Book Review: "Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol: Escape from the Roller Ghoster"

By Andres Miedoso, Illustrated by Victor Rivas

“Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol: Escape from the Roller Ghoster” is a second-grade-reading-level chapter book about main character Andres Miedoso (as a child, not the adult writing the book) and his best friend Desmond Cole who investigate supernatural happenings in their haunted town, Kersville. “Escape from the Roller Ghoster” is the eleventh book in the chapter book series. I picked it out from the library because I wanted to read theme-park themed books in anticipation for my upcoming Disney trip!

While I am obviously not the target audience, this story was cute and enjoyable. I liked that Andres’s parents were present and likeable and also easy to escape while the parents still retained an air of good-parent nature. I cannot tell you how many times I’m reading a story and end up hating the parents, so coming across likeable parents is always a plus for me. I liked Victor Rivas’s illustrations. I’m curious as to how many words the book actually is because while it comes up to over 100 pages, each illustration (of which there are many) take up half a page, sometimes a whole page all to themselves. The story is short and sweet and empathetic, and I liked it a lot. The kids will find it relatable as Andres and Desmond get to ride rides and play games while also feeling some suspense and intrigue as they investigate the hauntings around the theme park. Without getting into spoilers, there’s plenty of twists and turns that kept this story interesting, and I found it to be a quick and satisfying read. The book itself makes a point to be easy for kids to read, encouraging them to read more as they’re learning how and being delighted by the illustrations.

Another thing I find interesting is how the author chose to make himself a main character in the story, but as a child who is going on adventures with his best friend. With how Desmond himself is the main focus on the story, I’m a little intrigued on why he’s not the POV character. It’s a little like reading a Sherlock Holmes story and being surprised that Dr. Watson is the one telling the story, so perhaps it’s not that strange at all. Desmond is the brave one who is in charge of the ghost investigations and is famous enough for . . . well, that goes into spoiler-territory. Anyway, I thought it was an interesting narrative choice that was engaging and drew me into the story more.

If you have a kid who is in the first grade through third grade bracket, I highly recommend this book. Or if you just want a very quick, easy read to relax with for a short while that won’t make you think too hard about anything, haha.