The Whispering Skull (Book 2: Lockwood & Co.)
by Jonathan Stroud
Book of the Week: 1 March 2015
The second book in the series that is a cross between Ghostbusters and Sherlock Holmes, features the intrepid ghost-hunters of 35 Portland Row being asked to guard the coffin of Edmund Bickerstaff, a doctor who was suspected of grave-robbing and witchcraft. This proves to be disastrous and results in the freeing of an evil spirit and an ancient and deadly artefact being stolen from the grave. Lockwood, George and Lucy must track down the artefact, win their bet with their rivals, the Fittes Agency, and avoid some ruthless enemies. Whether they will do any of this is in grave doubt and things are not helped by a talking skull imprisoned in a jar that exerts an increasingly sinister hold over Lucy.
As in the first book, the ghosts are murderous, a London infested with spirits that can only be vanquished by children is detailed and convincing, and the characters are well-drawn. Anthony Lockwood is arrogant, mysterious and brilliant; George is messy and geeky, and Lucy is trying to develop her supernatural gifts whilst being increasingly fascinated by the enigmatic Lockwood. The banter between the characters is sarcastic and frequently very funny and the plot has plenty of action and gory thrills.
The author’s website is here
