Skulduggery Pleasant (4) - Dark Days Derek Landy 9780008667399

Meet Skulduggery Pleasant: detective, sorcerer, warrior.

Oh yes. And dead.

Skulduggery Pleasant is gone, sucked into a parallel dimension overrun by the Faceless Ones. If his bones haven't already been turned to dust, chances are he's been driven out of his mind by the horror of the ancient gods. There is no official, Sanctuary-approved rescue mission. There is no official plan to save him. But Valkyrie's never had much time for plans.

The problem is, even if she can get Skulduggery back, there might not be much left for him to return to. There's a gang of villains bent on destroying the Sanctuary, there are some very powerful people who want Valkyrie dead, and as if all that wasn't enough it looks very likely that a sorcerer named Darquesse is going to kill the world and everyone on it.

Skulduggery is gone. All our hopes rest with Valkyrie. The world's weight is on her shoulders, and its fate is in her hands. These are dark days indeed.

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 Dark Days:

'Skulduggery Pleasant: Dark Days is further proof that Landy is down with the kids. He understands what makes them tick and when it comes to action-packed mayhem, hilarious one liners and pure entertainment' Inis

'This is smart, funny, contemporary fantasy that's up there with the best' Readings.com

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