Spook's Curse [Hardcover]

Joseph Delaney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2005

The Spook and his apprentice, Thomas Ward, deal with the dark.Together they rid the county of witches, ghosts and boggarts. But now they have unfinished business to attend to in Priestown. Deep in the catacombs of the cathedral, lurks the Spook's nemesis - the Bane. A creature he has never been able to defeat. As Thomas and his master prepare for the battle of their lives it becomes clear that the Bane isn't their only enemy in town. The Quisitor has arrived, searching the county for those who meddle with the dark - witches, warlocks and Spooks! When the Spook is arrested and sentenced to death it's up to Thomas, with a little help from his old friend Alice, to rescue his master and destroy the curse of Priestown

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joe Delaney is an English teacher living in Lancashire. He has three children and six grandchildren and is a wonderful public speaker available for 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. Believe it or not, the haunted house in The Spook's Apprentice is based on fact! As a child, Joseph lived in a similar house in Preston where he had a recurrent nightmare. In the dream he'd be sitting on a carpet in the front room whilst his mother was knitting. Then, everything would become cold and a shadowthing would come up from the coal cellar, pick him up and carry him back towards the dark. What's even more spooky... his brothers had the same nightmare!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Bodley Head Children's Books; 1st edition (June 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0370328272
• ISBN-13: 978-0370328270
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #286,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joseph Delaney formerly taught media and film studies at a high school in Blackpool, England. He lives with his family in Lancashire, in the middle of boggart territory.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Brilliant!, November 13, 2005

By 

Renee S. (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: THE SPOOK'S CURSE (Paperback)

Thomas Ward and the Spook have to attend a funeral in Priesttown, and the name really describes the town. It seems half of the occupants are indeed priests. Which is unfortunate for Thomas and the Spook, becuae the visiting Inquisitor would very much like to meet them. But this is only half of the story, the Spook is really there to take care of some "unfinished business", namely the Bane, who likes to press his victims to death, which is exactly what it would like to do to the Spook and his apprentice. Enter, Alice, the witch, and as usual, she is truly the catalyst to the story, and without her "end justifies the means" antics, and Thomas's bravery, all would again be lost and the County would suffer to no end. A really brilliant story, with some background given on "Mam" really makes this a satisfying sequel to the first. A must read for those who enjoy a good "ghost story" that is well written. A bit darker than the Potter books, but that is what makes this series better! I hope Alice remains a prominent character in all the books!

4.0 out of 5 stars But I Don't Believe In Curses!, July 4, 2010

By 

Larissa (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Spook's Curse (Paperback)

It has been almost six months since Tom began his apprenticeship with the Spook and in that time he has come to see Chipenden, and the Spook's home, as his own. But all that may change if the curse is to be believed, but who has time to fear a curse when there exists the Bane.

Deep in the catacombs under Priestown cathedral an ancient being corrupted by the passing years has turned towards the dark and has in turn corrupted Priestown, a town full of Priests and often visited by The Quisitor.

But as the lives of the Spook and Tom become increasingly in danger there is also Alice to worry about. As the curse becomes ever more possible and Alice turns further towards the dark will Tom lose them both, or will he have to pay the ultimate price to save them?

The Spook's Curse is an old and powerful curse that will one day claim the Spook's life, but that is only if it is to be believed. In a mixture of history, mythology and fantasy The Spook's is a series that perfectly blends mystery and danger to create a dark and exciting world that has to be read to be believed.