The Society of Dread
Page 19
‘No,’ Theo replied, scooting over to make room for Chloe on the lumpy old red sofa. ‘I didn’t want my ancestor to be remembered only for the shadow he became.’
‘Well, I’m glad you told us the whole truth,’ Chloe said.
Sam looked slightly puzzled. ‘Why didn’t you want to stay at the victory bash, Theo, and lap up the glory? You’ll be the police’s number one man now, London’s great hero!’ Sam gave a big grin, but no one else joined in.
‘It seemed wrong,’ Theo sighed. ‘Everyone talking about a golden age, when for all we know, Lord Wickland was right – there might be a bigger danger out there, a menace greater than any we’ve faced before.’
‘Ah, Theo,’ said Chloe, nursing a chipped mug of dark coffee. ‘That’s very vigilant of you.’
‘Is it?’ For the first time in hours, Theo felt a smile flicker on his face.
‘That’s what being the Candle Man is all about,’ she said. ‘Shining a light into the dark places where other people don’t want to look. They want cheers, champagne, glory and happily-ever-after –’
‘While we,’ interrupted Sam, ‘are always looking for new trouble, new menaces – and a hundred and one reasons to be miserable.’
‘Are there really a hundred and one?’ Theo asked.
‘Oh yes,’ Chloe replied with a smile. ‘In fact, I’ve got them all written down. If you’re very good I’ll let you see the whole list tomorrow.’
‘Great,’ Theo sighed, and bit bravely into one of Sam’s cakes.
Acknowledgements
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.
About the Author
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.