Which Lockwood And Co Book Should I Start With As A New Reader?
Jumping into this supernatural detective series! Should I begin with The Screaming Staircase, or can you read later books first without spoiling the mystery arcs?
2026-07-31 00:16:22
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OrlaGrant
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XavierCox
Helpful Reader
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Check used bookstores! You can often find the first book for a couple of dollars. It's a low-cost way to commit to the starting point. The original UK covers are especially nice, with that classic, creepy illustrated style.
Having the physical book adds to the experience, I think. Flipping back to check a detail about a ghost type or a relic. It feels like you're part of their research. And when you finish the series, that first book on your shelf will be a great reminder of where it all began.
2026-08-02 07:21:42
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OurSky
Detail Spotter
Nurse
The audiobooks narrated by Emily Bevan are phenomenal. If you're considering that format, absolutely start with the first one. Her vocal characterizations for Lucy, Lockwood, and George are distinct and charming, and she captures the humor and tension beautifully.
Listening to 'The Screaming Staircase' lets you settle into the world and the characters' voices. By the time you get to the later books, you're fully immersed. Skipping around in audiobook format would be especially jarring because you'd lose that vocal continuity.
It's one of those rare series where the narration elevates the material. Starting anywhere else would be a disservice to that experience.
2026-08-03 00:12:19
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RheaLee
Sharp Observer
Editor
The series gets progressively darker and more complex. 'The Screaming Staircase' has its scary moments, but it's also got a lot of lighthearted charm and discovery. It eases you into the horror elements. Starting with a later, more intense book like 'The Creeping Shadow' could be overwhelming and tonally confusing.
You need that initial balance of humor and spookiness to fully appreciate the shift into the more serious, high-stakes tension of the later entries. The emotional payoff hinges on you seeing the characters in lighter times first.
2026-08-05 17:45:56
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A billionaire who turns obedience into an art and mistakes into consequences.
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From a purely narrative mechanics standpoint, the timeline is a masterclass in pacing. Each book has its own three-act structure with a satisfying conclusion to its central case, but each also ends with a hook—a new mystery, an emotional cliffhanger, a shocking reveal—that propels you directly into the next volume. It's the literary equivalent of a TV show's "next episode" autoplay. The story never really pauses for breath, which perfectly mirrors the relentless nature of the Problem itself. The world doesn't stop for them to recover, and neither does the narrative.
I have all five lined up on my e-reader. The perfect binge. There's something satisfying about a series with a clear beginning, middle, and end. No spin-offs, no extended universe (yet). Just a tight, five-book arc. Cherish that. Read them in the order the author wrote them, and you'll get the complete story he wanted to tell.
What about the short story 'The Dagger in the Desk'? It's set between books one and two. It's a fun, contained case. If you're a purist, read it after 'The Screaming Staircase'. But it's not required. The main arc is entirely in the five novels. My two cents: read the five main books in order first. If you finish and are desperate for more, then read the short stories. They're like deleted scenes— enjoyable, but not part of the essential plot. So, priority is 1-2-3-4-5.
If you loved the eerie vibes and witty banter in 'Lockwood & Co.', you’d probably get hooked on Jonathan Stroud’s other series, 'The Bartimaeus Sequence'. It’s got that same blend of sarcastic humor and supernatural danger, though it leans more into political intrigue and djinn instead of ghosts. The dynamic between Nathaniel and Bartimaeus is just as entertaining as Lockwood and Lucy’s partnership.
Another great pick is 'Skulduggery Pleasant' by Derek Landy. The mix of detective work and supernatural chaos feels familiar, and Skulduggery’s dry wit is a highlight. For something darker, 'The Screaming Staircase' fans might enjoy 'The Diviners' by Libba Bray—1920s New York, occult mysteries, and a group of teens unraveling creepy secrets. It’s lush and atmospheric, though slower-paced.
From a collector's angle, the UK hardcover designs connect to form a single image across the spines—a silhouette of Lockwood & Co. in action. That's a pretty literal metaphor for the series! Each book is a piece of a larger portrait. You need all five, in order, to see the complete picture the author intended, both narratively and visually.