Well, this was a lot more horrorizing (to use a word invented by my grandson) than I expected, based on other Bellairs books I've read. And using voudon as the entire plot, background, and everything of the book is a pretty bold move. I don't know if the authors actually did any research, I certainly have not, but when you're taking an actual religion and/or cultural phenomenon that's not your own, it's good to put in an author's note to enable your readers to know. Is this purely fantasy (in which case a disclaimer would be courteous) or is there any grain of truth? One of the things I have always liked about Bellairs is that he gets Catholicism and its appurtenances right, unlike (for example) Stoker. Not sure he's getting voudon right at all.

Great Edward Gorey frontispiece! I'm so glad that he stuck with the series for so long.

Professor Childermass's friend Dr. Coote has brought a sinister drum back from a trip, and he fears its power. Neither the professor nor Johnny Dixon and their friend Fergie take Dr. Coote seriously, until Fergie bangs on the drum - and summons an evil voodoo priestess. Suddenly , Dr. Coote falls deathly ill, the dead have arisen, and Johnny and his friends are battling for their lives.

Johnny and Fergie are once again drawn into a spooky and mysterious situation. One that includes zombies!

Professor Childermass' friend Dr. Coote brings a strange looking drum over, looking to find out more about it. It has strange images drawn on it and there are bones around it to help keep the drum heads on. Is it involved in a supernatural world? Will it cause harm? And just what is 'voudon' all about?

The friends find themselves going to a graveyard to get answers and discovering a real zombie! And then there is that old hag that keeps appearing, whose name is Mama Sinestra. Is she as evil as she looks?

And did I mention that Dr. Coote fell ill shortly after showing the drum to Dr. Childermass and is in the hospital during all this happening?

Pretty scary and a good read. I do like John Bellairs' work. ( )

I enjoyed reading this book as a child, but the real reason I bought it as an adult is because of the Edward Gorey illustrations. ( )