Spooks, Ghosts, and Middle-Grade Mystery: Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol Books in Order
To follow the boys’ friendship, recurring monster encounters, and neighborhood dynamics, the books are best read in chronological publication order.
Complete Publication Order & Plot Summaries
1. The Haunted House Next Door (2017)
When Andres Miedoso moves to Kershaw, he quickly learns his new home has a noisy supernatural occupant. Luckily, his next-door neighbor Desmond Cole runs a ghost-hunting service and steps in to help calm the restless spirit.
2. Ghosts Don’t Ride Bicycles, Do They? (2017)
Desmond and Andres investigate reports of a phantom bicycle speeding through the neighborhood streets after dark, leaving the town kids wondering who—or what—is pedaling.
3. Surfin’ the Haunted Wave (2017)
A sunny trip to the local beach takes a strange turn when the boys spot a ghostly figure riding the night waves, forcing them to solve a seaside mystery before ocean tide comes in.
4. Where Have All the Monsters Gone? (2017)
When Kershaw’s local ghouls and specters suddenly vanish without a trace, Desmond realizes that a town without its usual hauntings might be facing an even bigger supernatural threat.
5. Mermaids Are Real! (2017)
While exploring a local aquatic park, Desmond and Andres discover that legendary sea creatures aren’t just myths—and one of them needs help finding its way back home.
6. The Moonwalk Monster (2018)
At the local roller-skating rink, strange occurrences and mysterious cold spots disrupt the fun, prompting the Ghost Patrol to lace up their skates and track down the culprit.
7. Camp Fear-A-Lot (2018)
A summer camp retreat turns eerie when campfire ghost stories start coming to life around the cabins, testing Andres’s nerves to the maximum limit.
8. The Ghouls of the Great Outdoors (2018)
During a woodland hiking trip, Desmond and Andres navigate spooky forest trails, mysterious glowing lights, and a gentle woods-dwelling creature looking for a friend.
9. The Skeleton in the Closet (2018)
Halloween season brings extra chaos to Kershaw as a loose skeleton starts wandering around school, leaving a trail of hilarious mix-ups in its wake.
10. The Snortifying Sneezeweed (2019)
When a bizarre botanical specimen causes strange supernatural side effects across the neighborhood, the duo must track down the origin of the magical pollen.
11. Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun (2019)
A local party gets crashed by playful spirits who turn everyday games into wild paranormal events, leaving Desmond and Andres to keep the chaos under control.
12. The Curse of the Zombie Hamster (2019)
A tiny classroom pet appears to rise from the dead, sparking a frantic investigation into whether Kershaw has its very first adorable undead creature.
13. Night of the Zombie Goldfish (2020)
Spooky pet mysteries continue when a carnival goldfish starts behaving strangely in its tank, leading the boys to unravel a wet and slippery mystery.
14. Major League Monster (2020)
During a local little league baseball game, an uninvited athletic spirit decides to join the team, turning an ordinary ballgame into a supernatural match.
15. The Sleepover from the Black Lagoon (2020)
A simple overnight pajama party turns into a midnight ghost hunt when strange sounds, shifting shadows, and moving objects keep everyone awake.
16. The Ghostly Game Show (2021)
Desmond and Andres find themselves trapped in a phantom game show where they must answer trivia and solve puzzles to win their way out.
17. Beware the Bungee Baboon! (2021)
A wild supernatural primate causes mayhem at the local playground, bouncing off trees and forcing the Ghost Patrol to design a clever trap.
18. The Pet-Sitter’s Nightmare (2021)
Taking on a weekend job watching a neighbor’s house, the boys discover that looking after paranormal pets requires far more work than feeding standard cats and dogs.
19. Escape from the Toy Store of Doom (2022)
Locked inside a downtown toy shop after hours, Desmond and Andres discover that the toys have come to life—and some of them don’t want to go back on the shelves.
20. Tarantula Terror! (2022)
A giant arachnid sighting sends shockwaves through the neighborhood, sending the Ghost Patrol out to determine if it’s a real creature or a creepy illusion.
21. Vampire Vacation (2022)
A family road trip takes an unexpected detour when the boys check into a suspicious hotel that seems tailor-made for creatures of the night.
22. The Horror at the Homecoming Dance (2023)
School decorations and music trigger unexpected ghostly activity in the gymnasium, turning a school dance into a spectral celebration.
23. Monster Mash-Up (2023)
Multiple supernatural creatures collide in Kershaw at once, forcing Desmond and Andres to manage two mysteries simultaneously.
24. The Phantom of the Playground (2024)
Swings moving on their own and phantom giggles on the jungle gym lead the Ghost Patrol to help a lonely young ghost who just wants a playground buddy.
25. Attack of the 50-Foot Feline (2025)
A towering, ghostly cat looms over the town buildings, requiring the boys to figure out what gigantic treat will appease the oversized spirit.
Why Young Readers Love Desmond Cole
The Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol series hits the sweet spot for early chapter book readers transitioning from picture books to longer fiction. Andres Miedoso constructs lighthearted, non-terrifying mysteries that teach kids about bravery, problem-solving, and friendship.
[Desmond Cole (Bold & Curious)]
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[Kershaw Paranormal Mystery]
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[Andres Miedoso (Cautious Narrator)]
Core Elements of the Series
- Dynamic Duo: Desmond is fearless, curious, and fascinated by supernatural phenomena. Andres, by contrast, is anxious, cautious, and prefers safe indoor activities. Their back-and-forth dynamic creates instant humor.
- Friendly Monsters: The ghosts and monsters in Kershaw are rarely truly evil—most of the time, they are simply misunderstood, lonely, or causing accidental mischief.
- Accessible Format: Short chapters, large print, frequent illustrations by Victor Rivas, and engaging dialogue make these books ideal for emerging readers and bedtime read-alouds.
Recommended Reader Age & Grade Level
| Attribute | Detail |
| Target Age Range | 5 – 9 years |
| Grade Level | Kindergarten – 4th Grade |
| Lexile Measure | ~500L – 600L |
| Page Count | ~128 pages per book |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to read the Desmond Cole books in order?
While each book features a standalone mystery that gets resolved by the end of the story, reading them in publication order helps young readers track how Desmond and Andres’ friendship develops over time.
Are the Desmond Cole books too scary for young children?
No. Despite having words like “haunted,” “zombie,” and “monster” in the titles, the stories are written specifically to be funny and mild rather than scary. The ghosts are friendly and misunderstood.
Who is the author, Andres Miedoso?
“Andres Miedoso” is both the pen name of the author and the name of the main narrator character in the books. In Spanish, “miedoso” translates to “fearful” or “scaredy-cat,” which matches the narrator’s cautious personality.
Final Verdict
The Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol series remains a standout choice for parents, teachers, and young readers looking for engaging, humorous early chapter books. With short stories, vivid illustrations, and a lovable cast, it makes reading about ghosts an absolute delight.
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