Ghost Hunter # 52

The "Choose Your Own Adventure" books began in the eighties as a great way to entice reluctant readers (3rd-5th grade) to read with its gamelike format and empowering adventure. The genre was invented by Edward Packard, who remained its best author, offering a logical consistency and imagination that was never equalled by other authors of the series such as R.A. Montogomery. "Ghost Hunter" finds Packard in his usual fine form. This one is nominally a sequel to "Who Killed Harlowe Thrombey" (which was #9 in the series, and probably the best of them all), but one need not have read Thrombey to enjoy this or any other book in the series. The protagonist, you (the reader), decides to become a ghost hunter, and has many adventures involving spooky mansions, missing diamonds, guard dogs, crooks, and yes, ghosts. It's all great fun, and will keep many a kid interested for afternoon or two.

I read this book, back in the early 80's, as a young grade school student. I still remember this book in particular today. Considering I don't remember much from that long ago, it is saying something. There is constant suspense, the choices make you feel like you are leading the action. I think that the cyoa series, is a wonderful tool to motivate young children.

This book is about a private detective who decides to be a ghost hunter. You go to the gray mansion with Jenny. When you get there, Jenny climps up on the roof while you go upstairs to the attic. There you find Louis, a teenager who ran away from home. I like this book because it is a Choose Your Own Adventure book. Choose Your Own Adventure books are fun to read.

Ghost Hunter (1986) provides yet another wonderful journey in the Choose Your Own Advernture series. The book ( cyoa #52) is actually part 2 of a two part series. Part one is titled, "Who Killed harlowe Thrombey?" (cyoa #9 from 1980.) Ghost Hunter starts out explaining that ever since you solved the Thrombey murder case, you have started a ghost hunting practice. The encounters with the ghost of Harlowe Thrombey from the first book makes your new practice race with excitement. During Ghost Hunter, run-ins with gangsters and policemen keep the reader on the edge. Your partner is always good for a few thoughts during times where a decision to continue is necessary. Your choices will decide life or death, failure or success! The multiple endings which made the CYOA series come alive in the late 1970's until today continue to impress readers. The exciting finishes in Ghost Hunter will not let the reader down. A "must read" sequel!