The Drum, the Doll and the Zombie

Bellairs, John. 1994. The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie. Completed by Brad Strickland. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0803714637.

Spooky basements and cemeteries collide with zombies and voodoo magic in this page-turning, ‘50s-inspired gothic novel. Johnny Dixon again pairs up with crusty Professor Childermass to counter the terrible “voudon” hexes resurrected from an evil drum. The characters, though likeable, essentially stay the same through the course of the book, and take a backseat to the fast-moving plot of collecting clues and confronting high priestess Mama Sinestra and her minions. Although this novel in the Johnny Dixon series was completed posthumously by a devoted fan, it stays true to the twists that make up other Bellairs’ novels. Mystery and low fantasy aficionados will not be disappointed and younger readers ready to graduate from Scooby-Doo chapter books may find the Johnny Dixon series a natural next step.