Lockwood & Co: The Empty Grave

By: Jonathan Stroud

Narrated by: Emily Bevan

Length: 12 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

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. What they discover their will change everything.

So begins a race to get to the truth behind 'the Problem' and an epic struggle against the Fittes agency. A struggle that will pit the team against the most terrifying enemy they have ever faced. Not even the dead will survive unscathed....

Jonathan Stroud once again delivers a rousing adventure full of danger, laughs, twists and frights, with incredible revelations that will send listeners back to the first book to start the series all over again.

©2017 Jonathan Stroud (P)2017 Random House Audiobooks

Critic Reviews

"Stroud is a genius." (Rick Riordan)

Excellent Finish

I have enjoyed few series as much and Lockwood & Co - brilliant writing, fast-paced action, interesting characters, and a wonderful series-long mystery. For me, this does for ghost stories what Harry Potter did for wizards - created a very intricate world full of fascinating and distinct characters, with great humor but also pathos, suitable for adults and middle grade at the same time. It's a series I will enthusiastically recommend to anyone looking for the thrill they got from Harry Potter, but with a supernatural twist. My only disappointment is that this was the last book in the series since I wanted more. I can only hope Stroud decides to continue with a new series arc in the future.

Story: With the revelation from the skull that Penelope Fitts IS Marissa, the supposedly dead founder of the powerful Fitts Agency, Lockwood and Co set out to discover if Marissa's grave is empty. This sets into motion the events that will uncover the truth behind the hauntings in London but also puts the crew to the test just to survive long enough against all that is stacking up against them.

As with all the previous books, there is plenty of action and revelations. Stroud nicely ties in the previous books' hauntings and their significance to the big picture. This isn't a series about one big revelation so much as needing to put the pieces together in order to learn exactly what is happening in England and why. Thanks to the events in the previous book with Rotwell being taken out of the picture, Penelope Fitts and the Orpheus Society have closed up the ranks of power and control nearly all levels of natural and supernatural dealings - governments, police, etc. It's a powerful collective that will fight to ensure that Lockwood doesn't change the status quo.

Really, the heart of the book is the brilliant characterizations. From the antics of the skull in the jar (which never fail to put a smile on my face), to George's lackadaisical research, Lockwood's detached leadership, Holly's finicky nature (ah, I was hoping she was evil, darn it!), to our narrator Lucy. I love that our narrator was female and not the leader of the group - she gave a very grounded and very unique and distance perspective on the story throughout. She wasn't perfect but had a strong will, making for a very nuanced and intricate character. She's one of my favorite in years for that reason.

The story tied up nicely but there are areas left open that could serve for future volumes; I can only hope that Stroud continues the story since there is so much there to love. But for now, this ends the series nicely. Note: I listened to the audible version and the narrator was excellent - really gave distance voices to every characters.

Explosive finale to an excellent series

As usual Mr Stroud's storytelling genius doesn't let you down. The whole series has been captivating and an absolute jo to listen to. His descriptions of characters and places are so thorough that you feel as though you are there in the story, watching Lockwood & Co going through the motions and ready to toss in that flare to help them save the day. Although the main characters in this book are in their teens, I wouldn't say it is just a book for children. I've personally seen 21 twice and then some years added on, but I have loved listening to the whole series. All five books were well narrated, but this one, and the previous two, I'd say were the most satisfying. Emily Bevan really does seem to capture the characters well and pours life and soul into the books. I would definitely recommend this book, and indeed the whole series, to anyone, of any age, who enjoys fast paced adventures with plenty of things that go bump in the night! It's one of those series that I know will come out again and again, even when I have other books on my 'to be read' or 'listen to' list. Loved it!

Great narrator. One of the best I've listened to.

Devastated there's no more of Lucy, Lockwood and George. Highly recommend this series. Just wonderful.

This is my favourite book ever

I ❤️it I would recommend it to 12 to19 year olds it is the best book ever

Another cracking story

Action packed. You really get behind the chapters and invest in the tale. Would recommend.

Great ending

I enjoyed this book as much as I had the first in the series. Gave the characters a different slant and changed their interaction which was good.

Best book series

Excellent. I have really enjoyed the entire series. They are very gripping. Recommend to you friends and family.

Fantastic!

Great Story, Fantastic narrator, full of exciting and scary moments sure to keep your bedroom light on dim! 5/5, worth it. Just wish there were a few more answers. (Spoilers ahead) George in particular manages to identify a number of potential locations in his research where 'The Problem' potentially began spreading outwards from throughout the country. But besides from this casual mention, nothing else is said on the subject (previous book in series mind) Still worth every minute :)

Brilliant end to the whole Lockwood story

But it would have been nice to hear that Skull was ok. If you like this series then try Bartimeus as well.

Finally, Emily Bevan can almost pronounce skull

Like I said, finally she can almost pronounce skull instead of school. Almost. Sadly, her narration is equally over the top as it was in the previous 2 books. She has a slight vocal fry that reverberates when she pronounces some words. Makes her sound like Marge Simpson when she gets annoyed. But the real problem with that is that everyone sounds like skull every now and then. Also she did George and Quill Kipps very poorly. George sounds like an 80-year old and Quill sounds like a granny. Lucy sounds as agitated as if she's a 9-year old who ate batteries for breakfast and Lockwood giggles every second sentence even if he's not saying anything funny. But the story is amazing and that saved everything. Edited after listening to these books for over 10 times. The performance in volumes 3-5 annoyed me in the beginning but then it grew on me like a fungus, until I ended listening to these books over and over again. Now I like George, Lockwood, and Quill Kipps and can't hear Lucy's accent.

How dare there not be another one.

Must follow Lucy and Lockwood. Startled Reading as a teen, coming up twenty but undying loyalty to the series. Great read.