Lucy has left Lockwood&Co. A freelance operative, she is hiring herself out to other agencies agencies that might value her ever-improving skills.

But now Lockwood needs her help.

Penelope Fittes, leader of the well-renowned Fittes Agency wants Lockwood&Co. and only them to locate and remove the Source for the legendary Brixton Cannibal.

Its a tough assignment. Made worse by the tensions between Lucy and the other agents even the skull is treating her like a jilted lover!

What will it take to reunite the team? Black marketeers, an informant ghost, a Spirit Cape that transports the wearer, and mysteries involving their closest rivals may just do the trick.

But not all is at it seems. And its not long before a shocking revelation rocks Lockwood&Co. to its very core . . .

'Stroud is a genius' -Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series.

Jonathan Stroud was born in Bedford in 1970. After studying English Literature at York University, he moved to London, where he worked as an editor in a publishing firm. He is also the author of the best-selling BARTIMAEUS sequence, which is published in 35 languages and has sold 6 million copies worldwide, and also of four other novels: HEROES OF THE VALLEY, THE LAST SIEGE, THE LEAP and BURIED FIRE. He lives in Hertfordshire with his family. He has yet to see a ghost, but is keeping his eyes open.