Skeleton KeySkeleton Key
Score Modern
What it's about
Alex Rider has been through a lot for fourteen: shot at by terrorists, chased down a mountain, face to face with evil. But now he faces a man who has lost everything, his country and his only son, and who happens to have a nuclear weapon and a grudge against the world.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the BBC's Big Read. The Alex Rider series is one of the most popular spy series for young readers.
You'll love it if you liked
Point Blanc
Stormbreaker
The Lightning ThiefGood to know
It's the third Alex Rider book; start with Stormbreaker.
By the numbers
- Readers58 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller34 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #115 of the 219 young adult books we rank
- #287 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #935 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1729 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by Anthony Horowitz
If you like this, read next
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
Long Way Down
The Bottoms
Too Late
House Rules
Sam's Letters to JenniferExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →Quick answers
Is Skeleton Key worth reading?
Yes. It's on the BBC's Big Read. It ranks #1,729 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 66.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Skeleton Key about?
Alex Rider has been through a lot for fourteen: shot at by terrorists, chased down a mountain, face to face with evil. But now he faces a man who has lost everything, his country and his only son, and who happens to have a nuclear weapon and a grudge against the world.
How long does it take to read Skeleton Key?
About 9 hours (352 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Skeleton Key?
If you liked it, try Point Blanc by Anthony Horowitz, Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz or The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.


















