Skulduggery Pleasant tells the story of 12-year-old Stephanie Edgley, whose recently deceased uncle was a writer of fictional horror books and perhaps her closest friend. When his will is read, she learns --- much to the bother of others present --- that she is the new owner of his expensive villa. At the same time she meets the most bizarre of characters: a sly and witty detective named Skulduggery Pleasant. His investigative skills, acid tongue and dapper dressing are only outdone by the fact that he is no longer living and a skeleton. Skulduggery's involvement with Stephanie comes to life, so to speak, when she discovers that her uncle's writings were more than just scary fiction; they were a prediction of reality to come. Together they must stop a dark and evil force from recovering a hidden key and bringing an end to life on earth. Both Stephanie and Skulduggery have unusual and effective talents as well as weaknesses. Perhaps the most interesting weakness for Skulduggery is his absolute hatred and fear of being tortured. It goes to show that even skeletons have feelings. Skulduggery Pleasant is a wonderful story that works on so many levels and will appeal to everyone. The bantering dialogue between Skulduggery and Stephanie is quick witted and sarcastic. Upper elementary children will love to read this series of "scary" books.
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