Lockwood & Co.: The Empty Grave (Lockwood & Co., 5) Hardcover – September 12, 2017

THIS. BOOK. No wait... scratch that ... THIS. SERIES.This entire series made me FEEL so many things. I had no idea when I started these books that I'd be this attached by the end. How am I going to move on after this? *spoiler*: I probably won't. 😭Even though I had become accustomed to the format of the previous books, I was pleased that there was a slight deviation from the "norm" here. Instead, there was a greater focus on the Problem with the various plots finally converging toward an ultimate resolution.As far as spooky scenes, this book was more on par with "The Whispering Skull" (book 2) as there were a few, but nothing quite as terrifying as the other books had. (And of course, there was at least one staircase involved. 😱) Even without all of the typical scary cases, there was still plenty of action throughout as well as moments where I held my breath because I was afraid of how things might end for these characters.Speaking of the characters… Stroud did an incredible job at creating such memorable and likable characters. As much as I will forever adore the original trio, I loved all of the members of "team Lockwood" by the end of the series. Each one was unique and had something they could contribute to the group. They were completely loyal to each other and fought hard against anyone who was trying to take them down.While I absolutely adore both Lockwood and Lucy independently, they were at their best when they were together. They made a great team and I loved seeing their relationship evolve over the course of this series. They are so precious and I can't believe I have been fangirling THIS HARD over a couple of fictional characters.The humor also remained a high point with the Skull delivering some of the BEST lines. He may seem harsh and insensitive at times - especially with his constant jabs at Lucy or his frequently expressed desire for more violence along with the deaths of everyone he meets - but he ended up being one of the most enjoyable parts of the entire series.Overall, I am quite satisfied with how this ended even though I'm devastated that it's now over. This was such a fantastic series filled with action, excitement, horror, friendship, and humor. I truly can't recommend it enough.

This is an excellent series of five books. While it is billed as YA, and is certainly appropriate for that age-range, there is nothing childish or condescending about Stroud’s writing. It follows the activities of a group of teenaged ghost eradicators in a London where ghosts return from the Other Side to wreak vengeance upon the living. The dynamic is that no one older than 18 can see them, much less fight them. Such activity is dealt with by companies, large and small, that employ legions of adolescent Agents who battle in the night with salt, iron, phosphorous flares and their trademark rapiers. Lockwood & Co. is a smaller agency, eking out a living on the smaller cases. Anthony Lockwood is the owner and leader of the team. Lucy, the Sensitive, can hear the voices of the dead, and George is the researcher of the group, seeking the events of the past that led to the hauntings. They are augmented by a nameless, sarcastic, mouldering skull in a jar, whose voice only Lucy can hear, and whose allegiance and agenda shift with the moment, and Holly, their efficient office manager. Along with the ghosts they seek to lay to rest, the group locks horns with the Agents of bigger, better-funded agencies, and DEPRAC, the new paranormal police force of adults that oversees the teenage Agents’ activities and represents government interests. DEPRAC is personified by the rigid Inspector Barnes whose outlook on Lockwood & Co. transitions throughout the series.Without spoiling the story, suffice to say that the series evolves and culminates in The Empty Grave, wherein secrets are exposed, pillars of society are shown to be something other, and opponents become allies. An outstanding conclusion to an outstanding series, which leaves the door open a crack to the possibility of a sixth volume.In summary, The Empty Grave along with the other books in the series is a great read for young adults and adults in general.

Stroud is a fantastic author. I have loved this series since the beginning, and I am sad to see the end. Is it a satisfying end, as we finally understand the reasons behind The Problem? The answer to that question, is yes, it is a satisfying end. We finally understand the reasons behind The Problem, but there are some questions that we are left with as we close the pages for the last time. The last section of the book is actually entitled "The Beginning", so I wonder if it really is the last that we will hear of Lucy and/ or Lockwood, or whether it is just wishful thinking on my part!This is the perfect time of year to read about Lucy's adventures with Lockwood and Co., so I would urge you, if you haven't already read the first book in the series, give it a go.

I've generally always read what my son read growing up, as it gave us loads to talk about. I started reading this series for different reasons and much as they're fantastic books, I wouldn't want anyone younger than 12 reading them. They're scary book and I'm 47! 9-11 age range is far too young. Other than that, they're fantastic books.

Jonathan Stroud is one of my favourite orders, and for the very good reason that he is a genius! He has been writing for many years but when he wrote his Bartimeus series he unlocked a rare and hilarious talent for humour, deep and clever plot, great characters and all in a snappy, fast paced, action packed young adult adventure.The Lockwood series was more of the same. A beautifully imagined alternative contemporary London haunted at night by ghosts that only children and young adults can see, but that will happily kill anyone who crosses their path.Lockwood runs an independent psychic detective agency that struggles for survival against large corporate interests, various crooked characters and legions of ghosts. Through their adventures we got to know first Lucy, the books narrator, who has an extremely rare talent for hearing and even communicating with the ghosts. We also encountered George, the dogged and often egg stained researcher, and then came Holly, Flo Bones, the skull in the jar and a wonderful cast of other actors.In this book the agency finally square up against the mighty Fittes agency. They start off by breaking into agency founder's Marissa Fittes' grave, on the hunch that the long dead founder of the agency may not be quite as dead as everyone thinks. That experience sends them hurtling down a path with many twists and turns and some extraordinary discoveries and even more extraordinary danger.This is a stunning and thoroughly enjoyable climax to the Lockwood series. I will be sad to see it end (although perhaps the author left the possibility open that we may meet some of the characters again in a spin off).Few books have me laughing out loud, but this one did. Jonathan Stroud's writing is real treat and these books are thoroughly recommended.

I am a man of 83yrs of age but have enjoyed the whole Lockwood Series, long may you continue Jonathan Stroud entertaining young & old.

My daughter is addicted to these books, and after she reads them she passes them on to me. We can then have some Mother and Daughter bonding while discussing all the twists and turns of the plot.These books are fantastic and would make a great movie franchise. They have the darkness of Harry Potter, but with a storyline that is not based on Magic, but instead a future where ghosts and ghouls stalk the Earth haunting and killing anyone who comes too close. The twist is that only children can see them and hear them and are doing everything in their power to protect the adults from what has been named 'The Problem'.