Conn Of The Dead

by Dave Rudden

After one misadventure too many, 11-year-old serial miscreant Conn is sent home from school. Picked up by his professor aunt Doireann, she takes him to her office in UCD’s National Folklore Collection on the way home. Surrounded by old books and artefacts, it’s only a matter of time before Conn puts a foot wrong …

Intrigued by a case marked ‘hazardous’, he opens it to reveal the ancient skull of the Abhartach, an undead sorcerer of terrible might. In doing so, he releases the monster, and a terrifying chase through the university ensues, as the bodiless sorcerer hunts Conn through every piece of technology it can find. Can Conn defeat the Abhartach before it regains its true power?

Genres: Middle Grade

160 pages, Paperback

Published April 24, 2025

About the author

Dave Rudden is an Irish writer of young adult fiction, juvenile fantasy and science fiction, best known for his Knights of the Borrowed Dark trilogy and stories from the Doctor Who universe. He is based in Dublin.

Reviews

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely wonderful. Full of ancient Irish legends, school drama and that special kind of theatre magic. A brilliant adventure that kids and grown-ups will both love. This book sets itself up as the first in a very promising new series. Highly recommend!

[Niamh Ennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always the description and action is on point but thud particular story is even better at getting into the mind of a kid and although personal experience has fueled this the reader also gets into the mind of a ADHD kid and its a super power