Island of Thieves

Lacey, Josh. Island of Thieves. 2011, 228p. ISBN 978-0-547-76327-9. FIC LAC on the library shelves.

His parents are going on a week-long trip to Greece, and Tom and his siblings are all supposed to be staying with different friends. However, Tom just burned down the garden shed, and he has been “uninvited.” With no time left, Tom is left in the care of his father’s brother, uncle Harvey, a ne’er do well.

Turns out that Harvey is heading to Peru the same day for a treasure hunt. While there the previous week, he discovered a piece of John Drake’s journal, indicating that a large pirate treasure was buried on one of Peru’s many islands. After much pleading, Tom is allowed to go with him as long as he does not tell his parents.


What ensues is a classic treasure hunt, with Tom and Harvey being chased by Otto, a major drug dealer, and his thugs, from one end of Peru to the other as they look for clues in finding the location of the treasure, with the pressure of needing to be back in England before the end of the week so that they can be there to welcome Tom’s parents back. Action packed and fast moving, anyone who enjoys Indiana Jones type movies and books will love this one!