Skullduggery

Bloodwater Mysteries #2

by Pete Hautman, Mary Logue

While on a class field trip, Roni Delicata and Brian Bain find a local archaeologist unconscious in a cave. Professor Andrew Dart is trying to find evidence of an Indian burial ground to stop the Bloodwater family from developing the site. But it is Dr. Dart who has been stopped first, in this exciting follow-up to "Snatched."

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Crime

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Peter Murray Hautman is an American author best known for his novels for young adults. One of them, Godless, won the 2004 National Book Award for Young People's Literature. The National Book Foundation summary is, "A teenage boy decides to invent a new religion with a new god."

Reviews

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually liked this book more than I thought I would, while it is apparently the second installment in a series it can be read on its own.

Roni and Brian how to solve the mystery about the local Indian bluff! With a field research man hit over the head and left for dead in a cave (after finding a dead man no less) it’s up to the kids to figure out who tried to kill him and why they’re such a rush to build condos on the ancient burial ground.

I thought this book had a lot of good twists and turns, it didn’t talk down to the reader and the kids felt very fleshed out and real.

First you think the girlfriend is behind it because he called out her name when he was hit over the head in the cave, then you find out that she just missed him and vice versa after he called off their engagement.

Then you find out that the illustrious Bloodwater family, aren’t who they say they are. They are scam artists trying to build condos without actually having to build them, simply trying to weasel the town out of money to build them.

The book ends revealing that their professor was the man behind hitting the archaeologist! he wanted to keep the condos from being built in the lower basin and knew that if the archaeologist found evidence for Indians that it would be built on the lower level. He also used his history of plant herbology to poison the man while he was in the hospital.

Turns out the dead man died only about 50 years ago, A long lost relative to the town’s history.

While I thought some of the clues were found a little too late in the game to reveal the culprit, it was a good read!

[Terry Lakins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, I got a chance to experience the sequel to Snatched. At first glance Skullduggery takes a little slower to start, and even longer to start coming together. Because I loved the first book so much, I found myself comparing it to the first one. Snatched had such a powerful opening that looms over the entire narrative it's a tough act to follow. Skullduggery is brilliant in its own way, however. While it takes longer to show its hand when it does it hits you fairly well by challenging your expectations on what you know. Its conclusion also plays out in a way you're not expecting. This is an example of a good sequel that instead of just copying what the first book did it tried something different and played to its own strengths. I might not love as much as the first book, but it still stands on its own.

[Lori Bamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun!

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blah. Not sure why this was recommended. Easy peasy early YA.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot Summary:

Roni and Brian live in a small town named Bloodwater. They had fifteen minutes in the spotlight recently for helping solve the kidnapping of a young girl. But this summer was set to be lame, because they were both in summer school! They are taking a class about the local indigenous plants and animals, and took a field trip to the woods to go on a plant scavenger hunt. While out in the field, they stumble upon a local college professor who had been attacked in a nearby cave, while he was looking for significant Native American Artifacts. The Professor was looking to protect the area from a condominium complex that was set for ground breaking at the end of the week! The mystery of who was trying to stop the Professor unfolds, and Roni and Brian will stop at nothing to get answers.

Main Characters:

Roni Delicata: Roni is a young high school girl, who has never heard the phrase, “Curiosity killed the cat.” She works for the school newspaper, and even though it is out for the summer she is always on the lookout for a good scoop. She starts to have a crush on a new boy in town, Eric Bloodwater, until she realizes that their whole family is not quite what they seem.

Brian Bain: Brian is the local smart nerd, who loves science, nature, chess, and explosions! He has a crush on Roni, but does not want to let on, because he is a few years younger than she is. He always comes prepared for adventure and detective work, with a flashlight, magnifying glass, pocket knife, and a few pieces of candy. He feels a good amount of jealousy, as well as mistrust for Eric Bloodwater.

Key Issues:

Mystery, Fraud, Nature, Friendship

Other Interesting information:

I felt that the story itself began with an interesting plotline, but the reason that I gave it three out of five stars was because of how the story played out. I felt like the authors may have not known where the story was going when they were writing it, mostly because it was a less than believable ending. I also feel like the majority of the drama involved was a little overwhelming or maybe even unnecessary. I did enjoy the setting and the idea the book started with.

[Tanner.m · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skullduggery
Mystery

186 pages
Skullduggery is about two friends ,if you can call it that, named Roni and Brian. They just solved a mystery in there home town of blood water and now they're back in school. They both end up going on a trip to the wood together for school to find a plant that grows in the blood water downs. But the soon hear somebody shoutongfro what seems like the inside of the mountain next to them. They soon find a cave hidden in the face of a mountain so they go climbing up it and once inside they find a professed who's searching for proof that this is an Indian berial ground to save tbe Forrest from getting plowed, but some one has hit him on the head and he is completely dazed out. Soon the two friends are plunged into an adventurn including a sabitor blowing up the cave entrance and even a few people who will kill to save the precious plants. This stroie is full of twists and turns and with an exciting twist at the end.

Overall I would recommend this book because it is very suspenceful and full of twists and turns that will surprise you and make you want to keep reading. I also like how even in the begging the book was interesting unlike some books that drag severely in the beging, this one plunged right into the action.

[Erin Forson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check out this creepy cover! I've had Skullduggery: The Bloodwater Mysteries on my reading list for a very long time...here's the skinny. Roni Delicata lives in a town called Bloodwater and is taking a summer studies class (snore) when she and her annoying partner Brian discover an archeologist who has been knocked senseless in a cave right beside a human skeleton. The two sleuths must then discover A.) who clunked him over the head, and B.) is this site the location of an ancient Native American burial ground? But they have to work fast because the whole area is about to be bulldozed. I will say Skullduggery is a fast and easy read that kept my attention. I love short chapters and action, and Skullduggery does a great job providing just that! That being said, Skullduggery is not the best mystery I've ever read, although I think it's not one of those mysteries where you will not guess "who dun it" before you're done reading.

[Abby R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Logue
186 pages
Mystery

This book is about the adventures of Roni and Brian as they try to solve the mystery of doctor darts injury. Who caused it and how did it happen? Along the way they are also trying to stop bulldozers from bulldozing the Indian bluff to create the ridge wood residence. The blood water family is behind all this. Roni and Brian both believe that something isn't right about the blood waters. They think to them selves "are the blood waters pulling a big scam? All the way they make some friends and some enemies. Will they solve the mystery and stop the bulldozers? Or will they fail in there searches?

I really did like this book. I love how Roni and Brian have earlier mysteries that they solved. Also they were willing to get hurt or get stuck in a cave just to save this cave. I only gave it four stars is because certain times I got a little confused but that only happened one or twice. Overall this was a pretty good book

[Alex R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Which is about two kids, who solve the mystery of a professor named Dr.Dart whom they find in A cave, completely delirious and insane. They eventually find out that he was trying to stop the bluff above the cave from being turned into condominiums. Along the way they encounter there murderous, old, trout lilly loving, professor. A mysterious new branch of a long dead family. And an eccentric old women from they college Jillian Greystone, whom they were told not to talk to by the insane Dr. Dart.
Overall I enjoyed this book but found the pacing a little off. This is a good read that I would recommend.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could give this a 3.5 stars. It almost deserves a 4 but not quite. I liked the mystery and thought the clues were distributed well and came together well. I didn't figure it out and was a bit surprised at the ending but it worked. I didn't love the main characters though. They seemed two-dimensional to me and that led to dialogue that seemed too cutsey at times. I think this book would be fun for most ten-year-olds but it would be a quick read for them. I do like that there's something new in the mystery line for this age group and the Bloodwater Mysteries do a pretty decent job.

[D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the BLOODWATER MYSTERIES series, this is another low-key, humorous mystery, mostly intended for a YA audience. The protagonists of the previous book are back, this time tackling an archaeological and environmental mystery. There's nothing TOO scary or TOO suspenseful, but the characters are well-drawn, and it's a compelling narrative. It's nice to read a YA book where the parents are alive and supportive, even if they aren't always happy with the choices they make.

A nice, diverting read.

[Swick]

This story Skullduggery by Pete Hautman is a thrilling mystery. It's about two friends named Roni and Brian. They are in summer school for a class about bloodwater's(the town they live in) plants. So while on a field trip Roni and Brian hear someones screaming so they go and check it out, but its much bigger than they expected. As they solve the mystery throughout this book filled with twists and turns making this an intriguing book. My favorite part was the beginning of this book because it started quickly and action packed. This book is for young adults who love scary mysteries.

[B]

The second in the Bloodwater Mysteries, (name of the town in Minnesota), Roni and Brian stumble upon their second case when they save an archeologist that was left for dead in a cave. The same quick dialogue, fast moving adventures with the usual cute details thrown in, (such as Roni's new Vespa), made this one as good as the first. AGain for grades 5 and up
This time Roni has a Vespa she tools around on.

[WCPL Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this second mystery, Roni and Brian, while on a field trip, stumble upon Dr. Andrew Dart lying in a cave. Dr. Dart is trying to save the land from being developed by the Bloodwaters by proving that it's an Indain burial ground, but someone doesn't want him to succeed. Roni and Brian take on his cause, although Roni is a little biased when she sees how goodlooking Eric Bloodwater is! A fun, quick, light read.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the spirit of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys this book with its short chapters and face-moving pace will be a hit with middle school mystery buffs. The alternating points of view of the two teen detectives (a high school girl with her three years younger geeky male sidekick)highlighted by their bantering relationship is also fun.

[A 3Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this book it was a little slow at first but when I got into it more it got better. Skullduggery is a detective that is a skeleton. He trains his side kick to be a solo detective in the future. They fight these weird evil villains with powers that match or over power theirs. This book is good for people with a good a imagination and that can be creative.

[Colin Bienvenue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book kept you guessing on who did it. This is one mystery book I do recommend. The two young mystery solvers you know and love Roni Delecta and Bryan Bain are back to solve an entirely new mystery.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy Drew meets up with one of the Hardy Boys and what follows is a summer school mystery. Great read for early teens. Bring a flashlight and don't look up!! I would give this 3 1/2 stars.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really liking these Bloodwater Mysteries--funny as well as good mysteries with well-developed teen detectives.

[Katie Maples · Rating 5 out of 5]

pretty good book so far but really mysterious and keeps you on your toes to see what happens next. :)

[Lucy (The Countess of) Monte Cristo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually a 4.5. I really enjoyed reading this book. I love the fact that the chapters aren't that long, and that the story never drags.

[JohnP · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second Bloodwater mystery. We are reunited with Roni and Brian. This time, it's over a development project that could destroy a possible Native American burial ground. Overall, a decent mystery. The author does a good job making everyone a suspect. However, I think there was a bit too much levity and silly situations. I think it could have been tightened up, with a bit more drama sprinkled in. I'll go for book 3.

[Hayden Schmidt]

Book review


My book skullDuggery is about a doctor and two kids the lexile level is 620 the authors are Pete Hautman and Mary Logue. This book is a mystery of what is in the ancient burials of Indians.
The first part is about the class who goes on a field trip and they go into a cave and they find an archaeologist and he is trying to find treasure. The next day the professor from the mountains brings the kids to talk to their class about the mountain and what they saw. Later on they were at the mountain and they found a guy whimpering and crying he said his name was yorick. He said he got stuck behind a rock. Well they were eating supper they are talking about the mountain and what they need to explore they have to explore a place called skunk cabbage.
In the last parts of the book it is about some construction workers trying to destroy the mountain for room to build. Because there is treasure in it the need to stop them to keep it safe by the way this is in southwest Minnesota. After the kids keep exploring they find another cave and they shine there light and bats fly out of it they found treasure and got most of it to put in museums. Two weeks passed after his last class and they revisited the skullduggery bluffs.
I really liked this book I like the mystery books my last book was a mystery. I can relate to this book cause when I was little I would go in the woods and find stuff with my cousin. I highly recommend this book for people who like mystery.