Avevamo lasciato Lucy alle prese con il fatto di essere riuscita a sentire forte e chiara la voce del teschio nel vaso proprietà – più o meno – della Lockwood & Co. e la ritroviamo nei guai fino al collo insieme a Lockwood e George in mezzo a un’infestazione – ehm, ehm – imprevista di Lemuri.

Leggere Il teschio parlante è stato un vero spasso: Lockwood, Lucy e George sono ormai un trio affiatato e vederlз lavorare insieme nella loro – ancora – scalcagnata agenzia di investigazione psichica è uno spettacolo. Lockwood è sempre più affascinante e irresistibile, George è sempre più curioso e irascibile, Lucy sempre più determinata e curiosa.

La new entry, il teschio nel vaso, è il pepe che mancava: perfido e infido, è sempre in bilico tra il seminatore di zizzania e l’infiltrato nella fazione opposta. Come ci ha mostrato con Bartimeus nella saga a lui dedicata, Stroud è maestro nel creare e gestire questi personaggi non proprio entusiasti di essere necessari a questi pretenziosi esseri umani con i quali devono avere a che fare.

Come se già non ci fosse abbastanza carne al fuoco, Stroud aggiunge una sfida tra la Lockwood & Co. e il gruppo di Quill Kipps, facente parte dell’Agenzia Fittes, decisamente famosa e piena di risorse. Manco a dirlo, le cose precipiteranno in fretta, iniziando a far intravedere interessanti retroscena che rendono assolutamente necessario il proseguimento della serie.

E poi dobbiamo sapere cosa è successo in quella stanza. E meno male avevo sottomano il terzo volume, altrimenti sarei morta nell’attesa di sapere. Mannaggia a te, Stroud, che razza di finale. ( )

Six months after their successful case clearing one of England's most haunted houses, Lockwood & Co. is asked to be at the evacuation of an unmarked grave, now known to be that of Dr. Edmund Bickerstaff. However, Lockwood & Co. is not the only agency there, rival Quill Kipps and his team of Fittes agents were also asked to be present. When the case turns out to be larger than expected, the agencies are asked to work together and Lockwood sees fit to challenge Kipp's team to a contest. Bickerstaff's casket was unusual, from a time before The Problem, Bickerstaff is encased in iron. His ghost emanates dark and powerful. With his body is a curious glass and stand that is promptly stolen. Now, Lockwood & Co. and the Fittes Agents are racing against one another to get the glass back and figure out it's purpose.

The Whispering Skull is the second book in the Lockwood & Co. series and I would highly recommend reading these in order. I really enjoyed the case of Bickerstaff's grave as well as the bone glass. The writing grew the suspense and slowly compounded the mysteries for a thrilling story. I love the inclusion of the skull relic that George keeps at Lockwood & Co., the skull also gives Lucy's listening talent room to grow. With George getting a peek into the bone glass, we see more of his character develop in this book as well as the Lockwood & Co. team dynamics shape up. The mystery and revealed history of the bone glass gave some insight into The Problem and it's potential origins. An exciting ending also reveals a secret of Lockwood's closed room. ( )

Although I picked this book up thinking it would pick up where the Netflix series left off I was a bit off. This story pretty much covers the middle to end of the episodes and leaves off in exactly the same place.

I did enjoy a bit more of the in depth look into this alternative universe. The ghost in the jar in the book was much more malevolent than what I perceived from the show. The characters actually seemed to have more depth in the television show and I have to say I'm happy I watched it first and read it after.

The book is well written and intriguing. I can see why it is a popular series.

I'm certainly interested in continuing on with the series and am now looking forward to actually getting to see what comes next. ( )

Jonathan Stroud combines humor and scares in this second book of the Lockwood and Co. series. His narrator Lucy's dry observations of her haunted world and the colorful characters who people it never fail to make me laugh. It's a well-constructed world, and I like how the author handles the idea of children and teens being society's protectors, the implications for them as well as for the adults.
The audiobook reader changed from Miranda Raison to Katie Lyons, but the performance was still excellent.
Looking forward to more adventures with Lucy, Lockwood and George! ( )

Excellent characters; drama, twists and terrifying ghosts! ( )