Right: 1 ed, 1969, Ola Ericson. Left: 9 ed, 1987, Ola Ericson

Below: 10 ed, 1992, Miralles.

Author: Robert Arthur

Translator: Lasse Mattsson

Swedish cover: Ola Ericson & Miralles

First Swedish edition: 1969 (1966 in USA)

Editions: 10

Spine-number: 1463-64

Original title: The Secret of Skeleton Island

Review:

The Three Investigators travel to Skeleton Island where Peter´s father is working with a movie. But the filming is disturbed by thieves and vandals. There is also a rumour about a ghost on the Island. The Three Investigators try to solve the mystery.

This is a very uncomplicated story. The connection between Tom Farraday, the robbery and the rumours of a ghost is rather easy for the reader to discover before Jupe. To be honest - the story is too simple. Many parts of the book is about diving and those parts are hard to put in relation to the main plot. Perhaps You like this if You are interested in diving.

The strength of this book is the atmosphere of the small town full of gossip and envy. There are also some memorable scenes - when the boys arrive and get "kidnapped", when they see the "ghost" from the sea and when Chris Pete and Bob are captured in the the underwater-cave.

As in the Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot the boys help a poor boy from another country. That is a nice story clever related to the main plot.

I like the characterizations in this book. The suspiciousness of the adults and the compassion of the boys is well depicted. Mrs Barton, the gossip expert, is fantastic. The Villains are nasty but not especially fascinating.

The Secret of Skeleton Island is the weakest contribution of Robert Arthur. But it is not bad, and it is very much worth reading.

Summarize:

The Story: 7 (of 10)

Characterization 8 (10)

Atmosphere 7 (10)

Thrilling factor 7 (10)

Environment 7 (10)

Original cover 9 (10)

Swedish cover 8 (10)

Cult status 8 (10)

Nostalgia 7 (10)