Brad Strickland Books in Order
This page tracks the Brad Strickland continuation books tied to John Bellairs, with reading order, quick summaries, and notes on where they fit.
Last updated: July 15, 2026
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Publication Order
63 books
To Stand Beneath the Sun
by Brad Strickland
1986
In this early science-fiction novel, survival and human ambition collide under an unforgiving sun. The characters face a harsh future where technology and determination cannot erase the costs of the world they inhabit.
Moon Dreams
by Brad Strickland
1988
Atlanta copywriter Jeremy Moon wakes from bizarre dreams to find himself trapped in Thaumia through a cross-dimensional exchange. Getting home may require mastering magic in a world where he has no idea whom to trust.
Shadowshow
by Brad Strickland
1988
A dark, suspenseful story follows characters drawn into a world of troubling shadows and dangerous secrets. As reality becomes less reliable, they must confront a threat that is stronger when it remains unseen.
Nul's Quest
by Brad Strickland
1989
In Thaumia, Nul undertakes a dangerous quest while the Pika face grave danger. The journey expands the series' magical world and tests whether courage and loyalty can overcome threats far beyond one person's control.
Children of the Knife
by Brad Strickland
1990
A dark fantasy adventure follows characters confronting violence, magic, and a threat that cuts through the fragile order of their world. Survival depends on knowing who can be trusted when fear is being used as a weapon.
Wizard's Mole
by Brad Strickland
1991
Jeremy Moon's adventures in Thaumia continue as magic, hidden loyalties, and a dangerous mission pull him deeper into a world he still does not fully understand. Every new answer brings a fresh complication.
Ark Liberty
by Brad Strickland
1992
In a future scarred by ecological collapse, a scientist becomes tied to an ambitious undersea refuge called Ark Liberty. The story follows survival, political conflict, and the difficult hope of preserving life after disaster.
Dragon's Plunder
by Brad Strickland
1992
When Captain Deadmon and his pirates discover Jamie's special talent, they want him for their hunt for dragon gold. Jamie must escape their plans while facing the dangers of a fantasy world built around greed and dragons.
Stowaways
by Brad Strickland
1994
Uninvited passengers aboard a Starfleet vessel create a problem that cannot be ignored. The cadets must discover who the stowaways are, what they want, and how to prevent the mission from going wrong.
The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie
by John Bellairs
1994
Johnny Dixon and Professor Childermass try to save the elderly Dr. Coote, only to find themselves up against a menacing voodoo cult. The case is short, sharp, and full of mounting dread.
The Star Ghost
by Brad Strickland
1994
An unexplained presence in space sparks a mystery for young Starfleet cadets. As eerie evidence builds, they must decide whether they are facing a ghost, a scientific puzzle, or a danger nobody has recognized.
Nova Command
by Brad Strickland
1995
A crisis involving a nova pushes Starfleet Academy students into a situation that demands more than classroom knowledge. Their ability to cooperate may be the only thing standing between a mission and catastrophe.
Starfall
by Brad Strickland
1995
Young Starfleet cadets face their first major spacebound challenge when a dangerous stellar event puts training to the test. They must use skill, courage, and teamwork before a routine assignment becomes a disaster.
The Tale of the Secret Mirror
by Brad Strickland
1995
Wishbone and his friends uncover a mystery centered on a mirror with a secret behind it. The search brings spooky surprises, misleading clues, and a lesson about looking closely at what people hide.
Crisis on Vulcan
by Brad Strickland
1996
Starfleet Academy cadets face a serious crisis on Vulcan, where logic and discipline are tested by an urgent threat. The young trainees must work together and make difficult choices far from the safety of class.
The Hand of the Necromancer
by John Bellairs
1996
Johnny Dixon faces another brush with dark magic when a necromancer's shadow falls across his circle of friends. With Fergie and Professor Childermass beside him, he has to stop the dead from becoming somebody else's tools.
The Tale of the Deadly Diary
by Brad Strickland
1996
A diary holds secrets that may put Wishbone's friends in trouble. As the clues grow more alarming, they must find out who wrote it and why its past still seems dangerous.
The Tale of the Phantom School Bus
by Brad Strickland
1996
A school bus seems to be haunted, and the mystery is too strange for Wishbone and his friends to ignore. They follow eerie clues to learn whether the phantom is real or someone is staging a scare.
Be a Wolf!
by Brad Strickland
1997
Wishbone takes on a wild new role as a wolf in an imaginative adventure. The story uses humor and make-believe to explore bravery, belonging, and the fun of seeing yourself as something different.
Salty Dog
by Brad Strickland
1997
Wishbone's imagination heads for the water in a salty adventure full of comic danger. A dog-sized hero, a nautical setting, and a real-world problem give young readers a quick, cheerful chapter-book mystery.
The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder
by John Bellairs
1997
Fergie steals an enchanted book from the library and slowly falls under the spell of the evil sorcerer Jarmyn Thanatos. Johnny and Professor Childermass have to save him before the magic takes full hold.
The Prince and the Pooch
by Brad Strickland
1997
Wishbone puts a canine spin on a royal adventure, imagining himself in a story of mistaken identity and palace problems. The playful tale mixes classic-story fun with the warmth of the Wishbone world.
The Treasure of Skeleton Reef
by Brad Strickland
1997
A search for treasure takes young adventurers to Skeleton Reef, where danger lies in both the landscape and the secrets left behind. Finding the prize means surviving traps, rivalries, and unsettling clues.
Disoriented Express
by Brad Strickland
1998
A train journey goes badly off course in this fast, comic adventure. With confusion mounting and the destination uncertain, the characters must solve the problem before the ride becomes more than just a detour.
Drive-In of Doom
by Brad Strickland
1998
A trip to the drive-in becomes a mystery when the night's entertainment turns unexpectedly sinister. The young heroes must look beyond the screen to find out what is really causing the trouble.
Frame-Up
by Brad Strickland
1998
Shelby Woo investigates a case where someone appears to have been set up. The evidence points in one direction, but Shelby knows the obvious answer is not always the right one.
Riddle of the Wayward Books
by Brad Strickland
1998
A strange set of books seems to have a will of its own, leading young characters into a creepy puzzle. Solving the riddle means discovering why the books are moving and what they want.
The Disappearing Dinosaurs
by Brad Strickland
1998
Dinosaurs are disappearing, and the mystery calls for more than a quick search. Following the clues leads into a lively adventure where curiosity, teamwork, and a little courage are needed to set things right.
The Specter from the Magician's Museum
by John Bellairs
1998
Lewis Barnavelt and Rose Rita visit a museum filled with magical curiosities, then find themselves facing a specter tied to its sinister past. Escaping the danger requires courage, clues, and help from trusted adults.
You're History
by Brad Strickland
1998
Sabrina's ordinary life gets tangled with a magical problem that reaches into the past. With Salem nearby to make matters worse, she must fix the spell before history and the present become hopelessly mixed up.
Gullifur's Travels
by Brad Strickland
1999
A playful dog-centered take on a famous voyage sends Gullifur into a series of strange encounters. The adventure mixes fantasy, comedy, and the feeling of being very small in a very large world.
Jack and the Beanstalk
by Brad Strickland
1999
Wishbone imagines himself inside the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, adding canine humor to the giant-sized adventure. The familiar fairy tale becomes a quick, playful reading experience for younger readers.
Man Overboard
by Brad Strickland
1999
Shelby Woo faces a mystery after someone goes overboard. She has to sort through witness accounts and suspicious details, proving that careful observation can matter just as much as bravery.
Terrier of the Lost Mines
by Brad Strickland
1999
A terrier-sized hero heads into a mystery involving old mines and lost treasure. The adventure mixes canine comedy with clues, underground danger, and the challenge of finding a way out when trouble closes in.
The Wrath of the Grinning Ghost
by John Bellairs
1999
Johnny Dixon's father falls into a coma, and Johnny is sure a malevolent force is behind it. With Fergie and Professor Childermass, he has to fight through a weird otherworld to bring him back.
The Beast Under the Wizard's Bridge
by John Bellairs
2000
Lewis Barnavelt and Rose Rita discover that something dangerous may be lurking beneath an old bridge. Their search brings them into contact with hidden magic, local legends, and a beast that should not have been awakened.
When Mack Came Back
by Brad Strickland
2000
A boy's life changes when Mack, a dog from his past, returns unexpectedly. Their reunion becomes a quiet story about loyalty, grief, and learning to see both yourself and another person more clearly.
No-Rules Weekend!
by Brad Strickland
2001
The Tanner sisters think a weekend without rules sounds perfect. It does not take long for the freedom to become chaotic, forcing everyone to learn that family life works better with a little responsibility.
Survive!
by Brad Strickland
2001
In the dinosaur-filled world of Dinotopia, a dangerous situation becomes a test of courage and practical thinking. Surviving means respecting the island's creatures, its terrain, and the people willing to help.
The Tower at the End of the World
by John Bellairs
2001
Lewis Barnavelt and Rose Rita investigate a strange tower and the old magic surrounding it. What begins as a local puzzle soon leads them toward a danger with consequences far beyond New Zebedee.
Mutiny!
by Brad Strickland and Thomas E Fuller
2002
A sea voyage turns dangerous when mutiny threatens to tear a ship apart. Caught between competing loyalties and pirate danger, the young characters must keep their heads while the crew's trust breaks down.
Heart of Steele
by Brad Strickland and Thomas E Fuller
2003
In the final Pirate Hunter adventure, treasure and danger pull the crew into another high-risk voyage. Old enemies, uncertain allies, and the harsh realities of life at sea test both courage and loyalty.
The Ghost Finds a Body
by Brad Strickland and Thomas E Fuller
2003
A ghostly mystery takes a new turn when its restless spirit appears to have a physical connection to the living world. Solving the case means separating rumor from evidence before the danger becomes impossible to ignore.
The Guns of Tortuga
by Brad Strickland and Thomas E Fuller
2003
The pirate-hunting adventure continues as danger gathers around Tortuga. Ships, guns, rival crews, and hidden motives force the young heroes to decide whom they can trust in a Caribbean world ruled by violence and greed.
The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost
by John Bellairs
2003
Lewis Barnavelt and Rose Rita are pulled into a mystery involving an eerie whistle, a grave, and a ghostly threat. Their search leads through New Zebedee's past, where old wrongs have not stayed buried.
Marooned!
by Brad Strickland and Thomas E Fuller
2004
In 2085, orphaned teenager Sean arrives at Marsport, a colony trying to make Mars livable. When the settlement is threatened, Sean, Jenny, and Alex must overcome distrust and work together to survive.
Missing!
by Brad Strickland and Thomas E Fuller
2004
Life at Marsport gets worse when dangerous conditions and an alarming disappearance put the teen colonists under pressure. Finding the missing person means confronting both Mars's hazards and the tensions inside the colony.
The Mystery of the Rescued Rubies
by Brad Strickland
2004
A set of valuable rubies has been recovered, but the mystery is far from over. Young investigators must follow the clues, question appearances, and work out who still has a reason to keep the jewels hidden.
Kong
by Brad Strickland
2005
This expanded King Kong adventure revisits Skull Island, its giant ape ruler, and the perilous expedition that brings the island's secrets into contact with the outside world. It mixes jungle danger, spectacle, and mythic monster history.
Marsquake!
by Brad Strickland and Thomas E Fuller
2005
A deep-drilling project near Olympus Mons triggers a devastating quake at Marsport. Sean and the other young colonists must confront damaged buildings, dangerous terrain, and a crisis that threatens their hard-won home.
Merian C Cooper's King Kong
by Brad Strickland
2005
A prose retelling and expansion of the classic King Kong story follows the journey to Skull Island, the capture of Kong, and the disaster that follows. The familiar monster tale gains added background and adventure.
Curse of the Midions
by Brad Strickland
2006
Twelve-year-old Jarvey Midion goes to London for a relative's will reading, then finds his parents missing and himself transported to strange Lunnon. A magical book and a band of young outsiders may be his only way home.
The House Where Nobody Lived
by John Bellairs
2006
Lewis Barnavelt is drawn to an abandoned house with a troubling history and signs that it may not be empty after all. Old magic and buried secrets turn a neighborhood mystery into a dangerous investigation.
The Storm
by Brad Strickland
2006
The stranded teens of Flight 29 Down face another violent storm on their tropical island. With their camp and fragile hopes of rescue at risk, they must work together before the weather leaves them with even less.
Tracked by Terror
by Brad Strickland
2007
Jarvey Midion and his friend Betsy are trapped deeper in the magical Grimoire, where eerie worlds and tempting power close in. To escape, they must uncover the book's secrets without letting it master them.
The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer
by John Bellairs
2008
Lewis Barnavelt and Rose Rita uncover clues pointing to an old sorcerer's dangerous legacy. With Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmermann, they must stop a threat that turns New Zebedee's past into a very present danger.
Flight of the Outcast
by Brad Strickland
2010
Asteria Locke enters the Royal Military Academy hoping to earn a place in the Space Fleet. As a commoner among aristocrats, she must prove herself while discovering that the Academy's politics can be as dangerous as space.
Squadron of Shadows
by Brad Strickland
2011
During her second year at the Royal Military Academy, Asteria Locke must qualify as a pilot while confronting discrimination against commoners. A secret group called the Shadow Squadron forces her to choose where she stands.
The Dancer in the Dark
by Brad Strickland and Thomas E Fuller
2011
A dark horror tale in which an unsettling presence draws characters toward secrets that should have remained buried. The story leans into mounting dread, strange visions, and the fear of an evil that refuses to stay hidden.
Wishing on a Star
by Brad Strickland
2013
This biography follows entertainer Eddie Carroll, tracing the life and work behind a career spent performing, writing, and bringing characters to life. It offers a personal look at the man behind the stage voice.
Exodus
by Brad Strickland
2020
The Tagatu flee a global catastrophe and reach Skull Island, where giant Kongs and lethal Deathrunners already rule the land. Survival means building a new home before the island's predators destroy them.
The Wall
by Brad Strickland
2020
On Skull Island, the Tagatu race to build a wall against Gaw and the terrifying Deathrunners. Their future depends on facing monsters, hard choices, and their uneasy connection with the giant Kongs.
The Stone, the Cipher, and the Shadows
by Brad Strickland
2022
During a flu outbreak in Duston Heights, Johnny sees terrifying visions and finds a strange cemetery map. With Fergie, Sarah, and Professor Childermass, he must stop a sorcerer seeking power over a shadow realm.
Where should I start?
For classic middle-grade gothic mystery: The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie → The Hand of the Necromancer → The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder
For Lewis Barnavelt's later adventures: The Tower at the End of the World → The House Where Nobody Lived → The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer
For original middle-grade fantasy: Curse of the Midions → Tracked by Terror
For kid-focused space adventure: Flight of the Outcast → Squadron of Shadows
For adult fantasy: Moon Dreams → Nul's Quest → Wizard's Mole
Author bio
Brad Strickland was born William Bradley Strickland on October 27, 1947, in New Holland, Georgia. He grew up in Georgia, and reading, theatre, and storytelling stayed central to his life long before he became known for middle-grade fantasy, science fiction, and spooky mysteries.
His first professional fiction sale came early. In 1966, while still a teenager, he published the short story “The Third Grave” in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.
Strickland later made his way into speculative fiction, publishing “Payment Deferred” in Asimov's Science Fiction in 1982. His first novel, To Stand Beneath the Sun, followed in 1985. Over the years, he built a large and varied body of work that includes original fantasy, science fiction, licensed tie-ins, mysteries, and books written with collaborators.
He is especially associated with the work of John Bellairs.
After Bellairs died in 1991, Strickland was asked to complete unfinished projects and continue the Lewis Barnavelt and Johnny Dixon stories. He first worked from Bellairs's manuscripts and outlines, then wrote new adventures featuring the familiar characters. That work includes The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie, The Hand of the Necromancer, The House Where Nobody Lived, and The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer.
Readers who come to Strickland through the Bellairs books usually find the things that made the originals fun still in place: uneasy kids, eccentric adults, old houses, strange objects, local history, and supernatural trouble that keeps getting bigger. Strickland's continuation novels keep the period settings and cozy-but-creepy mood while giving Lewis, Johnny, Rose Rita, Fergie, and Professor Childermass new problems to solve.
But he has never written in just one lane. His original books include the alternate-world fantasy series Grimoire, the adult fantasy sequence beginning with Moon Dreams, and the space adventure The Academy. He also wrote for familiar screen-based worlds such as Wishbone, Star Trek, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Flight 29 Down, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
Collaboration has been another steady part of his career. Strickland worked with Thomas E. Fuller on the Pirate Hunter and Mars Year One books, and with artist Joe DeVito on expansions of the King Kong and Skull Island story. The range makes sense for a writer who seems comfortable moving from haunted graveyards to pirate ships, Mars colonies, and dinosaur-filled islands.
Outside fiction, Strickland taught English at Gainesville College, later part of the University of North Georgia. He has also been involved with the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company as a writer, adapter, and performer. That background in teaching and audio drama helps explain the clear pacing and dialogue in many of his books.
His 2000 novel When Mack Came Back received the Georgia Author of the Year honor for children's and young adult writing in 2001. He lives in Georgia with his wife, Barbara.
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