Lockwood & Co.: The Screaming Staircase

Jonathan Stroud

Sept 2013 · Sold by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

About this eBook

*NOW A NETFLIX SERIES*

Dive into the first book of this frightfully fun series and join the ghost-hunting gang as they defend our world from the most fearsome phantoms!

A sinister Problem has occurred in London: all nature of ghosts, haunts, spirits, and specters are appearing throughout the city, and they aren't exactly friendly. Only young people have the psychic abilities required to see and eradicate these supernatural foes. Many different Psychic Detection Agencies have cropped up to handle the dangerous work, and they are in fierce competition for business.

In The Screaming Staircase, the plucky and talented Lucy Carlyle teams up with Anthony Lockwood, the charismatic leader of Lockwood & Co, a small agency that runs independent of any adult supervision. After an assignment leads to both a grisly discovery and a disastrous end, Lucy, Anthony, and their sarcastic colleague, George, are forced to take part in the perilous investigation of Combe Carey Hall, one of the most haunted houses in England. Will Lockwood & Co. survive the Hall's legendary Screaming Staircase and Red Room to see another day?

Readers who enjoyed the action, suspense, and humor in Jonathan Stroud's internationally best-selling Bartimaeus books will be delighted to find the same ingredients, combined with deliciously creepy scares, in his thrilling and chilling Lockwood & Co. series.

Ratings and reviews

Excellent ghost story book. Memorable characters and a wonderfully grim world has been painted, and I can't wait to dive into the rest of the series. I never read any of the goosebumps for comparison, but this is maybe aimed at the higher end of kids or lower of ya. Though, I think with the attention to detail and believable ghost world the author has created really could make this good for anyone.

Somebody once told me the world is made of macaroni so I took a bite out of a tree. It tasted kinda funky so I spit it at a monkey , and the monkey started cussing at me. 1000 years later the monkey become dark Vader and threw his light saber at me. He missed by meter and he hit Justin Bieber. And I laughed so hard that I almost peed

A great spooky read. Believable and interesting characters fighting off spirits in a unique setting (Haunted Britain). Stroud has pulled off creating a wonderfully realistic world that is troubled by ghosts running rampant. A bit of spookiness, a mystery, and wonderful characters make this an enjoyable read. A little scary at times so might not be suitable for very young readers, I could see 8-12 year olds loving this. Main character is a strong female, so may lend itself to bring popular with girls.

About the author

Jonathan Stroud (www.jonathanstroud.com) is the author of four previous books in the Lockwood & Co. series as well as the New York Times bestselling Bartimaeus books, and the stand-alone titles Heroes of the Valley, The Leap, The Last Siege, and Buried Fire. He lives in England with his wife and three children.