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Haunt #1
Dead Scared
When Will finds himself in hospital, but unable to make anyone see or hear him, he realises that he never made it home from his first date with the school hottie. Knocked off his bike in a road traffic accident, Will is now officially dead - and a ghost. But somehow his best mate, Dougie, can still see him, and, once they've exhausted all the comic possibilities of being invisible, they decide to delve into the truth behind a school rumour - whether there really is an unhappy spirit haunting the ruins in the school grounds, and if so, why? What they discover is a long-buried mystery, which stretches its fingers right into the present…
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2013
7 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Curtis Jobling
29 books337 followersCurtis Jobling is an author and illustrator based in the UK. Working in publishing and animation he is possibly most (in)famously known as the designer of the BAFTA winning "Bob The Builder", as well as creator of CBeebies "Raa Raa the Noisy Lion" and CBBC's "Frankenstein’s Cat". Early work in animation included model and puppet painting on Wallace & Gromit’s "A Close Shave" and Tim Burton’s "Mars Attacks!" He’s also the creator/director/producer of Nickelodeon’s "Curious Cow" interstitials, a series of animated shorts featuring the varied and hilarious deaths of a bewildered bovine.
As a published author and illustrator of children’s books, Curtis’s works include Dinosaurs After Dark (with Jonathan Emmett), Skeleton in the Closet (with Alice Schertle), My Daddy, Cheeky Monkey and perhaps his most notorious character Frankenstein’s Cat, now an animated series in its own right commissioned by the BBC and sold to broadcasters worldwide.
The Wereworld series of novels were first published by Penguin in the UK in January 2011, with "Rise of the Wolf", the first in the fantasy horror, shortlisted for the Waterstone's Book Prize. Penguin/Viking first published the debut novel in September 2011.
As a published author and illustrator of children’s books, Curtis’s works include Dinosaurs After Dark (with Jonathan Emmett), Skeleton in the Closet (with Alice Schertle), My Daddy, Cheeky Monkey and perhaps his most notorious character Frankenstein’s Cat, now an animated series in its own right commissioned by the BBC and sold to broadcasters worldwide.
The Wereworld series of novels were first published by Penguin in the UK in January 2011, with "Rise of the Wolf", the first in the fantasy horror, shortlisted for the Waterstone's Book Prize. Penguin/Viking first published the debut novel in September 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 3, 2019
This is a surprisingly good book. I loved Will' s sense of humour and his friendship with Dougie. This seems to be part of a series so I'm hoping we'll find out more about how being a ghost works and the creepy lamplighter - and eventually who was driving the car.
July 26, 2023
tbh didn’t really finish this book. from what i read it was very good but it also felt like it was aimed for a younger audience aswell. Very good i was just in a slump 😂
October 12, 2014
Review:
Where do I begin? Oh yeah, I loved this book, and I mean really loved this book. It was absolutely wonderful and I am still not certain that I am fully over how good it actually was. This is, without a doubt, one of my favourite books of 2014 by far.
This book revolves around a boy named Will, who after an accident finds himself to be dead, and the only person who knows he is there is his long term best friend Dougie. The two of them try and find why Will is still around, and why the only living person he can communicate with is Dougie. As well as this, the boys uncover old stories, and separate the truths from the lies as well as coming across a murdered school girl's ghost whom they befriend. They make it there duty to help her and hopefully get some closure for themselves as well.
Along the way there are many twists and turns that had me hooked, intensely intrigued and stuck on the edge of my seat for what felt like quite a while.
As well as being a thought provoking and suspenseful mystery, the book also includes the perfect balance of humor to go with it. Usually when I am promised a book filled with laughter, I don't usually end up laughing as much as I thought I would, but with this, I couldn't help myself. The comedy was placed at the perfect moments and definitely suited the moments they were chosen for.
I really admired the friendship between Will and Dougie and the development of the two of them throughout. They were both very loveable and added something different which gave the story a new edge.
Something else I liked was how the story had contextual value and was very current, which makes it very appealing to read.
The ending was amazingly unexpected, and I was so upset when it was all over but I was filled with joy for our two main protagonists. I am glad to say that in 2015, the story of Will and Dougie is to continue. I can't wait!
Where do I begin? Oh yeah, I loved this book, and I mean really loved this book. It was absolutely wonderful and I am still not certain that I am fully over how good it actually was. This is, without a doubt, one of my favourite books of 2014 by far.
This book revolves around a boy named Will, who after an accident finds himself to be dead, and the only person who knows he is there is his long term best friend Dougie. The two of them try and find why Will is still around, and why the only living person he can communicate with is Dougie. As well as this, the boys uncover old stories, and separate the truths from the lies as well as coming across a murdered school girl's ghost whom they befriend. They make it there duty to help her and hopefully get some closure for themselves as well.
Along the way there are many twists and turns that had me hooked, intensely intrigued and stuck on the edge of my seat for what felt like quite a while.
As well as being a thought provoking and suspenseful mystery, the book also includes the perfect balance of humor to go with it. Usually when I am promised a book filled with laughter, I don't usually end up laughing as much as I thought I would, but with this, I couldn't help myself. The comedy was placed at the perfect moments and definitely suited the moments they were chosen for.
I really admired the friendship between Will and Dougie and the development of the two of them throughout. They were both very loveable and added something different which gave the story a new edge.
Something else I liked was how the story had contextual value and was very current, which makes it very appealing to read.
The ending was amazingly unexpected, and I was so upset when it was all over but I was filled with joy for our two main protagonists. I am glad to say that in 2015, the story of Will and Dougie is to continue. I can't wait!
September 28, 2014
Ten Second Synopsis:
After a fatal hit and run accident, Will finds himself stuck as a ghost and drawn to hang around his best friend Dougie. As neither boy is certain how or why Will's ghostly condition has come about, they begin a quest to solve the mystery, creating a lot of embarrassing situations (for Dougie, mostly) along the way.
I picked this one up because I love a book with a deceased central character and Haunt provided a light, mildly humorous diversion from a hefty review load. I enjoyed the book while I was reading it, although there was nothing about it that stood out to me as being particularly spectacular or chat-worthy. I did feel that the author never quite figured out what the book was going to be, and it's ended up a weird hybrid of boysy friendship romp, haunted house tale and teen detective murder mystery. Incidentally, the murder in question isn't Will's hit and run, but a historical one.
I'm not sure if this is the first of an intended series - the ending left the option open for this, but the book reads like a standalone regardless, and I was happy to leave the lads where the plot wound up for this book.
I'd recommend this for those looking for something fun, in reasonably familiar territory, with a slight skew towards boyish friendship and humour. I'd say it would best suit the lower end of the YA bracket, or confident upper middle-graders.
After a fatal hit and run accident, Will finds himself stuck as a ghost and drawn to hang around his best friend Dougie. As neither boy is certain how or why Will's ghostly condition has come about, they begin a quest to solve the mystery, creating a lot of embarrassing situations (for Dougie, mostly) along the way.
I picked this one up because I love a book with a deceased central character and Haunt provided a light, mildly humorous diversion from a hefty review load. I enjoyed the book while I was reading it, although there was nothing about it that stood out to me as being particularly spectacular or chat-worthy. I did feel that the author never quite figured out what the book was going to be, and it's ended up a weird hybrid of boysy friendship romp, haunted house tale and teen detective murder mystery. Incidentally, the murder in question isn't Will's hit and run, but a historical one.
I'm not sure if this is the first of an intended series - the ending left the option open for this, but the book reads like a standalone regardless, and I was happy to leave the lads where the plot wound up for this book.
I'd recommend this for those looking for something fun, in reasonably familiar territory, with a slight skew towards boyish friendship and humour. I'd say it would best suit the lower end of the YA bracket, or confident upper middle-graders.
May 16, 2014
2.5 stars
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Simon and Schuster UK Children's and NetGalley.)
15-year-old Will is tragically killed as he bikes over to his friend’s house.
Who killed him? And can Will and his best friend work it out?
This was an okay story, and it had its funny moments, but I think it was aimed at the younger kids.
Will was funny at times, and I did like some of the jokes he made. He seemed to take his death remarkably well, and joking that the song he had in his mind at his funeral was ‘should I stay or should I go’, was funny.
The storyline in this was okay, but I think it was probably aimed at younger kids. While it was okay, it was written in quite a young and easy-reading style, and wasn’t quite what you would expect from a ‘young adult’ book.
The ending was also a bit of a disappointment. The only thing I can think is that this is the start of a series? Why else would we not have got an end to Will’s predicament?
Overall; okay, but more for younger kids.
5 out of 10.
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Simon and Schuster UK Children's and NetGalley.)
15-year-old Will is tragically killed as he bikes over to his friend’s house.
Who killed him? And can Will and his best friend work it out?
This was an okay story, and it had its funny moments, but I think it was aimed at the younger kids.
Will was funny at times, and I did like some of the jokes he made. He seemed to take his death remarkably well, and joking that the song he had in his mind at his funeral was ‘should I stay or should I go’, was funny.
The storyline in this was okay, but I think it was probably aimed at younger kids. While it was okay, it was written in quite a young and easy-reading style, and wasn’t quite what you would expect from a ‘young adult’ book.
The ending was also a bit of a disappointment. The only thing I can think is that this is the start of a series? Why else would we not have got an end to Will’s predicament?
Overall; okay, but more for younger kids.
5 out of 10.
July 14, 2014
I requested Haunt on a whim and what a good whim it turned out to be. I enjoyed it a lot and was happy to find out there will be a sequel and most of you know how rarely I like sequels/trilogies.
Despite the fact that Haunt begins with Will dying it is a fun book. Though there are emotional moments, which I think Curtis Jobling handles very well. Once Will realises his best friend can see him, he shows up in Dougie’s room. After the initial shock of Will being a ghost and Dougie’s suspicious taste in music is over they begin their quest on figuring out why Will is still there.
The friendship between Will and Dougie is what made the book for me. I know Will is dead but poor Dougie puts up with a lot. I thought the banter was great and at times I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself.
Haunt’s mystery wasn’t as difficult to figure out as I hoped but I didn’t really mind as I was having such a good time reading.
Looking forward to see what Haunt 2 is like.
Despite the fact that Haunt begins with Will dying it is a fun book. Though there are emotional moments, which I think Curtis Jobling handles very well. Once Will realises his best friend can see him, he shows up in Dougie’s room. After the initial shock of Will being a ghost and Dougie’s suspicious taste in music is over they begin their quest on figuring out why Will is still there.
The friendship between Will and Dougie is what made the book for me. I know Will is dead but poor Dougie puts up with a lot. I thought the banter was great and at times I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself.
Haunt’s mystery wasn’t as difficult to figure out as I hoped but I didn’t really mind as I was having such a good time reading.
Looking forward to see what Haunt 2 is like.
April 25, 2014
Very similar in concept to another book I read on NetGalley but a completely different novel. A great book. Fantastic read and very entertaining. A fairly realistic depiction of teenagers. Haunt made me chuckle, made me feel sad, and also smile. However, don't be fooled, Haunt also has some seriously creepy and tense moments, and the plot takes a quite sinister, yet maybe slightly predictable (I worked out the killer almost straight away) end. It was lovely to read a book set somewhere fairly local to myself. I really hope this is the first in a series, as I'd love to join Will and Dougie on more of their adventures; especially to find out more about the seriously spooky Lamplighter Ghost.
September 3, 2014
This book was not what I expected. I loved Rise of the Wolf so gave this a try. I enjoyed the story but I didn't read it as fast as Wereworld and put it down rather a lot. I was intrigued to find out exactly what had happened to Will and that part of the story built up really well towards the end.
June 8, 2014
review to come...
June 1, 2022
3.5/5 stars
My problem with this book was that its protagonist was written by an adult man, who was not 15 years old in 2014, the date I think the story takes place. I think it would be much better if the story took place when the writer was 15. We forget a lot of things, but we never forget what was like when we were teenagers, and it's really difficult to know how teenage life is when we get older and watch it as adults. Luckily, the story didn't have any cringy moments. Overall, it was an interesting story about an interesting friendship and some bad people.
My problem with this book was that its protagonist was written by an adult man, who was not 15 years old in 2014, the date I think the story takes place. I think it would be much better if the story took place when the writer was 15. We forget a lot of things, but we never forget what was like when we were teenagers, and it's really difficult to know how teenage life is when we get older and watch it as adults. Luckily, the story didn't have any cringy moments. Overall, it was an interesting story about an interesting friendship and some bad people.
August 13, 2018
I only thought this book was ok, I went into reading this thinking the book was going to be more of a mystery than it was. Throughout the book, the main characters (Will and Dougie) are trying to figure out a way to help the main character Will move on but throughout the book everything the pair try doesn't work and by the end of the book the two main characters are no closer to figuring out who was driving the car involved in Wills death. The mystery that is solved in this book revolves around another ghost and feels very tacked on.
May 24, 2017
Really liked it. A couple of words/phrases jumped out tho - i doubt a 15 year old would say 'for pity's sake' or 'haplessness'.
October 2, 2018
3.5* entertaining Y/A story--definitely geared toward a young teen audience, which is fine. I will be reading the next book and hope to eventually find out who was driving the car.
March 5, 2020
Good book, decent. Great humour and reference into modern culture. Definitely will read Book 2!
March 30, 2020
I loved it! Defo going to be reading dead wrong on scribd, then hopefully picking up my own copy soon :)
August 9, 2023
I’ve never been so incredibly surprised about loving a book. I picked it up randomly at work after forgetting my own book and I’m so glad I did! It was so funny and genuinely gripping.
April 4, 2025
It was an okay book, poor lad couldn’t move on after being killed - glad his friend could see him and have a chat although his friends thought he was weird
Read
April 7, 2025Plot twist left me in shock great book
October 16, 2025
Kids' book (or young young adult). Quite fun story about a boy who gets stuck as a ghost
January 14, 2018
Fun read.
I thought at first glance that I would never make through the Hardy Boys, however it turned out to be decent mystery.
I thought at first glance that I would never make through the Hardy Boys, however it turned out to be decent mystery.
December 7, 2016
This was a good story. Light yet spooky. Mysterious yet amusing. Very much a different take on the whole haunting genre. On his way to tell his best friend some amazing news Will is hit and killed by an unknown driver. Sometime later in the hospital he realizes he's dead. He had his moment to pass on into 'the next life' but just misses his chance. After a while he finds he's haunting his bust friend, Dougie. During this time the meet others who've passed on, some pleasant and worth helping solve their deaths, others far less friendly. (okay, I'm going to say it here and now and get it out of the way. These two are self proclaimed nerds, nothing's wrong with that, I'm one as well but come on! An invisible dead guy in a co-ed school and he doesn't make ONE trip into the girls locker room? As a 15 year old ghost you'd have to pry me out.) But anyway. . . the two solve another murder and realize that Will may be around a long time as they try to catch his killer. This was the perfect setup for a series of sequels which if they're as well written and funny as this novel could be a great series. Only time will tell. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit, twist and turn of this novel and hope there's more to come.
June 28, 2015
y only criticism would be that it was a bit slow moving in places when there wasn’t any action going on, which was particularly relevant near the beginning. But overall, this was a very enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend it to young teens.
See full review: http://bookclubcorner.co.uk/2015/06/2...
See full review: http://bookclubcorner.co.uk/2015/06/2...
April 16, 2016
A delightful read for younger young Adults. Loved the references to popular culture. Scooby Doo, Stephen King and many more. Enjoyed the slang. Great book for a reluctant reader. I like to think it is in tune with the audiences social language and concerns in a light hearted way.
January 12, 2015
Good satisfying read with opportunity for more adventures with Will and Dougie
July 19, 2015
Read for the Stockport Book Awards. Great comedy character, and a quirky idea. Some genuinely creepy moments, but it all felt like a race to the finish.
August 22, 2015
all I can say is that this book was bloomin amazing! absolutely loved it!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews