A breakthrough new series from bestselling author Patrick Carman, featuring text and technology in an innovative new way.

Strange things are happening in Skeleton Creek . . . and Ryan and Sarah are trying to get to the heart of it. But after an eerie accident leaves Ryan housebound and forbidden to see Sarah, their investigation takes two tracks: Ryan records everything in his journal, while Sarah uses her videocam to search things out. . .and then email the clips for Ryan to see.

In a new, groundbreaking format, the story is broken into two parts — Ryan’s text in the book, and Sarah’s videos on a special website, with links and passwords given throughout the book.

Out: March 1st, 2009

BIO

I have been a lifelong writer and storyteller. Salem, Oregon is where I spent my formative years and I graduated from Willamette University. After college, I spent a decade living in Portland, Oregon where I worked in advertising, game design, and technology.

I’ve written young adult and children’s books for Scholastic, Little Brown Books For Young Readers and Katherine Tegen Books/ HarperCollins Publishers.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have had some bestselling series work: The Land of Elyon, Atherton, Elliot’s Park, 39 Clues, and Skeleton Creek. Here’s a fun note…the books have been translated into approximately two dozen languages. Currently I’m developing a few new-media projects. Check out DARK EDEN to experience this type of cross-platform project.

When I’m not writing or creating a story, I spend my free time supporting literacy campaigns and community organizations, fly fishing, playing basketball and tennis, doing crosswords, watching movies, dabbling in video games, reading (lots), and (more than anything else) spending time with my wife and two daughters.

Other Books In Series:

Ghost In The Machine, Book Two, 2009

The Crossbones, Book Three, 2010

The Raven, Book Four, 2011

The Phantom Room, Book Five, 2014

MY THOUGHTS:

I found this book in a thrift shop and will now be giving my honest review.

Uniquely packaged, in a plastic sleeve to resemble a video, this book instantly caught my attention.

I am always on the look-out for new series, so when I found this one, Book One of the Skeleton Creek series written by Patrick Carman, I was ready to begin reading.

It’s a narrow, quick read but it’s the packaging that caught my attention.  I hadn’t heard of this author until I found this book.

So…. creepy ghost story with interactive online video clues needing passwords.  Any kid would love this. It’s a fast read, I read it within twenty minutes, and the videos online are exactly winners of any talent show… nor, are the characters well fleshed out in the book.

It’s basically a ghost story mystery, but the little extras make this book series and a unique experience. I think without the bling, it would have been just another story of its kind.

Did I enjoy it? Well, duh! I’m a sucker for ghost stories, campy acting videos and coolly packaged books…. Will I continue the series? NO!

It’s a great series, just not enough to keep me invested.  Will it be great with kids.. yes, yes, yes.

I gave this book for the concept: