Lewis Barnavelt 10: Whistle, the Grave & the Ghost

Gr. 5-8. Strickland continues John Bellairs' Lewis Barnavelt series with this tenth suspenseful offering. While camping with his Boy Scout troop, 13-year-old Lewis discovers a strange silver whistle at the site of an ancient grave. The whistle summons a lamia--a ghostly female vampire with the body of a huge snake. Before Lewis can act, several disturbing events occur: two bullies are attacked by the vampire and left near death; Uncle Jonathan experiences some disturbingly vivid dreams; and the usually affable Lewis begins to withdraw from friends and family. Assisted by series regulars Mrs. Zimmerman, Rose Rita Pottinger, and parish priest Father Foley, Lewis finally learns what the lamia wants and how to stop "her" from getting it. Lewis is an appealingly imperfect character, overweight and insecure even as he triumphs over otherworldly evil. Strickland excels at heart-in-your-throat suspense that he maintains until the final paragraphs. A stand-alone book as well as a solid addition to the series. Kay Weisman