Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

Skulduggery Pleasant is the first book in the Skulduggery Pleasant series.  It is a book that mixes the genres of horror, comedy, fantasy and mystery.  The book follows the story of Skulduggery Pleasant who is an undead sorcerer and detective; who along with his allies must battle Nefarian Serpine from unleashing a terrible weapon on this world.
This novel starts off when Stephanie Edgely is attending her late uncle's reading of the will. She is bequeathed her uncles mansions, book royalties, and unpublished manuscripts.  One night she receives an anonymous phone call demanding her to turn over the key.  When she refuses she is attacked but saved by Skulduggery Pleasant who is revealed to be a skeleton that is being held upright by supernatural magic. The adventure then begins where they must battle forces of evil to save the world.  This is a great graphic novel for young boys and girls.  Though it is supernatural in nature, it is a fun book with amazing illustrations that enhance the adventure.

A book trailer can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvFtUp03mTg

Teachers can find ideas to incorporate this book into their lessons at http://resources.collins.co.uk/free/TeachingSkulduggeryPleasant.pdf

Readers also enjoyed The New Policeman by Kate Thompson and  Malice by Chris Wooding

Additional books by Derek Landy include  Dark Days and The Faceless Ones

Landy, D. (2007). Skulduggery Pleasant. New York: HarperCollins.