The Spook's Tale is a fantasy novel written by Joseph Delaney

Joseph Delaney

Joseph Henry Delaney is a British former educator and currently an author of science fiction and fantasy books.-Life and career:On first leaving school, Delaney started work as an apprentice engineer. Upon the completion of his schooling, he went on to become an English instructor, with his initial...

, as part of the fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...

 series The Wardstone Chronicles

The Wardstone Chronicles

The Wardstone Chronicles is a dark fantasy series of books written by British author Joseph Delaney and published by Random House Publishing...

. The book was released in March 2009, with the other World Book Day book's, which can be purchased for £1, or for a World Book Day 2009 book voucher.

Blurb

How would you like to train as a spook? I need a brave lad for my line of work . . .
The Spook keeps the County safe from creatures of the dark; things that suck your blood and snatch your bones and squeeze the breath from your body. When young John Gregory stumbles into the trap set by a powerful witch, it seems he may possess some spook’s skills of his own. But is he ready to face the dark or will his first fight be his last?

Summary

The short story concentrates on John Gregory's own experience as a child which led to him becoming a Spook. An encounter with a witch on his way to the Church where he would follow his profession as a priest starts a chain of events which leads him into mortal danger. The County Spook helps the young John Gregory to overcome his enemy, and offers him the chance to be his apprentice if he wishes. Although Gregory declines his offer, he certainly considers the possibility of taking him up on it in the future.