The Smoky Mountain Signal

A faint ping in the Smoky Mountain fog. When twins Miles and Piper Morrow roll into Gatlinburg, Tennessee with their parents, their vintage travel trailer The Silver Star, and their tan dachshund Moby, they expect easy hikes, sweet treats, and a few of Dad’s history facts. But their first night in the campground, Moby freezes—ears up, nose working—and the twins hear it too: a faint electronic ping drifting through the mist. At Sugarlands Visitor Center, the family learns the truth: a salamander habitat sensor—Research Unit Seven—has gone missing. The park’s scientists need it to protect delicate microhabitats… and rangers warn that some people illegally collect rare salamanders to sell to private buyers. Miles opens his notebook—case file—and the RV Adventure Twins do what they do best: observe carefully, write down facts, and involve the right adults. As the pings follow a pattern—and then suddenly don’t—Miles and Piper spot clues that don’t belong in any nature walk: reflective stitching, too-strong bug spray, a suspicious cooler, and an online photo taken in the wrong habitat. With Mom and Dad helping them stay smart and safe—and Moby’s nose proving sharper than any compass—the twins work with park rangers to stop a quiet crime hiding in plain sight. Clean, family-friendly adventure mystery (ages 8–12) featuring real places, real science, and a mystery solved the responsible way. Perfect for readers who love: Kid detectives who solve cases with observation (not reckless risk) National park adventures with real science woven in Dogs who always seem to know what’s up Clue trails, patterns, and satisfying reveals