Dread Wood

The brand new must-read middle-grade novel from the author of super-spookyCrater Lake. Perfect for 9+ fans of R.L.Stine’s Goosebumps

“Deliciously scary and hilarious comedy-horror, perfectly pitched for eight-plus.”
The Guardian

“Jennifer Killick’s talent for horror and humour is blended brilliantly here as the spiky dialogue, unstoppable pace and genuinely menacing atmosphere build to a tremendous climax”– Daily Mail

“A heart-stopping thrill ride of a book.” – M.G. Leonard, author of Adventures on Trains series

“BRILLIANT!” – Vashti Hardy, author of Brightstorm

WINNER of the Young Reader category in the Children’s Literature Festivals Book Awards 2023!

It's basically the worst school detention ever. When classmates (but not mate-mates) Hallie, Angelo, Gustav and Naira are forced to come to school on a SATURDAY, they think things can’t get much worse. But they’re wrong. Things are about to get seriously scary.

What has dragged their teacher underground? Why do the creepy caretakers keeping humming the tune to Itsy Bitsy Spider? And what horrors lurk in the shadows, getting stronger and meaner every minute . . .? Cut off from help and in danger each time they touch the ground, the gang’s only hope is to work together. But it’s no coincidence that they're all there on detention. Someone has been watching and plotting and is out for revenge . . .

Reviews

“Jennifer Killick’s talent for horror and humour is blended brilliantly here as the spiky dialogue, unstoppable pace and genuinely menacing atmosphere build to a tremendous climax”– Daily Mail

“Deliciously scary and hilarious comedy-horror, perfectly pitched for eight-plus.”
The Guardian

“This is Killick’s best book yet; think ‘The Breakfast Club’ meets ‘Stranger Things’, making great use of her talent for comic dialogue and her astute eye for just the right kind of scary for this age group.” – Editor’s Choice, The Bookseller

Dread Wood is the superb, super-scary and super-cool new horror-comedy story from the brilliant Jennifer Killick. After her last two books (the fantastically creepy Crater Lake and Crater Lake: Evolution), Jennifer has, yet again, upped the level of stylishly slick, sinister storylines and honed her clever range of shock / comedy techniques – from the laugh-out-loud, nose-snortingly funny moments, to the cheekily edgy asides, to the poignant warm-hearted, gentle, fun scenes she does so well.
- ReadingZone (Book of the Day, February 16th)

Authors

“Sharp, scary and a whole lot of fun!”
Christopher Edge, author of Escape Room

“This is BRILLIANT! Creepy, pacy, smart, witty and just pure Jennifer genius.”
Vashti Hardy, author of Brightstorm

“Spine-tingling, rib-tickling stuff.” – Chris Callaghan, author of The Great Chocoplot

“Dread Wood is absolutely BRILLIANT! Majorly creepy and hugely funny! Skillfully written, with a gorgeous cast of characters, great heart, and a moving and satisfying ending. I LOVED it!” – Eloise Williams, author of The Tide Singer

“The Queen of MG horror, Jennifer Killick, is back with a brand new book and it’s her signature blend of creepy and funny! Loved this book and the dialogue! So good!” – award-winning author Rashmi Sirdeshpande