Jonathan Stroud Reveals 3 Covers for Loockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase, Read The Chapter Preview

As promised, Jonathan Stroud, author of my favorite Bartimaeus series, has revealed the covers of Loockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase for American, UK and German editions. What is Lockwood & Co. about? If you don't know yet, read this this witty way of introducing the series:

Lockwood and Co., the well-known Psychic Investigations agency, requires a new Junior Field Operative. Duties will include on-site analysis of reported hauntings and the containment of same. The successful applicant with be SENSITIVE to supernatural phenomena, well-dressed, preferably female and not above fifteen years in age. Unsuccessful applicants will include time-wasters, fraudsters and persons with criminal records.

A nice way of putting it, right? But which of these covers do you think will encourgae you to read the book? Share us your thought.

The American Edition

UK Edition

German Edition

What is even more exciting is we have here a sneak preview of the first chapter, that has debuted at Entertainment Weekly. Read it here:


Plot Synopsis:

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 & 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 & Co. survive the Hall's legendary Screaming Staircase and Red Room to see another day?

Readers who enjoyed the action, suspense, and humor in Jonathan Stroud's internationally best-selling Bartimaeus books will be delighted to find the same ingredients, combined with deliciously creepy scares, in his thrilling and chilling Lockwood & Co. series.

Loockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud will hit shelves on September 17, 2013 (almost on my birthday).