1. Night of the Werewolf
Author: Edward Packard
Illustrator: Bill Schmidt
First Published: April, 1995
ISBN: 0-553-48229-7
Length: 86 pages
Number of Endings: 12
Plot Summary: While on summer vacation you encounter a murderous
werewolf.
Translation: German
My Thoughts: This is a fairly weak book. The writing isn't too good
(which is disappointing, since Edward Packard is capable of doing better),
there are several excessively long stretches which don't include choices,
and some of the endings are extremely abrupt and unsatisfying. There is a
certain b-movie charm to the book, but it doesn't help much.
2. Beware the Snake's Venom
Author: Ken McMurtry
Illustrator: Bill Schmidt
First Published: June, 1995
ISBN: 0-553-48230-0
Length: 88 pages
Number of Endings: 10
Plot Summary: A visit to an archaeological site leads you to
supernatural danger and the promise of hidden treasure.
My Thoughts: While this book is considerably better than the previous
one in the series, it is still has some problems, the most notable being that
you have to get through seventeen pages (almost a quarter of the book if you
don't count the illustrated pages) before making the first choice.
3. Island of Doom
Author: Richard Brightfield
Illustrator: Bill Schmidt
First Published: July, 1995
ISBN: 0-553-48231-9
Length: 86 pages
Number of Endings: 9
Plot Summary: During a vacation, you and your sister get lost on an
island supposedly haunted by the ghosts of a tribe of cannibals.
My Thoughts: Although a few of the settings in this book have a good
atmosphere to them, this is a fairly weak gamebook. The pacing is bad, the
story is inconsistent and the fact that in this book you are a leaf collector
is just kind of strange.
4. Castle of Darkness
Author: R. A. Montgomery
Illustrator: Bill Schmidt
First Published: August, 1995
ISBN: 0-553-48232-7
Length: 88 pages
Number of Endings: 10
Plot Summary: You and your friends Josh and Megan win a trip to
a castle in England and, of course, learn that it's haunted.
Translation: German
My Thoughts: This is a fairly good book; the writing's pretty
good and, though it really serves no purpose, the characters are fairly
thoroughly developed.
5. The Halloween Party
This book is not part of my collection.
6. Risk Your Life Arcade
Author: Ken McMurtry
Illustrator: Bill Schmidt
First Published: December, 1995
ISBN: 0-553-48234-3
Length: 85 pages
Number of Endings: 8
Plot Summary: Your lucky hat is stolen shortly before you plan to
enter a tournament for players of Worm Wars, a pinball-like game.
My Thoughts: This isn't too badly written (and the Worm Wars game
is fairly well thought-out), but it has no point at all; it's just a series
of random, unrelated events. This could have been made much better by the
inclusion of visual puzzles or other non-standard game elements.
7. Biting for Blood
8. Bugged Out!
This book is not part of my collection.
9. The Mummy Who Wouldn't Die
Author: E. A. M.Jakab
Illustrator: Bill Schmidt
First Published: June, 1996
ISBN: 0-553-54254-0
Length: 86 pages
Number of Endings: 12
Plot Summary: You must return an ancient Egyptian amulet which your
friend Josh found in his pocket after visiting a museum before you get in
trouble for possessing it.
My Thoughts: The "mummies and museums" theme is pretty
popular in gamebooks (for just one example, check out the
Fantastic Adventures series). This book returns
to that familiar setting and doesn't really add anything new.
10. It Happened at Camp Pine Tree
This book is not part of my collection.
11. Watch Out for Room 13
This book is not part of my collection.
12. Something's in the Woods
This book is not part of my collection.
13. The Haunted Baby
This book is not part of my collection.
14. The Evil Pen Pal
This book is not part of my collection.
15. How I Became a Freak
Author: Richard Brightfield
Illustrator: Bill Schmidt
First Published: June, 1997
ISBN: 0-553-48460-5
Length: 84 pages
Number of Endings: 12
Plot Summary: After a visit to a carnival's hall of mirrors which
somehow rearranges your face, you must deal with life as a freak!
My Thoughts: This is book is above average for the series. The
story and writing are quite good (there are several points where the book
is actually effectively humorous) and the choices come at a quick pace.
16. Welcome to Horror Hospital
This book is not part of my collection.
17. Attack of the Living Mask
18. The Toy Shop of Terror
This book is not part of my collection.
