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!). ( )

For months Johnny Dixon has been working on the riddle that would reveal the hiding place of wealthy Mr. Glomus's will. A $10,000 reward is waiting for whoever finds the missing document - money that Johnny can surely use.

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. ( )