Ghost Detectives Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost

Ghost Detectives Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost by Jeanette Stampone, illustrations by Jasmine Berry (About Kids Books, Australia) Paperback RRP $14.99 ISBN 978 0 9946428 1 3

Reviewed by Robyn Gillies

Terry Fide is nine years old and dreams of becoming a brilliant ghost detective just like his dad and his ancestors though the ages. But it’s not easy being a ghost detective if you are afraid of anything scary!

Terry’s dad must travel to Sydney for work for a few weeks but there is a ghost at the local bakery causing chaos. The new baker, Miss Quibble, can’t wait for Terry’s dad to return, she wants the ghost to be dealt with straight away, business is not doing well.

Terry, together with his friends Max and Avery, and his beloved ghost dog Bones, deal with the spooky problem.

Max is good at collecting clues and Avery is an inventor, but it is Terry who knows that the way to deal with ghosts is to find out why they are there, if only he wasn’t so afraid.

Together, they discover that the ghost is looking for a secret recipe book which might just help Miss Quibble’s bad baking and bring back customers.

This is an amusing mystery adventure which conjures up terrific images with its simple but descriptive language. It is a chapter book that moves along without missing a beat. Spooky scenes are just a little scary but not too much for young readers aged 6-9.

Each character has their own unique talents, but it’s when they work together and help each other, that the three friends find the answers, especially if you don’t give up when you are not quite sure what to do. 

An entertaining, enjoyable read about facing your fear with the help of friends. There is also a nod to the benefits of using science and innovation to solve problems.

Where will their adventures take them next? Perhaps this is just the beginning of Terry becoming the greatest ghost detective. It seems the veterinary surgery may need his help. Look out for more books in the Ghost Detectives series.