Lockwood & Co. Books in Order

The Recommended Lockwood & Co. Reading Order

For the best experience, we strongly recommend reading the Lockwood & Co. series in publication order. Because the overarching mystery of 'the Problem' (the ghostly epidemic) and the personal relationships between the characters develop continuously across the books, jumping ahead will lead to major spoilers. The only variation in the reading order involves the standalone short story, The Dagger in the Desk, which fits perfectly between the first and second novels.

Here is the recommended reading path for the series:

1. The Screaming Staircase (Book 1) — Published August 2013
2. The Dagger in the Desk (Short Story / Book 1.5) — Published October 2013
3. The Whispering Skull (Book 2) — Published September 2014
4. The Hollow Boy (Book 3) — Published September 2015
5. The Creeping Shadow (Book 4) — Published September 2016
6. The Empty Grave (Book 5) — Published September 2017

What to Know Before You Start

Before you dive in, it helps to understand the unique alternate history Jonathan Stroud has constructed. In this world, a phenomenon known as 'the Problem' emerged about fifty years ago, causing a massive influx of lethal ghosts and hauntings across Great Britain. Only children and teenagers possess the psychic sensitivity required to detect, hear, or see these spectral entities. As a result, youth-dominated agency units are employed by adults to exterminate threats using iron, salt, and magnesium flares.

Unlike the massive corporate agencies that dominate London (like the Fittes Agency or Rotwell), Lockwood & Co. is a small, scrappy, independent startup operated entirely by three teenagers without adult supervision: the charismatic and secretive Anthony Lockwood, the cynical and brilliant research expert George Cubbins, and the highly talented psychic narrator Lucy Carlyle. This setup infuses the story with a delightful blend of Victorian gothic dread, classic detective fiction, and sharp, witty banter.

The Core Novels and Story Breakdown

1. The Screaming Staircase (Book 1)

This is where the adventure begins. Readers are introduced to Lucy Carlyle, a runaway psychic investigator who finds employment at the run-down house of Lockwood & Co. After an investigation goes wrong and they accidentally burn down a client's house, the agency is facing financial ruin. To save their business, they accept a dangerous contract to spend the night at Combe Carey Hall, the most haunted house in England. Here, they must survive the infamous Screaming Staircase and the terrifying Red Room. It is a masterclass in establishing atmosphere and building the core trio's chemistry.

2. The Dagger in the Desk (Book 1.5)

Originally published as an interactive, six-part Halloween special on The Guardian's children's books website in October 2013, this short story is a fun, self-contained adventure. During its original run, readers voted on key plot directions. The story finds the trio investigating a haunting at a school, where a malevolent spirit is throwing daggers at the teachers. It is not mandatory to read this to understand the main plot of the series, but it offers a delightful side case that fits neatly before the events of the second novel.

3. The Whispering Skull (Book 2)

In this second installment, Lockwood & Co. is hired to assist at a cemetery excavation, which leads to the discovery of a sinister relic: a bone glass mirror. The team finds themselves in a high-stakes race against the elite Fittes Agency to retrieve the stolen artifact. Meanwhile, Lucy begins interacting with the Type Three ghost trapped inside George's jar—the whispering skull itself—which begins to reveal dark secrets about the origins of the ghostly epidemic.

4. The Hollow Boy (Book 3)

The hauntings in London are escalating, culminating in a massive surge of spiritual activity known as the Chelsea Outbreak. To help cope with the increased workload, Lockwood hires a new assistant, Holly Munro. This decision triggers interpersonal tensions and jealousy within the agency, particularly from Lucy. As they navigate their fractured dynamics, the team must investigate the terrifying phenomenon of the Bloody Footprints and stop a spectral disaster in the heart of London.

5. The Creeping Shadow (Book 4)

Following the emotional fallout of the previous book, Lucy has left Lockwood & Co. to work as a freelance psychic investigator. However, when Lockwood's agency needs her unique abilities to recover a stolen, highly dangerous relic, she is drawn back into the fold. Together, the team travels to the countryside to investigate a secretive group and a massive spirit portal known as the Cape, bringing them closer to exposing the conspiracy behind the Problem.

6. The Empty Grave (Book 5)

The grand finale brings all the running mysteries to a thrilling conclusion. Lockwood, Lucy, and George must break into the heavily guarded Fittes Mausoleum to uncover the truth about Marissa Fittes, the founder of ghost hunting. Their quest leads them to cross over into the Other Side—the realm of the dead. It is a satisfying, action-packed conclusion that resolves the series' mysteries, character arcs, and the fate of the agency.

Adaptations and Spin-Offs

In January 2023, Netflix released a live-action television adaptation of Lockwood & Co. developed by Joe Cornish. The single-season adaptation covers the events of the first two novels, The Screaming Staircase and The Whispering Skull. Despite receiving high praise from critics and fans for its faithful tone and stellar cast, Netflix canceled the series after one season. Because the TV show ends on a major cliffhanger, many new fans have turned to the books to see how the story concludes.

Additionally, Jonathan Stroud has announced that a Lockwood & Co. graphic novel adaptation is in development, featuring illustrations by artist Doodling Raka, ensuring that the legacy of Portland Row continues to grow.