The Society of Dread (24 page)

The author would like to thank Rachel Boden for all her insight and optimism, plus Ali Dougal and Tim Deakin at Egmont UK. Gratitude also goes to Regina Griffin and Nico Medina for their vigilance at Egmont USA. A special mention for Alistair Spalding, Jenny Hayes and Mary Albi for spreading the word. A big thank you to Sara for good advice. And thanks as well to Alice Barker for wanting to know what happened next.

Glenn Dakin was inspired to write this novel while exploring the overgrown graveyard close to his old home in London. As well as writing for numerous cult comics and children’s TV shows, he has spent the last few years seeking out crypts, sewer tunnels and sites of mysterious significance in his research for
Candle Man.
Glenn
claims
his book is a work of fiction, but if you look very closely at his pictures of the cemetery you may spot a smoglodyte lurking in the shadows . . .

To find out more visit www.glenndakin.com

Visit www.egmont.co.uk/Glenn Dakin for further information on your favourite Egmont author.

Acclaim for
Candle Man

‘Fast-paced action, gleefully ghoulish monsters and intrigue keep the narrative flowing . . . A bright light in the fantasy genre’
Kirkus Reviews

‘Up until now Britain has lacked its own credible superhero and those looking for feats of supernatural prowess tended to turn to the United States, but
Candle Man
may be about to change that’
Reuters

‘Kids and adults alike will be rooting for Theo and whichever allies he can trust at that moment’ James Patterson’s ReadKiddoRead.com

‘This is a gripping, thrilling, unusual story – quite dark in places – full of weird characters that will keep you guessing to the end’
Primary Times

‘A cracking adventure in the best comic book tradition, with dashing heroes and dastardly villains, a terrific read for children aged 9+’
ABC Magazine

‘. . . a tense and gripping thriller’ Love Reading 4 Kids

‘Some of the ideas are so imaginative that it feels as though you are watching a movie, not reading it . . . I highly recommend this book and will be looking for others by the same author’
Northern Life Family

‘The atmosphere is creepy and enthralling – Dakin’s characters move like shadows and the overall effect is indeed Gothic’
Books Monthly

‘From the very first scene this book grabbed my attention . . . From that moment on I never lost interest in the young hero’s adventure as the story rushes on at a pace, stuffed full of action and humour’ Kids’ Compass

‘Dakin’s sparkling action/horror writing and his cast of intriguing characters give this fantasy – energetic, cheeky, unrelentingly suspenseful, and oddly good-natured – a flavour all its own’
The Horn Book

‘I like the world of this novel – its smoky darkness, its descent into pitch-black sewers, its mysteries dripping with intrigue and the bizarre’ Bookbag

‘Unique in a world full of copycats’
Deseret News,
Salt Lake City

‘It was very elegant in its imparting of messages and it was full of quick wit . . . I am really looking forward to seeing where these books are headed . . .’ Raging Bibliomania

‘
Candle Man
is a witty, smart, entertaining fantasy novel that left me quite, ahem, “vigilantly” looking out for the next book in this trilogy’ Bibliophile Support Group

‘This book was filled with interesting characters, the likes of which I can only compare to Lemony Snicket . . . Full of thrilling adventures,
Candle Man
pulls you into the story and makes you crave more’ Bookworming in the 21st Century

‘The humour . . . varies from quirky, to dark, to gruesome – “Sorry, sir, but I thought you might like to know. Your face is melting” is a one-liner worthy of a classic Bond film or
Carry on Screaming
!’ The Book Zone

Theo crawled on grazed knees as he watched the stranger’s skin bubble and smoke.