Whose bright idea is it to force unwilling kids into a talent show, just to entertain the underclassmen? I’m totally with Lewis and Rose Rita when they express disgust and horror after realising that it is now their turn to participate in their school’s annual talent show - yuck, run away! Luckily, the pair are quick thinkers, and inspired by Uncle Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman’s magical talents they decide to try their hand at magic. Stage magic, that is, since they can’t reveal that magic is real to their whole school! Enlisting the help of one of Uncle Jonathan’s acquaintances, the pair visit his museum of magic - an homage to the great stage magicians of the past - to learn about stagecraft and borrow some books from his library. In typical fashion, though, Rose Rita picks up a scroll that contains real magic and unleashes a spell that almost gets her sacrificed to bring back an evil sorceress from the past. Exploring ever-fascinating Egyptian magic lore, Strickland crafts a truly terrifying tale that may be the spookiest of the series yet since the stakes are so high. Thankfully, Lewis and co. use their wits, knowledge, and last-minute luck to defeat the sorceress and save Rose Rita - all while making some astute observations about growing up. The story was engaging throughout, and my only criticism is that Strickland could have delved a bit further into the Egyptian lore to really heighten the realism. Can’t wait to read more of Lewis and Rose Rita’s magical adventures! ( )

A drop of blood, a dark and creepy something, the ancient scroll of a mysterious sorceress who met her death one cold hallowe'en night -these are the elements that draw Lewis Barnavelt and Rose Rita Pottinger into their most spine-tingling adventure ever!

Lewis and Rose Rita visit a museum of magic and accidentally let loose a spector in spider form (because of course they do). It targets Rose Rita and it's up to Lewis and his uncle and their witchy neighbor to figure out how to save her.
Another fun entry in the series, and Charlie loved it, so I call that a chicken dinner. ( )

This book is very magical and mysterious. I read this for literacy and I think that Mrs. Raymond should read this again next year. ( )