Lockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase cover art

Lockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase

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Lockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase

By: Jonathan Stroud
Narrated by: Miranda Raison
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About this listen

When the dead come back to haunt the living, Lockwood & Co. step in . . .

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.

Lucy Carlyle, a talented young agent, arrives in London hoping for a notable career. Instead she finds herself joining the smallest most ramshackle agency in the city, run by the charismatic Anthony Lockwood. When one of their cases goes horribly wrong, Lockwood & Co. have one last chance of redemption. Unfortunately this involves spending the night in one of the most haunted houses in England, and trying to escape alive.

Set in a city stalked by spectres, The Screaming Staircase is the first in a chilling new series full of suspense, humour and truly terrifying ghosts. Your nights will never be the same again . . .

 Action & Adventure Epic Fantasy Fantasy Literature & Fiction Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Paranormal Science Fiction & Fantasy Suspense Thriller & Suspense Haunted Fiction England Exciting

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Critic reviews

This story will keep you reading late into the night, but you'll want to leave the lights on. Stroud is a genius at inventing an utterly believable world which is very much like ours, but so creepily different. Put The Screaming Staircase on your 'need to read' list.
The book is genuinely spooky and suspenseful, with appealing characters and great dialogue, and all shot through with Stroud's dry wit.
A heartily satisfying string of entertaining near-catastrophes, replete with narrow squeaks and spectral howls
Stroud (the Bartimaeus series) shows his customary flair for blending deadpan humor with thrilling action, and the fiery interplay among the three agents of Lockwood & Co. invigorates the story (along with no shortage of creepy moments).
In a world overrun by evil spooks, can Paranormal Detection Agency Lockwood & Co do anything about the ghostly problems besetting London? Suspenseful, supernatural adventure.
One of those books you take with you to the bath . . . Packed with bloodcurdling spectral incident.
I have a particular terror of anything involving unfriendly ghosts and usually steer clear, but this one was just too tempting. Scare me it did, but the thrills were perfectly balanced by the intriguing plot twists and the humorous banter of the three main protagonists. It’s a little bit Sherlock Holmes, a little bit Skulduggery Pleasant, with a terrifying haunted house thrown in for good measure. You definitely won’t be disappointed
This was absolutely excellent. I loved the story, the amount of suspense and creepiness was exactly right to keep me reading page after page very quickly.
Stroud is one of the smartest and most talented writers around . . . Be prepared for lots of humour and some very creepy moments. You're going to be hooked.
It's a ripper! . . . With plentiful wit and good humour, more than a few chilling moments and, above all, refreshing creativity, Jonathan Stroud has constructed an energetic, fast paced narrative that trips nimbly back and forth from the present to the past as he first sketches and then deftly paints this fascinating landscape.
All stars
Most relevant
loved this book, bit of a rival for Harry Potter's later books in that it is for young adults but universally appealing.
(sadly, I am closer to my second childhood than my first).
set in the present but an alternative universe it does.for ghosts what has been done previously for Vampires and Zombies.
Great concept.
would recommend even to very old children..

Great!

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What made the experience of listening to The Screaming Staircase the most enjoyable?

It was nicely written , a satisfying listen

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Screaming Staircase?

When they were asked to spend the night in a haunted house , the last people that tried died.

What three words best describe Miranda Raison’s performance?

Mediocre okay passable

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

All in all a satisfactory listen , I would get the next one when it comes out .

Enjoyable once you get into it

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Pretty impressive. I didn't realise this was a book written for the young adult category until I was half way through, the first couple of chapters really were surprisingly frightening. The ending was slightly predictable to me but I have the unfair advantage of being a writer myself. Over all a enjoyable book for anyone, young or old. Thank you Mr Stroud.

A story full of spirit. (the pun very much intentional)!!!

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Was introduced to Lockwood & Co by the recent TV adaption. The show was really enjoyable but the book is even better.

Brilliant book

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I found this after watching the great Netflix series. It's a great story, well told. My only gripe is the constant fat-shaming of poor George. There's no need for it and it's somewhat jarring.

I really enjoyed this, but...

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