The Goldfish Boy was one of 2017's bestselling debuts and subsequent titles have confirmed Thompson as a major talent in Middle Grade fiction. In her new book, characteristic themes of friendship and finding your way in the world are coupled with the page-turning mystery of a famous painting. Cole feels he doesn't fit in with the rich kids at school because his family struggle to make ends meet. When a painting he made in art class unexpectedly sells for thousands of pounds at a London gallery he becomes the darling of the international art world. But a white lie has spiralled out of control and when his family are plunged back into poverty Cole must crack the riddle of a mysterious painting which promises to lead the solver to great riches. Thompson's writing is full of heart, warmth and humour but she's not afraid to address thought-provoking questions about the illusion of wealth and what it means to be happy. I love her well-observed family dynamics, real complex characters and the lightness of touch that makes her work accessible and commercial.
