidnap that eventually happens and you do think the kids should probably leave it to the police but they do manage to scrape together an effective rescue - hooray!

I watched this film a while back and knowing the book was written by C. S. Forester of most excellent Hornblower fame, I have had this on my to read pile for too long. It’s so good. Just like the film, I was caught up in the tension of the piece, and even though I didn’t understand all of the intricate, well-researched details, you can’t help but be swept up in the misery and cold, the state of high alert, the danger. It’s so well done, and although there’s not a lot of room for character development, it’s still a really good story.