Review – Skullduggery by Kathleen Karr (3.5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Historical Fiction
Length: 240 pages
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: March 1, 2000
ISBN-13: 978-0786824397
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the Skullduggery series
Source: Bought
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

“In 1839, twelve-year-old Matthew’s job as assistant to the phrenologist Dr. Cornwall takes him up and down the Eastern Seaboard and to Europe, as they rob graves and try to find out who is following them and why.”

This is the first book in a duology. I actually ended up enjoying this book. I liked the historical setting, the characters, and enjoyed learning about phrenology. The writing style was engaging and easy to read.

I did have some issue with the fact that this book didn’t really seem to have much of a plot or point. The two main characters basically journey from place to place collecting skulls to study. There is a little bit of a mystery here but it was very predictable.

Overall this was a decent story and well enough written but didn’t seem to have much of a point to it. I enjoyed the historical setting and learning about phrenology. I would recommend this to middle grade readers who enjoy learning about history. Adults might balk at the fact that the story just doesn’t have much of a plot to it.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Goodreads Reading Challenge
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge