LEWIS HAD ALWAYS WANTED TO LIVE IN A HOUSE LIKE UNCLE JONATHAN'S--FULL OF MARBLE FIREPLACES AND SECRET PASSAGEWAYS AND DOZENS OF UNUSED, UNEXPLORED ROOMS. AND LIVING WITH UNCLE JONATHAN, A REAL WIZARD, WAS FULL OF FUN AND SURPRISES.

BUT WHILE UNCLE JONATHAN PRACTICED FUNNY AND COMFORTABLE WHITE MAGIC, THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE OLD HOUSE, ISAAC IZARD, HAD BEEN AN EVIL SORCERER. HE HAD DEVISED A PLAN FOR BRINGING ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD. SOMEWHERE IN THE WALLS OF THE HOUSE HE HAD HIDDEN A CLOCK. EVERY NIGHT LEWIS AND UNCLE JONATHAN COULD HEAR IT TICKING--SOMETIMES LOUD, SOMETIMES SOFT--MARKING OFF THE MINUTES UNTIL DOOMSDAY.

Awesome book for preteens who like mystery.

this was the first john bellairs book i ever read, back in the second grade. i am now a sophomore in college and was THRILLED to find this book, brand-new, at the goodwill store for a quarter. even twelve years later, the story is still as compelling, the characters still as unique. finding out that it was illustrated by edward gorey was a lovely bonus, and i am now on a quest to own every book he has ever written. i highly recommend this, or any of bellairs' other books, to anyone of any age. an absolute pleasure to read.

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