What do you think?
Rate this book
Goldfish Boy #3
The Skeleton Puzzle
The young detectives of Chestnut Close - Matthew, Melody
and Jake - are back to solve another twisty mystery!
When a long-buried skeleton is found in Old Nina's garden, the
kids are set on discovering who it is, how it got there and who
was responsible. Then Old Nina's long-lost son turns up, with his
own kid in tow, which should be a cause for celebration. But are
the pair really who they are claiming to be - or are they imposters?
As Matthew, Melody and Jake investigate, they dig up jaw-dropping
secrets and uncover a plot to stash some priceless jewels on the
Close...
a page-turning, twisty mystery set in the world of huge bestseller
The Goldfish Boy The Times has called Lisa Thompson
"one of our most inventive writers for children"
PRAISE FOR LISA THOMPSON BOOKS
Goldfish Boy
"an utterly captivating read" BookTrust
"This empathetic debut is a middle-grade whodunit with a very
special heart." Kirkus
"a heart-warming tale" Books for Keeps
The Light Jar
Shortlisted for the Children's Book Awards 2019, Books for Older
Readers Category
"bags of empathy to a deftly plotted tale" The
Guardian
"A hugely endearing boy hero" The Times
The Day I Was Erased
"Lisa Thompson's light touch in delicately exploring emotional
wellbeing means the story can be enjoyed by younger children
and teenagers alike and can help begin important conversations about
memory loss, parental discord and the meaning of friendship." BookTrust
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 11, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 31, 2025
Thanks to Kiran at Scholastic for this copy of the third book in the Goldfish Boy series.
I haven't read a Lisa Thompson book I didn't like and this is no different. Fabulous mystery, alongside friendship and family illness.
Jake has a secret...Mum is ill - she's been like this before but his big brother was here then, now he's in Australia, but it's worse this time. He can't get her to do anything. Auntie Wendy has moved away and he has no one to tell, she doesn't want him to either - in case he's taken away from her. She isn't going to work, getting out of bed, or going to the doctors. Something he has to deal with as he's run out of eczema cream too. But he can't get her an appointment for a week.
Old Nina lives in the close, she has done since the house was built. Jake and his friends Melody and Matthew used to think it was a creepy house because Nina always has a light on in her living room to welcome home her son, Michael, who disappeared when he was young whilst swimming on holiday. Jake helps Old Nina in her garden regularly - she gives him some money - so at least he can buy some food.
But on this day Jake is clearing an old shed, until he and Wilson (his dog) find a skeleton!
They call the police - why is Nina so scared? Nina is taken to the station and questioned by the police. When she is arrested she goes to stay with Melody and her family as she is so upset and the police don't want her in the house. Then a man and his son arrive - Nina's long lost son? Really?
Jake and his friends decide the skeleton is a mystery they need to investigate. A slight problem is that Nina's 'grandson' Danny is joining them a lot. How can they investigate him and his dad with him there?
They find a story of wrong-uns and stolen diamonds. But clearly no-one knows where the diamonds are?
Can they children prove they're right about 'Michael and Danny'? And can they find the diamonds before they are found by the wrong person.
There are other issues though? Just what is Matthew up to when he has no time for them? Can Jake keep Mums illness a secret and can he get her some help? And who is going to live at No1?
Brilliant mystery story, fast paced.
Jake's mum's illness is well-written, and her need for secrecy from their friends is easily understood.
Loved this book.
I haven't read a Lisa Thompson book I didn't like and this is no different. Fabulous mystery, alongside friendship and family illness.
Jake has a secret...Mum is ill - she's been like this before but his big brother was here then, now he's in Australia, but it's worse this time. He can't get her to do anything. Auntie Wendy has moved away and he has no one to tell, she doesn't want him to either - in case he's taken away from her. She isn't going to work, getting out of bed, or going to the doctors. Something he has to deal with as he's run out of eczema cream too. But he can't get her an appointment for a week.
Old Nina lives in the close, she has done since the house was built. Jake and his friends Melody and Matthew used to think it was a creepy house because Nina always has a light on in her living room to welcome home her son, Michael, who disappeared when he was young whilst swimming on holiday. Jake helps Old Nina in her garden regularly - she gives him some money - so at least he can buy some food.
But on this day Jake is clearing an old shed, until he and Wilson (his dog) find a skeleton!
They call the police - why is Nina so scared? Nina is taken to the station and questioned by the police. When she is arrested she goes to stay with Melody and her family as she is so upset and the police don't want her in the house. Then a man and his son arrive - Nina's long lost son? Really?
Jake and his friends decide the skeleton is a mystery they need to investigate. A slight problem is that Nina's 'grandson' Danny is joining them a lot. How can they investigate him and his dad with him there?
They find a story of wrong-uns and stolen diamonds. But clearly no-one knows where the diamonds are?
Can they children prove they're right about 'Michael and Danny'? And can they find the diamonds before they are found by the wrong person.
There are other issues though? Just what is Matthew up to when he has no time for them? Can Jake keep Mums illness a secret and can he get her some help? And who is going to live at No1?
Brilliant mystery story, fast paced.
Jake's mum's illness is well-written, and her need for secrecy from their friends is easily understood.
Loved this book.
November 26, 2025
This was a really fantastic read for middle grade.
There is an interesting plot with an appropriate level of mystery and trauma - no details on a murder and no major peril. Just a skeleton found and hints at what became them.
The main characters are a great group of friends who I feel a lot of readers will relate to. The fact that there are a series of books makes it perfect for those who like the consistency and joy of following the same characters as they grow.
Whilst being a gripping adventure mystery the book also looks at some real issues and brings attention to them in a real yet sensitive way. Issues such as depression, OCD, young carers are all addressed well and not sugar coated. I feel this is a great way to develop awareness and support for young people who may be experiencing these things or know someone else who is.
I am really looking forward to reading more books from this series.
There is an interesting plot with an appropriate level of mystery and trauma - no details on a murder and no major peril. Just a skeleton found and hints at what became them.
The main characters are a great group of friends who I feel a lot of readers will relate to. The fact that there are a series of books makes it perfect for those who like the consistency and joy of following the same characters as they grow.
Whilst being a gripping adventure mystery the book also looks at some real issues and brings attention to them in a real yet sensitive way. Issues such as depression, OCD, young carers are all addressed well and not sugar coated. I feel this is a great way to develop awareness and support for young people who may be experiencing these things or know someone else who is.
I am really looking forward to reading more books from this series.
November 12, 2025
Further mystery-solving adventures of Matthew, Melody and Jake, this one told from Jake's pov.
This was better than Magpie riddle/Graveyard riddle but still no where near the excellence of Goldfish boy.
It was unfortunate that Riddle dealt with the mental health breakdown of a mother and so did Puzzle. A bit repetitive on the themes there...
Fine for a school or public library purchase (being part of a series almost makes it mandatory as there will be readers who want to read them all) but I wouldn't go out of my way to read it or buy it for a home library.
This was better than Magpie riddle/Graveyard riddle but still no where near the excellence of Goldfish boy.
It was unfortunate that Riddle dealt with the mental health breakdown of a mother and so did Puzzle. A bit repetitive on the themes there...
Fine for a school or public library purchase (being part of a series almost makes it mandatory as there will be readers who want to read them all) but I wouldn't go out of my way to read it or buy it for a home library.
March 8, 2026
charming children’s novels.
Lisa Thomson has built up a wonderful little microcosm of life on this little cul-de-sac of homes with a splendidly diverse range of characters. The stories use well-plotted adventures to hook the reader in and always features real-life issues that are integrated seamlessly into the stories, such as OCD, being a child carer and mental health issues.
With people moving in and out of the street and a core cast of characters, this is a series that I love to continue reading.
Lisa Thomson has built up a wonderful little microcosm of life on this little cul-de-sac of homes with a splendidly diverse range of characters. The stories use well-plotted adventures to hook the reader in and always features real-life issues that are integrated seamlessly into the stories, such as OCD, being a child carer and mental health issues.
With people moving in and out of the street and a core cast of characters, this is a series that I love to continue reading.
August 11, 2026
The book was overall very good but did get repetitive many times like when they kept repeating the same story about his mom being sick and some parts felt cut of and with no use, like we never learned why the mom says they will take jake. On the other hand the adventure and mystery and piers and leonardo faking to be michael for the diamonds are very interesting. 3 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2026
Painfully beautiful. Nice to see a bully to friend arc played out so genuinely without it feeling pushed.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews