scary story – Cannonball Read 17

There’s Always Room in My Life For Middle Grade Mysteries

The Bell, The Book, and the Spellbinder by Brad Strickland

The Chessmen of Doom by John Bellairs

June 7, 2022 by GentleRain Leave a Comment

I got these books by mistake since I confused them with John Bellairs’ other middle grade gothic horror/magic series starring a boy being raised by his grandparents. I cut myself some slack for this one, especially since I also read this Johnny Dixon series as a child and the titles were familiar. I do still want to do a re-read of the Lewis Barnavelt series, so I’ll have to get my hands on those soon. My idea in getting these was to read the series from […]

Ok, yes I was creeped out a little

Creepy Crayon! by Aaron Reynolds

May 2, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

With a nod to Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown’s other collaboration, Creepy Pair of Underpants! (and possibly the first Creepy Tales title Creepy Carrots! which I might have missed) their rabbit hero Jasper is back in Creepy Crayon! Jasper is failing his classes. Of course, he could have studied but his favorite TV show was on. And well, there is always something more important (or interesting) than math. But when he finds a purple crayon (that oddly enough seems pleased to be picked up off […]

Spoopy Creppy

The House of a Hundred Whispers by Graham Masterton

February 2, 2022 by Zirza 3 Comments

Former prison warden Herbert Russell lives alone in a large and remote 17th century house in Dartmoor. One night, during a full moon, he is clobbered on the head with a hammer. Days later his children – sons Martin and Rob, daughter Grace – gather for the reading of his will. The expected familial bickering ensues, but then Rob’s son Timmy suddenly disappears into thin air. Who killed Herbert? Where has Timmy gone? Why is the cellar of the house bricked up, and why do […]

Caught my eye because of the name, but kept me ’cause of the story

Christopher Pumpkin by Sue Hendra

October 15, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

While we have had the “being different is okay” story, this one (Christopher Pumpkin) is done a tad differently making it fresh. Sue Hendra, Paul Linnet and Nick East create a story that, while perfect for Halloween (after all they are getting ready for a Halloween party) it can also be an anytime tale. Christopher is a pumpkin who is created by a witch. Along with other pumpkins, the witch has asked them to do all the dirty work and heavy lifting to get ready […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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