Brad Strickland

Brad Strickland is an American author known primarily for young adult and children's literature, with over 100 published books across multiple genres including mystery, science fiction, and horror. He gained particular recognition for continuing John Bellairs' popular supernatural mystery series after Bellairs' death in 1991. Strickland's original works include the Oliver Dibbs series and the Jim Dallas thriller novels. He has also written numerous books under various pen names and contributed to established properties like Star Trek and Wishbone. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in English, and he has balanced his writing career with teaching at the university level. Strickland has received recognition for his work, including the Georgia Author of the Year Award. The author's versatility is demonstrated through his ability to maintain the distinctive voice of other writers' established series while developing his own original properties. His work on the John Bellairs series added 12 new novels to the existing collection, helping to maintain the series' popularity with young readers.

Readers appreciate Strickland's ability to maintain John Bellairs' tone and gothic atmosphere in the continuation novels, though some note the plots become more predictable. Many parents and teachers report these books successfully engage reluctant readers. What readers liked: - Clean, age-appropriate content - Fast-paced storytelling - Consistent characterization in Bellairs continuations - Clear writing style accessible to young readers What readers disliked: - Less complex mysteries compared to Bellairs' originals - Some repetitive plot elements - Character development sometimes sacrificed for pacing Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: Average 3.8/5 across all works - Amazon: 4.2/5 average - Common Sense Media: 4/5 parent rating One reader on Goodreads noted: "Strickland captures the spooky charm without going too dark." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "My 10-year-old finished the whole series in two weeks - these books made him love reading." Most critical reviews focus on comparing his work to Bellairs rather than evaluating it independently.

The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder@ - A teenager battles an evil sorcerer who steals souls through an enchanted book.

The Wicked Witch Is Dead@ - Two siblings discover their English teacher has supernatural powers and must prevent her from harming their community.

When Mack Came Back@ - A boy and his lost dog are reunited during World War II after the dog completes military service.

Moon Dreams@ - A young girl copes with her father's death while learning about astronomy and family relationships.

The Ghost in the Mirror - Rose Rita and Mrs. Zimmermann travel through time to save a young woman from a family curse.

The Vengeance of the Witch-finder@ - Lewis Barnavelt faces supernatural dangers while visiting relatives in England.

The Doom of the Haunted Opera@ - Lewis and Rose Rita investigate a mysterious theater with ties to dark magic.

The Specter from the Magician's Museum@ - Lewis and Rose Rita confront an evil entity released from a magician's collection.

Flight of the Outcast@ - A young academy cadet faces expulsion and becomes involved in an interstellar conflict.

The Second Chance@ - The story continues as the protagonist navigates political intrigue and space warfare.

John Bellairs wrote supernatural mystery novels for young readers featuring young protagonists who encounter dark forces and ancient magic. His Gothic atmosphere and blend of history with the supernatural parallels Strickland's work, including Strickland's continuation of Bellairs' Lewis Barnavelt series.

Bruce Coville creates fantasy and science fiction for middle-grade readers that combines humor with otherworldly elements. His stories feature ordinary kids confronting supernatural events and creatures, similar to the approach Strickland takes in his mystery and horror works.

Mary Downing Hahn specializes in ghost stories and supernatural mysteries for young readers. Her work focuses on hauntings, historical elements, and young characters uncovering dark secrets, matching themes found in Strickland's supernatural fiction.

William Sleator writes science fiction and supernatural thrillers for young adults that deal with time travel, parallel universes, and scientific phenomena. His blend of science with suspense mirrors Strickland's approach to combining genres and building tension.

Betty Ren Wright created ghost stories and mysteries for middle-grade readers centered on haunted houses and family secrets. Her focus on young protagonists solving supernatural mysteries aligns with Strickland's storytelling style in his ghost stories and mystery novels.