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The Last Apprentice / Wardstone Chronicles #4.6
The Spook's Stories: Grimalkin's Tale
'I fear nobody. But my enemies fear me . . . Without ruthlessness and savagery I would not survive even a week of the life I lead. I am the witch assassin of the Malkin clan.'
Meet Grimalkin, the fearsome witch assassin, and find out how she came to take the role she now holds.
This exclusive digital short story set in the world of Joseph Delaney's best-selling series The Wardstone Chronicles first appeared in the spine-tingling collection The Spook's Stories: Witches. Now available separately for the first time, and including a preview of the first chapter of I Am Grimalkin, this is perfect for existing fans and newcomers alike. The only question is, are you brave enough . . .
Meet Grimalkin, the fearsome witch assassin, and find out how she came to take the role she now holds.
This exclusive digital short story set in the world of Joseph Delaney's best-selling series The Wardstone Chronicles first appeared in the spine-tingling collection The Spook's Stories: Witches. Now available separately for the first time, and including a preview of the first chapter of I Am Grimalkin, this is perfect for existing fans and newcomers alike. The only question is, are you brave enough . . .
First published January 1, 2011
21 people are currently reading
1760 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Delaney
59 books3,988 followersJoseph Delaney was a full time writer living in Lancashire, in the heart of Boggart territory.
He was the author of Wardstone Chronicles, Starblade Chronicles, Arena 13, Aberrations and a new book came out in April 2020, Brother Wulf. This is a new spooks story featuring Tom and Alice, but introducing a new character, a young monk called Brother Wulf.
He first got the idea for the Spooks series when he moved to the village where he lives now and discovered there was a local boggart - ‘a man like me needs boggarts around’. He made a note in his notebook ‘a story about a man who hunts boggarts’ and years later when he had to come up with an idea at short notice developed this into ‘The Spook’s Apprentice’, the first book in the series.
He continued to draw upon the folklore of Lancashire and has acquired much local knowledge over the years which he tweaks and modifies to create his fictional world. Another source of inspiration has been Lancashire's varied and atmospheric landscape. Many of the locations in the County are based on actual places in Lancashire.
In the early days of his writing career Joseph worked as a teacher at a Sixth Form College: his subjects were English, Film and Media Studies. He used to get up early and write every morning before work. That way he could write a book a year – which promptly got rejected! When the Americans bought the series he decided to give up teaching and write full time.
Prior to teaching he worked as an engineer in his twenties, completing an apprenticeship just like Tom Ward in the spook’s books.
Joseph described his method of writing as a process of discovery. He didn’t plot too far ahead and often didn’t know what is going to happen until he writes it down. In other words he made it up as he went along. He prefed writing dialogue to description, in which he said he is a minimalist and leaves much to the reader’s imagination.
Joseph had three children and nine grandchildren and was a wonderful public speaker available for conference, library and bookshop events.
The Spook's Apprentice, The Spook's Curse and The Spook's Secret have all been shortlisted for the Lancashire children's Book for the Year Award. The Spook's Apprentice is the winner of both the Sefton Book Award and the Hampshire Book Award.
www.josephdelaneyauthor.com
from publisher's website
He was the author of Wardstone Chronicles, Starblade Chronicles, Arena 13, Aberrations and a new book came out in April 2020, Brother Wulf. This is a new spooks story featuring Tom and Alice, but introducing a new character, a young monk called Brother Wulf.
He first got the idea for the Spooks series when he moved to the village where he lives now and discovered there was a local boggart - ‘a man like me needs boggarts around’. He made a note in his notebook ‘a story about a man who hunts boggarts’ and years later when he had to come up with an idea at short notice developed this into ‘The Spook’s Apprentice’, the first book in the series.
He continued to draw upon the folklore of Lancashire and has acquired much local knowledge over the years which he tweaks and modifies to create his fictional world. Another source of inspiration has been Lancashire's varied and atmospheric landscape. Many of the locations in the County are based on actual places in Lancashire.
In the early days of his writing career Joseph worked as a teacher at a Sixth Form College: his subjects were English, Film and Media Studies. He used to get up early and write every morning before work. That way he could write a book a year – which promptly got rejected! When the Americans bought the series he decided to give up teaching and write full time.
Prior to teaching he worked as an engineer in his twenties, completing an apprenticeship just like Tom Ward in the spook’s books.
Joseph described his method of writing as a process of discovery. He didn’t plot too far ahead and often didn’t know what is going to happen until he writes it down. In other words he made it up as he went along. He prefed writing dialogue to description, in which he said he is a minimalist and leaves much to the reader’s imagination.
Joseph had three children and nine grandchildren and was a wonderful public speaker available for conference, library and bookshop events.
The Spook's Apprentice, The Spook's Curse and The Spook's Secret have all been shortlisted for the Lancashire children's Book for the Year Award. The Spook's Apprentice is the winner of both the Sefton Book Award and the Hampshire Book Award.
www.josephdelaneyauthor.com
from publisher's website
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 25, 2022
SPOILER FREE
This short story, Grimalkin’s Tale by Joseph Delaney is fantastic! Grimalkin quickly became one of my favourite fantasy characters. I love it when there is a “villain” who has a backstory which makes you empathise with them. She is a complex character who has had a difficult life.
Released as a story to be read after The Spook’s Battle, Grimalkin’s Tale gives us a glimpse at the witch assassin who we will come to know more deeply in entries to come.
Grimalkin’s Tale is exciting and fast-paced. It’s brutal and heart-breaking at points. Grimalkin is one of Joseph Delaney’s greatest creations. If he makes the most of her character, The Wardstone Chronicles will benefit a huge amount.
View the full review at The Fantasy Review
This short story, Grimalkin’s Tale by Joseph Delaney is fantastic! Grimalkin quickly became one of my favourite fantasy characters. I love it when there is a “villain” who has a backstory which makes you empathise with them. She is a complex character who has had a difficult life.
Released as a story to be read after The Spook’s Battle, Grimalkin’s Tale gives us a glimpse at the witch assassin who we will come to know more deeply in entries to come.
Grimalkin’s Tale is exciting and fast-paced. It’s brutal and heart-breaking at points. Grimalkin is one of Joseph Delaney’s greatest creations. If he makes the most of her character, The Wardstone Chronicles will benefit a huge amount.
View the full review at The Fantasy Review
July 27, 2013
First of all I have to say that I just looooved the first paragraph:
My name is Grimalkin and I fear nobody. But my enemies fear me. With my scissors I snip the flesh of the dead; the clan enemies that I have slain in combat. I cut out their thumb-bones, which I wear around my neck as a warning to others. What else can I do? Without ruthless and savagery I would not survive even a week of the life I lead. I am the witch assassin of the Malkin clan.
It's a long time ago that I was hooked from the first sentence on. Can't wait to start with the series. Great story makes me want to read more!
My name is Grimalkin and I fear nobody. But my enemies fear me. With my scissors I snip the flesh of the dead; the clan enemies that I have slain in combat. I cut out their thumb-bones, which I wear around my neck as a warning to others. What else can I do? Without ruthless and savagery I would not survive even a week of the life I lead. I am the witch assassin of the Malkin clan.
It's a long time ago that I was hooked from the first sentence on. Can't wait to start with the series. Great story makes me want to read more!
November 11, 2025
I really like Grimalkin!
February 7, 2013
I discovered the Spook's series while in the library with my son, and have been meaning to check them out. I recently found Grimalkin's Tale for free on Google's Play Books service, and decided to try it out. WOW! I'm glad I did. This story was brilliant, dark, scary and magical. I'm hooked on the series already.
October 14, 2012
It was good to get the background of the witch assasin, but then most of it was repeated in the ninth book, so I kind of think its unnecessary now.
September 11, 2020
Here we get an excellent story from the point of view of Grimalkin who started out as an opponent of Tom Ward but became his ally. We get the chronicle of her efforts to keep the Fiends head out of the hands of his supporters.
I love stories like this from other characters' points of view so that you see the world from a different perspective.
I love stories like this from other characters' points of view so that you see the world from a different perspective.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2019
More of this character please!!!
March 23, 2021
We need more protagonists like her, y'all <3
January 1, 2025
Sweet DLC
November 24, 2025
« My name is Grimalkin. I am the witch assassin of the Malkins and I fear nobody. »
November 27, 2025
I think Grimalkin is one of the best characters in The Last Apprentice universe
April 25, 2013
Got this as a free read from Google Books with my new Nexus 10. Interesting read though I can't say that it sparked my interest for the series. Reads quickly but it didn't have anything to set it apart from other generic fantasy novels flooding the market.
January 19, 2014
I liked very, very much "I am Grimalkin". Reading this short story was just (sorry to say) a waste of time. Absolutely nothing new. Anyway in around 30 pages there is no place for anything new. Looking forward to read the rest of the Spook series.
May 8, 2012
Just as scary and well-written as the Spooks novels. Well worth a read.
February 7, 2012
Only a short story, but enjoyable enough to make me consider looking out for the full-length material.
August 19, 2013
A great little short story which was my first exposure to Delaney's writing and the entire Grimalkin's story. This is short but action packed and definitely leaves you wanting more.
July 5, 2012
Good story about the origins of a witch-assassin.
April 26, 2014
I want more stories about witches and other similar characters.
November 9, 2014
AWESOME
this book is amazing I want to read the whole series. very nice for kids and adults. go spooks books!
this book is amazing I want to read the whole series. very nice for kids and adults. go spooks books!
September 8, 2015
War ja nur ne Kurzgeschichte zur Einstimmung auf Band 9 für mich *.*
May 14, 2016
A good extra edition to the spooks. Lots of detail and a very intriguing plot which adds another dimension to Grimalkin.
October 18, 2016
This book is quite interesting as in each stories have its own values to be learnt from. Quite recommended to read for fun.
February 2, 2014
very short but a ok read.
December 8, 2014
This book is awesome, with lots of different tales. I can't wait to read more Spook books.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews