When Malcolm gets a school assignment to write a research report on a long-dead local hero who wrote a book about his adventure-packed life, he is shocked to meet the author's ghost, who reveals that he was a fake.

When the local museum hosts the exhibit for the mummy of Egyptian king, Tuturtikum, Malcolm and Dandy want to be the first in line. But they soon learn there is more to the mummy than just a wad of rotting rags. They've both become victims of the Tuturtikum curse! It seems the only way to zap the curse is to zap the ghost of Tuturtikum. But can the curse be lifted or will they be jinxed for life?

While his great-grandmother seeks her deceased husband, ten-year-old Malcolm and his best friend Dandy have no trouble finding a ghost on which to test Malcolm's latest gadget--a ghost zapper.

Ten-year-olds Malcolm and Dandy think their ghost-hunting days are over when they start fifth grade with the toughest teacher in their school, but Malcolm's photographs for the yearbook reveal that the school is haunted.

Mrs. Goolsby's class is on a field trip at the sugar factory when they discover the factory is haunted and Malcolm and Dandy decide to get rid of the ghost once and for all.

At the county fair, ten-year-olds Malcolm and Dandy face a real ghost in the Screaming Mansion, while at home, Malcolm's sister Cocoa's attempt to become Fair Queen has the family in turmoil.