Lockwood & Co.: The Screaming Staircase, Book 1

By: Jonathan Stroud

Narrated by: Miranda Raison

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

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 and 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 and Co. survive the Hall's legendary Screaming Staircase and Red Room to see another day?

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

©2013 Jonathan Stroud (P)2013 Listening Library

Robert Stroud is One of My Favorite Authors

What made the experience of listening to Lockwood & Co.: The Screaming Staircase, Book 1 the most enjoyable?

Even though this is written for ages 8-12, I still greatly enjoyed it. Stroud is very good at making his settings part of a colorful cast of characters. The world he creates isn't all that different from the real world which is why I enjoyed the series. That said, book one and book five are the strongest of the books.

What did you like best about this story?

The setting and characters are fun and entertaining. This is a book that a boy or girl would enjoy reading and that is one of the reasons I always recommend the series.

Which character – as performed by Miranda Raison – was your favorite?

Lucy, Cubins, and Lockwod. Miranda is an excellent reader and I would listen to other books read by her on the strength of her performances.

Any additional comments?

I recommend the book.

A fun story with an excellent narrator

I love world building, and the establishment of the world in this story was just fascinating to me. "The Problem", the various types of manifestations and their classifications, and the organizations of young people dealing with the spirits all drew me in and engrossed me completely. I love supernatural stories and mysteries, and this definitely provided both - if anything, my only complaint would be that I wish the story had been longer! It is easily a book I could have read as a kid content-wise, but the style and characters are mature enough that it was still very relatable and appealing. I know I've thoroughly enjoyed a book when immediately after finishing I either want to listen again or start looking for sequels, and I will be doing both here. Well worth the credit, both for the story and the portrayal by the narrator. Well done all around.

so funny and filled with suspense

loved the B trilogy and was not disappointed with the Lockwood series. the Narrator is good but not quite on part with B series but still he does different voices. overall excellent

dorky adventure

fun that reminds me of my teen years. and yay, there is a girl protagonist.

loved it

excellent story. I listened to it to make sure it was OK for my granddaughter. liked it so much I'm now on book 2

fun

Loved both the story and the narrator. Will definitely look for more audio books by both.

Good Book Bad Narrator

My Advice is read the book it's great, just don't listen to it, the narrator was not bad at reading but that was it she just read the book there was no feeling no acting no voices all characters sounded almost the same some people my like that, but for me I like it more when the narrator gives life to the characters or at least change the voices from one character to the next so you could tell the difference. In the end I bought the book and read it myself.

Enjoyable descriptions

9 yr old daughter and I both enjoyed the authors wonderful descriptions and well developed characters. Jonathon Stroud has mastered the art of fantasy.

Very good

Love ghost stories and this was really good. The Netflix show based off this series made me want to read it. Was not disappointed.

Repeat Read and Listen

This is such a good story, well paced and plotted, with fantastic characters and loads of humour. I feel even reluctant readers will enjoy it whilst I've read it quite a few times now. Miranda Raison is the best of the 3 narrators of the series. She definitely does the voice of George the best.