Skulduggery Pleasant

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Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK -- School Library Journal, 11/9/2007

Skulduggery Pleasant (unabr.). 6 CD. 7:30 hrs. HarperCollins (harperaudio.com). 2007 ISBN 978-0-06-134104-5. $27.95.

Gr 4-8–Every once in a while a story comes along that is pure unadulterated fun. This tale (HarperCollins, 2007) by Irish screenwriter Derek Landy is one of those gems. Stephanie Edgley. age 12, meets Skulduggery at her uncle’s funeral. He is covered from head to foot and it is some time before Stephanie realizes Skulduggery is a skeleton. Far from being repulsed, she’s fascinated by a world of magic she never knew existed. When Stephanie inherits her uncle’s estate, strange men begin pursuing her and detective Skulduggery comes to her rescue. The plot thrusts the duo into tight spots and narrow escapes which will keep listeners on the edge of their seats. Narrator Rupert Degas is flawless in his interpretation of the story. Even minor characters come deliciously to life. But it is the relationship between Stephanie and Skulduggery that makes this tale such a hoot. The two bicker back and forth with dry wit and sarcasm, but Stephanie holds her own against the flawed, heart-of-gold Skulduggery. Hopefully, we have not heard the last of this dynamic duo. A must-have purchase.