Just So Stories

Bloomsbury

June 2026

ISBN	9781526655141
Imprint	Bloomsbury Children’s Books

RRP: $16.99

Well this is a complete deparature from the previous Catherine Doyle books I’ve reviewed which were all far more magic realism, echoing folk tales and legends and ‘serious’.

But this is very different – hilarious fun whilst also taking a good look at family dynamics – both in the living family and the deceased one! When Ted’s family move into the grand house recently inherited by his step-father, the thing he dreads most is the close proximity of his nasty step-sister, Frankie even if it is only when she’s not away at school.

While his mum, a successful chef, and his step-dad, a thoroughly likeable man albeit with two unlikeable offspring, near the realisation of their plans to turn a mouldering old pile into a boutique hotel, Ted makes a really unpleasant discovery on his very first day.

The house is haunted. And not in a good way – it’s haunted most significantly by the long-departed Duke of Snoring who, along with his posse of equally disgruntled spirits including his younger sister, makes it his ghostly business to run every intruder out of the house leaving him in peace. It looks like the horrible Duke is as fixated as always on completely terrorising the family, including Nan and the baby, Hazel.

Ted is scared of everything – and he’s certainly scared of the Duke – and neither he nor the Duke can fathom how it is that Ted can actually see the ghosts! But sometimes, courage comes when needed most as do alliances. And much to his surprise, Ted and Frankie make a pair of great ghostbusters – and they even manage to prise Frankie’s older brother, screen-obsessed Luke, away from his gaming long enough to help.

The battle to win Tartarus Hall before the spooks have completely destroyed all the expensive renovations and, equally, before the grand opening which will be their promotion event is one where both sides are determined no prisoners will be taken. The history of the Duke’s vendetta is revealed, the kids band together to save their family and their home – and the spirits bound by deception and coercion are freed. But that’s not the end of the Duke of Snoring or his power, by a long shot – and book #2 will, no doubt, continue the hijinks.

It’s a terrific read for middle-grade kids who will relish the humour, the pranking and also appreciate the difficulties of a blended family. I give it a 5 👻👻👻👻👻for Year 3 +.