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Canadian Chills #1
Return of the Grudstone Ghosts
When Daphne's sixth-grade teacher, Miss Vindez, plummets from the belfry of St. Wolcott School, Daphne and her friends Nick and Peach are plunged into a mystery that includes a long-ago fire that left behind twelve dead schoolchildren, tiny ghosts with nowhere to go, and an ancient evil just dying to break through into modern-day Moose Jaw. Miss Vindez survives her fall, but things just aren't the same-she's spouting gibberish, and both Principal Peterka and the school janitor are definitely not themselves at all any more. Determined to get to the bottom of what's going on, Daphne, Nick, and Peach dig up the troubled history of Grudstone, the school that used to stand where St. Wolcott is now. They uncover evidence of a crime so terrible it can hardly be believed. Worse, the terrifying perpetrator of that crime isn't done yet-he has more horrible plans in mind. And all that stands in his way are three Moose Jaw school kids.
- GenresYoung Adult
116 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2002
About the author
Arthur Slade
77 books530 followersArthur Slade was raised in the Cypress Hills of southwest Saskatchewan and began writing at an early age. He is the author of the bestselling The Hunchback Assignments series of books, Dust (which won the Governor General's award), Tribes and Jolted. He lives in Saskatoon, Canada (which really is a real place). Join his creative & somewhat clever newsletter at: what a zany newsletter!
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 13, 2024
Note: This review is of the 2024 reprint edition.
This book and series are back in print in a new Shadowpaw Press Reprise edition. I am thankful this books are back in print. This book, originally published as a Moose Jaw Mystery, and part of what later became the Canadian Chills Series, is a wonderful example of Canadian storytelling. Arthur Slade has a knack for writing compelling fiction. In this story three close friends attend St. Wolcott School. But on the first day of school Miss Vindez is thrown from the belfry window and things just keep getting stranger after that. Daphne, Nick and Peach must figure out what is going on; it involves old time gangsters, hidden tunnels and a mystery that needs to be solved.
The description of this volume is:
“Terror stalks the halls of St. Wolcott School . . .
When Daphne’s sixth-grade teacher, Miss Vindez, plummets from the belfry of St. Wolcott School, Daphne and her friends Nick and Peach are plunged into a mystery that includes a long-ago fire that left behind twelve dead schoolchildren, tiny ghosts with nowhere to go, and an ancient evil just dying to break through into modern-day Moose Jaw.
Miss Vindez survives her fall, but things just aren’t the same–she’s spouting gibberish, and both Principal Peterka and the school janitor are definitely not themselves at all anymore.
Determined to get to the bottom of what’s going on, Daphne, Nick, and Peach dig up the troubled history of Grudstone, the school that used to stand where St. Wolcott is now. They uncover evidence of a crime so terrible it can hardly be believed. Worse, the terrifying perpetrator of that crime isn’t done yet–he has more horrible plans in mind. And all that stands in his way are three Moose Jaw school kids.”
When I tracked down a previous edition of these books we donated it to our kid’s school library. Now that it is back in print, my son and I am rereading them again together. It was fantastic to reread this book 14 years apart. I enjoyed it even more this second time through.
The story is half history, half humour, and half a tale of friendship and adventure and it is a whole lot of fun. This is an excellent school story wrapped in a mystery filled with history and just enough scare factor for the intended audience.
It is an excellent read and I can easily recommend it!
This book and series are back in print in a new Shadowpaw Press Reprise edition. I am thankful this books are back in print. This book, originally published as a Moose Jaw Mystery, and part of what later became the Canadian Chills Series, is a wonderful example of Canadian storytelling. Arthur Slade has a knack for writing compelling fiction. In this story three close friends attend St. Wolcott School. But on the first day of school Miss Vindez is thrown from the belfry window and things just keep getting stranger after that. Daphne, Nick and Peach must figure out what is going on; it involves old time gangsters, hidden tunnels and a mystery that needs to be solved.
The description of this volume is:
“Terror stalks the halls of St. Wolcott School . . .
When Daphne’s sixth-grade teacher, Miss Vindez, plummets from the belfry of St. Wolcott School, Daphne and her friends Nick and Peach are plunged into a mystery that includes a long-ago fire that left behind twelve dead schoolchildren, tiny ghosts with nowhere to go, and an ancient evil just dying to break through into modern-day Moose Jaw.
Miss Vindez survives her fall, but things just aren’t the same–she’s spouting gibberish, and both Principal Peterka and the school janitor are definitely not themselves at all anymore.
Determined to get to the bottom of what’s going on, Daphne, Nick, and Peach dig up the troubled history of Grudstone, the school that used to stand where St. Wolcott is now. They uncover evidence of a crime so terrible it can hardly be believed. Worse, the terrifying perpetrator of that crime isn’t done yet–he has more horrible plans in mind. And all that stands in his way are three Moose Jaw school kids.”
When I tracked down a previous edition of these books we donated it to our kid’s school library. Now that it is back in print, my son and I am rereading them again together. It was fantastic to reread this book 14 years apart. I enjoyed it even more this second time through.
The story is half history, half humour, and half a tale of friendship and adventure and it is a whole lot of fun. This is an excellent school story wrapped in a mystery filled with history and just enough scare factor for the intended audience.
It is an excellent read and I can easily recommend it!
December 14, 2017
This book, originally published as a Moose Jay Mystery, and part of what later became the Canadian Chills Series, is a wonderful example of Canadian storytelling. Arthur Slade has a knack for writing compelling fiction. In this story three close friends attend St. Wolcott School. But on the first day of school Miss Vindez is thrown from the belfry window and things just keep getting stranger after that. Daphne, Nick and Peach must figure out what is going on; it involves old time gangsters, hidden tunnels and a mystery that needs to be solved.
The story is half history, half humour, and half a tale of friendship and adventure and it is a whole lot of fun. Coteau Books' motto is Amazing stories, Amazing kids. This series by Arthur Slade lives up to that motto.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by arthur Slade. As well as an author profile and interview with Arthur.
The story is half history, half humour, and half a tale of friendship and adventure and it is a whole lot of fun. Coteau Books' motto is Amazing stories, Amazing kids. This series by Arthur Slade lives up to that motto.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by arthur Slade. As well as an author profile and interview with Arthur.
May 29, 2024
The Review
This was such a fun and exhilarating read. The author does a remarkable job of combining paranormal mystery and school-age adventure in a way that feels somehow natural and relatable to young readers who have always felt that close-knit relationship amongst their friends as they seek out new adventures. The imagery and fast-paced narrative instantly draw the reader in as the mystery unravels.
The history and local culture in Canada was a unique aspect of the story, as it drew readers to the history of this area of Canada and the era in which gangsters hid contraband in hidden tunnels, harkening back to the early 20th century and the era of Prohibition in America as well. The heartfelt connection that the reader makes with the protagonists as they discover new clues and hidden pasts within the school grounds will keep them invested.
The Verdict
Adventurous, entertaining, and thrilling, author Arthur Slade’s “Return of the Grudstone Ghosts” is a must-read paranormal YA thriller. The narrative's twists and turns, the relatability of the protagonists, and the spooky yet heartfelt nature will keep readers returning to this series time and time again.
This was such a fun and exhilarating read. The author does a remarkable job of combining paranormal mystery and school-age adventure in a way that feels somehow natural and relatable to young readers who have always felt that close-knit relationship amongst their friends as they seek out new adventures. The imagery and fast-paced narrative instantly draw the reader in as the mystery unravels.
The history and local culture in Canada was a unique aspect of the story, as it drew readers to the history of this area of Canada and the era in which gangsters hid contraband in hidden tunnels, harkening back to the early 20th century and the era of Prohibition in America as well. The heartfelt connection that the reader makes with the protagonists as they discover new clues and hidden pasts within the school grounds will keep them invested.
The Verdict
Adventurous, entertaining, and thrilling, author Arthur Slade’s “Return of the Grudstone Ghosts” is a must-read paranormal YA thriller. The narrative's twists and turns, the relatability of the protagonists, and the spooky yet heartfelt nature will keep readers returning to this series time and time again.
March 9, 2024
For a middle years student it would be exciting. I was making an audio version of the story for a student. It has suspense and an okay story. The student seems to like it especially since Moose Jaw is close to where we are.
July 6, 2024
A zany, funny, fast-paced story that middle grade kids will love.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews