The Spook’s Revenge: Book 13 (Spooks) (31 page)

I turned and watched the landlord approach. He was a big hearty man with a florid face and a loud voice full of forced good-cheer – something that he had, no doubt, cultivated for the benefit of his customers. But although I was spending the night in one of his rooms he had an air of impatience and superiority that I’d noted when he dealt with his staff and also the man who’d delivered fresh casks of ale soon after I’d arrived.

I was counted as the hired help and he obviously expected a lot for his money.

‘Well?’ He raised his eyebrows. ‘What have you found out?’

I shrugged. ‘The room’s haunted all right, but by what I don’t know yet. Maybe you could speed things up a little by telling me everything that you know. How long has this been going on?’

‘Well,
young
man, isn’t it up to you to find out the situation for yourself? I’m paying you good money so I certainly don’t expect to have to do your job for you. I’m sure your former master, John Gregory, God rest his soul, would have had the job done by now.’

With his last sentence the inn-keeper had got to the heart of the problem; and it
was
his problem, not mine. My master was dead. He had died the previous year in a battle near the Wardstone, fighting to destroy the Fiend who’d threatened to bring an age of darkness and fear to the world.

I had inherited John Gregory’s role and was functioning as the Chipenden Spook. But, in truth, I hadn’t really completed my apprenticeship and was young to be plying my trade alone like this.

I’d met quite a few people over the past few months who shared the attitude of this landlord. I’d learned quickly that it was important to put them right and get off on the right foot.

‘Mr Gregory would have asked you the same question that I just did, make no mistake about it,’ I told him. ‘And I’ll tell you something else – if you’d failed to answer he would have picked up his bag and gone straight home.’

The inn-keeper glared at me, a touch of anger twitching his brows. He clearly wasn’t used to being spoken to like that. I stared back without blinking but I kept my expression mild and my tongue still. I waited for him to speak.

‘A girl died in that room exactly a month ago tomorrow,’ he said at last. ‘I employed her in the kitchen and sometimes, when it got busy, she helped out by serving ale. She was fit and strong. One morning she didn’t get up and we found her dead in bed with a look of terror on her face and blood all down the front of her nightgown. But there was no sign at all of a wound on her body. Since then her ghost walks and I can’t let the room – or any others, for that matter. We can hear her pacing back and forth even down in the ale room. By now there’d have been a dozen people in there with more to come. It’s affecting my business badly.’

I nodded and offered him my best sympathetic expression. ‘What about the cause of death?’ I asked. ‘What did the doctor have to say?’

‘He seemed as puzzled as everyone else but thought it might have been some sort of internal haemorrhage and that she’d coughed up blood. But it was the look of horror on her face that made us all uneasy. The doctor said seeing all that blood coming out of her mouth might have terrified her and caused her heart to stop. Or she might have carried on bleeding inside. To my way of thinking, he didn’t really know why she’d died.’

‘Well maybe I’ll be able to tell you more tomorrow,’ I replied, ‘after I’ve talked to her ghost. What’s her name?’

‘Her name was Miriam,’ he replied.

How do you feel now that the
Wardstone Chronicles
are finally complete?

I find it incredible that I have managed to write a series that contains thirteen books and two spin-offs. I only thought there would be three! I am happy with this final book and hope I have tied up most of the loose ends.

Was writing the final chapters an emotional experience for you?

Not really. I am the ‘pilot’ and the readers are the ‘passengers’. When turbulence strikes I’m not worried because I have experienced it all before. So I hope the readers feel some emotion because of what happens. I want them to be scared, happy and sad – to experience a whole range of reactions and emotions.

Was it difficult trying to give all of your characters a satisfying ending?

Yes, but at one level I think the story itself decides what has to happen. I know that not everybody will be pleased with the way the book ends. Certain characters come to the end of their story and others may not behave in the way that everybody would like!

You have said before that you ‘discover’ your plots rather than carry out detailed planning in advance, but are there parts of the final book that have been in your head for a long time?

I always intended to visit the Wardstone at the end of the series. How could I avoid going there when it is mentioned at the beginning of every book and Tom Ward is the hero? But the truth is that I even began this final book of the series still not knowing fully how it would end.

Has it been difficult to keep the ending secret from curious fans? Are you excited to see their reaction to it?

Yes, many readers have tried to find out the ending from me. They were easy to resist because I didn’t know myself! I am excited to see how the final book is received.

Of the 13 main books in the
Wardstone Chronicles
, is there one that stands out to you as a favourite?

I have always preferred
The Spook’s Battle
to the others. It marked the point when I realised that the
Wardstone Chronicles
would be a long series. Grimalkin comes into the story for the first time and the Fiend is summoned to earth – these are two important elements that help drive the ongoing narrative and generate subsequent books.

What can you tell us about your brand new series?

I don’t want to give too much away. I know how the first book ends and I am happy with it. The new series is scheduled to be a trilogy but my writing method is still that of ‘discovery’. There could be more than three – but I am certain that there will not be thirteen!

How will it differ from The
Wardstone Chronicles
?

It will have some of the same elements and is from the world of spooks and witches. However a new darkness is rising. Those of you who have read
Slither’s Tale
will know what I mean!

‘I was in Year 8 when the first book in the
Wardstone Chronicles
was introduced to me by my best friend. Ever since then I have been in love with the series. I know that I will always love these books, the characters and the adventures that they go on. To Joseph Delaney, I am forever thankful for making my teenage years so special.’
Virginia Cole

‘I first discovered the
Wardstone Chronicles
when I was about 13 and wandering around WH Smith with my Mam, looking for a new book to read. I then saw an ominous-looking, leather-bound book staring back at me. I was already captivated and bought
The Spook’s Apprentice
straight away. On my holiday to Melbourne in 2007 I remember being jet-lagged and (foolishly) ignored the ‘do not read after dark’ warning, while reading
The Spook’s Curse
and I definitely couldn’t sleep that night. I’d like to thank Joseph Delaney for the many wonderful and beautiful stories he has left me with, as well as useful information on how to deal with boggarts – always remember the salt, iron and tinderbox!’
Sam Hutchinson

‘I discovered the series on the internet. When I read the book synopsis I realized that I had to have that book. I bought it. It was the best thing I ever did. Thank you for sharing this amazing adventure with all of us.’
Anderson Estevam Lopes

‘The Spook’s series pulled me in from the very first book. I have read all the books so far and really could not pick a favourite. The characters are awesome and the plot is original and each book is even better than last if that’s even possible!’
Edel Waugh

‘I live in the Netherlands and I think I discovered the books in the Netherlands. I was totally creeped out by the first book. I love the series with all my heart, it is amazing and I am a big fan. I really love Joseph Delaney for making this series: it is creepy, exciting and so fun to read.’
Roos Busink

‘The
Wardstone Chronicles
became my favourite series a long time ago, seven years to be precise. I discovered them at my local library and I immediately fell in love with the book covers, which looked like old, leather diaries (needless to say, I borrowed them immediately!). This series means a lot to me, it’s actually the great part of my teenage-hood (I’m 21 now!). When I read the
Wardstone Chronicles
I relive all my happy memories and I still discover new details.’
Alexandra Vivarelli