Skullduggery books in order

The Skullduggery series by Kathleen Karr follows a boy in the 1830s who discovers a collection of phrenology skulls and sets off on a darkly comic adventure, published in 2000 and 2002.
Series · Children's Fiction · Historical Fiction · Adventure · Humor

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 Skullduggery 2000 Kathleen Karr Buy
2 Bone Dry 2002 Kathleen Karr Buy

Kathleen Karr’s Skullduggery series is set in the 1830s, when phrenology (the study of skull shapes to determine personality and character) was taken seriously by many Americans. The first book, Skullduggery (2000), introduces Matthew Morrissey, an orphan who inherits a collection of skulls and a mysterious map from his late employer. His quest to return the skulls takes him on a wild trip through frontier America.

Bone Dry (2002) continues Matthew’s story with another adventure. The books blend historical detail with humor, and Karr clearly enjoyed the absurdity of phrenology as a plot device. The series is aimed at middle-grade readers and sits well alongside Karr’s other historical adventures like The Great Turkey Walk and Gideon and the Mummy Professor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Skullduggery series?

There are two books in the Skullduggery series, published between 2000 and 2002.

What is the first book in the Skullduggery series?

The first book in the Skullduggery series is Skullduggery, published in 2000.

What is the Skullduggery series about?

The first book, Skullduggery (2000), is set in the 1830s and follows eleven-year-old Matthew Morrissey, an orphan apprenticed to a phrenologist. When his master dies, Matthew inherits a collection of skulls and a map, and he sets off on a journey across the frontier to return the skulls to their rightful owners. Bone Dry (2002) continues Matthew’s adventures.

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