By Jonathan Stroud
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?
In a future time when the world shifts and everything
changes, ghosts, ghouls, revnants, and foul creatures of death haunt
(literally) everyone. It’s called ‘The Problem’ and nobody knows why it
happened. All anybody has been able to discover is that only kids under the age
of 18 have the psychic know-how to see and deal with these unwelcome visitors
from beyond the grave. Lucy Carlyle is new to London, and finds a job with the
only agency in town that is exclusively run by adolescents. Anthony Lockwood is
the owner of Lockwood and Co, and as enigmatic as they come. Lucy is a talented
psychic and Lockwood doesn’t ask too many questions. So now they are three.
George is their researcher, Lockwood their point-man, and Lucy is the Listener
and backup for Lockwood. When on what seems to be a routine assignment at a
haunting, Lockwood and Co discover a sinister ghost with serious power, and a grisly
secret. Barely surviving the encounter, the team is lead to the most haunted
house in England, Combe Carey Hall, and the rumors of the Screaming Staircase.
I’m a huge fan of ghost stories. I don’t like horror in
general, but I like a good spooky old-fashioned ghost story. This was perfect
for me. It wasn’t nightmare-inducing but it was creepy in all the right kinds
of ways. There was murder, ghosts, revenge, creepy whispers, lights, and
sounds. It was a mystery and an adventure. I don’t much care for Lucy, but
Lockwood is a strange kid that I’m dying to know what happened to him and his
family. I can’t wait to uncover his story. The Screaming Staircase was a fun
eerie read with a good humor and late-night story with a flashlight kind of
tale.
I give it a 3.75 out of 5
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