Published in 1988, the novel is written by American writer John Bellairs and illustrated by Edward Gorey.

[1][2][3] Anthony Monday and Myra Eells live in Minnesota, where odd things begin to occur after the purchase of an antique oil lamp.

Late one night at his high school, Anthony burns the lamp as part of his science project.

Later, while walking home from the library, Anthony sees the withered corpse of the watchman in an antique shop.

Emerson soon discovers the oil lamp is one of three items (à la bell, book, and candle) that are keeping a sinister spirit at bay.