John Bellairs 'The Face in the Frost'

Just re-read this sadly short novel for the first time in several decades. It is as frightening, in parts, as something by M.R. James and as amusing as a book by Pratchett. In fact a lot of Pratchett's humor is definitely Bellairs-esque. If you are a fantasy gamer there is inspiration for a hundred (or more) magic items in this book. If you are a fantasy reader, a dying breed in this illiterate and decadent age, you will find wit, charm, humor and large quantities of imagination contained within. It is available on kindle, thank goodness, so there is no excuse, other than it being overpriced in electronic format, for not giving it a try.