Product Description
This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 1885 edition by William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh and London. ... Read more

Product Description
John Bellairs, the name in Gothic mysteries for middle graders, wrote terrifying tales full of adventure, attitude, and alarm. For years, young readers have crept, crawled, and gone bump in the night with the unlikely heroes of these Gothic novels: Lewis Barnavelt, Johnny Dixon, and Anthony Monday. Now, the ten top-selling titles feature an updated cover look. Loyal fans and enticed newcomers will love the series even more with this haunting new look! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

One of the better Johnny Dixon books
If you're a fan of these books than you have to read The Trolley to Yesterday. It is one of the best of the Johnny Dixon books.
I read these books when I was in elementary and middle school. Sometimes I even go back and reread this one to just remember. This is a great series for young readers.
I loved it and I think you will too.

A great read from one of my favorite childhood authors!
I am in the process of collecting all of John Bellairs books because I loved them so much when I was younger. I just finished reading this one as I added it to my collection and I was reminded of how great of an author John Bellairs was. I think every child should give his books a chance because I'm sure they will get hooked on reading for life!

Very Good
"The Trolley to Yesturday" was very well done but once the plot starts to develop and they trapped in 1453 everything that can go wrong seems to go wrong. They are very smart characters and pass many tests but sometimes seem to lack a little common sence. I could be wrong but either way this book is still very enjoyable. Although it is not really one of those books that you can NEVER put down it still offers very much. Once again Bellairs writes another good book.

Bellairs' most ambitious novel.
Well, Johnny, Fergie, and the Prof are back at it again.Only this time their adventure lies on another continent, in another century.

This is John Bellairs at his absolute peak of creative ability.The cast of characters ranges from an amusing, tongue-in-cheek ancient Egyptian god (in the form of a floating bird statue of course), and an inventor who's harebrained schemes rival that of the professor's, to the more frightening gothic images of medieval ghosts, and talking stone heads.The locations are more exotic than ever before.And the fact that the main characters find themselves in the middle of the Ottoman Turkish siege of Constantinople, lends itself to a great deal of drama almost by default.

True, Bellairs asks the reader to suspend their disbelief a little more than ususal, (I mean, how likely is time travel in an old trolley?) but the rewards are even greater than normal.

The most different, and also the best of the John Bellairs collection.

Back through time
Time travel in fantasy is now such a cliche that it's a bit hard to write anything original about it. But John Bellairs managed. "Trolley to Yesterday" has a bunch of intriguing twists and unexpected events, and while it doesn't have as much supernatural content, it still is an enjoyable read.

Professor Childermass is acting even more oddly than usual, which is saying something. When Fergie and Johnny try to investigate his weird behavior (including sand on his carpet and talking to himself), they find the professor having a conversation with Brewster, a magical Egyptian statue. He admits his secret: Behind a bricked-up wall is a time-travelling trolley. And the boys hitch a ride when Childermass travels back in time to save the city of Constantinople from invasion.

The problem? They arrive a little too late, and the city is being overrun by Turkish soldiers. As they struggle to make their way back to the trolley and the safety of the future, they encounter the trolley's creator (who accidently got left behind during one of its previous excursions), a deranged monk, and a group of ghostly Crusaders. But then Johnny is poisoned, and the only cure means going back to Constantinople -- and back into danger.

Usually time travel books are full of cliches, and this one has a few, but you probably won't notice them. Kids who read this book may become interested in the Byzantine Empire -- while Bellairs doesn't present huge amounts of historical detail, he gives enough to be very, very interesting. (There's also a dash of Egyptian stuff too) There's adventure, humor and the odd way of getting around.

Johnny and Fergie remain the surprisingly courageous duo of previous books, the shy boy and his brasher, jokier pal. Professor Childermass is crusty, sometimes a bit irrational, but very lovable. And Brewster (a deity of Upper and Lower Egypt) really steals the show with his dry little comments. .

This book proably has one of the lowest amounts of supernatural stuff of Bellairs' books. Certainly it doesn't have much in the way of horror. But there is a great twist about halfway through, where our heroes are aided by a group of ghostly Crusaders, who are trying to make amends for sacking the city centuries before. I suppose Brewster technically counts as supernatural, and he provides a lot of the humor (such as translating a Turkish soldier's words as "Butter and eggs, and a pound of cheese!").

"Trolley To Yesterday" isn't Bellairs' best novel, but it is an intriguing and informative historical book that adults may enjoy as well, especially if they're Byzantine buffs. Good fun. ... Read more

Product Description
John Bellairs, the name in Gothic mysteries for middle graders, wrote terrifying tales full of adventure, attitude, and alarm. For years, young readers have crept, crawled, and gone bump in the night with the unlikely heroes of these Gothic novels: Lewis Barnavelt, Johnny Dixon, and Anthony Monday. Now, the ten top-selling titles feature an updated cover look. Loyal fans and enticed newcomers will love the series even more with this haunting new look! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Interesting little mystery
I'm not quite sure where John Bellairs finished and Brad Strickland started, and that's probably a good thing.All the characters from the other Johnny Dixon mysteries are back: timid Johnny, the outrageous professor, meek Dr. Coote, practical Father Higgins and matter of fact Fergie.

The book begins when Dr. Coote shows his friends a drum that was given to him by a mysterious young man.As usual, the professor scoffs at it, although Dr. Coote is still worried, because of his extensive knowledge of voudon, an evil voodoo cult on a fictional Caribbean island.Fergie then takes the drum and beats it while screaming "babaloo!babaloo!" which sets a chain of terrifying events into action.

Dr. Coote has a nervous breakdown and a horrible old woman stalks Johnny and his family to find the drum, all while the friends scramble to figure out where the drum is and save their own necks in the process.There are some genuinely scary scenes involving a zombie, and later an exorcism.

Bellairs and Strickland have done an excellent job creating the mythology of Baron Samedi and the Priests of the Midnight Blood, the evil voudon cult on a French Caribbean island.It's a bit formulaic, and not absolutely perfect, but a taut, enjoyable mystery/horror book.

Harry Potter -- move over!!
I got interested in John Bellairs books after I read a reader review of a Harry Potter book which talked about these books as even better than HP -- and you know, he was right!These are really well-written books.I've read about 6 Bellairs books with my kids (ages 10 and 11) and this was by far the scariest. This one seemed to have more:more humor, more fright, more heart, as well as the usual excellent character development.(oh yeah, my kids really enjoyed the book too.)The scary scenes are really vivid, but ideal for my boys' age group.They just love this stuff.

One of the scariest Bellairs/Bellairsesque novels ever!
Good grief, this was amazingly, shriekingly good!

Johnny and Professor Childermass take a detour into the darkest side of voodoo, known as voudon. When, at a get-together with one of the professor's friends, Fergie begins playing and singing ("Babaloo") a tiny leather drum, the lightsunexpectedly go out.

Soon the friend is ill, raving and finally fallinginto a coma. A creepy old woman and a mysterious man are lurking nearby.Some of the most affecting scenes is where the professor finds the hideouscreature growing in a pillow, and when he battles the horrifying snakelikedemon.

But taking the prize is the zombie mentioned in the title. Holycow.

This is a genuinely scary book-for heaven's sake, don't read it atnight.

a deliciuosly chilling yarn
I have loved John Bellairs' gothic horrors since I was a liitle boy, and could not pass up the chance to read a new tale with my old friends Johnny Dixon and Professor Childermass. I admit my skepticism about the storybeing fleshed out by someone other than Mr. Bellairs, who, sadly, hadpassed away a few years ago. But in the first few lines, and through to theend, Brad Strickland did not fail me; the story came through with the sameatmosphere and feeling of the best John Bellairs, complete with the warmhumor that brings you back safely from the dark evils encountered by ourheroes. This story is my favorite since The Curse of The Blue Figurine andI have reread it probably six times. To anyone considering the purchase ofthis book I say,grant yourself the privelage.

The Book is great-- a classic from my youth, but . . .
This book and the entire Bellairs series are what got me into reading and reading a lot! Looking back as a college student, the vivid impressions made on me while reading the Bellairs books are what got me hooked onreading (the Hardy Boys were instrumental as well). To give a child a lovefor reading while they are young is probably the best way to ensureacademic success in the future. I know this as I graduate now with a 4.0gpa!

My only qualm is the artwork for the new books. Ugh! The coverillustrations of the old ones were MUCH better. Buy the book for thequality reading inside, though. ... Read more

Product Description
The last three people who stayed in the old Canadian cottage vanished into the northern air. But Anthony Monday is thrilled when his friend Miss Eells and her brother Emerson invite him to join them for a vacation in the cottage. Secretly, he thinks the threesome will have fun solving the mystery of the strange disappearances. But fun quickly turns to horror when Anthony discovers an enchanted trunk that can transport him to another world. The Autarchs who rule this world have put together a terrible plan to destroy the people of Earth. All they need to complete their plan is a mysterious cube which they have lost somewhere between the two worlds. Can Anthony and his friends rescue the cube before the Autarchs find it-or will their desperate struggle be the end of them? Enchanted spells, otherworldly villains, and likeable heroes are just a few of the ingredients that beloved author John Bellairs has combined to concoct this magical brew of spine-chilling adventure ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

It was a fun-filled and entertaining book. It had character.
I think this book is great for all ages even though the reading level is not very difficult.An adult could have fun with it because it is exciting and keeps you on the edge of your chair.I would reccomend this book as a good book for a class.They could share their insights and tell each other if they thought that they figured out the mystery. This book is great for a discussion. This is an imaginative and literate mystery that I have fully enjoyed.It really makes you think and explore your mind. ... Read more

Product Description
Fergie takes an enchanted book from the library and slowly falls under the evil spell of sorcerer Thanatos, jeopardizing his own life and the lives of his friend and professor, but if no one can save Fergie, Thanatos will gain the power to live forever." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Kind of a Repeat
There are two books with this exact same plot.

In one, Fergie goes and swipes a book from the library, unwittingly putting himself under the spell of an ancient evil warlock who pushes him to use the book's diabolical power to hurt those who wronged him. In the other, Rose Rita steals a scroll from a museum, unwittingly putting herself under the spell of an ancient evil witch who pushes her to use the scroll's diabolical power to hurt those who wronged her. In each case, the spellbinders in question entomb the ensnared protagonist in the same place that they themselves were buried long ago. The stories read the same, as if the author created a template and merely filled in different names and applicable pronouns, which is kind of a gyp since I had to pay for both books.

Jarmyn Thanatos was the only thing that really stood out about this book. A master spellbinder who hob-nobbed people like Cogliostrio and John Dee, he has a lot of tricks up his sleeve and he didn't make it easy for Professor Childermass, Johnny, Father Higgins, or Sarah.

One of my favorite scenes was when he conjured an army of insects to guard his fortress of doom. Seems pretty bland, right? But it turns out these insects were the mummified remains of billions of dead flies that he swoop down on Johnny and the Prof, filling their noses and mouths with their decaying corpses. That was just nasty right there.

That was one of the more inspired tactics of a villain who actually thinks that rearranging his rather peculiar name (Jarmyn Thanatos into Thomas Jannatry) would totally deceive a team of experts like Professor Childermass and Dr. Coote. He was kind of clever at times with the names but eventually you wonder how he got away with that kind of garbage throughout the years.

You have to feel sorry for Jarmyn Thanatos though. He's the villain of a book that's a retread of at least one other by the same author, he has a pretty lame motivation ("I want to live forever!" "Uh, why?") and his last name was THANATOS.

A page turner!!!
This book was REALLY GOOD! I <3 John Bellairs books, and I reccomend other John Bellairs books. It has an adventurous plot and is impossible to put down! You never know what's going to happen to Fergie next. I also reccomend The Curse of the Blue Figurine, The Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull, and The Mansion in the Mist. Read it!!!!!

Great Adventure
When Fergie takes the mysterious book from the library he doesn't know what he's getting himself into. His whole life starts changeing when he gets brainwashed by the evil spellbinder Jarmyn Thanatos. Until his friends discover what was really going on and save his life.

Brad, give it up...
I am a loyal and long-time fan of Bellairs' works.When he died, my heart broke at the thought of his characters being forever retired.My hope was rekindled when I discovered a copy of "The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie" and found out that Strickland was attempting to step in for the late author.With "Drum," he succeeded, but only because he was writing a book based on a plot concept of Bellairs'.When left to forge his own stories, he produces dull, cheesy books that shy away from the terror and suspense Bellairs mastered.In this story, Fergie becomes the main player, which is a poor decision in itself, as the Fergie character can't carry a story the way Johhny and the Prof can.Secondly, the tale of an evil man out to steal Fergie's youth could work, but it is poorly executed.The concept of an evil book with Fergie's name embossed on it and the power to reapear after being discarded is both hokey and hackneyed.I'm sure that Bellairs would've appreciated Strickland's gesture, but would have preferred he let it go.

One of his best
This book was well thought out and had a good plot to it.When Fergie takes an evil book from the library, his life is taken over by an evil Spellbinder ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document, covering the life and work of John (A.) Bellairs, is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thompson Gale. The length of the entry is 1181 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information:

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased)
• Family members
• Education
• Professional associations and honors
• Employment
• Writings, including books and periodicals
• A description of the author's work
• References to further readings about the author

Product Description
Thirteen-year-old Johnny Dixon and his friend Professor Childermass battle an evil wizard for possession of a bewitched hand which can be used to rule the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Fairly good spooky thriller
There may have been only one John Bellairs, but Brad Strickland hits pretty close to the mark. Although it lacks in some areas, it overall gets the feeling of a Bellairs kids' thriller, full of the various ghoulish visions and villains and offbeat humor.

Johnny Dixon is quite depressed when his best friend Fergie leaves for a while. In an effort to cheer his friend up, Professor Childermass gets a job for Johnny at the Gudge Museum, where he has just donated several artifacts from the malignant wizard Esdrias Leach. Among them is a lightweight wooden hand -- which grips Johnny's fingers when he touches it. He's frightened, but it seems harmless otherwise -- and the professor begins to have nightmares about it.

After Johnny takes the job, things begin to go wrong. A strange man comes to the museum to see the artifacts, and seems to know a great deal about Esdrias Leach and his sorcerous ways. Matthias Mergal continues pursuing the artifacts, until the museum is robbed. Now the only people who can hope to stop Mergal are Johnny, the professor, and his new friend Sarah.

In many ways, this fits easily into the Bellairs mold. There is a sinister, talkative villain who lurks around the edges until the climax, weird dreams and visions, hideous magic and weird artifacts that are linked to the main plot. Strickland seems to have a good grasp on the correct pacing, descriptions, and dialogue without ever becoming cheesy or cliched. Sometimes his references to things in the 1950s (such as the "Howdy Doody" show) are a little too forced, as if he's trying very hard to place it in the correct time frame.

Johnny is a little more highly-strung than one would expect, but otherwise is well-characterized. The Professor is delightfully crabby and knowledgeable, as always. The main stumbling block is Sarah, but seems like a pale copy of the rough-edged, athletic Rose Rita. I think Fergie would have suited the plot far better. Mergal is a classic Bellairs-type villain, with insanely dark intentions and a very spookymanner.

Despite its flaws and the rather anemic Sarah, "Hand of the Necromancer is a good, spooky read by a talented author. Just so long as Sarah isn't brought back, Strickland will do fine.

Brad Strickland's First and Best.
Out of all of the six Bellairs/Strickland books published thus far, "The Hand of the Necromancer" still remains the best. Even though Brad Strickland was bold to say the least with this one, he managed to pull off an excellent story line and introduce a new character to boot while still including all of the original Bellairs magic and charm.

The dust jacket design by Edward Gorey is one of the best - the hand and globe on the front immediately tell an important part of the story without even having to open the book, and the illustration on the back of Johnny, the Professor and Sarah at the park with Mattheus Mergal in the background brandishing his staff is marvelously done. We will sourly miss you, Mr. Gorey!

If you decide to read any of the Bellairs/Strickland books, make this one the first title you pick up. It'll set a good mood for the next five. Also check out the other four titles written by John Bellairs and completed by Strickland...

Good, but not as good as Bellairs...
Strickland does have a good sense of Bellairs' style, and yet he doesn't.He has a need to make Johnny's life happier in each book, which really does nothing for the stories.Also, the villians and plots get a little hokier each time.Bellairs' stories were all DARK.He had no need to make itseem less believable or gorey just to make the reader sleep better atnight.The story was good, though.The whole idea of cursed artifacts andan evil man on the hunt for them was cool, although I prefer Fergie toSarah anyday.Also, the characters seem to be changing...Higgie is not asdark, the Prof is trying to quit smoking and Johnny...well, no one cantotally become Bellairs and Strickland does do a pretty good job ofemulating his style.It's worth a read and if you love the characters, andyou'll be happy to see them out adventuring again.Oh yeah, bring backGorey's cover art!

Strickland is still getting there
Brad Strickland has always shown a surprising ability to mimic the writing style of the late John Bellairs, but hasn't yet gotten Bellairs' feel for plotting or character development.This book should still be an acceptable read for Bellairs fans, though.

Irascible Professor Childermass wants tohelp lonely Johnny Dixon get a summer job, and donates a collection ofoccult antiques to a local museum to achieve it.Little does he suspect(despite quite a lot of experience!) that these items are the tools apower-mad wizard can use to conquer the world.Johnny is helped by his newfriend Sarah as he once again conquers his timidities in order to save theworld.

As usual Strickland has settled on a pastiche of previous Bellairsbooks, largely drawing on "The Dark Secret of Weatherend" and"The Secret of the Underground Room".He also introduces arather colourless new character, an ersatz Rose Rita Porringer named SarahChanning.What's still lacking is Bellairs feel for pacing and imaginationin combining occult horror with the more mundane fears and dramas ofchildhood.

John Bellairs' Johnny Dixon?
I've always loved John Bellairs' books and I'm glad someone else is continuing to write about Johnny Dixon, Lewis Barnevelt (sp?), et al..But, I also enjoyed John Bellairs' writing style and miss it in thisbook.

The plot is great as usual.I love these occult mysteries.PoorJohnny.He's seems to get caught up in the most bizarre and scarysituations.And, he has a new friend to help him.

But, Johnny doesn'tusually talk so slangly to the Professor as is portrayed in this story. And, the characters in the previous books were more formal and polite toeach other (except, of course, the Professor, Mr. Ells, and Eddie).

Whyare we suddenly involving Eddie so much in the story?We don't need anymore character development about him.We already know that his family isinvolved with the Klan (see Blue Figurine for exact citation), and that he,himself, is a first class creep.

And, wouldn't Father Higgins have moretime to talk to Johnny about his concerns regarding the suddendisappearance of the Professor?Father Higgins has been through a lot withJohnny and knows Johnny wouldn't be so upset unless something was reallywrong.All of a sudden, Father Higgins is an adult who doesn't have timefor Johnny and his crises.When did this happen?He helped Johnny findthe Professor before; why not this time?

If the authors who arecontinuing the Bellairs tradition are having difficulty retaining JohnBellairs' writing style, may I suggest that they talk to the Miss Seetonauthors who don't seem to have the same problem. ... Read more