Left: 1 ed, 1971, Ola Ericson. Right: 11 ed, 1990, Vicente.

Below: Hemmets Journal, Disney, 1984, Christina Nauckhoff.

Author: Robert Arthur

Translator: Lasse Mattsson & Sara Hemmel.

Swedish cover: Ola Ericson, Vicente & Christina Nauckhoff.

First Swedish edition: 1971 (1969 in the USA)

Editions:11 (Wahlströms) 1 (Hemmets Journal, Disney)

Spine-number (Wahlströms): 1611-12

Original title: The mystery of the Talking Skull

Review:

Jupiter buys a mystical trunk containing a strange talking skull at an auction! It once belonged to the magician Gulliver who has disappeared. The boys also find a letter from a villain called Spike Neely. Many people seem to have a particular interest in the trunk, especially some very bad criminals, but also a mystical gypsy. What are the villains looking for, and how is it possible for the skull to talk?

This is the last book written by Robert Arthur. Perhaps it is his most humorous story - Titus is joking with Jupiter and the dialogue is very funny and witty. Especially I like when the skull is talking to Mathilda!

The plot is not his best. It is logical and it is not bad, but a story about lost stolen money and villains trying to find them is a litte bit of a cliché, and we have already read about that in for example Skeleton Island. Perhaps Robert Arthur was aware of that and therefore he used a talking skull in the story to make it more thrilling.

The villains are rougher than in many other stories from Robert Arthur. Personally I prefer villains who are more mystical or using their brains.

A surprise is that Aunt Mathilda knows the number of the telephone in the headquarters. Chief Reynolds called the boys in the headquarters and said that Aunt Mathilda advised him to try that number.

The book has a nice atmosphere, but most of all it is very funny to read. I remember the story from my childhood and therefore it also has a very hight factor of nostalgia.

I don´t know if Robert Arthur was tired and severely ill a long time before he died. If that was the case I am very impressed that he was able to write such a warm and funny story. This is a worthy farewell book.

Summarize:

The Story: 8 (of 10)

Characterization 8 (10)

Atmosphere 8 (10)

Thrilling factor 8 (10)

Humour 10 (10)

Environment 9 (10)

Original cover 7 (10)

Swedish cover 8 (10)

Cult status 9 (10)

Nostalgia 9 (10)