The New Famous: Five and the Smuggler’s Code

The New Famous Five by Chris Smith

Format: Kindle

Date of publication: 2026

Genre: Children, Mystery

REVIEW

I loved Enid Blyton’s series, “The Secret Seven” and “The Famous Five.” So, as an adult writing children’s stories lately, I got the complete set of “The Famous Five,” (the original series, by Blyton) to read again!

I’m still going through the original ‘Famous Five’ books; however, I was pleased when I found a new contemporary series. Chris Smith has picked up on where the children were left as the famous five. He writes about the older famous five!

This book, The New Famous Five: Five and the Smuggler’s Code, is the SECOND of three books, to date, showcasing some of the grandchildren of the famous five!

I read the first in the series first. It’s called “The New Famous Five: Five and the Forgotten Treasure.”

It’s well worth obtaining and reading “Five and the Forgotten Treasure” first because it introduces you to three new children, and of course, to a dog (called Gilbert).

I enjoyed both books. Turning to the subject of this review, The New Famous Five: Five and the Smuggler’s Code, the story moved at a good pace and had strong tension and mystery. There is a riddle or a code that leads to a hidden treasure map. The story starts with Fran, Maddie, and Tim visiting the adult George or Georgina. I like the twists and turns and how the adults from the original famous five are described by Smith.

Chris Smith has done a sterling job keeping the spirit of the original five alive, with one or two of these “old” members taking part in each mystery.

The story is easy to read at 224 pages, aimed at 8 to 11 years – and adults, like me, who enjoy children’s books. Why not pick up one of these time-honored treasures for a quick read? The Five and the Smuggler’s Code cleverly follows the “vein” of the original series. Reading the first two books left me wanting to move on to the third in the series.

A child who read the original Famous Five books would love this series, I think. Hachette Australia offers a paperback, an e-book, and an audio version.

Chris Smith Books – Hachette Australia

The book has nice black and white illustrations by James Lancett. The page above gives some samples from the book. The intrepid trio and Gilbert go to an old house called Smuggler’s Top. It is full of secret tunnels and ancient hiding places, and they discover a master criminal who must be stopped at all costs.

The story includes a flashback to 55 years earlier, tying this adventure to one had by the Famous Five- ‘Five Go to Smuggler’s Top’, the fourth story in the series by Enid Blyton.

The first story in the new series by Chris Smith, ‘Five and the Forgotten Treasure,’ has quite a long interlude where George recounts another mystery of the original Famous Five.

These children’s books are satisfying for anyone interested in friendship, mystery, and adventure. Hachette has great children’s books, including those by my beloved Enid Blyton. If you’re looking for books with the Key Stage 2 (KS2) curriculum in England, Hachette has got them. I could spend all day looking at the books offered by Hachette.

For National Curriculum Key Stage 2 books – Hachette Australia

In summary, if you know or have children who loved “The Five Famous” stories by Enid Blyton, I think that they will like this series by Smith. Not only that, but even if you’re an adult looking for an adventure mystery book that’s easy and interesting to read, the new Famous Five are waiting to be discovered!