The Goldfish Boy

Written by Lisa Thompson

A boy with OCD must solve a kidnapping, risking his secrets and safety.

4.1 Goodreads · 10,122 ratings

320 pages· 69,455 words· Est. 9.5 hour read· 750L

$7.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Matthew Corbin, trapped by his OCD, becomes the last witness to a toddler's disappearance. As he observes his neighbors from his window, he realizes he holds the key to solving the mystery. But can he confront his fears and step outside to save a child's life, even if it means revealing his own hidden struggles? With every neighbor a suspect, Matthew must navigate his inner turmoil and the unfolding drama to uncover the truth. Will he find the courage to act before it's too late?

From the publisher

In this riveting debut, a boy struggling with OCD is uniquely qualified to solve a kidnapping.Lisa Thompson’s debut novel is a page-turning mystery with an emotionally-driven, complex character study at its core – like Rear Window meets The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.Matthew Corbin suffers from severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. He hasn’t been to school in weeks. His hands are cracked and bleeding from cleaning. He refuses to leave his bedroom. To pass the time, he observes his neighbors from his bedroom window, making mundane notes about their habits as they bustle about the cul-de-sac. When a toddler staying next door goes missing, it becomes apparent that Matthew was the last person to see him alive. Suddenly, Matthew finds himself at the center of a high-stakes mystery, and every one of his neighbors is a suspect. Matthew is the key to figuring out what happened and potentially saving a child’s life… but is he able to do so if it means exposing his own secrets, and stepping out from the safety of his home?

At a glance