The first book in the bestselling BATTLE OF THE BEETLES series

• perfect for fans of Roald Dahl.
• Winner of the Branford Boase Award
• Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize
• Shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Children's Book Award

Darkus can't believe his eyes when a huge insect drops out of the trouser leg of his horrible new neighbour. It's a giant beetle - and it seems to want to communicate. But how can a boy be friends with a beetle? And what does a beetle have to do with the disappearance of his dad and the arrival of Lucretia Cutter, with her taste for creepy jewellery? 

Check out the other books in the series, BEETLE QUEEN and BATTLE OF THE BEETLES!