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Skulduggery Pleasant Series

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The Skulduggery Pleasant books, written by Irish author Derek Landy, are a favourite with readers and critics alike. The series has sold millions of copies worldwide and won multiple awards and yet isn't as well-known as it deserves to be. This is possibly because it's slightly difficult to define, being a mix of fantasy, horror, comedy and mystery with a dry-witted dead detective as the title character. Also, the covers look quite mature but the books are light enough to be read by readers aged 9+ so don't be put off!

The first book was published in 2007 to rave reviews and there is now a core series and several standalone titles, with the series still going strong. In September 2024 Derek Landy released a new trilogy, starting with A Mind Full of Murder. 

The first book starts at the funeral of famous horror writer Gordon Edgley – twelve-year-old Stephanie’s eccentric uncle. Stephanie is intrigued by the mysterious friend of her uncle’s who appears with a scarf covering his face and gigantic sunglasses. As she finds out more about her uncle and the strange Skulduggery Pleasant, who turns out to be a skeleton detective, she realises that although the books her uncle used to write are most definitely horrifying, they are not fiction. Together, Stephanie and Skulduggery start investigating her uncle’s untimely demise. The series follows Skulduggery and Stephanie (and her dark alter ego: Valkyrie Cain) as they explore the weird and wonderful magical underworld, fighting the evil forces threatening the world and trying to get justice for her uncle’s death.
 
The series is very popular with children aged ten and over, but it is not just for kids and definitely not just for fantasy fans. The books are hair-raising but also very funny and fast-paced. Start at the beginning of the series to get Stephanie and Skulduggery’s back story and prepare to get addicted. You’ll be on to book 15 before you know it. 

There has been much talk of a Skulduggery Pleasant movie over the last few years but nothing concrete as yet.

Love this series? Check out our list of the Best Crime and Mystery Book Series for 11 and 12 year olds.  

All the Skulduggery Pleasant books in order:

Book 1: Skulduggery Pleasant (2007)
Book 2: Playing With Fire (2008)
Book 3: The Faceless Ones (2009)
Book 4: Dark Days (2010)
Book 5: Mortal Coil (2010)
Book 6: Death Bringer (2011)
Book 7: Kingdom of the Wicked (2012)
Book 8: Last Stand of Dead Men (2013)
Book 9: The Dying of the Light (2014)
Book 10: Resurrection (2017)
Book 11: Midnight (2018)
Book 12: Bedlam (2019)
Book 13: Seasons of War (2020)
Book 14: Dead or Alive (2021)
Book 15: Until the End (2022)

New Trilogy - after the universe has been restarted

Book 16: A Mind Full of Murder (2024)
Book 17: The Haunted House on Hallow Hill (2024)
Book 18: A Soul Full of Shadows (March 2026)

Other books set in the Skulduggery Universe

The Maleficent Seven (2014) 
Armagedden Outta Here - The World of Skullduggery Pleasant novella (2014)
The End of the World (World Book Day Title 2020)
Apocalypse Kings (World Book Day Title 2021)
Paraquel: Pleasant Grimoire (2021)
Bad Magic: A Skulduggery Pleasant Graphic Novel (2023)
Paraquel: Hell Breaks Loose (2023)
Podcast Book 1: A Heart Full of Hatred (2025)
Podcast Book 2: A Small Matter of Impending Catastrophe (2026)

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Book 1
Skulduggery Pleasant
Book 1

Skulduggery Pleasant

He’s dead. She’s deadly. The bad guys don’t stand a chance. The iconic f... MoreSkulduggery Pleasant

(76 reviews) 5 76
Review
Book 2
Playing With Fire
Book 2

Playing With Fire

Just when you think you’ve saved the world… "You will kill her?" the Torment asked. Skulduggery sagged. "Yes."... MorePlaying With Fire

(11 reviews) 5 11
Review
Book 3
The Faceless Ones
Book 3

The Faceless Ones

Third bone-breaking, belly-busting adventure in the bestselling series that puts the “funny” back in… um… funny bestsell... MoreThe Faceless Ones

(6 reviews) 5 6
Review
Book 4
Dark Days
Book 4

Dark Days

Meet Skulduggery Pleasant: detective, sorcerer, warrior. Oh yes. And dead. Skulduggery Pleasant is g... MoreDark Days

(4 reviews) 5 4
Review
Book 5
Mortal Coil
Book 5

Mortal Coil

Meet Skulduggery Pleasant: detective, sorcerer, warrior. Oh yeah. And dead. Skulduggery Pleasant and... MoreMortal Coil

(3 reviews) 5 3
Review
Book 6
Death Bringer
Book 6

Death Bringer

Meet Skulduggery Pleasant: detective, sorcerer, warrior. Oh yes. And dead. The Necromancers no longe... MoreDeath Bringer

(4 reviews) 5 4
Review
Book 7
Kingdom of the Wicked
Book 7

Kingdom of the Wicked

The seventh instalment in the biggest, funniest, most thrilling comedy-horror-adventure series in the universe… ... MoreKingdom of the Wicked

(3 reviews) 5 3
Review
Book 8
Last Stand of Dead Men
Book 8

Last Stand of Dead Men

The eighth instalment in the biggest, funniest, most thrilling comedy-horror-adventure series in the universe – and the ... MoreLast Stand of Dead Men

(4 reviews) 5 4
Review
Book 9
The Dying of the Light
Book 9

The Dying of the Light

The ninth book in the original, jaw-droppingly stupendous Skulduggery Pleasant series. Valkyrie. Darquesse. St... MoreThe Dying of the Light

(5 reviews) 5 5
Review
Book 10
Resurrection
Book 10

Resurrection

The best-selling return of skeleton detective Skulduggery Pleasant, out now in paperback. A lot has changed. R... MoreResurrection

(5 reviews) 5 5
Review
Book 11
Midnight
Book 11

Midnight

Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain are back in their most gripping story yet, as book 11, Midnight, picks up where... MoreMidnight

(9 reviews) 4 9
Review
Book 12
Bedlam
Book 12

Bedlam

The 12th explosive novel in the internationally bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant series, BEDLAM will blow your mind - ... MoreBedlam

(12 reviews) 5 12
Review
Book 13
Seasons of War
Book 13

Seasons of War

The thirteenth thrilling novel in the internationally bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant series, SEASONS OF WAR wi... MoreSeasons of War

(10 reviews) 5 10
Review
Book 14
Dead or Alive
Book 14

Dead or Alive

Skulduggery, Valkyrie and Omen return in the 14th and penultimate novel in the internationally bestselling Skuldugge... MoreDead or Alive

(12 reviews) 5 12
Review
Book 15
Until the End
Book 15

Until the End

The second cycle of the internationally bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant series comes to a thrilling en... MoreUntil the End

(3 reviews) 5 3
Review
Book 16
A Mind Full of Murder
Book 16

A Mind Full of Murder

A bone-shaking new trilogy begins – the latest adventure in the bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant series ... MoreA Mind Full of Murder

(1 review) 5 1
Review
Book 17
The Haunted House on Hollow Hill
Book 17

The Haunted House on Hollow Hill

           The book version of the thrilling and innovative narrative podcast.                                On a ... MoreThe Haunted House on Hollow Hill

(0 reviews)
Review
Book 18
A Soul Full of Shadows
Book 18

A Soul Full of Shadows

The bone-shaking new trilogy concludes – the latest adventure in the bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant serie... MoreA Soul Full of Shadows

(0 reviews)
Review
Novel
The Maleficent Seven (From the World of Skulduggery Pleasant)
Novel

The Maleficent Seven (From the World of Skulduggery Pleasant)

A brilliant, hilarious one-off novel in the Skulduggery Pleasant universe, from number-one-bestselling author Derek Land... MoreThe Maleficent Seven (From the World of Skulduggery Pleasant)

(3 reviews) 5 3
Review
Novella
Armageddon Outta Here - The World of Skulduggery Pleasant
Novella

Armageddon Outta Here - The World of Skulduggery Pleasant

One AMAZING new novella. Three GRIPPING new stories. In the ULTIMATE story collection. ... MoreArmageddon Outta Here - The World of Skulduggery Pleasant

(0 reviews)
Review
World Book Day Title
The End of the World
World Book Day Title

The End of the World

Skulduggery and Valkyrie are back, in an exclusive World Book Day novelette, set after the momentous events of Death Bri... MoreThe End of the World

(0 reviews)
Review
World Book Day Title
Apocalypse Kings
World Book Day Title

Apocalypse Kings

A brand new Skulduggery Pleasant novella for World Book Day: a hilarious and thrilling standalone story in the internati... MoreApocalypse Kings

(14 reviews) 5 14
Review
Paraquel
The Skulduggery Pleasant Grimoire
Paraquel

The Skulduggery Pleasant Grimoire

An unmissable paraquel to the internationally bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant series, The Skulduggery Pleasant Grimoire... MoreThe Skulduggery Pleasant Grimoire

(1 review) 4 1
Review
Graphic Novel
Bad Magic
Graphic Novel

Bad Magic

Experience Skulduggery Pleasant as never before – in this fully original graphic novel brought vibrantly to... MoreBad Magic

(0 reviews)
Review
Paraquel
Hell Breaks Loose
Paraquel

Hell Breaks Loose

Discover the world of Skulduggery Pleasant in this prequel to the bestselling series. So many enemies, so l... MoreHell Breaks Loose

(2 reviews) 5 2
Review
Podcast Book 1
A Heart Full of Hatred
Podcast Book 1

A Heart Full of Hatred

           The bone-shaking new trilogy continues – the latest adventure in the bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant serie... MoreA Heart Full of Hatred

(0 reviews)
Review
Podcast Book 2
A Small Matter of Impending Catastrophe
Podcast Book 2

A Small Matter of Impending Catastrophe

The book version of the thrilling and innovative second Skulduggery Pleasant podcast I... MoreA Small Matter of Impending Catastrophe

(0 reviews)
Review
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New Book

A Small Matter of Impending Catastrophe

A Small Matter of Impending Catastrophe

7th May 2026
(0 reviews)

Most Popular Book

Skulduggery Pleasant

Skulduggery Pleasant

18th July 2024
(76 reviews) 5 76

Recent Reviews

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