This second book in the series is decidedly darker dealing as it does with corpses, demons, and serious illness, and Bellairs doesn't shy away from a child's fears of death and abandonment. But all these things only add to its macabre charm. I would have loved this as a kid; as an adult I can still appreciate its pint-sized sense of gothic doom (if only Edward Gorey had illustrated it throughout!). ( )

Children's fiction. Mystery/adventure. A decent mystery that should charm kids that are into such things. The story centers mainly on the missing will and not so much on the mummy or the crypt, but the story is appropriately spooky for the month of October. ( )

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The second book in the Johnny Dixon series. Just like Lewis Barnevelt, Johnny gets a friend. And there is sinister goings on, but no enchanted objects. ( )

Oh man oh man -- John Bellairs: still great. Five stars might be overkill, but I really enjoyed this one. The writing kind of reminds me of a more subdued Roald Dahl, if he were more focused on supernatural Gothic horror, etc. The trademarks are all there: cantankerous old adults, goofy (disgruntled but) friendly characters, bizarre puzzles and mysteries. If this were the comicsverse, I could see really enjoying a Johnny Dixon / Matilda crossover. Just sayin'. ( )