Playing With Fire

Just when you think you’ve saved the world… "You will kill her?" the Torment asked. Skulduggery sagged. "Yes." He hesitated, then took his gun from his jacket. "I'm sorry, Valkyrie," he said softly. "Don't talk to me," Valkyrie said. "Just do what you have to do." Valkyrie parted her tunic, and Skulduggery pointed the gun at the vest beneath. "Please forgive me," Skulduggery said, then aimed the gun at the girl and pulled the trigger. With Serpine dead, the world is safe once more. At least, that’s what Valkyrie and Skulduggery think, until the notorious Baron Vengeous makes a bloody escape from prison, and dead bodies and vampires start showing up all over Ireland. With Baron Vengeous after the deadly armour of Lord Vile, and pretty much everyone out to kill Valkyrie, the daring detective duo face their biggest challenge yet. But what if the greatest threat to Valkyrie is just a little closer to home…?

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

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."