This is another of the recently reissued Nigel Strangeways mysteries written under the nom de plume Nicholas Blake. Blake was really poet Cecil Day Lewis.

This time there is a lot going on for both Nigel and a group of boys who happen to be at a boat pond in Kensington Gardens. What follows is a rather convoluted tale of adventure and spies.

This title will be most enjoyed by fans of Blake and those who like mysteries from the 1950s.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I couldn't really get into this book I found the 12-year-old character hard to relate too and I didn't get very far unfortunately before I called it a day

I've read several Nicholas Strangeway's mysteries and this was the least appealing. It had more in common with a boy scout adventure story(the unknown man behind the scenes,secret messages,an mysterious plot...)than with a mystery.

A good classical mystery. It's well written, with interesting characters and an entertaining plot.
Some partes reminded me when I was reading when I was a child like the Three Investigators.
Really likeable.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Ipso Books

This book was quite a pleasant read, and although it felt a little "famous five" like I did enjoy it. I had a little trouble visualizing the characters in this book, probably due to the era that this book was written. I was a good story with a bit of drama and a nail biting ending.

A cosy and less complicated plot that some of the others by Blake (Cecil Day-Lewis) - as always, the writing is literate and gently witty, but I prefer the murder mystery plots to this which is trying to be a thriller. May be good for fans of Allingham?