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Lockwood & Co. #1-5
The Screaming Staircase / The Whispering Skull / The Hollow Boy / The Creeping Shadow / The Empty Grave
Lockwood and co series 5 books collection set includes titles in this set:- The Screaming Staircase, The Whispering Skull, The Hollow Boy, The Creeping Shadow, The Empty Grave. Description:- The Screaming Staircase For more than fifty years, the country has been affected by a horrifying epidemic of ghosts. A number of Psychic Investigations Agencies have sprung up to destroy the dangerous apparitions. The Whispering Skull Life is never exactly peaceful for Lockwood & Co. Lucy and George are trying to solve the mystery of the talking skull trapped in their ghost jar, while Lockwood is desperate for an exciting new case. The Hollow Boy Lockwood & Co. might be the smallest (some might say shambollic) Psychic Detection Agency in London. But its three agents - Lockwood, Lucy and George - are exceptional Talents. And they get results. When an outbreak of ghostly phenomena grows to terrifying levels in Chelsea, Scotland Yard is left baffled. The Creeping Shadow Lucy has left Lockwood & Co. A freelance operative, she is hiring herself out to other agencies – agencies that might value her ever-improving skills.But now Lockwood needs her help.Penelope Fittes, leader of the well-renowned Fittes Agency wants Lockwood & Co. – and only them – to locate and remove the ‘Source’ for the legendary Brixton Cannibal. The Empty Grave After their recent adventures, the Lockwood & Co team deserve a well-earned break . . . so naturally they decide to risk their lives breaking into a heavily-guarded crypt. A building full of unsettled souls, it’s also the final resting place of Marissa Fittes, the legendary and (supposedly) long-dead ghost hunter.
Paperback
Published January 1, 2018
16 people are currently reading
1054 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Stroud
66 books11.1k followersJonathan Anthony Stroud is an author of fantasy books, mainly for children and youths.
Stroud grew up in St Albans where he enjoyed reading books, drawing pictures, and writing stories. Between the ages seven and nine he was often ill, so he spent most of his days in the hospital or in his bed at home. To escape boredom he would occupy himself with books and stories. After he completed his studies of English literature at the University of York, he worked in London as an editor for the Walker Books store. He worked with different types of books there and this soon led to the writing of his own books. During the 1990s, he started publishing his own works and quickly gained success.
In May 1999, Stroud published his first children's novel, Buried Fire, which was the first of a line of fantasy/mythology children's books.
Among his most prominent works are the bestselling Bartimaeus Trilogy. A special feature of these novels compared to others of their genre is that Stroud examines the stereotypes and ethics of the magician class and the enslaved demons. This is done by examining the perspective of the sarcastic and slightly egomaniacal djinni Bartimaeus. The books in this series are The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye, and Ptolemy's Gate, his first books to be published in the United States.
Stroud lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with his two children, Isabelle and Arthur, and his wife Gina, an illustrator of children's books.
Stroud grew up in St Albans where he enjoyed reading books, drawing pictures, and writing stories. Between the ages seven and nine he was often ill, so he spent most of his days in the hospital or in his bed at home. To escape boredom he would occupy himself with books and stories. After he completed his studies of English literature at the University of York, he worked in London as an editor for the Walker Books store. He worked with different types of books there and this soon led to the writing of his own books. During the 1990s, he started publishing his own works and quickly gained success.
In May 1999, Stroud published his first children's novel, Buried Fire, which was the first of a line of fantasy/mythology children's books.
Among his most prominent works are the bestselling Bartimaeus Trilogy. A special feature of these novels compared to others of their genre is that Stroud examines the stereotypes and ethics of the magician class and the enslaved demons. This is done by examining the perspective of the sarcastic and slightly egomaniacal djinni Bartimaeus. The books in this series are The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye, and Ptolemy's Gate, his first books to be published in the United States.
Stroud lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with his two children, Isabelle and Arthur, and his wife Gina, an illustrator of children's books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 17, 2023
I absolutely loved these books. they have a special place in my heart from when I read them years ago even if they weren't as popular as other books. I was so happy they turned this into a show and I 100% recommend if you're looking for a fun, ghostly, mystery series to binge.
December 15, 2019
The U.K. has had a history of really popular writers: From William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens all the way through to the late, great Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett. So, is it any surprise that also-English Jonathan Stroud’s Lockwood & Co. series is fan-freakin’-tastic in every way? It was a surprise for me, actually. I read Stroud’s claim to fame, Bartimeaus, over ten years ago. I loved it at the time, but since I was an impressionable teen and a completely different person then, I didn’t expect too much out of Lockwood. However, I ended up falling in love with it.
Lockwood & Co. is basically a British (therefore better) Ghostbusters. A mysterious event called The Problem (it’s got a capital letter, so it’s a big deal- Discworld taught us that much) has occurred. As a result, ghosts have been popping up everywhere at the spots where they died in life. Fortunately, there are agents who investigate the sites that ghosts appear in and send them back to the other world by capturing their Source; a physical object that they’re tied to. This series revolves around the titular Lockwood & Co.: consisting of agents Anthony Lockwood, George Cubbins, and Lucy Carlyle.
The basic narrative structure of Lockwood & Co. follows the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson formulas: Self-contained arcs within each individual book, which all help build on the overarching plot that comes together in the final book. Each one makes our cast investigate some haunted sites throughout Britain in two distinct phases: mystery and action. In the mystery phase, they need to study up on the history of the area and the people involved in order to deduce what the Source could be. And in the action phase, they need to go over there and neutralize the Source.
Stroud’s writing talent makes this stuff really enjoyable. His worldbuilding is well thought-out, really keeping in mind how people would live everyday life with ghosts running around (and the rules are also very simple, unlike something like Keeper of the Lost Cities). He makes the encounters with ghosts genuinely terrifying and suspenseful. He’s also able to spend multiple paragraphs just describing stuff, while not making the pacing feel slow at all.
But in the end, the real Source of Lockwood’s greatness is in its cast of characters, and this Source cannot be neutralized. Lucy Carlyle, our narrator, is a tomboyish and proactive girl who gains strangely exceptional communication skills with ghosts. The head of Lockwood & Co., Anthony Lockwood, seems to be an aloof idiot, but when sh** goes down, he knows what’s up. George Cubbins is the comic relief guy, but he’s really good at researching stuff. Interestingly enough, these characters’ greatest traits end up playing into their biggest flaws. Lucy’s excellent communication skills cause her to empathize with ghosts, perhaps a little too deeply for what it’s worth. Lockwood, on the other hand, feels the exact opposite way, and there is most definitely a good reason as to why. George’s fascination with ghosts from a scientific point causes him to make some rather stupid and life-risking decisions as well. But despite their different viewpoints, their interactions- for the most part- are amazing. Stroud comes barreling right out of the gate with that nonchalant, sarcastic British humor. However, there is also some drama between the agents. While some of it made sense from a story standpoint, a lot of it felt sitcom-levels of contrived. A particularly sitcom-y development at the end of book three made me roll my eyes, and as a result, the fourth book, The Creeping Shadow, ended up being the weakest in the series for me.
Other characters outside of the main crew include agents from other companies, like Lockwood’s rival, Quill Kipps, and the salty spirit of a skull in a jar. There is also Flo Bones, Lockwood’s connection to the black market, and Holly Munro, who joins the agency in book three. Overall, this is one of the best casts of characters, of this genre, I’ve ever come across. Their chemistry is priceless, and it felt bittersweet to have finished all of their adventures. And best of all, no cringey romance!
~~~~~
Final Verdict: 9.5/10
This is one of the best pieces of non-Japanese literature I have ever read. From its strong writing, to its amazing cast, to its British humor, Lockwood & Co. is an underrated treat. If you love Ghostbusters or Goosebumps, then I daresay that this is a must-read. Otherwise, I highly recommend it to anyone who just wants flat-out, high quality literature.
Lockwood & Co. is basically a British (therefore better) Ghostbusters. A mysterious event called The Problem (it’s got a capital letter, so it’s a big deal- Discworld taught us that much) has occurred. As a result, ghosts have been popping up everywhere at the spots where they died in life. Fortunately, there are agents who investigate the sites that ghosts appear in and send them back to the other world by capturing their Source; a physical object that they’re tied to. This series revolves around the titular Lockwood & Co.: consisting of agents Anthony Lockwood, George Cubbins, and Lucy Carlyle.
The basic narrative structure of Lockwood & Co. follows the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson formulas: Self-contained arcs within each individual book, which all help build on the overarching plot that comes together in the final book. Each one makes our cast investigate some haunted sites throughout Britain in two distinct phases: mystery and action. In the mystery phase, they need to study up on the history of the area and the people involved in order to deduce what the Source could be. And in the action phase, they need to go over there and neutralize the Source.
Stroud’s writing talent makes this stuff really enjoyable. His worldbuilding is well thought-out, really keeping in mind how people would live everyday life with ghosts running around (and the rules are also very simple, unlike something like Keeper of the Lost Cities). He makes the encounters with ghosts genuinely terrifying and suspenseful. He’s also able to spend multiple paragraphs just describing stuff, while not making the pacing feel slow at all.
But in the end, the real Source of Lockwood’s greatness is in its cast of characters, and this Source cannot be neutralized. Lucy Carlyle, our narrator, is a tomboyish and proactive girl who gains strangely exceptional communication skills with ghosts. The head of Lockwood & Co., Anthony Lockwood, seems to be an aloof idiot, but when sh** goes down, he knows what’s up. George Cubbins is the comic relief guy, but he’s really good at researching stuff. Interestingly enough, these characters’ greatest traits end up playing into their biggest flaws. Lucy’s excellent communication skills cause her to empathize with ghosts, perhaps a little too deeply for what it’s worth. Lockwood, on the other hand, feels the exact opposite way, and there is most definitely a good reason as to why. George’s fascination with ghosts from a scientific point causes him to make some rather stupid and life-risking decisions as well. But despite their different viewpoints, their interactions- for the most part- are amazing. Stroud comes barreling right out of the gate with that nonchalant, sarcastic British humor. However, there is also some drama between the agents. While some of it made sense from a story standpoint, a lot of it felt sitcom-levels of contrived. A particularly sitcom-y development at the end of book three made me roll my eyes, and as a result, the fourth book, The Creeping Shadow, ended up being the weakest in the series for me.
Other characters outside of the main crew include agents from other companies, like Lockwood’s rival, Quill Kipps, and the salty spirit of a skull in a jar. There is also Flo Bones, Lockwood’s connection to the black market, and Holly Munro, who joins the agency in book three. Overall, this is one of the best casts of characters, of this genre, I’ve ever come across. Their chemistry is priceless, and it felt bittersweet to have finished all of their adventures. And best of all, no cringey romance!
~~~~~
Final Verdict: 9.5/10
This is one of the best pieces of non-Japanese literature I have ever read. From its strong writing, to its amazing cast, to its British humor, Lockwood & Co. is an underrated treat. If you love Ghostbusters or Goosebumps, then I daresay that this is a must-read. Otherwise, I highly recommend it to anyone who just wants flat-out, high quality literature.
June 8, 2021
This is my favorite book series ever! Such great development throughout all five books, not only in the characters, but the overarching story as well. Stroud does a wonderful job of world building. With each book, we get a better understanding of this alternate universe that he has created. I truly appreciate everything about this series. It’s so fun to watch each character take on their own individual journey, while creating impactful relationships with the other characters. The humor in this book also keeps some of the darkest times light. Every time I read this series I am completely consumed by it. Another great thing about this series is that I believe anyone can read it and find it entertaining and enjoyable. I believe I started reading this series in middle school, and it still holds up so well now as I am about to start college. Overall, this is a wonderful, wonderful series, and I really cannot say enough about it.
August 8, 2022
FANTASTIC! AMAZING! AND INCREDIBLE!
The story is so enjoyable, it put shivers down on my back when I read it, it's always feels like a ghost were always watching on me on every corner and will jump out and catch me if I put the books down.
There were only some off side, like Lucy's audacity to kept body-shaming George in every moment. I hate Lucy's character, no doubt, but she is also an amazingly well written woman character that made me cheer for her achievements throughout the series. It's been a while since I read a story without a lover-struck-girl, so I'm really glad she exist(ah yes, there is also that one but I'll let that pass).
Then here comes Lockwood, he is great, his act throughout the series is so understandable to me. I mean, all his past, all about his family, made it so hard if I wanna try judge his selfishness and bravery(suicidal) acts.
Oh yeah, don't forget about George. He is THE BEST RESEARCHER EVER. I got nothing to write about him because I don't get enough information about him, and I already like him as he is.
And the last, my favorite character in this series is: FLO! She is such an amazing Lady, I can't help but liked her from the first time they introduce her into the story. A real though Lady. And also I like her more when I realize she in a type of somewhat-relations with George, and thus it makes me wanna seeing them both together, I really wish I can have more time to see more of them. But sadly it's a story about Lucy(this is another point why I hate Lucy).
The story is so enjoyable, it put shivers down on my back when I read it, it's always feels like a ghost were always watching on me on every corner and will jump out and catch me if I put the books down.
There were only some off side, like Lucy's audacity to kept body-shaming George in every moment. I hate Lucy's character, no doubt, but she is also an amazingly well written woman character that made me cheer for her achievements throughout the series. It's been a while since I read a story without a lover-struck-girl, so I'm really glad she exist(ah yes, there is also that one but I'll let that pass).
Then here comes Lockwood, he is great, his act throughout the series is so understandable to me. I mean, all his past, all about his family, made it so hard if I wanna try judge his selfishness and bravery(suicidal) acts.
Oh yeah, don't forget about George. He is THE BEST RESEARCHER EVER. I got nothing to write about him because I don't get enough information about him, and I already like him as he is.
And the last, my favorite character in this series is: FLO! She is such an amazing Lady, I can't help but liked her from the first time they introduce her into the story. A real though Lady. And also I like her more when I realize she in a type of somewhat-relations with George, and thus it makes me wanna seeing them both together, I really wish I can have more time to see more of them. But sadly it's a story about Lucy(this is another point why I hate Lucy).
March 25, 2023
It’s a shame that only one book truly shone out of the five: book three. By the final book, the flaws in Stroud’s world building and characterisation overwhelmed the immersion into the narrative. Villains who had no complexity, everyone existing as a one dimensional sidekick to Lucy, the empty romance between Lockwood and Lucy. It was very pedestrian and a lot of the time it bordered on self indulgent. Many times this book felt in need of a critics eye to trim it down and make it move through the narrative sleekly.
Here is my major issue: by book five we are treated to Holly coming out of the closet and getting the offscreen romance treatment whilst the others get the spotlight, we get Marissa explaining every complex issue to Lucy for not reason at all. We get an entire, nationwide agency taken down by five kids and a skull. The skull, the only enigmatic character, is MIA by the end and we just don’t care. Lastly, we get exposition dump as a closing chapter and the most disappointing end imaginable. It honesty get like he didn’t have the skill to bring the book to the end. Without the totally unnecessary side plots (half of the last book and just random) these could have been two better books instead of five.
Also, do better with gay characters. They aren’t just dropped in. Make them genuine or don’t include them.
Here is my major issue: by book five we are treated to Holly coming out of the closet and getting the offscreen romance treatment whilst the others get the spotlight, we get Marissa explaining every complex issue to Lucy for not reason at all. We get an entire, nationwide agency taken down by five kids and a skull. The skull, the only enigmatic character, is MIA by the end and we just don’t care. Lastly, we get exposition dump as a closing chapter and the most disappointing end imaginable. It honesty get like he didn’t have the skill to bring the book to the end. Without the totally unnecessary side plots (half of the last book and just random) these could have been two better books instead of five.
Also, do better with gay characters. They aren’t just dropped in. Make them genuine or don’t include them.
February 4, 2022
I love this series with all my heart. They might actually be my favorite books EVER, and I read a fair amount of books. I started to read the first book back in 2016 and had some trouble finding the rest of them, so I ended up finishing it in 2020 I think. Imagine how devoted I was to the series, in order to keep trying to find the missing books for about 4 years. (Okay, fine it's also because at the time I wasn't so skilled with Amazon but ANYWAY).
The way the story is told, the characters, the universe in which it all takes places make me want to go fight some ghosts myself.
This is a masterpiece.
The way the story is told, the characters, the universe in which it all takes places make me want to go fight some ghosts myself.
This is a masterpiece.
July 7, 2022
I read these books AGES ago, so my memory isn’t the best, but I KNOW I loved this series, because I know my nose was CONSTANTLY in these books when I would get them!! I’ve always been a fan of supernatural stuff, and this series only fed that fire. My uncle introduced me to this series and bought all of the books (except for 1.5, I haven’t read that and just recently found out about it) for me. It had SO many good twists, and I loved reading every page of it! (I also really loved these characters, the Lockwood & Co gang is AWESOME!)
December 19, 2022
Jonathan Stroud is a brilliant author! And this series is definitely one of his best.
This series was one I couldn't put down. Each book is intense and well written ghost stories. Jonathan Stroud pulls in a lot of lore surrounding ghosts which adds to the world building and believability.
You have an AU of England where there is a ghost problem, and only children are able to see the ghosts. Which makes an interesting narrative where the children have to be the problem solvers and face real dangers, and the adults can't step in to help.
This series was one I couldn't put down. Each book is intense and well written ghost stories. Jonathan Stroud pulls in a lot of lore surrounding ghosts which adds to the world building and believability.
You have an AU of England where there is a ghost problem, and only children are able to see the ghosts. Which makes an interesting narrative where the children have to be the problem solvers and face real dangers, and the adults can't step in to help.
December 26, 2023
I blasted through this entire series after seeing the Netflix adaptation of the first book and finding out it wouldn't be continued. I loved the plot and characters, and it had just the right amount of creepiness that it didn't keep me up at night but was still nice and spooky. There was a bit of fatphobia in there, and I wished the cast would have been more diverse like it was in the adaptation, but overall I really enjoyed this series. It even wrapped up well at the end, which is always great!
September 9, 2020
My 12-year-old son sort of guilted me into reading these ("Mom, how come you never read my stuff?!??!") but I am so glad I did. Lucy is a strong narrator, and the larger plot builds well over the course of five books, as do each of the characters. Tight writing, excellent descriptions, intriguing world building, sarcastic humor, and such imagination! I would highly recommend to any teen (and their parents).
August 10, 2023
GOODNESS after a year of burnout and not being able to enjoy much this book series made me feel so many things. I laughed, I gasped, I yelled, I cried, and all the while my heart went on it’s own little journey. It swelled and broke and patched itself up again to fully bask in the love I had for the characters, the plot, the TWISTS and I really can’t emphasize how much joy this series has brought into my life! The community is so lovely as well, this truly had everything I needed in my life.
November 4, 2023
Are these books page turners? Yes. Absolutely.
Are they good fun? Sure.
Do they have lots of spooky ghosts? 100%
Misguided adults? Yes yes.
Some seriously problematic fatphobia and some weird gender dynamics? Yes. Couldn't help myself, had to write about it.
I Wish Lockwood and Co Would Give George a Break
Are they good fun? Sure.
Do they have lots of spooky ghosts? 100%
Misguided adults? Yes yes.
Some seriously problematic fatphobia and some weird gender dynamics? Yes. Couldn't help myself, had to write about it.
I Wish Lockwood and Co Would Give George a Break
February 28, 2024
Delightful series with character-driven action infused with humor and really rich description. Well written & crafted, it’s the kind of series that you can read again and again, discovering new little tidbits each time. May be intense for younger (under 12) readers or those sensitive to ghosts/ scary things— some of the ghost scenes are pretty tense, although the descriptions are not overly gory— just enough to get the point across.
August 14, 2020
4.5 stars for this series. Stroud created an intriguing, albeit dark alternate world. Set in a London where ghosts rise and the talents of childrens/teens are required to fight the spirits, I loved how Stroud developed and grew the universe and his characters as the series developed. Each book built on the next, not just
November 15, 2024
I delighted in seeing kids take the lead and truly listen to what allows them to do life well in a dark time. The writing and plot development allowed me to get a good feel for the main characters. I did wish the last book had a slower pacing but that is likely also because I wasn't ready to say good bye to a fun and adventurous group.
May 30, 2024
I LOVED THIS SO MUCH ESPECIALLY WHEN LOCKWOOD SAVED LUCY ALL THOSE TIMES. AND HE AGVE HER TWO NECKLACES! ONE THAT WAS EVEN HIS MOTHERS LIKE OMGGGGG. ALOSO CRAZY PLOT TWIST WITH PENELOPE LIKE I HAD NO CLUE!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2025
the screaming staircase ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
18 luglio-20 luglio
the whispering skull ⭐️⭐️⭐️
20 luglio-22 luglio
the hollow boy ⭐️⭐️⭐️
23 luglio
the creeping shadow ⭐️⭐️⭐️
23 luglio
the empty grave ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
23 luglio- 24 luglio
18 luglio-20 luglio
the whispering skull ⭐️⭐️⭐️
20 luglio-22 luglio
the hollow boy ⭐️⭐️⭐️
23 luglio
the creeping shadow ⭐️⭐️⭐️
23 luglio
the empty grave ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
23 luglio- 24 luglio
September 9, 2018
Book 4 and Book 5 are very good and fun
November 23, 2019
I am reading the third book in the series and I am hooked.
March 30, 2020
In love with this
May 30, 2020
I LOVE these books. This is probably one of the best series I have ever read. All the characters are so fun to read, and I love everything about these books.
December 28, 2020
I reread this series all the time ever since I picked up The Screaming staircase when I was 14, I’m now 21 and I still love it to this day.
Read
January 28, 2021Family enjoyed listening to these books and grew to really like these characters.
Ghost hunters in and around London trying to figure out how to see the ghosts peacefully to the other side.
Ghost hunters in and around London trying to figure out how to see the ghosts peacefully to the other side.
November 2, 2021
One of the best series you can read, I've read it several times
May 31, 2022
This series is a very good ghost book series. It is very intriguing and you should definitely read it.
January 3, 2023
One of my favorite book series; read all back-to-back without putting them down. Loved the characters and the different investigations in each book
Read
January 16, 2025Truly supern, nuff' said!
March 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this whole series! I'd love to see more with them.
March 13, 2025
One of the best things I've ever read.
May 3, 2025
so underrated
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews