From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4–These two tales by British childrens author Peggy Dolan have just the right mix of suspense and adventure. In The Ghost of Able Mabel, Sam has always wondered why no one travels the path near his house across the moor. His granddad tells him the story of how terrifying Able Mabel took over her sisters popular inn on the moor when he worked there as a boy. Things got so bad with Able Mabel in charge that he finally left without his life savings of gold coins that were guarded by Able Mabels dangerous pet macaw. Sam travels back to the inn to claim his granddads money even though the inn is now haunted by the ghost of Able Mabel and the ghost of the macaw still guards the coins. Will Sam be able to complete his dangerous quest and return home safely? In The Spectre of Hairy Hector, the newly orphaned Jack and his Aunt Arcady inherit a rundown mansion thats haunted by a nasty, hairy spectre who has terrorized and run off all the former inhabitants. Although they are terrified, Jack and Aunt Arcady convince the spectre that he needs to clean up and get a haircut. He turns out to be a pirate who simply wants to get back to his ghostly ship. But can Jack survive his attempts to help Hector return to his ship? British actor Richard Mitchley performs all of the roles in both stories very convincingly, from the mean-tempered ghosts to the elderly Aunt Arcady and the young boys.–Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary School, Edmonds, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From AudioFile
Richard Mitchley is at his best as he regales listeners with two nautical ghost stories. Each character is presented in his or her unique goodness or badness. Able Mabel is big, mean, and scary, having stolen Sam's grandfather's hard-earned gold. Sam is outraged and determined to help. Hairy Hector rears his creepy head when poor Jack and Aunt Arcady's luck changes and they inherit a big, old house that seems haunted--only Jack can find out. Mitchley not only creates splendid personalities, but also lets loose with such memorable one-liners as "the sailors' jokes were worse than their snores." There's fun and shivers galore. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
