Review: In the fourth (and, it seems final - cue sad music!) volume to this kid's chapter-book series I've have loved from the start (think Wednesday Addams as done by Tim Burton), our beloved zombie gal Ghoulia actually heads off with her family from Crumbling Manor, for a trip to visit her Aunt Witch and cousin Dilbert at their lakeside house, Fancy Manor - a home so crumbling and rundown it in no way fits its name, but is also in such bad shape that the entire family is shocked one day when a For Sale sign is placed at its entrance! It seems the town has assumed the house has been abandoned all these years, and the bank has decided to sell it ... unless a living family member can be found to claim ownership. Problem is, Ghoulia and her entire family are technically - well - dead! As always with the series, this fourth volume is a joy to look at, with darkly-colorful artwork that somehow still comes off warm and charming; brings a smile to the face with each page. Sadly, the story here, though more complex than normal for a Ghoulia story, somehow feels a bit rushed - maybe even strained, as if author Cantini had a bit of trouble coming up with a fresh idea for this one. Still good, and still a great series; I just didn't feel quite the heart with this one as I did with its predecessors. That said, I already miss Ghoulia badly; this was like saying goodbye to an old friend. 3/5 stars
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