Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

Published by Harper Collins Children's Books

Price £12.99 (hardcover)

An unexpected legacy from her uncle leads Stephanie to team up with the mysterious man at the funeral, a detective with a difference. Together they tackle vampires, Hollow men and evil villains in the quest for the Sceptre and find themselves in deadly danger which doesn’t matter much to Skulduggery since he’s already dead.

This fast moving adventure with a pair of heroes who bicker while fighting evil is a joy. Very funny dialogue, wonderful names, (Valkyrie Cain) and real hair-raising moments of peril combine to create an original and absorbing read. I wait impatiently for the next adventure.