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Michigan Chillers #1
Mayhem on Mackinac Island
TRAPPED IN A STRANGE WORLD!
Sandy and Tim Johnson spend every summer on Mackinac Island... but this year, something goes very wrong! After being swallowed by an old tree, they find themselves trapped in a strange world filled with weird creatures and a curious old miracle-maker. Their only hope is to find the mysterious Stone Key... the key that will return the Isle of Mayhem back into the Isle of Miracles, and open the door that will allow Sandy and Tim to return home.
But in a land filled with dangerous Wartwings and Blinkmongers and other scary creatures, how can they possibly succeed?
Sandy and Tim Johnson spend every summer on Mackinac Island... but this year, something goes very wrong! After being swallowed by an old tree, they find themselves trapped in a strange world filled with weird creatures and a curious old miracle-maker. Their only hope is to find the mysterious Stone Key... the key that will return the Isle of Mayhem back into the Isle of Miracles, and open the door that will allow Sandy and Tim to return home.
But in a land filled with dangerous Wartwings and Blinkmongers and other scary creatures, how can they possibly succeed?
205 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2000
21 people are currently reading
494 people want to read
About the author
Johnathan Rand
119 books298 followersChristopher Wright is the author of dozens of horror fiction books for children and young adults. He writes under the pseudonyms Johnathan Rand and Christopher Knight. Almost all of Wright's books (save American Chillers) take place in his home state of Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 12, 2021
I don't think I've read any other series like Johnathan Rand's Michigan Chillers and American Chillers. I'm not surprised the books' best route to publication was for Christopher Wright (a.k.a. Johnathan Rand) to take the risk and self-publish. The author had no formal writing education past high school, and it shows in the way the books are written. Thriftiness with words is not a big priority, nor is standard grammar or punctuation. Plot logistics aren't always perfectly tight, and mysteries of the story often remain unexplained through the end. Uncompromisingly disciplined writers might be driven nuts by Mayhem on Mackinac Island; the key to enjoying it is to set aside most of one's conceptions as to how a professional-quality juvenile novel should read, and plunge headfirst into the narrative, which is entertaining enough if one can get past the irregular form it takes. There's an exciting story to be had in Mayhem on Mackinac Island if one gives it a chance, and I can see why widespread demand among kids for more Michigan Chillers was the rising tide that set the franchise afloat.
Twelve-year-old Sandy Johnson and her eleven-year-old brother Tim are looking forward to fun times when they arrive in Mackinac Island, Michigan for their annual summer vacation. But after spotting the same wizard-like man they briefly saw last year up in the limbs of a gnarled old tree, they follow the man this time...right into a world of major trouble. When Sandy and Tim get their bearings after a terrifying initial encounter, Mackinac Island has changed dramatically. In place of the familiar landmarks are craggy cliffs, deep, dark forests, and a towering mountain formed into the shape of a skull. This strange new land—"Mayhem Island", the locals call it— is wild and untamed, containing dangerous creatures that hunt Sandy and her brother as prey for their next meal, forcing them to run for their lives to survive from one minute to the next. They sure aren't on Mackinac Island anymore.
"I don't know if you've ever had the feeling that you were all alone, on your own, but let me tell you, it is NOT fun."
—Mayhem on Mackinac Island, P. 40
Luckily for our sibling heroes, there are beings on Mayhem Island sympathetic to their plight. These allies defend Sandy and Tim against the island's predators, while filling them in on the troubled history of the land and what can be done to reverse the curse on it and get Sandy and Tim back where they belong before their parents notice their absence. These helpful denizens of Mayhem Island approach the two earthlings in the time-honored tradition of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, taking their own absurd existence seriously and casually turning topsy-turvy much of what the kids see as universal reality. But the quest Sandy and Tim have to go on to give themselves a chance at returning home is no laughing matter, and their survival will be tested to the extreme by a series of trials no one has ever passed. Time is running out for our dual protagonists to save Mayhem Island before the bad guys take over completely, and if that happens, Sandy and Tim will never see their parents again. Their own fate, as well as that of an entire dimension, rests in their hands.
"There comes a time when you stop worrying about being late for supper and just worry about the problem at hand."
—Mayhem on Mackinac Island, P. 43
I'm undecided on what to rate this book. The story has definite entertainment merits despite some internal inconsistencies and unresolved storylines, so I'm torn over rounding my one-and-a-half stars up or down. I'll have to think on that more, and reserve the right to change my decision. Prospective readers of the American Chillers series should know this isn't the last time they'll meet Sandy Johnson, but I won't say any more than that. Michigan Chillers isn't as smooth a finished product as R.L. Stine's insanely popular Goosebumps, and its plot twists won't seize you in a vice grip like that other series on occasion could, but there's plenty here to entertain readers searching for lighthearted adventure. I would love to read all the Michigan Chillers and American Chillers, and if you take that as an endorsement of the series on my part, well...I won't mind.
Twelve-year-old Sandy Johnson and her eleven-year-old brother Tim are looking forward to fun times when they arrive in Mackinac Island, Michigan for their annual summer vacation. But after spotting the same wizard-like man they briefly saw last year up in the limbs of a gnarled old tree, they follow the man this time...right into a world of major trouble. When Sandy and Tim get their bearings after a terrifying initial encounter, Mackinac Island has changed dramatically. In place of the familiar landmarks are craggy cliffs, deep, dark forests, and a towering mountain formed into the shape of a skull. This strange new land—"Mayhem Island", the locals call it— is wild and untamed, containing dangerous creatures that hunt Sandy and her brother as prey for their next meal, forcing them to run for their lives to survive from one minute to the next. They sure aren't on Mackinac Island anymore.
"I don't know if you've ever had the feeling that you were all alone, on your own, but let me tell you, it is NOT fun."
—Mayhem on Mackinac Island, P. 40
Luckily for our sibling heroes, there are beings on Mayhem Island sympathetic to their plight. These allies defend Sandy and Tim against the island's predators, while filling them in on the troubled history of the land and what can be done to reverse the curse on it and get Sandy and Tim back where they belong before their parents notice their absence. These helpful denizens of Mayhem Island approach the two earthlings in the time-honored tradition of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, taking their own absurd existence seriously and casually turning topsy-turvy much of what the kids see as universal reality. But the quest Sandy and Tim have to go on to give themselves a chance at returning home is no laughing matter, and their survival will be tested to the extreme by a series of trials no one has ever passed. Time is running out for our dual protagonists to save Mayhem Island before the bad guys take over completely, and if that happens, Sandy and Tim will never see their parents again. Their own fate, as well as that of an entire dimension, rests in their hands.
"There comes a time when you stop worrying about being late for supper and just worry about the problem at hand."
—Mayhem on Mackinac Island, P. 43
I'm undecided on what to rate this book. The story has definite entertainment merits despite some internal inconsistencies and unresolved storylines, so I'm torn over rounding my one-and-a-half stars up or down. I'll have to think on that more, and reserve the right to change my decision. Prospective readers of the American Chillers series should know this isn't the last time they'll meet Sandy Johnson, but I won't say any more than that. Michigan Chillers isn't as smooth a finished product as R.L. Stine's insanely popular Goosebumps, and its plot twists won't seize you in a vice grip like that other series on occasion could, but there's plenty here to entertain readers searching for lighthearted adventure. I would love to read all the Michigan Chillers and American Chillers, and if you take that as an endorsement of the series on my part, well...I won't mind.
November 1, 2021
I'm so bummed. I was so excited to read these, and while I understand they're for young readers, I wasn't very impressed. The storylines were good, and it was really cool how the stories took place in cities throughout Michigan, but the narrative structure was repetitive, and the grammatical errors were distracting. Would I recommend these to young readers? Maybe, but mostly because I know many people who love these books, and if it gets people reading, I won't stand in the way! (2.5/5 stars)
August 23, 2015
Very cute.
May 14, 2025
I looked forward to the next book coming out in this series every scholastic book fair as a kid. This book is signed by the author when he visited my elementary school. Reading this while on vacation in the UP was great.
December 5, 2023
I bought this when I was in Mackinac over the summer and I completely forgot about it until now.
was it good? well...
was it good? well...
October 7, 2013
Mayhem on Mackinac Island was a bit above my son Kile’s reading level (he just started second grade), but he will probably be reading these books soon. I have never seen a book capture both Kile and my five year old son Daniel’s imagination so completely. What was even more amazing was that this book had no pictures but it was so enthralling that at the end of each capture the kids would say, “Mommy keep reading.” They loved it.
The book is told through the point of view of a young girl named Sandy. Every year she vacations on Mackinac Island with her family including her brother Tim. They are riding their bikes around the island when they follow a mysterious stranger into a tree. The tree swallows them and they find themselves on the Isle of Mayhem. They have to find the mysterious stone key in order to return back home. They meet various amazing creatures along the way and also are each given a stone that gives them a secret power. They work together with their new friends and against their enemies (Wartwings) to solve the mystery.
We’ve started reading book two in this series and it is just as engaging to my boys. Thanks to my college friend Liz for recommending this series!
The book is told through the point of view of a young girl named Sandy. Every year she vacations on Mackinac Island with her family including her brother Tim. They are riding their bikes around the island when they follow a mysterious stranger into a tree. The tree swallows them and they find themselves on the Isle of Mayhem. They have to find the mysterious stone key in order to return back home. They meet various amazing creatures along the way and also are each given a stone that gives them a secret power. They work together with their new friends and against their enemies (Wartwings) to solve the mystery.
We’ve started reading book two in this series and it is just as engaging to my boys. Thanks to my college friend Liz for recommending this series!
December 29, 2018
I had never read a Michigan Chiller's book before. I enjoyed the connections I was able to make to Mackinac Island, but overall the book was just okay for me. I have read a Goosebumps' book before, and that one was more engaging. There was some suspenseful moments as Sandy and Tim end up in a mysterious world and then have to find their way back to Mackinac Island as they know it. In the end, they are able to not only help themselves, but others are affected by their actions as well. You will have to read the book to see exactly what I am talking about!
September 15, 2025
Christopher Wright begins his most ambitious series, American/Michigan Chillers, with this first volume. Shockingly, this is also the most ambitious ‘Chiller I’ve read so far. Coming on strong (ha), this book tries to do a TON, and some of it works whilst some of it does not. My biggest praise for this one is the high-entertainment value: this one has all the good stuff you want out of these books; Wright (or his alias Rand) is at his best writing wise, the story has a lot of tense sequences, and there’s a large and interesting plot/setting. The ending is a great wrap-up and left things quite open-ended, and I presume our main characters will appear in a future installment. This one also had a lot of world building for the island in question, the Isle of Mayhem, which is rare but very welcome; some of the better things introduced are some of the quirky characters thrown in here, the looming threat of the Blinkmongers, and the dudes on the cover. It all accumulates for a fun, fantasy-driven roller-coaster that almost felt out of genre for kids horror, but in a refreshing way. Also, the dream river stuff is such a nice gothic piece thrown in, and it could make a great story on its own. Though this entry was solid start, there’s some flaws: too much happening. I get the book is called MAYHEM on Mackinac Island… but I’m more concerned with how much was introduced here that really didn’t go anywhere. There’s a lot of characters that don’t do much even if they were near little additions, and it felt like padding by a certain point. There’s so many mechanics that don’t make sense (from where does the river of dreams need to be to hypnotize you? What’s with the stone rule not applying to the initial use in the wizard’s lodge? Why do the dudes on the cover give up chasing after the dogs show up [are they THAT chicken to try again?]?) and there’s a lot of world-building that felt pointless, and truthfully was unless you really wanted to know the lore of this place, of which (from what I know) doesn’t appear in any other book in the series. I just wish this was a bit more story driven and less “hey, here’s this cool idea!” Like, I like ambitious stories, but only do this if you’re planning to return to this place—and soon at that. Moving forth… coinkydinks. There’s a lot of pure luck instances here, and I mean a TON. Whether it be a character showing up (new or pre-established) to help the kids, a convenient stairway, or a random strike of lightning (real examples), this book did a great job at deescalating itself here and there. Which isn’t a good thing lol. And, for a nitpick, I wish we got to see some characters return and the actual renewal of the Isle of Miracles. But even still, I’m happy with this entry, and my real issue here is just the overly ambitious intentions. Overall, 7.5/10. A very high seven and a half out of ten, mind you, so I rounded it to four stars. This book is solely worth checking out for the entertainment it offers, and I’d say this could’ve been the best ‘Chiller if it were more contained. I need Mackinac Island in My Singing Monsters lmao.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2022
THE YEAR 1997:
Christopher Wright sat back in his chair at his work desk and picked up the telephone. He proceeded to dial a number and waited for someone on the other end to pick up. He was greeted by a man's voice.
"Hello, Topinabee Law Office."
"Hey!" Chris responded, excitedly, sitting back up in his chair. He leaned forward and rested his arms on the desk. "This is Chris Wright. I Wright under the pseudonym Johnathan Rand."
"Neither name rings a bell," the man responded, letting out a loud cough. "How can I help you?"
"Listen, I just want to follow up on that request I submitted five weeks ago. I pitched my new book series idea to four different publishers and they all, unfortunately, had to shut me down. Instead, I opted to self publish so I applied for a business license as well as a loan for resources, labor, and materials.
"Let me see here..." The man paused and Chris could hear him rummage through papers. "You want materials?"
"Yes, sir. I'd like all Audiocraft books to be proudly printed, bound, and manufactured in good ole' U.S. of A. Audiocraft is what I'm gonna call the company."
"I see...ah! Here you are...Christopher Wright. Looks like you want to self publish...in order to do that, you'll need at least two years of experience in sales."
There was a long pause. Chris managed to break the silence. "You guys just want me to be poor, don't you?" he asked.
"No, of course not," the man responded. "There's just laws and regulation that we have to follow here."
"Don't you even wanna hear my pitch?"
"No exceptions. You'll need to recoup. You even said you were rejected four times already, did you not?"
There was another pause. Once again, Chris broke the silence. "So, it's called Michigan Chillers. It's like Goosebumps, but each book takes place in a different city or town around Michigan. I'm thinking of calling the first book Madness on Mackinac Island. See what I did there? It's an alliteration, but that's just the working title. I have half of the rough draft done, if you'd like to read through it. Take it home to your kid and-"
"Christopher-CHRISTOPHER. Stop. Call back in two years with experience and I'll see what I can do. Until then, goodbye." Just then, the man rudely hung up the phone.
Christopher continued working day and night in radio and wrote a couple of adult novels for the rest of the nineties. He managed to publish his dream project, Michigan Chillers, in 2000, which has greatly expanded (and very recently greatly declined) since then.
Today, grown men continue to read and make fun of Christopher's work, and he continues to put cringy children's blurbs at the beginning of each Chillers book that were probably secretly written by him.
Christopher Wright sat back in his chair at his work desk and picked up the telephone. He proceeded to dial a number and waited for someone on the other end to pick up. He was greeted by a man's voice.
"Hello, Topinabee Law Office."
"Hey!" Chris responded, excitedly, sitting back up in his chair. He leaned forward and rested his arms on the desk. "This is Chris Wright. I Wright under the pseudonym Johnathan Rand."
"Neither name rings a bell," the man responded, letting out a loud cough. "How can I help you?"
"Listen, I just want to follow up on that request I submitted five weeks ago. I pitched my new book series idea to four different publishers and they all, unfortunately, had to shut me down. Instead, I opted to self publish so I applied for a business license as well as a loan for resources, labor, and materials.
"Let me see here..." The man paused and Chris could hear him rummage through papers. "You want materials?"
"Yes, sir. I'd like all Audiocraft books to be proudly printed, bound, and manufactured in good ole' U.S. of A. Audiocraft is what I'm gonna call the company."
"I see...ah! Here you are...Christopher Wright. Looks like you want to self publish...in order to do that, you'll need at least two years of experience in sales."
There was a long pause. Chris managed to break the silence. "You guys just want me to be poor, don't you?" he asked.
"No, of course not," the man responded. "There's just laws and regulation that we have to follow here."
"Don't you even wanna hear my pitch?"
"No exceptions. You'll need to recoup. You even said you were rejected four times already, did you not?"
There was another pause. Once again, Chris broke the silence. "So, it's called Michigan Chillers. It's like Goosebumps, but each book takes place in a different city or town around Michigan. I'm thinking of calling the first book Madness on Mackinac Island. See what I did there? It's an alliteration, but that's just the working title. I have half of the rough draft done, if you'd like to read through it. Take it home to your kid and-"
"Christopher-CHRISTOPHER. Stop. Call back in two years with experience and I'll see what I can do. Until then, goodbye." Just then, the man rudely hung up the phone.
Christopher continued working day and night in radio and wrote a couple of adult novels for the rest of the nineties. He managed to publish his dream project, Michigan Chillers, in 2000, which has greatly expanded (and very recently greatly declined) since then.
Today, grown men continue to read and make fun of Christopher's work, and he continues to put cringy children's blurbs at the beginning of each Chillers book that were probably secretly written by him.
July 9, 2019
Mayhem on Mackinac Island is Book one in a children's book series known as Michigan Chillers.
Being on vacation in Northern Michigan reminded me of a book series that my children enjoyed as young readers... Michigan Chillers is a fun, suspenseful and exciting mystery series for children. Involving everything from Poltergeists to Aliens to Mummies to Gargoyles that come to life, these stories involve children the same age as the intended reader. Taking place in cities throughout the State of Michigan, Johnathan Rand's books are not too scary yet just scary enough to keep a child's interest and keep them reading. They'll definitely want to find out what happens next! Ages 8-13
For more of my book reviews follow me on Goodreads or on Instagram at #emptynestreader
Being on vacation in Northern Michigan reminded me of a book series that my children enjoyed as young readers... Michigan Chillers is a fun, suspenseful and exciting mystery series for children. Involving everything from Poltergeists to Aliens to Mummies to Gargoyles that come to life, these stories involve children the same age as the intended reader. Taking place in cities throughout the State of Michigan, Johnathan Rand's books are not too scary yet just scary enough to keep a child's interest and keep them reading. They'll definitely want to find out what happens next! Ages 8-13
For more of my book reviews follow me on Goodreads or on Instagram at #emptynestreader
October 16, 2018
2.5/5 Stars.
I can’t even lie, I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. This was one of my favorite series growing up, so I thought I would revisit it. Surprisingly, it still holds up because I remember this was one of my least favorites and even then I enjoyed it. The writing is very juvenile, but that’s ok.
I can’t even lie, I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. This was one of my favorite series growing up, so I thought I would revisit it. Surprisingly, it still holds up because I remember this was one of my least favorites and even then I enjoyed it. The writing is very juvenile, but that’s ok.
February 3, 2021
I’m at a solid 3 with this. The amount of times the word “suddenly” appears in this book :/ I skip read and still knew what was going on. I am going to continue reading this whole series though...
1) because I live in Michigan and feel obligated...
2) they are dorky, fun, quick reads to get my good reads book count up (no shame).
1) because I live in Michigan and feel obligated...
2) they are dorky, fun, quick reads to get my good reads book count up (no shame).
February 9, 2024
I read this aloud to my third grade class and they liked it fairly well. I love the idea of the story but I was glad I read it aloud because I several places where things were spelled wrong...like mountain. I wouldn't want my kids to be confused by the spellings. This could have stood another run through by an editor.
November 13, 2024
Read this book because this series is one my husband read growing up & he wanted me to read it. It turned out to be a fun story! I’m surprised at the fun magical realm the characters entered, good play on words. I low key was hoping for more Mackinac Island aspects. Or maybe I was expecting the story to be there vs the realm on the island.
December 25, 2020
Was feeling nostalgic this morning at my parents house and found a few of my old elementary favorites. Grabbed a stack and finished this one in a half hour. Sometimes, a thoughtless, long-forgotten favorite series is necessary.
August 6, 2023
My inner child enjoyed it. It s not the best writing, but if I had this book when I was a child, definitely I would had started reading then. It s easy to read and it keeps you want to read it. Hope my kids will enjoy it.
December 2, 2017
Mystery, 3rd + up.
Books based in Michigan so students can connect with part of the text even before reading it which will spark interest.
Books based in Michigan so students can connect with part of the text even before reading it which will spark interest.
Read
November 17, 2019Don’t mind me I’m just avoiding homework and responsibilities by revisiting my childhood favorite book series. Carry on!
August 30, 2021
I like the way that the tree swallows the kids and takes them to this fantasy world to fight monsters and make it back to Mackinaw Island. Awesome book.
October 16, 2021
This book was a fun quick read. Every chapter had you wanting to read more. A little predictable.
February 5, 2023
A fun, Michigan based, chiller novel for kids!
January 16, 2024
Great fun book I love these and recommend people to read the series.
February 15, 2024
The writing, story and characters are not great, though the mechanic linking the books in the series is interesting.
March 24, 2024
I really enjoyed reading these books as a kid, and I enjoyed reading it my son even more. He is already asking to start the second book.
October 3, 2024
Great imagination!
Read
August 10, 2025Don’t mind me as I start a complete series reread of a childhood favorite.
January 1, 2026
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
July 13, 2021
Loved this book when it first came out. Such a creative storyline. Even got meet Jonathan himself when I got the book! Cool guy!
Currently reading
February 16, 2011Im on page 99 of this book. Sandy and tim are on vacation for the summer in michigan. Sandy wants to to go on a bike ride around the island and tim jumps in while yelling i want to go! So they go on a bike ride and into a a small forest. All of a sudden there was this little man running around in the forest. Sandy and Tim went to check it out but when they got their he was gone. they were confused all right but then all of a sudden, the branch of the tree moves its arms around a little. In a blink of an eye the tree snatched tim and ate him...yes ate him. then it headed for sandy, but she was too frighten to move. So she got eaten by that ugly looking tree. Now they're in a world, you could say a fairy world but it was a bit different. Then that man from the woods showed up right in front of him. He said to escape this place you must find the stone key. The stone key appeared to be located on skull mountain, the place of wartwigs and blingmonger. The wartwig is the one on the cover the size of a house and a blingmonger was a monkey with HUGE eyes. they were poor quility at speed and intelligance. sandy and tim have gone so far like a river that hypnotizes you and makes your dreams come true. They meet up at a cave and there's a dead end. But Tim got frustrated and slammed the rock. all of a sudden this rock/hidden door opened. im wondering what's inside that door.
July 6, 2010
This was a silly, fast read. It's not really substantive enough to satisfy me now, but in fourth grade it would have provided a little thrill, some excitement (imagine getting eaten by a tree!) and maybe interested me in going to Mackinac Island. It was a little melodramatic, there were a few inconsistencies with the plot (flying stones that were supposed to stop working, but didn't), and the characters were pretty flat, but overall, it was okay.
Assuming that the other books in the series are just formulaic repetitions of similar stories, this series would still be good to recommend for some kids. I see readers enjoying these who like some wild fantasy, who like seeing the kids put in control, and who enjoy a little suspense. The local factor would also be a positive aspect - it's twice as awesome to read about somewhere you've been or someplace you're going.
Nothing terribly objectionable. Scary beasts and magic.
Assuming that the other books in the series are just formulaic repetitions of similar stories, this series would still be good to recommend for some kids. I see readers enjoying these who like some wild fantasy, who like seeing the kids put in control, and who enjoy a little suspense. The local factor would also be a positive aspect - it's twice as awesome to read about somewhere you've been or someplace you're going.
Nothing terribly objectionable. Scary beasts and magic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews