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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'I fear nobody. But my enemies fear me . . . Without ruthlessness and savagery I would not survive even a week of the life I lead. I am the witch assassin of the Malkin clan.' 
 
Meet Grimalkin, the fearsome witch assassin, and find out how she came to take the role she now holds. 
 
This exclusive digital short story set in the world of Joseph Delaney's best-selling series The Wardstone Chronicles first appeared in the spine-tingling collection The Spook's Stories: Witches. Now available separately for the first time, and including a preview of the first chapter of I Am Grimalkin, this is perfect for existing fans and newcomers alike. The only question is, are you brave enough . . .

The Spook's Stories: Grimalkin's Tale

This haunting stand-alone story is a must have for SPOOK'S fans and a perfect introduction to Joseph Delaney's terrifying series which has sold 3 million copies sold worldwide! 
 
The Spook is away on a dangerous job, and left behind, his seventh apprentice, Will, is compelled to help a boy whose father has been kidnapped by a ruthless and bloodthirsty witch who has the body of a woman and the face of a pig. But Will has never encountered a real witch in the flesh before. And dark-fighting skills are not yet advanced enough to fight an enemy of such power . . . 
 
This story will chill your blood and frighten you to your very bones. Just remember not to read after dark. 
 
From the series that inspired the forthcoming movie Seventh Son, starring Jeff Bridges, Ben Barnes and Julianne Moore.

Spook's: Seventh Apprentice

'Someone has to stand against the dark. And you're the only one who can.' 
 
For years, the local Spook has been keeping the County safe from evil. Now his time is coming to an end, but who will take over? 
 
Many apprentices have tried . . . Some floundered, some fled, some failed to stay alive. Just one boy is left. Thomas Ward. He is the last hope. 
 
But does he stand a chance against Mother Malkin, the most dangerous witch in the County?

Seventh Son

The Spook's Apprentice Film Tie-in

Brian Jacques

Henry Mawdsley is a terrific liar. However, the more people get to know him, the less they believe in his lies - and it won't be long until nobody in his town believes a word he says! So when a chance encounter with the devil offers him the opportunity to have everyone believe his lies unconditionally for a week for the measly price of his soul, Henry jumps at the chance. But as the week draws to a close, and the date of Henry's descent into hell gets closer, he begins to fear for his life . . . 
 
Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales.

The Lies of Henry Mawdsley (Storycuts)

Thomas P Kanne is the Phantom Snake, an elusive graffiti artist who has made many enemies in his attempts to vandalise his home city of Middlechester. Mr Bausin, the caretaker of the local museum is a seemingly harmless old man with a dark secret, but more importantly, a vendetta against the Phantom Snake. When Mr Bausin finally gets to confront his nemesis in the dark, abandoned corridors of the Egyptian exhibit, Thomas faces a terrifying game of cat and mouse. 
 
Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales.

The Fate of Thomas P Kanne (Storycuts)

Susan Sallis

Two disabled children love their new bungalow by the sea. It even has its own spectral steam-train which only they can hear each night. The train holds many mysteries which will change their lives.

No Time At All

When Jonathan joins a new school, he is an easy target for R.S.B. Limited, three bullies who demand money in exchange for 'protection.' Unable to afford the rates, he is subjected to a humiliating daily ritual. However, a pale anonymous boy who looks eerily similar to Jonathan has been glimpsed around the school - and he's not going to let R.S.B. Limited get away with their bullying any more. 
 
Part of the Stroycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales.

RSB Limited (Storycuts)

Gilly Bodkin met a terrible accident in 1690 while searching for a sweetmeat. The poor boy's ghost is left to wander woods and highways searching for that elusive sweet that he lost his life trying to taste. This is his sad story. 
 
Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales.

The Sad History of Gilly Bodkin (Storycuts)

Jamie is just an ordinary boy dealing with ordinary struggles: trying to fit in and avoiding his overbearing mother. However, the discovery of what his friends call a Vampire's Tomb reveals an opportunity for Jamie to prove himself. All he has to do is wait in the graveyard as the church clock strikes midnight. He's not scared - vampires don't exist . . . right? 
 
Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales.

Jamie and the Vampires (Storycuts)

In 'Allie/Alma', Alma is a very good girl who volunteers with the elderly in her free time. Allie is her wicked alter ego. While Alma courteously tends to her companions' needs, Allie is scheming to steal their precious heirlooms and artefacts. So it happens one day that Allie is so overcome by greed for a particular carved egg that she forgets to listen to its tragic history, unaware that she will be the next chapter in it. 
 
In 'Bridgey', our eponymous heroine is trapped as her uncle's slave, doing household chores from dawn until dusk with only a duck named Rafferty and a mysterious water monster called the Grimblett as her friends. One day, when Bridgey accidentally drops her uncle's treasured honey pot in the lake he flies into a rage and it is left to Rafferty and Grimblett to exact a harsh final punishment on him. 
 
Part of the Storycuts series, these two short stories were previously published in the collection Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales.

Allie/Alma / Bridgey (Storycuts)

Christopher Wormell

Eric is a little boy who sometimes gets things wrong. But Eric learns that while you can't be good at everything, sometimes it takes a little time to find out what you are good at. And when a huge monster stomps down the mountain to Eric's village, Eric just might have his chance to shine...

Eric!

Robert Swindells

When Jacqueline Hyde finds the little glass bottle in Grandma's attic her life suddenly changes. Goodbye clean, good Jacqueline. Hello cheeky, loud Jacqueline Bad. 
 
It's fun at first. Exciting. But then Jacqueline Bad gets into serious trouble. And although she keeps trying to be her old self, the bad side just won't let go... 
 
A darkly addictive fable, truly absorbing.

Jacqueline Hyde

Pete Johnson

Now I know for certain Simon is a werewolf! 
 
Kelly always thought werewolves only existed in stories and late-night films. Until Simon moves in next door. Kelly and Simon become instant friends, but Kelly just can't help noticing that there's something very odd about her new friend. For one thing, he wears black gloves all the time - even at school. And could that be hair starting to sprout on his face? Last, but definitely not least, there's the howling at night . . . 
 
Aren't werewolves . . . dangerous?

My Friend's A Werewolf

You are in danger. 
 
The first time Alfie sees the boy, he appears as if from nowhere in the school detention room - the 'padded cell'. There's something odd about him and Alfie is definitely not pleased when he realises the boy has nicked his new jacket. But a ghost? His new friend Sarah is convinced - so convinced she is prepared to ghost-watch with him. 
 
That's when the warning message appears, scratched out on the blackboard by a phantom hand . . .

The Phantom Thief

Helen Dunwoodie

Something strange is in the air... 
 
First a mysterious parcel arrives for Rowan, containing an engraved medallion on a golden chain. Then an odd-looking young man turns up at the house, and something in the air tells Rowan to be suspicious... Something else is in the air too - the ghost of Lady Maisie! The brave 250-year-old spectre's powers are fading, but she is determined to help Rowan solve the mystery.

Ghost To The Rescue

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