The Screaming Staircase
by Jonathan Stroud (Doubleday, 2013); audiobook read by Miranda Raison (Random House Audio, 2013)
Competent world-building and good characterisation (particularly via Raison’s audiobook reading), though Lucy exhibits less personality than Lockwood or George and is a slightly disappointing viewpoint character. The story is fun and at times gripping, yet feels constructed, following a too-neat narrative blueprint.