The Hollow Boy — Department Store Destruction

Book three in the Lockwood and Co. series continues on a strong note! The gang (Lucy, George, Lockwood) are currently in the midst of a big problem: The Problem, as in the massive country-wide paranormal epidemic the UK is facing, is having a resurgence in a specific London district, and our agents are being stretched thin. Unfortunately, this doesn’t just stop with our heroes. All of London (from the biggest agencies to the smallest groups) are struggling to keep up with the terrifying surge of cases.

How do our lovely heroes deal with this overload of work and stress? They hire an assistant! Meet Holly; she’s going to be dealing with the paperwork! And the dishes, and the tools, and the clothes, and the laundry and—-

Okay, so she’s doing a lot! Almost too much. Lucy hates her, she’s stealing her spot (or at least that’s how Lucy feels). This growing dynamic is going to be the pillar that the rest of the book builds on, and it does it wonderfully.

Oh, and my favorite character, the ghost jar, returns! This chiding, rude, gawking jerk is so endearing in such an awful way. Since only Lucy and he can speak, it makes for some interesting (and at times really funny) banter. Holly’s folded Lucy’s clothes again? Kill her and stuff her in the fridge! This skull continues to be funny and I am here for every moment of it.

The story’s climax is great too, and it involves all of the previously mentioned elements. I won’t spoil it here, it’s too good. If you haven’t started this series by this point I really recommend you give it a shot.

Stroud, you did it again you brilliant bastard!