"One word: unputdownable"
July 2026 Book of the Month
The first in the Shadow Thieves series was an explosive, action-packed daredevil adventure and, if anything, book two ups the ante even more in a treasure island escapade that presents young hero Tom, now in his second term at Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts, with a series of trials and challenges that test him both mentally and physically.
He and his schoolmates, not all of whom have accepted him into their elite group, are trapped on the pirate island of legendary villain the Duke of Nimes and hunting for his buried treasure, which is rumoured to include a deadly weapon that absolutely must not fall into the wrong hands.
Unfortunately, the wrong hands are on the island too and holding a group of Tom’s fellow students hostage, as well as his mentor, the Corsair. Even the boobytrapped tunnels Tom has to negotiate are less dangerous, and just how much can he rely on the honour of his fellow trainee thieves to watch his back?
It’s cleverly and tightly plotted, each new test revealing more about the stakes Tom is facing and leading to a climax that will have readers glued to the pages. This is a smart, sophisticated adventure story by an author who really knows how to keep the thrills coming and one to recommend to fans of Anthony Horowitz, Sophie McKenzie and Jonathan Stroud.
Dare you step into the shadows once again?Tom and his new friends from Beaufort's School for Deceptive Arts are taken on a treasure-hunting trip to a private island in the Mediterranean once owned by the great villain himself, the Duke of Nimes. The Duke is said to have hidden a spectacular treasure in the warrens, tunnels and caves that pepper the island - as well as a terrifying weapon.
Dare you step into the shadows once again?Tom and his new friends from Beaufort's School for Deceptive Arts are taken on a treasure-hunting trip to a private island in the Mediterranean once owned by the great villain himself, the Duke of Nimes. The Duke is said to have hidden a spectacular treasure in the warrens, tunnels and caves that pepper the island - as well as a terrifying weapon.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Shadow Thieves: Island of Skulls and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Shadow Thieves: Island of Skulls features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Fantasy / Magical, History, Science, Work / Industry, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Law, police and crime, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Adventurers and outlaws, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Architecture, buildings and construction, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Youth clubs, societies, groups and organisations, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage: General interest
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Shadow Thieves: Island of Skulls was written by Peter Burns and published by Farshore an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Shadow Thieves: Island of Skulls has 328 pages
Yes it is part of Shadow Thieves series
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
