Skulduggery Pleasant is dead. Valkyrie Cain is cool. Omen Darkly is neither.

The Faceless Ones have returned to our universe. The bad guys have won.

With the end of everything just days away – and no longer able to rely on Valkyrie Cain – Skulduggery must make allies of enemies if he's going to stand any chance of saving what's left of the world. And just when things are looking their bleakest, they manage to get even worse, with Omen Darkly suddenly having to step up when his brother, the Chosen One, falls.

There's a lot going on. Most of it is bad. Sorry about that.

Praise for Skulduggery Pleasant:

'A gripping debut.' Phil Hogan, Observer

‘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

'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

‘A remarkably accomplished debut with wonderful dialogue.’ Robert Dunbar, Irish Times

‘A rip-roaring adventure.’ Irish Sunday Independent

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

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."