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Tales from the Haunted Mansion #3
Tales from the Haunted Mansion, Volume III: Grim Grinning Ghosts
Tales from the Haunted Mansion, Volume III: Grim Grinning Ghosts
As told by mansion librarian Amicus Arcane
The eerie Amicus Arcane has returned from beyond the grave to share more spooky stories from inside the Haunted Mansion. What frightening fictions does this once-living librarian hold in store? And will you, foolish reader, be brave enough to listen to them all without going mad...or dying from fright? Join Phineas, Ezra, and Gus-otherwise known as the Hitchhiking Ghosts-as they venture into Amicus Arcane's lonesome library for more terrifying Tales from the Haunted Mansion!
As told by mansion librarian Amicus Arcane
The eerie Amicus Arcane has returned from beyond the grave to share more spooky stories from inside the Haunted Mansion. What frightening fictions does this once-living librarian hold in store? And will you, foolish reader, be brave enough to listen to them all without going mad...or dying from fright? Join Phineas, Ezra, and Gus-otherwise known as the Hitchhiking Ghosts-as they venture into Amicus Arcane's lonesome library for more terrifying Tales from the Haunted Mansion!
211 pages, Hardcover
Published July 3, 2018
47 people are currently reading
1184 people want to read
About the author
Amicus Arcane
12 books76 followersWho am I? I am Amicus Arcane, your librarian and host. Your Ghost Host. Welcome, foolish mortals, to Disney Press’ spookiest chapter book series yet: Tales from the Haunted Mansion!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
October 12, 2019
This was another fun installment in the Tales from the Haunted Mansion series. I don’t think it was as good as the second one, but it was still enjoyable.
The tales in this book were not as scary or chilling like in the previous volume. They were entertaining but didn’t stand out. The tales focused on the stories of some of the objects on the ride like the breathing door and the piano. Given the title of the book, I wish it would have focused on the backstories of the hitchhiking ghosts. That would have been awesome. But the hitchhiking ghosts do make an appearance.
As usual, I love the style of the book. It is made to look like an old book both inside and outside. I also liked the nods to the ride.
Overall, if you are a fan of this series or the ride, then you will probably like this book!
The tales in this book were not as scary or chilling like in the previous volume. They were entertaining but didn’t stand out. The tales focused on the stories of some of the objects on the ride like the breathing door and the piano. Given the title of the book, I wish it would have focused on the backstories of the hitchhiking ghosts. That would have been awesome. But the hitchhiking ghosts do make an appearance.
As usual, I love the style of the book. It is made to look like an old book both inside and outside. I also liked the nods to the ride.
Overall, if you are a fan of this series or the ride, then you will probably like this book!
November 9, 2022
Volume 3 complete ✓✓✓
Hauntingly delightful!!!
“When the crypt doors creak and the tombstones quake, spooks come out for a swinging wake. Happy haunts materialize and begin to vocalize. Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize.”
Another fun volume of spooky stories to read. I definitely feel like this one was increasingly better than the others. Had some of my favorite topics thrown in the cauldron: witches, Salem, and ancient Egypt!
I love how the volumes are still interconnected in the same universe even if ever so slightly!
Final lesson learned from this volume:
“Never take something that isn’t yours, lest something that isn’t yours take you.”
Looking forward to finishing the series with the last volume!
Hauntingly delightful!!!
“When the crypt doors creak and the tombstones quake, spooks come out for a swinging wake. Happy haunts materialize and begin to vocalize. Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize.”
Another fun volume of spooky stories to read. I definitely feel like this one was increasingly better than the others. Had some of my favorite topics thrown in the cauldron: witches, Salem, and ancient Egypt!
I love how the volumes are still interconnected in the same universe even if ever so slightly!
Final lesson learned from this volume:
“Never take something that isn’t yours, lest something that isn’t yours take you.”
Looking forward to finishing the series with the last volume!
May 31, 2024
Hocus Pocus reference
September 5, 2018
Another great volume of the Haunted Mansion, with more tales from some of those 999 happy haunts. It was fantastic, the elements of the Mansion once more seamlessly added to the stories, you can practically see the ride coming to life. This time, we hear about a piano that plays itself, a mummy, and a breathing door. Sound familiar? If you're fans of the ride, I'm sure you'll be able to pinpoint where those are, and believe me, you will enjoy the book to your heart's content as I have.
July 11, 2018
These Haunted Mansion books are awesome! Couldn’t put it down. Love how these stories bring aspects of the attraction to life! :) I hope there’s a volume IV
October 12, 2018
It's not as good as the first two but it's still fun and I hope they keep making these.
October 31, 2024
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize
December 26, 2019
a FUN TIME
October 27, 2020
I just love the hitchhiking ghosts. They are spooky and funny. These stories are perfect for Halloween. They are fun spooky tales. I cannot wait to read the next one.
March 17, 2021
This has been my favourite of the three volumes so far. All of them are worth reading as quick stories, but this one I personally enjoyed the best!
June 24, 2022
Yet another good one in this series. My youngest daughter is a huge Haunted Mansion fan and loves recognizing the connections with the ride in these spooky stories.
October 13, 2024
Worst one yet. Worst stories, worst comedy, it’s absolutely patronizing and continues to not understand what metaphors and similes are appropriate for this genre of story telling
January 24, 2020
It was starting off so well then the last story sort of took it down hill. Not as amazing as the previous two but still a fun read!
July 14, 2021
I agree with other reviews and wish there was more about the hitch hiking ghosts and the care taker that were mentioned in the beginning and end of the book. The three tales were along the same caliber as the previous two books, but this book could stand alone and has no connection to book 1 or 2. It was enjoyable and I like the concept of learning about the ghosts who haunt the Haunt Mansion but after book 1 and 2 I was hoping for more about the Hitch Hiking Ghosts and was disappointed we didn’t get it.
August 27, 2019
These are fun and cheesy, but what I really want is stories about the ghosts who inhabit the Mansion: Madame Leota, Master Gracey, Constance Hatchaway! Get on it, Disney Books, or I’ll have to write it myself.
June 3, 2021
I read Grim Grinning Ghosts on a paper copy. I decided to read it because it was the next book in the series I was reading. I think that this book is considered paranormal fiction. The main characters in this book are Declan, Pasquale, and Marge. This story takes place at the Haunted Mansion.
The Haunted Mansion couldn't be tracked and nobody could find it unless the mansion wanted to be found. One day, a writer said he had found it; he came out wandering the streets speaking gibberish. He got a tattoo on his leg of a map of the mansion. He was later confined to a padded room. When he died; some of the skin on his leg was missing. Later on in the story, a captain was paid to send goods and was given a map made out of flesh to find the location of the mansion. Declan just got released from prison when he was offered a job to help deliver something to a mansion with Marge. They met up with Pasquale, who told them about a man who went into the mansion and came out laughing and as they were putting him in the “looney van” he had said a ghost had followed him home. They all went to deliver the supplies to the mansion together. Declan wants to try and steal money from the mansion, but Marge and Pasquale turn him down. A caretaker with a dog tells them that they should leave and that they shouldn’t be here. They tell him they are here to deliver some stuff. He proceeds to show them the way with a mumbled, "I'm sorry."As they were driving up to the mansion, they saw three men digging three graves, late in the night. When they arrived, Amicus Arcane welcomed them into the house, telling them that their payment would come later. He led them into the music room to unload the first crate. It turned out to be a piano. While Declan, Marge, and Pasquale start to unpack it, Arcane starts to read Volume III aloud. It was about a boy named Tobe who was supposedly a musical genius, even though he stole his music from the dead music teacher, then claimed it as his own. One of the teacher's former students confronted him about it, but nobody believed her. Tobe started hearing the music being played horribly coming from the basement. The day before a big school concert, Tobe ran away from the school screaming, "I can still hear it!" after he even broke the piano. He reappeared after the concert with his ears severed off his head still repeating the same thing. Arcane finished the story and told them to grab the next box. He then led them to an ancient artifact room. Declan tried to steal something but Arcane stopped him. He opened a sarcophagus and handed a mummy some tea, tea that was no longer available as of recently. Then he started to read the next tale. It was about the curse of Prince Amenmose. A man called Colonel Tusk broke into a tomb and found a bunch of tea leaves that supposedly awakened the dead. He stole them and used them to become famous. He got cursed, attacked by a mummy, and sent to a Sanitarium. When Arcane finished, Marge and Pasquale were gone.
Declan kept demanding payment when Arcane revealed his “true form”; then Declan ran away. He ended up face to face with the resident bride and was brought back to the library. From there, he probably died because he wasn't seen after that. Arcane started to read a story to Marge and Pasquale about a special door. The door was made from a sacred tree. The father of the main character Ellen, cut it down and killed her friend. This is pretty much the first story that actually had a good ending. Ellen defended her father from a hoard of witches with a chainsaw. The book ended with Marge and Pasquale running away, and seeing the ghost of Declan. They also notice that out of the three graves they saw upon arriving, one was filled.
I would recommend this book and the whole series to anyone from 4th-8th grade. I feel like the book isn’t extremely descriptive, so it would be alright for younger readers. I don’t think it is directed towards any specific gender either. I think it is good if you want to read about these random stories once in a while. While reading this book, I felt like there wasn’t really any problem or rising point of the story, and based on the other two books I have read already, everything that happened was expected. I don’t think I would recommend it to anyone I know.
Once again, I think I did a horrible job reading this marking period. I’ve started to realize that when I get bored in a certain part of the book for a few chapters, I tend to start putting off reading as much as possible. It took me nearly a month to finish this 211 paged book. Now I have to rush to finish the second book; I think I’m nearly halfway through. I am going to try and read more over this summer!
The Haunted Mansion couldn't be tracked and nobody could find it unless the mansion wanted to be found. One day, a writer said he had found it; he came out wandering the streets speaking gibberish. He got a tattoo on his leg of a map of the mansion. He was later confined to a padded room. When he died; some of the skin on his leg was missing. Later on in the story, a captain was paid to send goods and was given a map made out of flesh to find the location of the mansion. Declan just got released from prison when he was offered a job to help deliver something to a mansion with Marge. They met up with Pasquale, who told them about a man who went into the mansion and came out laughing and as they were putting him in the “looney van” he had said a ghost had followed him home. They all went to deliver the supplies to the mansion together. Declan wants to try and steal money from the mansion, but Marge and Pasquale turn him down. A caretaker with a dog tells them that they should leave and that they shouldn’t be here. They tell him they are here to deliver some stuff. He proceeds to show them the way with a mumbled, "I'm sorry."As they were driving up to the mansion, they saw three men digging three graves, late in the night. When they arrived, Amicus Arcane welcomed them into the house, telling them that their payment would come later. He led them into the music room to unload the first crate. It turned out to be a piano. While Declan, Marge, and Pasquale start to unpack it, Arcane starts to read Volume III aloud. It was about a boy named Tobe who was supposedly a musical genius, even though he stole his music from the dead music teacher, then claimed it as his own. One of the teacher's former students confronted him about it, but nobody believed her. Tobe started hearing the music being played horribly coming from the basement. The day before a big school concert, Tobe ran away from the school screaming, "I can still hear it!" after he even broke the piano. He reappeared after the concert with his ears severed off his head still repeating the same thing. Arcane finished the story and told them to grab the next box. He then led them to an ancient artifact room. Declan tried to steal something but Arcane stopped him. He opened a sarcophagus and handed a mummy some tea, tea that was no longer available as of recently. Then he started to read the next tale. It was about the curse of Prince Amenmose. A man called Colonel Tusk broke into a tomb and found a bunch of tea leaves that supposedly awakened the dead. He stole them and used them to become famous. He got cursed, attacked by a mummy, and sent to a Sanitarium. When Arcane finished, Marge and Pasquale were gone.
Declan kept demanding payment when Arcane revealed his “true form”; then Declan ran away. He ended up face to face with the resident bride and was brought back to the library. From there, he probably died because he wasn't seen after that. Arcane started to read a story to Marge and Pasquale about a special door. The door was made from a sacred tree. The father of the main character Ellen, cut it down and killed her friend. This is pretty much the first story that actually had a good ending. Ellen defended her father from a hoard of witches with a chainsaw. The book ended with Marge and Pasquale running away, and seeing the ghost of Declan. They also notice that out of the three graves they saw upon arriving, one was filled.
I would recommend this book and the whole series to anyone from 4th-8th grade. I feel like the book isn’t extremely descriptive, so it would be alright for younger readers. I don’t think it is directed towards any specific gender either. I think it is good if you want to read about these random stories once in a while. While reading this book, I felt like there wasn’t really any problem or rising point of the story, and based on the other two books I have read already, everything that happened was expected. I don’t think I would recommend it to anyone I know.
Once again, I think I did a horrible job reading this marking period. I’ve started to realize that when I get bored in a certain part of the book for a few chapters, I tend to start putting off reading as much as possible. It took me nearly a month to finish this 211 paged book. Now I have to rush to finish the second book; I think I’m nearly halfway through. I am going to try and read more over this summer!
October 18, 2022
I will also do a video review here at my channel: http://www.youtube.com/magicofbooks
"Grim Grinning Ghosts" is book 3 in the "Tales from the Haunted Mansion" series by Amicus Arcane. Three thieves take a commission to deliver some mysterious items to the Haunted Mansion, where they meet the librarian who has some tales of terror to tell before the thieves can make a run for it.
Book 3 follows the exact same format/structure as the previous two books. The frame narrative involves three thieves or criminals (their extracurricular activities are never gone to in full since this is a kids book) who are tasked with delivering some particular items to, you guessed it: the Haunted Mansion. These items: a piano, a mummy, and a weird door. Once at the mansion they encounter the creepy librarian, and as all the books have done, the librarian is not going to just let his guests leave before telling them some scary stories that are meant to teach a lesson or a moral. I did enjoy the short stories in this installment. The piano involves an egotistical boy who stole a piece of piano music and claimed it as his own creation. The mummy involves a man who basically went to Egypt, was disrespectful to the Egyptian people and it's culture, and returns home creating a chain of stores with a tea plant taken from Egypt. And of course he destroyed a sarcophagus at the same time causing a curse to happen. And the weird door focuses on a girl and her dad who face off against some evil witches who are trying to get revenge. All three stories were fun, though predictable and cliche as all the stories in this whole series have been. I keep repeating this in all my reviews: I am not the intended audience for these books. They are primarily for kids getting into the horror genre for the first time and the Haunted Mansion provides a safe place to do that that's not too frightening. There's one more book to go and I anticipate leaving the series feeling rather indifferent. The books are fun, but not very memorable. If you've been on the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney it is fun to pick out all the easter eggs like dialogue or objects that are recognizable from the ride. Off to the final book!
"Grim Grinning Ghosts" is book 3 in the "Tales from the Haunted Mansion" series by Amicus Arcane. Three thieves take a commission to deliver some mysterious items to the Haunted Mansion, where they meet the librarian who has some tales of terror to tell before the thieves can make a run for it.
Book 3 follows the exact same format/structure as the previous two books. The frame narrative involves three thieves or criminals (their extracurricular activities are never gone to in full since this is a kids book) who are tasked with delivering some particular items to, you guessed it: the Haunted Mansion. These items: a piano, a mummy, and a weird door. Once at the mansion they encounter the creepy librarian, and as all the books have done, the librarian is not going to just let his guests leave before telling them some scary stories that are meant to teach a lesson or a moral. I did enjoy the short stories in this installment. The piano involves an egotistical boy who stole a piece of piano music and claimed it as his own creation. The mummy involves a man who basically went to Egypt, was disrespectful to the Egyptian people and it's culture, and returns home creating a chain of stores with a tea plant taken from Egypt. And of course he destroyed a sarcophagus at the same time causing a curse to happen. And the weird door focuses on a girl and her dad who face off against some evil witches who are trying to get revenge. All three stories were fun, though predictable and cliche as all the stories in this whole series have been. I keep repeating this in all my reviews: I am not the intended audience for these books. They are primarily for kids getting into the horror genre for the first time and the Haunted Mansion provides a safe place to do that that's not too frightening. There's one more book to go and I anticipate leaving the series feeling rather indifferent. The books are fun, but not very memorable. If you've been on the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney it is fun to pick out all the easter eggs like dialogue or objects that are recognizable from the ride. Off to the final book!
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January 31, 2024I hoped this would finally be the month I finish on time, but I’m almost there! I just finished “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” the third volume from “Tales From The Haunted Mansion” tetralogy. These shorter reads are narrated by the in-universe librarian, “Amicus Arcane,” but are actually written by John Esposito. Each book contains stories from ghosts that reside within the mansion, narrated with haunting quips from the librarian. Contrary to my previous statement, these books SHOULD be read in order.
"GGG" introduces us to the recently paroled Declan Smythe, who has no interest in staying on the right side of the law. Looking to get back into delivering black market items, Declan joins criminal acquaintances on a mysterious job to some unmarked mansion. Before Declan, Marge, and Pasquale can get paid (and potentially ransack the place), Amicus Arcane welcomes them with stories about the three items they’re delivering: a Liana that plays by itself, a tea-drinking mummy and his sarcophagus, and a rather lively door that’s breathing on its own? If the trio can hunker down and keep their paws to themselves, maybe, just maybe, they’ll survive the night.
Three books in, and Volume II is still easily my favorite, but this book gets brownie points for stories about actual ride elements. Declan’s story is fun but lacks the interest and depth of William’s adventures in the manor.
Additionally, I’ve failed to mention until now that these books are chock-full of Easter (Halloween?) eggs from the ride and even the parks as a whole. From street signs to character names, it’s evident that Arcane (Esposito) has a love for the parks. Every name drop is a fabulous reminder of a place most of us consider home.
With GGG falling in the middle of my rankings, I’m excited and curious to see who we meet in our final volume, “Memento Mori.”
"GGG" introduces us to the recently paroled Declan Smythe, who has no interest in staying on the right side of the law. Looking to get back into delivering black market items, Declan joins criminal acquaintances on a mysterious job to some unmarked mansion. Before Declan, Marge, and Pasquale can get paid (and potentially ransack the place), Amicus Arcane welcomes them with stories about the three items they’re delivering: a Liana that plays by itself, a tea-drinking mummy and his sarcophagus, and a rather lively door that’s breathing on its own? If the trio can hunker down and keep their paws to themselves, maybe, just maybe, they’ll survive the night.
Three books in, and Volume II is still easily my favorite, but this book gets brownie points for stories about actual ride elements. Declan’s story is fun but lacks the interest and depth of William’s adventures in the manor.
Additionally, I’ve failed to mention until now that these books are chock-full of Easter (Halloween?) eggs from the ride and even the parks as a whole. From street signs to character names, it’s evident that Arcane (Esposito) has a love for the parks. Every name drop is a fabulous reminder of a place most of us consider home.
With GGG falling in the middle of my rankings, I’m excited and curious to see who we meet in our final volume, “Memento Mori.”
June 10, 2025
Stars: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Malcolm Hillgartner
Series: Tales from the Haunted Mansion Book 3
Steam Level: Not Steamy
I was a little disappointed with this book considering how much I loved the other two but it’s not a bad book, I’m still happy that I read it.
Quick Thoughts:
- I was wondering what was going to be the set up for this book since the story arc from books one and two felt complete, and despite not liking this set up as much, I still enjoyed it and thought it was clever
- All the little stories inside the story of this book were really well done and were better than the actual story. These stories are the reason I gave this four stars instead of three
- The way this book ended was great and didn’t feel like a repackaging of the first two books
- Unfortunately the book didn’t have the same child like charm as the previous two did
- I really enjoyed the nods to The Haunted Mansion ride in the first two books, they were clever and didn’t feel forced. In this book that was not the case with the constant “foolish listener” and ride references and such to the point that it really annoyed me so I just could not give this five stars
- Malcolm Hillgartner continues to dazzle in this. He truly is the perfect narrator for this series
Overall despite this book not having the same charm as the first two, I did ultimately enjoy it but not enough to reread this in the future.
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Malcolm Hillgartner
Series: Tales from the Haunted Mansion Book 3
Steam Level: Not Steamy
I was a little disappointed with this book considering how much I loved the other two but it’s not a bad book, I’m still happy that I read it.
Quick Thoughts:
- I was wondering what was going to be the set up for this book since the story arc from books one and two felt complete, and despite not liking this set up as much, I still enjoyed it and thought it was clever
- All the little stories inside the story of this book were really well done and were better than the actual story. These stories are the reason I gave this four stars instead of three
- The way this book ended was great and didn’t feel like a repackaging of the first two books
- Unfortunately the book didn’t have the same child like charm as the previous two did
- I really enjoyed the nods to The Haunted Mansion ride in the first two books, they were clever and didn’t feel forced. In this book that was not the case with the constant “foolish listener” and ride references and such to the point that it really annoyed me so I just could not give this five stars
- Malcolm Hillgartner continues to dazzle in this. He truly is the perfect narrator for this series
Overall despite this book not having the same charm as the first two, I did ultimately enjoy it but not enough to reread this in the future.
March 6, 2020
Grim Grinning Ghosts is the third book in the Tales from the Haunted Mansion series, which follows the story of a librarian reading off a series of tall tales, to the unlucky visitors of this haunted mansion. In my previous reads, I enjoyed the first two books in this series, but I found myself struggling to get through this chapter book. To me I did not find the stories or the characters within the book very appealing, so it was not very interesting to me. I also found myself struggling to understand who is who is the book, getting characters names mixed up, so that also made it increasingly difficult to move forward with the book. But at the end of the day, since it is Disney, I cannot help but love the experience of reading the book. I also enjoy the book because it offers a different format, a sort of story telling point of view as well as interludes from a mysterious narrator. So, this would be a great addition to the classroom because it offers a format/style book that switches the way it is told. It also provides cool illustrations at the end of the chapters, draw in black and white, in order to continue the spooky tone. This would be a great book to use in the classroom, where you can read and have students come up with their own spooky story to act out in front of the class.
December 31, 2018
In this third installment of the Tales From the Haunted Mansion series, I was glad to keep up with the tales of Amicus Arcane and the happy haunts of the elusive mansion. This collection included three new stories tying in two more characters/features of the ride itself, both Anaheim and Orlando versions. This was a fun, new twist in discussing both the breathing doors and (in Orlando particularly) the mummy drinking tea, and the backstories for these characters. These books are cleverly written in describing stories within the main story; each is witty and enjoyable while tying back into the primary plot line and dealing with the less-than-moral leads in the main story. The attempts at scaring the reader are tongue-in-cheek and fun to read through, and truly written for the young audience in which it was intended and not scary or horrifying in the slightest. I look forward to seeing whether Amicus makes a reappearance in another installment of this series and hope to see more stories fearing the happy haunts.
October 6, 2021
Out of the three "Tales of the Haunted Mansion" books I've read, this one is by far my favorite. It feels like the ride as it has so many ties to that most awesome of experiences at Disneyland. It even uses the song lyrics during one section. I found myself singing it aloud as I read the lines of lyrics.
Like the first two books, this one sets up visitors going to the Haunted Mansion. This time it's three hardened criminals hired to deliver three mysterious crates. Like the other two books, once the visitors have arrived and are freaked out, they meet the librarian, Amicus Arcane, who proceeds to spin three tales of terror. Each tale is about one of the haunted items in the three crates. I also thought these little tales were better than the others in the previous books. It's as if the authors finally nailed down what they wanted this series of books to be. The mini-stories probably will be more scarier for kids. I also liked that this book wasn't afraid to kill off characters. Good times.
Fun book and I look forward to the final tome.
Like the first two books, this one sets up visitors going to the Haunted Mansion. This time it's three hardened criminals hired to deliver three mysterious crates. Like the other two books, once the visitors have arrived and are freaked out, they meet the librarian, Amicus Arcane, who proceeds to spin three tales of terror. Each tale is about one of the haunted items in the three crates. I also thought these little tales were better than the others in the previous books. It's as if the authors finally nailed down what they wanted this series of books to be. The mini-stories probably will be more scarier for kids. I also liked that this book wasn't afraid to kill off characters. Good times.
Fun book and I look forward to the final tome.
October 6, 2024
Meh. This wasn’t that great. There is something super kitschy about the Haunted Mansion rides that just really works for me. And I also really enjoyed both movies that have been made. But for some reason they just haven’t managed to translate that same vibe into this book series. The book seems to be trying too hard to be funny or witty or something and it just doesn’t work at all. Some of the short stories within the book were decent but the asides from Amicus Arcane are obnoxious and the main plot line of the book was pointless.
I already own the last in the series so I guess I will be reading it at some point. At least they are quick reads.
I already own the last in the series so I guess I will be reading it at some point. At least they are quick reads.
December 18, 2019
Probably my favourite of the three books so far, because it's more intrinsically tied to the Haunted Mansion itself than the previous books. Each of the three stories in this one tell the story of an artifact from the Mansion, and how it came to be in the Mansion in the first place. This pulls the book together in a way that the last two books didn't, because although the characters from those are in the Mansion, they're outsiders, and that's not the case here. The framing sequence is pretty good, and there are a few little surprises (not everyone dies, for example!).
October 11, 2023
Well written children's book. The narrator does a fairly Good job. Some of the voices were close enough, especially as the librarian is always interjecting him. A more distinct difference may have been helpful there. Even an accent perhaps.
Sort of creepy tails. Maybe told leaning on the haunted Mansion. Motif. Certainly not great. But if you have a child that really loves the haunt mansion, they would probably enjoy this. I often enjoy children's literature and I enjoy Disney's haunted Mansion. I wouldn't jump up and down for this book, but it was a cute little read and pretty quick
Sort of creepy tails. Maybe told leaning on the haunted Mansion. Motif. Certainly not great. But if you have a child that really loves the haunt mansion, they would probably enjoy this. I often enjoy children's literature and I enjoy Disney's haunted Mansion. I wouldn't jump up and down for this book, but it was a cute little read and pretty quick
September 1, 2025
I like this frame story the least of the four books; however, the three stories within are fairly good, and having only three instead of four like the first two allows for more depth to the stories. I liked “Strange Musicality” the best of the three.
These books make more sense when read as a series and a whole. All include clever use of phrases from the Haunted Mansion narration and song and a few other Disney creations and illusions to horror story writers. The books are nicely printed and illustrated, and the slip cover edition includes a blank journal.
These books make more sense when read as a series and a whole. All include clever use of phrases from the Haunted Mansion narration and song and a few other Disney creations and illusions to horror story writers. The books are nicely printed and illustrated, and the slip cover edition includes a blank journal.
August 7, 2018
3 more Happy Haunts
3 more Happy Haunts have had their stories told. The mix between the imagination of the author and the Disney Imagineers is amazing. This is the perfect read for any reader the likes the fun side of scary or for the true Disney Fans that can visualize the twist and turns of the Haunted Mansion. I can not wait to hear the stories of the remaining 999 Happy Haunts!
3 more Happy Haunts have had their stories told. The mix between the imagination of the author and the Disney Imagineers is amazing. This is the perfect read for any reader the likes the fun side of scary or for the true Disney Fans that can visualize the twist and turns of the Haunted Mansion. I can not wait to hear the stories of the remaining 999 Happy Haunts!
October 21, 2019
I liked this one more than book two as it gives some lore and details of some of the items in the mansion and even the framing device of delivery men dropping of crates was one of the better subplots. My main issue here is that I really don’t know how most of the stories fit together with the main theme of the Haunted Mansion. Especially when you have 999 possibilities for any direction you can pull from. Hopefully book four can make up for it.
March 15, 2023
This book contained subplot tales that revolved around things in the mansion versus the ghosts that inhabit it, which, although still entertaining, made it feel more like a filler book rather than one that drove the series plot like the rest of them did.
[Full review at https://ashleyweaverauthor.com/2023/0...]
[Full review at https://ashleyweaverauthor.com/2023/0...]
August 9, 2023
Once again, I did not love. Although I will say that this book had more to do with the haunted mansion than Midnight at Madame Leota's. This book covered how certain fixtures (pianos, mummy sarcophagus. and doors) find their way to the haunted mansion).
Although it took place within the haunted mansion and stories related to ending up at the haunted mansion, still just feels like a collection of scary short stories. Will not be continuing the series.
Although it took place within the haunted mansion and stories related to ending up at the haunted mansion, still just feels like a collection of scary short stories. Will not be continuing the series.
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