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Wishbone Mysteries #7
Drive-In of Doom
While helping Gladys Glendower fix up the old Moonlight Drive-In, Wishbone and his friends try to discover who is responsible for the series of mysterious fires that threaten to destroy the old theater.
143 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
100 people want to read
About the author
Brad Strickland
135 books107 followersWilliam Bradley Strickland (b. 1947) is the author (or co-author) of over 60 novels and over 60 pieces of short fiction and poetry.
Born in New Hollard, Strickland earned his Ph.D. in American literature from the University of Georgia. He has taught English courses at the University of Georgia, Oglethorpe University, Truett-McConnell College, and, since 1987, at Gainesville State College.
His first novel was 1986's To Stand Beneath the Sun, followed quickly by the books in the Jeremy Moon trilogy.
Strickland has shared co-author credit on many of his books: with his wife, Barbara, on stories in the Star Trek and Are You Afraid of the Dark? properties; and with the late author Thomas Fuller, books in the Wishbone series, involving the popular Jack Russell Terrier from the Public Television series of the same name. Strickland and Fuller also collaborated on numerous original works, including the Pirate Hunter series, the Mars: Year One series, and the comedic mystery for adults, The Ghost Finds a Body.
After the death of John Bellairs, Strickland was approached by John’s son, Frank, to complete the two books his father had already started; these unfinished manuscripts became The Ghost in the Mirror and The Vengeance of the Witch-Finder. Strickland also wrote two books based on brief plot outlines left by Bellairs: The Drum, the Doll and the Zombie and The Doom of the Haunted Opera. Beginning in 1996, Strickland has kept Bellairs' legacy alive by writing the further adventures of Johnny Dixon and Lewis Barnavelt. Books in the corpus include The Hand of the Necromancer (1996); The Tower at the End of the World (2001); The House Where Nobody Lived (2006); and his most recent title, The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer (2008).
In 2001, Strickland won received the Georgia Author of the Year Award, Children's/Young Adult Division, for When Mack Came Back, set in WWII-era Georgia. Strickland says the story "is based on the farm owned by [his] grandfather, where [I] often visited when [I] was a child." Kong: King of Skull Island was released in 2005, an illustrated tale by Strickland, author John Michlig, and fantasy artist Joe DeVito that serves as both a prequel and sequel to the epic story of the legendary ape.
Strickland is an active member of the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company, where he writes and performs in numerous audio drama projects. He was awarded the ARTC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. He is married to the former Barabara Justus and has two grown children.
Born in New Hollard, Strickland earned his Ph.D. in American literature from the University of Georgia. He has taught English courses at the University of Georgia, Oglethorpe University, Truett-McConnell College, and, since 1987, at Gainesville State College.
His first novel was 1986's To Stand Beneath the Sun, followed quickly by the books in the Jeremy Moon trilogy.
Strickland has shared co-author credit on many of his books: with his wife, Barbara, on stories in the Star Trek and Are You Afraid of the Dark? properties; and with the late author Thomas Fuller, books in the Wishbone series, involving the popular Jack Russell Terrier from the Public Television series of the same name. Strickland and Fuller also collaborated on numerous original works, including the Pirate Hunter series, the Mars: Year One series, and the comedic mystery for adults, The Ghost Finds a Body.
After the death of John Bellairs, Strickland was approached by John’s son, Frank, to complete the two books his father had already started; these unfinished manuscripts became The Ghost in the Mirror and The Vengeance of the Witch-Finder. Strickland also wrote two books based on brief plot outlines left by Bellairs: The Drum, the Doll and the Zombie and The Doom of the Haunted Opera. Beginning in 1996, Strickland has kept Bellairs' legacy alive by writing the further adventures of Johnny Dixon and Lewis Barnavelt. Books in the corpus include The Hand of the Necromancer (1996); The Tower at the End of the World (2001); The House Where Nobody Lived (2006); and his most recent title, The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer (2008).
In 2001, Strickland won received the Georgia Author of the Year Award, Children's/Young Adult Division, for When Mack Came Back, set in WWII-era Georgia. Strickland says the story "is based on the farm owned by [his] grandfather, where [I] often visited when [I] was a child." Kong: King of Skull Island was released in 2005, an illustrated tale by Strickland, author John Michlig, and fantasy artist Joe DeVito that serves as both a prequel and sequel to the epic story of the legendary ape.
Strickland is an active member of the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company, where he writes and performs in numerous audio drama projects. He was awarded the ARTC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. He is married to the former Barabara Justus and has two grown children.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 29, 2020
Wishbone books are almost always great fun, and this one definitely delivers. This book may be for kids, but, this nearly thirty-year-old kid at heart enjoyed it.
December 30, 2017
A good mid grade mystery book. The characters are 14, but can easily appeal to younger audiences, and the writing itself is very simple. I love Wishbone, he is one of the things that sparked my interest in reading classics, through his TV show.
April 29, 2024
I grew up in my later part of my teen years fluctuating between Wishbone, Sabrina and Big Wolf On Campus. Each of them has contributed to making me a part of who I am although with Wishbone my love of books had already been planted but I still love the cute little pup so happily chance whatever may have his picture on.
I have had an opportunity to read one of the Super Mysteries, which I didn't like. This one is somewhat on the border line for about the same reason. Fortunately Wishbone shows up a bit more and they do throw in the usage of a book by a well-known author in some crowds - the basic Wishbone story elements so that is what makes this book a bit higher on the list.
Sadly although I had Wishbone's voice running through my head for his parts I couldn't catch the rest of the characters. They were bland and not given any character build-up. Could this be since the authors believed that by now anyone who was reading the book was a Wishbone fan?
The book is short, sweet and easy to read as well as understand. It is a great stepping stone for children who are learning to read past the smaller children's books and into the world of more mature YA fiction. There are pictures that can break-up the monotony although some of the sketching is a bit on the rough side so nothing of interesting to a Wishbone television series fan.
Altogether it was quick (sometimes there was a bit of a bland repetitiveness) to read and to enjoy. The actual mystery of the book wasn't one of fireworks or sparklers while it took me about half of the book to figure it before it ended. All in all children may end up enjoying this, though, as they become introduced to a cherished culture classic.
I have had an opportunity to read one of the Super Mysteries, which I didn't like. This one is somewhat on the border line for about the same reason. Fortunately Wishbone shows up a bit more and they do throw in the usage of a book by a well-known author in some crowds - the basic Wishbone story elements so that is what makes this book a bit higher on the list.
Sadly although I had Wishbone's voice running through my head for his parts I couldn't catch the rest of the characters. They were bland and not given any character build-up. Could this be since the authors believed that by now anyone who was reading the book was a Wishbone fan?
The book is short, sweet and easy to read as well as understand. It is a great stepping stone for children who are learning to read past the smaller children's books and into the world of more mature YA fiction. There are pictures that can break-up the monotony although some of the sketching is a bit on the rough side so nothing of interesting to a Wishbone television series fan.
Altogether it was quick (sometimes there was a bit of a bland repetitiveness) to read and to enjoy. The actual mystery of the book wasn't one of fireworks or sparklers while it took me about half of the book to figure it before it ended. All in all children may end up enjoying this, though, as they become introduced to a cherished culture classic.
April 17, 2019
Really enjoyed this read I will be getting more out of the series
January 25, 2021
I thought I would absolutely love this book because I love Wishbone so much. I grew up with the TV show and it was awesome. However the middle of this book drag it down for me. There wasn't enough going on in the middle for me so I gave it a three-star rating because the beginning was good and the ending was good. I also figured the culprit out before the characters did which I'm not really into doing that because I like to have it at the last minute that I figure it out. I like being surprised on the culprit, but there were clues that screamed out who it was.
Joe, Sam, and David help out local drive-in movie theater owner to get back up after it been closed for years. Wishbone is along helping mostly eating but he does help as his usual helping self.
The middle with them mostly working with painting and cleaning dragged on it seemed. There also seemed to be repeat of things. The person was too desperate with what they did, but thankfully no one got hurt. Joe figured it out near the end as usual.
Joe, Sam, and David help out local drive-in movie theater owner to get back up after it been closed for years. Wishbone is along helping mostly eating but he does help as his usual helping self.
The middle with them mostly working with painting and cleaning dragged on it seemed. There also seemed to be repeat of things. The person was too desperate with what they did, but thankfully no one got hurt. Joe figured it out near the end as usual.
July 13, 2021
This would qualify as a candy and nostalgia read for me.
It was fun to spot the books I have read and as a bonus, the movies I have seen. Wishbone books were part of my childhood and am gladly going to revisit them often. I also enjoyed the kids show as well.
It was fun to spot the books I have read and as a bonus, the movies I have seen. Wishbone books were part of my childhood and am gladly going to revisit them often. I also enjoyed the kids show as well.
March 30, 2019
Readathon reread.
Doesn't really hold up with the jokes and etc. However, it reminded me that I want to check out Ellery Queen.
Doesn't really hold up with the jokes and etc. However, it reminded me that I want to check out Ellery Queen.
July 1, 2023
These are so cute. Wishbone was really the star in this one. Not my favorite mystery overall in this series but boy, I gotta confess, these are my favorite fictional characters. :D
April 29, 2010
As usual Wishbone makes for an awesome quick read. I adore this dog
November 1, 2014
I've read many of these, but I can't remember which ones I've read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews