Playing With Fire

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 Hugely enjoyable - a thrill-a-minute adventure.' Jonathan Stroud 'It's exciting, pacy, nicely handled and fun. I sincerely hope Landy revisits these characters.' Philip Ardagh, Guardian 'A gripping debut.' Phil Hogan, Observer 'Skulduggery Pleasant serves up a thoroughly satisfying blend of humour, magic and adventure. Once you've met Stephanie and Skullduggery, you'll be clamouring for a sequel.' Rick Riordan "A remarkably accomplished debut with wonderful dialogue." Robert Dunbar, Irish Times "[Landy's] fight scenes are perfectly pitched. His characters are exceptionally well drawn and delightfully colourful... Reading [this book] is like riding a rollercoaster." Irish Independent "Landy's witty style will win him fans of all ages... With writing of this standard, a rattling plot and definite potential for cross-over appeal, it's a good job Harry's [Potter] resigning before he's forcibly retired." Irish Mail on Sunday "Humour and magic combine in this thrilling adventure." Waterstone's Books Quarterly "...people in the book world are raving about this book." Glasgow Herald "It's pacy, it's funny, it's irreverent. The relationship between Skulduggery and Stephanie is tremendously strong. Stephanie is a splendid character - blunt, logical and outspoken... We enjoyed Skkulduggery Pleasant. Muchly. Roll on volume two!" The Book Bag "A rip-roaring adventure." Irish Sunday Independent "Full of black humour, super powers, mysteries, murder and mayhem." Carousel

Praise for Derek Landy:

'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

Praise for Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing With Fire:

'Landy's writing is highly cinematic ... [the plot] is delivered well and is nicely punctuated by punchy dialogue, culminating in an adrenaline-induced battle that will leave the reader gasping for breath.' Inis

'You just can't help but love this dynamic duo of the skeleton detective and his sidekick.' The Bookbag

'If, like myself, you thought the first book reinvented 9 to 12 fiction, then this one beats the previous book up and leaves it cowering in the corner of the bookshop it was purchased in.' Waterstones Bookseller's review

Praise for Skulduggery:

'Hugely enjoyable - a thrill-a-minute adventure.' Jonathan Stroud, author of the BARTIMAEUS TRILOGY

'It's exciting, pacy, nicely handled and fun. I sincerely hope Landy revisits these characters.' Philip Ardagh, Guardian

'Skulduggery Pleasant serves up a thoroughly satisfying blend of humour, magic and adventure. Once you've met Stephanie and Skullduggery, you'll be clamouring for a sequel.' Rick Riordan, author of the PERCY JACKSON series

'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