This middle-grade gothic horror series follows an orphaned boy who goes to live with his eccentric warlock uncle in a mysterious old house in Michigan — where he discovers a world of real magic, dangerous secrets hidden in the walls, and supernatural threats that require courage and wit to overcome. The series is atmospheric, genuinely spooky, and beloved by generations of young readers who enjoy classic ghost-story tension in an accessible and warmly written package.
Ten-year-old Lewis Barnavelt goes to live with his uncle in a creaky old mansion filled with magic, but when Lewis accidentally awakens the ghost of an evil warlock who hid a doomsday clock in the walls, he must help his uncle and their neighbor find it before it's too late. A classic 1970s children's gothic with genuine atmosphere. First in a beloved series.