Skeleton Creek #2: Ghost in the Machine

Written by Patrick Carman

Narrated by Aidan Zbel

Read the Book. Watch the Videos. Uncover the Mystery. The chilling second book in the interactive series from New York Times Best Seller author Patrick Carman. Strange things are happening in Skeleton Creek...and Ryan and Sarah are trying to find out why. Ryan writes down everything in his journal, and Sarah records everything on her videocam. The two move deeper into the mystery they've uncovered, determined to discover the secrets buried in Skeleton Creek, in the conclusion to Patrick Carman's thrilling series.In this 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: International Literary Properties
• Release date: Sep 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781953380098

Patrick Carman

Patrick Carman is the New York Times bestselling author of over thirty books, including the acclaimed series the Land of Elyon and Floors and the teen superhero novel Thirteen Days to Midnight. A multimedia pioneer, Patrick authored The Black Circle, the fifth title in the 39 Clues series, and the Dark Eden, Skeleton Creek, Trackers, Fizzopolis, and Voyagers series. An enthusiastic reading advocate, Patrick has visited more than a thousand schools, developed village library projects in Central America, and created author outreach programs for communities. He lives in Walla Walla, Washington, with his family. You can visit him online at www.patrickcarman.com.

Reviews for Skeleton Creek #2

[bookslesstravelled · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A fun way to teach history, and really get kids and young adults into learning. Even as an older teen, and adult, I still learned from these books, and enjoyed the ride along the way.

[prkcs · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A strange telegram lures fourteen-year-old Amy Cahill and her younger brother, Dan, deep into Russia and away from the only trustworthy adult they know. Signed with the initials NRR, the telegram launches a race to uncover a treasure stolen by the Nazis and the truth behind the murder of the last Russian royal family. All too soon, the treasure hunt starts to smell like a Lucian trap. But the bait might just be irresistible--what will Amy and Dan risk to find out what really happened on the night their parents died?

[loverofbooks79 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amy and Dan are getting closer to finding out about what really happened to their parents and that they were doing what they are doing now. This book for me compared to the other series is better.

[59square · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the latest installment of the 39 Clues story, and the action continues to ratchet up. In this book, Amy and Dan realize that their parents may have been on this same search for clues before they died. They are also helped by the mysterious NRR, who ends up being the daughter of Anastasia, the missing princess. As always, the action moves the story along quickly and the history and geography of whatever nation they are in (in this case Russia) is woven into the actual story seamlessly. The children still do not know which branch of the Cahills they are in, and it seems like there are a lot of people in their lives whom they have previously misjudged, but it continues to be a good series. I'll be interested to see how this pans out.

[8f_sam · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was pretty cool. Especially since it was in Russia. It defiantly kept you guessing a lot. For example, I would never believe that Amy and Dan would make an alliance with the Holts. I thought they were just tricking Hamilton Holt when they did....but it turns out it wasn't a trick. But it was really cool. But the bad news is, I didn't get to read about how the Holts found 2 of the clues. The whole NRR thing was kind of random too...

[missnickynack · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Amy and Dan Cahill head to Russia for another clue. They get a telegram from a mysterious person NRR. They join forces with the Holts to travel around Russia looking for clues. They find their last clue in the Amber Room where they also find info about their parents.

[tigerlms · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dan & Amy head to Russia and make an unlikely alliance to find the next clue. Another fast, action-packed read as the siblings continue their quest to be first in finding all 39 clues-- although they once again are helped by someone they don't know. Elementary and middle school; low level readers in high school. Recommended if preceding books have been read.

[shannonkearns · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

the series just gets better and better. this one was very good although the ending could have been a bit better.

[porch_reader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My fourth-grade son and I are still enjoying the 39 Clues series. This book, which takes place in Russia, was filled with close calls and lots of adventure. Amy and Dan team up with the Holt family and are helped by the mysterious NRR as they race for the fifth clue. This was one of my favorite books in the series, in part because of a number of humorous moments. On to Book 6. . .

[rinkugeeyo · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

May be a little more clues to get Amy and Dan and them trying to interpret those to get to the end would have been interesting.

[benuathanasia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The way the authors of this series blend fact with fiction is absolutely astounding to me. I feel compelled to look up every little "fact" stated to see if it's true or simply part of the Cahill canon, but I stop myself because I REFUSE to destroy the temporary suspension of disbelief with this series (at least until I've finished it).

[wichitafriendsschool · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A strange telegram lures fourteen-year-old Amy Cahill and her younger brother, Dan, deep into Russia and away from the only trustworthy adult they know. Signed with the initials NRR, the telegram launches a race to uncover a treasure stolen by the Nazis and the truth about the murder of the last Russian royal family. All too soon, the treasure hunt starts to smell like a Lucian trap. But the bait might just be irresistible . . . what will Amy and Dan risk to find out what really happened on the night their parents died?

[matthewbloome · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book definitely added some serious depth to Irena while strangely omitting Alstair from the action for most of the book. It seems like faking his death was the death of his character because no one wrote him in with any kind of significance in this story. Carman did a good job of making the characters more believeable and likeable here while working toward an answer as to who is the true villian in this hole mess.

[jabu815 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best books in the series. I liked it but i was confused.

[jiangyi_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In book 5 of the 39 Clues series, Dan and Amy cahill recieved a mysterious telegram from the unknown NRR which led them on a chase for 1 of the 39 Clues deep in Russia, away from their babysitter (au pair),into what could be a devious trap made for them by the other clue-hunting teams, with nothing but codes, fake passports, disguises, and a gold Visa card, all courtesy of NRR. After experiencing several murders attempted on them all around Russia, they made an unlikely ally, found the mysterious NRR, found the clue, andmore information about the mysterious Madrigals and their parents. An exciting sequel to Book 4: Beyond the Grave as the clue hunt continue to lead Dan and Amy into unexpected places of the world, entering each branch's secret hideout and discovering clues which could make them the most powerful human being in the whole world!

[sraval_8 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a fun suspenseful book so hard to put down

[martensgirl · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed how the Romanovs were involved in this story. It's an interesting part of history which I hope children pursue after reading this book.

[reader1009-863136 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Children's fiction; Adventure. The fifth installment in the series delves a little deeper into Hamilton "Hammer" Holt, as the two orphans develop another temporary alliance with one of their competitors.

[jmoncton_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The 5th in The 39 Clues series, this book takes Dan and Amy Cahill to Russia where they learn about yet-another-famous-relative, Anastasia, the last surviving member of the ruling Romanov family.

This series is great as far as getting kids hooked and reading. It also throws in some history and culture at the same time. But each book in the series is written by a different author. I loved the first book which was authored by Rick Riordan. This one is written by Patrick Carman and I found the writing to be a bit juvenile. Dan and Amy Cahill are children, but he spends too much time talking about their eating habits (basically junk food) and child-like behavior. It was almost condescending, especially since these kids have managed to thwart villains and solve puzzles all over the world. They are smart and capable protagonists, so the emphasis on child-like behavior seems out of place. Still a fun plot and as always, you're left wanting to grab the sequel.