As the setting, the town of Skeleton Creek is a symbol of secrecy, conspiracy, fear, and paranoia. It is the crux of the three major themes in the novel and provides an atmosphere that enhances both the detective and ghost-story genres the book works within. The term “skeleton” hints at secrets the townspeople would rather keep buried in addition to referencing the mining company’s environmental destruction.

Skeleton Creek symbolizes isolation, as it is far removed from the outside world. Ryan notes that for people “in a small, isolated town,” digital technology provides the only “link to something not boring, not dull, not dreary” (23). This shows that Ryan and Sarah’s only link with the outside world is virtual, and help is unlikely to come from there. The woods provide an even deeper layer of secrecy, as they form a liminal or transitional space between Skeleton Creek and the mystery at the Dredge.

The control that New York Gold and Silver had over the town connects Skeleton Creek with conspiracy, corruption, and greed. The implication of the company renaming the town from Linkford to Skeleton Creek shows that they are behind the mysteries that Skeleton Creek holds.