SuitabookCuriosity and risk
The children explore the coast, secretly borrow a boat and investigate the Isle of Gloom and its mines.
Loading your next page
Book details
Enid Blyton - Author
This is a mystery adventure built around exploration, hidden places and a group of children acting together. Its strongest appeal is likely the remote coastal setting, animal companions and escalating danger.
Book Brief
Sign in to see how this book fits your child and family preferences.
Sign in for personalised guidanceThis is a mystery adventure built around exploration, hidden places and a group of children acting together. Its strongest appeal is likely the remote coastal setting, animal companions and escalating danger.
The children explore the coast, secretly borrow a boat and investigate the Isle of Gloom and its mines.
Jo-Jo is described as a black handyman or servant and is involved with the criminal antagonists; later editions have removed some ethnic references.
Some readers may need support with suspense involving isolated cliffs, caves, dangerous tunnels, criminal activity, confinement and a rescue. The treatment of Jo-Jo’s racial identity also warrants thoughtful attention, especially across editions.
This is a grounded book brief while Suitabook strengthens the analysis: some draft conclusions still depend on unresolved evidence.
Anything not established here remains open; it is not being treated as absent or safe.
These links show the original reading lists. Inclusion is not a guarantee of suitability for your child.