Joseph Henry Delaney was born in 1945 in Preston, Lancashire. He attended Preston Catholic College and then worked as an apprentice engineer and fitter. He studied A levels at night school before beginning his degree course at Lancaster University in 1972. Following graduation he eventually became an English teacher at the Blackpool Sixth Form College, where he helped start the Media and Film Studies Department.
His first works were written under the pseudonym J. K. Haderack.[ Beginning with the publication of the first book of the Spook's series in 2004, published under his real name, Delaney achieved international success chronicling the adventures of his lead character, Thomas Ward. The Spook's series is published in 30 countries, and sales have exceeded 4.5 million copies.
Delaney retired from teaching following publication of the second of the Spook's books and now writes full-time.He identifies J.R.R. Tolkien and Frank Herbert as two authors who were his biggest inspirations. Delaney shares the same name (including middle name) with the late Joseph H. Delaney, an American science fiction author of several books and short stories.
He is married and has three children and nine grandchildren.
Spook's (published in America as The Last Apprentice) follow Tom Ward, the seventh son of a seventh son, on his adventures as apprentice to John Gregory, the local "Spook" or master fighter of supernatural evil. John is the Spook for "the County" and gives Tom practical instruction on tackling ghosts, ghasts, witches, boggarts, and all manner of other things that serve "The Dark". Tom soon discovers that most of his predecessors have failed for various reasons—including death. As the Chronicles progress the focus expands to other characters such as the assassin Grimalkin and the young witch Alice Deane.
The Wardstone Chronicles
Overall the first series' arc, titled The Wardstone Chronicles, develops the plot line of Tom being destined to either save the world or destroy it. "The County" referred to in the Chronicles is based on Lancashire in the north west of England. Several of the locations mentioned in the books are thinly-veiled versions of actual places; Priestown is the author's hometown of Preston, Caster is Lancaster, Black Pool is Blackpool, and Chipenden is Chipping.
The Spook's Apprentice (America: The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch) – 2004
The Spook's Curse (America: The Last Apprentice: Curse of the Bane) – 2005
The Spook's Secret (America: The Last Apprentice: Night of the Soul Stealer) – 2006
The Spook's Battle (America: The Last Apprentice: Attack of the Fiend) – 2007
The Spook's Mistake (America: The Last Apprentice: Wrath of the Bloodeye) – 2008
The Spook's Sacrifice (America: The Last Apprentice: Clash of the Demons) – 2009
The Spook's Nightmare (America: The Last Apprentice: Rise of the Huntress) – 2010
The Spook's Destiny (America: The Last Apprentice: Rage of the Fallen) – 2011
Spook's: I Am Grimalkin (America: The Last Apprentice: Grimalkin the Witch Assassin) – 2011
The Spook's Blood (America: The Last Apprentice: Lure of the Dead ) – 2012
Spook's: Slither's Tale (America: The Last Apprentice: Slither) – 2013
Spook's: Alice (America: The Last Apprentice: I Am Alice) – 2013
The Spook's Revenge (America: The Last Apprentice: Fury of the Seventh Son) – 2014
The Spook's Apprentice is the first book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles - over 3 million copies sold worldwide!
'Someone has to stand against the dark. And you're the only one who can'
For years, the local Spook has been keeping
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
The Spook's Curse is the second book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles - over 3 million copies sold worldwide!
'By now the dark has noticed you and will be trying to hunt you down . . .'
It's the job of the Spook and his apprentice,
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
The Spook's Secret is the third book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles - over 3 million copies sold worldwide!
'It's going to be a long, hard, cruel winter and there couldn't be a worse place to spend it.'
As the nights draw in th
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
The Spook's Battle is the fourth book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles - over 3 million copies sold worldwide!
'I see your future clearly. Your master will be dead, and you will be alone.'
The Spook and his apprentice protect the
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
The Spook's Mistake is the fifth book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles - over 3 million copies sold worldwide!
'The moment of danger is close. Very soon our enemies will be here.'
The Spook has sent his apprentice, Tom, to be tra
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
The Spook's Sacrifice is the sixth book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles - over 3 million copies sold worldwide!
'Witches, Mam? We've made an alliance with witches?'
As the Spook's apprentice, Tom's first duty is to protect the C
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
This is a fabulous collection of stories based on many of the witches from Joseph Delaney's Spooks books.
Ever wondered why the Spook doesn't trust girls who wear pointy shoes?
Or why Grimalkin became the Assassin for the Malkin Witch clan?
Find out
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
The Spook's Nightmare is the seventh book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles - over 3 million copies sold worldwide!
'I stood there, terrified. My master was about to die.'
The County is facing dark times, and the Spook is being ha
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
The Spook's Destiny is the eighth book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles - over 3 million copies sold worldwide!
'You belong to the blade now. You'll belong to it until the day you die . . .'
Tom, the Spook's Apprentice, has trave
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
I Am Grimalkin is the ninth book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles - over 3 million copies sold worldwide!
'I am Grimalkin, and I have already chosen those I will kill . . .'
Grimalkin has made it her lifetime ambition to destroy
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
The Spook's Blood is the tenth book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles - over 3 million copies sold worldwide!
'I am Siscoi, the Lord of Blood, the Drinker of Souls! Obey me now or you will suffer as few have suffered.'
Thomas Ward
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
Slither's Tale is the eleventh book in Joseph Delaney's terrifying Wardstone Chronicles - over 3 million copies sold worldwide!
'My name is Slither, and before my tale is finished you'll find out why . . .'
Slither preys upon humans, gorging upon t
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
'He's the seventh son of a seventh son. His name is Thomas J. Ward and he's my gift to the County. When he's old enough we'll send you word. Train him well. He'll be the best apprentice you've ever had and he'll also be your last.'
These were the wo
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
Over the years, Alice has fought evil side by side with the Spook and his apprentice, Thomas Ward. But now Alice is alone - in the realm of the dark. And the creatures she has helped to banish there, now have the chance to take their revenge.
Alice
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
'Someone has to stand against the dark. And you're the only one who can.'
For years, the local Spook has been keeping the County safe from evil. Now his time is coming to an end, but who will take over?
Many apprentices have tried . . . Some flound
Publisher: Pinguin Random House (UK)
