This was my first exposure to the Little sisters, and I'm a definite fan. I couldn't put the book down; it was like watching a good old black-and-white movie set in the 40s. It has a cast of great characters (the batty old aunt, the young lovers, the pompous older relatives and a smart-alecky detective), and lots of humor. I'm so glad the sisters wrote many of these mysteries!

Young nurse Miriel Mason marries Ian, an army officer on leave. who she's known less than a week. His gravely ill Uncle Richard is one of her patients, and she's soon to meet the rest of her husband's family because their honeymoon (to her surprise) is to be spent in the old family mansion, already filled with assorted relatives. Almost immediately Miriel is given reason to doubt Ian's motives for marrying her. She decides he'll have to court her during their honeymoon. When Uncle Richard dies under extremely unusual circumstances, Miriel asks her father's friend and P.I. Montgomery Kelly for help. Kelly gets himself hired as a butler to find out who might have killed Richard, and might be trying to frame Miriel. Unfortunately, Kelly says he can't think and work at the same time, and he's not too interested in serving others anyway. He tells Ian's Aunt Mabel that serving breakfast before 10 a.m. would be beneath his dignity, and he has Miriel doing his job, along with her own. Due to a shortage of nurses, she's working overtime at the hospital, cooking and cleaning at home, and trying to figure out which of her new relatives might be her enemies.

Not quite as delightful as the Little sisters' THE GREAT BLANK KANBA. Indeed, there are some dark, creepy goings-on in that mansion. Still, there's much to like here. The main trio of characters are wonderful. Miriel is a clever, independent, hard-working nurse, whose supply of sarcastic remarks is apparently inexhaustible. Ian gains sympathy as the put-upon husband, despite his murky motivations. Ian and Kelly of course take an instant dislike to each-other and it's a tribute to the authors' writing that their animosity never feels forced, and their verbal jousting is fresh and funny. Hilarious dialogue and great characters make this book an entertaining read. Sometimes, Kelly and Miriel behave foolishly, in seemingly self-destructive ways. I wasn't too annoyed by that because the book had so many good qualities.

This is a Golden Age mystery written in the 1930's. The story is of a young man and a young woman who get married and plan to spend their honeymoon in the young man's family mansion. When they arrive, they find that his whole family is staying at the mansion, much to their chagrin, and because of an old aunt who is very ill. There are several murders, husband and wife try to find the murderer, and at the very end, surprisingly, we find out who did it. And it is a surprise ending!

I really liked this book because it gives a certain flavor of the 1930's and how people lived and spoke, etc. Very well written! It's funny and also keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I have read most all of Enid Blyton's books, esply her adventure series of Famous Five, The Five Find-Outers and dog, and also her three boarding school series. Most children outside the US read a lot of her work. Her work is not only creative, thus appealing to children, but it establishes fundmental concepts of right and wrong, and a simple code of ethics. Some would call it old-fasioned, maybe. But in this world of violence, Ms Blytons books are a breath of fresh air. Wish they were available in the US!

I read all of Enid Blyton's books as an American child living in Pakiston in the late 1960's. I loved every one of them. I am now trying to find another children's series by Blyton called, "Mallory Towers" a schoolgirl series. There were six books in the series. END

I am german and have read probably all Enid Blyton Books around, they are very popular in germany. My favorite serises of hers was the five friends, it is about friendship, it is mystery, it is catching and it makes you want to read..like all of her books this one is a great present for any occassion and a TUMBS UP! I wish more of her works were available in the United States.

As a child in Guyana, Enid Blyton was a staple on my reading list. I remember, fondly, days curled up in a corner with Mr. Twiddle or Mr. Meddle, Mr. Pinkwhistle, The Secret Seven, Famous Five... the list can go on. I loved Enid Blyton. Reading Enid Blyton books stimulated my imagination and took me on countless journeys to far-away, magical places. I highly recommend Enid Blyton books as required reading for any child who enjoys the written word. This author is, in my humble opinion, the BEST CHILDREN'S WRITER OF ALL TIME.

A favourite of mine for many years, this, the first of Enid Blyton's Circus series deserves to go back into print! Adventure, danger, a cast of fun characters, friendship and the realisation of that dream we've all had at one time, of running away to join the circus!

It's sad this book is out-of-print. Of all books, Enid Blyton loved to write about her circus series. Jimmy Brown is an everyday boy, going to school, etc. UNTIL Dad becomes carpenter for big-shot Galliano's Circus. Mum worries that this isn't the right thing for Jimmy, but somehow the two convince her it is. Jimmy has already gotten to know the circus folk - Jeminma the silly monkey, Lilliput, a small thing of a man, and my favorite - the curly-haired, temperamental Lotta. And so what could go wrong? This series just tells you all the things that go on in a circus when it's not playing. A must-read to circus lovers or - Enid Blyton lovers!

Enid's book is very inspiring and her technique is not difficult to learn. With practice you can paint beautifully blended flowers in no time, with one stroke of the brush. It is all in how you load the brush and she shows how to do this step by step. This is one book for those who don't want to buy a lot of brushes or paints. The end result is astonishing...I can whip up a floral bouquet in no time with Enid's technique and her explicit instructions. If you have a hard time with float-shading...this book is for you!!

Enid's style of painting takes practice, but speaking as someone who prefers immediate gratification, the improvement in my overall technique was well worth the effort. I refer back to the book to refresh my memory for specific details and for design ideas over and over. It's one of my favorite references.

This is an excellent book for those just starting out as decorative painters and challenging enough for the most experienced artist. The step-by-step drawings and detailed descriptions of stroke-work and paint combinations makes this book a wonderful resource guide. Truly a garden of painted delights!

If you like photographs of celebrities that express their personalities in loving ways, this volume is a must for you!

This volume contains a few nude and topless female photographs that are artfully and tastefully done.

Francesco Scavullo created the images that most of us carry around with us that "define" the celebrities that have made an impression on us. These images are greatly enhanced in this volume by brief captions in which Mr. Scavullo shares his verbal perspective on the model. For example, about Diana Vreeland, he says, "Allure personified." His way with words is as good as his way with the camera. Louise Nevelson (one of the subjects of this volume) called his work "the poetic essence of his subject." In doing this, he "filters out visual cliches." In fact, he changed the images of many of his subjects (do you remember the glamor portrait of Martha Mitchell on the cover of New York Magazine?). He has been fascinated that "you could make people attractive."

Mr. Scavullo has an obvious love for people that carries from one thoughtful portrait to the next. He captures a liveliness that most people only feel a few times a year, yet that spark exists in almost all of these images. It's enough to get you to jump up out of your seat and kick your heels in the air!

The book's essay is also candid about Mr. Scavullo's experiences with manic depression, and his joy in doing his photography while in the manic state. Many of his downs are described as "nervous breakdowns" and certainly give a greater poignancy to these bouyant views.

There is also a brief chronology of his career that will put events in perspective for you.

The book is a blockbuster of outstanding images. I could have listed dozens as my favorites from these great black and white and color photographs. Here are a few selections to whet your appetite for the real thing:

Sophia Loren, 1973

Catherine Deneueve, 1970 (1st one)

Elizabeth Taylor, 1977

Oprah Winfrey, 1994

Maria Shriver, 1986

Louise Nevelson, 1981

Christopher Reeve, 1977

Dick Cavett, 1978

Salvador Dali, 1973

Gore Vidal, 1975

Andy Warhol, 1983

Samantha Jones, 1969

Iman, 1989

Lauren Hutton, 1975, 1973

Rene Russo, 1974 (2nd image)

Ingemore, 1968

Maria Badeau, 1970

Brooke Shields, 1983, 1991

Pauline Trigere, 1977

Linda Evangelista, 1990

Claudia Schiffer, 1989

Elizabeth Hurley, 1995

Julie Andrews, 1994

Bee Gees, 1977

Gene Simmons, 1979

Isabella Rossellini, 1986

What thought does it take for you to come alive as these people do? Notice that they seem younger, less guarded, and more confident and comfortable. That makes them more appealing.

Be your most attractive to inspire you . . . and everyone else!

Francesco Scavullo has a gift, there's no question about that. His pictures are so full of life it's hard to believe they are frozen on paper. He also offers candid insights into some of his subjects which only add to the photo's charm. This book has something in it for everyone. It's a purchase you won't regret making if you have even the most remote interest in photography.

I collect and read photography books. This one I got as a Christmas present, and it's super. Whether you're into celebrities or just great photography, this book covers it all. I also like his reasoning and history behind some of the people he photographed. A great book to have in any collection.

I recently shared my old collection of Enid Blyton books with my son, who is 7 years old. They were an instant hit! The stories are full of imagination and humor and it is a shame that finding new copies is so difficult. I would advise anyone looking for childrens books to start with this author.

Enid Blyton is one of the best children's authors I know. As an eight-year old, I personally bought and collected Blyton's books. There are different series for different age levels, so you can actually grow through the books. Unfortunately, few of Blyton's books are available in the U.S., and if available, are usually quite high priced. I miss those books.

Two days went by, and the secret seven were very busy with all kinds of things. Peter and Janet lime-washed the hen-houses for their father, with Scamper watching in great intrest. 'You look a bit peculiar, Scamper-splashed with white from the lime-wash drips,' sais Janet.'Why must you sit exactly under where we're working you get all the splashes!' George was busy too, with Colin, rigging a fine ship they had made together.

Hi! all,

I grew up with Enid Blyton and it's nice to see her again with my 5 year-old. These stories are a riot and my daughter absolutely loves them. They are also great reads for kids who are just beyond the picture book stage and are looking for big-kid "chapter" books. The book has the look of a chapter book with short stories.

A lot of fun and how much story in 3 pages each!

Enjoy!

I read almost all of Blyton's books when I was a child. I amnow a father to a 5-year-old and I was very happy to see the same rushof excitement in my son when I read him this book. The stories contained fully prickle the interest of a 5 year old and Blyton's 30 year writing experience is clearly evident in this book. Make your 5 year old happy buy this book!

I am a returning student, non-traditional. I have been in science and research for 6 years, and now I am returning to undergraduate classes in hopes of gaining admission to medical school. I found this book in a used bookstore and have not been able to stop reading it. Excellent essays and ruminations on what empathy is, how it is attained and lost and how it might be taught. Excellent reading of an academic nature directly applicable to any student planning on entering the healthcare field.

Hello, I am undergraduat student with a goal of becoming a caring physician. While I was working as a volunteer at the University Hospital, my coordinator told me about this book. I wrote to the publisher and requested a copy from them. This was by the far the best book I have read in my college career. The chapters are well written and organized. Chapter 3 in this book was the most remarkable chapter for me. It opened my eyes in many different ways. It sort of helped me become even more mature... A Must Buy for all the pre-medical student and Medical Students.

It was my distinct pleasure to be able to illustrate these four books written by Cynthia Williams. When I was approached with the project there was no hesitation what so ever. What Cynthia had to say to children was too important, I wanted to be a part of it. She loves and understands the children and the problems that they face and wants so much to help them. Our children are the most important job we have for they are our future.

This is a beautifully illustrated book with a well written story, but that's not the only reason to buy this book. If you hope to educate a child you care about in the proper way to react to a found gun or anything dangerous that they may come across, you will want them to read Enid and the Dangerous Discovery. This is an important book that educates in an entertaining way, as do all of the books in the Our Neighborhood series.

One of the more exciting of the Five books, this adventure has the Five having fun with their friend, Jo, an ex-circus girl. This time, the five go caravaning and meet with a circus camp on the way. Usually met with approval, the five are shocked to find the circus folk totally unfriendly. This changes when they meet up with Jo, who has an uncle among the circus people. Simultaneously, there are two scientists missing who also happen to be friends of George's father, Quentin. The Five go in search of them and fall into an exciting adventure. Blyton has done a good job with this book with some interesting and hilarious events like the disappearance of the five's caravan and Julian's and Dick's experience with the circus folk. The climax where the circus folk come to the rescue of the five is exciting and thrilling. The author makes our mouths water with the circus food that the five get to eat once they become the friends with the circus folk. This book is certainly a must for children and it leaves us wishing for more.

One of the most thrilling and exciting books I've ever read. It was about two missing scientist. The five went camping at Faynights Castle. Some fairfolks came and the five thought they were unfriendly, once the fairfolks brought the five's caravan into the next field. While Julian and Dick were asking for Alfredo the fire eater for some horses to pull their caravan back into the field they were in the first place but the fairfolk wouldn't let them when suddenly Jo, their friend, came running and told her uncle Alfredo all that happened on the ninth adventure of the five with her. Soon the five's caravan was put back in the place where it was in the first place. As soon as they were in the place where they were in the first place, Julian, the eldest, decided to leave the next day unless there was something unusual happens that will make them stay. Unexpectedly when they were having a picnic os something in the fields, Dick borrowed George's field glasses to lock at the jackdaws from afar, he unexpectedly saw a face at the window of the Faynights Castle, which has walls 8 feet thick. With that, they decided to stay. The next day, they went to the castle to explore and find a way up the tower in the castle but there wasn't. the five were completely puzzled. Could it be the missing scientists that is staying at the top of that tower? They have to find out. In the end they found out that the other scientist kiddnaped the other to tell him his secret works. Even the fairfolks were muddled up because of Quentin, George's father, the fairfolks thought that he was the one who tied up Jo in the secret passage