The Crossbones: Ryan's Journal

In my review of Ghost in the Machine, I rejoiced in the fact that the Skeleton Creek series was resolved and happily finished. I loved those books, don't get me wrong, but I hate reaching the end of a novel to find a cliffhanger, especially when a sequel is not yet published. So imagine my surprise to find a third book in this seemingly finished series. Every loose end was neatly tied up, so how could there be another book? If one could ignore the obvious back-stepping and stumbling around that the author had to do to justify another installment to an already resolved plot, this book was sufficiently engrossing. If one isn't an adult, this book is probably worthy of five stars. Its problems, I suspect, are only a result of my critical show more adult eye. While not as frightening and suspenseful as the first 2, this one was a pretty good young adult mystery story that I was able to read in 3 hours. The lack of nail-biting suspense may be due, again, to my adult skepticism. So if you're a teen, don't accept my 3 stars; jump in. And if you try to avoid novels that end in cliffhangers, this one's safe. The author seems to have realized that he may want to continue on with the exploits of Sarah and Ryan but has chosen to give this novel a satisfactory resolution just in case he doesn't want to. This strategy is laudable and I appreciate it! Young Adult authors, take note! show less

Reading this as a read aloud to a sixth-grade reading class. I found it a bit predictable, but my students loved it. I liked the way the storyline involves well-known haunted places around the U.S. We did outside research as a class, and many students explored those sites online on their own. We are all excited about reading the next book in the series!

Ryan and Sarah have gone their separate ways. After finding the gold and giving it to the town, the mayor gave each resident part of the money. Sarah’s parents have moved away. Ryan and Sarah still keep in touch. When they discovered the gold under the floorboards of the old dredge, Ryan found an envelope. He took it home and put it in his desk drawer. The letter has been speaking to him. He knows the ghost of old Joe Bush still haunts him. However, he now believes Joe is trying to protect him. But from what. When Ryan emails Sarah about the contents of the letter they set into motion another adventure but puts them in danger. Definitely a must read for those who like the first two books. This is set up so that you now there must show more surely be a fourth book. The video interaction is awesome. This is a book that my students will love. show less

Patrick Carman's writing in the series Skeleton Creek never ceases to spook me, and Crossbones is no acception. The book has no others like it, Patrick Carman's innovation is amazing.

From the mysterious town of Skeleton Creek to the haunted locations that Sarah risks her life in, every moment is a breath-taking scene of anticipation and harrowing chills.

The book is terrifying, but I find that with a lot of horror-based books sacrifice their plotline for scary scenes, but not with Skeleton Creek. Sarah is travelling America to uncover the Apostle's videotapes, Ryan is plugged in Skeleton Creek, and the ghost of Old Joe Bush has escaped the dredge.

It is thrilling all the way through, and you need to read it.

The Skeleton Creek saga continues. Well done and lots of suspense. The videos in this one have an annoying whistle when Sara pronounces her "s" sounds. Distracting, but still a good read.

the book Cross Bones by patrick carmen was a pretty good book. it was better than the second book in the sence that there was more action and suspense. Ryan is still trying to find out the mystery of the cross bones hence the name of the book "Cross Bones''. but him and sarah are find trouble throught the book. like being so far apart from eachother. so they connect by internet and cell-phone. again the videos that go along with the book are pretty help fun in case that you do not understand the text that is given. over all the book Cross Bones by Partrick carmen is an overall good book.

this book was awosome it had scary parts in it like they went into a basement and the door closed and a face poped out and that was the end of the book then i read the next book.