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bookcheshirecat's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
“Well, I make that one murder victim, one police interrogation and one conversation with a ghost,” George said. “Now that’s what I call a busy evening.” Lockwood nodded. “To think some people just watch television.”
➽ The Whispering Skull brings us another mystery for the Lockwood & Co agency! I love that each book in the series is focused on a new case, it reminds me of the 'Monster of the Week' episodes for Supernatural back in the day. Lucy has (more or less) mastered her very first case with Lockwood and George, but as a ghost hunter, her life is never quiet for long. I loved the trio's interactions so much, I've always been a big fan of found family and as the smallest agency in London, they all have to stick together. This becomes apparent in this book, as there's a big case in Kensal Green Cemetery, where a dangerous artefact was stolen from the grave of a vicious spirit. With such a big case, the other agencies show up as well, especially Fittes, the biggest agency in the country. Lockwood is determined to uncover this case and get recognition for them, especially as their rivals are Quill Kipps and his team! They think they're so far ahead of them, as they work for a big agency and have more resources. I liked seeing the dynamics between the agencies and the rivalries that exist!
➽ My favorite new addition was the Skull, a literal skull trapped in a glass jar that George stole during his brief time at the Fittes agency. It becomes a much bigger part of the story as it begins speaking to Lucy, since she's a listener. It's rumored that the Skull is a rare Type Three spirit that can communicate with the living. I liked that there were different types of classes of spirits. The higher the class, the more active and dangerous the spirit! The Skull's sarcastic commentary and tendency to scare people by pulling horrible faces endeared me to it immediately. Lucy's annoyed with it for the most part, as it rarely says anything useful and tries to convince her to let its source out of its prison. I loved that you could never know whether to trust it or not, even though it ended up having vital information in their newest case!
➽ While I love the series, there are issues with Lucy's internalized misogyny that pop up at various times in the books. It started here, as - apart from Flo Bones and Holly - there aren't any notable female characters. Lucy's a great, flawed character, but her attitude towards other girls often comes across as condescending and like she thinks herself better for not being as 'girly'. Case in point: “This was classic Lockwood. Friendly, considerate, empathetic. My personal impulse would have been to slap the girl soundly around the face and boot her moaning backside out into the night. Which is why he's the leader, and I'm not. Also why I have no female friends.” There are some issues with Lucy being more of a tomboy being presented like she's superior in a way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny
danicampbell0506's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
tiwllan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Body horror, Murder, and Death
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