Following the success of her debut middle-grade novel Boy Underground, author Isabelle Marinov returns with Boy Overboard, an action-packed new story set along Croatia’s Adriatic coast.
In this second instalment of Marinov’s heartfelt trilogy, Hugo, an autistic boy who loves maps, reunites with his best friends Alex and Julie at a scuba-diving camp in Split. Their goal? To uncover a legendary Roman shipwreck and an emperor’s lost crown. Standing in their way are a ruthless businessman, his terrifying bodyguard and Hugo’s fear of the unpredictable sea.
But as the friends soon learn, the greatest treasures often lie just outside one’s comfort zone.
Described as “a modern-day The Goonies set throughout Europe”, the series takes readers from the catacombs of Paris to the Mediterranean Sea, blending high-stakes adventure with emotional depth.
Perfect for readers aged 9 and up, the trilogy continues with a third and final volume planned for 2026. Meanwhile, Boy Underground, the first book in the series, is currently being adapted for the big screen.
Marinov, who has Croatian roots, celebrated the book’s launch in Split this September with a seaside photo session. Earlier this year, she made headlines for her plan to run for autism awareness in Split, an initiative covered by Croatia Week.
She also appeared on Croatians Saturday Live, where she spoke about her passion for storytelling, inclusion, and neurodiversity.