Secret of Skeleton Island (The Three Investigators, #6) (Three Investigators Mystery S., #6) (Three Investigators S., #6) (Armada S.)

by Robert Arthur

I read a few of these when I was younger and always rather enjoyed them. It's always different reading such stories when you're older but I still really enjoyed this addition to the series.

Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw and Bob Andrews are three boys who have decided to start a detective agency, aptly named The Three Investigators. They use 3 question marks as their symbol and are willing to solve any mystery, riddle or puzzle. Jupiter is the brains of the operation, Pete the muscle and Bob the researcher. The boys have their own secret Headquarters - (a portable office that's been hidden under many piles of junk) that has secret entrances and a phone, use chalk (each boy a different colour) to leave directions, clues and messages to each other - and even a driver (Worthington) with Rolls Royce - courtesy of a competition Jupiter wins to have a chauffeur for 30 days. I'm not sure how long they actually have the car for - I don't think I ever read any without it but I haven't read all of them, so who knows.

The Secret of Skeleton Island reminds me of Treasure Island - even though it's not really even close to being similar beyond treasure and having a history of a pirate. Anyway, the motto for this book is everything that can go wrong does. The boys get stranded multiple times. Jupiter gets sick. Pete and Bob get stuck. Their new friend Chris gets framed. It's one thing after another. I enjoyed the mystery although I did see it coming - I vaguely remember reading this one as a kid.

Still overall an enjoyable read. I'll definitely be reading (and rereading for some) the rest of the series. 3.5 stars.