The second book in the Bletchley Park Mystery series is similar to the first in terms of being named after a well-known children's game and having a Famous Five feel to it (especially the front cover which sums up the story in a single illustration) as well as drawing attention to lesser known aspects of Second World War history in an accessible way by setting a fictional piece around true events.
However, there's a new gang of three for the reader to follow as Ned (one of the trio from the first novel) leaves Bletchley Park when his mother's secret war work protecting important artwork from the enemy takes them to the remote Welsh village of Manod - much to the displeasure of his disapproving father whose argument with Ned's mother about the move opens proceedings.
While the concise chapters ought to ensure that events move at a fast yet digestible pace, the tale doesn't really get going until approximately 100 pages in when news of what is happening in Manod is leaked to a local newspaper, prompting everyone to look at each other suspiciously while, as part of the attempt to keep the mission confidential, Ned and his new colleagues Anni and Harri (plus Kip the Guide Dog) run an errand to take a picture back to London which ultimately sees Ned reunite with Robyn and Mary from the first book...
However, there's a new gang of three for the reader to follow as Ned (one of the trio from the first novel) leaves Bletchley Park when his mother's secret war work protecting important artwork from the enemy takes them to the remote Welsh village of Manod - much to the displeasure of his disapproving father whose argument with Ned's mother about the move opens proceedings.
While the concise chapters ought to ensure that events move at a fast yet digestible pace, the tale doesn't really get going until approximately 100 pages in when news of what is happening in Manod is leaked to a local newspaper, prompting everyone to look at each other suspiciously while, as part of the attempt to keep the mission confidential, Ned and his new colleagues Anni and Harri (plus Kip the Guide Dog) run an errand to take a picture back to London which ultimately sees Ned reunite with Robyn and Mary from the first book...