School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-In Moldy Baroness, expert ghosthunter Hetty Hyssop, her young assistant Tom, and Hugo the ASG (or Averagely Spooky Ghost) track down the awful specter of a 17th-century baroness with a nasty streak. Hetty has invented ghost-catching technologies that come in handy when confronting the ghost of Jaspara von Gloomstone, who rides around Gloomsburg Castle on her spectral horse, body-nabbing anyone unlucky enough to be nearby, and thriving on the castle's electrical power. The only way to defeat her is for Tom to reenact her death, wearing one of her old gowns, and to persuade her to touch that dress. In Muddy Monster, the now-11-year-old Tom is ready to take the exam for his GhostHunting Diploma. Suspiciously, Professor Slimeblott gives the boy an "easy" assignment-to capture a ghost (only a Danger Category Three) in the village of Bogpool. But when Tom and the other ghosthunters arrive there, it soon becomes clear that solving the mystery of what's haunting Bogpool won't be safe or easy at all. These tales are more humorous than horrific, and their plots gallop along, accompanied by fun pen-and-ink cartoons. Hugo's constant tricks and complaints provide fine comic relief, and Hetty Hyssop always has another ghost-catching invention or formula up her sleeve.-Walter Minkel, New York Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Beleaguered nine-year-old Tom, first introduced in Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost!, must take on the spirit of a bad-tempered baroness that inhabits the landlady of Gloomsburg Palace in Ghosthunters and the Totally Moldy Baroness! by Cornelia Funke. Soon to follow: Ghosthunters and the Muddy Monster of Doom! (Scholastic/Chicken House, $4.99 each 148p ages 7-10 ISBN 978-0-439-86267-7; Jan.; Doom 978-0-439-86269-1; Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Eleven-year-old Tom survives two more ghostly battles, aided by butt-kicking senior citizen Hetty and benign ghost Hugo. The abundant acronyms are distracting and the heroes' triumph is never in doubt, but the creature-feature plots are accented with humor (most apparent in the generous, energetic spot art), and the adherence to formula allows readers easy entry into Tom's world. [Review covers these titles: Ghosthunters and the Muddy Monster of Doom! and Ghosthunters and the Totally Moldy Baroness!] (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.