The Apple Park Kids, Ben, Davey, Nikki, and Carrie (and Davey’s dog, Pitiful), have taken over an abandoned gazebo in the park and use it as their clubhouse. Ben gets a camera as a present from his parents. Soon, the kids hear ghostly singing coming from the old carousel in the park, and they try to investigate what is going on.
Ben’s photography is a prime element of the story. Had the story been more modern and used a current camera or phone to take pictures, the book would have to be completely re-written. It’s an interesting thing to think about. This is number three in the series apparently, but you don’t have to have read the others to understand this one.
The first thing I noticed is that the cover reminds me of Detective Barbie In the Mystery of the Carnival Caper as Barbie can ride a carousel and see the villain who looks a lot like the figure on the cover of the book.
This was a solid read. I was engaged almost the whole time. The girls in the group could be a bit annoying as one was a bit uppity and the other was afraid a lot, but otherwise they were all fine. The only issues I have are nitpicks. Why would you name your dog “Pitiful”? They say their clubhouse is an abandoned gazebo, but that it has a door. What kind of gazebo has a door on it? At one point Carrie talks about sharing her mom’s old lipstick with others, and that’s just gross and unsanitary. Also, Ben’s father is super calm about Ben being out late at night and assumes any incriminating photos are the kids just having fun. The dad is way too lackadaisical with his child’s safety.
Should you read it?:
I would recommend it. The book has a lot of the characteristics of the old series books, such as ending a chapter on a cliffhanger. Fans of chapter book mysteries will enjoy this one.
Do Act Mysterious 