Skulduggery Pleasant (12) - Bedlam Derek Landy 9780008667443

Skulduggery Pleasant is dead. Valkyrie Cain is cool. Omen Darkly is neither.

On a desperate journey to recover her sister's lost soul, Valkyrie Cain goes up against the High Sanctuary itself, and there's nothing Skulduggery Pleasant can do to stop her.

With Abyssinia's grand plan about to kick off in a night of magic, terror, and bloodshed, it falls to Omen Darkly to save the lives of thousands of innocent people.

And as the madness unfolds around him, as hidden enemies step into the light, and as Valkyrie is sucked into a desperate, lawless quest of her own, he has no choice but to become the hero he never really wanted to be - or die in the attempt.

Derek Landy lives near Dublin. Before writing his children's story about a sharply dressed skeleton detective, he wrote the screenplays for a zombie movie and a murderous horror film. "I think my career-guidance teacher is spinning in her grave," he says, "or she would be if she were dead."

Praise for Skulduggery Pleasant:

'A thoroughly satisfying blend of humour, magic and adventure' Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series

'Thrill-a-minute adventure' Jonathan Stroud, author of the Lockwood & Co. series

'It's exciting, pacy, nicely handled and fun' Philip Ardagh, Guardian

'Whatever your age, read and enjoy the ride' Irish Independent

'Landy's witty style will win him fans of all ages ... It's a good job Harry's [Potter] resigning before he's forcibly retired' Irish Mail on Sunday

'A rip-roaring adventure' Irish Sunday Independent

'Landy [has the] ability to craft an engaging story from start to finish' Inis

'Derek Landy has been something of a publishing phenomenon' Irish Post