Famous Five 20: Five Have a Mystery to Solve by Enid Blyton – Adventure & Mystery for Kids

Famous Five 20, officially titled Five Have a Mystery to Solve, is the exciting twentieth adventure in Enid Blyton’s classic Famous Five series.

Julian.

Dick.

Anne.

George.

And Timmy the dog.

The Famous Five are together once again.

This time, their adventure takes them near the coast.

Everything begins peacefully.

Then they hear stories about an unusual place called Whispering Island.

The island has a mysterious reputation.

People tell strange stories about it.

Some even wonder whether it is haunted.

Naturally, the Famous Five become curious.

What secrets could possibly be hiding there?

Soon they travel to the island themselves.

But the adventure changes dramatically when they become stranded.

Worse, they discover something unexpected.

They are not alone.

Why Read Famous Five 20?

Famous Five 20 is ideal for children who love mysterious islands, secret passages and treasure adventures.

The story combines:

• Whispering Island
• An old castle
• Hidden coves
• Secret passages
• Strange legends
• Hidden treasure
• Suspicious strangers
• Being stranded
• Friendship
• Courage
• Teamwork
• Exploration

The official publisher describes Book 20 as an adventure where the Five visit mysterious Whispering Island, become stranded there and realize that someone else is on the island.

Famous Five 20 and Whispering Island

Whispering Island is the perfect setting for a Famous Five mystery.

It is isolated.

Surrounded by water.

Filled with old stories.

And difficult to explore safely.

The name alone makes it sound mysterious.

Could the island really be haunted?

Or are the strange stories hiding something more ordinary—and more dangerous?

That question keeps Famous Five 20 moving.

The children know that old legends are not always true.

But they also know that strange stories sometimes begin because something unusual really happened.

The Five Become Stranded

Exploring an island is exciting when you know you can leave.

It becomes much more frightening when you cannot.

In Famous Five 20, the children eventually realize that they are stranded.

That changes everything.

They cannot simply return to safety.

They need to understand their surroundings.

Find shelter.

Work out what is happening.

And discover how they will get home.

The publisher highlights this moment as one of the main turning points in the adventure.

They Are Not Alone

Then comes an even bigger discovery.

Someone else is on Whispering Island.

That creates immediate questions.

Who are they?

Why are they there?

Do they know about the island’s secrets?

Are they friendly?

Or are they trying to stop anyone from discovering what is hidden there?

The mystery becomes much more serious once the children realize they may be sharing the island with dangerous strangers.

Famous Five 20 and the Old Castle

Whispering Island contains an old castle.

A ruined castle is exactly the kind of location where mysteries can develop.

Old rooms.

Forgotten passages.

Hidden chambers.

Secret entrances.

And stories that may have been passed down for generations.

A later edition’s back-cover description specifically mentions Whispering Island’s old castle, Wailing Cliffs, hidden coves and mysterious passageways.

That makes the island one of the most atmospheric settings in the later Famous Five adventures.

Hidden Coves in Famous Five 20

Hidden coves make the island even more mysterious.

A small cove can be invisible from a distance.

Boats could arrive unnoticed.

People could move secretly.

Objects could be hidden.

And anyone watching from the mainland might never know what was happening.

For the Famous Five, every hidden place becomes another possible clue.

Secret Passageways

Secret passages are one of the classic ingredients of a Famous Five mystery.

And Famous Five 20 delivers them again.

The children discover that Whispering Island contains more than what can be seen on the surface.

Mysterious passageways become connected with the island’s secrets and treasures.

Dark tunnels create suspense.

The children cannot always see what lies ahead.

And they do not know whether somebody else may be using the same routes.

Famous Five 20 and Hidden Treasure

Treasure becomes an important part of the mystery.

Whispering Island is filled with stories.

Some of those stories involve valuable objects that may still be hidden.

Once the Five begin exploring, the possibility of treasure becomes much more believable.

But treasure creates another problem.

If something valuable is hidden on the island, someone else may want it.

That could explain why strangers are there.

Meet Wilfrid

Famous Five 20 also introduces a boy named Wilfrid.

Wilfrid has an unusual connection with animals.

Animals and birds seem naturally attracted to him.

He can even use music to draw them near.

Wilfrid joins the Five during the adventure and becomes important to what happens on Whispering Island.

His personality gives this adventure something different from many earlier books.

Wilfrid and the Animals

Wilfrid’s ability with animals makes him memorable.

He seems to understand them in a way other people do not.

Birds.

Wild animals.

Pets.

They respond to him.

This unusual talent adds charm to Famous Five 20.

It also creates a contrast with the darker mystery happening on Whispering Island.

While criminals may be interested in valuable objects, Wilfrid is more interested in nature and animals.

Julian in Famous Five 20

Julian remains one of the group’s natural leaders.

Being stranded on an island requires calm thinking.

The children cannot panic.

They need to:

Understand the situation.

Stay together.

Look for safe routes.

Watch suspicious people.

And decide how to escape.

Julian’s leadership becomes particularly important when the mystery turns dangerous.

Dick in Famous Five 20

Dick remains curious and adventurous.

An island filled with secrets is exactly the kind of place he wants to investigate.

He pays attention to clues.

Explores unusual places.

And helps Julian understand what may be happening.

His curiosity helps move the investigation forward.

Anne in Famous Five 20

Anne is often more cautious than the others.

That can be extremely useful.

Exploring cliffs and hidden passages can be dangerous.

Being stranded creates additional risks.

Anne may worry more openly, but she also helps the group recognize when something could go wrong.

Her caution balances George’s determination and Dick’s curiosity.

George and Timmy

George remains independent.

Brave.

Strong-minded.

And always ready for adventure.

Timmy stays close beside her.

Timmy is more than George’s dog.

He is a true member of the Famous Five.

He is loyal.

Protective.

Alert.

And especially valuable when strangers may be hiding nearby.

Famous Five 20 and Friendship

Friendship remains one of the strongest themes in Famous Five 20.

The children face a difficult situation.

They are away from home.

They become stranded.

They discover suspicious people.

And they cannot immediately depend on adults to solve everything.

They need one another.

Julian brings leadership.

Dick brings curiosity.

Anne brings caution.

George brings determination.

Timmy brings loyalty.

Their teamwork helps them survive the adventure.

Famous Five 20 and Courage

Whispering Island is mysterious.

The cliffs are dangerous.

The passages are dark.

And strangers may be hiding nearby.

The children have plenty of reasons to feel afraid.

But they continue investigating.

Courage does not mean acting recklessly.

It means staying calm enough to think and act when something important needs to be done.

That lesson appears throughout Famous Five 20.

Are the Ghost Stories Real?

One of the most interesting questions in the book is whether Whispering Island is actually haunted.

The island has many stories surrounding it.

That creates an eerie atmosphere.

But Famous Five mysteries usually encourage readers to look for explanations.

Why did the stories begin?

Who benefits from people being frightened?

Could someone be using the island’s reputation to keep others away?

Young readers can form their own theories while the Five investigate.

Famous Five 20 and Problem-Solving

The children need to answer several questions.

Who else is on Whispering Island?

What are they doing?

What is hidden inside the old buildings?

Where do the secret passageways lead?

Can the stories about treasure be true?

How can the Five get off the island?

Every answer creates another clue.

That makes Famous Five 20 especially enjoyable for children who like detective-style mysteries.

Adventure Without Modern Technology

The Famous Five cannot simply call for help using smartphones.

No GPS.

No internet.

No live location sharing.

No instant messaging.

They depend on:

Observation.

Maps.

Local stories.

Memory.

Physical clues.

Courage.

And teamwork.

That gives Famous Five 20 its classic adventure feeling.

Famous Five 20 for Young Readers

Hachette categorizes current editions of Five Have a Mystery to Solve within Key Stage 2 / approximately age 9+.

The story is a strong choice for children becoming confident with chapter books.

The island setting creates curiosity.

The possibility of ghosts adds suspense.

The hidden passages create excitement.

And the treasure mystery gives readers a strong reason to continue.

Continue the Famous Five Series

Famous Five 20 follows:

1. Five on a Treasure Island
2. Five Go Adventuring Again
3. Five Run Away Together
4. Five Go to Smuggler’s Top
5. Five Go Off in a Caravan
6. Five on Kirrin Island Again
7. Five Go Off to Camp
8. Five Get Into Trouble
9. Five Fall Into Adventure
10. Five on a Hike Together
11. Five Have a Wonderful Time
12. Five Go Down to the Sea
13. Five Go to Mystery Moor
14. Five Have Plenty of Fun
15. Five on a Secret Trail
16. Five Go to Billycock Hill
17. Five Get Into a Fix
18. Five on Finniston Farm
19. Five Go to Demon’s Rocks
20. Five Have a Mystery to Solve

The next and final original Famous Five adventure is:

21. Five Are Together Again

Five Have a Mystery to Solve was first published in 1962 by Hodder & Stoughton and is the twentieth novel in the original series.

7 Amazing Reasons to Read Famous Five 20

1. Whispering Island – A mysterious island filled with strange stories and secrets.
2. The Five Become Stranded – Their island exploration turns into a much more serious adventure.
3. They Are Not Alone – Somebody else is secretly on the island.
4. Secret Passages – Hidden routes beneath old buildings add classic Famous Five excitement.
5. Hidden Treasure – The island’s old secrets may include valuable objects worth stealing.
6. Meet Wilfrid – An unusual boy with a remarkable connection to animals joins the adventure.
7. Penultimate Famous Five Adventure – Famous Five 20 is the twentieth of the original 21 Famous Five books.

What You Can Expect From Famous Five 20

Readers can expect:

• Julian
• Dick
• Anne
• George
• Timmy
• Wilfrid
• Whispering Island
• Old castle
• Wailing Cliffs
• Hidden coves
• Secret passages
• Hidden treasure
• Suspicious strangers
• Island adventure
• Mystery
• Friendship
• Courage
• Teamwork

Who Should Read Famous Five 20?

Famous Five 20 is ideal for children who enjoy mystery and adventure.

It is especially suitable for readers interested in:

Mysterious islands.

Treasure hunts.

Secret tunnels.

Old castles.

Hidden coves.

Ghost stories.

Dogs and animals.

Friendship adventures.

Classic children’s fiction.

Readers who enjoyed Famous Five Books 1–19 can continue naturally into this twentieth mystery.

An Amazing Twentieth Famous Five Mystery

Famous Five 20 begins with stories about Whispering Island.

A mysterious place.

Possibly haunted.

Filled with old legends.

Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy decide to explore.

Then they become stranded.

And soon they discover they are not alone.

What begins as a curious island visit turns into a mystery involving secret passages, hidden treasure and suspicious strangers.

For children who enjoy islands, old castles, treasure, friendship and classic adventures, Famous Five 20: Five Have a Mystery to Solve is an exciting penultimate adventure in Enid Blyton’s beloved series.

Book Details

Product Name: Famous Five 20
Official Title: Five Have a Mystery to Solve
Author: Enid Blyton
Series: Famous Five
Series Number: Book 20 of 21
Genre: Children’s Fiction / Mystery / Adventure
Original Publication: 1962
Original Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Original Illustrator: Eileen Soper
Main Characters: Julian, Dick, Anne, George & Timmy
Additional Character: Wilfrid
Main Setting: Whispering Island.

Paperback Edition Details

A current Hodder Children’s Books paperback edition is:

ISBN-13: 9781444927627
Format: Paperback
Publisher / Imprint: Hodder Children’s Books
Publication Date: May 4, 2017
Recommended Interest Age: Approximately 9+.

Classic Illustrated Edition

Another paperback edition uses:

ISBN-13: 9780340681251
Format: Paperback
Original Cover Artwork: Eileen Soper
Internal Illustrations: Eileen Soper.

Different editions have different pagination. For example, a 1997 Hodder edition is catalogued at 170 pages, while the original 1962 edition is catalogued at 184 pages.

Edition Note

Several editions of Famous Five 20 exist with different covers, ISBNs and page counts.

Use the ISBN printed on your physical copy before entering exact edition details on your website. https://yourwebsite.com/famous-five-20/