Skeleton Creek #4: The Raven

Author: Patrick Carman
Recommended Age: 12 and up
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN-10: 0545249953
ISBN-13: 978-0545249959
Year Published: 2011
No. Pages: 240
Genre: Fantasy
Main Character Gender: Mixed
Read & Reviewed by: Nathan



Ever wanted to see your book come to life? With the Skeleton Creek series you can do just that. Patrick Carmen combines the written word with video podcasts to create a whole new experience for you as the reader.

The Raven is the fourth and last book in the Skeleton Creek series. It is the continuing adventures of best friends Ryan McCray and Sarah Fincher as they try to solve the mysteries surrounding the secret society, the Crossbones. They have solved old mysteries, found clues and travelled the country. Some secrets have yet to be uncovered. While Ryan spends the summer working in his father’s bait shop, he is also trying to avoid reporters interested in interviewing him about his discoveries. He must find time to try and solve the mystery of the map given to him by the Ghost of Old Joe Bush. Meanwhile, Sarah is on her way back to Boston from film school in LA. Along the way she will make several side trips to look for clues that the Apostle has left. Together, through secret emails, texts and phone calls Ryan and Sarah start to uncover a mystery that the Crossbones have been hiding for years. Only one problem, someone doesn’t want them to dig up the past.

The book is written in a journal style, which enhances the realism of the story. It gives me, as the reader a closer connection with, Ryan. The secret journal is a first hand account of all of Ryan’s thoughts and observations. Ryan’s character is relatable, as the journal is written as though a teenager has written it both in terms of the handwriting itself, and the use of language. Throughout the story there are passwords to Sarah’s video blogs at her website SarahFincher.com. Here, she posts some of the history as well as footage from haunted locations with ghosts that she and Ryan have encountered. Some of the videos are pretty creepy which lends to the appeal for those that that are attracted to the supernatural. The combination of the written word and the videos helps to tie the stories of the two characters together. The use of the Internet was intriguing to me as someone who sometimes struggles with reading. so it was a welcome respite. It seemed fast paced when reading to reach a password to see the next part of the story.

Patrick Carmen creates an aura of suspense not only through the plot of the story but also with his writing style. The journal entries and entry breaks made me, as the reader, want to keep reading, needing to know why he had to stop writing and what was happening. The videos added visual mystery so the suspense was even more heightened.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a quick but captivating read. The only downfall is that you need to have Internet access to watch the videos. If you skip the videos, it does reduce from the effect of the book. I would rate this book a 9/10.