The Secret Life of Pets meets Ranger in Time in this humorous, historic, and mildly haunted illustrated chapter book series featuring a service dog who thinks he’s British, tasked with chasing the unsolved ghost stories of the Southwest.
Edmund, a goldendoodle and seizure-alert dog of esteemed lineage (at least according to him) is destined for life in a palace. Buckingham Palace, to be precise.
He is an expert at all things British—from tasty kidney pies to the cozy mysteries of Jessica Fletcher—and thus he believes he is meant to be a Royal Guard, serving the King of England.
But when Edmund’s beloved owner dies, he gets adopted by a veteran called Wild West Willy, an aspiring ghosthunter. Willy aims to travel to the Grand Canyon, where he’ll uncover the truth behind the disappearance of a couple who went missing in 1928. Little does Willy know that Edmund can actually see ghosts!
Should Edmund help out and solve the mystery, even though it isn’t quite as grand as serving in the Royal Guard? Maybe his destiny is closer to home than he realized. . . .
From the award-winning, bestselling author of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus comes a funny new chapter book series that captures the heartwarming bond between man and his best friend—even when his best friend is a bit delusional.
Author's note. Sources. Black and white illustrations.
Topics Dogs. Ability. Ghosts. Mystery and detective stories.
Trim Size 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
JLG Span Spring
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2026-03-16
JLG Release Date Jun 2026
Minimum grade 3
Maximum grade 5
Reading level Elementary
Format Print
Upper Elementary Fiction (Grades 3-5)
Upper Elementary Fiction
Upper Elementary Fiction (Grades 3-5)
For Grades 3-5
A collection of longer-format novels for readers ready to move beyond chapter books. These stories emphasize fun while beginning to explore deeper themes. With engaging plots and relatable characters, this category helps keep readers excited as they take the next step into longer, more immersive stories.