The Missing Skull

By John Wilson

A trip to a remote lake in northern Ontario with his grandfather doesn't thrill Steve, especially since his twin brother, DJ, was taken to Central America. Matters start to look up when his grandfather tells Steve about the mysterious death of the artist Tom Thomson and sets him the task of finding Thomson's missing skull. Steve loves mysteries, but when odd things begin happening and strange people start threatening him, Steve wonders whether this is part of his grandfather's plan. Is this still a simple puzzle, or is something far more sinister going on?

In this thrilling prequel to Lost Cause and Broken Arrow, the history- and mystery-loving Steve ends up in remote northern Ontario.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
• Release date: Sep 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781459811607

John Wilson

Qualified in agricultural science, medicine, surgery and psychiatry, Dr John Wilson practised for thirty-seven years, specialising as a consultant psychiatrist. In Sydney, London, California and Melbourne, he used body-oriented therapies including breath-awareness, and re-birthing. He promoted the ‘Recovery Model of Mental Health’ and healing in general. At Sydney University, he taught in the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, within the School of Public Health. He has worked as Technical Manager of a venture-capital project, producing health foods in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Dissenting from colonial values, he saw our ecological crisis as more urgent than attending urban distress. Almost thirty years ago, instead of returning to the academy, he went bush, learning personal downsizing and voluntary simplicity from Aboriginal people. Following his deepening love of the wild through diverse ecologies, he turned eco-activist, opposing cyanide gold mining in New South Wales and nuclear testing in the Pacific. Spending decades in the Australian outback, reading and writing for popular appreciation, he now fingers Plato, drawing on history, the classics, art, literature, philosophy and science for this book about the psychology of ecology – eco-psychology – about the very soul of our ecocidal folly.

Reviews for The Missing Skull

[beckylynn_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

A strange quest between grandfather and grandson that leaves the reader unsure if it's a true setup or if the narrator's in trouble. A quick read, but overall not something I can recommend.

[amilligan_13 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I reviewed this for Early Reviewers. While this is a great, short read for middle children, the characters needed more depth. The story line was good though and the mystery was interesting. I would recommend this to my students.

[catherinehsu · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was definitely an interesting story. I would have rated it 3.5 stars if I could.I thought the beginning was very engaging, and the "mystery" was exciting as well. Plotwise, however, I thought that the rising action and climax passed by too fast - of course, this could simply be because the book is pretty short.I'm actually not sure I would classify this as a mystery, but I did enjoy reading this book, especially the story that Grandfather told.I feel as though this book would be perfect for younger readers and middle grade students, or simply for someone looking for a very quick read.

[sheilacornelisse · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A prequel to "Lost Cause" in Seven (the series), this book is about 12-year-old Steve McLean and his first adventurous trip arranged by his grandfather who has planned special trips for each of his seven grandsons centred around their specific interests and skills. For Steve it is a trip to Northern Ontario to solve the mystery of Tom Thomson's supposedly missing skull. A well-written quick read that keeps your attention and is ideal for reluctant and struggling readers. Being Canadian, I could relate to the story's location. Recommended.

[krazykatwriter · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story was so great. Comes from a very brilliant author, and the conflicts are so well thought. I will definitely be recommending these to all my friends and family.

[kaysee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Missing Skull is written for children. It is a mystery story that is entertaining with a twist I did not expect and I read a lot of mysteries.It is the story of a young boy and his grandfather. The grandfather has decided that each of his seven grandchildren will be taken on a special adventure set up by the grandfather that is tailored to the interests of the child. The child is into exploring and mysteries, so the grandfather takes him on a trip to "solve" a mystery, but things go a little off and the adventure begins.Very enjoyable

[wolfeyluvr · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I am reviewing this book through the LibraryThing early reviewers group. I began reading this book without any knowledge of the original series or the prequels. It did well as a stand alone- there were no missing pieces. It is a young adult novel and the main character is 12 years old. Due to it's short length and straight forward first person perspective I would say this is an easy read for someone who is resistant to books. It fits neatly in the mystery genre. I can't decide if it was "okay" or "blah". I failed to read many classic mysteries as a kid (Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew) so I feel like I lack the necessary perspective to effectively evaluate this novel. I would say the mystery aspect was weak and it's climax was mounted and passed too quickly. I can only guess what a 9-14 year old would think of this story though. There is still something drawing about the main theme of these books - grandpa takes each grandson on an adventure tailored just for him (although Grandpa probably takes it just a tad too far. Woops).

[mstrust · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Grandfather has six grandsons and is taking them, one by one, on unique vacations. Now it's twelve year-old Steve's turn and he's looking forward to something as special as his twin brother's trip to Central America. Grandfather seems to have really messed up by driving Steve just a few hours from his Toronto home to stay in a cabin by a lake, but then Grandfather explains that he's been inspired by Steve's love of mysteries to create one for him. Steve's vacation will be to solve the hundred year old mystery of the death of artist Tom Thomson, whose body was found at the very lake.This is an ARC that I won from LT. The good points of this book are that the author hits just the right tone for a children's mystery. Steve is a modern kid who loves Foo Fighters and is disappointed to think he's getting less than his brother. When Steve is in trouble the tension is effective. The downside to the story is that the build-up is quickly ended, the ending is something of a letdown and I couldn't help but wonder if Grandfather, with the serious danger he put Steve in, was trying to rid himself of one of his grandsons.