Even if she succeeds, it is only then that the horror truly begins. Mam's letter not only explained how I must sacrifice Alice; it revealed other aspects of the ritual. One requires the use of a living skelt. I have a strong sense of foreboding about the creature a images and references to it keep cropping up. And it bothers me that its head decorates the hilts of the sword and dagger.

I think about the task that faces us. If we fail, the Fiend will eventually win and a new age of darkness will begin.

Knowing nothing of the ritual and what it involves, my master is chiefly concerned with the whereabouts of the Doomdryte, the evil grimoire that we saw in Mistress Fresque's library. He is right to be worried. In the hands of our enemies, that book could be very dangerous indeed.

Despite all that's happened, I'm still a spook's apprentice a though I must start to think and behave like the Chipenden Spook. I must antic.i.p.ate the time when John Gregory will no longer be here a even to offer me advice.

Thomas J. Ward.

About the Author.

Joseph Delaney is a retired English teacher living in Lancashire. He has three children and eight grandchildren, and often speaks at conference, library and bookshop events. His home is in the middle of Boggart territory and his village has a boggart called the Hall Knocker, which was laid to rest under the step of a house near the church.

Most of the places in the Spook's books are based on real places in Lancashire, and the inspiration behind the stories often comes from local ghost stories and legends.

You can visit the Wardstone Chronicles website at www.spooksbooks.com where you can find Joseph's blog and more information on the books.

Also by Joseph Delaney.

BOOK ONE:.

THE SPOOK'S APPRENTICE.

BOOK TWO:.

THE SPOOK'S CURSE.

BOOK THREE:.

THE SPOOK'S SECRET.

BOOK FOUR:.

THE SPOOK'S BATTLE

BOOK FIVE:.

THE SPOOK'S MISTAKE

BOOK SIX:.

THE SPOOK'S SACRIFICE

BOOK SEVEN:.

THE SPOOK'S NIGHTMARE.

BOOK EIGHT:.

THE SPOOK'S DESTINY.

BOOK NINE:.

SPOOK'S: I AM GRIMALKIN.

BOOK TEN:.

THE SPOOK'S BLOOD.

ALSO AVAILABLE.

THE SPOOK'S STORIES:

WITCHES.

THE SPOOK'S BESTIARY.

COMING SOON.

BOOK ELEVEN:.

SPOOK'S: SLITHER'S TALE.

THE SPOOK'S BLOOD.

end.