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43 Old Cemetery Road #3
Till Death Do Us Bark
Where there's a will, there's a...scavenger hunt!
When a shaggy dog arrives at Spence Mansion, Seymour is overjoyed. His adoptive parents, Ignatius B. Grumply and Olive C. Spence, are less enthusiastic--especially when Secret, the dog, begins barking all night long.
Is it possible that Secret just misses his old companion, the late Noah Breth, whose children are fighting like cats and dogs over their father's money? Or does Secret have a secret that, in the end, will make the entire town of Ghastly howl with delight?
When a shaggy dog arrives at Spence Mansion, Seymour is overjoyed. His adoptive parents, Ignatius B. Grumply and Olive C. Spence, are less enthusiastic--especially when Secret, the dog, begins barking all night long.
Is it possible that Secret just misses his old companion, the late Noah Breth, whose children are fighting like cats and dogs over their father's money? Or does Secret have a secret that, in the end, will make the entire town of Ghastly howl with delight?
124 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2011
24 people are currently reading
874 people want to read
About the author
Kate Klise
67 books343 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
Catherine "Kate" Klise is an American author of children's literature. Many of her books are illustrated by her sister, M. Sarah Klise. Their popular Regarding series is presented in a scrapbook style format, with letters, journal entries, and related ephemera telling the story. She is also known for her picture books as well as the bestselling 43 Old Cemetery Road series. Kate Klise's first adult novel, In the Bag, was released in 2012.
Catherine "Kate" Klise is an American author of children's literature. Many of her books are illustrated by her sister, M. Sarah Klise. Their popular Regarding series is presented in a scrapbook style format, with letters, journal entries, and related ephemera telling the story. She is also known for her picture books as well as the bestselling 43 Old Cemetery Road series. Kate Klise's first adult novel, In the Bag, was released in 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
October 28, 2023
Ich lese sehr gerne Gespenstergeschichten und Kinderbücher, daher ist diese Kinderbuchreihe natürlich fast ein Muss für mich. Bei jedem Band muss ich mich immer erst an den Schreibstil gewöhnen, denn die Geschichte wird in Form von Briefen erzählt.
In diesem dritten Band läuft Severin ein Hund zu. Severin ist überglücklich; er hat sich schon immer einen Hund gewünscht. Doch darf er ihn auch behalten?
Der Hund gehörte dem kürzlich verstorbenen Noah Schmöller, dessen Kinder sich nun um sein Erbe streiten...
Die Geschichte ist recht emotional für ein Kinderbuch. Irgendwie traurig, irgendwie auch humorvoll und ans Herz gehend.
In diesem dritten Band läuft Severin ein Hund zu. Severin ist überglücklich; er hat sich schon immer einen Hund gewünscht. Doch darf er ihn auch behalten?
Der Hund gehörte dem kürzlich verstorbenen Noah Schmöller, dessen Kinder sich nun um sein Erbe streiten...
Die Geschichte ist recht emotional für ein Kinderbuch. Irgendwie traurig, irgendwie auch humorvoll und ans Herz gehend.
November 18, 2022
This series continues to excel in many areas: 1) The format is varied and mostly epistolary with lots of great illustrations. 2) The puns are so creative and there are new ones in each book. 3) Iggy, Olive, and Seymour become ever more closely knit with each episode. And the main point of this one: every boy needs a dog. Secret is just what Seymour needs. Too bad there is so much confusion surrounding his discovery and chain of custody. The Klise sisters do not disappoint!
April 29, 2019
Illustrated middle grade series told in epistolary style, using an exchange of letters with a few newspaper articles in the mix. Seymour wants to keep a dog he found, even though he knows the dog belongs to someone else, and the dog's presence is causing conflict within Seymour's family. Meanwhile, mysterious old coins worth a fortune are popping up all over Ghastly. This third title in the series is my favorite so far and features an additional ghost.
December 13, 2022
This book is hilarious, heartwarming, delightful, and it taught me a few things. A book series for any age.
Favorite quotes:
-Noah Breth: "Funny thing happens when you become a ghost. You learn a lot about other people. And about yourself, too. Everything's much clearer from this perspective... It's the first thing you learn when you become a ghost. It's almost impossible to change on this side... When you're alive, you take for granted the ability you have to change your mind or your behavior. You lose that when you become a ghost... You [Ignatius Grumply] can wake up every day and be a different person, just in the way you live your life. Ghosts can't do that. We're locked into the personality we had when we died. So to float by and see someone like you sitting there with that defeated look on your face... Well, let's just say it can be a bit off-putting, my friend."
Ignatius: "I think I'm starting to understand."
Noah: "Most people do, but usually not until the end of their lives. Then they think it's too late to make a change, even a small one. That's why I put my fortune in coins... I wanted to remind people that sometimes small change can be extremely valuable." (77-79)
-Noah Breth: "The goal isn't to be perfect...Your job is to do the best you can in every circumstance."
Seymour Hope: "What happens when you mess up?"
Noah: "Well, you learn your lesson. You make a small change. Then you try again the next day. It sounds simple, I know. But it's a grand arrangement you have there when you're living."
Seymour: "I never thought about it that way.z'
Noah: "Most people don't. But as an artist, haven't you ever had to draw something a second time?"
Seymour: "I have to draw most pictures three or four times before they're any good."
Noah: "Exactly so. Now think of life in the same terms. Start over when you have to. Make a second draft. Or a third. Embrace the chance you have to do things over again in a different, better, wiser way." (86-87)
Favorite quotes:
-Noah Breth: "Funny thing happens when you become a ghost. You learn a lot about other people. And about yourself, too. Everything's much clearer from this perspective... It's the first thing you learn when you become a ghost. It's almost impossible to change on this side... When you're alive, you take for granted the ability you have to change your mind or your behavior. You lose that when you become a ghost... You [Ignatius Grumply] can wake up every day and be a different person, just in the way you live your life. Ghosts can't do that. We're locked into the personality we had when we died. So to float by and see someone like you sitting there with that defeated look on your face... Well, let's just say it can be a bit off-putting, my friend."
Ignatius: "I think I'm starting to understand."
Noah: "Most people do, but usually not until the end of their lives. Then they think it's too late to make a change, even a small one. That's why I put my fortune in coins... I wanted to remind people that sometimes small change can be extremely valuable." (77-79)
-Noah Breth: "The goal isn't to be perfect...Your job is to do the best you can in every circumstance."
Seymour Hope: "What happens when you mess up?"
Noah: "Well, you learn your lesson. You make a small change. Then you try again the next day. It sounds simple, I know. But it's a grand arrangement you have there when you're living."
Seymour: "I never thought about it that way.z'
Noah: "Most people don't. But as an artist, haven't you ever had to draw something a second time?"
Seymour: "I have to draw most pictures three or four times before they're any good."
Noah: "Exactly so. Now think of life in the same terms. Start over when you have to. Make a second draft. Or a third. Embrace the chance you have to do things over again in a different, better, wiser way." (86-87)
October 15, 2021
What can I say? I just love this series! I still think the first book is the strongest so far - it just has a special charm. But I really enjoyed this third entry too, as we get to know the town's residents better and meet some new characters as well. I want to visit Ghastly!
This one felt a bit more dialogue-heavy in parts. Even though the format is the same, it seemed like there were more letters where Olive interjected, which created a lot of back-and-forth dialogue without the usual quotation marks and attributions. I don't know if this would be a problem for young readers, but I did notice it.
You could also argue that some of the resolution was a bit too convenient, but these are light-hearted stories, and I appreciated how things turned out. It was heart-warming and made me smile.
Looking forward to the next one!
This one felt a bit more dialogue-heavy in parts. Even though the format is the same, it seemed like there were more letters where Olive interjected, which created a lot of back-and-forth dialogue without the usual quotation marks and attributions. I don't know if this would be a problem for young readers, but I did notice it.
You could also argue that some of the resolution was a bit too convenient, but these are light-hearted stories, and I appreciated how things turned out. It was heart-warming and made me smile.
Looking forward to the next one!
October 14, 2018
Another cute installment in the series.
February 20, 2023
This was a fun 3rd book in a series about a young boy Seymour who lives with a writer, Mr. Grumply, and Olive, a ghost, and her cat, Shadow. Seymour wants a dog and when one turns up he believes it is an answer to prayer. But it turns out the dog belonged to an older man who passed away. The man's children want nothing to do with the dog but later have a change of heart. A very punny book. In the end, Seymour gets his puppy and everyone is happy once more. This is a fun book written in letters and emails and notes(epistolary). Would be a fun book to use to teach kids about letter writing.
October 28, 2017
Zach loves these books
August 30, 2016
Well, Ignatius B. Grumply, Olive C. Spence, and Seymour Hope are back at it.
This time, Seymour brings home a dog, a night barking dog that keeps everyone awake, Seymour is told by Ignatius that he must attempt to find the owner of the dog - that's a stretch! Ok, so Seymour does try - only to discover that the dog's (named Secret) owner is the late Noah Breth, multi-millionaire, whose daughter (Kitty Breth) and son (Kanine Breth) have had little to do with their wealthy father, and each other, for years. Now they both stand to inherit the fortune, or do they?
Once again, the author uses puns with characters names - Rita O'Bitt (attorney at law), takes on the siblings and their claims against their late father's estate.
Back to Seymour, and Secret, who go missing, Sheriff Mike Ondolences (say it quickly) puts out a Missing person report.
And valuable coins are turning up all over Ghastly, Illinois making the various folks who find them rather well-off, to the consternation of Kitty and Kanine - they are losing their fortune!
Will Seymour and Secret be found? Will Kitty and Kanine inherit? Will Ignatius' allergies go away?
This time, Seymour brings home a dog, a night barking dog that keeps everyone awake, Seymour is told by Ignatius that he must attempt to find the owner of the dog - that's a stretch! Ok, so Seymour does try - only to discover that the dog's (named Secret) owner is the late Noah Breth, multi-millionaire, whose daughter (Kitty Breth) and son (Kanine Breth) have had little to do with their wealthy father, and each other, for years. Now they both stand to inherit the fortune, or do they?
Once again, the author uses puns with characters names - Rita O'Bitt (attorney at law), takes on the siblings and their claims against their late father's estate.
Back to Seymour, and Secret, who go missing, Sheriff Mike Ondolences (say it quickly) puts out a Missing person report.
And valuable coins are turning up all over Ghastly, Illinois making the various folks who find them rather well-off, to the consternation of Kitty and Kanine - they are losing their fortune!
Will Seymour and Secret be found? Will Kitty and Kanine inherit? Will Ignatius' allergies go away?
October 4, 2011
Ages 7-10. Book 3 in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series. Klise is back with her trademark mystery written in letters (a format which, unfortunately, most modern children can't connect to). Seymour Hope, now adopted by Ignatius Grumply and Olive Spence (a ghost), finds a dog and wants to keep him. The dog belonged to the recently deceased Noah Breth. His children, Kitty and Kanine, are fighting to get their paws on Noah's valuable antiques, but he liquidated them just before his demise, and the kids don't know what happened to the money. Then rare coins begin to show up around town, worth thousands of dollars. While the dog, Secret, isn't very important to the Breth siblings, he turns out to be key to solving the mystery of the "lost" money--and, with Seymour's help, the means of resolving the tension between the Breths. While the story is not Klise's best work, kids will enjoy the "punny" names of the residents of Ghastly, IL, the silly elements of the story, and finding the humorous tidbits hidden in the letterheads and newspaper ads.
November 1, 2014
Till Death Do Us Bark is the third book in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series. This book is about a boy named Seymour Hope who finds a lost dog named Secret. When he finds out the dog belongs to a millionaire that has recently died, he keeps this secret from his parents Ignatius B. Grumply and Olive C. Spence(a ghost). The dog soon starts to become an issue in the family's household. Meanwhile, the children of the millionaire search around the town of Ghastly for their father's fortune. To the townspeople, Noah Breth's "will" regarding the fortune might as well be impossible.
I like this book because it doesn't follow the traditional route to writing a book. Instead of chapters, each page is full of notes and letters made by both minor and main characters. The author uses lots of word play, mainly in the characters' names, which I think is very amusing. I also like the fact that the three main characters are working on the same series this book is in.
I like this book because it doesn't follow the traditional route to writing a book. Instead of chapters, each page is full of notes and letters made by both minor and main characters. The author uses lots of word play, mainly in the characters' names, which I think is very amusing. I also like the fact that the three main characters are working on the same series this book is in.
January 16, 2015
The third book in this series is one of my favorites. Seymour takes in a shaggy dog that once belonged to an old man living in the town. His parents don't agree with it because its not there dog , it makes a mess, and it barks loud and keep up the town. He tries to prove to them what a good dog owner he would be. Eventually his parents add up to it.
While this is happening the man who owns the dog who died has a son and a daughter. He's trying to teach them the lesson he should have before he passed. He has decided to do a scavenger hunt where is his kids will be able to look for the " bucket with gold". Do you think they will be able to find it? I recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries and funny books.
While this is happening the man who owns the dog who died has a son and a daughter. He's trying to teach them the lesson he should have before he passed. He has decided to do a scavenger hunt where is his kids will be able to look for the " bucket with gold". Do you think they will be able to find it? I recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries and funny books.
September 20, 2012
I just love the way she writes. There are no chapters but the story unfolds with the exchange of letters. And the names she gave her characters. So fitting and so very funny. A good read for both young and old.
March 4, 2019
Goodreads: Book 3 in this wonderful series. Do yourself a favor and read the entire series. Seymour Hope acquires a Secret.
October 15, 2024
Ohh, nicht noch ein Gedicht!
Cover:
Die Spence Villa bei Nacht, mit Severin und dem riesigen Heimlich.
Zum Inhalt:
Iggi, Olivia und Severin arbeiten wie immer an ihrem Buch.
Seid Neustem hat Severin auch einen Hund - Heimlich. Er gehört dem verstorbenen Noah Schmöller. Aber Iggi und Olivia wollen keinen Hund und dann ist auch noch Olivias Katze Morle verschwunden. Und dann verschwindet auch Severin, weil er Heimlich nicht wieder hergeben will. Ignaz ist verzweifelt, weil er das Gefühl hat, als Vater zu versagen und alles falsch zu machen. Olivia ist böse, weil sie glaubt alle sind gegen sie und dann sind da noch die Kinder von Noah Schmöller, die ihr Erbe antreten wollen und gar nicht glauben können, das von den Millionen ihres Vater nichts mehr da ist, außer ein paar Limericks, um das Erbe zu finden. Ja und Noah? Noah beobachtet das alles und gibt Hinweise und leitet ein bisschen dieses Hörbuch.
Die Sprecher:
Die Stammstimmen sind wieder dabei, dazu kommen nun die zänkischen Geschwister Bello und Mietze und eine recht kecke Anwältin und eine genervte Bankangestellte.
Musik:
Wie immer passend. Hauptmotiv und Musiksequenzen wechseln einander ab und bringen Spaß und Pfiff in die Geschichte. Wunderbares Untermalung.
Meine Meinung:
Die Idee mit der Erbschaft-Schnitzeljagd ist ja nicht neu, aber äußerst witzig gestaltet.
Die Zweifel und Diskussionen zwischen Ignaz, Olivia und Noah sind ein wenig anstrengend, aber sie sollen darstellen, vor welchen Konflikten auch die Eltern mal stehen können. Severin, der gleich reiß aus nimmt, wenn es nicht nach ihm geht, ist schwierig zu verstehen, aber am Ende erklärt er seine Motive im Brief an die Geschwister Schmöller. Mietze und Bello (schon die Namen!) sind schon ein seltsames Geschwisterpaar, aber am Ende haben sie ein einsehen und stellen fest, was es noch mehr gibt, als Geld.
Fazit:Lustig und es regt zum nachdenken an.
Cover:
Die Spence Villa bei Nacht, mit Severin und dem riesigen Heimlich.
Zum Inhalt:
Iggi, Olivia und Severin arbeiten wie immer an ihrem Buch.
Seid Neustem hat Severin auch einen Hund - Heimlich. Er gehört dem verstorbenen Noah Schmöller. Aber Iggi und Olivia wollen keinen Hund und dann ist auch noch Olivias Katze Morle verschwunden. Und dann verschwindet auch Severin, weil er Heimlich nicht wieder hergeben will. Ignaz ist verzweifelt, weil er das Gefühl hat, als Vater zu versagen und alles falsch zu machen. Olivia ist böse, weil sie glaubt alle sind gegen sie und dann sind da noch die Kinder von Noah Schmöller, die ihr Erbe antreten wollen und gar nicht glauben können, das von den Millionen ihres Vater nichts mehr da ist, außer ein paar Limericks, um das Erbe zu finden. Ja und Noah? Noah beobachtet das alles und gibt Hinweise und leitet ein bisschen dieses Hörbuch.
Die Sprecher:
Die Stammstimmen sind wieder dabei, dazu kommen nun die zänkischen Geschwister Bello und Mietze und eine recht kecke Anwältin und eine genervte Bankangestellte.
Musik:
Wie immer passend. Hauptmotiv und Musiksequenzen wechseln einander ab und bringen Spaß und Pfiff in die Geschichte. Wunderbares Untermalung.
Meine Meinung:
Die Idee mit der Erbschaft-Schnitzeljagd ist ja nicht neu, aber äußerst witzig gestaltet.
Die Zweifel und Diskussionen zwischen Ignaz, Olivia und Noah sind ein wenig anstrengend, aber sie sollen darstellen, vor welchen Konflikten auch die Eltern mal stehen können. Severin, der gleich reiß aus nimmt, wenn es nicht nach ihm geht, ist schwierig zu verstehen, aber am Ende erklärt er seine Motive im Brief an die Geschwister Schmöller. Mietze und Bello (schon die Namen!) sind schon ein seltsames Geschwisterpaar, aber am Ende haben sie ein einsehen und stellen fest, was es noch mehr gibt, als Geld.
Fazit:Lustig und es regt zum nachdenken an.
October 24, 2018
Seymour finds a dog and wants to keep it, but he lies to Grumply and Spence when they ask if it has an owner. The dog did have an owner the recently deceased Noah Breth. Noah's children Kitty and Kanine are fighting over Noah's estate. Noah has left them limericks regarding his estate. Meanwhile people around the town are finding small coins that are old and very valuable. Eventually it is revealed that this is what Noah did with his estate, he put it in these small coins and hide those coins around town. The last coin is on the dog, Secret's, collar and Seymore gets it when Kitty and Kanine both say that don't want the dog. Seymore offers to give them the coin (he just wanted the dog) by writing a letter to both of them and tearing it down the middle so they will have to cooperate to read the note. Noah Breth makes an appearance as a ghost. And in the end the town has a party to celebrate Noah's life and his kids come and behave themselves and both of them want their other sibling to have the coin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2018
A boy and his dog ... a logical choice for the next in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series. A dog has adopted Seymour, but his parents are not thrilled with the idea --Mr. Grumply is allergic, Olive is a cat person, and the dog barks all night long. Has this dog chased off Shadow, the cat, from her rightful home?
While Seymour is finding and hiding the identity of the dog owner, a secondary plot is the appearance of a brother and sister who have raced home to claim their father's inheritance which is to be found in the solving of limericks. Also, valuable rare coins are turning up at odd places. How will this all come together?
While Seymour is finding and hiding the identity of the dog owner, a secondary plot is the appearance of a brother and sister who have raced home to claim their father's inheritance which is to be found in the solving of limericks. Also, valuable rare coins are turning up at odd places. How will this all come together?
May 31, 2019
What beautiful messages this book conveys to us. This is my 3rd books in this series, but this one is my most favorite. This reminded me of my childhood and my family.
The message which a new ghost tried to tell to Iggy was precious. It's not so serious thanks to some ghost jokes. It's even hilarious. But conversation between two dads who regret their parenting is worth to read. And the letter to Kitty and Kanine from Seymore made me cry realizing how I'm lucky to have sibling. Unexpected ending. I read again and again. I wanna keep this copy for myself and I read to my kids or let them read by themselves.
Thank you for reminding us to live the moment without regret.
The message which a new ghost tried to tell to Iggy was precious. It's not so serious thanks to some ghost jokes. It's even hilarious. But conversation between two dads who regret their parenting is worth to read. And the letter to Kitty and Kanine from Seymore made me cry realizing how I'm lucky to have sibling. Unexpected ending. I read again and again. I wanna keep this copy for myself and I read to my kids or let them read by themselves.
Thank you for reminding us to live the moment without regret.
September 25, 2020
I liked this one because it included a dog lol. I also liked how Noah Breth used coins to disperse his money throughout the town. The riddles were fun and I was intrigued to see who was going to find the last one. I should’ve know it would be on the dog’s collar. The names still crack me up and I am excited to get started on the fourth one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2024
This was a fun little read. A nice story about how the adults often go too far with their "principles" until they have hurt those around them. The moral of this story was that "The money isn't important and mean / selfish people can change and get along with everyone." I believe that's why this is classified as fiction in the real world. Maybe 3.5*
September 7, 2024
9/6/24: Probably a 3.5 rounded up for Goodreads. I still am not 100% in love with this series, but I have it all so I should continue to read it before I unhaul it. Besides, my grandchild may still like it. I like this better that the other two in the series. This one is about another person in the town and about a dog.
March 19, 2018
In this one we get more ghosts, pets, and tons of limericks! Nice mystery of where the coins are coming from and the exchanges between the Breth children really got me interested how it was going to end.
November 17, 2025
Seymour actúa en esta tercera historia como cualquier chiquillo y eso sorprende a sus nuevos padres, quienes deberán encontrar la manera de relacionarse con él para remendar lo que sus padres biológicos destrozaron.
December 27, 2025
Truly consistent writing would recommend to all parents and kids. There is not much to say about this book without spoilers besides that it’s brilliant. I think all ages can enjoy it, read it for your kids before bed instead of giving them a phone :)
October 22, 2017
I love this series so far. I totally get why the illustrator is given equal credit. This is a fast, fun, easy read that I’d recommend to adults and pre-adolescents.
December 24, 2018
Better book than the second one in my opinion. This one was very interesting and kept me reading much faster than the second did. Still looking forward to the next!
June 19, 2020
As always cute and so sincere! On to the next book in the series.
July 12, 2020
Great 3rd book for the series. Can't wait for the next one. These seem like books that kids would enjoy if they knew about them.
August 18, 2021
Another fun book in a great series!
November 30, 2021
These books continue to be delightful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews