Skulduggery Pleasant

Title: Skulduggery Pleasant

Author: Derek Landy

Publication Date: April 2007

ISBN 13: 978-8467519846

Stephanie is just 12 years old when her favorite uncle, a rich and famous novelist of horror books, dies unexpectedly and she is surprised to learn that he has bequethed her his entire estate.  Compelled to visit her new home, she is attacked by the most forceful being she's ever encountered and is rescued by a skeleton who uses balls of fire and blasts of air to scare off her attacker.  He is Skulduggery Pleasant, a great dectective who uses elemental magic.  Hesitant to drag young Stephanie into the dangerous, magical life, she convinces him to mentor her in the field of elemental magic and the fun begins!  Now she and he have to save the world from the evil magician who longs to cause the return of the Faceless Ones.  With characters you will never forget, this is a must-read book!