In the book series Geronimo Stilton, Lo strano caso del Fantasma al Grand Hotel is the 65th book in the original publicaction order in Italian, published in the year 2005. It was later translated into English as This Hotel is Haunted! by Scholastic in July 2012, the 50th book in the English Geronimo Stilton book series.
Summary[]
“My good friend Hercule Poirat and I were called to investigate mysterious events in the famouse Grand Hotel in New Mouse City. There was a ghost haunting the hotel and scaring guests! It was wearing armor and carrying a ball and chain. I know that ghosts don't exist, but this was pretty spooky. Would Poirat and I be able to solve this spine-tingling mystery?”
Chapters[]
- A Mysterious Ghost Story
- Who? What? When? Where? Why?
- Room 313
- Strange Things Are Happening at the Grand Hotel!
- A Great Love Story!
- The Secrets of the Grand Hotel
- Who Saw the Ghost?
- A Genius Idea!
- A Ghastly Night ...
- IIIIIII’m the Ghooooost....
- Do You Think That Was the Ghost?
- Never Let Fear Conquer Your Love of Adventure!
- Someone Went Through Here ...
- A Little Help from a Friend
- Only the Finest for Our B.B.!
- B.B. Stands for ... Bradley Bigbottom!
- A Ghost Trap!
- What a Klutz!
- Watch Out for the Caaaast!
- Guess Who the Guest of Honor Is!
Plot[]
On one morning, Geronimo was eating breakfast and watching the news which reported that one of his old friend's business, the Grand Hotel, was haunted. He then received a letter from an unknown sender, requesting him to meet the sender at Room 313 at the Grand Hotel. Upon arriving, Geronimo was led to the suite by the longtime receptionist Oswald Rattaldo. Geronimo then entered the bathroom, and was pranked by the detective Hercule Poirat. Hercule wanted Geronimo to assist him in the investigation before dragging him to meet the hotel owner, Horatzio Hoteltail.
A sobbing Horatzio told the duo about the background of the hotel, revealed that if the case can't be solved, he could possibly forced to sell the hotel to Bradley Bigbottom, a mysterious businessman who wanted to buy the hotel for the last month at a really low price and turning it to a toilet factory; the whole events regarding the ghost, and giving them a tour. Geronimo and Hercules then proceeded to asked the remaining staffs in order to find clues. When they were finished, Hercule exclaimed that he and Geronimo will be staying in the hotel for the night, and then ordered room service that mainly consisted of his favourite food: bananas.
The duo sat in the room waiting for the ghost to appear while Hercule kept on pranking Geronimo in order to scared him. The lights suddenly went off, and an irritated Geronimo scolded Hercules, while the latter stammered that it was not him. The door to the suite opened, revealing the ghost itself: a tall, glowing, armoured figure with white fur.
Once the lights turned back on and the duo calmed down, Geronimo and Hercule hurried down the corridor trying to chase the ghost. The two ran into a dead end, and started searching for more clues. Hercule found a suspicious air-conditioning grate. Upon opening it, it revealed glowing pawprints. The two entered the duct and followed the pawprints, finding clues that matched the description given by the staff before. The pawprints let them to an attic, which revealed even more clues.
The next morning, Geronimo and Hercule headed to Tricks for Tails, a joke shop owned by Trap's friend Paws Prankster. Paws revealed that most of the clues was bought by a short, elegantly dressed rodent with the initials B.B. The two immediately zoomed to the harbour, where they found B.B.'s golden stretch limousine. Hercule went in the limo in order to investigate it, and Geronimo reluctantly followed him behind. B.B. returned to his limo and drove to the hotel. He made a phone call on the way, which revealed he was working for Sleezer, a sewer rat who's trying to take over Mouse Island.
Upon arrival, B.B. (who turned out to be the shady harbour trader Bradley Bigbottom) strode into the Grand Hotel and questioned Horatzio. Geronimo then step forward and comforted Bradley. Bradley left the hotel and Horatzio ran back to the lobby with the ghost following him behind. Geronimo and Hercule immediatedly scurried right up and ripped the helmet and wig off its head, revealing the culprit as Bertha Bigbottom, the hotel manager and Bradley's sister.
Horatzio congratulated Geronimo and Hercule, and the duo left the hotel. On the way, Hercule accidentally caused a series of mishaps that ends with Geronimo breaking his leg, causing the latter to be taken to the hospital. Geronimo was then discharged with a cast on his leg, and Hercule went to visit him, which only make the condition even much worse. After getting Hercule out of his house, Geronimo was then visited by his family and friends, all who made his condition even more worse until Benjamin came to visit and let Geronimo rest.
Horatzio then came to visit Geronimo, revealing him that he had been made the guest of honour for the Great Masquerade Ball. Geronimo attempted to try convincing Horatzio that he can't come, but Hercule immediately dress him up as a mummy in order to force him joining. As everyone was dancing in the hotel ballroom, Geronimo looked out of the window, reminding him that there are things that cannot be bought by money.
Characters[]
- Geronimo Stilton
- Pippi Skinnyfur
- Horatzio Hoteltail
- Oswald Rattaldo
- Hercule Poirat
- Everest Hoteltail (mentioned)
- Arabella Hoteltail (mentioned)
- Bradley Bigbottom
- Matilda Broommouse
- Sergio Creampuff
- Jack Joltson
- Casey Valise
- Bertha Bigbottom
- Paws Prankster
- Sleezer (mentioned)
- Thea Stilton
- Trap Stilton
- William Shortpaws
- Creepella von Cacklefur
- Bitewing
- Bruce Hyena
- Pinky Pick
- Benjamin Stilton