The Secret Seven (Frank Richards)

The Secret Seven series is an 11 part series of stories published in The Magnet magazine in 1934. The author was prolific writer Charles Hamilton, writing under the pen name Frank Richards. The series was republished by the Howard Baker (Greyfriars Press) as two volumes of Magnet facsimile editions in 1976.

The stories are set in the fictional Greyfriars School. Venerable and respected Headmaster Dr. Locke, along with popular Head Prefect George Wingate and several other senior prefects, are all hospitalised after a road accident. Portly and pompous Fifth Form master Mr Prout is appointed as temporary Headmaster. He in turn appoints the bullying Gerald Loder as temporary Head Prefect. A tyrannical regime ensues, with unjust and brutal punishments raining down across the school.

The junior schoolboys respond by forming a secret society, the Secret Seven, to fight back against Loder and Prout. Despite its name, there are many more than seven members of the society – the name "Secret Seven" is designed to mislead the authorities and divert suspicion from the ringleaders.

A series of lively adventures follow before the Secret Seven finally triumph over Loder and Prout.

The Secret Seven
cover
The Secret Seven! – front cover of The Magnet, 3 November 1934

A Tyrant Rules Greyfriars!
The High Hand!
The Greyfriars Storm-Troops!
The Secret of the Vaults!
The Secret Seven!
Fooled on the Fifth!
The Dictator of Greyfriars!
The Brotherhood of Justice!
A Traitor in the Camp!
The Schoolboy Sleuth!
Putting Paid to Prout!
AuthorCharles Hamilton, writing as Frank Richards
IllustratorCharles Henry Chapman and Leonard Shields
LanguageEnglish
GenreChildren's literature, School story
PublisherAmalgamated Press
Published in English1934
No. of books11
Preceded by"Bunter the Billionaire" series
Followed by"Christmas at Hilton Hall" series