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Joseph Delaney

3 series 28 books in order 2005–2023

Joseph Henry Delaney was born July 25, 1945, in Preston, Lancashire, England, and died in 2022; he attended Lancaster University. After leaving school he worked as an apprentice engineer, then became an English instructor specializing in vampire lore, helping establish the Media and Film Studies department at Blackpool Sixth Form College. He began writing under the pen-name J.K. Haderack, later publishing under his own name, including his first children's novel and The Wardstone Chronicles. He retired from education to write full-time and had three children and seven grandchildren.

Born
1945
Active years
2005–2023
Known for
The Wardstone Chronicles, Brother Wulf, Arena 13

Series by Joseph Delaney

The Wardstone Chronicles

25 books in order · 2005–2009

  1. Cover of The Spook's Apprentice

    The Spook's Apprentice

    2006 · Joseph Delaney

    Old Gregory has served as the Spook for the county, protecting villages from evil for many years. As his time ends, the responsibility of taking over…

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  2. Cover of The Spook's Curse

    The Spook's Curse

    2005 · Joseph Delaney

    The Spook and his apprentice, Thomas Ward, have defeated witches, ghosts, boggarts, and other dark creatures in the county. However, they still have…

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  3. The Spook's Secret

    2006 · Joseph Delaney

    Spook's is a children's dark fantasy series written by English author Joseph Delaney. Published by Penguin Random House in the United Kingdom and…

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  4. Cover of Night of the Soul Stealer

    Night of the Soul Stealer

    2007 · Joseph Delaney

    Tom is dismayed when his master the Spook decides they will spend the winter on the gloomy, forbidding Anglezarke Moor. He soon discovers the reason…

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  5. The Spook's Battle

    2007 · Joseph Delaney

    The Spook's Battle belongs to Spook's (published as The Last Apprentice in the United States), a children's dark fantasy series by English author…

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  6. Cover of Attack of the Fiend

    Attack of the Fiend

    2008 · Joseph Delaney

    Witches steal Tom's inheritance and kidnap his relatives, forcing Tom, the Spook, and Alice to set out for Pendle Hill, a particularly dangerous…

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  7. The Spook's Mistake

    2008 · Joseph Delaney

    The Spook's Mistake is a 2008 novel by Joseph Delaney, part of the Spook's series (published as The Last Apprentice in the United States), a…

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  8. Cover of The spook's mistake

    The spook's mistake

    Year unknown · Joseph Delaney

    As danger increases across the County in the form of press gangers and the Fiend, Tom is sent by his master to another Spook, Bill Arkwright, who…

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  9. Cover of Wrath of the Bloodeye

    Wrath of the Bloodeye

    Year unknown · Joseph Delaney

    This installment continues the adventures of Tom, the seventh son of a seventh son and apprentice to the local Spook. He faces danger and death daily…

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  10. Cover of Clash of the Demons

    Clash of the Demons

    2009 · Joseph Delaney

    Tom is reunited with his mother and must return to Greece to face a new and terrible threat from the dark forces. A momentous decision must be made,…

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Show all 25 The Wardstone Chronicles books in order →

Brother Wulf

3 books in order · 2021–2023

Arena 13

1 book in order

  1. Arena 13

    Year unknown · Joseph Delaney

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Frequently asked questions

How many books has Joseph Delaney written?

We list 28 books by Joseph Delaney across 3 series, published between 2005–2023 — each shown in full reading order.

What order should I read Joseph Delaney's books?

Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “The Spook's Apprentice.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.

Where can I buy Joseph Delaney's books?

Every title links to Amazon from its series page. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Bibliography and reading orders compiled from verified bibliographic data. Spotted an error? We continuously correct the catalog.