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Lockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase

Book 1

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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

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
I've been reading supernatural fiction for many years and am delighted to come across high-quality examples of the genre for young people. This one piles on the atmosphere and tension and makes judicious use of gore - there is just enough - while presenting a world in which ghost-fog, death-lights and aggressive type-two ghosts are part of every day life. The tone of normality heightens the terror and makes for a very good listen.

It's also very funny and this is partly down to Amanda Raisin's flair for voices. She's very good with people who aren't like her, whether they are truculent teenage boys or nasty old men. I always knew when George was talking and he's hilarious. I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens to him in the next book.

Good scary fun

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I thoroughly enjoyed this listen. A good story from beginning to end. Well narrated and good characterisation with just the right amount of supernatural scariness. I can understand why this series is aimed at young people. I'm in my late sixties but why should they get all the fun?! Can't wait to hear the next in series.

An excellent supernatural story for the young (and old!)

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engaging narration and a fun good story. if you like Artemis Fowl you'll like this. I will be getting the next book in the series.

teenage fantasy that works for adults

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Bought this off the strength of the authors Bartimeus books, and really glad I did. This is a story of 3 young ghost hunters trying to keep their business afloat against the big corporations. Don't want to spoil anything though, so shall say no more except the pace is good, the premise is well fleshed out, the characters believable and the ghosts thrilling. Would give this a 12 rating, but well read younger children may be fine.

Thoroughly good ghost detective story

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I really enjoyed this fantastic book. It's a bit too scary for anyone under 10 and it's well worth reading if your a grown up kid like me. Jonathan Stroud is a great author and the narrator was good too.

A fantastic mystery

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