Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost introduces nine-year-old timid Terry, who wants to be a ghost detective and follow in the footsteps of his father and his ancestors.
Unfortunately, he is terrified of ghosts and other scary things.
Mum and dad run a ghost detective service and are constantly inundated with requests to solve the reason for ghostly hauntings.
This is a job at which they are highly skilled.
Dad, Horry Fide, has commitments interstate to solve other ghostly issues.
Therefore, it is up to Terry to investigate the pressing problem of the bakery haunting, which is depriving the town of all the goodies that they could be eating.
This is a huge challenge for Terry, so he is determined to see it through.
Terry has a gift for feeling the ghostly presence. Regardless of his fears, he sets out with best friend Max, and Averey, a strong-willed classmate who runs into the boys on their way to the Bakery and invites herself to join them.
She proves an asset instead of a hindrance, although she doesn’t believe in ghosts.
At the Bakery they find a mess. When Terry initially sees the ghost of an old man wearing an apron in the shop, they run away but return to get onto solving the mystery.
Averey comes up with an ingenious plan to catch the Bakery ghost. Max contributes immensely in his role of champion clue collector.
There are eleven chapters for young readers to enjoy, with characters kids can relate to; a ghostly dog, hollow walls, and secrets that slowly surface.
Inspiring themes of friendship, overcoming fears, self-confidence, and never giving up give are found throughout the story line.
This series is ideal for reluctant readers.
Jeanette Stampone draws on her childhood experiences for the creation of these books. Jasmine Berry’s lively and expressive illustrations in bold lines, and her end- pages in a lighter presentation showcase the characters and main activities.
Title: Ghost Detectives: Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost
Author: Jeanette Stampone
Illustrator: Jasmine Berry
Publisher: All About Books, $14.99
Publication Date: 5 July 2025
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780994642813
For ages: 8+
Type: Junior Fiction
