Joseph Delaney used to be an English teacher, before becoming the best-selling author of the Spook's series, which has been published in 30 countries and sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide. The first book, The Spook's Apprentice, was adapted into a major motion picture starring Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore.

Joseph Delaney

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Joseph Delaney's popular book, The Spook's Apprentice, told the story of Thomas Ward, apprenticed to the local spook to help keep the county safe from the Dark. The novel is the inspiration for the movie Seventh Son, starring Jeff Bridges, Ben Barnes and Julianne Moore, but has now been adapted for the stage by Joseph and his son Stephen. 
 
 
Suitable for casts large and small, this script is ideal for use in drama groups, english lessons and school plays.

The Spook's Apprentice - Play Edition

The Spook's Battle is the fourth book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles – over 3 million copies sold worldwide! 
 
'I see your future clearly. Your master will be dead, and you will be alone.' 
 
The Spook and his apprentice protect the County from the dark, but not a terrible danger threatens. The witches are rising and the three most powerful clans are uniting to conjure an unimaginable evil – the Devil himself. If they succeed, will Tom and his master have the courage to defeat the most powerful enemy of all . . . ?

The Spook's Battle

Book 4

The second terrifying tale in the Spook's spin-off series from bestselling author Joseph Delaney. 
 
Thomas Ward was working as the new County Spook, fighting the Dark with his own apprentice. But a new enemy stirred in the north, and Tom’s calling required him to leave his home and lead an uprising against a legion of beasts: creatures of the dark intent on locking the whole earth in a never-ending winter. 
 
Then something went horribly wrong, and now Tom lies cold in a grave, while those who remain are in despair. 
 
Who can now take up the battle? And how much time remains before the dark army brings the fight back to the County, and the world is changed for ever?

Spook's: The Dark Army

The Spook's Destiny is the eighth book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles – over 3 million copies sold worldwide! 
 
'You belong to the blade now. You'll belong to it until the day you die . . .' 
 
Tom, the Spook's Apprentice, has travelled to Ireland, where he must tackle a group of evil mages. His dangerous mission leads him to the Destiny Blade - a sword with a dark side, and a thirst for blood. Could this new weapon give him a fighting chance against the Fiend? And dare he accept the help of Grimalkin, the terrifying witch assassin?

The Spook's Destiny

Book 8

The first book in the exhilarating new fantasy sequence from Joseph Delaney, the multi-million-selling author of The Spook's Apprentice. 
 
Welcome to Arena 13. Here warriors fight. Death is never far away . . . 
 
Leif has one ambition: to become the best fighter in the notorious Arena 13. Here, punters place wagers on which fighter will draw first blood. And in grudge matches, they bet on which fighter will die. 
 
But the country is terrorized by the creature Hob, an evil being who delights in torturing its people, displaying his devasting power by challenging an Arena 13 combatant in a fight to the death whenever he chooses. And this is exactly what Leif wants . . . 
 
For he knows Hob's crimes well. and at the heart of his ambition burns the desire for vengeance. Leif is going to take on the monster who destroyed his family. Even if it kills him.

Arena 13

The Spook's Sacrifice is the sixth book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles – over 3 million copies sold worldwide! 
 
'Witches, Mam? We've made an alliance with witches?' 
 
As the Spook's apprentice, Tom's first duty is to protect the County from the dark. But now Mam needs his help in her homeland of Greece to rise up against one of the Old Gods, the Ordeen. But what secret is Mam keeping from Tom? And what sacrifices must be made in the battle against the dark?

The Spook's Sacrifice

Book 6

Slither's Tale is the eleventh book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles – over 3 million copies sold worldwide! 
 
'My name is Slither, and before my tale is finished you'll find out why . . .' 
 
Slither preys upon humans, gorging upon their blood while they sleep. But a desperate farmer needs Slither to save the lives of his two youngest girls. In return he can have the eldest daughter, Nessa, to do with as he wishes. Slither's promise takes him and Nessa on a treacherous journey - and into the path of Grimalkin, the terrifying witch assassin . . .

Spook's: Slither's Tale

Book 11

The Spook's Mistake is the fifth book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles – over 3 million copies sold worldwide! 
 
'The moment of danger is close. Very soon our enemies will be here.' 
 
The Spook has sent his apprentice, Tom, to be trained by another Spook whose methods are harsh and tough. But faced with a powerful water witch, Bill makes a fatal error, leaving Tom to face his enemies alone. Can the Spook get there in time to save his apprentice? Or will his own mistakes give final victory to the dark?

The Spook's Mistake

Book 5

The Spook's Nightmare is the seventh book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles – over 3 million copies sold worldwide! 
 
'I stood there, terrified. My master was about to die.' 
 
The County is facing dark times, and the Spook is being haunted by terrifying dreams. With his precious library burned to the ground and his old enemy, Bony Lizzie, free once again, things are falling apart. As nightmares turn real, the Spook's powers seem to be waning just when he needs them the most. Can Tom, the Spook's apprentice, face the dark alone?

The Spook's Nightmare

Book 7

The Spook's Blood is the tenth book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles – over 3 million copies sold worldwide! 
 
'I am Siscoi, the Lord of Blood, the Drinker of Souls! Obey me now or you will suffer as few have suffered.' 
 
Thomas Ward's final battle with the Fiend is drawing near, but he has never felt more alone in his task. Isolated and afraid, Tom must risk his life against a ferocious vampire god, even as he learns that the final destruction of the Fiend may involve a sacrifice more terrible than he can imagine . . .

The Spook's Blood

Book 10

The Spook's Secret is the third book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles – over 3 million copies sold worldwide! 
 
'It's going to be a long, hard, cruel winter and there couldn't be a worse place to spend it.' 
 
As the nights draw in the Spook decides to travel to his winter house. His apprentice, Tom, hates the desolate place. There are feral witches in the cellar, menacing creatures stirring on the nearby moors and a sinister stranger threatening Tom's master. Is the Spook's past catching up with him? And what dangers will Tom face if his master's secrets are revealed?

The Spook's Secret

Book 3

I Am Grimalkin is the ninth book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles – over 3 million copies sold worldwide! 
 
'I am Grimalkin, and I have already chosen those I will kill . . .' 
 
Grimalkin has made it her lifetime ambition to destroy the Fiend. Having assisted the Spook and his apprentice in the binding of the Fiend, she is now on the run. And her mission is deadly. She has to keep the Fiend's severed head in her possession no matter who - or what - comes after it . . .

Spook's: I Am Grimalkin

Book 9

The third exhilarating instalment in the Arena 13 series by Joseph Delaney, author of THE SPOOK’S APPRENTICE 
 
After everything Leif has been through in Arena 13, it’s finally time for him to fulfil his destiny and accompany his father’s people beyond the barrier that imprisons all mankind. 
 
Meanwhile, Kwin, the girl he loves, is making waves in the arena as the first woman ever to grace its fighting floor. 
 
In their own ways, each of them is fighting to bring down the superhuman monsters that threaten the last people on earth. They might have picked fights they can’t win. But freedom could be something worth dying for. 
 
Books in the series 
1: ARENA 13 
2: ARENA 13: THE PREY 
3: ARENA 13: THE WARRIOR

Arena 13: The Warrior

‘He’s the seventh son of a seventh son. His name is Thomas J. Ward and he’s my gift to the County. When he’s old enough we’ll send you word. Train him well. He’ll be the best apprentice you’ve ever had and he’ll also be your last.’ 
 
These were the words of Tom's Mam to the county Spook some years ago. As Tom, the Spook and their allies prepare to battle with the Fiend on a huge scale, to finally enact their revenge, it now remains to be seen whether Mam's declaration will come true.

The Spook's Revenge

Book 13

Over the years, Alice has fought evil side by side with the Spook and his apprentice, Thomas Ward. But now Alice is alone – in the realm of the dark. And the creatures she has helped to banish there, now have the chance to take their revenge. 
 
Alice must seek the final weapon needed to destroy the Fiend for good. If she fails, the world will fall into despair and darkness. If she succeeds, it means facing her own death at the hands of her dearest friend. But can she prevent the darkness from overtaking her over completely . . . ?

Spook's: Alice

Book 12

The third chilling instalment in the new Spook’s legend . . . 
 
An assassin lurks in the darkness between earth and oblivion – but who are they, and what is their mission? 
 
The people of the County live in fear of the beasts bent on bringing an epic war to their home. How can they possibly hope to survive when their fearsome enemies are fortified with the power of a god? 
 
Could the assassin that moves in the darkness be the saviour the County seeks? 
 
Praise for book 1 in the series, A New Darkness: 'A solid, suspenseful, and spooky adventure' Publishers Weekly 
Praise for book 2 in the series, The Dark Army: 'Unbeatable stuff for readers who like to be terrified!' Andrea Reece, lovereading4kids

Spook's: Dark Assassin

Following the first year of his apprenticeship as an Arena 13 combatant, Leif seeks information from his late father's people. There he learns more about the man, who was the greatest arena fighter ever seen. The man who came so close to destroying the demon Hob, but paid a terrible price for every victory. 
 
Leif returns to the fighting floor with a renewed hunger for revenge. But can he remain focused on his training as his passion for his master's daughter, Kwin, grows? And will his place in his master's greater plan help or hinder him in his personal mission to defeat Hob in a fight to the death? 
 
The second instalment in the legend of ARENA 13. 
 
Books in the series 
1: ARENA 13 
2: ARENA 13: THE PREY

Arena 13: The Prey

Brian Jacques

The seventh book in the beloved, bestselling Redwall saga - soon to be a major Netflix movie! 
 
When Joseph the Bellmaker is warned in a dream that his daughter, Mariel, is in danger, his hopes of saving her are slim. For the evil Foxwolf and his horde of rats are coming to Southsward and Mariel is his prisoner. But Joseph and his four young warrior friends lead a crusade against Foxwolf and his invading army. Can the legendary Martin the Warrior return from the past to save them. Or is it too late . . . ?

The Bellmaker

Mark Barratt

Having escaped the clutches of Mother in Poundsfield, Joe Rat is back, now working as a sweeper in the more upmarket Lomesbury Square. Having foiled a burglary at one of the 'posh' houses on the square, the owner, Mr Harvey - a rich philanthropist - determines to help Joe. Harvey manages to track down Joe's father, a British army deserter now living wild in Canada. Joe has never met his father, but Harvey brings the wild man back to England and helps set them both up in better jobs. However, Alec Harvey has other ideas - he's jealous of the kindness his father shows Joe and the relationship Joe seems to have with this exciting man from Canada. He determines to show his father once and for all that he's just as good, but in so doing risks the lives of those around him.

The Wild Man

Colin Dann

'Now!' he snapped urgently. 'Down to the boat. As soon as you hear the engine start, jump in and get out of sight!' 
 
Zoe and Bertram have embarked on the most amazing adventure of their lives. Egged on by the lively young mongrel Jack, they are escaping heir dull, shorebound lives and are on course for the remote island of Clany. 
 
But what sort of life can the stowaways expect? Winter is coming, and food and drink will be hard to find on the island.

The Beach Dogs

Antonio Pagliarulo

The Hamilton triplets - Madison, Park, and Lexington - are accustomed to living in the public eye. Heiresses to a billion-dollar media empire, they have been raised in New York's most elite social circles and, at 16, know firsthand the demands of being celebutantes. There are people to impress, appearances to make, and paparazzi to outrun. Not to mention high school to finish. 
 
But when fashion editor Zahara Bell is found dead in a one-of-a-kind frock from Lex's unreleased clothing line, and then the priceless Avenue Diamond goes missing, getting to class is as far from the triplets' minds as their first pair of Manolos. One of the girls is a suspect, and the sisters find themselves in the middle of a scandal that could sink their reputations and their father's companies for good. And the press is ready, willing, and able to lend a hand. 
 
The Hamilton sisters need to stick closer than ever before. The killer is still out there, and if they don't solve the case their threesome could become a twosome quicker than you can say Cartier.

Celebutantes: On the Avenue

Set in the underbelly of Victorian London's East End, JOE RAT follows the fortunes of a tosher, Joe, who lives by scavenging in the sewers around the area of Whitechapel. It's a fast-paced and vivid tale of survival in a society which fosters neither friendship nor trust. But Joe comes to know both after a chance encounter with a runaway girl, Bess, and the 'madman' who inhabits Pound's Field. With gangs lurking round every corner and a life spent in the rat-infested tunnels below the streets, Joe needs more than a prime piece of tosh to change his fortunes . . .

Joe Rat

Erich Kästner

Emil and the three twins? Three Twins? Yes, you read that correctly. Emil Tischbein has another adventure with his old friends the Professor, Gustav and Little Tuesday - this time by the sea. Of course, the detectives couldn't have an ordinary seaside holiday like other people - and when they become entangled with the mystery of the three acrobat twins and the wicked Herr Anders, it looks as if it's going to turn into a most extraordinary time for them all!

Emil And The Three Twins

A second collection of stories about the Animals of Farthing Wood brought together in one volume. 
 
In FOX'S FEUD young fox cub, Dreamer, has been killed in a vicious attack, and the animals in White Deer Park have no doubt who is responsible. Fox vows revenge, but are he and his young family a match for the formidable strength of Scarface and his clan? Yet again the animals must band together to avert disaster. 
 
FOX CLUB BOLD sees Dreamer’s brother, Bold, venture into dangerous territory in an attempt to make peace with the enemy. Despite his good intentions, Bold is imprisoned and Fox has to come to his rescue.

The Farthing Wood Collection 2

Arthur Ransome

It's great detective work that's needed now. Bill, Peter and Joe are falsely accused of setting boats adrift and the whole river is against them. Only Dick, Dorothea and Tom Dudgeon are there to stand by their friends and they soon set to work to investigate the crimes and trap the real criminals

The Big Six

The Hamilton triplets - Madison, Park, and Lexington - are accustomed to living in the public eye. Heiresses to a billion-dollar media empire, they have been raised in New York's most elite social circles and, at 16, know firsthand the demands of being celebutantes. There are people to impress, appearances to make, and paparazzi to outrun. Not to mention high school to finish. 
 
The school year's almost over, and Madison, Park, and Lexington Hamilton are about to head to Capri. Before vacation comes work, however, and with the opening of Hamilton Holdings' latest venture, Cleopatra, the newest and most expensive club in Manhattan, the girls must throw one incredible opening night party. 
 
Before the night ends, the body of classmate Damien Kittle is found in the club with a bloody wound on the side of his head and the high-heeled murder weapon lying nearby. The shoe belongs to another student: Concetta Conoli-an unfortunately unfashionable diet food heiress. 
 
The paparazzi are having a field day, and they're determined to drag Cleopatra through the mud with Concetta. Madison, Park, and Lexington can't allow their club, and a fellow heiress, to be slandered in this fashion. The girls know the real murderer is still out there, and they're willing to bet their sizable inheritance that the police won't be able to unravel the mystery without their help.

Celebutantes: In the Club

Willard Price

The human bait was the boys themselves . . . 
 
Hal and Roger Hunt have been sent on a terrifying mission - they must save the population of Mtito Andei from a man-eating lion. But the 'King of the Beasts' isn't the only thing trying to kill the boys . . . Have the brothers bitten off more than they can chew this time ?

Lion Adventure

Shirley Hughes

Annie Rose and Alfie have lots of games they like to play together, like being scary monsters with Bernard, or running their own shop. But there are some things Annie Rose is too little to do and even some things Alfie would rather do without her. But if Annie Rose is ever sad or cross there is only one person who can make her feel better . . . her big brother. This is Shirley Hughes at her best - warm and wonderfully observed illustrations, and a touching text about the special bond between siblings.

Annie Rose Is My Little Sister

Gene Zion

Margaret Bloy Graham

Harry and the family have gone to the beach but it's too sunny and he's one hot dog! There's nowhere else for him to get some shade than under a pile of seaweed! The only problem is that now everyone thinks he's a sea monster and he can't find his family. 
 
This is the third classic story from the Harry series and is as fresh and funny as when it was first written.

Harry By The Sea

Christine Purkis

Rowan's family live deep in the country - in a caravan. They are travellers and life is chaotic and very, very happy; until, that is, the day Rowan meets a strange old woman who carries the secrets of the past under her shawl. . . It is a past in which a child, Liza, is locked in a place of fear and danger - and only Rowan can unlock the door from past to present and set Liza free.

Dark Beneath The Moon

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