Several things make this novel stand out from previous Lone Pine novels (not necessarily in a good way).

The topic itself, Flying Saucers, is more fanciful than previous stories, yet very much of it's time.

There is a greater emphasis in describing Jonathan as a lover of physics, and outer space, and science. His intelligence and "nerdishness" (to use a 21st century term) are greatly emphasized, thus enabling the reader to feel that, perhaps, this is a mystery worthy of the Lone Piners.

We finally meet Penny's parents, who take them all to Dartmoor before leaving five children and a dog alone with a man they have never met, while they go off, improbably, for a second honeymoon. They are even less responsible than the Morton parents, but otherwise indistinguishable.

One chapter is devoted to Dan Sturt, as a way of giving back story for the adventure itself.

The whole story boils down to the Lone Piners helping thwart spies who want to find out about British prototype flying saucers, and culminates in army planes "downing" two spy helicopters before the army arrest teams of foreign spies.

Jon proves himself also to be an action hero, punching one spy to save Penny.

Peter is unimpressed, throughout, with the whole thing and is far more concerned that this world is put right before we explore other worlds. She pointedly walks away rather than watch the thrilling spectacle of the helicopters being caught and she remains the moral compass of the Lone Piners, and, by default, the readers.

All in all, an unsatisfactory story. The fact that Peter, and other characters, frequently question whether it is worth their effort suggests that Saville himself was trying extra hard to convince a doubtful readership.

This is the eighth in the Lone Pine adventure series for younger teenagers. I suppose I must have read it a couple of times before, but I didn't remember it at all, unlike many of the others.

It's not one of my favourites. In the Armada abridged version, there's very little character development in this book although reading in the GGBP full edition, it's much more enjoyable.

However the adventure is a bit too unlikely, with secret service agents, flying saucers, and spies. As ever, the children are brave and resourceful, overcoming kidnappings, fights and imprisonment without any serious harm. Somehow it all seems a little dated, but that's not surprising as it was written in the 1950s.

Recommended as part of the series for teens who like this kind of adventure story, and nostalgic adults who discovered the Lone Piners in their own teenage years.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/05/saucers-over-moor-by-malcolm-savill... ( )