Ghost Detectives - Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost

Ghost Detectives - Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost by Jeanette Stampone, illustrated by Jasmine Berry (About Kids Books 2025) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN 9780994642813

Reviewed by Sylvia Forbes 

Terry Fide dreams of becoming the next great ghost detective. But there's one problem ...

Terry Fide is terrified of anything remotely scary (except his ghost dog, Bones).

And there's a ghost causing chaos at the bakery.

Can Terry overcome his fears and solve the mystery?

Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost is the first book in a new series titled Ghost Detectives - and there couldn't be a more unique, fertile stomping ground for author - Jeanette Stampone - to be inspired by to write this series, than to have grown up in a spooky, three-hundred-year-old house with views of Dartmoor, surrounded by stories of local legends, ghosts and fairies. 

'Free cakes' overrules 'hating ghosts’ in best friend (and avid clue collector) Max's opinion, when he volunteers Terry to solve the problems Miss Quibble has been having with a ghost in her bakery. (Much to Terry's displeasure!) However, with his father (Mr. Horry Fide) away in Sydney busy dealing with other ghost hauntings - Terry - with his ghost detecting skills - knows that if his dream is to become a brilliant ghost detective just like his dad - then he will need to get some practice in.

On their bikes, the boys headed to the bakery. They took the shortcut through the park, cycling past a row of houses. There was a shout from one veranda. 'Hey!' The boys stopped, and Max rolled his eyes. 

Enter Avery. Loves inventing things. Does not believe in ghosts.

When she hears where Terry and Max are going, she wants to come with them (even if its only to disprove the existence of ghosts) and she won’t take no for an answer.

What follows is a fast-paced, spooky, (but not too scary) mystery-adventure, with lots of laugh-out-loud moments, as this team of four (including Bones the ghost dog), all band together to help solve the bakery ghost mystery.

I really appreciate how - apart from some initial resistance to Avery - there is no competitiveness or bickering between them. Instead, they join forces and do what needs to be done - even when mishaps occur. Along the way, and in the company of his friends - Terry's fear slowly lessens its grip - inspiring a level of confidence and belief in himself. A lovely example of the power of solidarity and mutual support.

And an affirmation that we - as individuals - don't necessarily have to be good at everything to be successful. When we accept help from others who are good at different things to us - and then pool our talents and skill sets together - we can achieve not only a shared success, but one that allows each individual to flourish and shine as well.

Jeanette Stampone writes in short, easy to read sentences and conveys clear (often hilarious) descriptions (in terms of settings, situations, characters etc.) with minimal text. She gives enough to get the message across whilst leaving room for readers to form their own associations and fill in the gaps. For example - I love the wonderfully concise and humorous description of Miss Quibble: 'She had a mop of curly red hair and wore a pink frilly dress. The frills certainly didn't match her mood.'

I also love her thoughtful approach to dealing with the ghosts. It's not about the banishment or removal of them - but about finding out what their needs are. Such a beautifully inclusive and kind approach.

And I must add that having a strong female character cleverly veers this book away from becoming a story mostly for boys. Avery's character will appeal to every child, and girls who have an interest in science and engineering will identify with her.

Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost is peppered throughout with Jasmine Berry's delightfully cool, cartoon style, black and white illustrations - enough to break up the text for newly independent readers without being too dominant. 

One of the intentions of creating a children's book, is for it to be read and enjoyed by a wide audience of children. With its fast-paced plot and comical situations, its well-defined characters that kids will care about and want to get to know more, and its themes of friendship, bravery and kindness (not to mention its feel-good ending with a hint of more ghostly goodness to come), Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost is perfectly poised to do just this. 

Highly recommended for emerging independent readers aged 6-9 and an excellent choice for reluctant readers.