Penny Warner

Using their code-breaking skills, four middle-schoolers solve the mystery of the eccentric man who draws stick figures on his second-floor bedroom window.

The Secret of the Skeleton Key

Melissa Palmer

Book #70 Read in 2012
The Code Busters Club by Penny Warner (YA)

This is the first in a mystery series. Four young adults form a club where they pass secret messages written in code back and forth. Their neighbor, whom they call Skeleton Man, is taken to the hospital after his house catches fire. But was it an accidental fire or set by his newly arrived family members? The kids decide to investigate. 

This book was a good mystery and used the codes in an interesting way to move the plot along. I could see readers who liked solving codes really enjoying this book. There are two male and two female protagonists so I think both male and female readers would be drawn to this book. It was a good, quick read.

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Jessica Nottingham

Code Busters Club, The, Case 1 What a fun read! Do you love solving puzzles? Are you a fan of mystery? If so, this is the perfect series for you! The Secret of the Skeleton was a blast to read from beginning to end, and I'm not even the target audience.
 
Mr. Skelton, the "Skeleton Man" has a secret to hide, and the Code Busters club are going to uncover it.Cody, Quinn, Luke and M.E. bonded over the love of puzzles and codes. For Cody, whose whole life was turned upside down when her parents split up, the Code Busters Club is her favorite place in the world. Complete with a secret hideout, this is a club I'd love to be a part as well!
 
I definitely see young readers falling in love with these characters. From the fashionista, to the extreme sports lover, there is a personality for every reader to latch onto. These kids are fun, smart, and really brave too.The absolute best part, and I'm sure you will agree, was the codes and puzzles to solve! From semaphores, to Morse code, each chapter brings something new to the table. Are you a little lost? Never fear! The keys and answers are in the back waiting for you. I guarantee you'll be having so much fun solving them you won't want to look though. I had too much pride, I admit it!
 
Every chapter title is in sign language. By the time I reached the end I started to recognize a lot of the signals for letters. How cool is that?As you can see, this is a read that I really loved! The mystery here was fabulously laid out, with clues all along the way. Even as an older reader I found myself wanting to find out what happens next. I'm happy to state that there are more books in the series and, truth be told, I'll be there to read them! I can't wait to open up book two and dive in!

The Secret of the Skeleton Key

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