The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

Book: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

Rating: 5 stars 

Review Writer: James S.

The Screaming Staircase is a novel written by Jonathan Stroud about a group of psychic investigation agents, ghost catchers, in an alternate London where ghosts have suddenly begun to appear. The agents, Anthony Lockwood, George Cubbins, and Lucy Carlyle, are part of a group called Lockwood & Co. which helps the citizens of London clear out the ghosts on or in their property. Stroud was able to incorporate an element of surprise and mystery while still making the book packed with action and detail. He was able to make encounters with ghosts and their eradication packed with action while the monotonous days feel slow and sluggish. He was also able to achieve an air of trust and interest between the characters and Lucy. Stroud also incorporated Lucy’s backstory and history without the story feeling stopped or it being a flashback rather bringing it up as a distant memory. One thing I don’t like about The Screaming Staircase is the suddenness of the cases that take place during the book. I also don’t like how Stroud doesn’t elaborate onto certain ghost types that are talked about in later books. In the end, I give The Screaming Staircase a 5 stars out of 5.