The Chocolate Factory Ghost

by David O’Connell, illustrated by Claire Powell

Archie McBudge knows his lucky underpants must really work, because when he and his mum are summoned to Honeystone Hall in the remote Scottish village of Dundoodle, they find Archie has inherited not only the enormous hall, but the whole of the world-famous McBudge Confectionery Company from Great-Uncle Archibald. That’s a new home, a fortune and a lifetime’s supply of treats rolled into one!

But all is not well in Dundoodle, and when Archie reads the mysterious letter his great-uncle left him he finds himself on a quest to save his family’s company from ruin. With the help of his new friends Fliss and Billy, Archie has to try and figure out the puzzles of Honeystone before his sweet future melts away like an ice lolly in the sun!

Fans of How to Train Your Dragon and Tilly and the Time Machine will be hungry for this delicious mystery full of weird clues, strange creatures, malevolent relatives and lots and lots of SWEETS!

Published by Bloomsbury | 5th April 2018 | ISBN 9781408887066

  • Chosen for the 2018 WHSmiths Tom Fletcher Book Club
  • Part of the 2018 Summer Reading Challenge
  • Shortlisted for the Surrey Libraries Children’s Book Award 2019
  • Shortlisted for the Leeds Book Award 2019
  • Shortlisted for the Cumbria Primary School Book Award 2019
  • Longlisted for the North Somerset Teachers’ Book Award 2018
  • Nominated for the Fantastic Book Awards 2019-2020

The Dentist of Darkness

by David O’Connell, illustrated by Claire Powell

Archie McBudge’s lazy summer has just turned into a magical meltdown! The second adventure in this madcap magical mystery series is perfect for fans of How to Train Your Dragon, amateur detectives and anyone who loves SWEETS!

Archie McBudge was planning a sweet summer at Honeystone Hall. Picnics by the loch, watching the honeydragons flying around the hillsides, chasing ghosts through the shadowy castle hallways, and of course, testing out all the new sweets from the McBudge Confectionery Factory. But now the Wyrdie Tree, source of all the magic in the town of Dundoodle, is dying, and the guardian must save it before Dundoodle’s magic is gone for good. And who’s the guardian, you ask? That’s right, Archie McBudge. With enemies on every side, puzzles to solve and secrets to uncover – not to mention a very scary dentist to avoid – Archie’s summer’s looking less like a strawberry marshmallow dream and more like a super-sour sherbet lemon with exploding bits that make your mouth go numb for a week!

Published by Bloomsbury | 7th March 2019 | ISBN 9781408887080


The Revenge of the Invisible Giant

by David O’Connell, illustrated by Claire Powell

It’s tricky being a wyrdworker, the owner of a chocolate factory and an ordinary boy. So when Archie McBudge hears about an ancient book of wisdom, he knows it’s the perfect thing to help him.

But to get the book he needs to open the secret tunnel, and to do that he needs the lost key. And the key is broken into four pieces, and each piece is protected by a magical guardian.

Archie didn’t think that wanting an easy life was such a big thing to ask.
Turns out it’s GIANT.

David O’Connell, author of The Chocolate Factory Ghost, returns with the latest adventure in his madcap magical mystery series for anyone who loves monsters, puzzles and SWEETS.

Published by Bloomsbury | 2nd April 2020 | ISBN 9781526607461


Reviews for The Chocolate Factory Ghost

If you put your copy of Harry Potter and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the washing machine together, this would be the book that came out at the end. Don’t put books in the washing machine though…

Tom Fletcher

Addictive as a chocolate orange. I read it pretty much in one go… definitely worth getting your hands on, and a lovely one to share with children.

Book Murmuration

This is the best treasure hunt ever!! If you like mysteries and adventure, you won’t be able to put this book down – I couldn’t!…This book is amazing!!!

Lucas, aged 7, at LoveReading4Kids

The Chocolate Factory Ghost is a clever, amusing, sweet-smelling confection of a story. There are honey stoned twists, turns and magical things that go bump in the night (and day!)

Bookwagon

The puzzles were so clever, so much so I can only wish I had been able to solve a few, not to mention that I liked them all the more for being themed around sweets.

Golden Books Girl

I am happy to say this is a great read! And could you send me book 2 please?

Independent Book Reviews

…This is simply a treat for young readers: inventive and funny, mysteries and puzzles galore and fabulous illustrations from Powell.

Fiona Noble at The Bookseller

It’s a full-on fantasy escapade that will have you fizzing with delight. The more you read, the more you will be hit by the feel-good factor.

Mr Ripley’s Enchanted Books

You know you’re onto a winner when the children around you are snickering by the second paragraph, laughing by the next page, and begging to read the following chapter when the bell goes.

The TES (class review)

Imagination, a good story, and wonderful inventive descriptive English – what more could you want?

Sue & Pakka

I found the story to be a humorous romp, with likeable characters and just the right amount of silliness for younger readers.

Libraries4Schools

A brilliant read aloud that will enthuse and enrapture the most reluctant reader.

North Somerset Teacher’s Book Award

…this is a thoroughly satisfying and entertaining story, a delicious mix of adventure, comedy and magic.

Books For Keeps

The Chocolate Factory Ghost is such a good-hearted story… But it’s also deceptively clever.

The Bookbag

The Chocolate Factory Ghost sets the scene well for what will hopefully be a long running series of Dundoodle Mysteries, as my boys are hooked.

Acorn STEM

David and Claire weave a web of magic…

Sarah McIntyre

Full of adventure, heart and humour I defy anyone to read this and not laugh out loud, whilst craving the wonderful fudge creations described.

The Book Activist

A thoroughly entertaining  tale, this book has just about everything and child would want.

Fallen Star Stories

… a deliciously compelling read.

Library Girl & Book Boy