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John Bellairs

John Bellairs(1938-1991)
John Bellairs is most famous for his novel The Face on the Frost. All of these novels are mystery/horror/fantasies suitable for children. Later books (after 1990) were coauthored with Brad Strickland who continued the series after John Bellairs’ death. There are excerpts and plenty of other information at the John Bellairs / Brad Strickland website.

The Ghost in the Mirror: Gothic creepiness for all ages

The Ghost in the Mirror by John Bellairs

I may not be the best person to review John Bellairs' The Ghost in the Mirror, since it is clearly one book of many in a series, and I've only just arrived. When I picked up my copy from the library, I had no idea that it was part of a larger set, when in fact, Bellairs has written sixteen books that contain the characters found within this book.

I should say at this point that Bellairs' passed away in 1991, leaving behind several unfinished manuscripts. Brad Strickland has completed many of his stories, including this one. But I certainly couldn't see a drop in quality, or any obvious change in style. But then again, I'm a newcomer and this review can only judge the merits of this one particular book. It may therefore be inadequate in assessing its worth as part of a longer-running seri... Read More

March 29th, 2010. ´s rating: | , | | SFF Reviews | no comments

The Face in the Frost: A short, charming, classic fantasy

The Face in the Frost by John Bellairs

Thanks to Tantor Media for giving us a wonderful audio edition of The Face in the Frost, John Bellairs’ short classic fantasy novel which was first published in 1969. It’s performed by Eric Michael Summerer and is 5 hours long.

Prospero is a small-time wizard who lives in a small kingdom. Lately he’s been noticing some odd occurrences around his house and starts to suspect that something sinister is going on.

When his studious and adventurous friend Roger Bacon (also a wizard) arrives for a visit, the two friends decide to investigate. They suspect that an evil wizard may be stalking them. To get off Prospero’s property without being seen by the evil wizard’s minions, they shrink themselves and escape down the stream on a toy boat.

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April 10th, 2019. ´s rating: | | , | SFF Reviews | 2 comments
More children’s fantasy novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland

Johnny Dixon — (1983-1994) Ages 9-12. Publisher: A mysterious stranger gives Johnny Dixon a magical ring that plunges him into a terrifying adventure during which he must outwit the ghost of the mad Father Baart.

John Bellairs Johnny Dixon novels for children 1. The Curse of the Blue Figurine 2. The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt 3. The Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull 4. The Eyes of the Killer Robot 5. The Revenge of the Wizard's GhostJohn Bellairs Johnny Dixon novels for children 1. The Curse of the Blue Figurine 2. The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt 3. The Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull 4. The Eyes of the Killer Robot 5. The Revenge of the Wizard's GhostJohn Bellairs Johnny Dixon novels for children 1. The Curse of the Blue Figurine 2. The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt 3. The Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull 4. The Eyes of the Killer Robot 5. The Revenge of the Wizard's GhostJohn Bellairs Johnny Dixon novels for children 1. The Curse of the Blue Figurine 2. The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt 3. The Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull 4. The Eyes of the Killer Robot 5. The Revenge of the Wizard's GhostJohn Bellairs Johnny Dixon novels for children 1. The Curse of the Blue Figurine 2. The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt 3. The Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull 4. The Eyes of the Killer Robot 5. The Revenge of the Wizard's GhostJohn Bellairs Johnny Dixon mystery novels for children 6. The Trolley to Yesterday 7. The Secret of the Underground Room 8. The Chessmen of Doom 9. The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie John Bellairs Johnny Dixon mystery novels for children 6. The Trolley to Yesterday 7. The Secret of the Underground Room 8. The Chessmen of Doom 9. The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie John Bellairs Johnny Dixon mystery novels for children 6. The Trolley to Yesterday 7. The Secret of the Underground Room 8. The Chessmen of Doom 9. The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie John Bellairs Johnny Dixon mystery novels for children 6. The Trolley to Yesterday 7. The Secret of the Underground Room 8. The Chessmen of Doom 9. The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie Brad Strickland John Bellairs Johnny Dixon 9. The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie 10. The Hand of the Necromancer 11. The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder 12. The Wrath of the Grinning GhostBrad Strickland John Bellairs Johnny Dixon 9. The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie 10. The Hand of the Necromancer 11. The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder 12. The Wrath of the Grinning GhostBrad Strickland John Bellairs Johnny Dixon 9. The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie 10. The Hand of the Necromancer 11. The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder 12. The Wrath of the Grinning Ghost

This series was started by John Bellairs and finished by Brad Strickland.

More fantasy novels for children by John Bellairs

Anthony Monday — (1978-1992) Ages 9-12. Publisher: Fourteen-year-old Anthony Monday of Hoosac, Minnesota, and his friend Miss Eells, the Hoosac librarian, try to stop an evil wizard from turning the world into an icy wasteland.

John Bellairs novels review Anthony Monday 1. The Dark Secret of Weatherend 2. The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn 3. The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb 4. The Mansion in the MistJohn Bellairs novels review Anthony Monday 1. The Dark Secret of Weatherend 2. The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn 3. The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb 4. The Mansion in the MistJohn Bellairs novels review Anthony Monday 1. The Dark Secret of Weatherend 2. The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn 3. The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb 4. The Mansion in the MistJohn Bellairs novels review Anthony Monday 1. The Dark Secret of Weatherend 2. The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn 3. The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb 4. The Mansion in the Mist

book review John Bellairs The Pedant and the Shuffly The Pedant and the Shuffly — (1968) Ages 9-12. Publisher: The evil magician Snodrog ensnares his victims with his inescapable logic and transforms them into Flimsies (stained handkerchiefs)…until the kindly sorcerer, Sir Bertram Crabtree-Gore (Esq.) enlists the help of a magical Shuffly (Latin name: Scuffulans Hirsutus)… and Snodrog meets his match!voices in young adult fiction.